By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Build-A-Bear Workshop CEO Sharon Price John is the new chair at The Toy Association, as one of seven new elected directors.
The Toy Association announced the election of seven new members as well as two term renewals to its Board of Directors at its annual general meeting.
Price John (in photo at top) replaces Aaron Muderick, who led the association in a successful two-year term, and who is now taking over the role of chair of the Board Nominating Committee, and will also serve as a member of the chair’s Advisory Committee. Muderick is the founder and executive chair of Crazy Aaron’s, the company that developed Thinking Putty.
“We are grateful to Aaron Muderick for his leadership these past two years and dedication to protecting and promoting the collective interests of our industry,” said Andy Keimach, president & chief executive of The Toy Association. “As an inventor, entrepreneur, and accomplished business owner, Aaron’s tenure has been characterized by a profound understanding of our diverse membership base and a steadfast commitment to advocating for all within the expansive toy and play community.
“With Sharon Price John assuming the role of chairperson, we welcome an exceptional visionary whose guidance promises to steer our organization toward continued growth and innovation,” Keimach added. “Sharon’s diverse toy background and impressive tenure at Build-A-Bear Workshop speaks volumes about her strategic acumen and leadership. Her proven track record of revitalizing brands across companies and driving sustainable success will undoubtedly bolster our mission of advancing the toy and play industry.”
The meeting included updates on the ways in which the organization is listening to, engaging with, and bringing together the industry; the Association’s fight against harmful legislation and other obstacles threatening the toy and play community’s ability to get toys effectively and safely into consumers’ hands; and details about the upcoming LA Fall Preview and Toy Fair® 2025 events.
The meeting opened with remarks from Muderick, who also presented the 2024 Chairperson’s Award to Steven Aarons, founder of Child’s Play Toys & Books, a retailer based in Washington, D.C.
During the meeting itself, the Toy Association membership elected seven new members representing companies of all sizes to serve terms on The Toy Association Board of Directors. They include Vish Chandran, CEO of Wild Republic; Tim Kilpin, president of toys, licensing, & entertainment at Hasbro; Bryan Scott, vice president of merchandising at Target; Wes Hardin, CEO of Diverse Marketing; Max Rangel, director, global president, & CEO of Spin Master; Rob Michaelis, vice president of commercialization, parks, experiences, & consumer products at The Walt Disney Company; and Duncan Billing, chair of the board of advisors at Moose Toys.
Two members were elected to serve additional two-year terms. Anne Carrihill, director & general manager, category leader of toys & games at Amazon, was elected to serve a third term, and Geoffrey Greenberg, co-president of Just Play, was elected to a second term.
Association board members are elected for two-year terms and may be nominated for re-election twice before being required to depart the board.
Six outgoing board members were recognized for their many contributions: Chris Harrs, executive vice president general counsel & secretary at Spin Master; Bridgette Miller, chief marketing & sustainability officer at Melissa & Doug; Melissa Millo, vice president of strategy & operations, at Target; Michael Keaton, CEO of Toysmith; Andrew Quartin, CEO of Thames & Kosmos; and Andy Weiner, chief advisor of Toy’n Around.
The Toy Association’s 2024 Executive Committee, elected by the board members during their winter meeting on February 26, will include: Sharon Price John as chairperson; Geoffrey Greenberg of Just Play as vice chairperson; Tim Kilpin of Hasbro as secretary-treasurer; and Jared Carr, senior vice president & U.S. general manager of LEGO Systems, and Vish Chandran of Wild Republic as members at large.
“The Toy Association team, alongside our board of directors and numerous volunteer committees, is laser focused on addressing the diverse needs of members across all scales and sectors and the industry as a whole,” Keimach said. “Whether they are established household brands or emerging startups and inventors, every company contributes significantly to the vitality, expansion, and innovation within the toy and play community.
“Between our advocacy work, data-driven research and education offerings, trend reports, and other strategic initiatives, we will continue to protect the industry from legislative roadblocks, deliver toys to children in need through The Toy Foundation, provide invaluable resources for navigating market complexities, and champion the importance of play.”