AMERICAN COASTAL INSURANCE Corp 8-K

What Happened American Coastal Insurance Corporation filed a Form 8‑K (Item 5.02) on February 20, 2026 stating that director Sherrill W. Hudson notified the company on February 17, 2026 that he will not seek re‑election at the 2026 Annual Meeting; he will remain on the Board and its committees through the meeting. The Board has nominated Deirdre A. Brown, CPA, for election to fill the vacancy at the 2026 Annual Meeting. On the same date the company appointed Troy Crawford as Chief Underwriting Officer and entered into an Employment Agreement with him effective February 17, 2026.

Key Details

• Sherrill W. Hudson: will serve until his term expires at the 2026 Annual Meeting; his decision was not due to any disagreement with the company or the Board.
• Deirdre A. Brown, CPA: nominated to the Board; has served as a director of the insurance subsidiary (Amcoastal) since 2024 and chairs its Risk Management Committee; 30+ years in accounting, internal audit and regulatory affairs.
• Troy Crawford appointment: became Company Chief Underwriting Officer on Feb 17, 2026; previously CUO of Amcoastal since Jan 2025; 30+ years in P&C underwriting at carriers including Nationwide, The Hartford and Westfield; holds BA and MBA from Ohio University and CPCU and CLU designations.
• Employment Agreement highlights: at‑will employment for an initial term through the first anniversary, automatically renewing for one‑year terms unless either party gives 30 days’ written notice; eligible for an annual base salary, discretionary cash bonuses, and senior executive benefits including equity plans; contains a two‑year non‑solicit restriction after termination (with the limited exception described in the agreement). The full Employment Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1.

Why It Matters Board turnover and senior underwriting leadership changes can affect corporate oversight and underwriting strategy. Investors should note (1) the Board has proactively nominated an experienced finance and risk executive (Deirdre Brown) to replace Mr. Hudson at the annual meeting, and (2) the company formally elevated Troy Crawford—who already oversees Amcoastal’s underwriting portfolio—to lead underwriting companywide under a new employment agreement that includes typical pay/bonus eligibility and post‑termination restrictions. These are governance and management updates investors may track for their potential impact on underwriting discipline and portfolio performance.