---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001493152-23-028834"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "VTSI"
cik: "0001085243"
company_name: "VirTra, Inc"
filed_at: "2023-08-15T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T09:10:36.082620+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# John Givens appointed CEO of VirTra; founder Ferris becomes Executive Chairman

## Summary
- John Givens becomes CEO effective Aug 15, 2023; previously co-CEO since May 2022.
- Founder Robert Ferris transitions from co-CEO to Executive Chairman.
- Three-year employment agreement: base salary $349,859.90, annual bonus, equity participation.
- Severance: 3x base salary (non-cause, no change of control); 4x base + accelerated vesting upon change of control.
- Two-year non-compete covenant for terminations other than voluntary for good reason.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001493152-23-028834
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: VTSI
- cik: 0001085243
- company_name: VirTra, Inc
- filed_at: 2023-08-15T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085243/000149315223028834/0001493152-23-028834-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085243/000149315223028834/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-23-028834
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-23-028834.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-23-028834.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Robert Ferris changed role as Executive Chairman of the Board at VirTra, Inc.
  - Action: transition to
  - Role: Executive Chairman of the Board
  source text: Robert Ferris, the Company’s founder and current chairman and co-CEO will transition to the position of Executive Chairman of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085243/000149315223028834/0001493152-23-028834-index.htm
- Executive change
  John Givens changed role as Chief Executive Officer at VirTra, Inc.
  - Action: assume the role of
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Effective August 15, 2023, John Givens will assume the role of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085243/000149315223028834/0001493152-23-028834-index.htm

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