---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001628280-26-001603"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CRL"
cik: "0001100682"
company_name: "CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC."
filed_at: "2026-01-09T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T11:01:42.403536+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Charles River Labs announces CEO transition: Foster to step down, Girshick to become CEO effective May 5, 2026

## Summary
- James C. Foster to step down as CEO and Chairman; Birgit Girshick (COO) to become CEO effective May 5, 2026.
- Board size increases from 11 to 12; Dr. Martin Mackay to become Chair; Girshick nominated to Board.
- Girshick's base salary increases to $1,200,000, target incentive 100% of salary; initial equity grant $9M (80% PSU/20% RSU).
- Foster receives $3M RSU grant; expected to remain non-executive director post-transition.
- Elliott Management provides limited consent for Board size increase under May 2025 cooperation agreement.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001628280-26-001603
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CRL
- cik: 0001100682
- company_name: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-01-09T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1100682/000162828026001603/0001628280-26-001603-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1100682/000162828026001603/crl-20260108.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-26-001603
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-26-001603.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-26-001603.txt

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