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Get filing alertsAccendra Health names Kenneth Gardner-Smith as next CEO, succeeding Edward Pesicka
Filed September 17, 2026 · Period ending September 16, 2026 · ~1 min read
Key Changes
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Kenneth Gardner-Smith, a current board member, will become President and CEO early in Q4 2026, succeeding Edward A. Pesicka, who announced retirement in August.
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Gardner-Smith's compensation includes $1M base salary, 130% target bonus, $6M annual equity target, $650K sign-on bonus, and $2M inducement stock appreciation rights.
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Scott Lloyd named Chief Commercial Officer effective October 5, 2026, a new role consolidating commercial strategy, sales, and partnerships.
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Gardner-Smith steps down from Audit and Our People & Culture Committees but remains on the Board and Executive Committee; roles to be filled by independent directors.
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Pesicka will remain as President and CEO until Gardner-Smith assumes the role, then serve as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition.
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Summary
Accendra Health announced a planned CEO succession, naming board member Kenneth Gardner-Smith as its next President and CEO. He will take over from Edward Pesicka early in the fourth quarter of 2026, following Pesicka's previously announced retirement. Gardner-Smith brings operating experience from Veritas Veterinary Partners and DaVita, and the board selected him after a comprehensive search.
The company also created a new Chief Commercial Officer role, appointing Scott Lloyd effective October 5, 2026, to consolidate commercial functions and drive growth as a pure-play home-based care company. The transition appears orderly, with Pesicka staying on until Gardner-Smith assumes the role and then serving as an advisor.
Gardner-Smith's compensation package is substantial, reflecting the cost of the leadership change. He will step down from two board committees to avoid conflicts, with independent directors filling those roles. No red flags were identified in the filing.
Section-by-Section Diff
Event · Item 7.01 — Regulation FD Disclosure
Accendra Health announces planned appointment of Mr. Gardner-Smith as President and CEO and Scott Lloyd as Chief Commercial Officer.
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announcing the planned appointment of Mr. Gardner-Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer
The company disclosed that Mr. Gardner-Smith will be appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment is described as planned, indicating it has not yet taken effect.
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Scott Lloyd to role of Chief Commercial Officer of the Company
Scott Lloyd will take on the role of Chief Commercial Officer. This is a newly disclosed leadership change.
Event · Item 8.01 — Other Events
Item 8.01 — Other Events filed; see Key Changes for terms.
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Accendra Health also today named Scott Lloyd to the role of Chief Commercial Officer, effective October 5, 2026.
The company appointed Scott Lloyd as Chief Commercial Officer, a newly created position, effective October 5, 2026. He will report to the CEO and serve on the executive leadership team.
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The Company created the position to bring commercial strategy, sales, and provider and payor partnerships under a single leader, simplifying the commercial structure, instilling greater discipline and accountability, and driving renewed focus on growth as Accendra Health scales as a pure-play home-based care company.
The new role consolidates commercial strategy, sales, and provider/payor partnerships under one leader to simplify structure and drive growth as the company scales as a pure-play home-based care company.
Show 1 minor / wording change
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Mr. Lloyd most recently served as Chief Development and Strategy Officer at Evergreen Nephrology. Prior to that, Mr. Lloyd co-founded and built Extrakare LLC, a durable medical equipment company.
The new CCO brings experience from Evergreen Nephrology and as co-founder of Extrakare LLC, a durable medical equipment company.
Event · Exhibit 99.1
Accendra Health names Kenneth Gardner-Smith as President & CEO, succeeding Ed Pesicka, and appoints Scott Lloyd as Chief Commercial Officer.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
Accendra Health, Inc. (NYSE: ACH) (the “Company”) today named Kenneth Gardner-Smith as the Company’s next President and Chief Executive Officer.
The company announced Kenneth Gardner-Smith as its next President and CEO. He succeeds Edward A. Pesicka, who announced his intent to retire in August.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Veritas Veterinary Partners, a national specialty and emergency veterinary platform, where he spearheaded a strategy reset and executive rebuild that delivered double-digit average quarterly revenue growth and significant margin expansion throughout his tenure since 2024.
The incoming CEO brings operating experience from Veritas Veterinary Partners and 13 years at DaVita, including nine years as a senior P&L owner managing $1.5 billion in operations. The Board selected him following a comprehensive search process that considered both internal and external candidates.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Accendra Health also today named Scott Lloyd to the role of Chief Commercial Officer, effective October 5, 2026.
The company created the Chief Commercial Officer position to bring commercial strategy, sales, and provider and payor partnerships under a single leader. Lloyd joins from Evergreen Nephrology, where he most recently served as Chief Development and Strategy Officer, and will report to the CEO.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
Pesicka will remain in his role of President and CEO until Gardner-Smith assumes the role, at which point he will also retire from the Board of Directors, as previously announced.
The outgoing CEO will stay in his role until the transition and then serve as an advisor to ensure a smooth handoff. The company expects no disruption to its operations or its ability to serve patients, providers, and partners throughout the transition.
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