---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-21-294199"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "GTLS"
cik: "0000892553"
company_name: "CHART INDUSTRIES INC"
filed_at: "2021-10-07T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T22:25:32.990210+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Chart Industries appoints Joe Brinkman as CFO; Scott Merkle to retire Oct 2022

## Summary
- Joe Brinkman, previously VP & GM of Industrial Gas Products (largest segment), becomes CFO effective Oct 1, 2021.
- Brinkman's base salary increased to $310,000; target annual cash incentive and long-term incentive each set at 50% of salary.
- Scott Merkle steps down as CFO and will retire Oct 2022; will provide transition support and receive base salary of $340,000 plus a lump sum of 6 months' salary.
- Amended severance for Brinkman includes enhanced change-in-control benefits (100% of highest base salary + target bonus).

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-21-294199
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: GTLS
- cik: 0000892553
- company_name: CHART INDUSTRIES INC
- filed_at: 2021-10-07T23:59:59+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/892553/000119312521294199/0001193125-21-294199-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/892553/000119312521294199/d208275d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-294199
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-294199.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-294199.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Tom Pittet changed role as Vice President, Risk and Treasury and Treasurer at CHART INDUSTRIES INC.
  - Action: will hold
  - Role: Vice President, Risk and Treasury and Treasurer
  source text: that position will be held by Tom Pittet, who also is the Company’s Vice President, Risk and Treasury.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/892553/000119312521294199/0001193125-21-294199-index.htm
- Executive change
  Joe Brinkman was appointed as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at CHART INDUSTRIES INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On October 1, 2021, the Board of Directors of Chart Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Joe Brinkman, age 51, as the Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/892553/000119312521294199/0001193125-21-294199-index.htm
- Executive change
  Scott Merkle departed as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at CHART INDUSTRIES INC.
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  source text: who on October 1, 2021, stepped down as the Company’s Vice President and CFO in connection with his planned retirement from the Company on October 1, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/892553/000119312521294199/0001193125-21-294199-index.htm

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