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Azenta (AZTA) hires Erik J. Bello as vice president and chief accounting officer

(High)
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Azenta, Inc. appointed Erik J. Bello, age 51, as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, expected to start on August 31, 2026. He will serve as the company’s principal accounting officer, while Lawrence Lin will continue as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and as principal financial officer.

Bello’s background includes senior accounting roles at Onto Innovation Inc., UniFirst Corporation, and other organizations, and he is a certified public accountant. Under a July 30, 2026 offer letter, he will receive a $380,000 annual base salary, a one-time $80,000 sign-on bonus subject to repayment if he resigns within one year, and eligibility for an annual incentive equal to 50% of base salary. He will receive long-term incentive awards valued at $150,000 for the current fiscal year in time-based RSUs and $300,000 for the following fiscal year, split between time-based RSUs and performance share units.

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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.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Annual base salary $380,000 Base salary for Erik J. Bello as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
Sign-on bonus $80,000 One-time bonus, net amount subject to repayment if he resigns within one year
Incentive target 50% of annual base salary Target annual opportunity under the Incentive Compensation Plan
Current year LTIP award $150,000 Grant date value in time-based restricted stock units for current fiscal year
Next year LTIP award $300,000 Grant date value for following fiscal year, 75% RSUs and 25% performance share units
Effective date August 31, 2026 Expected commencement of Erik J. Bello’s employment and principal accounting officer role
principal accounting officer financial
"He will serve as the company’s principal accounting officer as of the Effective Date"
The Principal Accounting Officer is the person responsible for making sure a company's financial records are accurate and follow the rules. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that show how well the company is doing. This helps investors, managers, and regulators trust the company's financial information.
Incentive Compensation Plan financial
"eligible to participate in the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan with an annual target opportunity"
An incentive compensation plan is a formal program that rewards employees and executives with bonuses, stock, or other payments tied to specific performance goals—such as revenue, profit, productivity, or long‑term share price. Investors watch these plans because they shape how leaders make decisions and take risks; like paying a coach by wins rather than effort, well‑designed plans can drive sustainable growth while poor designs can encourage short‑term behaviors that harm shareholder value.
time-based restricted stock units financial
"awards under the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan in the form of time-based restricted stock units"
Time-based restricted stock units are a form of employee compensation where individuals are granted company shares that are earned over a set period, often as a reward for staying with the company. These shares typically become fully owned and transferable only after passing specific time milestones, encouraging long-term commitment. For investors, they highlight a company's focus on employee retention and can influence future stock supply and company stability.
performance share units financial
"for the following fiscal year, 75% in time-based restricted stock units and 25% in performance share units"
Performance share units are a type of company stock award given to employees that depend on the company meeting specific goals or targets. If these goals are achieved, the employee receives shares or the value of shares; if not, they may receive little or no compensation. This aligns employees’ interests with the company's success and encourages performance that benefits investors.
Long Term Incentive Plan financial
"will also receive awards under the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan with an aggregate grant date value"
A long term incentive plan is a company program that awards executives and key employees bonuses—often in stock, options, or cash—only if the business meets multi-year performance goals. It links management pay to company results—like tying a coach’s bonus to a team’s multi-season record—so investors monitor it for how leaders are motivated, potential share dilution, and signals about the company’s long-term priorities.

FAQ

What executive change did Azenta (AZTA) disclose on August 6, 2026?

Azenta’s board appointed Erik J. Bello as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, effective upon his expected start on August 31, 2026, at which time he will become the company’s principal accounting officer.

What is Erik J. Bello’s compensation package at Azenta (AZTA)?

Erik Bello will receive an annual base salary of $380,000, a one-time $80,000 sign-on bonus (subject to repayment if he resigns within one year), and an annual incentive target equal to 50% of his base salary.

What long-term equity awards will Erik J. Bello receive from Azenta (AZTA)?

Bello will receive long-term incentive awards with grant date values of $150,000 for the current fiscal year in time-based RSUs and $300,000 for the following fiscal year, 75% in time-based RSUs and 25% in performance share units.

Will Lawrence Lin’s role change at Azenta (AZTA) after this appointment?

Lawrence Lin will cease serving as principal accounting officer as of Bello’s effective date, but will continue as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and as Azenta’s principal financial officer.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Learn about SEC filing dates
0000933974FALSE00009339742026-08-102026-08-10

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): August 10, 2026
Azenta, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware0-2543404-3040660
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File
Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
200 Summit Drive, Burlington, MA 01803
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)
(888) 229-3682
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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:
oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
oPre-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 classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par valueAZTAThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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  o
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.  o



Item 5.02(c)
On August 6, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Azenta, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Erik J. Bello, age 51, as the Company’s Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, effective upon the commencement of his employment with the Company, which is expected to occur on August 31, 2026 (the “Effective Date”). Mr. Bello will serve as the Company’s principal accounting officer as of the Effective Date. Lawrence Lin, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who has also served as the Company’s principal accounting officer, will cease to serve as principal accounting officer as of the Effective Date and will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and as the Company’s principal financial officer.

Mr. Bello served as Vice President and Corporate Controller of Onto Innovation Inc., a publicly traded semiconductor company, from February 2025 until joining the Company, and as Vice President and Corporate Controller of UniFirst Corporation, a publicly traded provider of workplace uniforms and protective workwear, from October 2020 to February 2025. He previously held senior accounting and financial reporting positions at PAREXEL International Corporation, Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. and Analogic Corporation, and began his career at KPMG LLP. Mr. Bello holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland and is a certified public accountant.

Pursuant to an offer letter dated July 30, 2026 between Mr. Bello and the Company (the “Offer Letter”), Mr. Bello will receive an annual base salary of $380,000 and a one-time sign-on bonus of $80,000, the net amount of which is subject to repayment if he voluntarily terminates his employment within one year of his date of hire, and will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan with an annual target opportunity equal to 50% of his annual base salary. Mr. Bello will also receive awards under the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan with an aggregate grant date value of $150,000 for the current fiscal year, in the form of time-based restricted stock units, and $300,000 for the following fiscal year, 75% in the form of time-based restricted stock units and 25% in the form of performance share units. Mr. Bello will also be eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans generally.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Bello and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, there are no family relationships between Mr. Bello and any director or executive officer of the Company, and there are no transactions involving Mr. Bello that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

The foregoing description of the Offer Letter is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Offer Letter, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)Exhibits
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
10.1
Offer Letter, dated July 30, 2026, by and between Azenta, Inc. and Erik J. Bello
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document).



SIGNATURE
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.
AZENTA, INC.
/s/ Ephraim Starr
Date: August 10, 2026Ephraim Starr
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents