Brad Kauffman has been named Vice President and General Manager of Merchandise and Retail of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, effective June 2, it was announced today by Emily K. Rafferty, President of the Museum. He will assume responsibility for the management and merchandising of the Museum's shops, catalogs, wholesale, and the online Met Store (www.metmuseum.org/store).
A seasoned retail and consumer products executive, Mr. Kauffman has since 1988 held a variety of positions at L. L. Bean – a multi-channel retailer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel – where he rose steadily through the ranks to become Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning and New Business Development.
In announcing the appointment, Ms. Rafferty stated: "We are pleased to welcome a professional of such accomplishment and dedication, who comes to us from a distinguished career at a company that, like the Met, is dedicated to the quality and integrity of its merchandising. Brad has experience in virtually all aspects of the business, from product development to catalogs and online sales, to opening and managing new stores. This background – combined with his terrific understanding of and respect for organizations that value loyalty and tradition, and that work hard to maintain their level of excellence, while looking ahead – make him particularly well suited to his new role at the Met."
Brad Kauffman commented: "I am delighted to join The Metropolitan Museum of Art and am excited to lead the merchandising team in its efforts to support the Museum and further its mission."
Mr. Kauffman is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School. After practicing corporate law for a short time, he decided to pivot his career toward his greater interest in retail. In 1988 he joined L. L. Bean, a privately held, family-owned company founded in 1912.
Beginning as an inventory buyer, he held positions there as product manager, director of product development, director of product business planning, director of loyalty marketing, vice president of product merchandising, and senior vice president and general manager of retail.
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April 14, 2008
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