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BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading solutions provider for the education industry, today announced the appointment of Christopher Neumann as General Counsel & Corporate Secretary and Gary Luster as Chief Accounting Officer, effective March 3, 2025.
Christopher Neumann – General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Mr. Neumann joins BNED from Six Flags — a NYSE listed public company that operates an extensive portfolio of large-scale amusement and water parks across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — where he served as General Counsel & Corporate Secretary and led the legal and corporate governance functions in a fast-moving and highly dynamic industry, including through Six Flags’ $8 billion merger with Cedar Fair. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel for Kaplan, an international educational services company, where he gained significant experience and knowledge within the education industry while overseeing Kaplan’s North American legal function.
Mr. Neumann’s expertise in driving strategic initiatives and enterprise-wide growth at complex public and private companies will be instrumental in strengthening BNED’s legal framework, business strategy, governance, and risk management.
Mr. Neumann holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and earned his JD from St. John’s University School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and served on the St. John’s Law Review.
Gary Luster – Chief Accounting Officer
Mr. Luster joins BNED with an extensive background in accounting and finance, having successfully led enterprise-wide financial transformations, optimized reporting structures, and implemented robust financial controls to support business growth. His experience across large-scale, multi-location retailers such as TerrAscend, Capri Holdings (which owns Michael Kors, Versace, and Jimmy Choo), Tiffany & Co., and the former consumer health division of Novartis gives him unique insights into navigating complex financial operations, ensuring compliance, and driving strategic decision-making. Mr. Luster’s leadership and financial expertise will be key in elevating BNED’s business strategy, improving operational efficiencies, and ensuring long-term fiscal resilience.
Mr. Luster holds both a BA and MBA from Rutgers University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
"Chris and Gary significantly enhance the depth and capabilities of BNED’s leadership team as we continue to drive operational improvements across our business,” said Jonathan Shar, Chief Executive Officer, BNED. “Their extensive experience and proven track records in their respective fields will be instrumental in strengthening the company. Their leadership will play a crucial role in optimizing our processes, mitigating risk, and aligning our strategies with industry best practices — which will position BNED for long-term growth and enhanced shareholder value.”