STAAR Surgical Appoints Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews Interim Co-CEOs
MWN-AI** Summary
STAAR Surgical Company has announced the appointment of Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews as interim co-Chief Executive Officers, effective February 1, 2026. This decision comes during a transitional period as the company seeks a permanent CEO with a global search already initiated by its Board of Directors. The board expressed confidence in Foust and Andrews' leadership capabilities, emphasizing their deep understanding of STAAR and its operations.
Warren Foust has been with STAAR since April 2023, initially serving as Chief Operating Officer before being promoted to President and COO in March 2025. He has a robust background with leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson and holds an M.A. in Marketing and a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Alabama.
Deborah Andrews rejoined STAAR in March 2025 as Interim CFO, and by June 2025, she was confirmed as the CFO. With a long track record at STAAR, having previously served as CFO in different terms, Andrews brings extensive expertise in finance and accounting. She also holds a B.S. in Accounting from California State University at San Bernardino and has been a board member of Lineage Cell Therapeutics since 2014.
The Search Committee for the new CEO is chaired by Lilian Y. Zhou and includes other directors like Neal C. Bradsher and Wei Jiang. Their efforts will focus on both internal and external candidates, working with executive search firms to find a suitable leader to replace outgoing CEO.
STAAR Surgical is renowned for its innovative vision correction solutions, particularly the EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses (EVO ICL™), demonstrating a commitment to ophthalmic surgery since its establishment in 1982.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent appointment of Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews as interim co-CEOs of STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) highlights a significant transitional phase for the company. As recognized leaders with extensive experience in the ophthalmic industry, their stewardship can reassure investors amid uncertainties. However, potential investors and stakeholders should monitor this leadership transition closely.
Warren Foust's background in operations and marketing, combined with Deborah Andrews's financial expertise, sets a strong foundation for leading the company while the board initiates a global search for a permanent CEO. Their familiarity with STAAR's operations and the industry could help maintain stability and momentum in business performance, which is critical given the competitive nature of the ophthalmic market.
The announcement signifies not only leadership changes but also an important strategic moment for STAAR. With a robust product line, including the EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses, the company has established itself as a leader in vision correction. Investors should pay attention to how the interim leadership plans to execute existing strategies and potentially innovate during this period.
As the Search Committee evaluates both internal and external candidates, market participants should keep an eye on the timeline for appointing a new CEO. The effectiveness and vision of the new leadership will be central to shaping STAAR's future direction and, by extension, its stock performance.
In conclusion, current and prospective investors in STAAR Surgical should view this leadership transition as an opportunity for careful analysis. While interim leadership can provide immediate stability, the forthcoming months will be crucial in determining how this leadership changes will influence STAAR's operational efficiency and stock trajectory. Diligent monitoring of company updates, alongside broader market dynamics in the healthcare sector, will guide informed investment decisions.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Search Committee Has Initiated a Global Search to Select Next CEO
STAAR Surgical Company (“STAAR” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: STAA), the global leader in phakic IOLs with the EVO family of Implantable Collamer ® Lenses (EVO ICL™) for vision correction, today announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has appointed Warren Foust, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Deborah Andrews, Chief Financial Officer, as interim co-Chief Executive Officers, effective February 1, 2026. Mr. Foust and Ms. Andrews will work together with the other members of the executive leadership team, with support and guidance from the Board, as they lead the Company and manage its day-to-day operations.
“Warren and Deborah are respected and qualified leaders with deep knowledge of STAAR and our industry. The entire Board is confident in their ability to ensure business continuity and lead our Company during this period of transition,” said Neal C. Bradsher, Chairman of the Board. “The Board is committed to working diligently to identify and appoint a new CEO.”
As previously disclosed, the Board has established a Search Committee, composed of directors Lilian Y. Zhou (Chair), Mr. Bradsher, Wei Jiang, Louis E. Silverman, and Christopher M. Wang. The Search Committee has initiated a global search for STAAR’s new CEO, including both internal and external candidates. The Committee is engaging with executive search firms and evaluating interest from qualified candidates.
About Warren Foust
Mr. Foust joined STAAR in April 2023 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2025. In this role, Mr. Foust oversaw global sales, marketing, manufacturing, and operations. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, including Worldwide President of Surgical Vision and Worldwide President of Mentor, along with earlier roles at Roche, Aventis, and DePuy Synthes.
Mr. Foust serves on a variety of boards and advisory councils including the Ophthalmology Foundation, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Octane, ASCRS Industry Relations, AECOS North America, and the Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama. He holds an M.A. in Marketing and a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Alabama.
About Deborah Andrews
Ms. Andrews rejoined STAAR in March 2025 as Interim Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in June 2025. In this role, Ms. Andrews oversaw STAAR’s finance, accounting, and internal audit functions, as well as information technology and investor relations. Since April 2014, Ms. Andrews has served on the Board of Directors of Lineage Cell Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused in the field of regenerative medicine. She currently serves as its Audit Committee Chair and has previously served as its Compensation Committee Chair. Ms. Andrews served in various accounting and finance leadership roles at STAAR from 1995 until her retirement in 2020, including twice as Chief Financial Officer from September 2017 until June 2020, and from 2005-2013. Ms. Andrews spent three years from 1991 to 1994 as a Senior Accountant for KPMG. Ms. Andrews holds a B.S. in Accounting from California State University at San Bernardino.
About STAAR Surgical
STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) is the global leader in implantable phakic intraocular lenses, a vision correction solution that reduces or eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses. Since 1982, STAAR has been dedicated solely to ophthalmic surgery, and for 30 years, STAAR has been designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing advanced Implantable Collamer ® Lenses (ICLs), using its proprietary biocompatible Collamer material. STAAR ICL’s are clinically proven to deliver safe long-term vision correction without removing corneal tissue or the eye’s natural crystalline lens. Its EVO ICL™ product line provides visual freedom through a quick, minimally invasive procedure. STAAR has sold more than 3 million ICLs in over 75 countries. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, the company operates research, development, manufacturing, and packaging facilities in California and Switzerland. For more information about ICL, visit www.EVOICL.com . To learn more about STAAR, visit www.staar.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260202231854/en/
Investor/Media Contact:
Connie Johnson
cjohnson@staar.com
(626) 303-7902 (ext. 2207)
Asia Investor/Media Contact:
Niko Liu, CFA
nliu@staar.com
United States: (626) 303-7902 (ext. 3023)
Hong Kong: +852 6092-5076
FAQ**
What criteria will the Search Committee use to evaluate internal and external candidates for the CEO position at STAAR Surgical Company STAA, and how do they plan to ensure a seamless transition?
How do the interim roles of Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews fit into STAAR Surgical Company STAA's long-term strategic vision, especially during the search for a new CEO?
What specific challenges and opportunities does STAAR Surgical Company STAA face that the new CEO will need to address immediately?
How will the leadership experience of Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews guide STAAR Surgical Company STAA during the transitional period until the new CEO is appointed?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ: STAA).
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