Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 8-K filing by Western Digital Corporation (WDC) reports a corporate governance event dated October 31, 2025. The filing details the appointment of a new Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing does not provide financial performance data such as revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. The document focuses exclusively on executive compensation and appointment details.
Material Changes
The primary material change is the leadership transition in the accounting department:
- Appointment: Brad Feller appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective November 14, 2025.
- Succession: Mr. Feller succeeds Gene M. Zamiska, who currently holds the title of Senior Vice President, Global Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer.
- Role Expansion: Mr. Feller will also assume the role of principal accounting officer.
Guidance, Outlook, and Compensation Details
The filing outlines the compensatory arrangements for the new appointee, Brad Feller:
- Base Salary: $425,000 annually.
- Target Bonus: 75% of annual base salary under the short-term incentive plan.
- Signing Bonus: $300,000, subject to repayment if employment terminates before the two-year anniversary (unless terminated without "Cause").
- Sign-on Equity: Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) award with a grant date value of $1,500,000. Vesting schedule: 25% in November 2026, with the remainder vesting in 12 equal quarterly installments.
- Future Equity: Eligible for an annual equity award for fiscal year 2027 with a grant date value of $900,000, subject to Compensation and Talent Committee approval.
- Benefits: Eligible for standard indemnification, Executive Severance Plan, and Change in Control Severance Plan.
The filing contains no forward-looking guidance, risk factors, or management commentary regarding the company's operational outlook.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the effective date of Brad Feller's appointment (November 14, 2025) and the departure timeline for Gene M. Zamiska.
- Confirm the vesting schedule and performance conditions attached to the $1.5 million RSU award and the potential $900,000 fiscal 2027 equity award.
- Review the terms of the Executive Severance Plan and Change in Control Severance Plan to understand potential payout scenarios.
- Check for any subsequent filings regarding the transition of the principal accounting officer role.