---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001564590-22-039439"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "STAA"
cik: "0000718937"
company_name: "STAAR SURGICAL CO"
filed_at: "2022-12-19T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-21T02:56:05.433375+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO transition: Caren Mason retires, Tom Frinzi appointed; Q4 net sales guidance $64M-$66M

## Summary
- CEO Caren Mason retires Dec 31, 2022; Board Chair Tom Frinzi becomes CEO effective Jan 1, 2023.
- Mason to serve as advisor through Dec 2023 at $100k/month and eligible for 2022 cash bonus.
- Frinzi receives $820k base salary, 105% target bonus, and $9M initial equity grant (options & RSUs).
- Board reduces to 6 members; Stephen Farrell named Lead Independent Director effective Jan 1, 2023.
- Company expects Q4 2022 net sales in the range of $64M to $66M.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001564590-22-039439
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: STAA
- cik: 0000718937
- company_name: STAAR SURGICAL CO
- filed_at: 2022-12-19T23:59:59+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/718937/000156459022039439/0001564590-22-039439-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000156459022039439/staa-8k_20221216.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-22-039439
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-22-039439.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-22-039439.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Caren Mason retired as President and Chief Executive Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: retired
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Ms. Caren Mason, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has elected to retire as CEO and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective December 31, 2022
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000156459022039439/0001564590-22-039439-index.htm
- Executive change
  Thomas G. Frinzi was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Company announced that the Board elected Thomas G. Frinzi, currently Chair of the Board, to succeed Ms. Mason as CEO, effective January 1, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000156459022039439/0001564590-22-039439-index.htm
- Executive change
  Stephen Farrell was appointed as Lead Independent Director at STAAR SURGICAL CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Lead Independent Director
  source text: the Board announced creation of the role of Lead Independent Director and appointed Mr. Stephen Farrell, Chair of the Audit Committee, to serve in that capacity
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000156459022039439/0001564590-22-039439-index.htm

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