EASTSIDE DISTILLING, INC. (OTCMKTS:ESDI) Files An 8-K Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain OfficersItem 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On October 15, 2018, in accordance with the amended and restated bylaws of Eastside Distilling, Inc. (the “Company”), the Board of Directors (the “Board”) expanded the size of the Company’s Board to eight directors. Thereafter, also on October 15, 2018, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, the six sitting members of the Board nominated Patrick T. Crowley and David Holmes to fill the two existing Board vacancies, to serve until his respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal, whichever first occurs.
The Company will enter into its standard form of indemnification agreement for its directors with Messrs. Crowley and Holmes. In addition, to the Company's non-employee director compensation policy, they will receive cash and equity compensation measured as of the effective date of their appointment to the Board.
Mr. Crowley is a veteran motion picture producer with worldwide experience. He has produced many box office hits including Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Jurassic World, Eight Below, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Bourne Identity, Eagle Eye and The Other Guys. He was the executive producer on Sleepless in Seattle, Legends of the Fall and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. As the Company contemplates broadening its collaboration with celebrities as a result of its positive results working with country music star, John Rich in the Redneck Riviera Whiskey venture, the Board believes that Mr. Crowley’s extensive experience and contacts in the entertainment world will be a unique and valuable voice in the boardroom.
Mr. Holmes currently serves as the founder of Third Floor, LLC, a development-stage company assembling a platform of brands primarily focused on ‘evolved beverage’ and cannabis beverage. Prior thereto, he was a co-founder of Boathouse Beverage, the developer of the SpikedSeltzer brand, which was sold to ABInbev in 2016. While at Boathouse, Mr. Holmes built the SpikedSeltzer brand from concept to product to sale and, in the process, created a $400 million segment in the alcohol beverage market. He developed and directed all branding/marketing and related execution, along with sole responsibility for all investment, finance, logistics and field sales management. Following the SpikedSeltzer brand acquisition, Mr. Holmes became Vice President at ABInbev where his primary focus was on managing the operational transition to ABI, leading and guiding the brand identity transition into ABI and wholesaler outreach and relationship building. Prior to co-founding Boathouse Beverage, Mr. Holmes was a director and portfolio manager at Citi Capital Advisors from 2007 through 2012, where he ran the $600 million distressed debt opportunity fund. Mr. Holmes was also an analyst at Marathon Asset Management, an alternative asset management firm with $10 billion in assets under management investing in global credit and fixed income markets. Mr. Holmes has an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and a BA in Economics from Connecticut College. Because of his extensive experience within the spirits industry, the Company believes Mr. Holmes will be a valuable member of the Board.
The Board has determined that both Mr. Crowley and Mr. Holmes are independent within the meaning of NASDAQ listing standards and the standards of the Securities and Exchange Commission. There is no arrangement or understanding between either of Mr. Crowley or Mr. Holmes and any other person to which they were appointed to the Board. There are no transactions between the Company and either of Mr. Crowley or Mr. Holmes that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
About EASTSIDE DISTILLING, INC. (OTCMKTS:ESDI)
Eastside Distilling, Inc. (Eastside) is a manufacturer, developer, producer and marketer of master-crafted spirits. The Company’s beverage alcohol categories include bourbon, whiskey, rum and vodka. The Company operates through the marketing and distributing of hand-crafted spirits segment. Its brands include Burnside Bourbon, Burnside Oregon Oaked Bourbon, Barrel Hitch American Whiskey, Barrel Hitch Oregon Oak American Whiskey, Below Deck Silver Rum, Below Deck Ginger Rum, Below Deck Coffee Rum, Below Deck Spiced Rum, Portland Potato Vodka, Marionberry Whiskey and Cherry Bomb Whiskey. Eastside creates seasonal and limited edition handmade products, such as Advocaat (eggnog) Liqueur, Peppermint Bark Liqueur, Bier Schnapps and Holiday Spiced Liqueur. Eastside distributes its products in approximately 15 states, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.