---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-054817"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CCOI"
cik: "0001158324"
company_name: "COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC."
filed_at: "2026-05-04T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-14T23:50:14.907254+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Cogent shareholders approve incentive plan; CEO Schaeffer gets 1M performance shares

## Summary
- Stockholders approved Third Amended 2017 Incentive Award Plan, increasing share pool by 1.5M shares and extending term to 2036.
- CEO Dave Schaeffer granted 1,000,000 performance-vesting restricted shares with stock price targets: 200K at $70, 300K at $85, 500K at $100.
- Vesting requires continuous service as CEO through Feb 2031; shares forfeited if targets not met by that date.
- In a change of control, vesting accelerates using CIC price; pro-rata vesting between tranches if price between $70 and $100.
- All five director nominees elected; plan approved 25.5M for, 8.6M against; EY ratified as auditor for FY2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-054817
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CCOI
- cik: 0001158324
- company_name: COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-05-04T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.07, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1158324/000110465926054817/0001104659-26-054817-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1158324/000110465926054817/tm2613224d2_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-054817
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-054817.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-054817.txt

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