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Goosehead (NASDAQ: GSHD) appoints new General Counsel as O’Connor exits

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Goosehead Insurance, Inc. announced leadership changes in its legal function. John O’Connor is leaving the company effective immediately, with his separation terms to be disclosed when finalized. The company appointed Martin Ellis Thornthwaite as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary effective March 30, 2026, bringing experience in complex litigation, regulatory and governmental investigations, employment matters, and corporate governance from prior roles at RealPage, Inc., Clark Hill PLC, and Strasburger & Price LLP.

Positive

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 8.01 Other Events Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Effective date of leadership changes March 30, 2026 Effective date for General Counsel appointment and officer departure
General Counsel financial
"appointment of Martin Thornthwaite as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary"
A general counsel is the chief lawyer of an organization, responsible for overseeing all legal matters and ensuring the company complies with laws and regulations. Think of them as the organization's legal advisor or navigator, helping to prevent legal problems before they happen. Their role matters to investors because they help protect the company from legal risks that could impact its success and value.
Corporate Secretary financial
"appointment of Martin Thornthwaite as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary"
A corporate secretary is a person in a company who helps organize meetings, keeps important records, and makes sure the company follows legal rules. They act like a bridge between the company's leaders and its shareholders, making sure everything runs smoothly and by the book. Their role is important because it helps the company stay organized and legally compliant.
independent personal lines insurance agency financial
"a rapidly growing and innovative independent personal lines insurance agency"
regulatory and governmental investigations financial
"overseeing complex commercial and consumer litigation, regulatory and governmental investigations"
corporate governance and financial reporting processes financial
"and supported corporate governance and financial reporting processes"
FALSE000172697800017269782026-03-302026-03-30

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
  UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM 8-K
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 30, 2026
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Goosehead Insurance, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Delaware
001-38466
82-3886022
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1500 Solana Boulevard, Ste. 4500
Westlake, Texas 76262    
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, and Zip Code)

214-838-5500
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

Not applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
GSHD
NASDAQ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐






Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 30, 2026, Goosehead Insurance, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that John O’Connor will be leaving the Company effective immediately. The terms relating to Mr. O’Connor’s separation from the Company will be disclosed when finalized.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On March 30, 2026, the Company announced that it has approved the appointment of Martin Ellis Thornthwaite to serve as General Counsel of the Company, effective immediately.

Mr. Thornthwaite most recently served as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at RealPage, Inc., where he was responsible for overseeing complex commercial and consumer litigation, regulatory and governmental investigations, and employment-related legal matters and supported corporate governance and financial reporting processes. Prior to joining RealPage, Mr. Thornthwaite was a member at Clark Hill PLC and a partner at Strasburger & Price LLP.  Mr. Thornthwaite holds a Juris Doctor from the SMU Dedman School of Law and a BBA in Finance and Business Honors from The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business.

A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit
No.
Description
99.1
Press Release Issued by Goosehead Insurance dated March 30, 2026
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (Formatted as Inline XBRL).









SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
GOOSEHEAD INSURANCE, INC.
Date: March 30, 2026
By:
/s/ Mark Miller
Name:
Mark Miller
Title:
Chief Executive Officer



Goosehead Insurance, Inc. Announces Appointment of Martin Thornthwaite as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

WESTLAKE, Texas — March 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Goosehead Insurance, Inc. (“Goosehead” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GSHD), a rapidly growing independent personal lines insurance agency, today announced the appointment of Martin Thornthwaite as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, effective March 30, 2026.

Mr. Thornthwaite most recently served as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at RealPage, Inc., where he was responsible for overseeing complex commercial and consumer litigation, regulatory and governmental investigations, and employment-related legal matters and supported corporate governance and financial reporting processes. Prior to joining RealPage, Mr. Thornthwaite was a member at Clark Hill PLC and a partner at Strasburger & Price LLP. Mr. Thornthwaite holds a Juris Doctor from the SMU Dedman School of Law and a BBA in Finance and Business Honors from The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business.

“Martin brings deep legal expertise and significant experience managing complex litigation and regulatory matters. We look forward to his leadership as we continue to grow the business.” said Mark Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Goosehead. “I could not be happier to work with Goosehead and look forward to playing a meaningful role in supporting the company's mission and continued success.” said Mr. Thornthwaite.

The Company also announced that John O’Connor will be departing Goosehead and pursuing other opportunities. We wish him the best and thank him for his service.





About Goosehead
Goosehead (NASDAQ: GSHD) is a rapidly growing and innovative independent personal lines insurance agency that distributes its products and services through corporate and franchise locations throughout the United States. Goosehead was founded on the premise that the consumer should be at the center of our universe and that everything we do should be directed at providing extraordinary value by offering broad product choice and a world-class service experience. Goosehead represents over 200 insurance companies that underwrite personal and commercial lines. For more information, please visit goosehead.com or goosehead.com/become-a-franchisee.

Contacts

Investor Contacts:

Maddie Middleton
Goosehead Insurance - Senior Director of Investor Relations
Phone: (972) 800-1993
Email: madeline.middleton@goosehead.com; IR@goosehead.com

FAQ

What leadership change did Goosehead Insurance (GSHD) announce on March 30, 2026?

Goosehead Insurance announced that John O’Connor is leaving the company effective immediately. At the same time, the board approved the appointment of Martin Ellis Thornthwaite as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, shifting leadership of the company’s legal and governance functions.

Who is Martin Thornthwaite, the new General Counsel of Goosehead Insurance (GSHD)?

Martin Thornthwaite is Goosehead’s new General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at RealPage, Inc., and earlier worked at law firms Clark Hill PLC and Strasburger & Price LLP in litigation and corporate governance roles.

What experience does Goosehead’s new General Counsel bring to GSHD?

Martin Thornthwaite brings experience overseeing complex commercial and consumer litigation, regulatory and governmental investigations, and employment-related legal matters. He has also supported corporate governance and financial reporting processes, giving him a broad background relevant to Goosehead’s legal, compliance, and board-support needs.

What are Martin Thornthwaite’s educational credentials mentioned by Goosehead Insurance (GSHD)?

Martin Thornthwaite holds a Juris Doctor from SMU Dedman School of Law. He also earned a BBA in Finance and Business Honors from The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, combining legal training with a strong finance and business foundation.

What did Goosehead Insurance (GSHD) say about John O’Connor’s departure?

Goosehead stated that John O’Connor will be departing the company to pursue other opportunities. The company expressed appreciation for his service and noted that the terms of his separation will be disclosed when finalized in a subsequent communication.

How does Goosehead Insurance (GSHD) describe its business in this announcement?

Goosehead describes itself as a rapidly growing and innovative independent personal lines insurance agency. It distributes products and services through corporate and franchise locations across the United States and represents over 200 insurance companies offering personal and commercial lines coverage.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents