Eightco Holdings Inc. appointed Paul Vassilakos as new CEO

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


First Amendment to McFadden Severance Agreement 


As previously reported on the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2024, the Company and Brian McFadden entered into that certain General Release and Severance Agreement, dated February 26, 2024 (the "McFadden Severance Agreement"), 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 terms of the McFadden Severance Agreement, Mr. McFadden was to remain a director of the Company's board (the "Board") from the Separation Date through March 31, 2024, at which time Mr. McFadden would resign from the Board. On March 17, 2024, the Board approved the entry by the Company into the First Amendment to General Release and Severance Agreement (the "McFadden Amendment") to amend Mr. McFadden's end date of service on the Board to March 17, 2024.


The foregoing description of the McFadden Amendment 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 Amendment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated herein by reference herein.


O'Donnell Severance Agreement 


On March 17, 2024, Kevin O'Donnell resigned as Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. O'Donnell's resignation was not the result of any disagreement regarding any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies, or practices.


In connection with Mr. O'Donnell's resignation from these positions, on March 17, 2024, the Company and Kevin O'Donnell entered into a General Release and Severance Agreement (the "O'Donnell Severance Agreement"), effective as of March 17, 2024 (the "O'Donnell Effective Date"). The O'Donnell Severance Agreement terminated of the amended and restated employment agreement, by and between the Company and Mr. O'Donnell, effective as of October 21, 2022 (the "O'Donnell Employment Agreement"). Pursuant to the O'Donnell Severance Agreement, as of the O'Donnell Effective Date, the O'Donnell 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 O'Donnell Employment Agreement.


Pursuant to the O'Donnell Severance Agreement, the Company will provide Mr. O'Donnell with (i) back pay wages through the Separation Date in the amount of $138,000, less all lawful and authorized withholdings and deductions, to be paid as soon as practicable following the O'Donnell Effective Date and (ii) severance equal to 24 months of Mr. O'Donnell's base salary, less all lawful and authorized withholdings and deductions, under the O'Donnell Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the O'Donnell Severance Agreement, the Company shall also provide Mr. O'Donnell with (i) reimbursement of the premiums associated with the continuation of Mr. O'Donnell's health insurance for the period commencing on the Separation Date through and including September 27, 2024, pursuant to applicable law, (ii) reimbursement of expenses in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy, and (iii) the full vesting of any earned, outstanding and unvested shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan (as define below). The O'Donnell Severance Agreement also provides for a mutual waiver and release of any claims in connection with Mr. O'Donnell's employment, separation and departure from the Company, and for certain customary covenants regarding confidentiality.


The foregoing description of the O'Donnell 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 O'Donnell Severance Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.6 and incorporated herein by reference herein.


Appointment of Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


In connection with Mr. O'Donnell's resignation from his positions as Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer, on March 17, 2024, the Board appointed Paul Vassilakos as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective immediately, to serve until a successor is chosen and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal.


Mr. Vassilakos, age 47, has served as a director of Adamas One Corp. (NASDAQ) since October 2021. Mr. Vassilakos co-founded, and since July 2020 has been a partner of Forever 8 Fund, LLC, a subsidiary of Eightco Holdings Inc., a consumer products inventory capital provider. Since 2013 Mr. Vassilakos has served and held various Board, CEO and CFO positions on several publicly listed companies. In July 2007, Mr. Vassilakos founded Petrina Advisors, Inc., a privately held advisory firm formed to provide investment banking services for public and privately held companies, and has served as its President since its formation. Mr. Vassilakos also founded and has served as the President of Petrina Properties Ltd., a privately held real estate holding company, since December 2006. Earlier in his career, Mr. Vassilakos was engaged as a consultant to assist several SPACs with business combinations. Mr. Vassilakos started his career an Analyst at Salomon Smith Barney's New York Investment Banking Division and later as an Associate within the Greek Coverage Group of Citigroup Inc.'s UK Investment Banking Division. While attending university, Mr. Vassilakos was a Registered Securities Representative at Paine Webber CSC - DJS Securities Ltd, during which time he provided securities brokerage services to private clients. Mr. Vassilakos holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from the Leonard N. Stern Undergraduate School of Business and was a licensed Registered Securities Representative (Series 7 and 63) from February 1996 to February 2002.


There is no family relationship between Mr. Vassilakos and any director or executive officer of the Company.


In connection with Mr. Vassilakos' appointment as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, on March 17, 2024, the Company and Mr. Vassilakos entered into an Employment Agreement (the "Vassilakos Employment Agreement"), which supersedes and replaces the Employment Agreement dated October 16, 2022, by and between Mr. Vassilakos, the Company and Forever 8. The Vassilakos Employment Agreement provides for an initial term of two year, unless earlier terminated in accordance therein, and automatic renewals for successive one (1) year terms unless either party provides timely written notice otherwise.


Pursuant to the terms of the Vassilakos Employment Agreement, Mr. Vassilakos will be entitled to a base salary payable at the annualized rate of $300,000 per year (the "Vassilakos Base Salary"). Mr. Vassilakos is eligible for an annual cash bonus opportunity equal to up to 75% of the Vassilakos Base Salary and awards of restricted stock units up to 100% of the Vassilakos Base Salary, subject to the terms and conditions of the Eightco Holdings Inc. (f/k/a Cryptyde, Inc.) 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the Company's form of restricted stock unit agreement (the "Vassilakos Bonus"), based on certain milestones to be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board. Mr. Vassilakos may also be eligible for additional compensation in the sole and complete discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board.


Mr. Vassilakos will be eligible to participate in all health, medical, dental and life insurance policies offered to employees of the Company, and the Company will pay all applicable premiums. The Company will reimburse Mr. Vassilakos for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in the conduct of the Company's business. The Vassilakos Employment Agreement provides Mr. Vassilakos with four (4) weeks of paid vacation and five (5) days of paid personal time. The Vassilakos Employment Agreement also provides Mr. Vassilakos with liability insurance coverage and shall reimburse certain financial planning expenses incurred by Mr. Vassilakos. Pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Vassilakos Employment Agreement, Mr. Vassilakos and the Company have entered into a standard indemnification agreement (the "Indemnification Agreement").


In the event the Company terminates Mr. Vassilakos' employment without cause (as defined in the Vassilakos Employment Agreement), Mr. Vassilakos will receive (i) the Accrued Obligations (as defined in the Vassilakos Employment Agreement) and (ii) severance in the amount of equal to the Vassilakos Base Salary for twelve (12) months, less applicable payroll deductions and tax withholdings. In addition, this termination will cause the vesting of all equity awards subject to the terms of the Plan held by Mr. Vassilakos and entitle Mr. Vassilakos to reimbursement of premiums associated with the continuation of health insurance benefits provided under the Vassilakos Employment Agreement during the remaining Term of Employment (as defined in the Vassilakos Employment Agreement).


The foregoing descriptions of the Vassilakos Employment Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement contained in this Item 5.02 do not purport to be complete descriptions of the terms and provisions therein and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Vassilakos Employment Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.7 and 10.8, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference herein.