Clear Secure, Inc. filed a current report on Form 8-K on September 16, 2026, disclosing the planned transition of President and Board member Michael Barkin to an advisory role and the resignation of EVP, Aviation Kyle McLaughlin.

Key Highlights

  • Barkin advisory transition: On September 15, 2026, Clear Secure entered into an agreement with Michael Barkin under which he will transition to an advisory role effective October 15, 2026.
  • Board resignation: Mr. Barkin will also resign from the Board effective October 15, 2026, in accordance with his employment agreement, with no disagreement on operations, policies, or practices.
  • Advisory fee: Mr. Barkin will receive $300,000 per full month of service and has agreed to remain in the advisory role until December 31, 2026.
  • McLaughlin resignation: On September 14, 2026, Kyle McLaughlin notified the company of his intention to resign as EVP, Aviation, with a last day of October 2, 2026.
  • Successor search initiated: According to the filing, the company has initiated a search for Mr. McLaughlin's successor.

Clear Secure Discloses Leadership Changes Affecting President and Aviation Executive

According to the filing, Clear Secure, Inc. (NYSE:YOU) disclosed two separate executive departures under Item 5.02 of Form 8-K. The first involves Michael Barkin, who has served as the company's President and as a member of its Board of Directors. On September 15, 2026, the company entered into a Transition and Advisory Agreement with Mr. Barkin, under which he will move from his current role to an advisory capacity beginning October 15, 2026. His Board resignation takes effect on the same date and, the filing states, "does not involve a disagreement on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or practices."

The filing specifies that Mr. Barkin's advisory arrangement will run through December 31, 2026, at an advisory fee of $300,000 per full month of service. The agreement, according to the filing, includes "customary representations and warranties, as well as confidentiality and intellectual property protection covenants and a general release of claims." The company noted that the full text of the Transition and Advisory Agreement, dated September 15, 2026, will be filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026.

Separately, the filing discloses that on September 14, 2026, Kyle McLaughlin notified the company of his intention to resign from his role as EVP, Aviation "to pursue a new opportunity." The filing states that his resignation also does not involve a disagreement on operations, policies, or practices, and that his last day will be October 2, 2026. The company has reported initiating a search for his successor. The 8-K was signed by Chief Executive Officer Caryn Seidman Becker on September 16, 2026.

What Was Disclosed

Clear Secure filed an 8-K reporting the transition of President Michael Barkin to an advisory role at $300,000 per full month through December 31, 2026, his Board resignation effective October 15, 2026, and the resignation of EVP, Aviation Kyle McLaughlin effective October 2, 2026.