Koppers Holdings Inc. 8-K

What Happened
Koppers Holdings Inc. announced that Chief Financial Officer Jimmi Sue Smith retired from the CFO role effective January 5, 2026. Ms. Smith will continue as Treasurer and serve in an advisory role to assist with the transition, remaining a full‑time employee through February 28, 2026. The company appointed its Chief Accounting Officer, Bradley A. Pearce, as interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer effective January 5, 2026. The company furnished a press release about the change on January 9, 2026 (8-K Items 5.02 and 8.01).

Key Details

• Effective Jan 5, 2026: Jimmi Sue Smith stepped down as CFO; will remain Treasurer and advisor through Feb 28, 2026.
• Interim CFO: Bradley A. Pearce, age 59, has been Koppers’ Chief Accounting Officer since May 2019.
• Compensation changes for Mr. Pearce (effective Jan 1, 2026): annual base salary increased to $400,000; target annual cash incentive multiplier raised from 40% to 60% of base salary; target long‑term incentive multiplier remains 80% of base.
• No disagreements with the company caused Ms. Smith’s retirement; the company and Ms. Smith are negotiating a transition agreement and will amend the 8‑K if executed.

Why It Matters
A change in the company’s finance leadership is material for investors because it affects who signs off on financial reporting and manages investor relations. Koppers has promoted an internal executive (Bradley Pearce) to interim CFO, which supports continuity in accounting and reporting. The Board’s approved pay increases for Mr. Pearce could modestly raise executive compensation expense. Ms. Smith’s continued role through February 28, 2026 should help with an orderly handoff of responsibilities.