CFO transition at Avient (NYSE: AVNT) as Joe Di Salvo steps up

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Avient Corporation announced that Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jamie A. Beggs intends to resign effective June 1, 2026, stating that her decision was not due to any disagreement over operations, policies, or practices. She is leaving to pursue other professional opportunities.

The Board has appointed Giuseppe (Joe) Di Salvo, age 48, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, also effective June 1, 2026. He will serve as Avient’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Di Salvo has held multiple senior finance roles at Avient, including Corporate Controller, Vice President of Investor Relations, and responsibility for Treasury and Financial Planning and Analysis.

Di Salvo will receive compensation for his CFO role and will be protected by an Executive Severance Plan and a Management Continuity Agreement. Following certain terminations, including after a change in control, he may receive lump-sum severance equal to two years of base salary, two years of target annual incentive, up to two years of health and welfare benefits, one year of financial planning and tax preparation benefits, and up to one year of employer retirement-plan contributions. He will also sign standard confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation covenants, as well as Avient’s Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics for senior financial officers, and standard indemnification agreement for directors and officers.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Avient discloses an orderly CFO transition with structured severance protections.

Avient is managing senior finance leadership turnover by promoting long-serving executive Giuseppe Di Salvo to CFO as of June 1, 2026, immediately following Jamie Beggs’ planned resignation. The company explicitly notes her departure is not tied to disagreements on operations, policies, or practices, which can reassure stakeholders about underlying governance stability.

Di Salvo’s background across controllership, investor relations, treasury, and financial planning suggests continuity in financial strategy and reporting. His role as both principal financial officer and principal accounting officer centralizes key responsibilities in a familiar leader who has been with Avient since at least 2013 in senior finance positions.

The Executive Severance Plan and Management Continuity Agreement provide defined payouts if his employment ends under specified conditions, including within 24 months after a change in control. These include lump-sum payments equal to two years of base salary and target bonus, extended health and welfare benefits, and retirement-plan contributions. Such arrangements are typical for senior officers and are paired with non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality covenants, aligning protection for both the executive and the company.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Key Figures

Resignation effective date: June 1, 2026 CFO appointment effective date: June 1, 2026 Incoming CFO age: 48 years +5 more

8 metrics

Resignation effective date June 1, 2026 Effective date of Jamie A. Beggs’ resignation as CFO

CFO appointment effective date June 1, 2026 Effective date of Giuseppe Di Salvo’s appointment as CFO

Incoming CFO age 48 years Age of Giuseppe (Joe) Di Salvo at appointment

Severance base salary multiple 2 years base salary Lump-sum severance under Continuity Agreement after qualifying termination

Target incentive severance multiple 2 years target annual incentive Lump-sum payment under Continuity Agreement after qualifying termination

Health and welfare benefits period Up to 2 years Continuation of employee health and welfare benefits, excluding long-term disability

Financial planning benefit period 1 year Financial planning and tax preparation benefits after qualifying termination

Retirement contribution period Up to 1 year Employer retirement-plan contributions included in severance package

Key Terms

Executive Severance Plan, Management Continuity Agreement, change in control, good reason, +2 more

6 terms

Executive Severance Plan financial

"as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan"

Management Continuity Agreement financial

"Mr. Di Salvo will also enter into a Management Continuity Agreement"

change in control financial

"within 24 months after a change in control of the Company"

A "change in control" occurs when the ownership or management of a company shifts significantly, such as through a merger, acquisition, or sale of a large part of its assets. This change can impact how the company is run and may influence its future direction. For investors, it matters because it can affect the company's stability, strategy, and value, often signaling potential changes in investment risk or opportunity.

good reason financial

"or by Mr. Di Salvo with good reason within 24 months after a change in control"

non-competition financial

"containing certain confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants"

A non-competition is a contractual restriction that prevents a person or business from starting or working in a competing business within a specified time and geographic area after leaving a job or completing a transaction. It matters to investors because it acts like a temporary fence around customers, trade secrets and know‑how, helping protect future revenue and company value; weak or unenforceable restrictions can increase the risk of customer loss and competitive erosion.

indemnification agreement financial

"the Company’s standard indemnification agreement for directors and officers"

An indemnification agreement is a contract in which one party promises to cover losses, costs, or legal claims that another party might face, acting like a tailored safety net or private insurance policy. For investors, it matters because such agreements shift potential financial risk away from a company or its officers and onto the indemnifier, which can affect a company’s future liabilities, cash flow and how risky the investment appears during deal-making or litigation.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

AVIENT CORP false 0001122976 0001122976 2026-04-22 2026-04-22

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 22, 2026

Avient Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Ohio		1-16091		34-1730488
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Avient Center

33587 Walker Road

Avon Lake, Ohio 44012

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (440) 930-1000

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:

☐ 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))

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

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, par value $.01 per share		AVNT		New York Stock Exchange

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).

Emerging growth company ☐

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. ☐

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

On April 22, 2026, Avient Corporation (the “Company”) was notified by Jamie A. Beggs that she intends to resign from her position as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and as an employee, effective June 1, 2026, to pursue other professional opportunities.

Ms. Beggs’ resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices.

In connection with Ms. Beggs’ resignation, on April 24, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Giuseppe (Joe) Di Salvo, age 48, as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, effective as of June 1, 2026. Mr. Di Salvo will serve as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.

Mr. Di Salvo served as Avient’s Corporate Controller from 2013 to 2018 when he became Vice President, Investor Relations. In 2019, his responsibility was expanded to lead Treasury and Financial Planning and Analysis. Prior to these roles, he held financial positions of increasing responsibility at Avient. He started his career with Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2001.

Mr. Di Salvo will be entitled to receive the following compensation in connection with his service as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company:

• base salary rate of $560,000 per year;

• participation in the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan with payment based on the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors;

• a special, one-time grant of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the amended and restated Avient Corporation 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan with a grant date fair value equal to $220,000, which RSUs will vest in full three years from the date of the award and otherwise pursuant to the Company’s standard award agreement;

• reimbursement for expenses of up to $10,000 per year for financial planning and tax preparation; and

• participation in the Company’s other standard benefit programs, including the long-term incentive plan.

In addition, if (i) Mr. Di Salvo’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan (the “Executive Severance Plan”), which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, (ii) such termination is not following a change in control of the Company entitling Mr. Di Salvo to benefits under the Continuity Agreement (as defined below), and (iii) Mr. Di Salvo agrees to standard non-compete and non-solicitation covenants for a period of two years following the date of termination, Mr. Di Salvo will be entitled to:

• two years of salary continuation;

• a pro-rated annual incentive amount as earned for the year in which the termination of employment occurs; and

• two years of continuation in the Company’s medical and dental plans.

Mr. Di Salvo will also enter into a Management Continuity Agreement (the “Continuity Agreement”), substantially in the form of the Form of Management Continuity Agreement that was filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Continuity Agreement will provide for a severance payment and other benefits if Mr. Di Salvo’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for cause or by Mr. Di Salvo with good reason within 24 months after a change in control of the Company, as set forth in more detail in the Continuity Agreement. These benefits would generally include: lump-sum severance equal to two years of base salary, a lump-sum payment equal to two years of his target annual incentive award, up to two years of employee health and welfare benefits (excluding long-term disability plan benefits), one year of financial planning/tax preparation benefits, and a lump-sum payment of up to one year of employer contributions for applicable retirement plans. Mr. Di Salvo will also execute the Company’s standard restrictive covenant agreement, containing certain confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants, and the Company’s standard indemnification agreement for directors and officers and will agree to be bound by the Company’s Code of Conduct and the Company’s Code of Ethics for senior financial officers.

SIGNATURES

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

		Avient Corporation
By:		/s/ Amy M. Sanders
		Amy M. Sanders
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel,
		Secretary and Corporate Ethics Officer

Date: April 27, 2026

FAQ

What leadership change did Avient (AVNT) disclose in this 8-K filing?

Avient disclosed that Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jamie A. Beggs intends to resign effective June 1, 2026. The Board appointed Giuseppe (Joe) Di Salvo as the new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, also effective June 1, 2026, ensuring a planned transition.

Why is Avient CFO Jamie A. Beggs resigning, according to the filing?

Jamie A. Beggs informed Avient she intends to resign as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective June 1, 2026 to pursue other professional opportunities. The filing explicitly states her resignation was not due to any disagreement over the company’s operations, policies, or practices.

Who is Giuseppe (Joe) Di Salvo, Avient’s incoming CFO, and what is his background?

Giuseppe (Joe) Di Salvo, age 48, will become Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on June 1, 2026. He previously served as Avient’s Corporate Controller, then Vice President of Investor Relations, later adding Treasury and Financial Planning and Analysis responsibilities, after starting his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP.

What severance protections does Avient’s new CFO Di Salvo receive under the Continuity Agreement?

Under the Management Continuity Agreement, Di Salvo may receive lump-sum severance equal to two years of base salary, a lump-sum equal to two years of target annual incentive, up to two years of health and welfare benefits, one year of financial planning and tax preparation, and up to one year of employer retirement contributions.

Under what circumstances would Avient’s new CFO receive change-in-control benefits?

Di Salvo’s Continuity Agreement provides severance benefits if his employment is terminated by Avient for any reason other than cause, or by him for good reason, within 24 months after a change in control of the company, as specified in greater detail in the agreement’s terms.

What restrictive covenants will Avient’s new CFO agree to as part of his role?

Di Salvo will sign Avient’s standard restrictive covenant agreement, which includes confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation covenants. He will also agree to be bound by the company’s Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics for senior financial officers, and execute the standard indemnification agreement for directors and officers.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

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