Nautilus CFO Linda Pearce resigns

Nautilus Inc.'s chief financial officer resigns for job at Tillamook Creamery

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) -- Nautilus Inc. said Thursday that Linda Pearce, the health equipment company's chief financial officer, has resigned.

Pearce has worked at Nautilus since August and will leave the company on July 2. She said in a statement that she was presented with an unexpected opportunity and is reluctantly leaving Nautilus.

According to Nautilus, Pearce has taken a new job as chief financial officer for Tillamook County Creamery Association, a large dairy cooperative located in Tillamook, Ore.

Nautilus said it has begun a national search for a replacement.

The company, based in Vancouver, Wash., is known for its namesake gym equipment and other exercise equipment such as the Bowflex and Treadclimber. The company has been trying to turn around its business for some time and in 2011 reported its first annual profit since 2006, which was followed by another profitable year in 2012.

Shares of Nautilus increased 21 cents to close at $8.25 Thursday and were unchanged after hours following the announcement.