---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001628280-22-024901"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WSM"
cik: "0000719955"
company_name: "WILLIAMS SONOMA INC"
filed_at: "2022-09-14T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-23T09:49:14.577331+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Williams-Sonoma appoints Jeff Howie as CFO; Julie Whalen resigns for Expedia role

## Summary
- CFO Julie Whalen resigns effective Sep 14, 2022 to become Expedia Group CFO.
- Jeff Howie appointed EVP, CFO; previously EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, 20-year tenure.
- Howie receives $900k base salary, $2.1M RSUs, $1.4M PSUs as compensation.
- Jeremy Brooks named principal accounting officer, succeeding Whalen in that role.
- West Elm President Alex Bellos leaves to become Co-CEO of Food 52, Schoolhouse, Dansk.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001628280-22-024901
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WSM
- cik: 0000719955
- company_name: WILLIAMS SONOMA INC
- filed_at: 2022-09-14T23:59:59+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/719955/000162828022024901/0001628280-22-024901-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000162828022024901/wsm-20220909.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-22-024901
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-22-024901.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-22-024901.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Julie Whalen resigned as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at WILLIAMS SONOMA INC.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On September 14, 2022, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (the "Company") announced that Julie Whalen, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Alex Bellos, President, West Elm brand are resigning from the Company effective September 14, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000162828022024901/0001628280-22-024901-index.htm
- Executive change
  Alex Bellos resigned as President, West Elm brand at WILLIAMS SONOMA INC.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: President, West Elm brand
  source text: Alex Bellos, President, West Elm brand are resigning from the Company effective September 14, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000162828022024901/0001628280-22-024901-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jeff Howie was appointed as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer at WILLIAMS SONOMA INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer
  source text: Jeff Howie, age 52, will succeed Ms. Whalen as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer effective September 14, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000162828022024901/0001628280-22-024901-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jeremy Brooks was appointed as principal accounting officer at WILLIAMS SONOMA INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: principal accounting officer
  source text: Jeremy Brooks, age 42, will succeed Ms. Whalen as principal accounting officer effective September 14, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000162828022024901/0001628280-22-024901-index.htm

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