Stoneridge Announces President and Chief Executive Officer Retirement and Leadership Succession Plan
Rhea-AI Summary
Stoneridge (NYSE: SRI) announced a planned leadership transition: Jim Zizelman will retire, become strategic advisor effective March 31, 2026, and remain a board nominee; Natalia Noblet will become president and CEO and join the board on April 1, 2026. The change follows the sale of the Control Devices segment and emphasizes continuity, governance, and execution of the company’s transformation strategy.
The board described the succession as planned and highlighted Noblet’s industry experience and recent new business awards for the Electronics segment.
Positive
- Planned CEO succession with effective board transition on April 1, 2026
- Board continuity: outgoing CEO remains board nominee and strategic advisor
- Incoming CEO experience with prior senior roles and recent new business awards
Negative
- Transformation phase following the sale of the Control Devices segment may affect operations
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peer moves are mixed: names like LAZR are up while others such as CVGI and STRT are down, and momentum scanner peers INVZ and HYLN also show opposite directions. This points to stock-specific rather than broad sector-driven dynamics.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02 | CFO departure | Negative | +15.3% | Announced resignation of CFO and treasurer effective March 31, 2026. |
| Feb 02 | Asset divestiture | Positive | +15.3% | Sale of Control Devices segment for $59M to repay debt and refocus. |
| Nov 05 | Quarterly earnings | Neutral | +2.1% | Reported Q3 2025 loss with updated 2025 revenue and EBITDA guidance. |
| Oct 23 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | +3.1% | Announced webcast details for Q3 2025 earnings conference call. |
Recent news has often been associated with positive price moves, even when involving leadership changes or strategic restructuring.
Over the past several months, Stoneridge has reported multiple material events. On Feb 2, 2026, the company both announced its CFO’s planned departure and completed the $59M sale of its Control Devices segment, with shares rising about 15.35%. Earlier, Q3 2025 results on Nov 5, 2025 showed losses but modestly positive price reaction, and a conference call announcement on Oct 23, 2025 also saw gains. Today’s CEO succession update fits into an ongoing restructuring and leadership transition narrative.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a structured CEO succession, with clear dates for retirement, advisory transition, and the incoming leader’s appointment on April 1, 2026. It follows other recent leadership and portfolio changes, including the Control Devices divestiture for $59M. Investors may focus on how the new CEO advances the post‑sale strategy, maintains operational execution in Electronics, and works with a recently engaged activist shareholder base highlighted in recent filings.
Key Terms
forward-looking statements regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Jim will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer until March 31, 2026, when he will transition into the role of strategic advisor to support leadership continuity and key stakeholder relationships. Natalia will assume the role of president and chief executive officer and become a member of the board of directors on April 1, 2026. Jim will continue to serve on the board of directors and will be a board of directors' nominee for election at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
"Succession planning is a key priority for our Board, and this transition reflects our commitment to leadership continuity and long-term value creation during an important period of transformation for the Company following the sale of our Control Devices segment," said Bill Lasky, chairman of Stoneridge's Board of Directors. "Over the past year and a half, Natalia has led the Electronics segment with focus and discipline, making this a natural and well-prepared transition. Jim and Natalia will continue to work closely together to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities and strategic focus."
Jim joined Stoneridge in 2019 and has played a pivotal role in advancing the Company's transformation and growth strategy. As president of Control Devices beginning in 2020, he led the transformation of the segment's product lines and technology roadmap with a strong focus on electrification, enterprise-wide quality, and improving operational excellence. After being named president and chief executive officer, and appointed to the board of directors, in January 2023, he further strengthened Stoneridge's operational performance, expanded its technology portfolio, and reinforced its focus on safe, efficient mobility solutions, all while driving a culture of transparency, collaboration, and respect.
"On behalf of the Board, I thank Jim for his leadership and lasting contributions," said Lasky. "Under his direction, Stoneridge enhanced its competitive position, advanced its technology roadmap, and reinforced a performance-based culture within the Company. We are also pleased that Jim will continue to serve on our Board, where his deep technical knowledge, engineering background, and understanding of our business will remain an asset as we move forward."
Natalia joined Stoneridge in September 2024 as president of Stoneridge Electronics and brings deep industry experience and a strong track record of leadership. During her tenure, Natalia led the segment in securing several significant new business awards, including programs associated with the MirrorEye® platform. Prior to Stoneridge, she spent nearly two decades at WABCO in increasingly senior roles across operations, sourcing, quality, project management, and continuous improvement. Following WABCO's acquisition by ZF in 2020, Natalia held senior leadership positions with profit and loss responsibility, leading integration initiatives and operational transformation programs. This included serving as senior vice president of ZF's Commercial Vehicle Solutions division, where she oversaw the EMEA region's profit and loss, including strategy, commercial operations, procurement, and manufacturing footprint.
"Natalia is exceptionally well-equipped to lead Stoneridge into its next chapter," said Lasky. "Her proven leadership, deep industry knowledge, and strong commitment to operational excellence will support our continued growth, innovation, and success."
"As the incoming president and CEO, my priority is to deliver outstanding value to our customers and continue working with all of our partners to advance next-generation technologies for safer and more efficient transportation," said Noblet. "I am grateful to Jim for his leadership and guidance during this transition, and for the strong foundation he has built. I look forward to working closely with our Board, our executive team, and our global teams to execute Stoneridge's strategy, strengthen customer partnerships, and drive sustainable, profitable growth."
This planned transition underscores Stoneridge's commitment to disciplined governance, leadership development, and long-term shareholder value.
About Stoneridge, Inc.
Stoneridge, Inc., headquartered in Novi,
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the leadership transition and its expected effects on our operations and strategy. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Important factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward‑looking statements, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Stoneridge, Inc.
FAQ
When will Jim Zizelman step down as CEO of Stoneridge (SRI)?
When does Natalia Noblet become president and CEO of Stoneridge (SRI)?
How does the Stoneridge (SRI) board describe the leadership transition?
What experience does incoming CEO Natalia Noblet bring to Stoneridge (SRI)?
Will Jim Zizelman remain involved with Stoneridge (SRI) after retiring?
