Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain
Officers.
Chief Executive Officer Retirement and Succession
On December 6, 2022, Michael A. Mussallem informed the Board of Directors (the
"Board") of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Edwards"
or the "Company"), of his decision to retire as Chief Executive Officer of
Edwards in connection with Edwards' Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11,
2023 (the "2023 Annual Meeting"). At the 2023 Annual Meeting, Mr. Mussallem will
stand for election as non-executive Chairman of the Board.
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, Mr. Mussallem will be succeeded as CEO by Bernard J.
Zovighian, currently corporate vice president and general manager for Edwards'
Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies ("TMTT") business. On December 6,
2022 the Board appointed Bernard J. Zovighian as President of the Company,
effective January 1, 2023, until he becomes CEO on May 11, 2023.
Mr. Zovighian, age 55, joined Edwards in 2015 as vice president and general
manager of Surgical Structural Heart, which included responsibility for the
company's global valve network. He became corporate vice president of the
surgical business and a member of the Edwards Executive Leadership Team in 2016.
He then assumed the role of corporate vice president and general manager for
TMTT in 2018, establishing a global organization focused on transforming care
for patients with mitral and tricuspid disease. During his career, Zovighian has
launched breakthrough therapies for patients and developed experience across
multiple disciplines and general management, including nearly 20 years at
Johnson & Johnson in roles such as regional leadership outside of the United
States and worldwide president of one of the company's divisions.
On December 6, 2022, in connection with Mr. Zovighian's promotion, the Board
approved an increase to Mr. Zovighian's base salary level to $800,000 annually
and increased his incentive pay objective under the Company's annual cash
incentive plan to $800,000, in each case effective January 1, 2023.
There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Zovighian and any other
persons pursuant to which he was appointed as an executive officer.
Mr. Zovighian has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction
required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. In addition,
no family relationship exists between Mr. Zovighian and any director or other
executive officer of Edwards.
Compensation Change for Named Executive Officer
On December 6, 2022, in connection with the Board's appointment of Larry Wood to
an expanded role as corporate vice president and group president, Transcatheter
Aortic Valve Replacement and Surgical Structural Heart effective January 1,
2023, the Board approved an increase in Mr. Wood's base salary level to $750,000
annually and increased his incentive pay objective under the Company's annual
cash incentive plan to $750,000, in each case effective January 1, 2023.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On December 8, 2022, Edwards issued a press release announcing the Chief
Executive Officer succession plan described in Item 5.02 of this Current Report
on Form 8-K and certain other organizational changes. A copy of the press
release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information furnished under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press release, dated December 8, 2022.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document).
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