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. |
Director Resignation
On December 22, 2023, Ryan Spick, a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Fortune Rise Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), notified the Board that he was resigning from the Board, including all committees of the Board. Mr. Spick did not resign due to any disagreement with the Company, its board of directors or its management regarding any matters relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
Director Appointment
On December 22, 2023, the Board appointed Beau Vuillemot to fill the resulting vacancy created by Mr. Spick’s resignation. Mr. Vuillemot will fill the vacancies created on the Company’s Audit Committee and Compensation Committee created by Mr. Spick’s resignation. Mr. Vuillemot will serve as the chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Vuillemot was not appointed pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between him and any other persons. In addition, Mr. Vuillemot has entered into an indemnification agreement with the Company, the form of which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on November 20, 2023. Mr. Vuillemot will receive compensation of $10,000 per month for his service as a director.
In October 2016, Mr. Vuillemot cofounded Viking Revolution LLC, an ecommerce business with a proprietary line of men’s grooming products. In 2018, Viking Revolution LLC was acquired and Mr. Vuillemot now serves as its Chief Marketing Officer. Mr. Vuillemot was appointed to the Board because of his experience as an entrepreneur, taking companies from early stage to rapid growth, which would be applicable to the plans of our target.
Appointment of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
As previously announced on December 6, 2023, Richard Brand notified the Company of his plans to resign from his positions as Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. On December 22, 2023, the Board appointed Ryan Spick to serve as the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer effective as of December 22, 2023.
In 2007, Mr. Spick founded The Dream Builder Group, a personal and business development company helping individuals and professionals to accomplish their ideal lifestyle and optimal success. Mr. Spick works with business owners to scale up their companies through analysis and targeted improvements. His proven expertise ranges from determining target audience, market research, branding, developing budgets, estimates, scopes of work to client relations, as well as implementing back-office functions and coordinating with trades. With an extensive background in institutional and commercial construction, Mr. Spick specializes today in planning, strategizing, and managing sophisticated real estate projects from start to finish. He attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology and began his business career in Canada. Mr. Spick is now based in Arizona and is passionate about mountain sports. Mr. Spick served on the Board from December 2022 until December 22, 2023.
The terms and conditions of Mr. Spick’s appointment will be governed by a consulting agreement dated as of December 22, 2023 by and between the Company and Mr. Spick (the “Consulting Agreement”). The Consulting Agreement provides for compensation to Mr. Spick of $10,000 per month. The Consulting Agreement provides for a term of six months, unless earlier terminated by either party upon 10 business days’ written notice.
A copy of the Consulting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The above description of the Consulting Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by the full text of such exhibit.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Spick and any other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Principal Executive Officer of the Company. There are no family relationships between Mr. Spick and any of the Company’s directors or other executive officers, and Mr. Spick is not a party to any transaction, or any proposed transaction, required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 10.1 | Consulting Agreement, dated December 22, 2023, by and between Fortune Rise Acquisition Corporation and Ryan Spick | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
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SIGNATURES
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| Fortune Rise Acquisition Corporation | ||
| Date: December 22, 2023 | By: | /s/ Ryan Spick |
| Name: | Ryan Spick | |
| Title: | Principal Executive Officer | |
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Exhibit 10.1
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This CONSULTING AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is effective as of December 22, 2023 (the “Effective Date”) between Fortune Rise Acquisition Corp. (“SPAC”, or “Company”) and Dream Builder Group -- Ryan Spick, Principal (“Consultant”).
RECITALS
A. The SPAC desires to retain the Consultant to provide certain executive and financial consulting services as the interim Principal Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer to SPAC, and
B. The Consultant desires to provide certain consulting services to the SPAC in accordance with the terms and conditions contained hereinafter.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Services. Company hereby engages Consultant on a non-exclusive basis, and Consultant hereby accepts the engagement to become interim Principal Executive Officer and interim CFO to the SPAC and to render such advice, consultation, information, and services to the SPAC regarding general financial and business matters, together with such other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time by the SPAC’s Board of Directors, including, but not limited to:
| (i) | Maintaining Dropbox or similar file system for all corporate documents; |
| (ii) | Managing arrangements with accountants for the accounting of operating activities; |
| (iii) | Managing bank account for operations of the SPAC; |
| (iv) | Coordinating with the SPAC trustee regarding SPAC Funds in Trust; |
| (v) | Arranging Promissory Notes for the Company, for SPAC operations and other expenses; |
| (vi) | Working with the SPAC transfer agent; |
| (vii) | Working with the Company’s SEC Counsel on SPAC regulatory filings; |
| (viii) | Working with the SPAC’s independent auditors; |
| (xii) | Working with the Sponsor, investment bankers, SEC Counsel, the SPAC’s Board of Directors or others (as appropriate) toward successful completion of a “de-SPAC” transaction (if feasible), including a follow-on PIPE financing (if applicable); |
| (ix) | Overseeing preparation of S1 or S4 filings; |
| (x) | Getting NOBO list of SPAC shareholders; |
| (xi) | Arranging for “de-SPAC” extensions (if applicable); |
| (xiii) | Issuing Press Releases to apprise the media and public about significant events of the SPAC; |
| (xv) | Working with attorneys and bankers to maintain compliance with NASDAQ; |
| (xvi) | Working with SEC Counsel on NASDAQ relisting application; |
| (xvii) | Holding regular meetings with an audit committee to apprise of activities; |
| (xviii) | Keeping payables current and paid; and |
| (xix) | Assuring all franchise taxes are paid for Certificate of Good Standing. |
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2. Other Activities. Consultant may render services of a business, professional or commercial nature to any other person or firm, whether for compensation or otherwise so long as such activities do not conflict, or interfere, with his obligations set forth in this Agreement.
3. Term and Termination. The term (“Term”) of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date hereof and continue for six (6) months, unless earlier terminated hereunder. The Agreement may be extended upon agreement by both parties, unless or until the Agreement is terminated. Either party may cancel this Agreement, at will, upon ten (10) business days’ written notice. Such cancellation shall not excuse the breach or non-performance by the other party or relieve the breaching party of its obligation incurred prior to the date of cancellation.
4. Compensation. As compensation for the services described herein, the Company agrees to:
| (i) | pay Consultant $10,000 per month. |
| (ii) | reimburse Consultant for all reasonable expenses incurred by consultant, subject to the Company's prior written approval, in the performance of his duties hereunder and, Consultant shall account for such expenses to the Company. Such reimbursement shall cumulate and be paid on a monthly basis. |
5. Independent Contractor. In his performance hereunder, Consultant shall be an independent contractor. Consultant shall complete the services required hereunder according to his own means and methods of work, shall be in the exclusive charge and control of his actions and which shall not be subject to the control or supervision of the Company, except as to the results of the work. Payments to Consultant hereunder shall not be subject to withholding taxes or other employment taxes as required with respect to compensation paid to an employee.
6. Liability and Indemnification. Consultant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the SPAC, its employees, agents, representatives and controlling persons (and the officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and controlling persons of each of them) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (and all actions, suits, proceedings or claims in respect thereof) and any legal or other expenses in giving testimony or furnishing documents in response to a subpoena or otherwise (including, without limitation, the cost of investigating, preparing or defending any such action, suit, proceeding or claim, whether or not in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or claim in which the Company or SPAC is a party), as and when incurred, directly or indirectly, caused by, relating to, based upon or arising out of Consultant's gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of this Agreement. Consultant's obligation to indemnify the Company shall be conditioned on the following: (a) the Company shall notify the Consultant in writing as soon as practicable after its receipt of a claim and (b) Consultant shall have control of the defense and all related settlement negotiations, provided, however, that any settlement be made with the consent of the Company and such settlement include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant of an unconditional release from all liability in favor of the Company.
7. Confidentiality.
(a) Consultant acknowledges that, during the course of performing the consulting services herein, the Company may be disclosing certain nonpublic information and materials concerning its business to Consultant, including but not limited to information regarding its projects, products, technology and know-how, industry and competitor analyses, services, potential customers, personnel, business plans, finances and other commercially valuable information (collectively "Confidential Information"). All nonpublic information disclosed to Consultant in connection with the consulting services will be presumed to be Confidential Information and shall be treated as such.
(b) During the Term and for a period of two years thereafter, Consultant shall: (i) hold Company's Confidential Information in strict trust and confidence and avoid the disclosure or release thereof to any other person or entity by using at least the same degree of care as it uses to avoid unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of its own Confidential Information of a similar nature, but not less than reasonable care, (ii) not use the Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever except as expressly contemplated under this Agreement, and (iii) not, directly or indirectly, copy, reproduce, use, publish, misappropriate, assign, or otherwise transfer or disclose to any person the Confidential Information, other than as permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, regardless of whether such information was actually delivered to Consultant prior to the effective date of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant shall not be required to maintain confidentiality with respect to information: (i) which is or becomes part of the public domain not due to the breach of this agreement by Consultant; (ii) which it had independent knowledge prior to disclosure by the Company; (iii) which comes into the possession of Consultant in the normal and routine course of its own business from and through independent non-confidential sources; or (iv) which is required to be disclosed by Consultant by governmental requirements. If Consultant is requested or required (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or document subpoenas, civil investigative demands, or similar process) to disclose any confidential information supplied to it by the Company, or the existence of other negotiations in the course of its dealings with the Company or its representatives, Consultant shall, unless prohibited by law, promptly notify the Company of such request(s) so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order.
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(d) No license is granted hereunder by Company to its Confidential Information or to any intellectual property right therein delivered or made available to consultant except for the limited purposes set forth in accordance with this Agreement. Company retains all right, title and interest in and to its Confidential Information. Failure on the part of the Consultant to abide by this section shall cause Company irreparable harm for which damages, although available, will not be an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, Company has the right to obtain injunctive relief to prevent any threatened or actual violations of this section in addition to whatever remedies it may have at law. Consultant expressly waives the defense that a remedy in damages will be adequate and any requirement in an action for specific performance or injunction for the posting of a bond by the Company.
8. No Conflicting Agreements. Consultant represents and warrants that he is not a party to any agreement, contract or understanding, whether a consulting agreement or otherwise, that would restrict or prohibit him from undertaking or performing employment in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
9. Severable Provisions. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more of its provisions is determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions and any partially enforceable provision to the extent enforceable in any jurisdiction nevertheless shall be binding and enforceable.
10. Binding Agreement. The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding on, the Company and its successors and assigns, and the rights and obligations (other than obligations to perform services) of Consultant under this agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, Consultant and his heirs, personal and legal representatives, executors, successors and administrators.
11. Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given and received (a) when personally delivered, or delivered by same-day courier; or (b) on the third business day after mailing by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested; or (c) upon delivery when sent by prepaid overnight express delivery service (e.g., FedEx, UPS); or (d) when sent by email or facsimile and upon the receipt by the sending party of written confirmation by the receiving party; provided, however, that an automated facsimile or email confirmation of delivery or read receipt shall not constitute such confirmation.
12. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right he or it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated by this Agreement. Each party certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce this waiver.
13. Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision as to any future violation thereof, or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement. The rights granted the parties herein are cumulative and the waiver of any single remedy shall not constitute a waiver of such party's right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.
14. Miscellaneous. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties. This Agreement may not be modified or terminated orally. All obligations and liabilities of each party hereto in favor of the other party hereto relating to matters arising prior to the date hereof have been fully satisfied, paid and discharged. No modification, termination or attempted waiver shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the party against whom the same is sought to been forced.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Florida.
16. Captions and Paragraph Headings. Captions and paragraph headings used herein are for convenience and are not a part of this Agreement and shall not be used in construing it.
17. Enforcement Costs. If any legal action or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any provision of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and all expenses even if not taxable as court costs (including, without limitation, all such fees, costs and expenses incident to arbitration, appellate, bankruptcy and post-judgment proceedings), incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which such party or parties may be entitled.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the day and year first set forth above.
Fortune Rise Acquisition Corp.:
By: /s/ Ronald Pollack
Name: Ronald Pollack
Title: Board of Directors Chairman
Date: 12/20/23
Consultant:
By: /s/ Ryan Spick
Name: Ryan Spick
Date: 12/20/23
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