A major shakeup is coming to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Doug Bowser, the president and COO of Nintendo of America, is retiring at the end of the year, after more than a decade with the company. Bowser (who in one of the greatest coincidences in corporate history shares a last name with arguably the most famous villain that Nintendo has ever created) will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, a longtime member of the Nintendo of America leadership team.
In addition, Satoru Shibata will join NOA as CEO, while continuing his roles as managing executive officer and corporate director, member of the board at Nintendo Co., Ltd. Pritchard will also join the NOA Board of Directors and become an NCL Executive Officer.
“One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong,” said Bowser in a statement. “Since that time, all things Nintendo have continued to be a passion for both me and my family. Leading Nintendo of America has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished in both business results and the experiences we’ve created for consumers.”
“Now, it’s time for the next generation of leadership and Devon’s track record speaks for itself,” Bowser added. “She is an exceptional leader, and her promotion is a testament to her strong performance and strategic contributions to the company’s growth. I have full confidence that she will guide the company to even greater heights.”
Pritchard has held multiple roles at the company, and is currently executive VP of revenue, marketing and consumer experience.
“I am humbled and excited to take on this new role,” Pritchard said. “Doug has been a fantastic mentor, and I look forward to building on the incredible foundation he has helped establish. With characters and worlds that offer something for everyone, my focus will be continuing to build on Nintendo’s legacy of surprising and delighting our longtime fans, while at the same time welcoming new players into the Nintendo family.”