---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-25-013916"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AWRE"
cik: "0001015739"
company_name: "AWARE INC /MA/"
filed_at: "2025-02-05T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-27T02:16:12.054584+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Aware names Ajay Amlani CEO with $400K salary and 1.06M share options

## Summary
- Appointed CEO and President effective Feb 3, 2025; replaces Robert Eckel (retired).
- David Traverse steps down as interim CEO but remains CFO.
- Base salary $400K, target bonus 50% of base, signing bonus $75K.
- Stock options: 848,157 shares vest over 4 years; 212,040 performance-based options tied to bookings growth.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-25-013916
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AWRE
- cik: 0001015739
- company_name: AWARE INC /MA/
- filed_at: 2025-02-05T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015739/000095017025013916/0000950170-25-013916-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015739/000095017025013916/awre-20250203.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-013916
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-013916.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-013916.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Ajay Amlani was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President at AWARE INC /MA/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer and President
  source text: The Board of Directors of Aware, Inc. (“Aware”) appointed Ajay Amlani to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President of Aware and as a Class III member of the Board of Directors of Aware, effective February 3, 2025.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015739/000095017025013916/0000950170-25-013916-index.htm
- Executive change
  David K. Traverse resigned as Chief Financial Officer at AWARE INC /MA/.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: David K. Traverse resigned his positions as Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Aware, effective February 3, 2025. Mr. Traverse remains Aware’s Chief Financial Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015739/000095017025013916/0000950170-25-013916-index.htm

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