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Get filing alertsStryker CAO William Berry to retire Sept 1; VP Controller Emily Baculik promoted to succeed
Filed May 20, 2026 · Period ending May 15, 2026 · ~1 min read
Key Changes
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Chief Accounting Officer William Berry retiring effective Sept 1, 2026 after unspecified tenure; will remain as advisor to CFO through Aug 2027 at $510k base salary.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Emily Baculik, VP Corporate Controller since Nov 2024, promoted to CAO effective Sept 1 with $420k base salary, 45% bonus target, and ~$400k equity grant in Feb 2027.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR →
Summary
Stryker disclosed a planned succession in its principal accounting officer role. William Berry, the company's Chief Accounting Officer, will retire September 1, 2026 and transition to an advisory role through August 2027 to facilitate knowledge transfer. Emily Baculik, who has served as VP Corporate Controller since November 2024, will assume the CAO responsibilities.
This is a routine executive transition with four months' advance notice and an extended advisory period, indicating orderly succession planning rather than an unexpected departure. Baculik's compensation package—$420k base salary, 45% bonus target, and approximately $400k in equity awards—is standard for a principal accounting officer at a company of Stryker's scale. The internal promotion suggests continuity in financial reporting and controls.
Section-by-Section Diff
Event · Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation filed; see Key Changes for terms.
Show 3 minor / wording changes
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
William E. Berry, Jr. has decided to retire from his role as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer of the Company effective September 1, 2026 and that Emily Baculik, who currently serves as Vice President, Corporate Controller, will also serve as chief accounting officer of the Company effective September 1, 2026.
The company's Chief Accounting Officer is retiring after an unspecified tenure, with an internal successor already identified. Emily Baculik has been VP Corporate Controller since November 2024 and will add the CAO role effective September 1, 2026. This is a planned transition with four months' notice, suggesting orderly succession planning rather than an abrupt departure.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Mr. Berry has entered into a Transition Agreement with the Company pursuant to which he will continue to be employed as Advisor to the Chief Financial Officer from September 1, 2026 until August 15, 2027 (the “Advisory Period”). During the Advisory Period, Mr. Berry will continue to receive base salary at his current annual rate of $510,000, and he will continue to be eligible to receive a 2026 incentive bonus with a target bonus percentage of 50% of his annual salary subject to the terms of the applicable bonus plan. Mr. Berry will not be eligible for an annual incentive bonus or any prorated bonus for services provided during 2027.
The retiring CAO will remain as an advisor to the CFO for approximately $510,000, one year after stepping down from the CAO role, continuing to receive his $510,000 base salary and remaining eligible for his 2026 bonus (50% target). He will not receive equity grants or any 2027 bonus. This extended advisory period facilitates knowledge transfer and continuity.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Ms. Baculik’s annualized base salary rate will increase to $420,000 effective September 1, 2026. Ms. Baculik’s bonus target will be 45% of her annual base salary, prorated for 2026 based on the portion of the year that she serves as the chief accounting officer of the Company and determined based on the applicable plan terms. In addition, a recommendation will be made to the Compensation and Human Capital Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company to approve awards to Ms. Baculik under the Company’s long-term incentive plan in February 2027. The awards would have an aggregate target value equal to approximately $400,000, comprised of 50% stock options (vesting 20% on each of the first five anniversary dates of the grant date) and 50% restricted stock units (vesting in three equal installments over an approximate three-year period after the grant date).
The new CAO will receive a base salary of $420,000 (versus Berry's $510,000), a 45% bonus target (versus Berry's 50%), and approximately $400,000 in long-term incentive awards in February 2027 split equally between stock options and restricted stock units. The compensation structure is typical for a principal accounting officer role at a large public company.
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Figures/quotes linked to EDGAR · Narrative written by AI · Jun 30, 2026 · How we verify