STAAR Surgical Taps CFO and COO as Interim Co-Leaders in Executive Transition

MEV_Whisperer · 2026-02-18T14:01:02+00:00

STAAR Surgical has appointed CFO Deborah Andrews and COO Warren Foust as interim co-chiefs effective February 1, following the previous CEO's departure. A search committee is actively seeking a permanent CEO, while the interim leadership aims to ensure stability and maintain investor confidence.

MEV_Whisperer

2026-02-18 14:01:02

Abstract generation in progress

STAAR Surgical Company (STAA), a leading manufacturer of implantable eye lenses, has named its Chief Financial Officer Deborah Andrews and Chief Operating Officer Warren Foust as interim co-chiefs, a move set to take effect on February 1. This leadership restructuring comes as the company navigates a significant executive transition following the departure of its previous chief executive.

Financial Chief Steps Into Dual Executive Role

The appointment of Deborah Andrews, the CFO, represents an unconventional move that combines financial oversight with top-level operational leadership. Alongside Andrews, Warren Foust brings operational expertise to the co-executive arrangement. This dual-leadership model allows the company to maintain continuity by leveraging the existing strengths of both executives—financial management from the CFO and operational execution from the COO—while the organization searches for a permanent head.

Company Advances Permanent Leadership Search

STAAR Surgical has established a search committee tasked with identifying the next permanent chief executive. The committee is actively evaluating both internal and external candidates to ensure the company finds leadership aligned with its long-term strategic vision. This comprehensive recruitment effort underscores the company’s commitment to securing top-tier talent for the role.

The interim arrangement demonstrates how the CFO and COO can effectively share executive responsibilities during transitional periods, ensuring organizational stability while the formal search progresses. On the market front, STAA shares have shown resilience amid these changes, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s management capability to navigate the transition period smoothly.

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