---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001437749-26-018331"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ZNOG"
cik: "0001131312"
company_name: "ZION OIL & GAS INC"
filed_at: "2026-05-26T15:21:23+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-26T15:23:17.962884+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Zion Oil & Gas founder and Executive Chairman John Brown dies at 86; succession plan in place

## Summary
- John Brown passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2026 at age 86; memorial services set for May 28.
- Brown had planned to retire as Executive Chairman at the annual shareholder meeting on June 2, 2026.
- Succession led by CEO Robert W. A. Dunn and President/CFO Michael B. Croswell, both approximately 50 years old.
- Company reaffirms commitment to pursue oil and gas exploration in Israel as per Brown's vision.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001437749-26-018331
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ZNOG
- cik: 0001131312
- company_name: ZION OIL & GAS INC
- filed_at: 2026-05-26T15:21:23+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1131312/000143774926018331/0001437749-26-018331-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1131312/000143774926018331/znog20260525_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-26-018331
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-26-018331.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-26-018331.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: ad02aafb2a
  claim: John Brown departed as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at ZION OIL & GAS INC.
  evidence_excerpt: John passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, in his home at the age of 86.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1131312/000143774926018331/0001437749-26-018331-index.htm

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