CarMax settles with activist Starboard with two new board appointments

April 9, 2026 5:01 PM EDT

Jeff Smith, CEO and Founder of Starboard Value, speaks during 13D Monitor's Active-Passive Investor Summit in New York City, U.S., October 21, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

April 9 (Reuters) - ‌CarMax said ​on ​Thursday it would add Bill Cobb and Jim Kessler ‌to its board in connection with ⁠its 2026 annual shareholder meeting, after ‌activist investor Starboard Value ‌pushed for changes at the used-car retailer.

Starboard, which disclosed a stake ​in CarMax last month, had nominated Cobb and its founder ⁠and CEO, Jeff Smith, to the board while ​urging the company to improve its digital customer experience, cut ​costs and overhaul its ‌pricing structure.

Following discussions with the retailer and the ⁠planned appointments of Cobb and Kessler, Starboard agreed to withdraw its director ⁠nominations for the annual meeting, CarMax said.

The ​new directors would bring auto industry and consumer expertise, CarMax CEO Keith Barr said.

"We ‌are confident that the refreshed Board in conjunction with ‌Keith as CarMax's new CEO ⁠can drive substantial ‌value creation," ​Smith said.

(Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya ‌Biswas)



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Reuters

Related Entities

Starboard Value