---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-25-040620"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "STAA"
cik: "0000718937"
company_name: "STAAR SURGICAL CO"
filed_at: "2025-03-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-24T14:49:05.954542+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# STAAR Surgical realigns leadership: CFO steps down, new President & COO named

## Summary
- Warren Foust promoted to President & COO; Magda Michna named Chief Development Officer.
- CFO Patrick Williams steps down at Board's request; severance of $575,000 plus 12-month consulting.
- Deborah Andrews (former CFO) appointed Interim CFO; receives $150k/mo for Mar-May 2025.
- CTO Keith Holliday retires at Board's request; severance of $550,110 plus 12-month benefits.
- CEO Steve Farrell remains CEO; no longer holds President title.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-25-040620
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: STAA
- cik: 0000718937
- company_name: STAAR SURGICAL CO
- filed_at: 2025-03-18T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.03, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/staa-20250317.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-040620
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-040620.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-040620.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Patrick Williams departed as Chief Financial Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: step down
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: Patrick Williams has agreed to step down, effective as of the same date, at the request of the Board from his position as Chief Financial Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm
- Executive change
  Magda Michna was appointed as Chief Development Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Development Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Magda Michna, PhD, the Company’s Chief Clinical, Regulatory and Medical Affairs Officer, to the newly created role of Chief Development Officer
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm
- Executive change
  Keith Holliday departed as Chief Technology Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Chief Technology Officer
  source text: Keith Holliday, PhD has agreed to retire, effective as of the Effective Date, at the request of the Board from his position as Chief Technology Officer
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm
- Executive change
  Stephen C. Farrell changed role as Chief Executive Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: will no longer hold the title of President
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Mr. Stephen C. Farrell will continue to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Company’s Board but, effective as of the Effective Date, will no longer hold the title of President of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm
- Executive change
  Deborah Andrews was appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Financial Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Deborah Andrews, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer, to serve as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer on an interim basis, effective as of the Effective Date
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm
- Executive change
  Warren Foust was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Operating Officer
  source text: the Board appointed the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Warren Foust, as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective March 17, 2025
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm
- Governance Changes
  STAAR SURGICAL CO: Amended and restated bylaws to revise officer provisions including renaming Chairman to Chair of the Board, allowing separate CEO and President, establishing CFO as an officer, and making other changes for flexibility in officer appointments (effective 2025-03-17).
  - Change: bylaw amendment
  - Effective: 2025-03-17
  source text: Effective as of the Effective Date, the Board approved and adopted the amended and restated bylaws of the Company to reflect the amendments summarized herein (as so amended and restated, the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000095017025040620/0000950170-25-040620-index.htm

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