Workhorse Group Inc. appointed new CEO

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements with Certain Officers.


On July 25, 2021, Workhorse Group Inc. (the "Company") entered into an Employment Agreement with Richard Dauch, pursuant to which he will become Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Employment Agreement"), effective August 2, 2021. Mr. Dauch joins the Company with nearly 30 years of experience in the automotive and manufacturing industries, including most recently as the Chief Executive Officer of the publicly traded automotive supplier firm, Delphi Technologies (NYSE: DLPH). Previously, Mr. Dauch served as the President and CEO of Accuride Corporation from 2011 to 2019 and Acument Global Technologies from 2008 to 2011, in various executive roles at American Axle & Manufacturing from 1995 to 2008 and United Technologies from 1992 to 1995 and as an officer in the United States Army from 1983 to 1990. Mr. Dauch attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in engineering, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a dual master's of science in engineering and management. 


The Employment Agreement provides for Mr. Dauch to receive a base salary of $1 million per year and a signing bonus of 500,000 shares of restricted stock and $3 million in stock options, each of which vests biannually over a 3-year period. Mr. Dauch is also eligible for an annual cash bonus, with the target at 125% of his base salary and annual equity awards under the long term equity incentive plan ("LTIP"), with a target at 500% of his base salary, each based on the Company's attainment of certain performance metrics. Mr. Dauch is eligible for severance of up to 2 times his base salary and 1.5 times his target annual bonus, acceleration of LTIP equity awards for one year post-termination date, and $54,000 lump sum for health care and life insurance premiums in the event of termination without cause or upon the good reason of Mr. Dauch or up to 3 times base salary, 3 times target annual bonus at 100% of annual target, accelerated vesting of all time-based vested equity awards, accelerated vesting of all performance-based equity awards prorated based on the then level of attainment of the performance metrics, and a $54,000 lump sum for health care costs and premiums in the event of termination without cause or upon the good reason of Mr. Dauch following a change of control. 


On July 26, 2021, the Company and Duane Hughes mutually agreed that Mr. Hughes would no longer continue as a member of the Board of Directors and as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, effective August 2, 2021. Mr. Hughes's departure from the Board of Directors of the Company is not as a result of a disagreement or dispute with the Company. In connection with his departure from the Company, Mr. Hughes will receive severance payments totaling $855,000 and certain other benefits. The Company intends to retain Mr. Hughes in certain transitional capacities through September 30, 2021 on terms that are currently being finalized.


The foregoing summary and description of the Employment Agreement are not and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as exhibit 10.1 is incorporated herein by reference.