CooperCompanies CEO Al White Steps Down, Rosebrough Takes Over
Your daily brief on leadership and business
CooperCompanies, the Nasdaq-listed medical device maker, said on October 27 that Albert (Al) White III is stepping down as President and Chief Executive Officer. He also leaves the board, effective immediately.
The board has elected independent director Walter (Walt) Rosebrough Jr. as Executive Chair. He will directly oversee day-to-day operations until a permanent CEO is appointed. White stays on as a strategic advisor through April 1, 2027.
The search for a permanent CEO is underway. It is supported by the search firm Russell Reynolds and overseen by a board committee of Lawrence Kurzius, Cynthia Lucchese and Teresa Madden. Rosebrough will work with that committee and the full board during the process.
"The Company's recent performance has not met our expectations, and the Board believes decisive action is needed to ensure the Company reaches its long-term potential," Rosebrough said. He added that the board appreciates White's leadership and contributions over his 20 years with the company.
Rosebrough said the priorities are to identify and onboard the right CEO and to take further steps to strengthen the business. He tied those aims to better products for customers, rewarding work for employees and stronger returns for shareholders.
Who Rosebrough is
Rosebrough has sat on Cooper's board and its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee since January 2026. He is CEO Emeritus of STERIS and led that company from 2007 to 2021. His career also includes two decades at Hill-Rom, including as President and CEO. The company describes his career as 40 years in medical devices, 25 of them as a CEO.
During his time as STERIS chief executive, from 2007 to 2021, shareholders received an 18% annualized return, against 10% for the S&P 500, the company says. STERIS market capitalization rose by more than $20 billion in those years. Rosebrough is also Independent Chair of Varex Imaging and Immediate Past Chair of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
Board changes
Cooper also announced changes to the board. Shlomi Nachman, a former Johnson & Johnson executive with more than 27 years in healthcare, joins as an independent director on December 8, 2026. At J&J he led a portfolio of medical device businesses, including Vision.
Directors Barbara Carbone, Colleen Jay and Robert Weiss do not intend to stand for reelection at the 2027 annual meeting. The board will nominate seven directors: Paul Keel, Lawrence Kurzius, Cynthia Lucchese, Teresa Madden, Nachman, Maria Rivas and Rosebrough.
The changes follow the appointment of two independent directors in January and July 2026. Cooper also reaffirmed the fiscal 2026 guidance it gave on September 9, 2026.