---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-23-257047"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HHS"
cik: "0000045919"
company_name: "HARTE HANKS INC"
filed_at: "2023-10-17T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-09T22:54:16.523599+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Harte Hanks CFO Lauri Kearnes departs; David Garrison named Interim CFO

## Summary
- Kearnes steps down effective Oct 13, 2023; will advise through year-end; separation includes $350k severance, $120k bonus.
- David Garrison appointed Interim CFO from Oct 23, 2023; 20 years public company CFO experience.
- Garrison compensated via BTG consulting agreement at $3,200 per calendar day; term through Feb 26, 2024.
- Company has initiated search for permanent CFO; CEO reaffirms confidence in fiscal 2023 revenue baseline.
- Kearnes' departure not related to any disagreement with company.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-23-257047
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HHS
- cik: 0000045919
- company_name: HARTE HANKS INC
- filed_at: 2023-10-17T23:59:59+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/45919/000119312523257047/0001193125-23-257047-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/45919/000119312523257047/d761755d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-257047
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-257047.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-257047.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Lauri Kearnes departed as Chief Financial Officer at HARTE HANKS INC.
  - Action: departing
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: Lauri Kearnes departing the Company as of October 13, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/45919/000119312523257047/0001193125-23-257047-index.htm
- Executive change
  David Garrison was appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer at HARTE HANKS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Financial Officer
  source text: appointing David Garrison as the Interim CFO, effective as of October 23, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/45919/000119312523257047/0001193125-23-257047-index.htm

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