Ocean Power CEO exits; Pagliara named acting chief
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPTT) announced a leadership transition and related executive agreements.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPTT) announced a leadership transition and related executive agreements. Effective September 14, 2026, Dr. Philipp Stratmann stepped down as President, Chief Executive Officer and director, by mutual agreement, and his 2021 employment letter was terminated in connection with a severance arrangement.
Tracy Pagliara, previously Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, was appointed Acting President and Chief Executive Officer and director, and entered into a new employment agreement providing up to $400,000 base salary, incentive opportunities and 75,000 restricted stock units. Jason Weed was appointed Chief Operating Officer with a similar compensation framework and 50,000 restricted stock units. The Company states the new leadership structure is intended to enhance execution, backlog conversion and operational accountability while maintaining its maritime autonomy and Maritime Domain Awareness strategy.
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- President and CEO departure: Dr. Philipp Stratmann stepped down as President, Chief Executive Officer and director effective September 14, 2026, representing a significant leadership change at the top of the company.
Filing Explained
Stratmann’s separation adds six months of salary, his remaining fiscal 2026 bonus and health benefits through September 30; full agreement terms await the next 10-Q.
The former CEO’s separation agreement was signed and became effective on
The company has only summarized the new executive agreements; their full terms, including separation provisions, will be filed with the next Form 10-Q, leaving the complete compensation obligations unresolved in this filing.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
restricted stock unit financial
Omnibus Incentive Plan financial
Severance Agreement and General Release financial
Maritime Domain Awareness technical
backlog conversion financial
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What leadership changes did OPTT announce on September 14, 2026?
What are the key terms of Tracy Pagliara’s new employment agreement at OPTT?
What compensation will new COO Jason Weed receive under his OPTT employment agreement?
What severance will former CEO Philipp Stratmann receive from Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT)?
What strategic focus did OPTT highlight in connection with the leadership changes?
What prior experience does new Acting CEO Tracy Pagliara bring to OPTT?
What background does new COO Jason Weed have before joining OPTT?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
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Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Pagliara Employment Agreement
Effective September 14, 2026, in connection with his appointment as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) as described under Item 5.02 below, Tracy Pagliara entered into a new employment agreement with the Company (the “Pagliara Employment Agreement”), replacing the agreement entered into on January 16, 2025. Pursuant to the Pagliara Employment Agreement, Mr. Pagliara will receive an annual base salary not to exceed $400,000, is eligible for an annual, discretionary, performance-based bonus targeted at 75% of base salary on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) or its Compensation Committee, and is eligible to receive long-term incentive equity based awards targeted at 75% of base salary, pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board or its Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Pagliara will receive a restricted stock unit grant of 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
Mr. Pagliara will receive certain compensation in connection with a separation from the Company, and is also subject to covenants regarding non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete terms of the Pagliara Employment Agreement which will be filed with the Company’s next Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Weed Employment Agreement
Effective September 14, 2026, in connection with his appointment as Chief Operating Officer of the Company as described under Item 5.02 below, Jason Weed entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Weed Employment Agreement”) with the Company. Pursuant to the Weed Employment Agreement, Mr. Weed will receive an annual base salary not to exceed $400,000, is eligible for an annual, discretionary, performance-based bonus targeted at 75% of base salary on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board or its Compensation Committee, and is eligible to receive long-term incentive equity based awards targeted at 75% of base salary, pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board or its Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Weed will receive a restricted stock unit grant of 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
Mr. Weed will receive certain compensation in connection with a separation from the Company, and is also subject to covenants regarding non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete terms of the Weed Employment Agreement which will be filed with the Company’s next Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Stratmann Separation Agreement
On September 14, 2026, Philipp Stratmann entered into a Severance Agreement and General Release (the “Stratmann Agreement”) with the Company in connection with his departure from the Company described below under Item 5.02. Pursuant to the Stratmann Agreement, Dr. Stratmann will receive six month of base salary and the balance of his agreed fiscal 2026 bonus. He also will receive continued Company health benefits through September 30, 2026. In exchange, he provided the Company with a general release.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete terms of the Stratmann Agreement which will be filed with the Company’s next Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
As described below under Item 5.02, the employment letter of Philipp Stratmann with the Company dated as of June 18, 2021 was terminated in connection with his departure from the Company effective September 14, 2026.
In connection with entering into a new employment agreement with Tracy Pagliara as described under Item 1.01, the employment letter of Mr. Pagliara with the Company dated as of January 16, 2025 was terminated.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.
Change in Principal Executive Officer
On September 14, 2026, Philipp Stratmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stepped down from the Company as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, upon mutual agreement with the Board. As described under Item 1.02 above, Dr. Stratmann’s employment letter with the Company dated as of June 18, 2021 was also terminated effective as of such date.
In connection with Dr. Stratmann’s departure, effective September 10, 2026, Tracy Pagliara, age 63, the Company’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, was appointed to the positions of the Company’s Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as a director on the Board. He has been with the Company since February 2024. From April 2018 to September 2023, Mr. Pagliara served as President and CEO of Williams Industrial Services Group Inc. (f/k/a Global Power Equipment Group, Inc.) (NYSE American: WLMS), a publicly traded provider of construction and maintenance services to power, energy and industrial customers (“Williams”). From July 2017 to April 2018, Mr. Pagliara served as Co-President and Co-CEO of Williams. Mr. Pagliara joined Williams in April 2010 as General Counsel, Secretary and Vice President, Business Development and served in multiple other positions of increasing responsibility, including Senior Vice President, Administration, prior to his appointment as Co-President and Co-CEO in July 2017. Mr. Pagliara has a B.S. in Accounting and a J.D. from the University of Illinois. He is a member of the Missouri and Illinois State Bars and a Certified Public Accountant.
Appointment of Chief Operating Officer
Effective September 14, 2026, as noted in Item 1.01 above, Jason Weed was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Weed, age 54, is a strategic leader and retired U.S. Navy Captain with over 15 years of executive experience driving innovation and growth across maritime and technology-focused organizations. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Senior Business Developer and Capture Manager for Leidos’ Maritime Systems Division.
His 34-year Navy career included multiple senior leadership roles, notably as Commodore of the Navy’s first Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle Squadron (UUVRON ONE), Director of Maritime Operations for Commander Submarine Group TWO, and Commanding Officer of the USS New Hampshire (SSN 778). His leadership advanced operational capabilities introduced AI/ML technologies, and enhanced strategic planning across both submarine and unmanned systems domains.
Mr. Weed is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering, and Old Dominion University, where he earned his Master of Science degree in Engineering and Industrial Management.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On September 14, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the leadership changes described in this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| 99.1 | Press Release issued on September 14, 2026. |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
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 thereunto duly authorized.
| Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. | |
| Dated: September 17, 2026 | /s/ Tracy D. Pagliara |
| Tracy D. Pagliara | |
| Acting President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 99.1
Ocean Power Technologies Aligns Leadership Team to Accelerate Commercial Execution and Backlog Conversion
MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., September 14, 2026 — Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (“OPT” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: OPTT), a leader in maritime operational infrastructure and autonomous ocean systems, today announced leadership changes intended to strengthen execution, commercial conversion and operational accountability as the Company increases its focus on converting commercial opportunities into backlog and revenue.
The leadership transition is designed to build on the operational foundation established during fiscal 2026 and align the organization around its next phase of commercial execution, customer delivery and disciplined financial performance.
Effective September 14, 2026, Dr. Philipp Stratmann will step down from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, by mutual agreement, and will remain available to assist the new leadership team through a transition period.
“As discussed in the Company’s fiscal 2026 results, OPT spent the past year establishing the operational foundation needed to support larger deployments and recurring revenue programs,” said Chairman Rear Admiral (retired) Joseph A. DiGuardo Jr. “With that foundation in place, the Board believes this is the appropriate time to transition leadership and sharpen the Company’s focus on execution, commercial conversion and operational accountability. Our priority now is disciplined execution—converting opportunities into contracts, contracts into revenue, and delivering successfully for our customers. The leadership structure announced today creates clear accountability around those objectives and positions OPT to execute on the opportunities in front of us.”
“Dr. Stratmann played an important role in OPT’s evolution from a technology-development company into an operating maritime technology business. Under his leadership, OPT expanded its maritime technology portfolio, strengthened its position in defense and security markets, expanded internationally and built many of the operational capabilities that support the Company today. On behalf of the Board, we thank Philipp for his dedication and significant contributions to OPT and wish him and his family the very best,” Chairman DiGuardo added.
Also, effective September 14, 2026, Tracy Pagliara, who previously served for six years as the Chief Executive Officer of a public company and is a Certified Public Accountant, will become Acting Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Pagliara currently serves as the Company’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and brings both public-company leadership experience and deep knowledge of OPT’s business, operations and strategic priorities.
Jason Weed, currently Senior Vice President, Commercial Sales, has also been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, effective September 14, 2026, with responsibility for commercial sales, operations and technology and innovation, creating clear executive accountability from customer opportunity through execution and delivery. Mr. Weed has helped build OPT’s current pipeline and backlog and brings significant leadership experience from his service as a Captain in the U.S. Navy, including commanding the US Navy’s Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Squadron.
This leadership structure is intended to build on the platform established during fiscal 2026 and align the organization more directly around backlog conversion, customer delivery and disciplined execution. The new leadership structure creates clear accountability around the Company’s immediate priorities: converting pipeline opportunities into backlog and revenue, executing against existing customer commitments, maintaining disciplined financial management, and accelerating delivery of customer-driven solutions to market.
The Company remains focused on its existing maritime autonomy and Maritime Domain Awareness strategy and on translating its technology portfolio, customer relationships and commercial pipeline into sustainable revenue growth.
For more information about Ocean Power Technologies, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.
ABOUT OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES
OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows™, which provides AI capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and marine robotics services. The Company’s headquarters is in Monroe Township, New Jersey, with an additional office in Richmond, California. To learn more about OPT’s products, services and solutions, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “aim”, “will likely result”, “believe”, “expect”, “will continue”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “contemplate”, “seek to”, “future”, “objective”, “goal”, “project”, “should”, “will pursue” and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company’s ability to have a successful leadership transition, the delivery of customer services, the conversion of potential customers to contracts and the realization of the potential revenue thereunder. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company’s most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
Contact Information
Investors: 203-561-6945 or investorrelations@oceanpowertech.com
Media: 609-730-0400 x402 or MediaRelations@oceanpowertech.com