MediaAlpha, Inc. filed a Form 8-K on September 3, 2026, reporting the appointment of Tigran Sinanyan as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective October 1, 2026, and the planned departure of current CFO Patrick Thompson.

Key Highlights

  • New CFO appointment: Tigran Sinanyan, age 44, was approved by the Board of Directors on September 2, 2026, to serve as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, effective October 1, 2026.
  • Annual base salary: Sinanyan's Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $475,000, reviewable annually and eligible for increases but not decreases.
  • 2026 target bonus: His target incentive amount for 2026 is set at $293,200, calculated as a weighted average of his prior and new position targets adjusted for time in each role.
  • RSU grant: The Company will grant Sinanyan a restricted stock unit award with a total grant date value of $252,100, vesting over a four-year period subject to continued employment.
  • CFO departure: Patrick Thompson notified the Company on September 2, 2026, of his intention to step down, with his last day of employment set for October 30, 2026.
  • Thompson consulting role: Following his departure, Thompson will serve as a consultant through February 26, 2027, and continue to vest outstanding RSU awards scheduled to vest through that date.

MediaAlpha CFO Transition: Sinanyan's Terms and Thompson's Departure Arrangements

According to the filing, MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE:MAX) disclosed the leadership transition under Item 5.02 of the Form 8-K dated September 2, 2026. Tigran Sinanyan, who has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development since July 2025, was previously the Company's Chief Financial Officer from August 2015 to October 2021, and Vice President, Finance from January 2012 to August 2015. Most recently, prior to rejoining the Company, he served as Chief Financial Officer of SmartFinancial from January 2025 to July 2025. He holds a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

The Company disclosed that Sinanyan's Employment Agreement provides that starting in 2027 his target incentive bonus will be set at 70% of his annual base salary, and he will become eligible for annual equity awards beginning in calendar year 2027. The number of shares subject to the RSU award will be determined by dividing the grant date value by the average closing price of the Company's Class A common stock for the 10-day period ended the Friday immediately preceding the effective date of his appointment. In the event of a qualifying termination, the filing states Sinanyan would be entitled to 12 months of continued salary, a prorated target bonus subject to a six-month minimum, accelerated vesting of time-based equity, and 12 months of continued Company health insurance contributions.

Regarding Patrick Thompson's departure, the Company reported he confirmed the transition "is not related to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its accounting, strategy, management, operations, policies, regulatory matters, or practices (financial or otherwise)." Under the Transition Agreement, the filing states Thompson is entitled to certain benefits based on his resignation for Good Reason as defined in the Thompson Agreement dated November 2, 2021. The Company also noted that on September 3, 2026, it issued a press release providing an update on its expectations for the third quarter of 2026.

What Was Disclosed

MediaAlpha disclosed the appointment of Tigran Sinanyan as CFO effective October 1, 2026, the key terms of his Employment Agreement including salary, bonus, and RSU grant, and the departure and transition arrangements for outgoing CFO Patrick Thompson.