---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001437749-26-035579"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "GOVX"
cik: "0000832489"
company_name: "GeoVax Labs, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-11-06T21:22:25+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-11-06T21:23:04.466219+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.78
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.78
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# GeoVax terminates CEO David Dodd for 'Cause' over refusal to follow board directives; no severance

## Summary
- David A. Dodd was terminated as President and CEO of GeoVax Labs effective November 5, 2026; he remains a director and Chairman of the Board.
- The board classified the termination as for 'Cause' under his September 1, 2018 Employment Agreement, citing refusal to comply with Board-approved directives.
- GeoVax does not intend to pay severance: no cash payment of 3x base salary plus target annual bonus, and his vested and unvested options generally lapse.
- No court or arbitrator has ruled on Cause; the company warns it could owe 3x salary/bonus, full option acceleration and legal costs if Dodd disputes and prevails.
- GeoVax says the termination is unrelated to business operations, financial results or previously filed financial statements; no successor or interim CEO was named.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001437749-26-035579
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: GOVX
- cik: 0000832489
- company_name: GeoVax Labs, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-11-06T21:22:25+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.78
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.78
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/832489/000143774926035579/0001437749-26-035579-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/832489/000143774926035579/govx20261106c_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-26-035579
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-26-035579.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-26-035579.txt

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