AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ) hires Rhonda Davenport as new Chief HR Officer
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
AZZ Inc. appointed Rhonda Davenport, 43, as Chief Human Resources Officer effective August 3, 2026, to lead the company’s human resources strategy.
Her compensation includes a $375,000 annual base salary, a one-time $75,000 sign-on bonus (subject to full repayment if she resigns within one year), and eligibility for a fiscal 2027 short‑term incentive with a target of 70% of base salary, paid pro rata for the remainder of the year.
She will also receive pro rata FY2027 long‑term equity awards with a target value equal to 70% of base salary, split between performance share units vesting after three years and restricted stock units vesting over three years, with a stated pro rata value of $153,125 for FY2027 awards. Davenport participates in the executive severance and retiree long‑term incentive plans, which can provide up to 24 months of salary and COBRA coverage, a pro rata bonus, and accelerated vesting of time‑based equity awards if qualifying conditions are met.
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8-K Event Classification
2 items: 5.02, 9.01
2 items
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.
Key Figures
Base salary: $375,000
Sign-on bonus: $75,000
STI target: 70% of base salary
+3 more
6 metrics
Base salary
$375,000
Annual base salary for Chief Human Resources Officer Rhonda Davenport
Sign-on bonus
$75,000
One-time cash sign-on bonus, repayable if she resigns within one year
STI target
70% of base salary
FY2027 annual cash incentive target under the Senior Management Bonus Plan
LTI target
70% of base salary
FY2027 annual equity target under the 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Pro rata FY2027 award value
$153,125
Fair market value of pro rata FY2027 STI and LTI target awards
Severance duration
24 months
Potential base salary and COBRA continuation period under Executive Officer Severance Plan
Key Terms
performance share units, restricted stock units, COBRA continuation coverage, change in control, +1 more
5 terms
restricted stock units financial
"50% restricted stock units that vest one-third each year, subject to her continued employment"
Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.
COBRA continuation coverage financial
"The Severance Plan provides for severance payments which may include COBRA continuation coverage for 24 months"
change in control financial
"Benefits in the event Ms. Davenport’s employment is terminated without Cause, for Good Reason or in the event of a change in control"
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.
Senior Management Bonus Plan financial
"Annual cash incentive award under the Company’s Senior Management Bonus Plan with a target amount of 70% of salary"
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What executive change did AZZ (AZZ) announce on August 3, 2026?
AZZ Inc. appointed Rhonda Davenport as Chief Human Resources Officer effective August 3, 2026. She will lead human resources strategy, including talent acquisition, leadership development, employee engagement, total rewards and culture initiatives across the company’s galvanizing and coil coating operations.
What is Rhonda Davenport’s compensation package at AZZ (AZZ)?
Rhonda Davenport receives a $375,000 annual base salary and a $75,000 sign-on bonus. For FY2027, she has target short-term and long-term incentives equal to 70% of base salary each, with FY2027 awards paid and granted on a prorated basis.
How is Rhonda Davenport’s FY2027 incentive opportunity structured at AZZ (AZZ)?
For FY2027, Davenport’s annual cash incentive and long-term equity targets are each 70% of base salary. The fair market value of her pro rata FY2027 short- and long-term incentive targets is $153,125, covering service from August 3, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
What severance protections does Rhonda Davenport have at AZZ (AZZ)?
Davenport is eligible under AZZ’s Executive Officer Severance Plan for up to 24 months of base salary and COBRA coverage. She may also receive accrued paid time off, a pro rata bonus, and full vesting of outstanding time-based equity awards if qualifying termination conditions are met.
What conditions apply to Rhonda Davenport’s $75,000 sign-on bonus at AZZ (AZZ)?
The $75,000 sign-on bonus must be fully repaid if Davenport voluntarily leaves within one year. Repayment is due within ten business days after termination, aligning the cash incentive with at least a full year of service to AZZ.
How will Rhonda Davenport’s long-term equity awards work at AZZ (AZZ)?
Her FY2027 long-term target equals 70% of base salary, split 50% into performance share units and 50% into restricted stock units. PSUs vest after a three-year performance cycle, while RSUs vest in three equal annual installments, subject to continued employment.
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)
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(817 ) 810-0095
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable
(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:
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 | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
| NYSE Texas, Inc. | ||||||||||||||
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 Arrangements of Certain Officers. | ||||
Effective August 3, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AZZ Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Ms. Rhonda Davenport, 43, as Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to joining AZZ, Ms. Davenport served as Chief People Officer at Cain Watters & Associates (“Cain Watters”), a privately held specialized financial planning and Certified Public Accounting firm from 2017 to 2026. Prior to joining Cain Watters, Ms. Davenport served as Director, Human Resources at Unisys Corporation, a publicly traded global information technology services and consulting firm from 2016 to 2017. Ms. Davenport has also previously served in various human resources leadership roles with Speed Commerce, Sirius XM, Freeman Company, Kohl’s Department Stores, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Ms. Davenport earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Human Resource Development and a minor in Business from Texas A&M University. She also holds a PHR certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute and a SHRM-CP certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.
In her position as the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Ms. Davenport will receive an annual base salary of $375,000. She will be entitled to a one-time sign-on cash bonus of $75,000. If Ms. Davenport voluntarily terminates her employment with the Company before completing one year of service, she will be required to repay the full amount of the sign-on bonus to the Company within ten (10) business days following her termination of employment.
For the Company's current fiscal year 2027, Ms. Davenport will have the opportunity to earn an annual cash incentive award under the Company’s Senior Management Bonus Plan (the “STI Plan”), as amended, with a target amount of 70% of her annual salary upon the achievement of certain individual and Company performance metrics, which will be paid on a prorated basis for the remainder of the Company’s fiscal year. She will also receive prorate fiscal year 2027 (“FY2027”) annual equity target awards based upon 70% of her annual base salary, consisting of: (i) 50% performance share units (“PSUs”) that vest and are settled at the end of a three-year performance cycle based upon the achievement of pre-determined performance metrics, and (ii) 50% restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vest one-third each year, subject to her continued employment through the vesting date, both of which will be issued under the Company's 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”).
| Name | Position | FY2027 Base Salary | FY2027 Full Year STI Plan Target Award | FY2027 Full Year LTI Plan Target Award | ||||||||||
| Rhonda Davenport | Chief Human Resources Officer | $375,000 | $262,500(1) | $262,500(1) | ||||||||||
(1)The fair market value of Ms. Davenport’s pro-rata portion of her annual FY2027 STI and LTI target awards is $153,125, which covers the
period from August 3, 2026 (her hire date) to February 28, 2027.
Ms. Davenport will also be entitled to participate in the Company's relocation program and benefits that are applicable to other employees under the Company's benefit plans and policies.
Ms. Davenport is eligible to participate in the AZZ Inc. Executive Officer Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”) and receive benefits in the event Ms. Davenport’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, by Ms. Davenport for Good Reason or in the event of a change in control (each term as defined in the Severance Plan). The Severance Plan provides for severance payments which may include: (i) 24 months of base salary, (ii) accrued paid time off through the date of termination, (iii) a pro-rated annual cash bonus based upon the Company’s actual performance and the number of days of employment in the calendar year of termination, (iv) full vesting of all outstanding time based equity awards that have been , and (v) COBRA continuation coverage for 24 months. In the event of a termination, the receipt of severance payments is conditioned upon the execution of a general release in a form approved by the Company. In addition, Ms. Davenport will be eligible to participate in the AZZ Executive Retiree LTI Plan (the “ERP”), which provides for continued vesting of certain outstanding annual equity awards following a qualified retirement, subject to meeting age, service notice, and other requirements as set forth in the ERP.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Davenport and any other person pursuant to which she was appointed as an officer. She does not have any family relationship with any director or other executive officer of the Company, and there are no transactions directly or indirectly in which Ms. Davenport has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The foregoing summary descriptions of the STI Plan, the 2023 Plan, the Severance Plan, and the ERP, are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such plans. The Severance Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 12, 2021; The ERP, is filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 21, 2025; the 2023 Plan, is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 11, 2023; and the STI Plan set forth in Appendix B (Senior Management Bonus Plan) to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on May 28, 2015, as amended by the First Amendment to the Senior Management Bonus Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 21, 2016. Each of the foregoing documents is incorporated herein by reference.
A copy of the press release issued by the Company announcing the appointment of Ms. Davenport is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. | ||||
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | ||||
| 99.1 | Press release issued by AZZ Inc., dated August 3, 2026. | ||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive File (embedded with the Inline XBRL document) | ||||
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.
| AZZ Inc. | |||||
| Date: August 3, 2026 | By: /s/ Tara D. Mackey | ||||
| Tara D. Mackey Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |||||
AZZ Inc. Announces the Appointment of Rhonda Davenport as Chief Human Resources Officer
Veteran HR executive brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in culture transformation, talent development and organizational growth
August 3, 2026 – FORT WORTH, TX - AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ), the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions in North America, today announced the appointment of Rhonda Davenport as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective August 3, 2026.
In this role, Davenport will lead AZZ’s human resources strategy, including talent acquisition, leadership development, employee engagement, total rewards, organizational effectiveness, succession planning and culture initiatives across the Company’s operations.
“We are pleased to welcome Rhonda to AZZ’s executive leadership team,” said Tom Ferguson, President and Chief Executive Officer of AZZ Inc. “Rhonda is a proven human resources leader with deep experience building high-performing teams, strengthening culture and aligning people strategies with business objectives. Her track record of driving measurable results in complex, multi-site organizations will be valuable as AZZ continues to grow and execute our strategic priorities.”
Davenport brings more than 20 years of progressive human resources leadership experience across financial services, technology, consumer services and nonprofit organizations, including multi-site, multi-state and international environments. Most recently, she served as Chief People Officer for Cain Watters & Associates, where she led end-to-end human resources for the organization, provided HR oversight for portfolio companies and a nonprofit organization, and built the HR function to support significant organizational growth.
Throughout her career, Davenport has led initiatives focused on culture transformation, executive recruiting, employee engagement, leadership development, benefits optimization, learning and development, workforce planning, policy governance and HR technology. Her experience also includes senior HR leadership roles with Unisys Corporation, Speed Commerce, Sirius XM, Freeman Company, Kohl’s Department Stores, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
“I am honored to join AZZ at an exciting time in the Company’s growth,” said Davenport. “AZZ’s commitment to its employees, customers and shareholders is clear, and I look forward to partnering with the leadership team to continue advancing a strong, inclusive and performance-driven culture.”
Davenport earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Human Resource Development and a minor in Business from Texas A&M University. She also holds PHR certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute and SHRM-CP certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.
About AZZ Inc.
Founded in 1956, AZZ Inc. is the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions to a broad range of end-markets in North America. Collectively, AZZ’s business segments provide sustainable, unmatched metal coating solutions that enhance the longevity and appearance of buildings, products and infrastructure that are essential to everyday life.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements herein about our expectations of future events or results constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "could," "should," "expects," "plans," "will," "might," "would," "projects," "currently," "intends," "outlook," "forecasts," "targets," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual results. Certain factors could affect the outcome of the matters described herein. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, changes in customer demand for our manufactured solutions, including demand by the construction market; infrastructure; transportation; HVAC & appliance; container; and the metal coatings end markets. We could also experience additional production costs, including increases due to inflation, in labor costs, components and raw materials including zinc and natural gas, which are used in our hot-dip galvanizing process and paint used in our coil coating process; supply chain vendor delays; delays in additional acquisition opportunities; an increase in our debt leverage and/or interest rates on our debt, of which a significant portion is tied to variable interest rates; availability of experienced management and employees to implement AZZ's growth strategy; a downturn in market conditions in any industry relating to the manufactured solutions that we provide; economic volatility, including a prolonged economic downturn or macroeconomic conditions such as inflation or changes in the political stability in the United States or Canada; tariffs, acts of war or terrorism inside the United States or abroad; and other
changes in economic and financial conditions. AZZ has provided additional information regarding risks associated with the business, including in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in AZZ's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2026, and other filings with the SEC, available for viewing on AZZ's website at www.azz.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.You are urged to consider these factors carefully when evaluating the forward-looking statements herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are based on information as of the date hereof and AZZ assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Company Contact:
David Nark, Chief Marketing, Communications, and Investor Relations Officer
AZZ Inc.
(817) 810-0095
www.azz.com
Investor Contact:
Sandy Martin / Phillip Kupper
Three Part Advisors
(214) 616-2207 or (817) 368-2556
www.threepa.com