Longtime Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) CFO David W. Johnson plans retirement

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Johnson Outdoors Inc. announced that its long-serving Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, David W. Johnson, plans to retire later this year. He has been the company’s principal financial and accounting officer since November 2005, providing two decades of leadership.

The company has begun a formal succession process to identify and retain a new CFO, and expects Mr. Johnson to assist with a smooth transition of his responsibilities. The company stated that his retirement decision is not due to any disagreement regarding financial statements, reporting, or corporate policies and procedures.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Long-tenured CFO retirement with planned succession looks orderly and non‑adversarial.

Johnson Outdoors disclosed that Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David W. Johnson will retire later this year after serving since November 2005. This indicates a major but routine leadership transition in the finance function rather than an abrupt change.

The company has started a succession process to recruit a new CFO and expects Johnson to support the transition, which suggests planning around continuity. The statement that his decision is not due to disagreements over financial reporting or policies reduces concern about hidden financial or governance disputes.

Investors may focus on future updates about the incoming CFO’s background and experience once selected, since that individual will shape how Johnson Outdoors manages financial strategy, reporting quality, and capital allocation going forward.

false000078832900007883292026-03-042026-03-04

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 4, 2026

Johnson Outdoors Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Wisconsin		0-16255		39-1536083
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

555 Main Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(262) 631-6600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $.05 par value per share	JOUT	NASDAQ Global Select Market SM

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. ☐

Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 4, 2026, David W. Johnson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Company”), informed the Company of his intention to retire later this year. The Company is commencing a succession process to identify and retain a successor for Mr. Johnson and the Company expects that Mr. Johnson will assist and support the Company in the transition of his responsibilities to his successor.

Mr. Johnson has served as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (and as the principal financial and accounting officer) of the Company since November 2005.  Mr. Johnson’s decision to retire is not due to any disagreement with the Company concerning any of its financial statements or reporting matters or any of the Company’s policies and procedures.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 104 – Cover Page Interactive Data File (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.

	JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
Date:  March 4, 2026
	By:	/s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
		Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What leadership change did Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) announce?

Johnson Outdoors announced that David W. Johnson, its Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, plans to retire later this year. He has been the company’s principal financial and accounting officer since November 2005, making this a significant but planned transition in the finance leadership team.

When did Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) say its CFO will retire?

Johnson Outdoors stated on March 4, 2026, that CFO David W. Johnson intends to retire later this year. While a specific retirement date was not provided, the company emphasized a planned transition process and Johnson’s role in assisting the handover to his successor.

Is the Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) CFO retirement due to disagreements?

The company explicitly stated that David W. Johnson’s decision to retire is not due to any disagreement with Johnson Outdoors. This includes no disputes over the company’s financial statements, reporting practices, or its policies and procedures, suggesting an orderly, non‑adversarial departure.

How long has Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) CFO David W. Johnson served?

David W. Johnson has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Johnson Outdoors since November 2005. During this period, he also functioned as the company’s principal financial and accounting officer, providing continuity in its financial leadership for roughly two decades before announcing his retirement plans.

What succession steps is Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) taking for its CFO role?

Johnson Outdoors is commencing a succession process to identify and retain a successor to CFO David W. Johnson. The company expects Johnson will assist and support the transition of his responsibilities to the new appointee, indicating a focus on continuity in financial management and reporting.

Who signed the Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) report about the CFO retirement?

The report was signed on behalf of Johnson Outdoors by Helen P. Johnson-Leipold, the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Her signature underscores that the planned retirement of CFO David W. Johnson and the related succession process have top-level leadership oversight.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 21.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 15.7 KB