Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. filed a current report on Form 8-K on September 23, 2026, disclosing that its Board of Directors approved the appointment of Howard Sudnow as an independent director, effective upon completion of the company's planned merger with Southern Realty Trust Inc.

Key Highlights

  • Board expanded: The Board increased its size from five to six directors on September 17, 2026, pursuant to the Merger Agreement with Southern Realty Trust Inc.
  • New director designated: Howard Sudnow was approved to serve as an independent director, effective at the Merger Effective Time, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
  • Term length: Mr. Sudnow will serve until the 2027 annual meeting of SUNS stockholders, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or his earlier death, resignation, or removal.
  • Compensation: Mr. Sudnow will be entitled to receive compensation payable to non-employee directors of SUNS.
  • No committee assignment: As of the filing date, Mr. Sudnow has not been appointed to serve on any committee of the Board.
  • Background: Mr. Sudnow, age 59, holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and has over 30 years of capital markets experience.

Sudnow Appointment Tied to Sunrise-Southern Realty Merger Agreement

According to the filing, Sunrise Realty Trust (NASDAQ:SUNS) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger on August 5, 2026, under which Southern Realty Trust Inc. will merge with and into Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, with Merger Sub surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of SUNS. The merger was a direct trigger for the board action reported in this filing. On September 17, 2026, acting on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board both increased its size to six directors and approved SRT's designation of Howard Sudnow as an independent director.

The filing describes Mr. Sudnow as having held positions in investment banking, equity trading, and research sales over more than 30 years of capital markets experience. He is currently a Partner at MYST Advisors. Prior to that role, he served as a Managing Director of Institutional Sales at Seaport Global, held a similar position at Sterne Agee from 2013 to 2016, and worked at Think Equity Partners and at MSCI Barra, a Division of Morgan Stanley, overseeing Hedge Fund Sales. His educational credentials, as stated in the filing, include an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Franklin and Marshall College.

The filing states that Mr. Sudnow has no family relationships with any of SUNS' directors or executive officers, and is not a party to any transaction required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The report was signed by Brandon Hetzel, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, on September 23, 2026.

What Was Disclosed

Sunrise Realty Trust disclosed the Board's September 17, 2026 approval to expand its membership to six directors and appoint Howard Sudnow as an independent director, effective at the closing of its planned merger with Southern Realty Trust Inc., anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.