After almost 13 years as Nintendo of America's President and COO, Reggie Fils-Aime will retire. Reggie announced that his last day with the company will be on April 15. Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America's current Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, will take over as the new President for Nintendo of America.
Reggie offered up some words on today's announcement.
“I really appreciate everything Reggie has done for Nintendo,†said Shuntaro Furukawa, President of Nintendo Co., Ltd. “Inside and outside our company, Reggie is known as an exceptional leader. We are grateful that he is leaving the business in good shape with strong momentum. While we will miss him and we wish him the very best in his retirement, we are also pleased to have such an able successor ready to step into that role. Doug Bowser and the rest of the team will ensure a seamless transition and continued momentum for Nintendo.â€
“Nintendo owns a part of my heart forever,†Fils-Aime said. “It’s a part that is filled with gratitude – for the incredibly talented people I’ve worked with, for the opportunity to represent such a wonderful brand, and most of all, to feel like a member of the world’s most positive and enduring gamer community. As I look forward to departing in both good health and good humor, this is not ‘game over’ for me, but instead ‘leveling up’ to more time with my wife, family and friends.â€
“Nintendo owns a part of my heart forever,†Fils-Aime said. “It’s a part that is filled with gratitude – for the incredibly talented people I’ve worked with, for the opportunity to represent such a wonderful brand, and most of all, to feel like a member of the world’s most positive and enduring gamer community. As I look forward to departing in both good health and good humor, this is not ‘game over’ for me, but instead ‘leveling up’ to more time with my wife, family and friends.â€
During his time as the President of Nintendo of America, Nintendo expanded throughout the US with new and expanded offices in Redwood City, CA, and a new, environmentally friendly headquarters in Redmond, Washington.
Doug Bowser joined Nintendo of America in May 2015 as the VP of Sales. He was then promoted to Senior VP of Sales and Marketing in just a year's time. Bowser was a key figure in sales and marketing efforts for the Nintendo Switch, helping to push it to become the "fastest-selling video game system of this hardware generation through 21 months." Bowser was previously EA's VP of Global Business Planning.
In addition to his words above, Reggie gave a heartfelt farewell in a video posted to Twitter earlier today.