EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Richard Kornhauser has been named as the new president and chief executive officer of CCA Industries Inc.

The health and beauty aids marketer and distributor said late Thursday that Kornhauser, 58, takes the reins as CEO effective immediately.

Kornhauser’s 30-year career in the HBA industry includes posts at Chattem Inc., Combe Inc. and FGX International. CCA said he was instrumental in spearheading the marketing and advertising efforts that helped drive growth for such brands as Gold Bond skin care, Icy Hot topical analgesics, Selsun-Blue dandruff shampoo, Sea Bond denture care, Odor-Eaters foot care and Foster Grant eyewear.

CCA noted that the death of its previous president and CEO, Dunnan Edell, earlier this year caused it to operate without a full-time chief executive over the past eight months. "As a result, the company’s performance, in-store merchandising position and turnover were not nearly on par with its successful efforts over the past 25 years," CCA stated.

David Edell, Dunnan’s father and CCA’s founder and former CEO, had served as CEO as CCA searched for a full-time chief officer. David Edell had retired at the end of 2011. The company also had appointed Stephen Heit as president, in addition to his role as chief financial officer.

Along with the appointment of a new CEO, CCA said it has begun a major reorganization of its operations in order to hone its product focus. The company reported that it has already substantially reduced overhead and will temporarily suspend its quarterly dividend. Plans call for the savings from those measures to be directed toward new marketing and advertising programs, including new product launches and sales promotional efforts in the coming year.

CCA’s roster of products includes Plus White toothpaste and teeth whiteners, Mega-T diet supplements, Mega-T Green Tea gum and mint products, Bikini Zone medicated topical and shave gels, Nutra Nail nail care treatments, Gel Perfect UV-free gel color, Scar Zone scar treatment products, Sudden Change anti-aging skin care products, Cherry Vanilla fragrances, Solar Sense sun protection products, Hair Off hair removal and depilatory products, Wash ‘N Curl shampoos and conditioners, and the Pain Bust RII analgesic.