---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000909832-23-000047"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "COST"
cik: "0000909832"
company_name: "COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW"
filed_at: "2023-10-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-09T19:25:20.791369+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Costco CEO Craig Jelinek to step down Jan 1, 2024; Ron Vachris named successor

## Summary
- Craig Jelinek steps down as CEO effective Jan 1, 2024; remains on board and advisory role through April 2024.
- Ron Vachris, current President and COO, elected President and CEO effective Jan 1, 2024; he has over 40 years at Costco.
- Vachris to receive fiscal 2024 base salary of $1.15M and RSUs valued at $10.4M, with performance conditions set in November 2023.
- Board declares quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share, payable Nov 17, 2023 to holders of record Nov 3, 2023.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000909832-23-000047
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: COST
- cik: 0000909832
- company_name: COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW
- filed_at: 2023-10-20T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000047/0000909832-23-000047-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000047/cost-20231018.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000909832-23-000047
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000909832-23-000047.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000909832-23-000047.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Craig Jelinek departed as Chief Executive Officer at COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW.
  - Action: step down
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Craig Jelinek’s intention to step down as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000047/0000909832-23-000047-index.htm
- Executive change
  Ron Vachris was elected as President and Chief Executive Officer at COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: The Board of Directors has elected Ron Vachris, currently President and Chief Operating Officer, as President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000047/0000909832-23-000047-index.htm

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