WD-40 Company Appoints Keith Stauffer as Incoming Chief Financial Officer in Planned Leadership Transition
WD-40 Company, a global marketing organization known for developing and selling problem-solving products for workshops, factories and homes around the world, has announced an important change to its financial leadership team. The Company said Keith Stauffer will join WD-40 Company as vice president, global finance, effective Sept. 7, 2026, before assuming the position of chief financial officer later this year.
Stauffer is expected to become chief financial officer on Nov. 2, 2026, as part of a planned leadership transition designed to support continuity within the Company’s finance organization and broader executive team. The appointment follows a comprehensive search process and represents another step in WD-40 Company’s long-term strategy to strengthen its leadership capabilities while continuing to pursue sustainable global growth.
The Company also confirmed that its current chief financial officer, Sara Hyzer, will transition into the role of division president, Americas. Her move into the new position will become effective Nov. 2, 2026, at the same time Stauffer assumes the CFO role.
Until that transition is completed, Hyzer will continue serving as chief financial officer. She will remain in the role throughout the transition period and through the filing of WD-40 Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2026. This approach is intended to provide stability across the Company’s financial reporting activities while allowing Stauffer sufficient time to become familiar with WD-40 Company’s operations, strategy and global business.
Keith Stauffer to Join WD-40 Company
Beginning Sept. 7, Stauffer will serve as vice president, global finance, giving him an opportunity to work closely with Hyzer and the Company’s finance and executive leadership teams before formally taking over as chief financial officer.
During this transition period, Stauffer will be able to gain deeper insight into WD-40 Company’s global operations, financial priorities, commercial activities and long-term strategic objectives. The Company believes that the overlap between Stauffer and Hyzer will help facilitate an orderly handoff and minimize disruption as the finance leadership responsibilities move to Stauffer.
Steve Brass, president and chief executive officer of WD-40 Company, welcomed Stauffer to the organization and highlighted his broad experience across finance, operations and consumer products.
After a rigorous search process, I’m excited to welcome Keith to WD-40 Company and our executive leadership team,” Brass said. “Keith brings a strong combination of financial leadership, operational experience, and global consumer products expertise to our Company.”
According to Brass, Stauffer’s background includes experience leading finance organizations at both public companies and international businesses. That experience is expected to be particularly valuable as WD-40 Company continues executing its long-term strategy and focuses on generating sustainable growth across its markets.
Brass also emphasized the importance of the planned transition period between Hyzer and Stauffer. By joining the Company several weeks before assuming the CFO position, Stauffer will have the opportunity to become immersed in the business and collaborate directly with Hyzer.
Keith will work closely with Sara during the planned transition period, allowing him to become immersed in our business and ensuring a smooth handoff as he assumes the role of chief financial officer,” Brass added.
Extensive Consumer Products and Finance Experience
Stauffer brings a diverse background in financial leadership, with experience spanning consumer products, international businesses, publicly traded companies and business transformation.
Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Stauffer served as chief financial officer, U.S., at Galderma S.A., where he was responsible for leading finance for the company’s U.S. business. His experience at Galderma adds to a career that has included leadership responsibilities across a range of complex and highly competitive business environments.
Before Galderma, Stauffer served as chief financial officer of TerrAscend Corp., a publicly traded company, from 2020 through 2025. In that role, he gained experience operating within a public-company environment while managing financial responsibilities associated with a growing international business.
Earlier in his career, Stauffer held senior finance leadership positions at several prominent global companies, including Coty Inc., The Hershey Company, Dell Technologies and Procter & Gamble.
His experience across these organizations has provided exposure to multiple aspects of corporate finance, including international operations, consumer products, organizational transformation and strategic business management. The combination of these experiences is expected to complement WD-40 Company’s global operating model and its focus on building a strong, sustainable business.
Supporting WD-40 Company’s Long-Term Strategy
The appointment comes as WD-40 Company continues to focus on its long-term strategy and growth opportunities. As a global marketing organization, the Company develops and sells products designed to solve problems for consumers and professional users in workshops, factories and homes.
Financial leadership plays a critical role in supporting these objectives. The CFO is responsible for overseeing key areas of financial management while helping the Company evaluate investments, manage resources, support operational priorities and maintain disciplined financial practices.
With Stauffer’s experience across consumer products and international organizations, WD-40 Company expects him to contribute valuable perspectives as it continues to navigate changing market conditions and pursue opportunities for growth.
His previous experience with companies operating across different geographic markets also provides a foundation for working within WD-40 Company’s global business. The Company operates with a broad international footprint, making experience in international finance and business transformation particularly relevant to the CFO role.
Sara Hyzer to Become Division President, Americas
While Stauffer prepares to assume the CFO position, Hyzer will move into a new leadership role as division president, Americas.
Hyzer’s transition reflects the Company’s continued development of its executive leadership structure. Rather than leaving the organization, she will take on responsibilities focused on the Americas business, while continuing to support the financial organization through the fiscal 2026 reporting process.
Her continued service as CFO during the transition period is expected to provide consistency as the Company completes its fiscal year and prepares its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2026.
The overlapping transition is also designed to preserve institutional knowledge. Hyzer can continue providing leadership and guidance on financial matters while Stauffer becomes familiar with WD-40 Company’s systems, teams, operations and strategic priorities.
A Structured Approach to Leadership Succession
WD-40 Company’s decision to establish a transition period before Stauffer formally becomes CFO demonstrates the Company’s focus on maintaining continuity during a significant executive leadership change.
Rather than making an immediate change in financial leadership, the Company will have Stauffer begin as vice president, global finance on Sept. 7. He will then transition into the CFO position on Nov. 2. During this period, Stauffer and Hyzer will work together to facilitate the transfer of responsibilities.
The timing also aligns Stauffer’s appointment as CFO with Hyzer’s move to division president, Americas, creating a clearly defined transition point for both executives.
For WD-40 Company, maintaining stability in financial leadership is particularly important as it continues to execute its long-term plans. A structured handoff can help ensure that financial operations, reporting responsibilities and strategic initiatives continue without unnecessary disruption.
Academic Background
Stauffer’s professional experience is supported by an academic background in engineering and business. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from Purdue University.
His engineering education, combined with an MBA and extensive senior-level finance experience, has contributed to a career that has crossed financial management, operational leadership and business transformation.
The combination of technical, business and international experience is expected to support his responsibilities at WD-40 Company as he takes on the CFO position.
About WD-40 Company
WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories, and homes around the world. The Company owns a wide range of well-known brands that include maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products: WD-40® Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, 2000 Flushes®, no vac®, Spot Shot®, Lava®, Solvol®, X-14®, and Carpet Fresh®.
Headquartered in San Diego, California, USA, WD-40 Company recorded net sales of $620.0 million in fiscal year 2025 and its products are currently available in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide. WD-40 Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “WDFC”.
