L3Harris Technologies has removed Chairman and Chief Executive Christopher Kubasik after a board investigation found conduct inconsistent with the company’s Code of Conduct. Sam Mehta, formerly head of the company’s space business, takes over immediately as president and chief executive, while lead independent director Lewis Hay III becomes chairman.
Kubasik also leaves the board as the defence contractor resets its top leadership. The company said the conduct issue was unrelated to financial reporting, internal controls, customer relationships or operational performance, and it did not disclose the underlying matter. The board reviewed the case with independent counsel before concluding that a separation agreement was in the company’s best interests.
Under the terms of his exit, Kubasik will receive no severance, no severance benefits and no accelerated vesting of unvested equity awards, though vested stock options remain in place. Mehta, a senior aerospace and defence executive, has led key parts of L3Harris’s portfolio and now takes control of the group as it navigates the leadership transition.