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

On July 27, 2017, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Eastside Distilling, Inc. (the “Company”) nominated Shelly A. Saunders to the Board to fill an existing vacancy on the Board, which appointment shall be effective and conditioned upon completion of the Company’s proposed unit offering and listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, as set forth in Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-215848) filed by the Company with the Commission on July 31, 2017. Ms. Saunders will serve on the Company’s audit committee effective upon her appointment to the Board.

Since March 2015, Ms. Saunders has served as a consultant for Resources Global Professionals, a consulting firm serving global corporations. From June 2013 to January 2015, Ms. Saunders served as Vice President Finance and Country CFO for Campari Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano. From July 2009 to May 2013, Ms. Saunders served as Vice President Finance for Campari America/SKYY Spirits, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano. Prior to joining Campari America, Ms. Saunders was a consultant for Resources Global Professionals, a Director Finance for Mervyns, and a Vice President Finance and Treasurer for Organic, Inc., among other positions. Ms. Saunders received a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University and an MBA from University of California, Berkeley.

Because of her prior service as a finance professional for one of the largest global spirits companies and her extensive experience and knowledge of, and contacts within, the spirits industry, the Company believes Ms. Saunders will be a valuable member of the Board and is well qualified to serve on the Board and audit committee of the Board.

The Board has determined that Ms. Saunders is independent within the meaning of NASDAQ listing standards and the standards of the Commission. Also, the Board has designated Ms. Saunders as an “audit committee financial expert” as the term is defined under Commission regulations and has determined that Ms. Saunders possesses the requisite “financial sophistication” under applicable NASDAQ rules to serve on the audit committee.

Ms. Saunders will be eligible to receive compensation for service to the Board and committees of the Board in accordance with any future non-employee director compensation policies adopted by the Company.

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.