Zappos names permanent CEO

A 14-year company veteran has taken the helm of Zappos.com on a permanent basis.

Scott Schaefer, who has been acting CEO since December 2021, was named to the position on a permanent basis. Prior to that, he served as VP of finance for Zappos, which was preceded by multiple positions with financial, operational and strategic scopes at the company. The company called him “a passionate sneakerhead.”

Before joining the online footwear and accessories retailer in 2008, Schaefer held finance-related roles at Davenport Wealth Management and Ernst & Young.

Schafer was named acting CEO at Zappos after Kedar Deshpande resigned at the end of 2021.  Deshpande, previously Zappos COO, took over as CEO in August 2020, shortly after the retirement of longtime company leader and innovator Tony Hsieh, who served as CEO of Zappos from 2000 until 2020. Hsieh died at 46 in November 2020 after sustaining injuries in a house fire.

"I am thrilled and honored to continue my journey at Zappos as chief executive officer," said Schaefer. "My genuine passion for and deep understanding of our business allows me to get a quick start in creating an unmatched experience for our brand partners, surprising and delighting our customers, continuing our long history of leading compassionately and, as a financier at heart, strengthening our business's financial position."

As CEO, Schafer will oversee the culture-focused company which has more than 1,400 employees across the United States. The retailer, which was purchased by Amazon in 2009, credited him for “collaborating on new ways to drive innovative solutions and experimenting with creative opportunities to deliver Zappos's signature "WOW" to employees, customers and brands.