---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-23-001859"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ESE"
cik: "0000866706"
company_name: "ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC"
filed_at: "2023-01-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-20T19:09:59.320414+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO succession effective: Richey retires, becomes Executive Chairman; Sayler named CEO & President

## Summary
- Victor L. Richey retired as CEO & President Dec 31, 2022; assumed Executive Chairman Jan 1, 2023.
- Bryan H. Sayler succeeded to CEO and President effective Jan 1, 2023; also appointed Class I director.
- Board size increased from 8 to 9; James Stolze remains Lead Director.
- Richey receives $650K base salary, reduced cash incentive ($487,500 prorated), and 17,241 RSUs ($1.5M) vesting Dec 31, 2023.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-23-001859
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ESE
- cik: 0000866706
- company_name: ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC
- filed_at: 2023-01-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866706/000110465923001859/0001104659-23-001859-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866706/000110465923001859/tm232264d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-001859
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-001859.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-001859.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Victor L. Richey changed role as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
  - Action: retired as Chief Executive Officer and President, assumed position of Executive Chairman
  - Role: Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
  source text: Effective December 31, 2022, the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Victor L. Richey, retired as Chief Executive Officer and President. Effective January 1, 2023 Mr. Richey, a current director, assumed the position of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866706/000110465923001859/0001104659-23-001859-index.htm
- Executive change
  Bryan H. Sayler was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President at ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
  - Action: succeeded to
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer and President
  source text: On January 1, 2023, Bryan H. Sayler succeeded to the offices of Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866706/000110465923001859/0001104659-23-001859-index.htm
- Executive change
  Bryan H. Sayler was appointed as Class I director at ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
  - Action: became
  - Role: Class I director
  source text: Bryan H. Sayler became a Class I director of the Company filling the vacancy thereby created
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/866706/000110465923001859/0001104659-23-001859-index.htm

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