---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001558370-22-013956"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SGA"
cik: "0000886136"
company_name: "SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC"
filed_at: "2022-08-25T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-23T21:33:55.837696+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Founder Edward K. Christian dies, converting 65% voting power into ~16% Class A ownership; Lada named interim CEO

## Summary
- Edward K. Christian passed away Aug 19, 2022; held ~65% combined voting power; shares convert to Class A.
- Upon estate settlement, Edward K. Christian Trust will own 965,149 Class A shares (~15.95% of outstanding).
- Michael Dallaire (nephew) and Judith Christian (spouse) are co-trustees.
- Warren S. Lada appointed Interim President and CEO, with $750k annual base salary, discretionary bonus, transportation and benefits.
- Gary G. Stevens appointed Interim Chairman; he was previously Lead Independent Director.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001558370-22-013956
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SGA
- cik: 0000886136
- company_name: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC
- filed_at: 2022-08-25T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.01, 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886136/000155837022013956/0001558370-22-013956-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886136/000155837022013956/sga-20220821x8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-22-013956
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-22-013956.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-22-013956.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Gary G. Stevens was appointed as Interim Chairman of the Board at SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chairman of the Board
  source text: Effective August 24, 2022, the Board has acted unanimously to appoint existing board member Gary G. Stevens as Interim Chairman of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886136/000155837022013956/0001558370-22-013956-index.htm
- Executive change
  Warren S. Lada was appointed as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Warren S. Lada, a current member of the Board, as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer on August 21, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886136/000155837022013956/0001558370-22-013956-index.htm

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