---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001493152-26-002580"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "APLD"
cik: "0001144879"
company_name: "Applied Digital Corp."
filed_at: "2026-01-16T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T09:44:22.849918+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Applied Digital appoints co-founder Jason Zhang as President, effective immediately

## Summary
- Jason Zhang transitions from Chief Strategy Officer to President and Co-Founder, effective Jan 14, 2026.
- Zhang's base salary is set at $700,000, subject to annual review for increases.
- He will continue to partner with Chairman and CEO Wes Cummins, focusing on strategic direction.
- Zhang led key initiatives including leases for North Dakota Polaris Forge 1 and 2 data centers.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001493152-26-002580
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: APLD
- cik: 0001144879
- company_name: Applied Digital Corp.
- filed_at: 2026-01-16T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1144879/000149315226002580/0001493152-26-002580-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1144879/000149315226002580/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-002580
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-002580.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-002580.txt

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