hrb-202201060000012659false00000126592022-01-062022-01-06
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): January 6, 2022
H&R BLOCK, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
| | | | | | | | |
Missouri | 1-06089 | 44-0607856 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | | Identification No.) |
One H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO 64105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(816) 854-3000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, without par value | HRB | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(b) On January 6, 2022, Thomas A. Gerke, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of H&R Block, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of his decision to retire from his current position with the Company. Mr. Gerke will cease serving as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer effective as of January 17, 2022, but will remain with the Company until his retirement to assist with the transition to the Company’s new Chief Legal Officer.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
The Company has appointed Dara S. Redler as the Company’s new Chief Legal Officer effective January 17, 2022. A copy of the Company’s press release regarding Mr. Gerke’s retirement and Ms. Redler’s appointment is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | H&R BLOCK, INC. |
| | | |
Date: | January 10, 2022 | By: | /s/ Scott W. Andreasen |
| | | Scott W. Andreasen |
| | | Vice President and Secretary |
DocumentDara Redler to Join H&R Block as new Chief Legal Officer
Company announces General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Tom Gerke to retire after 10 years of service
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Jan. 10, 2022) – H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) today announces that Dara Redler is joining the company as Chief Legal Officer, as current General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Tom Gerke announces his retirement after serving the company for the past 10 years.
Redler previously served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY). She was the first general counsel for the global cannabis business where she built a global legal function, developed a world-wide compliance program, led legal negotiations for a transformative merger transaction to create one of the world’s largest cannabis businesses by revenue, and more. Prior to Tilray, she held various legal roles of increasing responsibility over 17 years at The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), across strategic alliances, franchise operations, retail sales, and worldwide marketing and growth. Redler holds a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law and two bachelor’s degrees from The University of Pennsylvania, one in Marketing from the Wharton School, and one in global studies from the College of Arts & Sciences.
“I am thrilled to have Dara as a partner and member of our Senior Leadership Team," said Jeff Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, H&R Block. "She brings a wealth of experience in leading good governance, driving strategic negotiations, and navigating complex legal and regulatory matters. Her expertise and leadership will be the perfect addition as we continue on our transformation journey.”
Gerke, who announced his retirement today, has served as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer for H&R Block since 2012, where he has led the company's legal and government relations functions, as well as Block's Tax Institute. During his career at Block, he was instrumental in numerous key business developments, including the wind down of the company's subprime mortgage subsidiary, sale of its bank, and the formation of the company's current bank product relationships. He also served as interim CEO during a portion of 2017 and oversaw the company's human resources department from 2016-2018. Gerke serves on the board of directors for two publicly traded companies and plans to focus his future leadership efforts as a board member.
"Tom has provided strong leadership and strategic counsel to H&R Block over the past decade and was an invaluable partner to me," said Jones. "He has guided the company through important transactions, key litigation matters, and significant strategic transitions in the company's history. We all wish him the very best."
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app and debit card, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small business owners thrive with innovative products like Wave Money, a small business banking and bookkeeping solution, and the only business bank account to manage bookkeeping automatically. For more information, visit H&R Block News or follow @HRBlockNews on Twitter.
| | | | | | | | |
For Further Information | | |
| | |
Media Relations | | Angela Davied, (816) 854-5798, angela.davied@hrblock.com |
Investor Relations: | | Michaella Gallina, (816) 854-3022, michaella.gallina@hrblock.com |
| | Jordyn Eskijian, (816) 854-5674, jordyn.eskijian@hrblock.com |