---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000745732-23-000055"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ROST"
cik: "0000745732"
company_name: "ROSS STORES, INC."
filed_at: "2023-08-31T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T01:38:52.258961+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Ross Stores appoints Michael Balmuth as Executive Chairman; Orban steps down as Chair

## Summary
- Effective Sept 1, 2023, Michael Balmuth returns as Executive Chairman; George Orban remains a director.
- Balmuth receives salary ≥$1.4M/yr, 175% target bonus, retention bonus $4.7M payable Feb 2026.
- Balmuth granted RSU of $3.5M vesting Sept 2024; equity awards for FY2023-2025.
- K. Gunnar Bjorklund appointed Lead Independent Director.
- Balmuth's Executive Chairman term ends Jan 31, 2026; Senior Advisor through Mar 31, 2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000745732-23-000055
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ROST
- cik: 0000745732
- company_name: ROSS STORES, INC.
- filed_at: 2023-08-31T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/745732/000074573223000055/0000745732-23-000055-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/745732/000074573223000055/rost-20230829.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000745732-23-000055
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000745732-23-000055.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000745732-23-000055.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  George P. Orban changed role as Chairman of the Board at ROSS STORES, INC..
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: Concurrently with the election and appointment of Mr. Balmuth, George P. Orban will step down as Chairman of the Board while remaining on the Board of Directors.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/745732/000074573223000055/0000745732-23-000055-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael Balmuth was appointed as Executive Chairman at ROSS STORES, INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: Effective September 1, 2023, the Board of Directors of Ross Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) has elected Michael Balmuth as a member of the Board of Directors and appointed him as Executive Chairman.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/745732/000074573223000055/0000745732-23-000055-index.htm

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