DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO 8-K

What Happened
Davey Tree Expert Co. filed an 8-K on May 22, 2026 reporting the results of its Annual Meeting of Shareholders. A quorum was present with 39,591,127 shares represented. Shareholders voted on three proposals: election of directors, an advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation, and ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditor. There were no broker nonvotes on any proposal.

Key Details

• Election of directors (terms through the 2029 Annual Meeting):
  • Patrick M. Covey — For: 30,175,248; Withheld: 256,996
  • Jerome P. Grisko, Jr. — For: 27,364,517; Withheld: 3,067,727
  • Thomas A. Haught — For: 28,406,536; Withheld: 2,025,708
  • Additional directors remaining in office: Alejandra Evans, Matthew C. Harris, Catherine M. Kilbane, Joseph E. McNeely and Joseph R. Paul.
• Advisory vote on Named Executive Officers’ compensation: For 25,221,726; Against 811,090; Abstain 4,399,428 (advisory, non-binding).
• Ratification of independent auditor: Deloitte & Touche LLP ratified for 2026 — For 29,313,165; Against 608,549; Abstain 510,530.
• The report was signed by Joseph R. Paul, Executive VP, CFO and Assistant Secretary, on May 22, 2026.

Why It Matters
These results confirm board continuity with the re-election of nominated directors and continued service of existing directors, and they formally ratify the company’s auditor for 2026. The advisory “say-on-pay” vote passed (non-binding), which signals shareholder approval of the company’s executive pay disclosure but does not mandate changes. Investors often watch these votes for governance trends, board stability, and shareholder sentiment on executive compensation.