September brought a varied group of chief operating officer appointments across technology, real estate, healthcare, retail, financial services, infrastructure, and professional services. Several organizations promoted established executives into broader operating assignments, while others recruited outside leaders to oversee expansion, execution, and organizational development.
Here are 12 COOs who accepted or began new positions during September 2026.
Kohl’s Announces Elliott Rodgers as COO
Kohl’s welcomed Elliott Rodgers as Chief Operating Officer. Rodgers is responsible for the retailer’s stores, supply chain and distribution centers, procurement, and loss prevention. His career includes more than 20 years of cross-functional operating experience.
Panera Bread Appoints Chris Finazzo as COO
Panera Bread appointed Chris Finazzo Chief Operating Officer. Finazzo will lead the restaurant company’s operations and will be responsible for operating performance across a system encompassing more than 2,200 bakery-cafes.
JLL Announces Paul Morgan as COO
JLL named Paul Morgan Chief Operating Officer. Morgan joined the firm’s Global Executive Board and reports directly to President and CEO Christian Ulbrich. His responsibilities include supporting execution of JLL’s long-term Accelerate 2030 strategy.
Chris Drumgoole Appointed COO of Aligned Data Centers
Aligned Data Centers appointed Chris Drumgoole Chief Operating Officer. Drumgoole brings more than 25 years of experience spanning data centers, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, technology, and global operations. He will oversee Operations, Platform Delivery, and Information Technology as the company expands its data center platform.
Erin Schmuker Takes COO Role at Cotiviti
Cotiviti appointed Erin Schmuker Chief Operating Officer in September. Schmuker joined the healthcare technology company’s executive leadership team with responsibility for strengthening operating execution as Cotiviti expands its technology and healthcare infrastructure businesses.
Wes Harris Joins Tinuiti as Global COO
Tinuiti named Wes Harris Global Chief Operating Officer. The former R/GA Global COO will work across client delivery, product, technology, talent, and AI while helping the independent media agency develop its operating model for larger enterprise engagements.
BPM Announces Brian Finnegan as COO
BPM appointed Brian Finnegan Chief Operating Officer in September. Finnegan, previously the firm’s Assurance Practice Group Leader, will oversee firmwide operations, business processes, and strategic execution. He succeeds Carl Sorboro, who is scheduled to retire at the end of the year.
Bernerd Da Santos Appointed EVP and COO of Fluence Energy
Fluence Energy appointed Bernerd Da Santos Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Da Santos previously served on the company’s board and became Fluence’s principal operating officer as part of the leadership transition.
Dexcom Appoints Jereme Sylvain as COO
Dexcom expanded Jereme Sylvain’s responsibilities in September, appointing the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to the additional position of Chief Operating Officer. His appointment became effective September 14.
Jason Weed Joins Ocean Power Technologies as COO
Ocean Power Technologies appointed Jason Weed Chief Operating Officer. A retired U.S. Navy captain, Weed brings more than three decades of military experience together with leadership experience in maritime technology and autonomous systems.
Nick Jeffery Appointed COO of Charter Communications
Charter Communications welcomed Nick Jeffery as Chief Operating Officer. The former Frontier CEO now oversees Marketing and Sales, Field Operations, and Customer Operations across Charter’s Spectrum residential and business operations.
Michael Maddiex Takes COO Role at Advocus
Advocus named Michael Maddiex Chief Operating Officer for Expansion and Emerging Markets in September. Maddiex brings nearly four decades of experience in real estate, title insurance, and settlement services and will lead Illinois operations while supporting expansion into additional markets.
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