Etsy names new CEO and technology chief departs
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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Etsy, Inc., the online retailer that serves as a storefront for thousands of custom furniture makers and woodworkers, named Josh Silverman to CEO, effective May 3, 2017.
 
Silverman succeeds Chad Dickerson, who is stepping down to a role of advisor for Etsy, which trades on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
 
Silverman previously served as president of Consumer Products and Services at American Express. Before that, he was CEO of Skype, CEO of shopping.com, an eBay company, and held various executive roles at eBay. He was also a co-founder and CEO of Evite, Inc. and he currently serves on the board of directors of Shake Shack.
 
Silverman credited Dickson with transforming Etsy from a chaotic startup, growing revenues of sellers over nine times, the revenues Etsy generates almost fourteen times and the operating profit Etsy generates almost fifteen times.
 
"Having worked at other marketplaces, I recognize how difficult it is to create a differentiated value proposition for buyers that provides a unique opportunity for sellers—and Etsy has done that," said Silverman. Etsy also announced that John Allspaw, Chief Technology Officer, will be leaving the Company and Mike Brittain, VP of Engineering, will be named interim CTO.
 
Etsy also reported a $421,000 loss despire revenue rising 18 percent to  $96.9 million for the first quarter.  

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.