---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001006837-23-000083"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "VATE"
cik: "0001006837"
company_name: "INNOVATE Corp."
filed_at: "2023-07-24T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-13T03:53:22.849239+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# INNOVATE Corp. CEO Wayne Barr dies unexpectedly; COO Suzi Herbst named interim CEO

## Summary
- CEO Wayne Barr passed away unexpectedly on July 22, 2023.
- COO Suzi Herbst appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer effective July 23, 2023.
- Board expresses confidence in Herbst and management team to continue Barr's strategy.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001006837-23-000083
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: VATE
- cik: 0001006837
- company_name: INNOVATE Corp.
- filed_at: 2023-07-24T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1006837/000100683723000083/0001006837-23-000083-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1006837/000100683723000083/hchc-20230723.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001006837-23-000083
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001006837-23-000083.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001006837-23-000083.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Suzi Herbst was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at INNOVATE Corp..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On July 23, 2023, Suzi Herbst, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, was named Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately following the unexpected death of Wayne Barr, the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and Director.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1006837/000100683723000083/0001006837-23-000083-index.htm
- Executive change
  Wayne Barr departed as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director at INNOVATE Corp..
  - Action: died
  - Role: President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
  source text: the unexpected death of Wayne Barr, the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and Director.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1006837/000100683723000083/0001006837-23-000083-index.htm

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