GameStop Replaces CFO With Home Builder Veteran

Less than a week after video game retailer GameStop (GME) reported a disapointing fiscal Q2, the company announced this afternoon it is replacing its CFO, David W. Carlson, with Catherine R. “Cathy” Smith, formerly CFO of Centex, a home builder which was recently acquired by Pulte Homes (PHM), the nation’s second-largest home builder.

Carlson formerly retires March 1 of next year.

The press release offers no explanation for Carlson’s departure, but offers some nice comments from GameStop CEO Daniel Dematteo about Smith: ““With Cathy’s appointment, we are pleased to bring in an executive of her caliber to our leadership team. I have the highest confidence that her skills and experience will deliver continued contributions toward our objectives of revenue growth, operational efficiency and profitability.”

Given how bad things have gotten in the games business, it makes sense, perhaps, to reach for someone in an industry that’s had it even worse. Few industries have had it worse than homebuilding.

GME shares are down 15 cents, or .7%, at $22.41 in after-hours trading, after falling 2.5% during the regular session.