Operational leadership is evolving as organizations seek greater consistency across supply chains, service delivery, and internal processes. These Chief Operating Officer transitions point to a renewed emphasis on execution, where efficiency gains, resilience planning, and cross-functional coordination are central to sustained performance.
Today, Operations Council will focus on 13 COOs that accepted new roles in April 2026.
McDonald’s Appoints Skye Anderson as COO
McDonald’s has shifted several members of its executive suite through promotions, appointing Skye Anderson to the newly created role of McDonald’s USA chief operating officer. Anderson will lead the U.S. National Operations, Restaurant Development and McOpCo teams and exercise oversight for the U.S. Supply Chain and U.S. Technology teams to create an integrated operations team.
CNN Announces Alex MacCallum as New COO
Alex MacCallum returned to CNN to oversee an effort to make the storied news outlet more relevant to digital audiences. MacCallum, a media-industry veteran who has helped The Washington Post and The New York Times manage their own digital transitions, was named chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Discovery‘s CNN.
PGA of America Names Phil Anderson as New COO
The PGA of America named Phil Anderson, PGA, Chief Operating Officer, a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the Association’s strategic priorities, operational performance and PGA of America Member services. Anderson, who was selected following a comprehensive national search, joins the Association after serving as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at Hazeltine National Golf Club since 2022.
Ameresco Appointed Peter Christakis as New COO
Ameresco has appointed Peter Christakis as new COO. Christakis will continue to oversee the company’s procurement, health & safety, U.S. solar and battery operations, and operations in Europe while serving as COO.
MLB Players Association Announces Chris Capuano as New COO
Longtime major leaguer, Chris Capuano, who has worked at the union since 2019, will take over as the MLBPA’s new COO. Capuano, a Duke graduate who received an MBA from MIT, spent 13 seasons in the major leagues with a half-dozen teams and previously served as a senior director of operations for business at strategy at the MLBPA.
Kate Stonestreet Joins Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as COO
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, announced that Kate Stonestreet has been appointed chief operating officer (COO). With over 30 years of law firm leadership experience, Stonestreet most recently served as global chief operating officer at Baker McKenzie.
Robert Smith Joins AeroVironment as EVP and COO
AeroVironment (AVAV) named Robert Smith as executive VP and chief operating officer. Smith will oversee Autonomous Systems and Space, Cyber & Directed Energy units, plus global operations and manufacturing. Smith joins from Raytheon (an RTX company), where he led a multi-billion-dollar radar and electronic warfare business.
Paul Hallen Joins Nanoscope Therapeutics as New COO
Nanoscope Therapeutics has named Paul Hallen as its new chief operating officer. As COO, Hallen will oversee Nanoscope’s global operations, including commercial readiness, supply chain, and cross-functional execution, as the company works toward regulatory approval and launch of MCO-010 (MOGENRY), a therapy developed to treat retinitis pigmentosa.
SIA Announces Amanda Garzon as New COO
The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the appointment of Amanda Garzon as chief operating officer (COO). Garzon oversees the association’s strategic execution and day-to-day operations, ensuring alignment across internal functions and delivery of SIA’s programs and initiatives. She is an experienced executive with a background spanning the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.
Katus Watson Joins WSP as U.S. COO
Katus Watson, PE, DBIA, has been named chief operating officer (COO) at WSP in the U.S., one of the world’s leading professional services firms. Watson is responsible for overseeing operational performance across WSP’s U.S. business, advancing the firm’s strategic priorities with a focus on strengthening delivery consistency, quality and accountability across regions, end markets, delivery platforms and technical disciplines.
Vail Mountain Named Shaydar Edelmann as VP and COO
Vail Mountain, Colorado, has named Shaydar Edelmann, a snow industry veteran with more than two decades of experience, as its vice president and chief operating officer. Edelmann comes from another member of the Vail Resorts portfolio, Heavenly Mountain Resort, California, where he was the vice president and general manager.
Associated Wholesale Grocers Names Joe Kelley as New COO
Associated Wholesale Grocers announced that it has appointed Joe Kelley as chief operating officer. Kelley, who served most recently as senior vice president of retail divisions for Kroger, will oversee merchandising, procurement, distribution, sales, marketing and division support center operations for AWG.
Reed’s Announces Damian Warshall as COO
Reed’s announced the appointment of Damian Warshall as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Warshall is a seasoned consumer packaged goods (CPG) operations executive with deep expertise in scaling beverage manufacturing operations, enhancing supply chain efficiency and driving profitable growth across complex organizations.
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