---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001062993-23-022086"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "STKL"
cik: "0000351834"
company_name: "SunOpta Inc."
filed_at: "2023-12-07T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-07T16:33:55.727986+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# SunOpta CEO Joe Ennen to retire; Brian Kocher appointed effective Jan 2, 2024

## Summary
- Ennen to retire as CEO and director on Jan 2, 2024; will serve as advisor through Apr 1, 2024.
- Brian Kocher appointed CEO and director; previously CEO of Calavo Growers, Castellini, interim CEO of Chiquita.
- Kocher receives $800k base salary, 125% target bonus, and sign-on equity (RSUs, options, PSUs, matching RSUs).
- Company reaffirms Q4 2023 and 2024 outlook, citing confidence in portfolio and growth trajectory.
- Board Chair Dean Hollis expressed confidence in Kocher's ability to drive growth and operational productivity.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001062993-23-022086
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: STKL
- cik: 0000351834
- company_name: SunOpta Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-12-07T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351834/000106299323022086/0001062993-23-022086-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351834/000106299323022086/form8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001062993-23-022086
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001062993-23-022086.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001062993-23-022086.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Brian W. Kocher was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at SunOpta Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Brian W. Kocher was appointed by the Board to the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company, effective January 2, 2024
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351834/000106299323022086/0001062993-23-022086-index.htm
- Executive change
  Joe Ennen resigned as Chief Executive Officer at SunOpta Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On December 4, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company accepted the resignation of Joe Ennen as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company effective January 2, 2024, in connection with Mr. Ennen's planned retirement.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351834/000106299323022086/0001062993-23-022086-index.htm

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