Mary Kay Ash’s Son to Succeed Her as Chairman

Mary Kay Ash, who founded her namesake company almost 25 years ago, will become chairman emeritus of the privately held Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc. Her son, Richard R. Rogers, president, chief executive and co-founder of the company, will succeed Ash as chairman and retain his responsibilities as CEO.

Rogers, 44, named Richard C. Bartlett, 52, as president and chief operating officer of May Kay Cosmetics Inc. and John P. Rochon, 36, as vice chairman of the board and chief financial officer of the parent company, Mary Kay Corp. Rochon will retain responsibilities as chief financial officer of the cosmetics company. Rogers also named Gerald M. Allen, 46, as president-international division.

“The company has Mary Kay’s name,” Rogers said, “but it also has a life of its own. Mary Kay businesswomen will continue to carry the torch of this company’s standards and philosophies of sharing and giving.

“During the past 25 years, and for the 25 years before that, Mary Kay has spent every working day in helping women achieve personal growth. We believe she has contributed more to women’s economic advancement than any other person. By becoming chairman emeritus, she can continue to be our role model while pursuing personal goals.”

The organization distributes skin-care, makeup, toiletries and fragrance products to a direct sales force of more than 150,000 independent “beauty consultants.”

Mary Kay Ash, who does not reveal her age, built the company from a $5,000 savings account and continually stressed the company motto: “God first, family second, Mary Kay third.”

In the past two years, the company has introduced new formulations of 100% fragrance-free skin-care products and a new system of men’s skin care.

Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc. has 1,200 employees in its corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Dallas and five distribution centers in California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas. It has subsidiaries in Argentina, Australia, Canada and West Germany.