---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000909832-23-000049"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "COST"
cik: "0000909832"
company_name: "COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW"
filed_at: "2023-11-24T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-07T22:02:08.631407+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Costco CEO succession: Ron Vachris to become CEO Jan 1, 2024; Jelinek declines bonus

## Summary
- Ron Vachris will serve as President until Dec 31, 2023, then President and CEO starting Jan 1, 2024.
- Vachris eligible for up to $621,333 blended bonus (sales + pre-tax income + ESG metrics).
- Craig Jelinek steps down as CEO Dec 31, 2023; requested and receives no bonus for FY2024.
- Other execs eligible for max $232k bonus: $80k sales, $80k pre-tax income, $40k ESG (quantitative + discretionary).
- Bonus plan approved Nov 17, 2023; ESG metrics include diversity, resource consumption, and emissions targets.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000909832-23-000049
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: COST
- cik: 0000909832
- company_name: COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW
- filed_at: 2023-11-24T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000049/0000909832-23-000049-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000049/cost-20231117.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000909832-23-000049
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000909832-23-000049.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000909832-23-000049.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Ron Vachris changed role as President and Chief Executive Officer at COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW.
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Ron Vachris will serve as President until December 31, 2023, and as President and Chief Executive Officer starting January 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000049/0000909832-23-000049-index.htm
- Executive change
  Craig Jelinek departed as Chief Executive Officer at COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW.
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Craig Jelinek, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/909832/000090983223000049/0000909832-23-000049-index.htm

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