If an optionee exercises options when the option strike price is the same as the market price then, as I recall, there would be no short-term income to be taxed and the clock starts on the capital gains cycle, meaning on the period after which any gains on sale would be long-term not short - normally one year out unless there are restrictions.

It does suggest a belief that the price will rise over that time and this is, indeed, positive.

It also removes the literal meaning of "Our CFO/CEO doesn't own any shares". Our chairman, of course, still doesn't but his employer does....

Nonetheless, while this is indeed a positive move in concept it represents but a flea on an elephant in terms of the CFO/acting CEO's investment in the company that pays him so handsomely.