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): May 12, 2022

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 000-51759

7500 Pecue Lane

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(225) 298-5200

(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:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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. ☐

(b) The disclosure set forth below under Item 5.07 regarding the conditional resignation of Mr. Lawrence Karlson as a director of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (the “Company”) is incorporated herein by reference. This conditional resignation has been submitted solely in connection with the Company’s majority vote policy for director reelection as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2022 (the “Majority Vote Policy”). Mr. Karlson’s conditional resignation was not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Company or the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) on any matter relating to the operations, policies or practices of the Company.

The 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the “Annual Meeting”) was held on May 12, 2022. Matters submitted to the stockholders and voted upon at the meeting, which are more fully described in the Company’s Proxy Statement, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2022, were (1) the election of nine directors; (2) the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022; and (3) an advisory vote on Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed in the Proxy Statement.

Each of the director nominees set forth below was elected to hold office until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Stockholders ratified the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022. Stockholders, in a non-binding advisory vote, approved the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

The table below shows the votes cast for, against or withheld, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes, as to each proposal, including a separate tabulation with respect to each nominee for director. There were no broker non-votes for the proposal regarding the ratification of the accounting firm.

Although each of the above nominees was reelected as a director of the Company, Mr. Karlson received a greater number of “withheld” votes from his election than votes “for” his election. In accordance with the Majority Vote Policy, Mr. Karlson tendered his conditional resignation to the Company on May 16, 2022. ISS Proxy Advisory Services recommended that shareholders of the Company withhold votes from Mr. Karlson’s reelection as a director of the Company for failing to establish racial or ethnic diversity on the Board, given Mr. Karlson’s service as the chair of the Company’s nominating and governance committee (the “Committee”). On May 12, 2022, in connection with the Board’s annual review and appointment of the members and Chairpersons of the various committees of the Board, Mr. Karlson stepped down as the Chair of the Committee, and the Board appointed Mary P. Thompson to replace him as the Chair of the Committee. Mr. Karlson continues to serve as a member of the Committee.

The Board, in consultation with the Committee, will consider Mr. Karlson’s conditional resignation and determine whether to accept or reject Mr. Karlson’s resignation. In considering whether to accept or reject Mr. Karlson’s conditional resignation, the Board, in consultation with the Committee, expects to consider all factors believed relevant, including without limitation: (i) the underlying reasons for Mr. Karlson not receiving a majority of votes cast in favor of his reelection as director; (ii) the tenure and qualifications of Mr. Karlson; (iii) Mr. Karlson’s past and expected future contributions to the Board; (iv) the overall composition of the Board; and (v) whether accepting the tendered resignation would cause the Company to fail to meet any applicable rule or regulation, including under the Nasdaq listing requirements and federal securities laws. The Board expects to act within ninety (90) days of the date of the Annual Meeting, and such determination will be promptly disclosed, together with the reasons for such determination on a Form 8-K.

Mr. Karlson will not participate in Committee or Board deliberations regarding his conditional resignation, but his services on the Board will otherwise continue pending the outcome of those deliberations.

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.

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