Heartland Express boosts pay, grants stock to executives
Heartland Express, Inc. reported that its Compensation Committee approved immediate base salary increases for three named executive officers.
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Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Heartland Express, Inc. reported that its Compensation Committee approved immediate base salary increases for three named executive officers. The annual salary for CFO Christopher A. Strain rose from $364,000 to $375,024, COO Kent D. Rigdon from $327,600 to $338,000, and Chief Administrative Officer Joshua S. Helmich from $286,000 to $295,100.
Effective May 15, 2026, each of these executives also received an equity grant of 500 shares under the company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan, with all awards vesting immediately.
8-K Event Classification
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
1 item
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.
Key Figures
CFO new salary: $375,024 per year
CFO salary increase: $11,024 per year
COO new salary: $338,000 per year
+5 more
8 metrics
CFO new salary
$375,024 per year
Christopher A. Strain annualized salary after May 14, 2026 increase
CFO salary increase
$11,024 per year
Increase in annualized salary for CFO
COO new salary
$338,000 per year
Kent D. Rigdon annualized salary after increase
COO salary increase
$10,400 per year
Increase in annualized salary for COO
CAO new salary
$295,100 per year
Joshua S. Helmich annualized salary after increase
CAO salary increase
$9,100 per year
Increase in annualized salary for CAO
Restricted shares per executive
500 shares
Equity award to each named executive officer effective May 15, 2026
Total new shares granted
1,500 shares
Sum of 500-share grants to three executives, vested immediately
Key Terms
named executive officers, Compensation Committee, Restricted Stock Award Plan, equity awards, +1 more
5 terms
named executive officers financial
"approved the following compensation increase to three of the Company's named executive officers"
Named executive officers are the senior company leaders whose names, roles and compensation are singled out in required regulatory filings; this typically includes the chief executive, chief financial officer and the next highest‑paid senior officers. Investors treat this list like a team roster — it shows who makes key decisions, how they are paid and whether incentives align with shareholder interests, so changes or pay patterns can signal governance quality, risk or strategic shifts.
Compensation Committee financial
"the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Heartland Express, Inc."
A compensation committee is a group within a company's leadership responsible for setting and reviewing how much top executives and employees are paid, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits. It matters to investors because fair and effective pay decisions can influence a company's performance, leadership motivation, and overall governance, helping ensure that the company’s management is aligned with shareholders’ interests.
Restricted Stock Award Plan financial
"equity awards under the Company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan"
equity awards financial
"the Compensation Committee granted the following equity awards under the Company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan"
Equity awards are payments to employees or directors made in the form of company stock or rights to buy stock later, serving as a way to share ownership rather than cash. For investors, they matter because they align staff incentives with company performance, can increase the number of shares outstanding over time (which can reduce each share’s claim on profits), and create compensation costs that affect reported earnings.
vested immediately financial
"This award vested immediately."
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What executive salary changes did Heartland Express (HTLD) approve in this 8-K?
Heartland Express increased base salaries for three named executive officers. The CFO’s annual salary rose to $375,024, the COO’s to $338,000, and the Chief Administrative Officer’s to $295,100, reflecting modest compensation adjustments approved by the Compensation Committee.
When did the new salaries and stock awards at Heartland Express (HTLD) become effective?
The salary increases were effective immediately upon Compensation Committee approval on May 14, 2026. The equity awards of 500 shares each became effective on May 15, 2026, and those restricted stock awards vested immediately on that date.
Did the Heartland Express (HTLD) restricted stock awards to executives have a vesting schedule?
The restricted stock awards vested immediately. Each of the three named executive officers received a 500-share grant under the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan, and footnote (1) specifies that these awards were fully vested at the time of grant.
Which compensation plan did Heartland Express (HTLD) use for the new equity awards?
The company used its 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan. Under this plan, the Compensation Committee granted 500 shares each to three named executive officers, with the awards structured as restricted stock that vested immediately upon the effective grant date.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
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