CooperCompanies (NASDAQ: COO) announced that its board of directors has appointed Paul Keel as an independent director, effective July 1, 2026. Keel will also serve on the audit committee upon joining the board.

Keel currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Envista Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NVST), a position he has held since 2024. Previously, he was CEO of Smiths Group plc (LON: SMIN) from 2021 to 2024.

Before his CEO roles, Keel spent 16 years at 3M in various leadership positions, including group president of 3M Consumer Business, president of 3M Medical, and president of 3M Unitek. His career also includes positions at General Mills, General Electric, Norwest Equity Partners, and McKinsey & Company.

"His experience as a CEO in the medical device sector, along with a successful track record of leading complex global operations, will be a significant asset as Cooper continues to execute its strategy," said Colleen Jay, chair of the board of CooperCompanies.

Keel holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in economics from Carleton College.

CooperCompanies operates through two business units: CooperVision, which focuses on contact lenses, and CooperSurgical, which serves fertility and women's healthcare markets. The company employs more than 15,000 people and sells products in over 130 countries.