STAAR Surgical Appoints Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews Interim Co-CEOs
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phakic iolsmedical
Phakic intraocular lenses (phakic IOLs) are tiny corrective lenses surgically implanted inside the eye while leaving the eye’s natural lens intact; think of them as a permanent contact lens placed behind or in front of the pupil to correct high degrees of nearsightedness or astigmatism. Investors watch them because their adoption depends on regulatory approval, surgeon training, pricing and insurance coverage, and long‑term safety data — all factors that drive device sales, recurring clinical services and potential liability risk.
implantable collamer lensesmedical
An implantable collamer lens is a small, soft lens surgically placed inside the eye to correct vision, acting much like a permanent contact lens implanted behind the iris instead of sitting on the eye surface. Investors care because these devices represent a durable, higher‑value medical product whose sales growth, regulatory approvals, safety record and reimbursement policies can directly affect a company’s revenue and risk profile, similar to how a popular new gadget can drive a maker’s earnings and reputation.
evo iclmedical
A EVO ICL is a small, surgically implanted lens placed inside the eye to correct vision, functioning like a permanent contact lens positioned behind the iris. It matters to investors because its adoption, safety record, and regulatory approvals drive sales and future revenue for companies that make them; high demand or wider approvals can signal growth, while safety or competition can affect market share and profits.
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A chief operating officer (COO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of a company, ensuring that all parts of the organization work smoothly and efficiently. They often act like a company's operational quarterback, translating strategic plans into practical actions. For investors, the COO's effectiveness can influence a company's performance and stability, making them an important figure in assessing the company's management strength.
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A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the person in charge of a company's money and financial planning. They decide how to spend, save, and invest funds to help the company grow and stay stable. Their role is important because good financial decisions keep the company healthy and successful.
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A search committee is a small group, often of board members and sometimes outside advisors, charged with finding and vetting candidates for senior leadership or board seats. Think of them as a hiring scout team that narrows the field, checks qualifications, and recommends the best fit. Their choices shape company strategy and leadership continuity, so investors watch them because the committee’s decisions can materially affect future performance and risk.
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Search Committee Has Initiated a Global Search to Select Next CEO
LAKE FOREST, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
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.
