[Form 4] Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Insider Trading Activity
Stephanie Pittman, Chief Human Resources Officer of Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (ASPN), reported a Form 4 filing disclosing a transaction on 09/05/2025. The filing shows 1,581 shares of Common Stock were disposed of at a price of $6.61 per share. Following the transaction, Ms. Pittman beneficially owns 42,257 shares in total, comprised of 9,196 shares of Common Stock and 33,061 unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The filing states the 1,581 shares were withheld by the company to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding on RSU vesting.
- Clear disclosure of the withholding transaction, including share count and price
- Compliance with Section 16 reporting via timely Form 4 filing
- Explanatory note states shares were withheld for statutory tax obligations (administrative, not a market sale)
- Reduction in direct ownership by 1,581 shares following tax withholding
- Majority of holdings (33,061) are unvested RSUs and not immediately liquid or voting shares
Insights
TL;DR: Routine tax-withholding on RSU vesting; reduces reported beneficial ownership but reflects standard payroll tax treatment.
The Form 4 records a common post-vesting mechanics: the company withheld 1,581 shares to satisfy tax obligations tied to RSU vesting. This is not an open-market sale by the officer but an internal share withholding event recorded as a disposition at $6.61 per share. Beneficial ownership after the event totals 42,257 shares, including 33,061 RSUs which remain unvested and subject to future vesting and potential further withholding. The disclosure is granular and consistent with typical executive equity compensation administration.
TL;DR: Disclosure appears timely and compliant; transaction is administrative and not indicative of strategic insider sale.
The filing identifies the reporting person as an officer (CHRO) and indicates the use of a power of attorney (Exhibit 24). The transaction code 'F' and the explanatory remark confirm share withholding for taxes rather than a voluntary sale. From a governance standpoint, the Form 4 properly reports the change in beneficial ownership and the mix of direct shares versus RSUs, supporting transparency around executive compensation accounting.