Columbus McKinnon names new CFO, affirms 2027 view
Columbus McKinnon Corporation announced a chief financial officer transition and reaffirmed its fiscal year 2027 guidance.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Columbus McKinnon Corporation announced a chief financial officer transition and reaffirmed its fiscal year 2027 guidance. Gregory P. Rustowicz was separated as Executive Vice President of Finance and CFO in connection with a change in control, triggering severance benefits under a 2011 Change in Control Agreement. The company and Rustowicz entered into a Separation and Release Agreement that includes confidentiality and a general release, with a seven-day revocation period.
The board appointed John R. Linker as Executive Vice President and CFO effective July 1, 2026, with a $600,000 base salary, a 70% target bonus and long-term equity incentives. The board also named Thomas Oddo Chief Accounting Officer and interim principal financial officer, with an increased long-term equity target. The company’s press release highlighted Linker’s prior CFO roles and confirmed its previously issued fiscal 2027 guidance.
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Insights
CFO transition with standard severance; strategy and 2027 guidance unchanged.
Columbus McKinnon is executing a managed CFO handoff. Gregory P. Rustowicz’s exit is treated as a termination without cause in connection with a change in control, activating pre-agreed severance under a 2011 agreement and documented in a Separation and Release Agreement.
The board appointed experienced finance leader John R. Linker as CFO with a compensation mix emphasizing variable and long-term equity incentives, including a performance-based synergy award vesting in fiscal 2029. The company also elevated Thomas Oddo to Chief Accounting Officer and interim principal financial officer, supporting continuity in financial reporting.
The company reaffirmed its fiscal year 2027 guidance as previously issued, signaling no immediate change to its financial outlook alongside the leadership moves. Overall, these actions appear to be structured governance and compensation steps rather than a shift in underlying strategy.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Change in Control Agreement financial
Separation and Release Agreement regulatory
long-term equity incentive awards financial
special performance-based synergy incentive award financial
fiscal year 2027 guidance financial
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What leadership changes did Columbus McKinnon (CMCO) disclose in this 8-K?
What are the key compensation terms for new CFO John Linker at Columbus McKinnon (CMCO)?
Did Columbus McKinnon change or reaffirm its fiscal year 2027 guidance?
What is included in Gregory Rustowicz’s Separation and Release Agreement with Columbus McKinnon?
How did Columbus McKinnon adjust compensation for Thomas Oddo with his promotion?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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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. |
(b), (c) and (e) On July 1, 2026, Gregory P. Rustowicz was separated as the Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the “Company”), effective July 1, 2026. Mr. Rustowicz’s separation constitutes a termination of employment by the Company other than for cause in connection with a change in control under the terms of the Change in Control Agreement entered into between the Company and Mr. Rustowicz in 2011 (the “CIC Agreement”), resulting in the severance pay and benefits becoming due and payable to Mr. Rustowicz as provided for therein. Mr. Rustowicz’s separation from employment was unrelated to any concerns or disagreements regarding the Company’s accounting or financial reporting policies or practices, financial statement disclosures or internal controls.
In connection with this separation, the Company and Mr. Rustowicz entered into a Separation and Release Agreement, dated July 1, 2026 (the “Separation and Release Agreement”) pursuant to which (i) the parties memorialized that the severance pay and benefits provided for under the CIC Agreement are due and payable to Mr. Rustowicz in connection with his separation, (ii) Mr. Rustowicz agreed not to disclose any proprietary and confidential information of the Company and (iii) Mr. Rustowicz provided a general release of claims in favor of the Company. Under the terms of the Separation and Release Agreement, Mr. Rustowicz may revoke the Separation and Release Agreement for a period of seven days after July 1, 2026, the date Mr. Rustowicz executed the Separation and Release Agreement. The Separation and Release Agreement will not become effective and enforceable until the seven-day revocation period has ended without Mr. Rustowicz’s revocation of the Separation and Release Agreement. The foregoing description of the terms and conditions of the Separation and Release Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation and Release Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
In connection with the separation of Mr. Rustowicz, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) appointed John R. Linker, age 51, as the Company’s new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective July 1, 2026. Mr. Linker has more than two decades of value creation focused financial leadership across publicly traded and private equity-backed global industrial and manufacturing businesses. Most recently, Mr. Linker served as Chief Financial Officer of Husky Technologies Limited (“Husky”) from October 2023 until March 2026. Prior to his position with Husky, Mr. Linker served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer of Serta Simmons Bedding LLC from April 2022 and 2023, respectively, until joining Husky in October 2023 and, prior to that, as an executive at JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. from 2012 to 2022 where he held leadership positions including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from November 2018 until March 2022. Mr. Linker will also be appointed as the Company’s principal financial officer following the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending June 30, 2026. There are no understandings or arrangements with any person pursuant to which Mr. Linker was appointed as the Company’s Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and he is not party to any related party transaction required to be reported pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
In connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Company and Mr. Linker have executed an offer letter, dated July 1, 2026 (the “Offer Letter”). Pursuant to the Offer Letter, Mr. Linker will be paid an annual base salary of $600,000 and will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan with a target bonus opportunity of 70% of base salary (which bonus amount, if earned, will be prorated in fiscal 2027 based upon Mr. Linker’s start date of July 1, 2026). The Offer Letter also states that Mr. Linker will (i) be eligible for long-term equity incentive awards with a target value of 165% of base salary, beginning with an award to be granted in fiscal 2027 and (ii) receive a special performance-based synergy incentive award, that will be cash settled, with a target amount equal to 50% of his long term incentive opportunity, which special performance-based synergy incentive award is scheduled to vest, based upon performance against established run rate net cost synergy realization targets, in fiscal 2029. The Offer Letter also provides that Mr. Linker will participate in the Company’s change in control and executive severance programs and will be eligible for employee benefits and executive perquisites consistent with those provided to other senior executives of the Company. The foregoing description of the terms and conditions of the Offer Letter does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Offer Letter, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
In addition, the Board appointed Thomas Oddo, age 46, the Company’s current Vice President and Corporate Controller, as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer, principal accounting officer and interim principal financial officer, effective as of July 1, 2026. Mr. Oddo initially joined the Company in 2010, became the Company’s Corporate Controller in 2016, and has most recently served as the Company’s Vice President and Corporate Controller since 2022. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Oddo served as the Audit Manager with Deloitte. In consideration of his promotion, the target value of
Mr. Oddo’s long-term equity incentive award will increase by 10% from 50% of base salary to 60% of base salary. There are no understandings or arrangements with any person pursuant to which Mr. Oddo was appointed as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer, principal accounting officer or interim principal financial officer, and he is not party to any related party transaction required to be reported pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On July 1, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the Chief Financial Officer transition described above, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this Item 7.01 and the exhibit attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 are being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly stated by specific reference in such filing.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
| EXHIBIT NUMBER |
DESCRIPTION | |
| 10.1 | Separation and Release Agreement, dated July 1, 2026, by and between the Company and Gregory P. Rustowicz. | |
| 10.2 | Offer Letter, dated July 1, 2026, between the Company and John Linker. | |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated July 1, 2026. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within 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.
| COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Alan S. Korman | |
| Name: | Alan S. Korman | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corp. Development and Secretary | |
Dated: July 1, 2026
Exhibit 99.1
Columbus McKinnon Announces CFO Transition
John R. Linker Appointed Chief Financial Officer
Company Reaffirms Fiscal Year 2027 Guidance
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 1, 2026 - Columbus McKinnon Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCO) (“Columbus McKinnon” or the “Company”), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, today announced the appointment of John R. Linker as the Company’s new Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, effective as of July 1, 2026. Linker will report directly to David J. Wilson, Columbus McKinnon’s President and Chief Executive Officer and succeeds Gregory P. Rustowicz.
“John is a proven leader with deep experience and a consistent track record of strengthening organizational talent, improving operational performance, leading complex integrations, and delivering significant earnings growth. I am pleased to welcome John to Columbus McKinnon. His more than two decades of value-creation focused leadership within global industrial manufacturing businesses will help accelerate our next phase of growth and transformation,” said Wilson.
Most recently, Linker served as CFO of Husky Technologies Limited, where he improved financial flexibility and drove record earnings performance through profitable growth and margin expansion initiatives. Prior to Husky, Linker served as CFO and COO of Serta Simmons Bedding LLC where he led the finance, operations, supply chain, sourcing and information technology functions and executed a commercial and operational turnaround that drove substantial margin improvement. Previously, Linker held several leadership positions at JELD-WEN Holding, Inc., including CFO, where he oversaw initiatives that led to significant earnings growth and enabled their successful IPO in 2017.
Linker commented, “I am thrilled to join Columbus McKinnon at such an exciting time for the Company. Columbus McKinnon has a long track record of market leadership earned by solving its customers’ most critical requirements. I am optimistic about the future and look forward to partnering with David and the leadership team to execute on the Company’s strategy and drive results.”
“On behalf of the entire Columbus McKinnon team, I would like to thank Greg for his contributions to the Company over the past fifteen years. We are grateful for his service and wish him every success in the future,” added Wilson.
The Company reaffirmed its fiscal year 2027 guidance, as previously announced in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2026 earnings release issued on June 4, 2026.
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About Columbus McKinnon
CMCO is a global leader in intelligent motion solutions designed to advance performance and productivity, helping customers move the world forward with confidence. Guided by its mission to deliver innovative solutions with unmatched safety, quality and reliability, CMCO enables efficient lifting, positioning, securing and movement of materials across a wide range of end markets. Its portfolio spans five key platforms: lifting hardware consumables, hoists and cranes, precision conveyance, automation and linear motion. Driven by a vision for a safer, more productive tomorrow, CMCO partners with customers to solve some of their most complex intralogistics challenges and keep industry in motion. Comprehensive information is available at www.cmco.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “illustrative,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “shall,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including, but are not limited to, statements relating to (i) our strategy, outlook and growth prospects and (ii) reaffirmation of the Company’s fiscal year 2027 guidance are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead represent our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 as well as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on its website at www.sec.gov. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Columbus McKinnon undertakes no duty to update publicly any such forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority.
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Contact:
Kristine Moser
VP, Investor Relations and Treasurer
Columbus McKinnon Corporation
704-322-2488
kristy.moser@cmco.com
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