---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-001748"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CCOI"
cik: "0001158324"
company_name: "COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC."
filed_at: "2026-01-07T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T11:18:52.089817+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Cogent extends CEO Schaeffer's term to 2028, sets $1M salary and $1.25M bonus target

## Summary
- CEO David Schaeffer’s employment extended through Dec 31, 2028; annual salary set at $1M, target cash bonus $1.25M based on EBITDA growth.
- Annual equity grants: 229,657 time-vesting and 321,520 performance-vesting restricted shares for 2026–2028 (total ~$12M per year valued at Dec 2025 avg).
- Retention awards to CFO Weed, CLO Chang, CRO Harris: 100,000 restricted shares each, vesting Jan 1, 2029.
- Cash bonus formula uses year-over-year EBITDA AGR; zero or negative growth yields no bonus. Performance shares tied to three-year EBITDA CAGR.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-001748
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CCOI
- cik: 0001158324
- company_name: COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-01-07T23:59:59+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/1158324/000110465926001748/0001104659-26-001748-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1158324/000110465926001748/tm262269d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-001748
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-001748.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-001748.txt

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