---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000313616-26-000193"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DHR"
cik: "0000313616"
company_name: "DANAHER CORP /DE/"
filed_at: "2026-10-13T12:53:18+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-13T12:55:06.012351+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Danaher adds ex-CFO Comas and ex-HilleVax CEO Hershberg to board; Rales brothers waive 500K-share RSUs

## Summary
- Board expanded to 13 members effective Oct 9, 2026 with appointments of Daniel L. Comas and Robert M. Hershberg, M.D., Ph.D., both serving until the next annual meeting.
- Comas, 62, was Danaher EVP from 2005-2020 and CFO from 2005-2018; he earned $525,000 in 2025 and $393,750 in 2026 as a consultant before that agreement ended Sept 30, 2026.
- Hershberg, 63, was President/CEO/Chairman of HilleVax and an EVP/Chief Scientific Officer at Celgene; he joins the Science and Technology Committee.
- Steven M. Rales and Mitchell P. Rales each waived their 500,000-share Founder RSU awards for no consideration on Oct 9, 2026; the grants were made Aug 4, 2026.
- Director Alan G. Spoon will retire and not stand for re-election at the 2027 annual meeting; the company said it was not due to any disagreement.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000313616-26-000193
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DHR
- cik: 0000313616
- company_name: DANAHER CORP /DE/
- filed_at: 2026-10-13T12:53:18+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.35
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313616/000031361626000193/0000313616-26-000193-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313616/000031361626000193/dhr-20261009.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000313616-26-000193
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000313616-26-000193.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000313616-26-000193.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Daniel L. Comas was appointed as Director at DANAHER CORP /DE/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On October 9, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Danaher Corporation (the “Company” or “Danaher”) increased the size of the Board to thirteen members and appointed Daniel L. Comas and Robert M. Hershberg to the Board, in each case effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313616/000031361626000193/0000313616-26-000193-index.htm
- Executive change
  Alan G. Spoon departed as Director at DANAHER CORP /DE/.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Director
  source text: On October 9, Alan G. Spoon notified the Company of his decision to retire as a member of the Board, effective as of the Company’s 2027 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2027 Annual Meeting”). Therefore, Mr. Spoon will not stand for re-election at the 2027 Annual Meeting. Mr. Spoon’s decision to retire is not because of a disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices, or on any matter relating to any committee of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313616/000031361626000193/0000313616-26-000193-index.htm
- Executive change
  Robert M. Hershberg was appointed as Director at DANAHER CORP /DE/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On October 9, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Danaher Corporation (the “Company” or “Danaher”) increased the size of the Board to thirteen members and appointed Daniel L. Comas and Robert M. Hershberg to the Board, in each case effective immediately. Each of Mr. Comas and Dr. Hershberg will serve until the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313616/000031361626000193/0000313616-26-000193-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.