---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-25-063667"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ASH"
cik: "0001674862"
company_name: "ASHLAND INC."
filed_at: "2025-05-05T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-22T17:43:19.901561+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Ashland CFO J. Kevin Willis resigns; Whitaker named interim CFO, Richardson as PAO

## Summary
- J. Kevin Willis resigns as SVP, CFO effective May 16, 2025 to pursue another opportunity; no disagreement with company.
- Board appoints William C. Whitaker (VP, Finance & IR) as Interim CFO effective May 6, 2025; base salary $354,432 plus equity.
- Samuel A. Richardson (Controller) appointed VP, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer effective May 6, 2025; base salary $330,000.
- Whitaker and Richardson each receive RSUs valued at $130,000 vesting over three years.
- Both appointments are internal promotions; no family relationships or related-party transactions disclosed.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-25-063667
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ASH
- cik: 0001674862
- company_name: ASHLAND INC.
- filed_at: 2025-05-05T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1674862/000095017025063667/0000950170-25-063667-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1674862/000095017025063667/ash-20250505.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-063667
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-063667.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-063667.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  J. Kevin Willis resigned as Chief Financial Officer at ASHLAND INC..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On May 1, 2025, J. Kevin Willis notified Ashland Inc. (the “Company”) of his intention to resign as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective May 16, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), to pursue another opportunity.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1674862/000095017025063667/0000950170-25-063667-index.htm
- Executive change
  William C. Whitaker was appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer at ASHLAND INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On May 5, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) appointed William C. Whitaker, the Company’s Vice President, Finance and Director, Investor Relations, to serve as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective May 6, 2025.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1674862/000095017025063667/0000950170-25-063667-index.htm
- Executive change
  Samuel A. Richardson was appointed as Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer at ASHLAND INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer
  source text: On May 5, 2025, the Board also appointed Samuel A. Richardson, the Company’s Controller, to serve as Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the Company, effective May 6, 2025.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1674862/000095017025063667/0000950170-25-063667-index.htm

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