Industry veteran Bob Watts has been named Chief Executive Officer of Privateer Press, the company announced Tuesday.  Watts comes to Privateer from his role as President of Cerberus Entertainment, which oversees the production and sales of Privateer Press products in the European Union, a role he’s held since 2006.

In his new role, Watts will oversee daily operations and the company’s future development and remain involved in Privateer Press EU, the company said.  Sherry Yeary remains as Privateer President, and Matt Wilson as Chief Creative Officer.

Prior to his role at Cerberus, Watts was founder and CEO at Sabertooth Games, which he formed with Luke Peterschmidt as a Games Workshop licensee in 2001 (see "Sabertooth Snags Warhammer 40K CCG"), then sold to Games Workshop the next year (see "Games Workshop Buys 85% of Sabertooth").  Watts also held officer roles at Wizards of the Coast, Heartbreaker Hobbies, and Games Workshop North America.

Privateer founder and CCO Wilson described the rationale for the move.  "We’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to work with Bob as a more intrinsic part of our organization," he said.  "Besides the positive direct working relationship we’ve had with Bob over the past 15 years, his background in all aspects of the business – design, sales, production and logistics – makes him the perfect person to develop Privateer’s business to the next level in ways that we could not have achieved before."

 For his part, Watts said, "Privateer Press is a company full of talented people who design and produce great games and miniatures.  It is a privilege to be asked to join this industry leader and to be part of the continued success with the present portfolio of products, along with new opportunities that lie before us."