---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001171843-26-006713"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CLFD"
cik: "0000796505"
company_name: "Clearfield, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-10-20T16:00:14+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-20T16:01:05.390725+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Clearfield CEO Cheri Beranek to retire March 31, 2027; board begins successor search

## Summary
- Beranek remains President and CEO until the earlier of a successor's appointment or March 31, 2027, then becomes President and CEO Emeritus in a non-executive, non-director role.
- Transition agreement dated Oct. 15, 2026 keeps her base salary at $483,000 and benefits unchanged; no future equity awards; 2027 incentive bonus set at 100% of salary and not prorated.
- March 31, 2027 departure will be treated as termination without Cause, subject to a general release, preserving severance benefits under her 2008 employment agreement.
- Board Chair Catherine T. Kelly said the board will consider external and internal candidates and will use a nationally recognized search firm.
- Clearfield expects fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter and full-year results in line with guidance given Aug. 5, 2026; results are due after market close on Nov. 10, 2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001171843-26-006713
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CLFD
- cik: 0000796505
- company_name: Clearfield, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-10-20T16:00:14+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/796505/000117184326006713/0001171843-26-006713-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/796505/000117184326006713/f8k_102026.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-26-006713
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-26-006713.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-26-006713.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Cheryl Beranek departed as President and Chief Executive Officer at Clearfield, Inc..
  - Action: retirement
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On October 15, 2026, Clearfield, Inc. (the “Company”) and Cheryl Beranek, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, entered into a transition agreement (the “Transition Agreement”), to facilitate Ms. Beranek’s retirement on March 31, 2027 and the smooth transition to a successor President and Chief Executive Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/796505/000117184326006713/0001171843-26-006713-index.htm

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