---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-343585"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "LECO"
cik: "0000059527"
company_name: "LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC"
filed_at: "2026-08-11T13:15:06+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-08-11T13:16:24.351917+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Lincoln Electric EVP/President of Americas Welding resigns; interim co-leaders named

## Summary
- Michael J. Whitehead, EVP and President of Americas Welding, resigns effective Aug 28, 2026, to pursue outside opportunities.
- Resignation not due to any disagreement with company, board, or management on operations, policies, or practices.
- Gary Konarska (VP Global Product Strategy) and Albert Castillo (VP Americas Welding Sales & LATAM Operations) jointly lead Americas Welding until successor named.
- Both interim leaders will continue RISE strategic priorities and customer-first approach.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-343585
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: LECO
- cik: 0000059527
- company_name: LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC
- filed_at: 2026-08-11T13:15:06+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59527/000119312526343585/0001193125-26-343585-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59527/000119312526343585/d96464d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-343585
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-343585.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-343585.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Albert Castillo was appointed as Interim Co-Leader of Americas Welding at LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Co-Leader of Americas Welding
  source text: In the interim, Americas Welding will be jointly led by Gary Konarska, Vice President, Global Product Strategy, and Albert Castillo, Vice President, Americas Welding, Sales & LATAM Operations, until a successor is named.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59527/000119312526343585/0001193125-26-343585-index.htm
- Executive change
  Gary Konarska was appointed as Interim Co-Leader of Americas Welding at LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Co-Leader of Americas Welding
  source text: In the interim, Americas Welding will be jointly led by Gary Konarska, Vice President, Global Product Strategy, and Albert Castillo, Vice President, Americas Welding, Sales & LATAM Operations, until a successor is named.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59527/000119312526343585/0001193125-26-343585-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael J. Whitehead resigned as Executive Vice President, President of Americas Welding at LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Executive Vice President, President of Americas Welding
  source text: On August 10, 2026, Michael J. Whitehead, Executive Vice President, President of Americas Welding, notified Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) of his decision to resign from the Company, effective August 28, 2026, to pursue other business opportunities outside of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59527/000119312526343585/0001193125-26-343585-index.htm

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