---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-24-119136"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AWRE"
cik: "0001015739"
company_name: "AWARE INC /MA/"
filed_at: "2024-10-30T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-30T07:55:53.849467+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Aware CEO Robert Eckel to depart Dec 31, 2024; severance and non-compete agreed

## Summary
- CEO Robert A. Eckel to leave as CEO and Board member effective December 31, 2024.
- Separation agreement includes $318,270 salary continuation for 12 months and accelerated vesting of time-based awards through Dec 31, 2025.
- Eckel eligible for 2024 bonus per Board-set metrics; non-compete covenant through Dec 31, 2025.
- Board engaged executive search firm and appointed strategic advisor to refine market position and growth.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-24-119136
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AWRE
- cik: 0001015739
- company_name: AWARE INC /MA/
- filed_at: 2024-10-30T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015739/000095017024119136/0000950170-24-119136-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015739/000095017024119136/awre-20241030.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-119136
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-119136.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-119136.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Robert A. Eckel departed as Chief Executive Officer and President at AWARE INC /MA/.
  - Action: leave
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer and President
  source text: Aware, Inc. (the “Company”) and Robert A. Eckel, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), agreed that Mr. Eckel would leave the Company and the Board, effective December 31, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015739/000095017024119136/0000950170-24-119136-index.htm

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