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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)
July 21, 2020

SM Energy Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware001-3153941-0518430
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)(Commission File Number)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1775 Sherman Street, Suite 120080203
Denver, Colorado
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 861-8140

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.):

☐ 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, $0.01 par value
SM
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.
On July 23, 2020, SM Energy Company (the “Company”) announced that Javan D. Ottoson, its President and Chief Executive Officer, has advised its Board of Directors of his intention to retire before the end of 2020.
In order to ensure the orderly transition of leadership responsibilities, the Company also announced that Herbert S. Vogel has been appointed, effective July 21, 2020, to the position of President of the Company. Mr. Vogel (age 59) was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in June 2019, having previously served as Executive Vice President-Operations of the Company since August 2014. Mr. Vogel joined the Company in March 2012 after holding leadership positions with ARCO and BP, and has 36 years of experience in the oil and gas business. There are no transactions involving Mr. Vogel requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the following information shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
On July 23, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the retirement of Mr. Ottoson and the appointment of Mr. Vogel. A copy of the press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit NumberDescription
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and included as Exhibit 101)


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SM ENERGY COMPANY
Date:July 23, 2020By:/s/ DAVID W. COPELAND
David W. Copeland
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary