---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000063296-26-000080"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "MATW"
cik: "0000063296"
company_name: "MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP"
filed_at: "2026-08-11T20:41:06+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-08-11T20:42:05.674872+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Matthews appoints Michael Whitehead as CEO effective Aug 31, 2026

## Summary
- Whitehead, 52, becomes President and CEO and board member on Aug 31, 2026, succeeding Joseph Bartolacci who retires after 20+ years.
- Previously EVP and President, Americas Welding at Lincoln Electric, leading a $2.5B revenue business; doubled automation unit to $1B+.
- CEO compensation: $1M base salary, $300K transition cash, FY2027 target bonus 100% of salary, LTI grant of $3.675M plus $1.6M RSU.
- Severance if terminated without cause: 24 months base salary continuation plus bonus at 100% target; equity treatment per plans.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000063296-26-000080
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: MATW
- cik: 0000063296
- company_name: MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP
- filed_at: 2026-08-11T20:41:06+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000080/0000063296-26-000080-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000080/matw-20260811.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000063296-26-000080
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000063296-26-000080.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000063296-26-000080.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Joseph C. Bartolacci departed as Director at MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: resign
  - Role: Director
  source text: Joseph C. Bartolacci, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, informed Matthews International Corporation (“Matthews” or the “Company”) of his decision to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer and resign as a director of the Company
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000080/0000063296-26-000080-index.htm
- Executive change
  Joseph C. Bartolacci departed as President and Chief Executive Officer at MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Joseph C. Bartolacci, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, informed Matthews International Corporation (“Matthews” or the “Company”) of his decision to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer and resign as a director of the Company
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000080/0000063296-26-000080-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael J. Whitehead was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On August 11, 2026 , the Board appointed Michael J. Whitehead, age 52, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and appointed Mr. Whitehead as a director on the Board, to become effective on August 31, 2026
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000080/0000063296-26-000080-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael J. Whitehead was appointed as Director at MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On August 11, 2026 , the Board appointed Michael J. Whitehead, age 52, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and appointed Mr. Whitehead as a director on the Board, to become effective on August 31, 2026
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/63296/000006329626000080/0000063296-26-000080-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.