Ecovyst Inc. Appoints New CFO, Laurie Bergman

What Happened

• Ecovyst Inc. announced that its Board appointed Laurie Bergman as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective August 24, 2026 (appointment approved Aug 21, 2026). She succeeds Michael Feehan, who had been CFO since August 2021. Mr. Feehan is expected to remain an employee of Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC through September 30, 2026 to support the transition and will separate from the Company under a Transition Agreement with severance treated as a termination without cause.

Key Details

• Appointment and timing: Laurie Bergman named CFO effective Aug 24, 2026; Board action on Aug 21, 2026. Feehan to remain through Sept 30, 2026 for transition.
• Bergman pay package: $470,000 annual base salary; target annual bonus = 70% of base; annual equity award target value $600,000–$650,000; $250,000 one-time cash sign-on (subject to repayment conditions); $450,000 time‑based RSU award vesting in full on the third anniversary.
• Bergman severance and covenants: if terminated without cause, eligible for one year of base salary plus target bonus and 52 weeks of continued health benefits (subject to release and covenants); two‑year post‑employment non‑compete and confidentiality obligations.
• Feehan severance/benefits: under a Dec 16, 2022 Severance Agreement, if terminated without cause he is eligible for two years of base salary and target bonus (paid in equal installments), a pro rata annual bonus for the year of termination (paid lump sum when bonuses are paid), 24 months of continued health benefit subsidized via COBRA, and pro rata vesting of performance‑based stock units based on actual performance.

Why It Matters

• This is a material finance leadership change: a new CFO can affect financial strategy, reporting priorities and investor communications. The company has planned overlap (Feehan staying through Sept 30) to support continuity.
• Compensation commitments (sign‑on payment, RSUs, severance obligations) and continued PSU treatment could increase near‑term cash and non‑cash expenses; investors should monitor upcoming filings (the Transition Agreement and Offer Letter will be filed as exhibits to Ecovyst’s 10‑Q for the quarter ended Sept 30, 2026) for full terms.