diff --git a/CODEOWNERS b/CODEOWNERS
deleted file mode 100644
index 0b975a6b..00000000
--- a/CODEOWNERS
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-* @operator-framework/team-olm
diff --git a/OWNERS b/OWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5887253b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/OWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# NB: this converts a GH-driven single-approver process based on a team into an enumerated equivalent flow
+approvers:
+    - anik120
+    - ankitathomas
+    - camilamacedo86
+    - dtfranz
+    - grokspawn
+    - jianzhangbjz
+    - joelanford
+    - kevinrizza
+    - oceanc80
+    - pedjak
+    - perdasilva
+    - rashmigottipati
+    - tmshort
+    - trgeiger