8-KLeadership ChangesExhibits & Filings

Autodesk, Inc. 8-K Report, Executive Changes (Sep 25, 2019)

Filed September 25, 2019For Securities:ADSK

Summary

Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) filed an 8-K report on September 25, 2019, to announce a significant addition to its Board of Directors. The company expanded its Board by one member, increasing the total to ten authorized directors, and appointed Dr. Ayanna Howard. This appointment is effective immediately and aims to leverage Dr. Howard's extensive expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and assistive technologies. Dr. Howard brings a strong academic and entrepreneurial background, currently serving as the Linda J. and Mark C. Smith Professor and Chair of the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. Her prior experience includes a decade at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and founding an education technology startup, Zyrobotics. Investors should view this appointment as a strategic move by Autodesk to strengthen its board with cutting-edge technological knowledge, potentially influencing future innovation and strategic direction in areas critical to Autodesk's software offerings.

Key Highlights

  • 1Autodesk appointed Dr. Ayanna Howard to its Board of Directors.
  • 2The Board size was increased by one to a total of ten authorized members.
  • 3Dr. Howard brings over 25 years of experience in robotics, AI, and assistive technologies.
  • 4Her background includes academia (Georgia Tech), entrepreneurship (Zyrobotics), and extensive experience at NASA.
  • 5Dr. Howard's appointment is expected to bolster the board's expertise in advanced technological fields.
  • 6She will receive compensation aligned with the company's non-employee director arrangements, including an annual retainer and a restricted stock unit grant.
  • 7The appointment is effective September 24, 2019, with a press release issued on September 25, 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Ayanna Howard is a highly accomplished academic and technologist with over 25 years of experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, and assistive technologies. She is currently the Chair of the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech and founded an EdTech startup, Zyrobotics. Autodesk appointed her to the Board to enhance the board's expertise in these critical and emerging technology fields, which are relevant to Autodesk's product development and strategic vision.

Dr. Howard's appointment increased the number of authorized Board members by one, bringing the total to ten directors. This expansion allows for the inclusion of her specialized expertise without displacing existing members.

Dr. Howard will be compensated according to Autodesk's standard non-employee director arrangements. This includes an annual compensation of $75,000 and a prorated initial restricted stock unit grant valued at approximately $183,562, which vests on the date of the next annual stockholders' meeting. This compensation is subject to the terms of the company's 2012 Outside Directors' Stock Plan.

Based on the filing, Dr. Howard has no disclosed family relationships with current directors or officers. She is not a party to any transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and her appointment was not based on any undisclosed arrangements with other parties. She will execute the company's standard indemnification agreement.