Taylor (2010) displays that CEO ability and the capability of the board in understanding CEO ability affect the timing of replacing CEO. This study investigates their effects on firm credit risk. We use North America bond data to investigate the relationship between firm credit risk, CEO ability and the board capability in understanding management ability. We find that both affect a firm’s credit risk. The higher CEO ability heterogeneity of a firm’s industry is, the lower is the firm’s credit risk. Higher recruiting ability also enhances firm credit quality. The results are robust when controlling well known yield spread determinant variables and firm credit ratings.