Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ) has announced that Michael T. Lawton (56) will be retiring as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer after 16 years of service with the company. He will be succeeded by Jeffrey D. Lawrence (41), current Treasurer of Domino’s, who has been with the Company since 2000. Lawton plans to depart at the end of August, following a brief transition period.
J. Patrick Doyle, Domino’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I can’t say enough great things about both these executives. Mike has not only been a terrific CFO, but a strong former leader of our international business – as well as a talented and flexible general business manager who has helped me by running both our IT and supply chain businesses during transition times.”
Doyle continued, “Jeff has very deep institutional knowledge, having served in just about every area of finance we have, and was the VP and Corporate Controller when we took the company public in 2004. He’s been central to virtually every major transaction we have completed. He, too, has had experience in our international division, a critical perspective for this key leadership role.”
Lawrence’s official title will be Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and will report to CEO Doyle.
Lawrence began his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen. He started at Domino’s in May 2000 as Director of Financial Reporting. He was promoted to Vice President and Corporate Controller in March of 2002, and moved to Vice President of International Finance in September 2008. He took over as Treasurer in January 2014, responsible for tax, treasury, risk management, financial planning and analysis and business insights. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Wayne State University in Detroit, and is a Certified Public Accountant. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Jeff lives in Brighton, Michigan, with his wife Tricia and three children.
Lawrence commented on his new post: “I love this company, and am both honored and humbled to represent Domino’s as its Chief Financial Officer. I’m very excited by the opportunities we have to continue to create great value for our shareholders, franchisees and team members.”
Outgoing CFO Lawton joined Domino’s in 1999 as head of finance for the Company’s international division. He was named Executive Vice President of International in October 2004 and was appointed CFO in August 2010. Prior to Domino’s, Lawton was with Gerber Products Company in both finance and general management positions. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Lazy Boy Furniture Company in Monroe, Michigan.
