Maxine Clark is the founder and former CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, a company she started in 1997. She led the company as its Chief Executive Bear until 2013, helping to grow it into a well-known brand. With a degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri, Maxine has extensive experience in the retail sector. Before launching Build-A-Bear, she was the President of Payless ShoeSource from 1992 to 1996 and spent over 19 years at The May Department Stores Company in various roles, including marketing and merchandise development. This broad experience has helped her understand what customers want and how to create products that resonate with them. Besides her work in retail, she sits on several boards, including the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Interestingly, her compensation at Build-A-Bear varied over the years, reflecting the company's performance; it peaked at over $1.8 million in 2010, a mix of salary, bonuses, and stock values. Maxine is also active in philanthropy, serving as the CEO of the Clark-Fox Family Foundation, promoting efforts to support women-owned businesses in St. Louis. Her insider trading activities saw significant fluctuations, peaking with sales reaching up to $3.8 million in June 2021, indicating her strong belief in the company's future and her personal success in the business world.

Build-A-Bear WorkshopJanuary 1997 - June 2013

Number of Employees

4.55K

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Year

2013

Total Compensation

$2.09M

Salary

$659.20K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aims to attract and retain highly qualified executives, motivate them to contribute to long-term success, and align their interests with those of stockholders through performance-based compensation.

Bonus

$377.14K

Board Justification

The bonus for 2013 was prorated based on the number of full calendar weeks Ms. Clark was employed during the fiscal year, with a total payout of 78% of the target bonus due to company performance.

Other

$189.56K

Board Justification

Includes consulting fees paid pursuant to her Consulting Agreement, legal fees reimbursement, and other benefits.

Restricted Stock

$862.35K(111.42K restricted stock)

Board Justification

The total number of time-based restricted shares that vested in 2013, which vest at the rate of 25% per year over four years from the date of grant, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for determining compensation included the achievement of pre-established financial goals related to consolidated pretax income.

SEC Filing

From April 4, 2014

View SEC Filing

Maxine Clark

Founder and Ex-CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop

Education

Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia

Field of Expertise

Consumer Goods & Retail - Retail

Born

March 6, 1949 - 75 years ago

Is Founder?

Yes

Tenure

16 years 5 months (Jan 1997 - Jun 2013)

Previous Experience

Vice President of Payless ShoeSource, Inc.

Predecessor

None

Successor

Sharon Price John

June 2013 - Present