---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000936528-23-000002"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WAFD"
cik: "0000936528"
company_name: "WAFD INC"
filed_at: "2023-01-03T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-20T21:15:18.379034+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# WaFd CEO Brent Beardall injured in plane crash; Cathy Cooper assumes temporary duties

## Summary
- CEO Brent Beardall on Jan 2, 2023 plane crash; suffered broken bones & lacerations, expected full recovery.
- Cathy Cooper, EVP Chief Consumer Banker, temporarily assumes President & CEO duties effective Jan 3.
- Utah Commercial Division Manager Dane Margetts also injured, released with minor injuries.
- WaFd Bank management states day-to-day operations continue smoothly during Beardall's recovery.
- Chairman Stephen Graham expressed condolences for fatality of Nathan Ricks in the accident.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000936528-23-000002
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WAFD
- cik: 0000936528
- company_name: WAFD INC
- filed_at: 2023-01-03T23:59:59+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/936528/000093652823000002/0000936528-23-000002-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/936528/000093652823000002/wfsl-20230102.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000936528-23-000002
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000936528-23-000002.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000936528-23-000002.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Brent Beardall changed role as President and CEO at WAFD INC.
  - Action: took a temporary leave of absence
  - Role: President and CEO
  source text: Mr. Beardall will take a temporary leave of absence from his duties as President and CEO while he recovers from his injuries.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/936528/000093652823000002/0000936528-23-000002-index.htm
- Executive change
  Cathy Cooper was appointed as President and CEO at WAFD INC.
  - Action: temporarily assumed duties
  - Role: President and CEO
  source text: Effective January 3, 2023, Executive Vice President and Chief Consumer Banker, Cathy Cooper, will temporarily assume Mr. Beardall’s duties as President and CEO during his recovery.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/936528/000093652823000002/0000936528-23-000002-index.htm

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