The appointment goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. In his new role, Stiles will lead the orthopedic and surgical tech giant’s global business, strategy and M&A efforts. Stryker’s website doesn’t list a COO at present, meaning Stiles succeeds Timothy Scannell, who retired in 2023. When Scannell retired, Kevin Lobo, Stryker chair and CEO, took on his responsibilities.
“Appointing Spencer president and COO strengthens our ability to sustain high growth and leverage the breadth of our portfolio,” said Lobo. “Spencer’s deep knowledge of our business and our customers, combined with his leadership and operational execution, will help position us well for the future.”
Stiles has spent 27 years at the Portage, Michigan–based company. He most recently served as group president of Orthopaedics, a position he’s held since 2019. Over his time at Stryker, Stiles’ roles include leadership posts across Orthopaedics, MedSurg and Neurotechnology.
At Stryker, he has overseen international regions and key supporting functions across these roles. Stryker said he brings a “strong track record of performance.” The company also touted Stiles’ strategic vision, collaborative and motivational leadership and commitment to advancing healthcare through technology.
“I’m honored to step into this role,” said Stiles. “Our customers inspire everything we do; their challenges drive our innovation, and their trust fuels our growth. Alongside our exceptional Stryker team, I’m excited for what’s next as we continue delivering meaningful impact for patients around the world.”
With Stiles’ promotion, the company also elevated Dylan Crotty to Stiles’ previous post, leading Orthopaedics. Crotty, also a 27-year Stryker veteran, currently serves as president, Instruments. These mark the latest leadership changes at the company after Erik Todd, VP and GM for Robotics and Enabling Technologies, departed to become CEO of Olympus and Revival Healthcare Capital’s Swan EndoSurgical.
