After being fired from Disney in November of 2022, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek has found a new gig. Today it was announced that Chapek has joined the board of directors for Masimo, a medical device company. Just like Chapek, this company is no stranger to controversy. It is currently in a dispute with Apple over features on the Apple Watch, which the company accuses of infringing on its patents. This is in regards to the blood oxygen measurement functionality on the Apple Watch. Apple has said that they will redesign the watch.
“I am thrilled to join the Masimo Board,” said Mr. Chapek. “I look forward to helping advance the company’s growth by leveraging their core technologies in the consumer and consumer health spaces.”
Joe Kiani, Chairman and CEO of Masimo, said, “We are honored to have Bob join the Board. As we execute our hospital to home strategy, we expect to benefit greatly from Bob’s role on our Board.”
Chapek spent most of his professional career at The Walt Disney Company. Before becoming CEO, he was the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products after it was renamed and reorganized from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which he was also chairman for. Before that also was the president of Distribution for The Walt Disney Studios and managed the Company’s film content distribution strategy on multiple studios. He also became the president of of Walt Disney Studios Home entertainment, where he oversaw the commercialization of Disney’s home release business.
As CEO, Chapek helped The Walt Disney Company navigate through the pandemic. He also was at the helm of the company when the controversy between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis began after he waffled on Disney’s response to the “don’t say gay” bill. This led to Governor DeSantis attacking Disney, first verbally, and then going after the Reedy Creek Improvement District, dissolving it, and then replacing it. The Reedy Creek Improvement, now the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, is where most of the Walt Disney World Resort is located.
The news that Chapek joined the board at Masimo came on the same day that it was announced by Disney that they were officially rejecting activist investor Nelson Peltz’ board nominees. Disney’s filing also revealed that Chapek made $10 million in his last year with Disney. His son Brian, who was an executive at Marvel Studios stepped down when his father became CEO, returned to the company last year after his father’s departure.
What do you think of Masimo adding Bob Chapek to its board of directors? Do you think it is a good fit? Do you think he will end up taking an executive management role in this company or another one moving forward? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
