---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001606757-23-000003"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "KE"
cik: "0001606757"
company_name: "Kimball Electronics, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-01-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-20T17:06:18.708037+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Kimball Electronics CEO Don Charron to retire Feb 28, 2023; Ric Phillips named CEO

## Summary
- Don Charron, Chairman and CEO since 2014 spin-off, to retire Feb 28, 2023; departure not due to any disagreement.
- Ric Phillips, former CEO of Elkay Manufacturing and Essendant, appointed CEO and director effective March 1, 2023.
- Phillips receives $850K base salary, target cash incentive of 100% of base, and performance/restricted share awards.
- Lead Independent Director Bob Phillippy elected non-executive Chairperson effective March 1.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001606757-23-000003
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: KE
- cik: 0001606757
- company_name: Kimball Electronics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-01-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1606757/000160675723000003/0001606757-23-000003-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1606757/000160675723000003/ke-20230104.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001606757-23-000003
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001606757-23-000003.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001606757-23-000003.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Donald D. Charron departed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Kimball Electronics, Inc..
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On January 4, 2023, Donald D. Charron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kimball Electronics, Inc. (“Kimball Electronics,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) informed Kimball Electronics of his intention to retire effective February 28, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1606757/000160675723000003/0001606757-23-000003-index.htm
- Executive change
  Richard D. Phillips was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Director at Kimball Electronics, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer and Director
  source text: Kimball Electronics has appointed Richard D. Phillips, 52, to the role of Chief Executive Officer and Director, effective March 1, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1606757/000160675723000003/0001606757-23-000003-index.htm

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