---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000920112-24-000022"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0000920112"
company_name: "HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC"
filed_at: "2024-02-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-05T23:42:34.212323+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# HTLF CEO Bruce K. Lee to retire by end of 2024; nationwide search underway

## Summary
- Bruce K. Lee, President and CEO, intends to retire by end of 2024 and will remain until successor is chosen.
- Board formed search committee; Heidrick & Struggles retained for nationwide search.
- Lee will also retire from the Board concurrent with his successor assuming CEO role.
- Company will continue executing HTLF 3.0 strategic plan during transition.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000920112-24-000022
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0000920112
- company_name: HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC
- filed_at: 2024-02-20T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/920112/000092011224000022/0000920112-24-000022-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/920112/000092011224000022/htlf-20240213.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000920112-24-000022
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000920112-24-000022.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000920112-24-000022.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Bruce K. Lee departed as Member of the Board of Directors at HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Member of the Board of Directors
  source text: Mr. Lee also indicated that concurrent with his successor assuming the role of CEO of the Company, he intends to retire from the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/920112/000092011224000022/0000920112-24-000022-index.htm
- Executive change
  Bruce K. Lee departed as President and Chief Executive Officer at HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Bruce K. Lee, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), informed the Board that he intends to retire by the end of 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/920112/000092011224000022/0000920112-24-000022-index.htm

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