---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001839882-24-028533"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0000890447"
company_name: "Vertex Energy Inc."
filed_at: "2024-09-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-31T06:09:23.533494+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Vertex Energy appoints Joshua Foster as Chief Commercial Officer; Doug Haugh resigns, remains senior advisor

## Summary
- Doug Haugh resigned as CCO and Interim COO effective September 5, 2024; will serve as senior corporate advisor through 2024.
- Joshua Foster appointed Chief Commercial Officer; CEO Benjamin Cowart assumes interim COO duties.
- Foster's employment agreement: 3-year term through Sept 2027, base salary $335,000/year, $750/month auto allowance.
- Foster previously served as Refining Director since Feb 2024; background includes Delta Air Lines and Epic Fuels roles.
- No financial guidance or earnings information provided; management transition is the sole material event.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001839882-24-028533
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0000890447
- company_name: Vertex Energy Inc.
- filed_at: 2024-09-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000183988224028533/0001839882-24-028533-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000183988224028533/vtnr-8k_083024.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001839882-24-028533
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001839882-24-028533.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001839882-24-028533.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Douglas S. Haugh resigned as Chief Commercial Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer at Vertex Energy Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Commercial Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On August 30, 2024, and effective on September 5, 2024, Mr. Douglas S. Haugh resigned as Chief Commercial Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer of Vertex Energy, Inc.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000183988224028533/0001839882-24-028533-index.htm
- Executive change
  Joshua D. Foster was appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at Vertex Energy Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Commercial Officer
  source text: On September 5, 2024, and effective on September 5, 2024, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Joshua D. Foster as Chief Commercial Officer to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Haugh’s resignation.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000183988224028533/0001839882-24-028533-index.htm
- Executive change
  Benjamin P. Cowart changed role as Chief Executive Officer at Vertex Energy Inc..
  - Action: assuming duties of Chief Operating Officer
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Additionally, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin P. Cowart, is assuming the duties of Chief Operating Officer of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000183988224028533/0001839882-24-028533-index.htm

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