Tempest Therapeutics (TPST) overhauls finance leadership
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (TPST) announced a senior finance leadership change. On August 18, 2026, Justin Trojanowski notified the company of his decision to resign as Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, and from all other positions, effective September 1, 2026.
Effective the same date, the Board appointed Nicholas Rossettos
Positive
- Experienced CFO appointed: Nicholas Rossettos brings 30+ years of financial leadership, including roles in biopharmaceutical and life sciences companies, potentially strengthening Tempest’s finance, reporting, and capital-raising capabilities.
Negative
- Principal Financial Officer resignation: Justin Trojanowski is resigning effective September 1, 2026, creating a senior finance leadership transition that may introduce short-term organizational and reporting continuity risk.
Insights
Analyzing...
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
Effective date of resignation and appointment: September 1, 2026
Age of new CFO: 60
Years of experience: more than 30 years
+4 more
7 metrics
Effective date of resignation and appointment
September 1, 2026
Date when Justin Trojanowski’s resignation is effective and Nicholas Rossettos assumes his roles
Age of new CFO
60
Age of Nicholas Rossettos at the time of appointment
Years of experience
more than 30 years
Rossettos’ experience supporting private and public companies
Interim CFO tenure at Sernova Corp.
March 2024 to October 2024
Period Rossettos served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Sernova Corp.
CFO tenure at Egenix, Inc.
2006 to 2012
Period Rossettos served as Chief Financial Officer of Egenix, Inc.
Consulting CFO services start year
2012
Year Rossettos began providing consulting CFO services to emerging and growth-stage businesses
Start of advisory role at TransCode Therapeutics, Inc.
April 2025
Month and year Rossettos began serving as a financial advisor to TransCode Therapeutics, Inc.
Key Terms
Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, indemnification agreement, Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K
4 terms
Principal Financial Officer financial
"resign from his positions as Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer"
The principal financial officer is the senior executive who runs a company's financial operations: preparing and certifying financial reports, managing accounting controls, budgets and cash flow, and advising on financial strategy. Investors care about this role because its competence affects how trustworthy the company’s numbers are, how well it manages risk and capital needs, and the credibility of forecasts—like the chief navigator steering a firm's financial course.
Principal Accounting Officer financial
"resign from his positions as Principal Financial Officer and 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.
indemnification agreement regulatory
"Mr. Rossettos will enter into the Company’s standard form of 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.
Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K regulatory
"There are no transactions involving Mr. Rossettos requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K"
FAQ
What leadership change did Tempest Therapeutics (TPST) announce in this 8-K?
Tempest Therapeutics disclosed that Justin Trojanowski will resign as Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer effective September 1, 2026, and that Nicholas Rossettos will become Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, Treasurer, and Corporate Secretary on that date.
When will the CFO transition at Tempest Therapeutics (TPST) take effect?
The transition becomes effective on September 1, 2026. On that date, Justin Trojanowski’s resignation takes effect and Nicholas Rossettos assumes the roles of Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, Treasurer, and Corporate Secretary.
Who is the new CFO of Tempest Therapeutics (TPST) and what is his background?
The Board appointed Nicholas Rossettos, age 60, as CFO. He has more than 30 years of finance experience, including advisory work for TransCode Therapeutics since April 2025 and serving as Interim CFO of Sernova Corp. from March 2024 to October 2024.
Will the new Tempest Therapeutics (TPST) CFO receive an indemnification agreement?
Yes. Tempest states that Nicholas Rossettos will enter into the company’s standard form of indemnification agreement, a form previously filed by Tempest Therapeutics.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
