Mary Kay Names Founder’s Son as CEO

Mary Kay Inc., a cosmetics company known for rewarding its best-performing salespeople with pink Cadillacs, named Richard Rogers chief executive to let him be more involved in the company his mother started.

Rogers, the son of founder Mary Kay Ash, replaces John Rochon, who left to pursue family-related business opportunities, spokeswoman Shannon Summers said. Rogers, 58, will take on the CEO’s responsibilities in addition to his role as chairman. Ash remains chairwoman emeritus, Summers said.

In 1963, Ash began the Dallas-based company that is now the second-largest direct-selling cosmetics company behind Avon Products Inc.

The closely held company’s sales topped $2.2 billion at the retail level last year, Summers said. Mary Kay didn’t make any other executive changes, Summers said.