ThinkFun® Appoints New Chief Operating Officer

ThinkFun, Inc. the leading creator of Mind Challenging Games, is pleased to announce that John Esteban has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for ThinkFun’s overall business administration, day-to-day operations and will work with the executive team to drive the company’s new strategic plan.

Mr. Esteban, who was most recently ThinkFun’s Chief Financial Officer, is a dynamic leader with more than 20 years experience in business management and strategic planning for both entrepreneurial companies and large corporations. Mr. Esteban, who was hired in 2005 as Controller for ThinkFun, was quickly promoted to CFO within a year. Under his leadership as CFO, ThinkFun experienced steady growth within both the domestic and international markets. His expertise in developing better business intelligence led the company to increase international sales by almost 50% while proactively maintaining the high quality and safety of ThinkFun products. He also incorporated operations efficiencies allowing ThinkFun to maximize profit margins, eliminate waste, and maintain a price structure that is appealing to customers.

As the company’s new COO, John is responsible for scaling the company’s operations, expanding its product development, and continuing to enhance its customer relationship management while keeping the company focused on its mission – to empower the world to become better thinkers.

“John is an inspiring executive who is respected by everyone. He has a strong, well-rounded background specializing in strategic planning and rapid product development,” said Bill Ritchie, ThinkFun Co-founder and CEO. “John will be an invaluable leader as we make a concerted push into the educational arena and deliver products that help teach problem solving to children and ignite young minds.”

Before joining ThinkFun, Mr. Esteban was the CFO of DDE, LP, a leading independent producer and distributor of high-end, blue chip documentary programming. He was also Vice President of Finance and Administration for a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. Throughout his career he has utilized his keen business savvy to successfully grow start-up companies, develop buyout and takeover strategies for acquisition targets, and craft turnaround strategies for troubled business units.

“Since the company’s beginning, it has focused on quality customer service and creating products that help adults and kids become better problem solvers, better thinkers and just feel better about themselves through a sense of accomplishment from playing our games,” said John Esteban, ThinkFun COO. “It’s exciting to take such a solid foundation and work on expanding our efforts into school curriculums around the country and introduce more of our products around the world.”

Mr. Esteban holds a Chemical Engineering degree from De La Sale University, Manila, and an MBA in Finance and Management from Marymount University of Virginia. He and his wife Natalie live in Northern Virginia with their three children.