DEF: V2X Sets 2026 Annual Meeting, Highlights 2025 Financials
Proxy Statement
V2X, Inc. announces its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, detailing director elections, executive compensation, and strong 2025 financial performance with revenue growth and reduced net debt.
Summary
- The 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held virtually on May 7, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
- Shareholders will vote on the election of three Class III Directors (Melvin F. Parker, Ross S. Niebergall, Jeremy C. Wensinger) for three-year terms.
- Shareholders will vote to ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026.
- Shareholders will cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to named executive officers in fiscal year 2025.
- V2X reported 2025 revenue of $4.5 billion, representing 4% growth over 2024.
- Operating income for 2025 was $194 million, a 22% year-over-year growth.
- Net cash provided by operating activities in 2025 was $182 million.
- The company's backlog stood at $11.1 billion as of December 31, 2025, and it achieved a net debt reduction of $116 million in 2025.
- V2X employs approximately 16,200 people and 7,300 subcontract personnel across 349 locations in 49 countries.
- Sustainability accomplishments in 2025 included limited assurance verification for Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, advanced waste management at the Indianapolis facility (diverting over 13,500 pounds of electronic waste and metals), and beginning the process of adopting ISO 14001 certification.
- Social initiatives included redesigning the New Hire Orientation program and aligning health and safety management with ISO 45001.
- Governance improvements included global alignment of policies, finalizing the Cyber Incident Response Procedure, and earning ISO 27001 certification across key sites.
- V2X is no longer a controlled company under New York Stock Exchange rules, with all Board committees composed entirely of independent directors and a majority of the Board being independent.
- Executive compensation (AIP) for 2025 paid out at 115.2% of target, based on performance against Adjusted EBITDA, Bookings, and Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) metrics.
- Long-Term Incentive (LTI) awards for named executive officers (NEOs) in 2025 consisted of Performance Share Units (PSUs) and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), tied to relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (Adj. EPS) over a three-year period.
- The performance period for 2023 PSUs and Mr. Wensinger's Employment Inducement PSUs ended December 31, 2025, with 20.3% of 2023-2025 Group 1 PSUs vesting and 30% of 2023-2025 Group 2 PSUs and Employment Inducement PSUs vesting.
Sentiment
Score: 8
Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this filing positively due to strong financial performance in 2025, significant backlog, and notable advancements in corporate governance and sustainability initiatives, which collectively enhance long-term value prospects.
Positives
- Strong 2025 financial performance with $4.5 billion revenue (4% growth over 2024) and $194 million operating income (22% year-over-year growth).
- Net cash provided by operating activities of $182 million in 2025.
- Significant backlog of $11.1 billion as of December 31, 2025, indicating future revenue visibility.
- Achieved a net debt reduction of $116 million in 2025.
- Robust sustainability program advancements, including Scope 2 GHG emissions verification, successful waste diversion efforts, and initiation of ISO 14001 certification.
- Enhanced corporate governance with the company no longer being a controlled entity under NYSE rules, leading to fully independent Board committees and a majority independent Board.
- Successful implementation of ISO 27001 certification for information security and a finalized Cyber Incident Response Procedure, strengthening cybersecurity.
- Executive Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) payouts at 115.2% of target, reflecting strong performance against financial and operational metrics (Adjusted EBITDA, Bookings, and DSO).
- Overwhelming shareholder approval (approximately 99.1%) of the 2025 named executive officer compensation, demonstrating investor confidence in the pay-for-performance philosophy.
- All Independent Directors and named executive officers were in compliance with share ownership guidelines as of March 11, 2026.
Negatives
- Mr. Stephen L. Waechter, a Class III Director, will not be renominated for the Board due to the company's Corporate Governance Principles requiring nominees to be 75 years old or younger at the time of the annual meeting.
- Bookings for 2025 were $3,813.8 million, which was 83.8% of the target of $4,550.0 million, resulting in a lower payout percentage (59.5%) for this specific Annual Incentive Plan metric.
- Mr. Kenneth W. Shreves' employment with the Company ended as of August 1, 2025, leading to the forfeiture of some unvested equity awards, although a portion continued to vest per his separation agreement.
Risks
- The Board, through its Audit Committee, is responsible for assuring appropriate overall oversight of the company's risk profile and management control.
- The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management the key guidelines and policies governing significant processes for risk assessment and risk management, major financial risk exposures, and steps taken to monitor and control such exposures.
- The Audit Committee's risk oversight responsibilities include reviews of the company's cybersecurity program and cyber risk assessment, including cyber incident response processes and emerging threats.
- The Compensation and Human Capital Committee considers enterprise risk factors in establishing compensation design and objectives to discourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking behavior.
- The Compensation Consultant concluded that V2X's overall risk profile is low in all categories based on generally accepted principles of how executive pay programs are related to business risk.
- Management believes compensation programs are designed with an appropriate balance of risk and reward and do not encourage excessive risk-taking behavior that could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Future Outlook
The company expects to publish its next comprehensive sustainability report in 2026, covering 2025 data, to offer a deeper view of its strategy, metrics, and achievements. The Board will continue to review its classified structure periodically for appropriateness, despite believing it currently provides important governance benefits.
Management Comments
- "A virtual meeting will allow all shareholders who desire to attend and vote at our 2026 Annual Meeting to do so safely and securely."
- "We believe electronic delivery will expedite the distribution of materials and, by printing and mailing a smaller volume, will reduce the environmental impact and help lower our costs."
- "At V2X, our sustainability programs continue to reflect our corporate values and help drive long-term shareholder return."
- "Our philosophy encourages individual and group behaviors that balance risk and reward while supporting sustained growth and earnings performance."
- "We continuously seek to align our compensation program with best practices."
Industry Context
StockSavvy.ai notes that V2X operates in the highly competitive aerospace and defense industry, providing critical mission solutions primarily to defense customers globally. The company's focus on sustainability, robust corporate governance, and performance-based executive compensation aligns with evolving industry expectations and investor demands for responsible business practices and long-term value creation. The peer group used for compensation benchmarking includes major players like Parsons Corporation, SAIC, Inc., and KBR, Inc., indicating V2X competes for talent and contracts within a well-established market.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- V2X's 2025 revenue growth of 4% and operating income growth of 22% demonstrate solid performance within the defense and government services sector, which often sees stable but moderate growth.
- The company's commitment to ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety) aligns with global best practices for operational excellence and risk management, comparable to standards adopted by industry leaders like Lockheed Martin or Raytheon Technologies in their respective operational segments.
- Achieving ISO 27001 certification for information security across key sites positions V2X favorably against peers in terms of data protection and cybersecurity resilience, a critical factor for defense contractors.
- The executive compensation structure, with a significant portion tied to relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and Adjusted EPS, is a common practice among large public companies in the S&P Aerospace and Defense Select Industry Index, aiming to align management incentives with shareholder interests.
- The CEO pay ratio of 105.0 to 1.0 is within the typical range reported by large U.S. public companies, though direct comparisons require detailed analysis of peer company methodologies.
Management Changes
| Role | Previous Person | New Person | Effective Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class III Director | Abbas O. Elegba | Jordan F. Ransom | March 17, 2025 | Resignation of previous director. |
| Class III Director | Jordan F. Ransom | NA | August 14, 2025 | Resignation due to Vertex Holdco share sale. |
| Class I Director | Lee E. Evangelakos | NA | August 14, 2025 | Resignation due to Vertex Holdco share sale. |
| Class II Director | Neil D. Snyder | NA | October 30, 2025 | Resignation due to Vertex Holdco share sale. |
| Class I Director | Dino M. Cusumano | NA | November 13, 2025 | Resignation due to Vertex Holdco share sale. |
| Class II Director | Joel M. Rotroff | NA | November 13, 2025 | Resignation due to Vertex Holdco share sale. |
| Class I Director | NA | David E. Farnsworth | August 14, 2025 | Appointment to the Board and Audit/Nominating and Governance committees. |
| Class I Director | NA | Nicole B. Theophilus | January 7, 2026 | Appointment to the Board and Compensation Committee. |
| Class II Director | NA | Gerard A. Fasano | January 7, 2026 | Appointment to the Board and Audit Committee. |
| Class III Director | NA | Ross S. Niebergall | January 7, 2026 | Appointment to the Board and Nominating and Governance Committee. |
| Class III Director | Stephen L. Waechter | NA | May 7, 2026 | Not renominated due to age limit (76 years old at meeting date). |
| SVP, Global Mission Training and Sustainment | Kenneth W. Shreves | NA | August 1, 2025 | Employment ended. |
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board Composition | The Board will be composed of nine (9) members following the 2026 Annual Meeting, down from 10. | May 7, 2026 | Streamlines board operations and reflects changes in shareholder agreement. |
| Director Independence | The company is no longer a controlled company under NYSE rules, and all Board committees are composed entirely of independent directors, with a majority of the Board members being independent. | November 13, 2025 | Enhances corporate governance and aligns with best practices for public companies, increasing investor confidence. |
| Shareholders Agreement Termination | The Shareholders Agreement with Vertex Holdco Parties, which previously provided director nomination and committee designation rights, automatically terminated. | November 13, 2025 | Removes special rights for a significant shareholder, potentially increasing board independence and broader shareholder representation. |
| Director Age Limit Policy | Corporate Governance Principles state that nominees to the Board must be 75 years old or younger at the time of the shareholder meeting at which the individual would be nominated to serve. | Ongoing | Ensures a board with active and contemporary perspectives, leading to the non-renomination of Mr. Stephen L. Waechter. |
| Cyber Incident Response Procedure | Finalized the Cyber Incident Response Procedure, enhancing the internal framework to respond to cyber incidents. | 2025 | Strengthens cybersecurity posture and operational resilience, mitigating a key business risk. |
| ISO Certifications | Earned ISO 27001 certification across key sites and began adopting ISO 14001 certification across global operations, and aligned health and safety management with ISO 45001. | 2025 | Demonstrates commitment to international best practices in information security, environmental management, and occupational health and safety, enhancing operational quality and compliance. |
| Board and Committee Evaluations | Annual anonymous surveys are conducted for Board and Committee performance, with results reviewed and feedback incorporated. | Ongoing | Promotes continuous improvement in board effectiveness and accountability. |
| Compensation Clawback Policies | Adopted a clawback policy in accordance with Section 10D-1 of the Exchange Act for erroneously paid performance-based incentive compensation in the event of a material accounting restatement, irrespective of fraud or misconduct. | Ongoing | Strengthens accountability for executive compensation and aligns with regulatory requirements, protecting shareholder interests. |
Related Party Transactions
- Shareholders Agreement: Terminated on November 13, 2025, following a secondary offering, which previously provided Vertex Holdco Parties with director nomination and committee designation rights.
- Registration Rights Agreement: Grants Former Vertex Stockholders certain registration rights for public offerings. Following the November 2025 Offering, demand registration rights terminated, but piggyback registration rights remain.
- Management Services Agreement: With American Industrial Partners, provides general management, financial, and other corporate advisory services. No services were requested or rendered under this agreement in 2025, and no management or transaction fees were paid.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Positive impact from strong financial performance, net debt reduction, enhanced corporate governance (no longer controlled company, independent board committees), and a compensation structure tied to long-term value creation. The virtual annual meeting ensures broad participation.
- Employees: Benefits from redesigned New Hire Orientation, alignment with ISO 45001 for health and safety, and competitive compensation programs. Executive compensation is designed to attract and retain talent.
- Customers: Commitment to service quality and excellence, and robust cybersecurity measures (ISO 27001, Cyber Incident Response Procedure) enhance trust and reliability, particularly for defense customers.
- Suppliers: Sustainable procurement practices are a high-priority sustainability topic, indicating a focus on responsible supply chain engagement.
- Creditors: Net debt reduction and strong financial performance (revenue, operating income, cash flow) improve the company's credit profile and ability to meet obligations.
Next Steps
- Hold the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 7, 2026.
- Shareholders to vote on Class III Director nominees, ratification of RSM US LLP, and advisory approval of executive compensation.
- Publish the next comprehensive sustainability report in 2026, covering 2025 data.
- The Board will continue to review its classified structure periodically.
- Shareholders to submit proposals for the 2027 annual meeting by November 19, 2026 (Rule 14a-8) or between November 19, 2026, and December 19, 2026 (other proposals).
- Shareholders intending to solicit proxies for Director nominees must provide notice by March 8, 2027.
- Preliminary voting results to be announced at the 2026 Annual Meeting, with final results published in a Form 8-K within four business days.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Ms. Howell served as Chief Executive Officer of Howell Strategy Group, an international consulting firm, from 2010 to 2024. |
| January 2010 | Mr. Widman has served as a director of Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. since January 2010. |
| 2013 | Mr. Widman retired as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Terex Corporation in 2013. |
| 2014 | Mr. Parker, Ms. Howell, Mr. Pillmore, and Mr. Widman became Directors in 2014. |
| 2014 | The Company became an independent, publicly traded company in 2014. |
| 2014 | Mr. Widman served as a director of ENVIRI Corporation (NYSE: NVRI) from 2014 to 2025. |
| 2015 | Mr. Parker served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Residential and Commercial Energy Solutions at Enphase Energy, Inc. from 2015 to 2016. |
| 2015 | Mr. Farnsworth served as Chief Financial Officer of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services segment from 2015 to 2018. |
| 2016 | Mr. Parker served as Managing Director for North America for Aggreko plc from 2016 to 2017. |
| April 2016 | Ms. Theophilus served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for West Corporation from April 2016 to February 2018. |
| 2016 | Mr. Fasano served as Chief of Business Development and Strategy Officer of Leidos from 2016 to 2018. |
| 2016 | Ms. Howell served as lead director of Esterline Corporation from 2016 to 2019. |
| 2017 | Mr. Parker has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Take The Limits Off, LLC since 2017. |
| 2017 | Mr. Wensinger served as Chief Operating Officer of Peraton, Inc. from 2017 to 2024. |
| 2017 | Dr. Niebergall joined Harris Corporation in 2017. |
| 2018 | Mr. Farnsworth held roles within Raytheon Company, including Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of its Integrated Defense Systems business from 2018 to 2020. |
| October 2018 | Mr. Fasano served as President for Leidos Defense Group from October 2018 to January 2024. |
| 2019 | Ms. Howell has served since 2019 as a director of Astec Industries, Inc. |
| July 2019 | Dr. Niebergall served as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of L3Harris from July 2019 to February 2023. |
| 2020 | Mr. Pillmore has served as General Partner of Amore Limited Partnership since 2020. |
| 2020 | Mr. Farnsworth served as Chief Financial Officer of HawkEye 360 from 2020 to 2023. |
| August 2020 | Ms. Theophilus served as Wabtec's Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer from August 2020 to March 2024. |
| July 5, 2022 | Vectrus, Inc. completed its merger with Vertex Aerospace Services Holding Corp., forming V2X. |
| 2023 | The company conducted a sustainability prioritization assessment in 2023. |
| 2023 | Mr. Farnsworth has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Mercury Systems, Inc. since 2023. |
| July 2023 | Dr. Niebergall served as President of the Aerojet Rocketdyne segment for L3Harris Technologies, Inc. from July 2023 to February 2025. |
| January 2024 | Mr. Fasano served as Executive Vice President, Chief Growth Officer of Leidos Holdings, Inc. from January 2024 to April 2025. |
| June 2024 | Mr. Wensinger has served as President, CEO and director of the Company since June 2024. |
| August 2024 | Mr. Nance was promoted to SVP, Chief Legal Office and General Counsel in August 2024. |
| November 2024 | Mr. Caputo was promoted to SVP, Aerospace Systems in November 2024. |
| March 17, 2025 | Abbas O. Elegba resigned from the Board and Mr. Jordan F. Ransom was appointed as a Class III Director. |
| March 22, 2025 | Base salary increases for Messrs. Wensinger, Mural, and Shreves became effective. |
| May 8, 2025 | RSUs were granted to Independent Directors. |
| May 12, 2025 | FMR LLC filed a Schedule 13G/A. |
| August 1, 2025 | Mr. Shreves' employment with the Company ended. |
| August 11, 2025 | Vertex Holdco Parties completed a sale of shares. |
| August 14, 2025 | Mr. Jordan F. Ransom and Ms. Lee E. Evangelakos resigned from the Board. Mr. Farnsworth was appointed as a Class I Director. |
| September 11, 2025 | Vertex Holdco Parties completed a sale of shares. |
| October 17, 2025 | BlackRock, Inc. filed a Schedule 13G. |
| October 30, 2025 | Neil D. Snyder resigned from the Board. |
| November 13, 2025 | Dino M. Cusumano and Joel M. Rotroff resigned from the Board. The Shareholders Agreement automatically terminated. |
| November 2025 | The 2024 Interim Sustainability Summary Report was published. |
| December 1, 2025 | Compensation Committee approved a refinement to the measurement period for PSU stock price calculation. |
| December 15, 2025 | Vertex Aerospace Holdco LLC filed a Schedule 13D/A. |
| December 31, 2025 | Fiscal year end for 2025 financial highlights and equity awards. |
| January 7, 2026 | Ms. Theophilus, Mr. Fasano, and Dr. Niebergall were appointed as Directors. |
| March 5, 2026 | Beneficial ownership data as of this date. |
| March 11, 2026 | Record date for the 2026 Annual Meeting. |
| March 19, 2026 | Notice of Internet Availability first mailed to shareholders. |
| May 7, 2026 | Date of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. |
| November 19, 2026 | Deadline for shareholder proposals to be included in next year's proxy statement (Rule 14a-8). |
| December 19, 2026 | Latest date for other shareholder proposals (including Director nominations) for the 2027 annual meeting. |
| March 8, 2027 | Deadline for shareholders to provide notice for Director nominees under Rule 14a-19 for the 2027 annual meeting. |
| May 7, 2027 | Replay of the 2026 Annual Meeting webcast available until this date. |
Recommendation
holdV2X demonstrates solid financial performance with revenue and operating income growth, significant backlog, and effective debt reduction. The improvements in corporate governance and sustainability initiatives are positive. However, the company operates in a competitive defense sector, and while performance is strong, the filing primarily focuses on past performance and governance, without providing new, significantly transformative forward-looking guidance that would warrant a "buy" or "strong buy" recommendation. The "hold" recommendation reflects a stable outlook with good execution, but without immediate catalysts for substantial upward revaluation based solely on this proxy statement.
Keywords
V2X, SEC filing, DEF 14A, proxy statement, annual meeting, corporate governance, executive compensation, financial performance, revenue, operating income, net debt, backlog, sustainability, ESG, director election, independent auditor, RSM US LLP, shareholder vote, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, Adjusted EBITDA, Bookings, DSO, LTI, PSUs, RSUs, defense, aerospace, government services
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