Kirk Palmer Associates Assists BRUNT Workwear with Chief Financial and Operating Officer Search
February 18, 2026 – Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Stephen Stanton as chief financial and operating officer of BRUNT Workwear. The search was led by Dana Levine, Suzannah Brown, and Jennifer Riemer. “As we head into our sixth year of business, the opportunity in front of us is bigger than ever,” said Eric Girouard, founder and CEO of BRUNT. “Navigating the road ahead requires veteran leadership with a proven ability to drive scalable growth across channels, while still building a business and culture that stays true to the trades community.”
Mr. Stanton has extensive leadership experience working across private and public companies, driving financial and operational success, and enabling strategic growth. Prior to joining BRUNT, he served as chief financial officer and executive vice president at the fast-growing direct-to-consumer brand ButcherBox. Before that, Mr. Stanton was executive director of finance at athenahealth, where he played a significant role in the company’s sale to Bain Capital and Hellman & Friedman. His background includes leadership across FP&A, accounting, M&A, and operations with an affinity for driving growth, optimizing capital, and supporting transactions.
“There’s a massive opportunity in workwear as a new generation enters the trades,” said Mr. Stanton. “BRUNT has done tremendous work disrupting the category and scaling the company in the last five years to meet the demands of the modern tradesworker, and they aren’t slowing down. I’m energized to help drive the business forward at this pivotal moment.”
Launched in 2020, BRUNT Workwear is retooling the way the workwear industry works by collaborating with trade workers to develop boots and apparel that provide the best performance, durability and comfort. Backed by Stripes, the company is headquartered in North Reading, MA.
Related: Kirk Palmer Associates Assists Ashley Stewart in Finding New CEO
Since its founding in 1987, Kirk Palmer Associates has grown globally, helping retailers hire CEOs, presidents, and front-of-house executives spanning a wide array of marketing, merchandising, stores, sales, e-commerce, and digital leadership roles. Kirk Palmer Associates is made up of retail and fashion industry veterans. The firm’s partners have placed more than 1,000 CEOs, presidents, vice presidents, and other senior executives at over 200 retail and wholesale companies across all channels, sectors, and functional areas.
Proven Search Consultants
Ms. Levine is a partner specializing in fashion, luxury and lifestyle brands. She joined Kirk Palmer Associates in 2014 after an extensive career in merchandising, planning, digital, and stores at GAP, Ralph Lauren, and Loro Piana. Ms. Levine has partnered with clients ranging from LVMH to PetSmart and has placed CEO, C-level and senior management executives.
Five Questions with MJ Scott, Incoming CEO of Kirk Palmer Associates
Kirk Palmer Associates (KPA) an independent executive search firm dedicated exclusively to retail and consumer brands, this past July appointed search industry veteran MaryJeanne (MJ) Scott as its new CEO. A seasoned leader with more than 25 years in retail and executive search, Ms. Scott brings expanded capabilities to KPA’s global operations with a focus on growth, while Kirk Palmer continues to guide the firm’s strategic direction and key client relationships.
“I will continue to work closely with MJ and the partners as executive chairman, acting as a strategic advisor with a special focus on client development, and continuing to play an active role in our retail and consumer-centric executive community. MJ and I share a deep passion for this industry and for executive search, as well as a foundational set of core beliefs and values. Her hire is the result of an exhaustive, multi-year search, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.”
Ms. Brown is a senior associate at Kirk Palmer Associates. She brings to the role nearly a decade of experience within executive search as well as financial and private equity services. Most recently, Ms. Brown was a core member of the global retail, apparel, and luxury goods practice at Spencer Stuart.
Ms. Riemer began her career in search over a decade ago supporting the board practice at Spencer Stuart. She is adept at supporting complex executive search assignments for board, CEO and C-level through VP talent. Earlier in her career, Ms. Riemer was an external communications specialist at McKinsey & Company.
Related: Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits CFO for Fossil Group
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
