---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001157523-23-001433"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CENT"
cik: "0000887733"
company_name: "CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO"
filed_at: "2023-09-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-10T12:49:25.427364+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO Tim Cofer departs; Beth Springer named interim CEO; reaffirms FY2023 guidance

## Summary
- Tim Cofer resigns as CEO effective Oct 6, 2023 to join Keurig Dr Pepper as COO, becoming CEO in Q2 2024.
- Lead Independent Director Beth Springer appointed interim CEO while board searches for permanent successor.
- Central reaffirms fiscal 2023 non-GAAP EPS of $2.55 or better.
- Springer has over 20 years at Clorox; served on Central board since 2013.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001157523-23-001433
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CENT
- cik: 0000887733
- company_name: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
- filed_at: 2023-09-20T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000115752323001433/0001157523-23-001433-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000115752323001433/a53559130.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001157523-23-001433
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001157523-23-001433.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001157523-23-001433.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Mary Beth Springer was appointed as Principal Executive Officer (interim) at CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Principal Executive Officer (interim)
  source text: Effective as of the close of business on October 6, 2023, Mary Beth Springer, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, will serve as the Company’s principal executive officer on an interim basis while the Company conducts a search for Mr. Cofer’s replacement as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000115752323001433/0001157523-23-001433-index.htm
- Executive change
  Timothy P. Cofer resigned as Chief Executive Officer at CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On September 18, 2023, Timothy P. Cofer, the Chief Executive Officer of Central Garden & Pet Company (the “Company”), announced his intention to resign as Chief Executive Officer, effective as of the close of business on October 6, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000115752323001433/0001157523-23-001433-index.htm

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