Universal Corp terminates VP J. Patrick O’Keefe

Universal Corporation discloses the without-cause termination of its Vice President, Ingredients, while continuing a search for his successor.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Universal Corporation (UVV) reports that J. Patrick O’Keefe, its Vice President, Ingredients, was terminated without cause on September 15, 2026. O’Keefe had previously informed the company on July 29, 2026 of his intention to retire. Universal states that it is continuing its previously announced process to identify a successor with the assistance of an executive search firm.

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

Termination effective date: September 15, 2026 Retirement notice date: July 29, 2026 Report date: September 14, 2026 +1 more

4 metrics

Termination effective date September 15, 2026 Effective date of J. Patrick O’Keefe’s termination without cause

Retirement notice date July 29, 2026 Date O’Keefe previously notified Universal of his intention to retire

Report date September 14, 2026 Date Universal Corporation reported the termination event

Signature date September 18, 2026 Date the report was signed by Catherine H. Claiborne

Key Terms

terminated without cause, emerging growth company, executive search firm

3 terms

terminated without cause regulatory

"was terminated without cause, effective September 15, 2026"

emerging growth company regulatory

"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934"

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

executive search firm financial

"with the assistance of an executive search firm"

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What executive change did Universal Corporation (UVV) announce on September 14, 2026?

Universal Corporation disclosed that J. Patrick O’Keefe, Vice President, Ingredients, was terminated without cause, effective September 15, 2026. He had previously notified the company on July 29, 2026 of his intention to retire, and a search for his successor is ongoing.

What was the effective date of J. Patrick O’Keefe’s termination at UVV?

The effective date of J. Patrick O’Keefe’s termination as Vice President, Ingredients of Universal Corporation was September 15, 2026. The company reported the action on September 14, 2026 and noted that the termination was without cause.

Did Universal Corporation state a reason for J. Patrick O’Keefe’s departure?

Universal Corporation stated that J. Patrick O’Keefe was terminated without cause as of September 15, 2026. The disclosure also notes that he had previously indicated his intention to retire on July 29, 2026.

Is Universal Corporation (UVV) searching for a successor to the Vice President, Ingredients role?

Yes. Universal Corporation reports that it is continuing its previously announced process of identifying a successor to the Vice President, Ingredients position, and that it is doing so with the assistance of an executive search firm.

Who signed the Universal Corporation 8-K reporting the executive termination?

The report was signed on behalf of Universal Corporation by Catherine H. Claiborne, who is identified as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, dated September 18, 2026.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Available on EDGAR 09/18/2026 - 04:16 PM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 09/18/2026 - 04:15 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ false 0000102037 0000102037 2026-09-14 2026-09-14 0000102037 stpr:VA 2026-09-14 2026-09-14

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): September 14, 2026

Universal Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia		001-00652		54-0414210
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

9201 Forest Hill Avenue
Richmond, Virginia		23235
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (804) 359-9311

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, no par value		UVV		New York Stock Exchange

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 or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 14, 2026, J. Patrick O’Keefe, Vice President, Ingredients of Universal Corporation (the “Company”), was terminated without cause, effective September 15, 2026. As previously reported, on July 29, 2026, Mr. O’Keefe had notified the Company of his intention to retire.

The Company continues to follow its previously-announced process of identifying a successor with the assistance of an executive search firm.

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.

				UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
Date: September 18, 2026				By:		/s/ Catherine H. Claiborne
						Catherine H. Claiborne
						Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 12.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 20.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 13.3 KB