Telos Corporation filed a Form 8-K on November 2, 2026, disclosing the appointment of Mark D. Griffin as President and Chief Executive Officer and the transition of John B. Wood to Executive Chairman, both effective the same date.

Key Highlights

  • New CEO appointed: Mark D. Griffin was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Telos Corporation effective November 2, 2026.
  • Long-tenured executive: Griffin, age 66, joined Telos in 1984 and most recently served as Executive Vice President of Security Solutions since 2021 and as President and General Manager of Telos Identity Management Solutions, LLC since 2007.
  • Base salary unchanged: Griffin's annual base salary under his new Employment Agreement remains $440,000.
  • Severance terms: Termination without cause or due to disability entitles Griffin to continued monthly base salary payments for 24 months; termination without cause within 12 months of a change in control entitles him to a lump-sum equal to 24 months of base salary plus one times his average bonus amount.
  • Wood's role: John B. Wood transitions to Executive Chairman, continuing as a director and Chairman of the Board, with his annual base salary, bonus eligibility, and benefits remaining unchanged.
  • No disagreement: According to the filing, Wood's transition "was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or practices."
  • No severance triggered: The amendment to Wood's agreement states his transition "does not constitute a termination of his employment" and "does not entitle him to any severance payment, benefit or vesting acceleration."

Griffin Appointed CEO at Telos After Four Decades With the Company

According to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 2, 2026, by Telos Corporation (NASDAQ:TLS), the Board of Directors appointed Mark D. Griffin as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Griffin succeeds John B. Wood, who moved into the newly defined role of Executive Chairman on the same date. The filing states Griffin will report directly to the Board and will carry "general responsibility for the day-to-day management and operations of the Company."

The filing describes Griffin as having joined Telos in 1984, accumulating over 30 years of executive leadership at the company. He most recently held the title of Executive Vice President of Security Solutions, a position he has occupied since 2021, and separately served as President and General Manager of Telos Identity Management Solutions, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, since 2007. The filing notes there are no family relationships between Griffin and any director or executive officer, and no arrangements or understandings with any other person related to his selection.

Under the Employment Agreement dated November 2, 2026, which supersedes Griffin's prior agreement with Telos ID dated September 17, 2012, his annual base salary continues at $440,000. The agreement has an initial one-year term and renews automatically for successive one-year periods unless terminated. Griffin remains eligible for annual incentive plan participation, with any earned bonus payable in cash, equity, or a combination at the Company's discretion, and is also eligible for long-term equity awards as determined by the Compensation Committee. All payments are subject to clawback as required by applicable law or Company policy. Non-competition and non-solicitation covenants run for 24 months following termination, with perpetual confidentiality obligations.

For Wood, an amendment to his Second Amended Employment Agreement, effective November 2, 2026, reflects his new duties as Executive Chairman, including presiding at Board and stockholder meetings, providing strategic guidance, supporting sales efforts with government and industry customers, and assisting with the CEO transition. The filing states explicitly that his salary, bonus eligibility, and benefits remain unchanged under the amendment.

What Was Disclosed

Telos Corporation disclosed the appointment of Mark D. Griffin as President and CEO and the transition of John B. Wood to Executive Chairman, both effective November 2, 2026, along with the key terms of Griffin's new Employment Agreement and an amendment to Wood's existing agreement.