Jacob Laxen

jlaxen@coloradoan.com

Christine Perich resigned as New Belgium Brewing CEO during a board meeting earlier this week.

The brewery announced the news officially Wednesday with the longtime executive set to step down next month.

“We were surprised,” said brewery co-founder Kim Jordan, who preceded Perich as CEO.

TIMELINE: New Belgium over the past 25 years

Perich assumed the position a year ago after years of grooming. She oversaw the opening of a second brewing facility in Asheville, North Carolina, earlier this year.

"I have been so fortunate to have been a part of New Belgium for the past 16 years,” Perich said in a statement released by the brewery. “The industry of craft beer and the culture of (New Belgium Brewing) have made this part of my career fulfilling and exciting. New Belgium is in good hands with the brilliant leadership team in place and the future of NBB looks very bright! I am proud of what I have accomplished and I look forward to new adventures.”

RELATED: Meet New Belgium CEO Christine Perich

During Perich’s tenure, Jordan had transitioned to executive chair of the Board of Directors.

Jordan said she will return to the New Belgium office full-time and work with eight members of New Belgium’s leadership team to cover the CEO duties in the short term.

The group will start discussions on hiring a successor next week.

Perich, a Rocky Mountain High School and Colorado State University graduate, started with the company as a financial controller in 2000. She was promoted to chief financial officer in her ascension to president/CEO.

She led New Belgium's 2013 transition to a full Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) model and brought in Dr. Patti Palagi as the staff family doctor, who treats New Belgium staff and their families without any co-pay.

Under Perich's CEO reign, New Belgium's staff grew from 650 to 780, with 120 employees based in Asheville.

New Belgium is Colorado's largest craft brewer and ranked fourth in 2015 in U.S. craft beer production.

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Perich’s New Belgium timeline

Aug. 2000: Hired as a financial controller

May 2004: Promoted to chief financial officer

May 2008: Promoted to CFO/chief operating officer

Dec. 2012: Oversees New Belgium's transition to full employee ownership

Oct. 2015: Promoted to president/CEO

April 2016: Oversees opening of Asheville, N.C. brewery

Nov. 2016: Will step down from company

Craft brewing a $1.7B Colorado behemoth