Eightco Holdings Inc. appointed Kevin O'Donnell as new CEO

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. 


McFadden Severance Agreement


On February 26, 2024, the Company and Brian McFadden entered into General Release and Severance Agreement, (the "McFadden Severance Agreement"), effective as of the eighth day following the McFadden Severance Agreement (the "McFadden Effective Date") in connection with Mr. McFadden's resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of December 31, 2023 (the "Separation Date"). Pursuant to the McFadden Severance Agreement, Mr. McFadden is eligible to receive $146,683 in accrued but unpaid base salary through the Separation Date in four quarterly payments of $36,670.75 each, less all applicable tax withholdings, by December 31, 2024.


In consideration of the McFadden Severance Agreement, the release therein and Mr. McFadden's resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company shall provide Mr. McFadden severance pay in the gross amount of amount of $422,500, less all lawful and authorized withholdings and deductions (the "Severance Payment"), which Severance Payment shall be paid in four quarterly installments of $105,625 per each installment, payable at the Company's option in either cash or Common Stock, with the payment to be made as follows: (i) as of the McFadden Effective Date, on which such date Mr. McFadden shall be granted, in lieu of cash, 128,811 fully-vested restricted shares of the Common Stock at a price of $0.82 per share, which such shares of Common Stock subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), and as of each of (ii) April 1, 2024, (iii) July 1, 2024, and (iv) October 1, 2024, payable at the Company's option, in either cash or Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock to be issued to Mr. McFadden under installments (ii), (iii) and (iv), if applicable, shall be fully vested and the number of shares to be issued shall be determined based on the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Stock on the principal exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trade during the period of 10 trading days immediately prior to the date of such issuance.


Pursuant to the McFadden Severance Agreement, the Company shall also reimburse to Mr. McFadden the premiums associated with the continuation of Mr. McFadden's health insurance for the period commencing on the Separation Date through December 31, 2024, pursuant to applicable law, and approved but unpaid business expenses through the Separation Date within 30 days following McFadden Effective Date.


Pursuant to the McFadden Severance Agreement, as of the Separation Date, the amended and restated employment agreement, by and between the Company and Mr. McFadden, effective as of September 27, 2022 (the "McFadden Employment Agreement"), shall terminate forever, and no party shall have any further obligation or liability thereunder except as related to any obligations that survive employment termination, including but not limited to the obligations set forth under the Employee Confidential Disclosure, Invention Assignment, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Non-Interference Agreement (the "Restrictive Covenants Agreement"), attached to the McFadden Employment Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has agreed to waive certain post-termination obligations as related to certain non-competition and non-compete provisions in the Restrictive Covenants Agreement.


Pursuant to the McFadden Severance Agreement, for a period of 8 weeks following the Separation Date, Mr. McFadden has agreed to reasonably cooperate with the Company in the transition of positions. Additionally, Mr. McFadden shall remain a director of the Company's board of directors (the "Board") under the standard terms, conditions, and bylaws of the Company from the Separation Date through March 31, 2024, at which time Mr. McFadden shall resign from the Board. The McFadden Severance Agreement also provides for a mutual waiver and release of any claims in connection with Mr. McFadden's employment, separation and departure from the Company, and for certain customary covenants regarding confidentiality.


The foregoing description of the McFadden Severance Agreement contained in this Item 5.02 does not purport to be a complete description of the terms and provisions therein and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the McFadden Severance Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.


Appointment of Interim Chief Executive Officer


On February 22, 2024, the Board appointed Kevin O'Donnell as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of the Separation Date, to serve until a successor is chosen and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal.


Mr. O'Donnell, age 48, has served as Chairman of the Board since October 15, 2021. Mr. O'Donnell founded Poptop Partners, LLC, a boutique operating and investment firm specializing in small to mid-market companies with an emphasis on the retail sector in April 2011 and continues to serve as its Managing Partner. From May 2007 to June 2010, Mr. O'Donnell served as the Founder/President of KOR Capital, LLC, a private equity and consulting firm specializing in turn around management of mid-market companies. Mr. O'Donnell has been an early-stage investor in multiple industries including hospitality, beverage, cannabis, hemp and technology. Mr. O'Donnell has served or continues to serve on numerous private and public boards including but not limited to SRM Entertainment, Vinco, Lakeside Alternatives Hospital Foundation, and The University Club.


There is no family relationship between Mr. O'Donnell and any director or executive officer of the Company. There are no transactions between Mr. O'Donnell and the Company that would be required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


Vroman Severance Agreement and Consulting Agreement


On February 26, 2024, the Company and Brett Vroman entered into General Release and Severance Agreement, (the "Vroman Severance Agreement"), effective as of the eighth date following the Vroman Severance Agreement (the "Vroman Effective Date") in connection with the termination of the amended and restated employment agreement, by and between the Company and Mr. Vroman, effective as of September 27, 2022 (the "Vroman Employment Agreement"). Pursuant to the Vroman Severance Agreement, as of the Separation Date, the Vroman Employment Agreement shall terminate forever, and no party shall have any further obligation or liability thereunder except as related to any obligations that survive employment termination, including but not limited to the obligations set forth under the Employee Confidential Disclosure, Invention Assignment, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Non-Interference Agreement, attached to the Vroman Employment Agreement.


Additionally, on February 22, 2024, the Company and CXO Lite, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, of which Mr. Vroman is the sole member, entered into a consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") pursuant to which Mr. Vroman shall be engaged and continue to serve the Company as its Chief Financial Officer. Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, the Company has agreed to compensate Mr. Vroman at a rate of $10,000 per month for services rendered as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, commencing as of January 1, 2024. The term of the Consulting Agreement shall automatically renew on a month-to-month basis unless terminated by either the Company or Mr. Vroman upon 30 days written notice to the other party. The Consulting Agreement additionally provides for certain customary covenants regarding confidentiality.


Pursuant to the Vroman Severance Agreement, the Company will provide Mr. Vroman with (i) back pay wages through the Separation Date in the amount of $151,615.46, less all lawful and authorized withholdings and deductions, to be paid as soon as practicable following the Vroman Effective Date and (ii) severance of 24 months of Mr. Vroman's base salary, less all lawful and authorized withholdings and deductions, under the Vroman Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Vroman Severance Agreement, the Company shall also reimburse to Mr. Vroman the premiums associated with the continuation of Mr. Vroman's health insurance for the period commencing on the Separation Date through December 31, 2024, pursuant to applicable law, expenses in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy, and the full vesting of any earned shares of Common Stock. The Vroman Severance Agreement also provides for a mutual waiver and release of any claims in connection with Mr. Vroman's employment, separation and departure from the Company, and for certain customary covenants regarding confidentiality.


The foregoing descriptions of the Vroman Severance Agreement and Consulting Agreement contained in this Item 5.02 do not purport to be a complete description of the terms and provisions therein and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Vroman Severance Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.