---
title: "Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Names Richard A. Johnson to Board of Directors"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/73a55b1c-3d5d-4183-8bc8-36b3503d706d
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20250306_buildabear_workshop_inc_names_richard_a_johnson_to_board_of_directors.html
category: "Specialty retail"
industry: "Retail"
segment: "Specialty retail"
topics: ["People"]
published: 2025-03-06T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T17:05:12.559Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1551836022-deb4988cc6c0?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Names Richard A. Johnson to Board of Directors

**TL;DR:** Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has appointed Richard A. Johnson to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Johnson brings extensive knowledge of retail operations, having previously served as CEO and President of Foot Locker, Inc.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2025-03-06. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20250306_buildabear_workshop_inc_names_richard_a_johnson_to_board_of_directors.html).*

## Story

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 5, 2025-- Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard “Dick” A. Johnson to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

“After conducting an extensive search, we are delighted to welcome Mr. Johnson to our Board of Directors. We believe that Dick’s extensive knowledge of both brick and mortar and digital retail operations will enable him to make an immediate contribution as we look to accelerate our long-term strategic initiatives and continue to create value for our shareholders,” said Craig Leavitt, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Johnson retired as CEO and President of Foot Locker, Inc., a leading publicly held global athletic footwear and apparel retailer, in September 2022.

He continued to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board of Foot Locker until January 2023. Mr. Johnson had served as CEO and President of Foot Locker since December 2014, and as Chairman of the Board since May 2016.

Prior to becoming CEO and President, he served in a variety of other leadership roles across the globe with Foot Locker, Inc. Earlier in his career, Mr. Johnson was a transportation economics manager at Graebel Van Lines, Inc.

and he worked for Electronic Data Systems, an IT services company, as a systems engineer. Mr. Johnson currently serves on the board of directors of H&R Block, Inc.

, a publicly traded tax preparation company, and Graebel Companies, Inc., a private company and global leader in mobility services. He served as the Chairman of the board of directors of the Retail Industry Leaders Association and on the board of directors of The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America.

Mr. Johnson currently serves on the Chancellor’s National Leadership Council at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, and previously served as a Save the Children Trustee and representative on the Save the Children – Head Start Board. Mr.

Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Accountancy from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Retail (sector)
- H&R Block (company)
- Build-A-Bear Workshop (company)
- board appointment (topic)
- leadership roles (topic)
- retail operations (topic)
- Foot Locker (company)
- Richard A. Johnson (person)
- Craig Leavitt (person)
- Graebel Companies, Inc. (company)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20250306_buildabear_workshop_inc_names_richard_a_johnson_to_board_of_directors.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/73a55b1c-3d5d-4183-8bc8-36b3503d706d).