---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000815556-25-000123"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FAST"
cik: "0000815556"
company_name: "FASTENAL CO"
filed_at: "2025-12-22T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T12:29:51.513708+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Fastenal CEO Daniel Florness to step down July 2026; Jeffery Watts named successor

## Summary
- Daniel L. Florness to step down as CEO and resign from Board effective July 16, 2026; will serve as Strategic Advisor until early 2028.
- Jeffery M. Watts, current President and Chief Sales Officer, appointed as next CEO effective July 16, 2026.
- Succession plan began in August 2024 when Watts became President; Board expresses confidence in Watts.
- Florness's decision not due to any disagreement with Fastenal or Board; compensation unchanged until transition.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000815556-25-000123
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FAST
- cik: 0000815556
- company_name: FASTENAL CO
- filed_at: 2025-12-22T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555625000123/0000815556-25-000123-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555625000123/fast-20251219.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-25-000123
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-25-000123.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-25-000123.txt

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