---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-24-207129"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ACHV"
cik: "0000949858"
company_name: "ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC."
filed_at: "2024-08-26T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-31T07:46:58.728890+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO John Bencich departs; Richard Stewart named CEO, Thomas King Executive Chairman

## Summary
- John Bencich removed as CEO effective Aug 21, 2024; receives lump-sum severance of 18-month base salary and accelerated equity vesting.
- Richard Stewart, previously Executive Chairman, appointed CEO effective Aug 21; base salary $615K, annual bonus up to 50%, 157,500 performance RSUs and 67,500 stock options.
- Thomas King appointed Executive Chairman; base salary $495K, option for 195,000 shares, 455,000 performance RSUs.
- King steps down from Compensation, Audit, and Nominating committees; Thomas Sellig appointed Compensation Committee Chair.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-24-207129
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ACHV
- cik: 0000949858
- company_name: ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
- filed_at: 2024-08-26T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/949858/000119312524207129/0001193125-24-207129-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/949858/000119312524207129/d834963d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-207129
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-207129.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-207129.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Richard Stewart was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) appointed Richard Stewart as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer.”
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/949858/000119312524207129/0001193125-24-207129-index.htm
- Executive change
  John Bencich resigned as Chief Executive Officer at ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: determined that John Bencich will no longer serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, “principal executive officer” or “principal financial officer,” effective as of August 21, 2024
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/949858/000119312524207129/0001193125-24-207129-index.htm

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