Exhibit 10.1
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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| Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Appointment of Randell Weaver as Chief Financial Officer
On August 11, 2023 (the “Commencement Date”), NuZee, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Randell Weaver to be the Company’s new Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.
Mr. Weaver, age 65, has been the Chief Financial Officer of Reinvention Unlimited, Inc, where he provides financial and operational management and executive oversight services for his clients. Mr. Weaver’s responsibilities include building and mentoring teams, identifying and implementing strategic initiatives including successful exits and executing mutually agreed operating plans. He has been responsible for advising corporate clients – ranging from startups to $2 billion in annual revenue – on matters including accounting, finance, and capital markets for international manufacturing and distribution clients with a focus on regulated industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and contracting. Mr. Weaver has also held numerous other leadership roles at other companies such as President/COO of Natural Alternatives International, Inc. (Nasdaq: NAII), President/CFO of Bimbo Bakeries USA, VP/Corporate Controller of Specialty Restaurants Corp, and CFO of Microcomputer Memories, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCMI). Mr. Weaver earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge and a Master of Arts in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. He is a licensed certified public accountant (inactive) in the State of California.
On the Commencement Date, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Weaver in connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer (the “Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Weaver is entitled to an annual base salary of $225,000 and an annual cash bonus opportunity (“Annual Bonus”), with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 50% of his base salary, based on the achievement of the Company or individual performance goals that will be established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). Mr. Weaver is also eligible to receive a bonus for Fiscal Year 2023 at the exclusive discretion of the Chief Executive Officer, Compensation Committee, and Board of Directors. Mr. Weaver is also eligible to participate in any equity compensation plan of the Company, including the NuZee, Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan, and to receive future equity awards at the Board of Directors’ discretion.
In addition, pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the Company granted to Mr. Weaver on the Commencement Date an award of options to purchase 6,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Subject to Mr. Weaver’s continued employment, the options vest as follows: (i) 2,000 options shall vest upon the first anniversary of the Commencement Date; (ii) 2,000 options shall vest upon the second anniversary of the Commencement Date; and (iii) 2,000 options shall vest upon the third anniversary of the Commencement Date. The options have an exercise price of equal to the fair market value at the time of grant.
In addition, pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the Company granted and issued to Mr. Weaver on the Commencement Date 6,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Restricted Shares”). Subject to Mr. Weaver’s continued employment, the Restricted Shares vest as follows: (i) 2,000 Restricted shall vest upon the first anniversary of the Commencement Date; (ii) 2,000 Restricted Shares shall vest upon the second anniversary of the Commencement Date; and (iii) 2,000 Restricted Shares shall vest upon the third anniversary of the Commencement Date.
Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, if Mr. Weaver resigns for “good reason” or his employment is terminated by the Company without “cause,” each as defined in the Employment Agreement, Mr. Weaver is entitled to receive payment equal to (i) his accrued but unpaid salary for the period through the date of his resignation or termination, plus (ii) an amount equal to one times his annual base salary as then in effect, plus (iii) an amount equal to one times the amount of the Annual Bonus actually paid to Mr. Weaver for the previous fiscal year, prorated based on the number of days actually worked in the fiscal year in which the effective date of termination occurs, plus (iv) reimbursement for premiums paid to continue Mr. Weaver’s health, dental and vision insurance pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) until the earlier of 18 months or the date on which Mr. Weaver becomes eligible to participate in a group medical plan sponsored by any other employer.
Also under the Employment Agreement, if within 12 months following a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Employment Agreement, Mr. Weaver resigns for “good reason” or his employment is terminated by the Company without “cause,” Mr. Weaver is entitled to receive payment equal to (i) his accrued but unpaid salary for the period through the date of his resignation or termination, plus (ii) an amount equal to one and one half times his annual base salary as then in effect, plus (iii) an amount equal to one and one half times the amount of the Annual Bonus actually paid to Mr. Weaver for the previous fiscal year, prorated based on the number of days actually worked in the fiscal year in which the effective date of termination occurs, plus (iv) reimbursement for premiums paid to continue Mr. Weaver’s health, dental and vision insurance pursuant to COBRA until the earlier of 18 months or the date on which Mr. Weaver becomes eligible to participate in a group medical plan sponsored by any other employer.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Weaver and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. Weaver was appointed as an executive officer. Mr. Weaver does not have any family relationships with any director or executive officer of the Company or any person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer of the Company. There are no transactions in which Mr. Weaver has any interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On August 15, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Weaver as the Company’s new Chief Financial Officer. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
As provided in General Instruction B.2 to Form 8-K, the information furnished in this Item 7.01 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly provided by specific reference in such filing.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibit
| Exhibit | Description | |
| 10.1 | Employment Agreement, dated August 16, 2023, by and between NuZee, Inc. and Randell Weaver | |
| 99.1 | Press release, dated August 15, 2023 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| NUZEE, INC. | ||
| Dated: August 14, 2023 | By: | /s/ Masateru Higashida |
| Name: | Masateru Higashida | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President | |
Exhibit 10.1
Exhibit 99.1
NuZee Appoints Experienced Finance and CPG Professional Randell Weaver as Chief Financial Officer
RICHARDSON, Tex. — (August 15, 2023) — NuZee, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUZE), a leading coffee co-packing and technology company, today announces the appointment of Randell Weaver as its chief financial officer.
Mr. Weaver joins NuZee with more than 30 years of well-rounded manufacturing, distribution, and CPG experience with three prior terms as a public company CFO and demonstrated success rate in cash management, fund raising, building and mentoring staffs, structuring financing options, optimizing performance, growth, strategic planning and managing relationships.
Prior to joining NuZee, Mr. Weaver served as chief financial officer of Reinvention Unlimited, Inc, which provides financial and operational management, mentoring and executive oversight services for international manufacturing and distribution clients with a focus on regulated industries in food, pharmaceuticals and contracting. Before that, he held several key positions, including CFO of a publicly held CPG manufacturing and distribution company with international operations and units in baked organic baby foods, nutritional supplements, and highly regulated cannabis products. While there, he transitioned that issuer’s listing from TSX to NASDAQ and helped raise in excess of $15 million in debt and equity . He also facilitated the conversion from the IFRS accounting standard to US GAAP compliant financial statements. Mr. Weaver also previously held interim CFO positions at a private equity-acquired food packaging company and a frozen food company.
Mr. Weaver holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Cal State University, Northridge, and a Master of Arts in spiritual psychology from University of Santa Monica.
Masa Higashida, NuZee’s CEO, commented, “Randy’s extensive experience both as a financial officer in a public company, and within the CPG, and in particular, food packaging space equip him with a solid understanding of our business model. We look forward to collaborating with him in helping drive NuZee forward as we continue to grow rapidly within the market.”
Mr. Weaver added, “I am thrilled to join the NuZee team and am genuinely excited about the innovations the company is spearheading in the single-serve coffee market. Working with such a dedicated group of professionals, I am committed to extending our impact in the market and enhancing shareholder value.”
To learn more about NuZee and its innovative solutions, visit mynuzee.com.
About NuZee Coffee
NuZee, Inc., (Nasdaq: NUZE), is a leading co-packing company for single-serve coffee formats that partners with companies to help them expand within the single-serve and private label coffee category. Providing end-to-end innovative and sustainable solutions with the flexibility and capacity for both small roasters and large global brands, NuZee is revolutionizing the way single-serve coffee is enjoyed in the U.S. Through the brand’s unique process, NuZee fulfills every aspect of co-packing needs, from sourcing, roasting and blending, to packing and packaging.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. NuZee cautions you that such statements are simply predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. These statements reflect NuZee’s current expectations and NuZee does not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied in this or other NuZee statements will not be realized. Further, these statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NuZee’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include: NuZee’s plan to obtain funding for its operations, including funding necessary to develop, manufacture and commercialize its products; the impact to NuZee’s business from COVID 19 global crisis; general market acceptance of and demand for NuZee’s products; and NuZee’s commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; for description of additional factors that may cause NuZee’s actual results, performance or expectations to differ from any forward looking statements, please review the information set forth in the ‘Risk Factors’ and “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the NuZee’s public reports and NuZee’s other filings made with the SEC.
SOURCE NuZee, Inc.
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