Heartland Express (HTLD) raises executive salaries and grants immediate-vesting stock awards

Filing Impact

(High)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Heartland Express, Inc. reported that its Compensation Committee approved immediate base salary increases for three named executive officers. The annual salary for CFO Christopher A. Strain rose from $364,000 to $375,024, COO Kent D. Rigdon from $327,600 to $338,000, and Chief Administrative Officer Joshua S. Helmich from $286,000 to $295,100.

Effective May 15, 2026, each of these executives also received an equity grant of 500 shares under the company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan, with all awards vesting immediately.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

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.

Key Figures

CFO new salary: $375,024 per year CFO salary increase: $11,024 per year COO new salary: $338,000 per year +5 more

8 metrics

CFO new salary $375,024 per year Christopher A. Strain annualized salary after May 14, 2026 increase

CFO salary increase $11,024 per year Increase in annualized salary for CFO

COO new salary $338,000 per year Kent D. Rigdon annualized salary after increase

COO salary increase $10,400 per year Increase in annualized salary for COO

CAO new salary $295,100 per year Joshua S. Helmich annualized salary after increase

CAO salary increase $9,100 per year Increase in annualized salary for CAO

Restricted shares per executive 500 shares Equity award to each named executive officer effective May 15, 2026

Total new shares granted 1,500 shares Sum of 500-share grants to three executives, vested immediately

Key Terms

named executive officers, Compensation Committee, Restricted Stock Award Plan, equity awards, +1 more

5 terms

named executive officers financial

"approved the following compensation increase to three of the Company's named executive officers"

Named executive officers are the senior company leaders whose names, roles and compensation are singled out in required regulatory filings; this typically includes the chief executive, chief financial officer and the next highest‑paid senior officers. Investors treat this list like a team roster — it shows who makes key decisions, how they are paid and whether incentives align with shareholder interests, so changes or pay patterns can signal governance quality, risk or strategic shifts.

Compensation Committee financial

"the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Heartland Express, Inc."

A compensation committee is a group within a company's leadership responsible for setting and reviewing how much top executives and employees are paid, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits. It matters to investors because fair and effective pay decisions can influence a company's performance, leadership motivation, and overall governance, helping ensure that the company’s management is aligned with shareholders’ interests.

Restricted Stock Award Plan financial

"equity awards under the Company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan"

equity awards financial

"the Compensation Committee granted the following equity awards under the Company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan"

Equity awards are payments to employees or directors made in the form of company stock or rights to buy stock later, serving as a way to share ownership rather than cash. For investors, they matter because they align staff incentives with company performance, can increase the number of shares outstanding over time (which can reduce each share’s claim on profits), and create compensation costs that affect reported earnings.

vested immediately financial

"This award vested immediately."

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

05/18/2026 - 05:52 PM

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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):

May 14, 2026

----------------------------------------------------------------

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada	000-15087	93-0926999
(State of other Jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

901 HEARTLAND WAY,

NORTH LIBERTY,

52317

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(319) 645-7060

Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code):

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:

☐ Written communications 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 communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications 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
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	HTLD	NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). 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 May 14, 2026, the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the Board of Directors of Heartland Express, Inc. (the "Company") approved the following compensation increase to three of the Company's named executive officers. The increases were effective immediately.


Named Executive Officer	Previous Annualized Salary	New Annualized Salary	Increase
Christopher A. Strain, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer	$364,000	$375,024	$11,024
Kent D. Rigdon, Chief Operating Officer	$327,600	$338,000	$10,400
Joshua S. Helmich, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary	$286,000	$295,100	$9,100

Effective May 15, 2026, the Compensation Committee granted the following equity awards under the Company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan to three of the Company’s named executive officers.


Named Executive Officer						# of Shares Granted
Christopher A. Strain, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer						500 (1)
Kent D. Rigdon, Chief Operating Officer						500 (1)
Joshua S. Helmich, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary						500 (1)

(1) This award vested immediately.

SIGNATURE

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.

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

Date:

May 18, 2026

By:/s/Christopher A. Strain

Christopher A. Strain

Vice President of Finance,

Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What executive salary changes did Heartland Express (HTLD) approve in this 8-K?

Heartland Express increased base salaries for three named executive officers. The CFO’s annual salary rose to $375,024, the COO’s to $338,000, and the Chief Administrative Officer’s to $295,100, reflecting modest compensation adjustments approved by the Compensation Committee.

Which Heartland Express (HTLD) executives received equity awards and how many shares?

Three named executive officers each received an equity grant of 500 shares. The recipients were CFO Christopher A. Strain, COO Kent D. Rigdon, and Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary Joshua S. Helmich, under the company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan.

When did the new salaries and stock awards at Heartland Express (HTLD) become effective?

The salary increases were effective immediately upon Compensation Committee approval on May 14, 2026. The equity awards of 500 shares each became effective on May 15, 2026, and those restricted stock awards vested immediately on that date.

Did the Heartland Express (HTLD) restricted stock awards to executives have a vesting schedule?

The restricted stock awards vested immediately. Each of the three named executive officers received a 500-share grant under the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan, and footnote (1) specifies that these awards were fully vested at the time of grant.

Which compensation plan did Heartland Express (HTLD) use for the new equity awards?

The company used its 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan. Under this plan, the Compensation Committee granted 500 shares each to three named executive officers, with the awards structured as restricted stock that vested immediately upon the effective grant date.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents