---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001437749-23-023315"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AQMS"
cik: "0001621832"
company_name: "Aqua Metals, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-08-11T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T14:35:44.867974+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Aqua Metals amends employment agreements for four senior executives with new compensation terms

## Summary
- CEO Steve Cotton base salary $491,400; eligible for short-term bonus up to 100% and long-term up to 200% of base.
- CFO Judd Merrill base salary $360,500; short-term bonus up to 75%, long-term up to 125% of base.
- Chief Engineering Officer Benjamin Taecker base salary $273,000; bonuses up to 50%/100% of base.
- Chief Business Officer David McMurtry base salary $338,176; bonuses up to 50%/100% of base.
- Severance provisions range from 12 to 24 months of salary and benefits depending on role and change of control.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001437749-23-023315
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AQMS
- cik: 0001621832
- company_name: Aqua Metals, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-08-11T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- 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/1621832/000143774923023315/0001437749-23-023315-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1621832/000143774923023315/aqms20230808_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-23-023315
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-23-023315.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-23-023315.txt

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