22nd Century Group, Inc. appointed new CEO

Item 5.02(d): Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. 


On January 17, 2022, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of 22nd Century Group, Inc. (the "Company") expanded the number of directors to seven members and appointed James A. Mish, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, to be a director on the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Mish was appointed as a Class II director.


Mr. Mish has served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer since June 2020. Trained as a chemist, Mr. Mish brings a detailed understanding of molecular, organic and formulation sciences to the board - particularly in botanical products and consumer product innovation. He also brings deep experience navigating the regulatory matters related to product approvals and clinical trials, particularly with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).


Prior to joining 22nd Century, Mr. Mish led the private equity carve out of Noramco from Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Pharmaceuticals and the subsequent spinoff of Purisys from Noramco. Mr. Mish served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Purisys, leading its pharmaceutically derived cannabinoid API, ingredients and solutions business, including full-scale commercial production of cannabinoid APIs for various market segments, including pharmaceuticals, medical OTC and consumer packaged goods.


Mr. Mish began his career at multi-national pharmaceutical firm Pfizer in research and development, before holding positions of increasing responsibility at several companies including as President of Ashland Specialty Ingredients - Consumer Specialties, a major division of Ashland Corporation, a premier, global specialty materials company. While at Ashland, he led operations for a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, managing both primary and contract manufacturing operations for Ashland's personal care, food, beverage & nutrition, and pharmaceutical segments globally. Mr. Mish has also served in senior management roles at multi-national chemical and industrial ingredients firms. In these roles, Mr. Mish was responsible for driving global manufacturing operations to annual revenues in excess of $1 billion.


Information regarding Mr. Mish's employment agreement and compensation are set forth in the Company's annual meeting proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2021. There are no family relationships between Mr. Mish and any director or other executive officer of the Company nor are there any transactions between Mr. Mish or any member of his immediate family and the Company or any of its subsidiaries that would be reportable as a related party transaction. Further, there is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Mish and any other persons or entities pursuant to which Mr. Mish was appointed as a director of the Company.