In the life of every company, there inevitably comes a time when difficult decisions must be made. These moments are rarely deliberately sought but instead thrust upon us by unexpected circumstances and unforeseen events. Recently, Seventh Generation faced such a situation and in the end made a change that we want you to know about: Our co-founder Jeffrey Hollender's employment relationship with the company has ended.
Two years ago, Jeffrey saw the need to bring in a senior leader with the skills and background to take Seventh Generation to a whole new level; to bring our vision of corporate responsibility and respect for the environment to scale; and in so doing, provide more consumers with products designed to protect their homes and the planet. The result was the hiring, in June of 2009, of Chuck Maniscalco as our new CEO. As Chuck said at the time, he came because he believed he had the skills and capabilities to help the company grow, and he believed deeply in the mission of this company. He came to provide better product choices to more and more consumers, and he came to show that there is a better way to run a business that can be an example for others to follow.
As you know, Jeffrey Hollender's entrepreneurial passion and dedication brought Seventh Generation to life and nurtured it for more than two decades. He has, through Seventh Generation, strived to set a higher standard for how to operate a business in a truly responsible and sustainable way. His is a legacy worthy of the highest respect and admiration.
We recognize that you may have questions about this change that are not fully answered by this announcement. Transparency has been a hallmark of Seventh Generation and we want to assure you that transparency about our products and our business practices will continue, because we think you have a right to know. We hope you understand that there are instances where honoring privacy and personal circumstances are equally or more important considerations, and this is just such a case.
Finally, we want to emphasize to you that, although our leadership has changed, our aspirations have not. We will continue to do all that is within our power to drive our business and our social mission forward. We thank Jeffrey for his vision and for the company he has built. And we thank you as well for allowing us to be a part of your life. Seventh Generation has a rewarding road ahead, but this success springs not from one individual, but from the synergy that comes when many act together to realize a singular ideal. That's the task before us now, and with your continued help and support, we are certain we'll achieve it.
