Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE: CPK) COO Jeff Sylvester to succeed CFO in 2026

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is planning a leadership transition in its finance organization. Longtime executive vice president and chief financial officer Beth W. Cooper intends to retire effective June 30, 2026, after more than 36 years with the company.

The board has appointed current chief operating officer and senior vice president Jeffrey S. Sylvester to succeed her as chief financial officer effective July 1, 2026. He will continue as senior vice president but will no longer serve as chief operating officer.

The company highlights Mr. Sylvester’s more than 20 years of energy-sector experience and 10 years in key financial roles, including prior finance and operations leadership positions at Chesapeake Utilities and other energy businesses. His existing compensation terms will remain unchanged in connection with the new role.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

CFO retirement with a planned internal successor signals orderly leadership change.

Chesapeake Utilities is transitioning financial leadership as longtime CFO Beth Cooper retires in 2026, with current COO Jeff Sylvester named as her successor. The company emphasizes his mix of operational and financial experience across regulated and unregulated energy businesses.

This appears to be a structured, long-notice handoff rather than an abrupt change, which can help continuity in strategy and capital allocation. Actual impact on performance will depend on how Sylvester balances his expanded finance role with ongoing operational oversight and how the company reallocates COO responsibilities over time.

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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): March 24, 2026

CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware

001-11590

51-0064146

(State or other jurisdiction of

(Commission

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

File Number)

Identification No.)

500 Energy Lane, Dover, DE 19901

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(302) 734-6799

(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 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 Stock - par value per share $0.4867			CPK			New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ 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))

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.

On March 24, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (the “Company”) announced that Beth W. Cooper, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, has announced her intention to retire effective June 30, 2026, after over 36 years with the Company. The Board and the Company thank Ms. Cooper for her many years of strategic leadership, dedicated service, and invaluable contributions that will continue to benefit the Company and its stakeholders in the years ahead.

In connection with Ms. Cooper’s retirement, the Board announced that Jeffrey S. Sylvester, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, will succeed Ms. Cooper as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of July 1, 2026. Mr. Sylvester will continue to serve as Senior Vice President but will cease to serve as the Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Sylvester has over 20 years of experience in the energy sector, as well as 10 years of experience serving in key financial roles. Mr. Sylvester earned a B.S. in Finance Management and an MBA in Finance from Clemson University. Prior to entering the utility industry, he held various financial analyst and controller roles at ThruPoint, GTE, and Plantronics. He was appointed the Company’s Chief Operating Officer in January 2022 and has served as Senior Vice President since 2019. He is responsible for the Company’s regulated and unregulated businesses, which operate across the Delmarva Peninsula, in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Ohio, and oversees the Company’s regulated natural gas transmission pipeline and distribution businesses and regulated electric business. Mr. Sylvester also oversees the Company’s unregulated natural gas pipeline infrastructure operation, propane distribution businesses, combined heat and power operations and mobile compressed natural gas (CNG) utility and pipeline solutions. Prior to rejoining the Company in 2019, Mr. Sylvester served as Vice President of Nebraska Gas Operations for Black Hills Corporation. Before that, he was employed by the Company holding leadership positions in information technology, gas marketing, and customer care operations, in addition to finance. Mr. Sylvester is a member of the Southern Gas Association and serves on its Pipeline Safety Council. He is also a member of the American Gas Association and the Florida Natural Gas Association.

There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Sylvester and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Sylvester has no family relationships with any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, and he has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

The compensatory and other material terms of Mr. Sylvester’s employment with the Company will remain unchanged in connection with the foregoing. For information regarding Mr. Sylvester’s existing compensation arrangements, please refer to the information contained in the section titled “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2025.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 24, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the retirement of Ms. Cooper and the appointment of Mr. Sylvester. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)   Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1     Press Release, dated March 24, 2026.

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.

CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION

/s/ JEFFRY M. HOUSEHOLDER

Jeffry M. Householder

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 24, 2026

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2026

Chesapeake Utilities CFO Beth Cooper announces retirement, COO Jeff Sylvester named successor

DOVER, Del. – Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) today announced that executive vice president and chief financial officer Beth Cooper will retire on June 30, 2026, following 36 years with the Company. Senior vice president and chief operating officer Jeff Sylvester, who began his career with Chesapeake Utilities in 2004 serving in finance and business development roles, will succeed Cooper, effective July 1, 2026.

Cooper joined Chesapeake Utilities in 1990 and held numerous roles in the financial and strategic planning areas of the Company until she was named CFO in September 2008. Throughout her tenure, she advanced the Company’s strategy by driving industry-leading earnings growth and above-average returns, ensuring balance sheet strength and financial discipline, and propelling the Company toward significant, sustained long-term growth.

“On behalf of the entire Chesapeake Utilities family, I’d like to congratulate Beth on a truly impressive track record of service, performance and growth. Her passion for the Company, unmatched work ethic and strength in building relationships have had an outsized impact on who we are today and what we’ve achieved over the last few decades,” said Jeff Householder, chair of the Board, president and chief executive officer. “We are grateful for Beth’s authentic leadership and strategic guidance that will continue to benefit the Company for years to come.”

“It has been a joy and privilege to spend my career at Chesapeake Utilities, surrounded by people that consistently bring their best each and every day,” said Cooper. “I am proud of the success we achieved as we expanded the business, served increasing customer demand and created value for all stakeholders. Supported by our perseverance and the reputation we’ve built, I’m confident the Company is well-positioned for continued long-term growth.”

Following increasing responsibilities driving revenue growth and business strategy, Sylvester served as vice president of customer care at Chesapeake Utilities subsidiary Florida Public Utilities from 2010 to 2012 before serving as vice president of operations at Black Hills Energy. He returned to Chesapeake Utilities in 2019 as senior vice president of operations and was named chief operating officer in 2022, leading overall company operations, customer care, project development and safety.

Sylvester began his career in financial analyst and controller roles at ThruPoint, GTE and Plantronics. He holds a Bachelor of Science in finance management and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Clemson University.

“Jeff brings deep financial and operational knowledge of our business alongside valuable expertise in acquisitions, integrations and large-scale transformations, all of which are critical for our next stage of growth and development,” Householder said. “I am confident in his leadership and ability to drive continued success within the three pillars of our growth strategy as we deliver energy that strengthens our customers and communities.”

Exhibit 99.1

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:CPK). Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com.

# # #

For more information, contact:

Lucia M. Dempsey

Head of Investor Relations

347.804.9067

LDempsey@chpk.com

FAQ

When is Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) CFO Beth Cooper retiring?

Beth Cooper plans to retire as executive vice president and chief financial officer on June 30, 2026. She leaves after more than 36 years at Chesapeake Utilities, having served as CFO since 2008 and helping guide strategy, earnings growth and balance sheet strength.

Who will replace Beth Cooper as Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) CFO?

Current chief operating officer and senior vice president Jeffrey S. Sylvester will become chief financial officer on July 1, 2026. He will continue as senior vice president but give up the COO role, bringing extensive financial and operational experience in the energy sector to the position.

What experience does incoming Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) CFO Jeff Sylvester have?

Jeff Sylvester has over 20 years in the energy sector and about 10 years in key financial roles. He has led regulated and unregulated operations, held finance, IT, gas marketing and customer care roles at Chesapeake Utilities, and previously served as vice president of Nebraska Gas Operations at Black Hills Corporation.

Will Jeff Sylvester’s compensation change when he becomes Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) CFO?

The company states that Jeff Sylvester’s compensatory and other material employment terms will remain unchanged when he becomes CFO. Investors are directed to the “Executive Compensation” section of the March 25, 2025 definitive proxy statement for details on his existing compensation arrangements.

What did Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) say about Beth Cooper’s contributions?

Chesapeake Utilities credits Beth Cooper with advancing company strategy through industry-leading earnings growth, above-average returns and strong balance sheet discipline. Leadership highlighted her authentic leadership, relationship-building and long-term strategic guidance as key to the company’s development and ongoing positioning for sustained growth.

How is Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) communicating the CFO transition?

Chesapeake Utilities reported the leadership changes in a current report and issued a detailed press release on March 24, 2026. The release outlines Beth Cooper’s retirement date, Jeff Sylvester’s effective start as CFO, and summarizes their backgrounds and roles within the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 8.4 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 12.7 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 23.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 25.0 KB