UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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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.
On February 15, 2024, AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of William (“Bill”) Irby to serve as president of the Company, effective as of February 12, 2024.
Bill Irby previously served as President of MTI Motion, a Steel Partners company specializing in motors and hardware for aircraft, weapons systems, and commercial equipment from November 2022 until February 2024. He has a long career spanning several executive roles in innovative defense organizations. Bill has served as the Chief Operating Officer at Martin UAV (assisting in its acquisition by Shield AI) from March 2021 to December 2021, President of the Reconnaissance Mission Systems sector of L3Harris Technologies from October 2018 through February 2021, SVP/GM of Textron Systems’ Unmanned Systems business from November 2012 until October 2018, and as VP of two business units at Northrop Grumman in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Tactical Communications.
Before joining the defense industry, Bill served as a combat engineer in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the US Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University, and an Executive Certificate in the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School. As a longtime Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) board member, since April 2015, Bill continues serves as Chairman after previous roles as Executive Vice Chair, and Treasurer. He also brings his expertise to the advisory boards of Ghost Robotics, Secmation, and LaunchPoint EPS. The Company believes that Bill Irby’s experience in engineering and aviation, in addition to holding executive roles in innovative defense organizations will make him a vital resource to the Company.
There is no family relationship between Bill Irby and any other executive officer or director of the Company. There have been no related transactions that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 15, 2024 the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Irby’s appointment. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
The information furnished pursuant to Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 99.1 | AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. Press Release dated February 15, 2024 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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.
| AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Mark DiSiena | |
| Name: | Mark DiSiena | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| Dated: February 15, 2024 | ||
Exhibit 99.1
AgEagle Aerial Systems Appoints Seasoned Defense Industry Executive William Irby as President
Established leader in the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) sector to focus on driving sustainable growth
WICHITA, Kan., February 15, 2024 – AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) a leading provider of best-in-class full stack unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, today announces the appointment of William “Bill” Irby as President, effective February 12, 2024.
AgEagle’s Chairman and Interim CEO, Grant Begley, commented, “Bill is a timely and exciting addition to AgEagle’s leadership team. His significant defense industry experience — particularly in scaling unmanned technology, product development, and business operations — will be transformative for AgEagle as we enter our next stage of growth. We believe Bill’s deep domain UAS professional successes and industry foresight will contribute as we continue to expand our market footprint and focus on building sustainable shareholder value.”
Irby, a United States Naval Academy alum, has more than 25 years of senior management experience in uncrewed air and maritime systems, actuation hardware, ISR systems, and communication systems. He served as a Vice President at Northrop Grumman, one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers and military technology providers, generating $30 billion annually. Most recently Bill was President of MTI and Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a diversified global holding company with operations in industrial products, energy, defense, supply chain management and logistics.
An active Board member of Ghost Robotics and Chairman of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Irby also served as President of VBAT, leading the former Martin UAS business after Shield AI’s acquisition, and L3 Harris Technologies, directing the Reconnaissance Mission Systems division providing world-class complex systems development and integration, ISR capabilities, senior leader communications systems and aircraft modification services/sustainment.
He holds a Master’s degree in Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He also serves as a Board member of Secmation and LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions.
Irby commented, “The escalating interest from government and military agencies worldwide in AgEagle’s best-in-class eBee VISION and TAC UAS, sensors and software presents a significant inflection point for the Company. I am eager to leverage my expertise in scaling operations within the global defense and security industry to help drive long-term value for all our stakeholders.”
About AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc.:
Through its three centers of excellence, AgEagle is actively engaged in designing and delivering best-in-class flight hardware, sensors and software that solve important problems for its customers. Founded in 2010, AgEagle was originally formed to pioneer proprietary, professional-grade, fixed-winged drones and aerial imagery-based data collection and analytics solutions for the agriculture industry. Today, AgEagle is a leading provider of full stack UAS, sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the energy, construction, agriculture, and government verticals. For additional information, please visit our website at www.ageagle.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations include those risks and uncertainties relating to our competitive position, the industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of regulation and events outside of our control, such as natural disasters, wars, or health epidemics. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.
AgEagle Aerial Systems Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Email: UAVS@ageagle.com
Media:
Email: media@ageagle.com
Cover |
Feb. 15, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Feb. 15, 2024 |
| Entity File Number | 001-36492 |
| Entity Registrant Name | AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000008504 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 88-0422242 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | NV |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 8201 E. 34th Cir N |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Wichita |
| Entity Address, State or Province | KS |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 67226 |
| City Area Code | (620) |
| Local Phone Number | 325-6363 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock |
| Trading Symbol | UAVS |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSEAMER |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |