Scholastic Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Robinson died Saturday after almost five decades running the publisher of children’s books, ending one of the longest tenures among U.S. CEOs.
Robinson was 84 and had been in “excellent health,” the New York-based company said in a statement Sunday. His achievements included publishing the Harry Potter series, which broke industry sales records, and the development of franchises such as “Captain Underpants,” “The Hunger Games” and “Goosebumps.”
The executive’s long run -- he became CEO in 1975 -- placed him in a very rare club. Very few people have served a U.S. public company longer, most notably Warren Buffett, who is approaching his 52nd year as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Scholastic’s lead independent director James Barge will work with Chief Strategy Officer Iole Lucchese, Secretary Andrew S. Hedden and Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Cleary to ensure all day-to-day operations continue without interruption, the company said.
Its Class A shareholders and board of directors will meet to appoint an interim operating head, the company said, without giving a timeline.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.