---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001654954-23-003528"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "EML"
cik: "0000031107"
company_name: "EASTERN CO"
filed_at: "2023-03-24T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-17T17:15:28.517429+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Eastern Company eliminates COO role; CEO Hernandez assumes duties after Woidke departure

## Summary
- James Woidke resigned as COO effective March 21, 2023; position eliminated April 1, 2023.
- CEO Mark Hernandez will take over COO responsibilities effective March 31, 2023.
- Woidke to receive severance under Termination Agreement subject to release and waiver.
- Company cites cost-cutting and operational streamlining as rationale for restructuring.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001654954-23-003528
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: EML
- cik: 0000031107
- company_name: EASTERN CO
- filed_at: 2023-03-24T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495423003528/0001654954-23-003528-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495423003528/eml_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-23-003528
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-23-003528.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001654954-23-003528.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  James Woidke resigned as Chief Operating Officer at EASTERN CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On March 21, 2023, James Woidke resigned as Chief Operating Officer of The Eastern Company (the “Company”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31107/000165495423003528/0001654954-23-003528-index.htm

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