Cabela’s names new chief

Sidney, Neb. Cabela’s announced Monday that 33-year company veteran Dennis Highby will move into the position of vice chairman of the board after serving as the company’s president and CEO for the last six years. Named as his replacement in the top post is Thomas Millner.

The leadership shift is effective April 6.

Millner is formerly CEO of Freedom Group, parent to Remington Arms Co., and a long-time vendor to Cabela’s.

During Highby’s tenure, Cabela’s annual revenue grew from approximately $4 million to $2.55 billion, and he is credited with an instrumental role in expanding the company’s catalog business to the largest in the outdoor industry. He took Cabela’s public in 2004.

“This announcement is the culmination of a succession planning process that has been underway for the past two years,” said James Cabela, company co-founder and a vice chairman of the board. “Since the day he was hired, Dennis made tremendous contributions to Cabela’s. As a company leader, Dennis, and his team, have added significant value to the organization, and the board has asked Dennis to stay with the company in an advisory role to help maintain the company legacy, as well as become a vice chairman of the board.”