US Executive Officer Management Changes SEC — September 28, 2026

USA Executive & Director Changes

By Gunpowder Editorial ·

27 high priority 27 total filings analysed

Executive Summary

This digest of 27 filings reveals a significant wave of executive and director changes across US-listed companies, with a notable concentration of CFO departures and CEO transitions. The most critical development is MongoDB's immediate CEO departure to Meta, which, despite reaffirmed guidance, introduces leadership uncertainty at a key enterprise software player.

A distinct pattern of CEO/CFO duality emerges, with CEOs at Matternet, Gain Therapeutics, and Jasper Therapeutics all assuming interim CFO roles, signaling potential resource constraints or strategic restructuring. The filings show a strong positive sentiment around new appointments, particularly at Adeia, Asana, and H.B. Fuller, where incoming leaders bring deep industry expertise and proven track records. While most filings lack direct financial period-over-period comparisons, the enriched data reveals important forward-looking signals, including performance-based incentive plans at Workhorse Group and Highwater Ethanol that tie executive compensation to specific operational milestones. The materiality of events varies widely, from routine governance updates at World Gold Trust to high-impact CEO changes at MongoDB and Adeia, underscoring the need for investors to differentiate between noise and actionable intelligence. Overall, the digest highlights a dynamic leadership landscape with implications for corporate strategy, operational continuity, and shareholder value creation across technology, healthcare, and industrial sectors.

Materiality, sentiment, and priority are scored by Gunpowder’s analysis pipeline. How we score filings →

Filing types in this digest: 8-K

Tracking the trend? Catch up on the prior US Executive Officer Management Changes SEC digest from September 21, 2026.

Investment Signals (12)

  • ▲

    Appointed Dipti Vachani as CEO, a semiconductor veteran from Arm's Automotive Business Unit, signaling a strategic pivot towards automotive and semiconductor IP markets. Outgoing CEO noted 'strengthened balance sheet' and 'growing opportunities', suggesting a healthy foundation for new leadership.

  • CEO CJ Desai's immediate departure to Meta is a significant talent loss, but the company reaffirmed Q3 and FY2027 guidance from September 1, 2026, signaling confidence in near-term execution. The appointment of former CEO Dev Ittycheria as interim provides stability, and the upcoming Investor Day on September 29, 2026, is a key catalyst.

  • ▲

    Appointed Dan Rogers as Board Chair and added AI/enterprise software expertise with Jerry Ting (founder of Evisort, acquired by Workday) and Tom Berquist. Co-founder Dustin Moskovitz remains a director and intends to maintain his shareholdings, signaling continued alignment.

  • Adopted a Value Creation Incentive Plan with $21.5M in performance awards tied to specific milestones: $75M revenue, positive gross margin, positive operating cash flow, and $500M market cap. This directly aligns management incentives with shareholder value creation over a 5-year period.

  • Appointed Aditya Gandhi as VP and Chief Accounting Officer, bringing over 20 years of packaging industry experience from Sonoco, WestRock, and AptarGroup. This strengthens finance leadership with deep sector expertise.

  • H.B. Fuller (BULLISH)
    ▲

    Appointed R. Jeffrey Bailly to the Board, who led UFP Technologies through 20x revenue growth and 150x market cap growth. His expertise in M&A and medical technology aligns with H.B. Fuller's strategy to accelerate EBITDA margins above 20% and pivot to higher-growth markets.

  • Approved a 48% salary increase for its President and COO, from $270,000 to $400,000. While routine, this level of increase suggests strong confidence in his leadership and future performance.

  • Appointed Dr. Eiry W. Roberts as CMO with a compensation package including $825,000 base salary, 60% target bonus, and ~$1.25M in equity. The structured compensation signals a commitment to long-term R&D leadership, though the prior CMO's departure 'by mutual agreement' warrants monitoring.

  • COO Kimberly Ernzen is stepping down with no successor named, creating an operational leadership gap. While she remains through year-end for transition, the lack of a planned successor is a concern for a key operational role.

  • Appointed Jason Secore as CFO, who previously led a reverse-merger transaction at Matternet. His experience in aviation and capital markets could be valuable as Surf Air executes its Transformation Plan, but the departure of the prior CFO during this phase introduces execution risk.

  • CFO Herb Cross resigned effective October 9, 2026, with the CEO and VP Finance assuming interim roles. The lack of a permanent CFO and the CEO taking on additional finance duties is a risk for a clinical-stage biotech.

  • The 2026 Annual Meeting showed significant retail shareholder participation with 3.8M broker non-votes on director elections and the incentive plan amendment. The approval of 1.5M additional shares under the 2020 Plan provides flexibility for future compensation but also dilutes existing shareholders.

Risk Flags (10)

  • ▼

    CEO CJ Desai's immediate departure to Meta Platforms creates significant leadership uncertainty. While guidance is reaffirmed, the loss of a CEO to a major competitor raises questions about strategic direction and talent retention.

  • StandardAero/COO Vacancy↓ [MODERATE RISK]
    ▼

    COO Kimberly Ernzen's departure with no successor named creates an operational leadership void at a critical time. The lack of a transition plan is a red flag for operational continuity.

  • CFO Herb Cross's resignation with only 11 days' notice, and the CEO assuming interim CFO duties, is a significant risk for a clinical-stage biotech. This dual role could distract from strategic priorities and raises concerns about financial oversight.

  • CFO Gianluca Fuggetta's resignation effective September 30, 2026, with the CEO taking over as interim CFO, mirrors the pattern at Jasper Therapeutics. This concentration of financial responsibility in the CEO is a governance risk for a small-cap biotech.

  • Matternet/CFO Duality [MODERATE RISK]
    ▼

    CEO Andreas Raptopoulos assuming CFO duties after Jason Secore's departure creates a concentration of power. While a search is underway, the dual role could strain resources and oversight.

  • The VCIP targets ($75M revenue, positive margins, $500M market cap) are ambitious for a company that has historically struggled with commercial execution. The company explicitly states these are not predictions, suggesting significant uncertainty.

  • CFO Oliver Reeves is stepping down during the early phases of the company's Transformation Plan. Leadership turnover during a restructuring phase increases execution risk.

  • The approval of 1.5M additional shares for the 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan (a 157% increase) will dilute existing shareholders. The high broker non-votes suggest retail investors may not have fully understood the impact.

  • The 150% increase in shares under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan and 300% increase under the 2023 Directors Plan could lead to significant dilution if fully utilized.

  • The new bonus plan ties CEO/CFO compensation to net income exceeding $10M and federal clean fuel tax credits. The reliance on government tax credits introduces regulatory risk, and the lack of disclosed current performance makes the achievability of targets unclear.

Opportunities (10)

  • ◆

    The appointment of Dipti Vachani, a semiconductor industry veteran from Arm, could unlock significant value by leveraging her expertise in automotive and IoT markets. The outgoing CEO's positive commentary on the balance sheet and growth opportunities suggests a strong foundation.

  • ◆

    The addition of Jerry Ting (AI/enterprise software) and Tom Berquist signals a strategic focus on AI-powered work management. Dustin Moskovitz's continued board presence and shareholding ensures founder alignment.

  • H.B. Fuller/Strategic Pivot (OPPORTUNITY)
    ◆

    The appointment of R. Jeffrey Bailly, who led UFP Technologies through massive growth, directly supports the company's strategy to achieve >20% EBITDA margins and pivot to higher-growth markets. His M&A expertise could accelerate portfolio transformation.

  • The VCIP creates a clear line of sight to value creation with specific, measurable milestones. If the company executes on its plan, the stock could re-rate significantly as it approaches the $500M market cap target.

  • Dr. Eiry W. Roberts brings extensive experience to a key R&D leadership role. The structured equity grants with vesting conditions align her interests with long-term shareholder value creation.

  • The appointment of Aditya Gandhi, with deep packaging industry experience from Sonoco and WestRock, strengthens financial oversight and could drive operational improvements.

  • The addition of Scott Coward (Exact Sciences) and Paul Kuznik (Terumo Aortic) brings critical commercialization expertise as the company prepares for the ATEV launch in dialysis access. This could accelerate market penetration.

  • The appointment of Jerry Stumbo, who led Valero's 435,000 bpd Port Arthur Refinery, brings world-class operational expertise. His track record of safety awards and efficiency improvements could drive margin expansion.

  • The adoption of a change-of-control severance policy with enhanced benefits (2.0x for CEO, 1.5x for others) could be a precursor to M&A activity, potentially creating a takeover premium opportunity.

  • Quantum Corp/New COO↓ (OPPORTUNITY)
    ◆

    The appointment of James C. Clancy, a former Dell executive, as COO signals a focus on operational execution and growth. His board experience provides deep understanding of the company's strategic challenges.

Sector Themes (6)

  • CEO/CFO Duality Trend
    ◆

    A notable pattern emerges where CEOs are assuming interim CFO roles following departures at Matternet, Gain Therapeutics, and Jasper Therapeutics. This concentration of financial responsibility in the CEO is a governance concern, particularly for small-cap companies, and may signal difficulty in attracting permanent CFO talent or cost-cutting measures.

  • Biotech Leadership Churn
    ◆

    Three biotech companies (Humacyte, Gain Therapeutics, Jasper Therapeutics) reported executive/director changes, with two involving CFO departures. This suggests heightened leadership instability in the sector, potentially driven by funding pressures or strategic pivots as companies approach commercial milestones.

  • AI and Enterprise Software Expertise in Demand
    ◆

    Appointments at Asana (Jerry Ting from Evisort/Workday) and Adeia (Dipti Vachani from Arm) highlight a strong demand for AI and enterprise software expertise at the board and C-suite level. This reflects a broader industry trend of companies seeking to capitalize on AI-driven growth.

  • Performance-Based Compensation Alignment
    ◆

    Workhorse Group and Highwater Ethanol both adopted performance-based compensation plans tied to specific operational and financial milestones. This trend towards 'pay-for-performance' aligns management incentives with shareholder value creation, but the ambitious nature of some targets introduces execution risk.

  • Retirement-Driven Succession Planning
    ◆

    Several filings (Archrock, Teledyne, Par Pacific) involve planned retirements with structured transition periods, indicating mature succession planning. This contrasts with the abrupt departures seen at MongoDB and Jasper Therapeutics, highlighting the importance of orderly leadership transitions for investor confidence.

  • Board Refreshment with Operational Expertise
    ◆

    Multiple companies (H.B. Fuller, Humacyte, Asana) are adding directors with deep operational and industry-specific experience. This suggests a focus on strengthening board capabilities to drive strategic execution, rather than just governance compliance.

Watch List (8)

  • The company is hosting an Investor Day on September 29, 2026, at Nasdaq MarketSite. This will be a critical event to assess the interim CEO's vision and the progress of the CEO search. Watch for any changes to guidance or strategic direction.

  • Dipti Vachani assumes the CEO role on October 12, 2026. Watch for her initial strategic announcements and any changes to the company's focus on semiconductor and media IP markets.

  • CFO Herb Cross departs on October 9, 2026. Monitor the company's progress in finding a permanent CFO and any impact on financial reporting or investor communications.

  • COO Kimberly Ernzen remains through year-end, but no successor has been named. Watch for announcements regarding a permanent COO, which is critical for operational continuity.

  • The VCIP has a 5-year performance period ending September 30, 2031. Monitor quarterly progress towards the $75M revenue, positive gross margin, and positive operating cash flow milestones.

  • Jason Secore starts as CFO on September 30, 2026. Watch for his initial assessment of the company's Transformation Plan and any strategic changes.

  • The bonus plan targets are assessed as of October 31, 2026. Watch for the company's year-end earnings release to see if the $10M net income and clean fuel tax credit targets were achieved.

  • Richard Creamer serves as Senior Advisor until his retirement on April 1, 2027. Monitor the transition period for any operational disruptions or strategic shifts under new refining leadership.

Filing Analyses (27)
Los Altos Ventures Corp. 8-K neutral materiality 4/10

28-09-2026

Matternet, Inc. (formerly Los Altos Ventures Corp.) announced the departure of CFO Jason Secore effective September 29, 2026, and the appointment of CEO Andreas Raptopoulos as his replacement, making Raptopoulos both principal executive and financial/accounting officer. The filing contains no financial data, so no period-over-period comparisons are possible.

  • · Jason Secore's departure is not related to any disagreement with Matternet regarding operations, policies, or practices.
  • · The company has commenced a search for a permanent CFO successor.
  • · Andreas Raptopoulos will serve as CFO in addition to his CEO duties, effective September 29, 2026.
  • · Matternet is an emerging growth company and has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with new financial accounting standards.
BIOTRICITY INC. 8-K neutral materiality 30/10

28-09-2026

Biotricity Inc. announced the resignation of director Jainal Bhuiyan, effective September 22, 2026, who also stepped down from the Compensation Committee. The resignation was not due to any disagreement with the company. The Board now has three directors, and Ronald McClurg was appointed to the Compensation Committee to fill the vacancy.

  • · Jainal Bhuiyan had served as a director since August 15, 2024.
  • · The Board has not yet decided whether to fill the vacancy or reduce the Board size.
  • · The Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee compositions remain unchanged.
Vestis Corp 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Vestis Corp appointed Russell Tiejema as Executive Vice President and CFO, effective September 28, 2026, succeeding interim CFO Adam K. Bowen, who will remain through October. The company also reaffirmed its full-year fiscal 2026 financial outlook, consistent with its August 11, 2026 update. No specific financial figures or changes to the outlook were provided.

  • · Russell Tiejema has over 30 years of experience and previously served as CFO of US LBM and Masonite International.
  • · Adam K. Bowen served as interim CFO since December 16, 2025, and will remain through October 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.
  • · The company reaffirmed its fiscal year 2026 outlook, which was last updated in its third quarter earnings release on August 11, 2026.
  • · No specific financial metrics or changes to the outlook were disclosed in this filing.
QUANTUM CORP /DE/ 8-K positive materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Quantum Corporation appointed James C. Clancy as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Clancy, who previously served on the Board of Directors, will oversee operational execution and strategic growth initiatives. In connection with his new role, Clancy resigned from the Board. The appointment is intended to strengthen organizational performance and accelerate growth, though no specific financial targets or prior performance metrics were disclosed.

  • · Clancy previously served on Quantum's Board of Directors for the past year before accepting the COO role.
  • · He voluntarily resigned from the Board and its committees upon becoming COO.
  • · Clancy's prior roles include President of Global Storage Sales at Dell and Senior Vice President at Dell Technologies.
  • · Quantum describes itself as delivering end-to-end data management solutions designed for the AI era.
PARK AEROSPACE CORP 8-K neutral materiality 3/10

28-09-2026

Park Aerospace Corp. approved a significant salary increase for its President and COO, Mark A. Esquivel, raising his annual base salary from $270,000 to $400,000, effective September 28, 2026. The change was approved by the Compensation Committee on September 24, 2026. This is a routine executive compensation adjustment with no negative or flat metrics to report.

  • · The salary increase was approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
  • · The change is effective September 28, 2026.
Adeia Inc. 8-K positive materiality 8/10

28-09-2026

Adeia Inc. appointed Dipti Vachani as CEO effective October 12, 2026, succeeding Paul E. Davis, who stepped down to focus on health after 15 years with the company. Vachani brings nearly 30 years of semiconductor industry experience, most recently as SVP/GM of Arm's Automotive Business Unit, and will also join the Board. The outgoing CEO noted the company's 'strengthened balance sheet' and 'growing opportunities' in both media and semiconductor businesses, while the Board highlighted a 'rigorous search process' that selected Vachani for her ability to drive shareholder value.

  • · Vachani's appointment is effective October 12, 2026; she will also join the Board the same day.
  • · Davis announced his intention to step down in May 2026 and will serve in an advisory capacity through year-end.
  • · Vachani served on the board of Axcelis Technologies from 2022 to 2025.
  • · Vachani holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M and an Executive MBA from UT Austin.
  • · The Board formed a Transition Committee that conducted a rigorous search process.
Humacyte, Inc. 8-K positive materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Humacyte, Inc. announced the appointment of Scott Coward and Paul Kuznik to its Board of Directors, effective September 28, 2026, to support the commercial launch of its ATEV product in dialysis access. Both appointees bring extensive life science and commercialization experience, with Coward joining the Audit Committee and Kuznik the Commercial Committee. The company continues to advance its Symvess® launch and anticipates a U.S. market launch in dialysis, though the ATEV remains investigational for this indication.

  • · Scott Coward served as EVP, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary of Exact Sciences from January 2015 to December 2022, and on its board from December 2022 to March 2026.
  • · Paul Kuznik was CEO of Bolton Medical from 2015 to 2018, which was acquired by Terumo Corporation, and later served as President of Terumo Aortic United States (2019-2020) and Terumo Aortic North America (2020-2023).
  • · The ATEV received FDA approval for the vascular trauma indication in December 2024.
  • · The 6mm ATEV for AV access in hemodialysis was the first product candidate to receive FDA's RMAT designation.
  • · The ATEV received priority designation for vascular trauma treatment by the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
  • · The ATEV for dialysis access is still investigational and not yet FDA-approved.
Archrock, Inc. 8-K neutral materiality 2/10

28-09-2026

Archrock, Inc. disclosed the upcoming retirement of Donna A. Henderson, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective December 4, 2026. The filing provides no information on a successor or any financial impact, and no financial metrics are included.

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Phio Pharmaceuticals held its 2026 Annual Meeting on September 28, 2026, where stockholders elected six directors, ratified Grant Thornton LLP as independent auditor, and approved an amendment to the 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan, increasing available shares by 1,500,000 to a total of 2,452,017. The Plan Amendment was approved with 1,155,945 votes for and 194,070 against, while the auditor ratification passed overwhelmingly with 5,087,608 votes for. All director nominees were elected with votes for ranging from 1,296,890 to 1,347,034, though broker non-votes were substantial (3,823,097) on all director and plan proposals, indicating significant retail shareholder participation.

  • · The Plan Amendment was approved with 1,155,945 votes for, 194,070 against, and 34,468 abstentions, with 3,823,097 broker non-votes.
  • · Auditor ratification received 5,087,608 votes for, 88,779 against, and 31,193 abstentions.
  • · Director election votes ranged from 1,296,890 (Jonathan E. Freeman) to 1,347,034 (R. Todd Plott) for, with broker non-votes of 3,823,097 on each nominee.
  • · The record date for the Annual Meeting was August 4, 2026, with 11,617,250 shares outstanding.
  • · The Plan Amendment became effective upon stockholder approval on September 28, 2026.
PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC. 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Par Pacific Holdings announced the appointment of Jerry Stumbo as Executive Vice President, Refining and Logistics, effective September 28, 2026, succeeding Richard Creamer, who will serve as Senior Advisor until his planned retirement on April 1, 2027. Stumbo brings nearly 30 years of refining experience from Valero Energy, where he led the Port Arthur Refinery (435,000 bpd capacity, 850 employees) and previously the St. Charles Refinery. The leadership transition is positioned as a strategic move to improve reliability, efficiency, and commercial execution, with no financial metrics or period-over-period comparisons provided in the filing.

  • · Stumbo previously led Valero's St. Charles Refinery for seven years, earning the Chairman's Safety Award four times.
  • · Stumbo holds bachelor's degrees in chemical engineering and psychology from Oklahoma State University.
  • · Creamer was instrumental in the acquisition and integration of Par Montana.
  • · Par Pacific operates in Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rockies with 219,000 bpd refining capacity and 13 million barrels of storage.
F&M BANK CORP 8-K neutral materiality 4/10

28-09-2026

F&M Bank Corp. announced the retirement of Director Michael W. Pugh effective September 24, 2026, due to mandatory retirement age. Concurrently, the Board approved amendments to increase authorized shares under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan from 200,000 to 500,000 shares and under the 2023 Directors Stock Incentive Plan from 25,000 to 100,000 shares.

  • · Director Michael W. Pugh retired due to mandatory retirement age per company bylaws.
  • · The 2020 Plan share authorization increased by 300,000 shares (150% increase).
  • · The 2023 Plan share authorization increased by 75,000 shares (300% increase).
  • · Amendments were effective September 24, 2026.
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES INC 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Neurocrine Biosciences appointed Dr. Eiry W. Roberts as Chief Medical Officer effective September 28, 2026, succeeding Dr. Sanjay Keswani, whose service ended by mutual agreement on September 25, 2026. Dr. Roberts will receive an annual base salary of $825,000, a 60% target cash bonus, and equity grants totaling approximately $1.25 million (options, RSUs, and PSUs). The departure of the prior CMO and the new appointment represent a leadership transition in a key executive role.

  • · Dr. Keswani is entitled to severance benefits under the Company's Executive Severance Plan (Section 4.1) effective February 7, 2025.
  • · The equity grants for Dr. Roberts will be granted two business days after the filing of the first quarterly report (Form 10-Q) following the Transition Date, provided she remains employed.
  • · Dr. Roberts' Employment Agreement amends and restates her prior agreement dated May 30, 2025, as amended on November 21, 2025.
Workhorse Group Inc. 8-K neutral materiality 6/10

28-09-2026

Workhorse Group Inc. adopted a Value Creation Incentive Plan (VCIP) on September 22, 2026, and granted performance awards to CEO Scott Griffith ($15M target) and CFO Jody Davis ($6.5M target) with a five-year performance period ending September 30, 2031. The awards are tied to four milestones: annualized GAAP revenue ≥$75M (15% of award), positive gross margin (20%), positive operating cash flow (25%), and enterprise equity value ≥$500M market cap (40%). The plan aims to incentivize long-term value creation, but the company explicitly states these targets are not predictions or guidance of future performance.

  • · Performance period for awards: October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2031 (5 years).
  • · Awards may be paid in cash or, at the Committee's election, in shares of common stock.
  • · Achievement of each performance goal is independent; above-target achievement on one goal does not increase payout for that goal or affect others.
  • · Company explicitly states performance targets are not predictions or guidance of future performance.
Asana, Inc. 8-K positive materiality 6/10

28-09-2026

Asana announced Dan Rogers as Board Chair (in addition to CEO), and appointed Jerry Ting and Tom Berquist as Directors, effective September 25, 2026. Co-founder Dustin Moskovitz stepped down as Chair but remains a Director and intends to maintain his shareholdings. The new directors bring AI and enterprise software expertise as Asana advances its multi-product strategy with Agentic Work Management.

  • · Dustin Moskovitz has served as Board Chair since 2019 and will remain on the Board as a Director.
  • · Krista Anderson-Copperman will remain Lead Independent Director.
  • · Jerry Ting founded Evisort in 2016 and scaled it into a category leader before Workday acquired it in 2024.
  • · Tom Berquist has nearly 20 years of executive leadership across enterprise software and a decade as Managing Director of Software Equity Research at Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Piper Sandler.
  • · Tom Berquist currently serves on the Board of Directors of Qualys, Inc. where he chairs the Audit Committee.
TELEDYNE TECHNOLOGIES INC 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Teledyne Technologies announced the planned retirement of Vice Chairman Jason VanWees, effective February 1, 2027, and the appointment of Mary Grace DeForest as Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations and Mergers and Acquisitions, effective November 1, 2026. VanWees led 75 acquisitions totaling $12.8 billion in cumulative consideration, contributing to a compound annual shareholder return exceeding 17% over nearly 27 years. DeForest, currently SVP and GM of Teledyne Microwave, brings strong operational and financial background to the role.

  • · Jason VanWees joined Teledyne prior to the company's spin-off in 1999 and was named Vice Chairman in 2021.
  • · Mary Grace DeForest joined Teledyne in 2011 as a Manufacturing Engineer and holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, and Harvard University.
  • · VanWees' retirement and DeForest's appointment overlap to ensure continuity.
PETMED EXPRESS INC 8-K neutral materiality 4/10

28-09-2026

PetMed Express (PETS) filed an 8-K disclosing that its Board approved an amendment to the 2024 Inducement Incentive Plan on September 27, 2026, increasing the shares reserved by 500,000 to a total of 850,000 shares. The increase is specifically tied to a compensation grant of 250,000 restricted shares and 250,000 performance share units for incoming CEO Jeffrey Allen Willard, who starts on September 28, 2026. The plan is designed to comply with Nasdaq inducement award rules and is restricted to new hires.

  • · The amendment was adopted by amending and restating the plan effective September 27, 2026.
  • · No other changes were made to the original Inducement Plan besides the share increase.
  • · The plan allows grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share units, non-statutory stock options, and stock appreciation rights.
  • · Awards are limited to individuals not previously employed by the company, as an inducement to join, per Nasdaq rules.
  • · The Amended and Restated Inducement Plan is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the filing.
Gain Therapeutics, Inc. 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Gain Therapeutics, Inc. announced the resignation of Gianluca Fuggetta as Senior Vice President of Finance, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, effective September 30, 2026, to pursue other opportunities. The board appointed current President and CEO Gene Mack as interim CFO, effective October 1, 2026, with no changes to his compensation or other terms. The company is conducting a search for a permanent replacement.

  • · Resignation effective September 30, 2026; interim CFO appointment effective October 1, 2026.
  • · Gene Mack will continue as President and CEO while serving as interim CFO.
  • · No changes to Mr. Mack's compensatory or other material terms of employment.
  • · No family relationships or reportable transactions under Item 404(a) involving Mr. Mack.
GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING CO 8-K neutral materiality 3/10

28-09-2026

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK) announced the appointment of Aditya Gandhi as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective September 28, 2026. Gandhi brings over 20 years of public-company accounting and packaging industry experience from roles at AptarGroup, Sonoco Products, WestRock, GE, and Deloitte. The appointment fills a key finance leadership role as the company continues to focus on performance and value creation.

  • · Gandhi spent nearly five years at Sonoco Products Company, including nearly four as Chief Accounting Officer
  • · He held senior roles at WestRock, including Segment Controller for its Consumer Packaging business
  • · Earlier career included a senior technical accounting role at GE and more than a decade with Deloitte, including senior roles in the firm's National Office and London
  • · Gandhi holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Mumbai and is a Certified Public Accountant
Jasper Therapeutics, Inc. 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Jasper Therapeutics announced the resignation of CFO Herb Cross, effective October 9, 2026, to pursue other professional endeavors. The company appointed President and CEO Jeet Mahal as interim Principal Financial Officer, VP Finance Rick Ruiz as interim Principal Accounting Officer, and COO Matthew Ros as interim Corporate Secretary. Ruiz will retain his $364,000 annual base salary and equity eligibility but received no additional equity for the promotion.

  • · Herb Cross's resignation is effective October 9, 2026.
  • · Rick Ruiz, age 62, joined Jasper Therapeutics in 2024 as VP Finance.
  • · Ruiz has over 25 years of experience and is a CPA (inactive) in California.
  • · No family relationships exist between Ruiz and any director or executive officer.
  • · No arrangements or understandings exist regarding Ruiz's appointment as interim PAO.
StandardAero, Inc. 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

StandardAero, Inc. disclosed that COO Kimberly Ernzen is stepping down effective September 28, 2026, but will remain employed through year-end to assist with leadership transition. The terms of a transition agreement have not yet been finalized. No successor is named in the filing, and no severance or compensation details are provided.

  • · Ms. Ernzen's departure is effective September 28, 2026.
  • · She will remain employed until December 31, 2026 to support leadership transition.
  • · No successor or interim COO has been announced.
  • · Transition agreement terms are not yet determined.
SURF AIR MOBILITY INC. 8-K neutral materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

Surf Air Mobility Inc. (NYSE: SRFM) announced the appointment of Jason Secore as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 30, 2026, succeeding Oliver Reeves who is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. Secore brings 18 years of finance leadership experience across aviation, aerospace, and technology, including serving as CFO of Matternet where he led a reverse-merger transaction. The outgoing CFO, Oliver Reeves, will continue as an advisor, and the company expressed gratitude for his contributions during the early phases of its Transformation Plan.

  • · Jason Secore holds an MBA from IE Business School, an MS from UC Davis, and a BA from Northwestern University.
  • · Oliver Reeves helped lead the Company's financial strategy through the early phases of its Transformation Plan.
  • · Surf Air Mobility operates one of the largest commuter airlines in the US by scheduled departures and provides private charter services.
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. 8-K neutral materiality 3/10

28-09-2026

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. adopted a Senior Management Change of Control Severance Policy on September 25, 2026, providing enhanced severance benefits to its CEO, President, EVPs, and SVPs in the event of a qualifying termination related to a change of control. The policy includes cash severance multiples of 2.0x for the CEO and 1.5x for other eligible employees, plus accelerated vesting of equity awards. This filing is a routine governance update and does not contain any financial results or negative performance metrics.

  • · The policy applies to the CEO, President, all EVPs and SVPs, including all named executive officers.
  • · Qualifying termination must occur on or before the first anniversary of a Change of Control, or within 180 days prior to the Change of Control in certain circumstances.
  • · CEO receives 2.0x base salary plus target bonus, 24 months of COBRA subsidy; other eligible employees receive 1.5x and 18 months of COBRA subsidy.
  • · Performance-based equity awards granted after the policy's effective date convert to time-based upon a Change of Control, assuming target performance; if the transaction price is below a share price vesting condition, those awards are forfeited.
  • · All outstanding time-based equity awards (including converted performance awards) held by an eligible employee become fully vested upon a Qualifying Termination.
  • · Payments may be reduced to avoid excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code if the after-tax benefit is greater.
MongoDB, Inc. 8-K mixed materiality 8/10

28-09-2026

MongoDB announced that CEO Chirantan "CJ" Desai has stepped down effective immediately to join Meta Platforms, and the Board has appointed former CEO Dev Ittycheria as interim President and CEO. The company reaffirmed its Q3 and full-year fiscal 2027 guidance provided on September 1, 2026, signaling confidence in its near-term outlook despite the leadership change. A search for a permanent CEO has been initiated with the help of an executive search firm.

  • · The Board has retained an executive search firm to identify a permanent CEO.
  • · MongoDB will host an Investor Day on September 29, 2026, at Nasdaq MarketSite from 11:00 am–3:15 pm ET.
  • · Approximately 75% of the Fortune 100 are MongoDB customers.
  • · MongoDB has more than 70,000 customers globally.
FULLER H B CO 8-K positive materiality 5/10

28-09-2026

H.B. Fuller appointed R. Jeffrey Bailly to its Board of Directors, effective immediately, replacing Ruth Kimmelshue who is stepping down. Bailly brings extensive experience in medical technology and M&A, having led UFP Technologies through a period where revenue grew approximately 20-fold and market capitalization grew more than 150-fold. The appointment aligns with H.B. Fuller's strategic focus on accelerating its path to greater than 20% adjusted EBITDA margin and repositioning towards faster-growing, higher-margin end markets.

  • · Bailly served as CEO of UFP Technologies from 1995 to 2026.
  • · Bailly is a certified public accountant and previously worked at Coopers & Lybrand.
  • · Bailly currently serves as Executive Chairman of the UFP Board.
  • · Ruth Kimmelshue served on the Board for 9 years.
  • · The Board engaged with shareholders to understand their views on director candidates.
  • · H.B. Fuller was founded in 1887.
  • · H.B. Fuller describes itself as the world's largest pureplay adhesives company.
World Gold Trust 8-K neutral materiality 1/10

28-09-2026

World Gold Trust (GLDW) announced the appointment of Joan A. Binstock to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of its sponsor, WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC, effective September 28, 2026. Ms. Binstock, age 72, brings extensive financial and regulatory experience from senior roles at Lord, Abbett & Co., Ernst & Young, and Goldman Sachs. The filing is a routine governance update with no financial impact or performance data.

  • · Ms. Binstock is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from New York University.
  • · She currently serves on the boards of multiple investment funds and a technology company.
  • · Her appointment fills a board and audit committee vacancy at the sponsor level, not the trust itself.
SPDR GOLD TRUST 8-K neutral materiality 2/10

28-09-2026

World Gold Trust Services, LLC, the sponsor of the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), appointed Joan A. Binstock to its Board of Directors and Audit Committee, effective September 28, 2026. Ms. Binstock is a seasoned financial executive with extensive experience in audit, risk management, and operations at firms including Goldman Sachs, Ernst & Young, and Lord, Abbett & Co. The filing contains no financial data or performance metrics.

  • · Joan A. Binstock is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
  • · She holds an MBA from New York University and a BA from the University of Binghamton.
  • · She serves on the Duke School of Medicine Board of Visitors and is Vice Chairperson of the Bronx High School of Science Endowment Fund.
  • · The appointment is effective September 28, 2026.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL LLC 8-K neutral materiality 4/10

28-09-2026

Highwater Ethanol, LLC amended its 2026 Executive Bonus Plan on September 23, 2026, adding bonus eligibility for the CEO and CFO tied to net income exceeding $10M and federal clean fuel tax credits under Section 45Z. The CEO can now earn up to 59% of base salary and the CFO up to 56% of base salary as an annual bonus. The amendment reflects a performance-based incentive structure but does not disclose current financial performance or whether these targets are achievable.

  • · The bonus plan amendments were approved by the Board of Directors on September 23, 2026.
  • · The goals will be assessed as of the end of the fiscal year on October 31, 2026.
  • · All other material terms and conditions of the 2026 Bonus Plan remain unchanged.
  • · The filing is furnished under Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure and is not deemed 'filed' for Exchange Act purposes.

Get daily alerts with 12 investment signals, 10 risk alerts, 10 opportunities and full AI analysis of all 27 filings

$30/mo after a 14-day free trial — no credit card required. See pricing or explore intelligence streams.

More from: US Executive Officer Management Changes SEC

🇺🇸 More from United States

View all →