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Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) hires Agostino Ricupati as chief accounting officer

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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Rocket Lab Corporation appointed Agostino Ricupati as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, making him the company’s principal accounting officer. He brings more than two decades of senior finance and accounting experience at large public companies, including Cooper Companies and Intel.

Ricupati’s compensation includes a $350,000 annual base salary, a discretionary target bonus equal to 40% of base salary for 2026, a $50,000 sign-on bonus, a temporary housing stipend up to $5,000 per month for seven months, and a four-year vesting RSU award valued at $3,000,000. Adam C. Spice will cease serving as principal accounting officer but will remain Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer.

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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.
Base salary $350,000 per year Annual base salary for Agostino Ricupati
Target bonus 40% of base salary Discretionary performance bonus target for 2026
Sign-on bonus $50,000 One-time sign-on payment to Agostino Ricupati
Housing stipend Up to $5,000 per month Temporary housing for first seven months of employment
Equity award $3,000,000 RSU value Restricted stock units vesting over four years
RSU vesting period 4 years Vesting schedule for Ricupati’s RSU award
principal accounting officer financial
"appointed ... as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer and as the Company’s principal accounting officer"
The Principal Accounting Officer is the person responsible for making sure a company's financial records are accurate and follow the rules. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that show how well the company is doing. This helps investors, managers, and regulators trust the company's financial information.
restricted stock unit financial
"A restricted stock unit award (“RSU”) with a total value of $3,000,000 vesting over four years"
A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.
Executive Severance Plan financial
"including participation in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan"
indemnification agreement financial
"Mr. Ricupati will be a party to the Company’s standard indemnification agreement."
An indemnification agreement is a contract in which one party promises to cover losses, costs, or legal claims that another party might face, acting like a tailored safety net or private insurance policy. For investors, it matters because such agreements shift potential financial risk away from a company or its officers and onto the indemnifier, which can affect a company’s future liabilities, cash flow and how risky the investment appears during deal-making or litigation.
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Understanding 8-K Material Events →
FALSE000181999400018199942026-06-032026-06-03

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 3, 2026
ROCKET LAB CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware001-3956039-2182599
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3881 McGowen Street 
Long Beach, California
 90808
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 714 465-5737
Not Applicable
(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, par value $0.0001 per share RKLB Nasdaq Global Select Market
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 of Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(b)-(c)
On June 3, 2026, Rocket Lab Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Agostino Ricupati, age 59, as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer and as the Company’s principal accounting officer. Mr. Ricupati brings more than two decades of senior finance and accounting leadership at publicly traded multinational companies. He will be responsible for global accounting operations at the Company.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ricupati served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Cooper Companies, Inc. a global medical device company (NASDAQ: COO) from July 2017 through May 2026. From July 2013 to July 2017, Mr. Ricupati served as Vice President Tax and Global Trade Compliance of Cooper Companies. Prior to that, from October 1998 to May 2013, Mr. Ricupati served in various senior tax roles at Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), McAfee Corp. (previously NASDAQ: MCFE), Baxter International (NASDAQ: BAX) and Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Ricupati is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
No family relationship exists between Mr. Ricupati and any of the Company’s directors or executive officers. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Ricupati and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Ricupati was appointed as an officer of the Company, nor are there any transactions to which the Company is or was a participant and in which Mr. Ricupati had or will have a direct or indirect material interest subject to disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Mr. Ricupati will be a party to the Company’s standard indemnification agreement.
In connection with the appointment of Mr. Ricupati as Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, effective June 3, 2026 Adam C. Spice will no longer serve as principal accounting officer. Mr. Spice will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer of the Company.
Compensatory Arrangement for Mr. Ricupati
In connection with Mr. Ricupati’s appointment, he will receive the following compensation:
•An annual base salary equal to $350,000;
•Eligibility to earn a discretionary performance bonus with a target opportunity equal to 40% of his base salary paid in either cash or equity, prorated for 2026;
•A sign-on bonus equal $50,000;
•A monthly temporary housing stipend not to exceed $5,000 per month for the first seven months following his commencement of employment; and
•A restricted stock unit award (“RSU”) with a total value of $3,000,000 vesting over four years, with the number of shares subject to such RSU to be determined in accordance with the Company’s standard practice and with such RSU to be subject to the standard terms and conditions of the Company’s form of restricted stock unit agreement.
Mr. Ricupati will also be eligible to participate in the compensation and benefit programs generally available to senior executives of the Company, including participation in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan.


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.
   ROCKET LAB CORPORATION
    
Date:June 5, 2026By: /s/ Arjun Kampani
   Arjun Kampani
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What leadership change did Rocket Lab (RKLB) announce in this 8-K filing?

Rocket Lab appointed Agostino Ricupati as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, making him principal accounting officer. Adam C. Spice will no longer serve as principal accounting officer but continues as Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer of the company.

What is Agostino Ricupati’s background before joining Rocket Lab (RKLB)?

Agostino Ricupati previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Cooper Companies from July 2017 to May 2026. Before that, he held senior tax roles at Intel, McAfee, Baxter International and Arthur Andersen, and he is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

What base salary and bonus opportunity will Rocket Lab (RKLB) pay its new Chief Accounting Officer?

Rocket Lab will pay Agostino Ricupati an annual base salary of $350,000. He is also eligible for a discretionary performance bonus with a target of 40% of base salary for 2026, payable in cash or equity, prorated for that year.

What sign-on and housing benefits does Rocket Lab (RKLB) grant Agostino Ricupati?

Agostino Ricupati will receive a $50,000 sign-on bonus from Rocket Lab. He is also entitled to a temporary housing stipend of up to $5,000 per month for the first seven months after his employment commencement with the company.

What equity award is Rocket Lab (RKLB) giving its new Chief Accounting Officer?

Rocket Lab will grant Agostino Ricupati a restricted stock unit (RSU) award valued at $3,000,000, vesting over four years. The number of RSUs will follow the company’s standard practice and be subject to its standard RSU agreement terms.

Will Agostino Ricupati participate in Rocket Lab’s (RKLB) executive benefit programs?

Yes. Agostino Ricupati will be eligible for Rocket Lab’s compensation and benefit programs available to senior executives, including participation in the company’s Executive Severance Plan and its standard indemnification agreement provided to executive officers and directors.

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