---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001654954-23-000255"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "EML"
cik: "0000031107"
company_name: "EASTERN CO"
filed_at: "2023-01-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-20T17:19:05.126050+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# The Eastern Company appoints Mark Hernandez as CEO effective Jan 23, 2023

## Summary
- Mark Hernandez appointed CEO, succeeding August Vlak who has served since 2016.
- Hernandez was a board member and most recently EVP at Navistar (global manufacturing).
- Vlak led strategic restructuring and stewardship through recent challenges.
- Hernandez plans to focus on organic growth, margin expansion, and shareholder value.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001654954-23-000255
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: EML
- cik: 0000031107
- company_name: EASTERN CO
- filed_at: 2023-01-10T23:59:59+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/31107/000165495423000255/0001654954-23-000255-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495423000255/eml_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-23-000255
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-23-000255.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-23-000255.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Mark Hernandez was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at EASTERN CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On January 9, 2023, The Eastern Company (the “Company”) appointed Mark Hernandez as its next Chief Executive Officer, to succeed August (Gus) Vlak, who has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2016, effective January 23, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495423000255/0001654954-23-000255-index.htm
- Executive change
  August Vlak departed as Chief Executive Officer at EASTERN CO.
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On January 9, 2023, The Eastern Company (the “Company”) appointed Mark Hernandez as its next Chief Executive Officer, to succeed August (Gus) Vlak, who has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2016, effective January 23, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495423000255/0001654954-23-000255-index.htm

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