Archrock (AROC) boosts 2026 executive pay and cash incentive targets

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Archrock, Inc. adopted a 2026 short-term cash incentive program for its named executive officers, setting targets as a percentage of eligible earnings: 125% for CEO D. Bradley Childers, 90% for CFO Douglas S. Aron, and 75% for senior vice presidents Stephanie C. Hildebrandt, Jason G. Ingersoll, and Eric W. Thode.

Potential cash incentive payouts can range from 0% to 200% of target, based on performance in 2026. Key indicators include Adjusted EBITDA, sustainability metrics (environmental, safety and talent), and operating team performance for Messrs. Ingersoll and Thode, along with individual contributions and Committee discretion.

The compensation committee also approved 2026 base salary increases effective April 2026. CEO Childers’ salary rises from $950,000 to $990,000, CFO Aron’s from $610,000 to $640,000, Hildebrandt’s from $550,000 to $575,000, and both Ingersoll’s and Thode’s from $470,000 to $490,000.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

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Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): February 18, 2026

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Commission File Number 001-33666

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ARCHROCK, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware	​ ​ ​	74-3204509
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	​	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

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9807 Katy Freeway, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

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(281) 836-8000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

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☐  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Title of each class	​ ​ ​	Trading Symbol	​ ​ ​	Name of exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share	​	AROC	​	New York Stock Exchange
​	​	​	​	NYSE Texas

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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Emerging growth company   ☐

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐   

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

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2026 Short-Term Incentive Program

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On February 18, 2026, the compensation committee of the board of directors (the “Committee”) of Archrock, Inc. (the “Company” or “us”) adopted a short-term incentive program (the “2026 Incentive Program”) to provide the short-term cash incentive compensation element of our total direct compensation program for this year. The Committee set the cash incentive target under the 2026 Incentive Program for each of our named executive officers set forth below (the “Named Executive Officers”), as a specified percentage of his or her respective eligible earnings.

Executive Officer		Title		2026 Cash   Incentive Target  (% of eligible earnings)
D. Bradley Childers		President and Chief Executive Officer		125
Douglas S. Aron		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer		90
Stephanie C. Hildebrandt		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary		75
Jason G. Ingersoll		Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations Support		75
Eric W. Thode		Senior Vice President, Operations		75

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Each Named Executive Officer’s potential cash incentive payout ranges from 0% to 200% of his or her respective target, as may be adjusted by the Committee in its discretion.

Actual payouts under the 2026 Incentive Program will be based on the Committee’s assessment of our performance for 2026 relative to the following performance indicators, as well as such other factors or criteria that the Committee in its discretion deems appropriate: 

·	Adjusted EBITDA – a non-GAAP measure, defined as net income (loss) excluding interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, long-lived and other asset impairment, restructuring charges, unrealized change in fair value of investment in unconsolidated affiliate, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, amortization of capitalized implementation costs and other items;
·	Sustainability – comprised of environmental, safety and talent metrics; and
·	Operating team performance – to be assessed by metrics established for and applicable to our operations, operations support and sales teams.

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The Committee intends to award performance-based short-term incentive compensation under the 2026 Incentive Program based on its assessment of: (i) for each Named Executive Officer, the factors listed above, provided, however, that operating team performance is applicable to Messrs. Ingersoll and Thode only, (ii) each Named Executive Officer’s individual contribution toward our company and/or operating unit performance, including his or her demonstrated leadership and implementation of our business strategy, (iii) the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to himself), and (iv) any other factors or criteria that the Committee may choose to consider, in its discretion. The Committee has reserved the right to modify the target levels of one or more of the performance indicators, in its discretion based on internal and external developments during the course of 2026.

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Adjustments to Base Salaries for 2026

On February 18, 2026, the Committee set the 2026 annual base salaries of our Named Executive Officers as follows, to be effective April 2026:

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Executive Officer		Title	​	Prior Base Salary ($)		New Base Salary ($)
D. Bradley Childers		President and Chief Executive Officer	​	950,000	​	990,000
Douglas S. Aron		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	​	610,000	​	640,000
Stephanie C. Hildebrandt		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary	​	550,000	​	575,000
Jason G. Ingersoll		Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations Support	​	470,000	​	490,000
Eric W. Thode		Senior Vice President, Operations	​	470,000	​	490,000

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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​	ARCHROCK, INC.
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​	By:	/s/ Stephanie C. Hildebrandt
​	​	Stephanie C. Hildebrandt
​	​	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
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​	​	February 23, 2026

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FAQ

What executive compensation changes did Archrock (AROC) approve for 2026?

Archrock approved a 2026 short-term cash incentive program and higher base salaries for its named executive officers. The program sets bonus targets as a percentage of eligible earnings and raises each officer’s annual base salary effective April 2026, with detailed amounts disclosed for every executive.

How is the 2026 short-term incentive program structured at Archrock (AROC)?

The 2026 incentive program provides cash bonuses based on eligible earnings, with payouts from 0% to 200% of target. Awards depend on performance against defined metrics, individual contributions, CEO recommendations (for others), and the compensation committee’s discretion, which may adjust performance targets during 2026.

What are the 2026 cash incentive targets for Archrock’s named executive officers?

For 2026, Archrock set cash incentive targets at 125% of eligible earnings for CEO D. Bradley Childers, 90% for CFO Douglas S. Aron, and 75% for senior vice presidents Stephanie C. Hildebrandt, Jason G. Ingersoll, and Eric W. Thode, all under the new short-term incentive program.

Which performance metrics will drive Archrock (AROC) 2026 executive bonuses?

2026 bonuses will be driven by Adjusted EBITDA, sustainability metrics covering environmental, safety and talent factors, and operating team performance for Jason G. Ingersoll and Eric W. Thode. The committee also considers individual leadership, strategy execution, CEO recommendations, and any additional factors it deems appropriate.

What base salary increases did Archrock (AROC) grant its executives for 2026?

Effective April 2026, Archrock increased CEO Childers’ base salary to $990,000 and CFO Aron’s to $640,000. Hildebrandt’s salary rises to $575,000, while Ingersoll and Thode each increase to $490,000, replacing their previously lower 2025 base salary levels disclosed in the filing.

Can Archrock’s compensation committee change 2026 performance targets?

Yes. The compensation committee expressly reserved the right to modify target levels for one or more performance indicators in the 2026 incentive program. Such adjustments may be made in its discretion based on internal and external developments that occur over the course of the 2026 performance year.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 EX-101.SCH 2.6 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.LAB 15.5 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.PRE 10.2 KB