---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001443984-23-000230"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SMG"
cik: "0000825542"
company_name: "SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO"
filed_at: "2023-08-28T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T03:12:58.855549+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Scotts Miracle-Gro appoints Nate Baxter as COO; Mike Lukemire to remain President until retirement in fiscal 2024

## Summary
- Mike Lukemire steps down as COO on Sept 3, 2023, will retain President role until retirement in fiscal 2024.
- Nate Baxter appointed EVP & COO effective Sept 4, 2023, reporting to Lukemire for transition mentorship.
- Baxter receives $950,000 base salary, 125% target incentive, and $1.5M RSU grant vesting in 3 years.
- Baxter previously President of Tokyo Electron U.S. Holdings and a general partner of Hagedorn Partnership (largest shareholder).
- Lukemire, 65, has been with the company for nearly 28 years, serving as President since Feb 2016 and COO since Jan 2015.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001443984-23-000230
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SMG
- cik: 0000825542
- company_name: SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO
- filed_at: 2023-08-28T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825542/000144398423000230/0001443984-23-000230-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825542/000144398423000230/smg-20230828.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001443984-23-000230
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001443984-23-000230.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001443984-23-000230.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Nathan Baxter was appointed as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
  source text: In a corresponding move as part of the plan, the Board of Directors appointed Nathan Baxter as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, effective September 4, 2023, reporting to Mr. Lukemire, who will mentor and guide Mr. Baxter in the COO transition.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825542/000144398423000230/0001443984-23-000230-index.htm
- Executive change
  Mike Lukemire changed role as President at SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO.
  - Action: step down as COO
  - Role: President
  source text: Mr. Lukemire will step down from his COO role on September 3, 2023, and retain his position and responsibilities as President, reporting to Mr. Hagedorn, until his planned retirement in fiscal 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825542/000144398423000230/0001443984-23-000230-index.htm

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