In Monsters, Inc., who is the CEO of the Monsters, Inc. factory?

In Monsters, Inc., Henry J. Waternoose is the CEO of the Monsters, Inc. factory.

Waternoose is a large, crab-like monster and the third-generation head of the company. He inherited the business from his father and had led it during the factory’s dependence on children’s screams as an energy source. At the beginning of the film, he presents himself as a mentor to James P. Sullivan and supports Sulley’s career as the company’s top scarer.

The major conflict reveals that Waternoose is secretly working with Randall Boggs on the dangerous “scream extractor” plan. After Sulley and Mike discover the scheme, Waternoose banishes them to the Himalayas, but they return and expose him to the Child Detection Agency. He is arrested and removed from the company.

A common mix-up is confusing Waternoose with Sulley. After Waternoose’s arrest, the board appoints Sulley as the new CEO. Mike Wazowski becomes Sulley’s close business partner, while Randall is the rival scarer who helps Waternoose.