Lennox International Inc. filed a Form 8-K on November 2, 2026, disclosing that Executive Vice President Joseph F. Nassab will retire from his current role on December 31, 2026, and that Geoffrey Dethlefsen will succeed him effective January 1, 2027.

Key Highlights

  • Retirement date: Joseph F. Nassab, Executive Vice President & President, Building Climate Solutions, will retire from that role on December 31, 2026.
  • New role for Nassab: Effective January 1, 2027, Mr. Nassab will transition to a Strategic Advisor position, continuing through February 28, 2028.
  • Successor named: Geoffrey Dethlefsen, currently Vice President and General Manager, Lennox Commercial HVAC, will become Executive Vice President & President, Building Climate Solutions on January 1, 2027.
  • Advisory compensation: Mr. Nassab will receive an annual salary of $180,000 during the Advisory Period, along with continued participation in Company benefit plans and continuing vesting of outstanding equity-based awards.
  • Restrictive covenants: The Transition Employment Agreement includes confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation covenants for 24 months following termination of the Advisory Period.

Leadership Transition Details at Lennox International

According to the filing, Mr. Nassab notified Lennox International Inc. on October 30, 2026, of his decision to retire from his role as Executive Vice President & President, Building Climate Solutions. The company disclosed that Mr. Nassab entered into a Transition Employment Agreement on November 2, 2026, which will supersede his previous employment agreement and take effect January 1, 2027. The agreement runs through February 28, 2028, a period the filing refers to as the "Advisory Period."

During the Advisory Period, the filing states that Mr. Nassab will report to the Chief Executive Officer and perform services including "supporting relationship continuity with key customers, distributors, and strategic partners; mentoring, coaching, and advising key leaders; and advising on special projects, where applicable." The filing specifies his annual advisory salary as $180,000, with continued eligibility for Company benefit plans and continuing vesting of outstanding equity-based awards, each in accordance with their respective terms.

The company reported that Geoffrey Dethlefsen will succeed Mr. Nassab in the Executive Vice President role. Mr. Dethlefsen currently serves as Vice President and General Manager, Lennox Commercial HVAC, according to the filing. The company, trading as NYSE:LII, also issued a press release on November 2, 2026, furnished as Exhibit 99.1, announcing the retirement and appointment. The full text of the Transition Employment Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10.1.

What Was Disclosed

Lennox International disclosed a planned leadership change in its Building Climate Solutions division, the terms of a transition agreement with the departing executive, and the identity of his successor, all effective January 1, 2027.