Accendra Health, Inc. has set an effective start date of October 5, 2026, for Kenneth Gardner-Smith to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. The company filed an amendment to its Current Report on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2026, to supplement details regarding the leadership transition. The filing clarifies the timeline for the departure of outgoing CEO Edward A. Pesicka and outlines the terms of his continued involvement with the firm.
The board announced on September 17, 2026, that Gardner-Smith would become the next President and Chief Executive Officer. In the original filing, Accendra Health reported that Gardner-Smith and the company mutually agreed on the October 5 start date on September 22, 2026. Until that date, Pesicka will remain in his current position. Upon Gardner-Smith's assumption of the role, Pesicka will retire from the Board of Directors, a move he had previously announced in August.
To facilitate the handover, Pesicka entered into a consulting agreement with Accendra Health on September 28, 2026. Under this arrangement, he will serve as an advisor to the company for a period of up to thirty months. The agreement is designed to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. As part of the deal, Pesicka's previously awarded outstanding equity awards will remain outstanding and continue to vest according to their existing terms throughout the consulting period. The company will also provide Pesicka with a COBRA benefit as described in the consulting agreement.
Accendra Health, a Virginia-based company incorporated in 2014, trades under the ticker symbol ACH on the New York Stock Exchange. Its common stock has a par value of $2 per share. The company's principal executive offices are located at 4435 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300 in Glen Allen, Virginia. The Form 8-K/A was signed by Heath H. Galloway, who serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Accendra Health.