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CTS Corporation (NYSE: CTS) elevates COO to CEO as O’Sullivan shifts to Executive Chairman

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

CTS Corporation is changing its top leadership. Effective July 6, 2026, current President and CEO Kieran O’Sullivan will step down as CEO and become Executive Chairman, while Pratik Trivedi, currently Chief Operating Officer, will become President and CEO and join the Board, increasing its size from eight to nine directors.

Mr. Trivedi’s compensation as CEO includes base salary of $675,000 per year, a target annual cash bonus equal to 100% of salary for the 2026 fiscal year (prorated), and a new long-term equity award valued at $2,150,000, split 60% into performance-based restricted stock units and 40% into service-based restricted stock units. He is also expected to enter a change in control Severance Agreement providing double-trigger severance of up to two times salary and bonus plus an additional one times amount for non-compete obligations, along with continued benefits and up to $30,000 in outplacement services if triggered.

As Executive Chairman, Mr. O’Sullivan will receive base salary of $625,000 and a target annual cash bonus of 100% of salary for 2026, with no new long-term incentive award. His existing equity awards and change in control agreement remain in place under current terms.

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Insights

CTS reshapes leadership, elevating COO to CEO with performance-linked pay.

CTS Corporation is executing a planned leadership transition, moving long-serving CEO Kieran O’Sullivan to Executive Chairman while promoting COO Pratik Trivedi to President and CEO effective July 6, 2026. The Board also expands from eight to nine directors as Trivedi joins.

Trivedi’s package combines fixed pay with meaningful performance linkage: a $675,000 salary, target bonus equal to 100% of salary, and a $2,150,000 long-term equity grant, mostly in performance-based units tied to stock performance from 2026–2028. This structure emphasizes equity incentives and multi-year results.

The expected change in control Severance Agreement uses a double-trigger design with up to two times pay plus an additional one times amount for non-compete obligations, extended benefits, and outplacement support. Such terms are typical for senior executives and aim to provide continuity through potential corporate transactions, though actual impact depends on future events.

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.
New CEO base salary $675,000 per year Annual base salary for Pratik Trivedi as President and CEO
New CEO bonus target 100% of base salary Target annual cash incentive bonus for 2026 fiscal year, prorated
New CEO long-term incentive grant $2,150,000 Value of long-term incentive award granted as of Effective Date
Executive Chairman base salary $625,000 per year Annual base salary for Kieran O’Sullivan as Executive Chairman
Executive Chairman bonus target 100% of base salary Target annual cash incentive bonus for 2026 fiscal year, prorated
Outplacement benefit cap $30,000 Maximum reimbursement for outplacement services under CEO CIC Agreement
Board size after change 9 directors Board expands from eight to nine with Trivedi’s appointment
PSU proportion of LTI 60% Share of CEO’s new long-term incentive in performance-based units
performance-based restricted stock units financial
"will comprise 60% performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”)"
Performance-based restricted stock units are a type of employee equity award that converts into company shares only if predefined financial or operational targets are met over a set period. Think of it like a bonus check that becomes stock only when specific goals are hit; it ties pay to results, aligning managers’ incentives with shareholders. Investors care because these awards affect future share count, executive incentives, and signal how management’s success will be measured and rewarded.
service-based restricted stock units financial
"and 40% service-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”)"
Service-based restricted stock units are promises by a company to give employees shares of stock only after they remain employed for a specified period; the stock is delivered gradually or all at once once the service condition is met. Investors care because these awards affect future share supply and company costs, align employee interests with long-term performance, and can influence dilution and earnings reports when the promised shares are recorded or issued.
change in control Severance Agreement regulatory
"enter into a new version of the Company’s standard change in control Severance Agreement"
double-trigger severance compensation financial
"the “double-trigger” severance compensation to which Mr. Trivedi would be entitled includes"
outplacement services financial
"reimbursement of up to $30,000 for outplacement services"
non-compete provisions regulatory
"in consideration of the non-compete provisions of the CIC Agreement"
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Learn about SEC filing dates
0000026058false00000260582026-06-252026-06-25

 

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): June 25, 2026

 

 

CTS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Indiana

1-4639

35-0225010

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

4925 Indiana Avenue

 

Lisle, Illinois

 

60532

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (630) 577-8800

 

 

(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(s)

 


Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, no par value

 

CTS

 

The 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 Arrangements of Certain Officers

On June 25, 2026, CTS Corporation (“CTS” or the “Company”) announced that Kieran O’Sullivan, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), will be stepping down effective as of July 6, 2026 (the “Effective Date”). Mr. O’Sullivan will remain on the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and has been appointed Executive Chairman, effective as of the Effective Date.

In connection with Mr. O’Sullivan’s transition to Executive Chairman, the Board has appointed Pratik Trivedi as President and CEO of the Company effective as of the Effective Date. As a result of Mr. Trivedi’s appointment to the Board, the number of directors on the Board will increase from eight to nine.

Mr. Trivedi, age 47, has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since December 2025. Mr. Trivedi initially joined CTS in April 2024 as Senior Vice President. Immediately prior to joining the Company, Mr. Trivedi served as Vice President, North America for the mobility business of Eaton Corporation plc, a global power management company, since 2017. Prior to that role, Mr. Trivedi served in several key roles with Cummins, Inc., another global power management company.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Trivedi and any person pursuant to which Mr. Trivedi was selected as an officer or director, and no family relationships exist between Mr. Trivedi and any director or executive officer of the Company. Mr. Trivedi is not a party to any transaction to which the Company is or was a participant and in which Mr. Trivedi has a direct or indirect material interest subject to disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

As compensation for serving as President and CEO, Mr. Trivedi will receive: base salary at the annual rate of $675,000; target annual cash incentive bonus of 100% of base salary (prorated for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 (the “2026 fiscal year”), based on the Company’s standard methodology); and a long-term incentive award with a value of $2,150,000 (Mr. Trivedi’s target annual long-term incentive award amount is $2.65 million when combined with his grant in February 2026).

Mr. Trivedi’s new annual long-term incentive award for his appointment as President and CEO will be granted as of the Effective Date and will comprise 60% performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and 40% service-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Consistent with the terms of the Company’s 2026 fiscal year grants to Mr. Trivedi, the PSUs generally will vest based on the Company’s stock price performance over a three-year performance period (2026, 2027 and 2028), and the RSUs generally will vest one-third (33%) per year on the anniversary of the date of grant.

Mr. Trivedi will continue to be eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans and programs applicable to senior executives of the Company generally, as may be in effect from time to time.

In addition, the Company and Mr. Trivedi are expected to enter into a new version of the Company’s standard change in control Severance Agreement (“CIC Agreement”). If the CIC Agreement is triggered, the “double-trigger” severance compensation to which Mr. Trivedi would be entitled includes: (1) a lump sum payment equal to two times the sum of (a) the greater of his base salary at the time of the change-in-control or his average base salary over the three years prior to termination, plus (b) the greater of his average cash incentive pay over the three years prior to the change-in-control and his target cash incentive pay for the year in which the change-in-control occurred; (2) continued availability of medical and dental benefits for up to 24 months following termination at the executive’s expense, with CTS reimbursing the executive for the portion of the premium in excess of the active employee share for such coverage (or certain economically comparable benefits); (3) reimbursement of up to $30,000 for outplacement services; and (4) in consideration of the non-compete provisions of the CIC Agreement, a lump sum payment equal to one times the sum of (a) the greater of his base salary at the time of the change-in-control or his average base salary over the three years prior to termination plus (b) the greater of his average cash incentive pay over the three years prior to the change-in-control and his target cash incentive pay for the year in which the change-in-control occurred.

In the role of Executive Chairman, Mr. O’Sullivan will be entitled to receive: base salary at an annual rate of $625,000; and a target annual cash incentive bonus of 100% of base salary (prorated for the Company’s 2026 fiscal year (based on the Company’s standard methodology)). Mr. O’Sullivan will not be granted any new long-term incentive award, and Mr. O’Sullivan’s outstanding equity awards will continue to vest in accordance with their terms. Mr. O’Sullivan’s annual employee benefit plan eligibility will remain unchanged and Mr. O’Sullivan’s existing CIC Agreement will remain in full force and effect pursuant to its terms.

 

 

 

 

 


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.

 

 

 

 

CTS Corporation

 

 

 

 

Date:

June 25, 2026

By:

/s/ Mark Pacioni

 

 

 

Mark Pacioni

Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

 

 


FAQ

What leadership change did CTS (CTS) announce in this 8-K filing?

CTS announced that CEO Kieran O’Sullivan will step down as CEO and become Executive Chairman on July 6, 2026. Chief Operating Officer Pratik Trivedi will be promoted to President and CEO and join the Board, increasing its size from eight to nine directors.

Who is Pratik Trivedi, the new CEO of CTS (CTS), and what is his background?

Pratik Trivedi, age 47, has been CTS’s Chief Operating Officer since December 2025 and joined as Senior Vice President in April 2024. Previously, he led Eaton Corporation plc’s North America mobility business and held several key roles at Cummins, Inc., both global power management companies.

What compensation will new CTS (CTS) CEO Pratik Trivedi receive?

As President and CEO, Pratik Trivedi will receive a base salary of $675,000, a target annual cash bonus equal to 100% of salary for 2026 (prorated), and a new long-term incentive equity grant valued at $2,150,000, mostly in performance-based restricted stock units plus service-based units.

How are CTS (CTS) CEO Pratik Trivedi’s long-term incentives structured?

His new long-term incentive award of $2,150,000 will be 60% performance-based restricted stock units and 40% service-based restricted stock units. The performance units generally vest based on CTS stock price performance over 2026–2028, while the service units vest in three equal annual installments after the grant date.

What change in control severance protections will CTS (CTS) CEO Pratik Trivedi have?

Trivedi is expected to enter a change in control Severance Agreement with double-trigger severance. If triggered, he would receive a lump sum equal to two times certain salary and bonus amounts, continued medical and dental benefits reimbursement for up to 24 months, up to $30,000 in outplacement, and an additional one-times payment tied to non-compete obligations.

What will former CEO Kieran O’Sullivan receive as Executive Chairman of CTS (CTS)?

As Executive Chairman, O’Sullivan will receive a base salary of $625,000 and a target annual cash incentive bonus equal to 100% of salary for 2026, prorated. He will not receive a new long-term incentive award, and his existing equity awards and change in control agreement will continue under their current terms.

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