CODI Names BOA Chair Zach Sawtelle as Next CEO Following Elias Sabo’s Planned Retirement

Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI), a leading player in the middle-market powerhouse space and owner of major outdoor lifestyle brands like 5.11, BOA, PrimaLoft, and Velocity Outdoor, has announced a major leadership transition. Longtime Chief Executive Officer Elias Sabo will officially retire from his executive post and step down from the Board of Directors on December 31, 2026.

To ensure an orderly handover, the company has tapped Zach Sawtelle—a seasoned internal leader and the current Chairman of BOA—as Chief Operating Officer of CODI, with the explicit directive to succeed Sabo as CEO and a board member upon his year-end retirement.

A Fifteen-Year Track Record of Dealmaking

Sawtelle is a deeply integrated figure within the Compass ecosystem. Having joined Compass Group Management (the company's external manager) back in 2009, he currently operates as a partner and Chief Operating Officer for the manager.

Throughout his 17-year tenure, Sawtelle has acted as a primary architect behind CODI’s most lucrative corporate maneuvers, leading more than 20 strategic transactions worth an aggregate value of over $3 billion. Crucially, he spearheaded the high-profile acquisitions of BOA Technology, Inc., 5.11 Inc., and Manitoba Harvest.

"Zach has deep knowledge of our businesses, a strong record of value creation and the discipline to lead CODI’s next phase," said Larry Enterline, Chair of CODI’s Board of Directors, expressing uniform confidence in the upcoming transition.

Reflecting on Eight Years of Transformation

Sabo’s impending departure will close out a foundational era for the holding company. Sabo has been integral to the business since its inception, including an impactful eight-year run as the chief executive. Under his leadership, CODI evolved into a highly scaled permanent capital structure, navigating both dramatic upswings in consumer spending and the intense macro-economic pressures of recent retail seasons.

Reflecting on his tenure and the selection of his successor, Sabo voiced immense pride in the company's current position:

"Leading CODI has been the honor of my career. We were tested this past year, and we met it with resilience and integrity. Our subsidiary businesses are performing, our balance sheet is healthier, and the path ahead is clear. I have known and worked with Zach for years. He is exceptional... I will work alongside him to ensure a smooth transition to make sure CODI is set up to win in its next chapter."

Strategic Continuity and Reaffirmed 2026 Guidance

Sawtelle’s immediate focus as he slides into the corporate driver's seat will look familiar to observers of the firm: disciplined operational execution, aggressive deleveraging, and maximizing shareholder returns.

Coinciding with the executive announcement, CODI corporate leadership reaffirmed its previously issued 2026 financial outlook, citing strong performance and momentum across its diversified portfolio of sub-brands.

The firm remains actively engaged in closing the gap between its current public stock price and its intrinsic value—potentially deploying opportunistic capital returns to shareholders down the line. Additionally, CODI confirmed it is advancing its highly anticipated review of its Management Services Agreement (MSA), which is designed to further align executive incentives directly with investor interests. The review is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.