WW International, Inc. announced on September 9, 2026, the appointment of Stephen J. Bye as President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment is effective on a mutually agreed date on or prior to November 27, 2026, referred to as the Commencement Date. Bye will also serve as a director of the company, a position that will increase the size of the board from six to seven members.
Bye most recently served as President and CEO of Ookla, a connectivity intelligence company acquired by Accenture in June 2026, a role he began in January 2023. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of DISH Network’s wireless business and previously served as CEO of Connectivity Wireless. His career also includes leadership roles at C Spire, Sprint, AT&T, and Cox Communications.
The company disclosed an employment agreement with Bye signed on September 8, 2026. The agreement includes a base salary of $850,000 per year. Bye is eligible for an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target percentage of 125% of his base salary. He is also set to receive a signing bonus of $1.5 million, with $1 million payable around December 31, 2027, and $500,000 payable around December 31, 2028. Additionally, he will receive a signing grant of restricted stock units valued at $1 million and an initial grant valued at $5.1 million under the company's 2025 Stock Incentive Plan.
In the event of a termination without cause or resignation for good reason, Bye is entitled to receive payments including a lump sum equal to two times his base salary plus target bonus, continuation of health coverage for 12 months, and accelerated vesting of unvested equity awards. The company’s interim executive office, established in April 2026, will dissolve upon the Commencement Date, with current CFO Felicia DellaFortuna and COO Jonathan Volkmann returning to their permanent roles.
