Archer Aviation CFO Steps Down Amidst Medical Leave

Archer Aviation CFO Mark Mesler resigned after a year of medical leave, with Priya Gupta to continue as acting CFO. Mesler will receive a one-time payment and accelerated vesting for outstanding stock units. His resignation comes as the air taxi market gains attention, with regulators taking steps to codify operations for such vehicles.

Title: Archer Aviation CFO Mark Mesler Resigns After Medical Leave

Archer Aviation has announced that its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mark Mesler, has officially resigned from his role effective July 7, following a period of medical leave that began in September 2024. The company, based in Santa Clara, California, specializes in developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, also known as "air taxis," and associated software.

Mesler's resignation comes after careful consideration and reflection on his personal and professional future. Priya Gupta, who has been serving as the acting CFO and acting principal financial officer during Mesler's leave, will continue in her role. The company also confirmed that Harsh Rungta will continue as chief accounting officer, working alongside Gupta.

Archer Aviation has entered into a transition agreement with Mesler, which includes a one-time cash payment equivalent to nine months of his base salary, plus three months of his target annual bonus. Additionally, Mesler will receive accelerated vesting for certain outstanding restricted stock units. For the full year of 2024, Mesler's total compensation consisted of an annual base salary of $500,000, a bonus of $146,311, and approximately $1.1 million in stock awards [1].

The resignation of Mesler coincides with increasing attention on the air taxi market, which is still grappling with safety and regulatory concerns. However, recent regulatory steps, such as the FAA's final rule on "powered lift" crafts, have opened new opportunities for companies like Archer Aviation. The company has been actively positioning itself as a leader in the market, partnering with major companies like United Airlines and Palantir to develop AI-powered software for next-generation aviation systems [1].

Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL aircraft recently began test flights in Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand the test program in the region and gather additional data to support certification and commercialization plans. The company is competing with other players such as Joby Aviation, which has also made significant progress in the eVTOL market [2].

In June, Archer Aviation raised $850 million in a stock sale, boosting its liquidity position to approximately $2 billion. This funding will help build out the company's commercial capabilities and infrastructure. Archer's Q1 earnings results showed a total cash position of over $1 billion, with total operating expenses of $144 million and a net loss of $93.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The company anticipates an adjusted EBITDA loss between $100 million and $120 million for Q2 2025 [1].

References
1. [https://www.cfodive.com/news/archer-aviation-cfo-steps-down-medical-leave-airtaxis/752990/](https://www.cfodive.com/news/archer-aviation-cfo-steps-down-medical-leave-airtaxis/752990/)
2. [https://www.ainvest.com/news/joby-aviation-manufacturing-momentum-regulatory-breakthroughs-electric-air-taxi-play-ready-2507/](https://www.ainvest.com/news/joby-aviation-manufacturing-momentum-regulatory-breakthroughs-electric-air-taxi-play-ready-2507/)