Viper Energy (VNOM) elevates Will Krueger to General Counsel role

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Viper Energy, Inc. announced a leadership change in its legal function. Effective February 18, 2026, Will Krueger, previously Vice President – Legal, has been promoted to Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.

Krueger remains an employee of Diamondback E&P LLC, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc., and will continue to provide services to Viper under an existing Services and Secondment Agreement dated November 2, 2023. He will continue reporting to Matt Zmigrosky, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Secretary of Diamondback, who is stepping down from his role as Viper’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to facilitate Krueger’s promotion.

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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): February 19, 2026

VIPER ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DE	001-42807	39-2596878
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)
500 West Texas Ave.
Suite 100
Midland, TX		79701
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(432) 221-7400

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Not Applicable

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K 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
Class A Common Stock, $ 0.000001 Par Value	VNOM	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
		(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 or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective February 18, 2026, Will Krueger, Vice President – Legal of Viper Energy, Inc. (“Viper”) was promoted to the position of Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Viper. Mr. Krueger remains an employee of Diamondback E&P LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Viper’s parent company, Diamondback Energy, Inc. (“Diamondback”). Accordingly, Mr. Krueger’s service to Viper will continue to be pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Services and Secondment Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2023, under which Diamondback and Diamondback E&P LLC provide personnel and general and administrative services to Viper, including the services of Viper’s executive officers and other employees. Mr. Krueger will continue to report to Matt Zmigrosky, Diamondback’s Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Secretary, who is stepping down from his position as Viper’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to facilitate Mr. Krueger’s promotion.

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 hereunto duly authorized.

		VIPER ENERGY, INC.
Date:	February 19, 2026
		By:	/s/ Teresa L. Dick
		Name:	Teresa L. Dick
		Title:	Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary

FAQ

What executive change did Viper Energy (VNOM) disclose in this 8-K?

Viper Energy disclosed that Will Krueger was promoted to Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. He replaces Matt Zmigrosky in that role, while Zmigrosky steps down from his Viper position but remains a senior legal and administrative executive at Diamondback Energy.

What is Will Krueger’s new role at Viper Energy (VNOM)?

Will Krueger now serves as Viper Energy’s Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Previously Vice President – Legal, he assumes primary responsibility for the company’s legal affairs and corporate secretary functions while remaining employed by Diamondback E&P LLC under an existing services and secondment arrangement.

Does Will Krueger remain employed by Diamondback while serving Viper Energy (VNOM)?

Yes. Will Krueger remains an employee of Diamondback E&P LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc. His services to Viper continue under a Services and Secondment Agreement through which Diamondback entities provide personnel and administrative support, including Viper’s executive officers.

What agreement governs Diamondback’s provision of personnel to Viper Energy (VNOM)?

Diamondback’s provision of personnel, including Viper’s executive officers, is governed by a Services and Secondment Agreement dated November 2, 2023. Under this agreement, Diamondback and Diamondback E&P LLC supply personnel and general and administrative services to Viper on agreed terms and conditions.

What change occurred to Matt Zmigrosky’s position at Viper Energy (VNOM)?

Matt Zmigrosky is stepping down as Viper’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to facilitate Will Krueger’s promotion. He continues as Diamondback Energy’s Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Secretary, and Krueger will keep reporting to him in that capacity.

Who signed the Viper Energy (VNOM) 8-K reporting this leadership change?

The report was signed on behalf of Viper Energy by Teresa L. Dick. She holds the positions of Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary, indicating senior financial and corporate governance oversight within the company’s management team.

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