---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000825542-26-000058"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SMG"
cik: "0000825542"
company_name: "SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO"
filed_at: "2026-10-16T20:06:42+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-16T20:08:05.294588+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.4
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Scotts Miracle-Gro finalizes separation with EVP/CSO Christopher Hagedorn; 24-month severance

## Summary
- Christopher J. Hagedorn, EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, departed Sept 30, 2026; The Scotts Company LLC signed a Separation Agreement with him on Oct 13, 2026.
- Severance: 24 months base salary, 24 months COBRA benefits offset, outplacement via Lee Hecht Harrison, and a bonus of 2.0x target paid in two annual installments.
- Eligible for FY2026 Executive Incentive Plan payout in Nov 2026 in cash and equity, including a 15% premium for equity conversion, based on target bonus through termination.
- 57,033 options granted Nov 2023 vested in full and expire 180 days after termination; 16,239 performance units granted Feb 16, 2024 vest Feb 16, 2027 if criteria met.
- Forfeited on termination: 21,009, 5,375 and 29,649 options granted 2024-2026, plus 8,808 and 14,599 performance units granted Jan 2025 and Jan 2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000825542-26-000058
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SMG
- cik: 0000825542
- company_name: SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO
- filed_at: 2026-10-16T20:06:42+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.4
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825542/000082554226000058/0000825542-26-000058-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825542/000082554226000058/smg-20261016.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000825542-26-000058
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000825542-26-000058.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000825542-26-000058.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Christopher J. Hagedorn departed as Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer at SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO.
  - Action: departing
  - Role: Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
  source text: On August 29, 2026, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (the “Company”) reported that Christopher J. Hagedorn, the Company’s former Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, would be departing the Company on September 30, 2026 (the “Termination Date”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825542/000082554226000058/0000825542-26-000058-index.htm

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