---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001999371-24-008750"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0000890447"
company_name: "Vertex Energy Inc."
filed_at: "2024-07-17T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-31T20:21:47.302043+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Vertex Energy COO James Rhame retires; interim COO named

## Summary
- James Rhame resigns as COO effective July 25, 2024, retiring from full-time work.
- Rhame will continue as a consultant through the end of 2024 to support transition.
- Doug Haugh, Chief Commercial Officer, appointed as interim COO effective July 25, 2024.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001999371-24-008750
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0000890447
- company_name: Vertex Energy Inc.
- filed_at: 2024-07-17T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000199937124008750/0001999371-24-008750-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000199937124008750/vtnr-8k_071724.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001999371-24-008750
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001999371-24-008750.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001999371-24-008750.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  James Rhame resigned as Chief Operating Officer at Vertex Energy Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On July 16, 2024, and effective on July 25, 2024, Mr. James Rhame resigned as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vertex Energy, Inc. (the “ Company ”) to retire from working full-time and pursue other interests outside of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000199937124008750/0001999371-24-008750-index.htm
- Executive change
  Douglas S. Haugh was appointed as Interim Chief Operating Officer at Vertex Energy Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On July 16, 2024, and effective on July 25, 2024, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Douglas S. Haugh, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Company, as Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Company to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Rhame’s resignation.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/890447/000199937124008750/0001999371-24-008750-index.htm

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