Avantor, Inc. filed a Form 8-K with the SEC on September 21, 2026, disclosing the appointment of Todd Garner as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 21, 2026.

Key Highlights

  • New CFO appointed: Todd Garner, age 57, was named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Avantor, effective September 21, 2026.
  • Annual base salary: Mr. Garner's annual base salary is set at $700,000, with a target annual bonus of 80% of base salary.
  • Signing bonus: Mr. Garner will receive a one-time cash signing bonus of $150,000, subject to repayment obligations if he departs before the one-year anniversary of his start date.
  • Initial equity grant: Mr. Garner will receive an initial long-term equity grant with a target value of $1,500,000, split equally between restricted stock units and stock options.
  • Prior role: Mr. Garner most recently served as Executive Vice President and CFO of CONMED Corporation from January 2018 until March 2026.
  • Interim CFO transition: Steven Eck will cease serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer but will continue as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.

Avantor CFO Appointment: Garner's Compensation and Background

According to the filing, Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR) entered into an employment letter agreement with Todd Garner on September 17, 2026, in connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The agreement establishes an annual base salary of $700,000 and eligibility to participate in the company's incentive-based annual cash program beginning in 2026, pro-rated based on his start date, with an annual target bonus opportunity of 80% of his base salary. Mr. Garner is also entitled to a one-time cash signing bonus of $150,000, subject to certain repayment obligations if he departs before the one-year anniversary of his start date.

The filing discloses that Mr. Garner will receive an initial long-term equity grant under the company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with a target amount of $1,500,000. Half of this grant will be in restricted stock units vesting ratably over two years, and half will be in stock options issued at a 10% premium to the closing price of the company's common stock on the grant date, vesting ratably over three years. In future years, Mr. Garner will be eligible for a target annual long-term incentive grant of $3,000,000, allocated in the same manner as for all members of the Executive Leadership Team.

Prior to joining Avantor, the filing states that Mr. Garner held several positions at C.R. Bard, Inc. between 2003 and 2017, including Vice President, Investor Relations from 2011 to 2017, and Vice President, Controller (Division Chief Financial Officer) from 2007 to 2011. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, and is a Certified Public Accountant. The company confirmed there is no arrangement or family relationship between Mr. Garner and any other director or executive officer of the company.

What Was Disclosed

Avantor disclosed the appointment of Todd Garner as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 21, 2026, along with the key terms of his employment letter, his professional background, and the transition of Steven Eck back to his role as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.