The grandson of the co-founder of Addison-based cosmetics brand Mary Kay Inc. is set to become the new CEO.
Ryan Rogers, Mary Kay’s chief investment officer, grandson of Mary Kay Ash, and son of co-founder Richard R. Rogers, will become the cosmetic giant’s CEO and president on January 1.
Current CEO David Holl, who has served as the brand’s top executive since 2006, will retire after nearly 30 years with the company.
“As a young man, my grandmother predicted I would someday lead her company and worked to prepare me by sharing many of her leadership lessons,” Rogers said in a press release. “As usual, Mary Kay was right. I am honored but also energized to have the opportunity to lead my grandmother’s company as we begin our 60th anniversary year.”
The incoming CEO joined Mary Kay Inc. in 2000 as a financial analyst and has held several positions in the ensuing years. In 2001, he became vice president of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation, created to fund women’s cancer research and end domestic violence. In 2013, Rogers became the chief investment officer of the company.
During Holl’s run as CEO, he led a global expansion. The cosmetic empire now spans 40 countries, with its most recent expansion into Peru, the Dallas Morning News said.
Mary Kay’s in-person seminars in Dallas resumed this year for Mary Kay’s independent beauty consultants. The seminar weekends were estimated to bring a $35 million impact to North Texas, including the reservation of around 29,000 hotel room nights and over $800,000 in local tax revenue, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Holl expressed his confidence in Rogers as the best fit for the company and shared his feelings about working for Mary Kay.
“Besides my family, nothing has given me greater joy and pride than being part of Mary Kay for the last 30 years,” Holl said. “I will always proudly be part of this company, its employees, and its mission of enriching women’s lives.”
Mary Kay cosmetics certainly enriched my life. I started using her cosmetics when I was a young woman in Texas. I loved her cleansing starters and used all of it for many years!