---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001213900-26-009482"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AXTI"
cik: "0001051627"
company_name: "AXT INC"
filed_at: "2026-01-29T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T06:15:45.747984+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# AXT board declares LeBlanc independent, appoints him Audit Committee chair

## Summary
- Board re-evaluated Leonard J. LeBlanc's independence on Jan. 26, 2026, and found him independent under Nasdaq rules.
- Jesse Chen stepped down as Audit Committee chair; LeBlanc appointed as Chair effective same date.
- Audit Committee now consists of three independent members, satisfying Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A).
- Board designated LeBlanc as audit committee financial expert; he will receive $20,000 annual retainer for chair role.
- LeBlanc had been appointed as non-independent director on July 29, 2025, relying on Nasdaq exception.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001213900-26-009482
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AXTI
- cik: 0001051627
- company_name: AXT INC
- filed_at: 2026-01-29T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.35
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1051627/000121390026009482/0001213900-26-009482-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1051627/000121390026009482/ea0274550-8k_axt.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-26-009482
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-26-009482.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001213900-26-009482.txt

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