---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-21-213057"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WATT"
cik: "0001575793"
company_name: "Energous Corp"
filed_at: "2021-07-12T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-30T06:05:04.285976+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO Stephen R. Rizzone retires; separation includes $3.46M in cash payments

## Summary
- Stephen R. Rizzone retired as President, CEO, and director effective July 9, 2021, following a medical leave.
- Separation agreement provides $1.46M in compensation-based payments, a $2M lump sum, and a pro-rated bonus.
- Office of the CEO (Brian Sereda, Cesar Johnston, Neeraj Sahejpal) will continue to manage the company.
- Board has initiated a search for a new CEO, considering both internal and external candidates.
- Rizzone will assist in a transitional capacity through August 31, 2021.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-21-213057
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WATT
- cik: 0001575793
- company_name: Energous Corp
- filed_at: 2021-07-12T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1575793/000119312521213057/0001193125-21-213057-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1575793/000119312521213057/d189077d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-213057
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-213057.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-213057.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Stephen R. Rizzone retired as President and Chief Executive Officer at Energous Corp.
  - Action: retired
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On July 9, 2021, Energous Corporation (the “Company”) announced that Stephen R. Rizzone has retired from his position as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1575793/000119312521213057/0001193125-21-213057-index.htm

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