Local Bounti Corporation/DE NYSE false 0001840780 0001840780 2023-12-14 2023-12-14

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 14, 2023

 

 

LOCAL BOUNTI CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-40125   98-1584830
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 

(Commission

File Number)

  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

400 W. Main St.

Hamilton, MT 59840

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 640-4016

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, par value of $0.0001 per share   LOCL   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

 

 


Item 5.02

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

On December 14, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Local Bounti Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Craig Hurlbert as the Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Hurlbert’s annual salary is set at $35,568. The other terms of Mr. Hurlbert’s amended and restated employment agreement remain substantially the same as those disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2023 (the “Form 8-K”).

On December 14, 2023, the Company determined that Anna Fabrega’s last day of employment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company was December 14, 2023. The Company presented Ms. Fabrega with a separation agreement with the severance benefits specified in her employment agreement dated as of June 5, 2023, and offer letter dated as of April 19, 2023, and a general release of claims, which she has 45 days to accept, if at all. The terms of Ms. Fabrega’s employment agreement, including severance benefits, are as set forth in the Form 8-K. The form of separation agreement presented to Ms. Fabrega is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.

 

Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure.

On December 15, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the events described in Item 5.02 above. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information furnished under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, will 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 of that section, and will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.1    Form of Separation and Release Agreement
99.1    Press Release, dated December 15, 2023
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL)


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.

 

Date: December 15, 2023     Local Bounti Corporation
    By:  

/s/ Kathleen Valiasek

    Name:   Kathleen Valiasek
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.1

December 14, 2023

Anna Fabrega

Dear Anna:

This Confidential Separation and General Release Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Anna Fabrega, for yourself, your family, your beneficiaries and anyone acting for you) (“you” or “your”) and Local Bounti Corporation (the “Company”), (collectively, the “Parties”).

WHEREAS, you have been employed at-will by the Company as Chief Executive Officer since June 5, 2023;

WHEREAS, you have been concurrently employed by Insperity PEO Services, L.P. (“Insperity”) for the purposes of administering payroll and benefits;

WHEREAS, you entered into an employment agreement dated June 5, 2023, with the Company on or about May 23, 2023 (the “Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, you entered into an offer letter dated April 19, 2023, with the Company on or about April 20, 2023 (the “Offer Letter”);

WHEREAS, under the Employment Agreement and Offer Letter, you are entitled to certain severance and other payments upon the involuntary termination of your employment for a reason other than Cause, contingent upon your compliance with the terms and conditions therein, including your timely execution of a separation agreement and release of claims;

WHEREAS, your employment with the Company ended effective December 14, 2023 (the “Termination Date”);

WHEREAS, to facilitate your transition from employment at the Company, it is the Parties’ mutual wish to fully and finally set forth the terms of your separation.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, promises, covenants, agreements and acknowledgments made herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Resignation From All Officer and Director Positions. You agree that you will be deemed to have resigned, effective as of the Termination Date, from any and all other positions that you may have ever held as an officer, employee, manager, or director of the Company and any of its subsidiaries, and that you agree to execute and deliver any documents reasonably necessary to effectuate such resignations, as requested by the Company.


2. Separation Benefits. Subject to, and in consideration for, your timely execution of this Agreement, and provided you do not revoke it and you comply with all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including but not limited to your release of claims and compliance with your continuing obligations as described herein, the Company will provide you with the following, pursuant to Section 6(a) of your Employment Agreement and your Offer Letter:

a. The Company will pay you the gross amount of $375,000.00 (Three Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars), less all applicable taxes, withholdings and other required deductions (the “Separation Payment”). This amount is equivalent to approximately nine (9) months of your current base salary. You will receive the Separation Payment in installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll procedures at a rate equal to your current base salary, less all required tax withholdings and other applicable deductions. The Company will begin making the Separation Payment installments to you within sixty (60) days after the Termination Date, provided that (i) the Company has received this Agreement executed by you within the timeframe specified in Section 23 of this Agreement; and (ii) you have not revoked this Agreement.

b. The Company will pay you the gross amount of $175,000.00 (One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars), less all applicable taxes, withholdings and other required deductions (the “Bonus Payment”). This amount is equivalent to half of the one-time bonus valued at $350,000.00 described in your Offer Letter, reflecting employment for a period of six full months. The Company’s obligation to make the Bonus Payment to you shall become due ten (10) business days after (i) the Company receives this Agreement executed by you; and (ii) any applicable revocation period.

c. Under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan you have been granted 211,538 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), none of which have vested. Pursuant to your Offer Letter, the Company will accelerate the vesting of 26,443 RSUs, representing half of the first annual 25% vesting tranche of the RSUs for your employment for a period of six full months (“RSU Benefit”), under the Plan and the shares underlying these RSUs will be settled at approximately the same time as the first Separation Payment installment, subject to your execution and non-revocation of this Agreement.

d. If you elect continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA, for you or your eligible dependents, within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA, the Company will reimburse you for the COBRA premiums for such coverage (at the coverage levels in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date) until the earlier of (A) a period of nine (9) months from the Termination Date, or (B) the date upon which you and/or your eligible dependents become covered under similar plans (“COBRA Reimbursement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company is not subject to the requirements of COBRA, the COBRA reimbursements described in this Section 2(d) will be made to you as if you had been entitled to and elected


COBRA coverage within the applicable time period. COBRA reimbursements will be made to you by the Company consistent with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy and will be taxable to the extent required to avoid adverse consequences to you or the Company under either Section 105(h) of the Code or the ACA.

e. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Separation Payment, Bonus Payment, COBRA Reimbursement and RSU Benefit (together, the “Separation Benefits”), combined and/or standing alone, constitutes good and valuable consideration for your release of claims set forth herein. You acknowledge and agree that you are not entitled to the Separation Benefits and that but for this Agreement – which is provided pursuant to Section 6(a) and Section 7 of your Employment Agreement, you would not be entitled to any such payment or benefit.

f. The Company will report the payments above to the IRS as required by law. You acknowledge that you have not relied on any statements or representations by the Company with respect to the tax treatment of the payment described in this section. You are solely responsible for all tax reporting obligations and you agree to pay all local, state, and federal income taxes, penalties, interest, fines or other assessment incurred or owed by you, if any, in connection with the Separation Benefits or this Agreement. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any liabilities, assessment of taxes, penalties, interest, fines, costs, and expenses, arising out of the Separation Benefits or this Agreement.

g. You agree that the Separation Benefits to be provided under the terms of this Agreement are due solely from the Company and no other party has any obligation to pay or provide the additional payment or benefit.

h. The separation benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement are intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and accompanying regulations and other binding guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”), and the provisions of this Agreement will be administered, interpreted and construed accordingly. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments and benefits provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption. Any payments or benefits under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. Any payments or benefits to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by you on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.


3. General Release.

a. Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, and in consideration for all of the promises and covenants herein, including the Separation Benefits, you knowingly and voluntarily waive and release to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law any and all claims or causes of action to date, whether known or unknown, against the Company and Insperity and/or their respective current and former parent companies, predecessors, successors, past, present or future subsidiaries, affiliated companies, investors, branches or related entities, (collectively, including the Company, the “Entities”) and/or the Entities’ respective past, present or future insurers, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, employees, stockholders, shareholders, assigns and employee benefit plans (collectively with the Entities, the “Released Parties”), with respect to any matter, including, without limitation, all actions, suits, claims, demands, liabilities, grievances, charges, injuries, losses, costs, contracts, equity, stock, stock options, ownership interest, profit share, management fees, promises, judgments, awards, orders, executions, and other legal responsibilities, of any form or nature whatsoever, and/or any causes of action of whatever kind or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, unforeseen, unanticipated, or latent, which you ever had, now has, or which your heirs, assigns, executors or administrators hereafter can, shall or may have, arising out of or relating in any way to any acts, circumstances, facts, transactions, omissions, or other subject matters, based on facts occurring prior to the time you execute this Agreement (“Released Claims”).

b. The Released Claims include, but are not limited to any claims, causes of action, rights, actions, suits, charges, or disputes that have been or could have been asserted against any one of the Released Parties arising out of, in connection with, or in any way related to your employment with or separation from the Company, including but not limited to any and all compensation, pay, salary, wage, overtime, holiday pay, vacation, paid time off (PTO), bonuses, commissions, allowances, equity, meal and rest period violations or premiums, off the clock work, expenses/reimbursements, wage statements, employee benefits, sick/vacation pay, severance pay, retention pay, paid leave benefits, any other wage and hour related claims, benefits, equity, incentives, stock, stock options, restricted stock units, or other equity securities of the Company, penalties, insurance, or profit sharing.

c. Without limiting the foregoing, and by way of examples only, the Released Claims also extend to any and all claims for alleged: (i) violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) (to the extent permitted by law), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), the Equal Pay Act (EPA), the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), the Employee Retirement income Security Act (excluding vested benefits) (ERISA); the Rehabilitation Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Georgia Equal Pay Act (GEPA), the Georgia Prohibition of Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Georgia Equal Employment for Persons with Disabilities Code (GEEPDC), the Georgia Discriminatory Wage Practices Based on Sex Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN); (ii) discrimination, harassment or retaliation based on any protected basis, including but not limited to age, ancestry,


citizenship, color, concerted activity, mental or physical disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, immigration status, jury duty, leave rights, family care or medical leave status or the denial of family and medical care leave, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, protected off-duty conduct, race, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, union activity, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law, rule, ordinance or regulation; (iii) any whistleblower or retaliation claims on the basis of any protected activity or other protected basis; (iv) breach of any express or implied promise, contract or agreement, or breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fiduciary breach, interference with contractual or other legal rights, promissory estoppel, or intellectual property or other proprietary rights; (v) any tort or common law claims, including wrongful discharge, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, loss of consortium, negligence, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, slander, libel, interference with prospective economic advantage, assault or battery, personal injury, safety violation, retaliatory, wrongful, or constructive discharge, background check violations, posting or records-related violations; (vi) any other federal, state or local statutory or common law claims seeking monetary or equitable relief, including but not limited to compensatory, emotional or mental distress damages, punitive or liquidated damages, backpay, frontpay, attorney fees, costs, interest or penalties from any of the Released Parties. All such claims, liabilities or causes of action (including, without limitation, claims for related attorneys’ fees and costs) are forever barred by this Agreement, regardless of the forum in which they may be brought. The Parties intend for this release to be as broad as possible.

d. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you do not waive or release any claim which cannot be waived or released by private agreement. This waiver and release does not apply to any claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, such as claims for workers compensation and unemployment benefits. Further, nothing in this Agreement precludes you from filing a charge or complaint with, communicating with, or participating in any investigation or proceeding before any government agency or body (such as the SEC, OSHA, NLRB, EEOC, Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any employment or other applicable laws) and you do not need to provide notice to or obtain authorization from the Company to do so. Further, nothing in this Agreement is intended to impede your ability to report possible securities law violations to the government. However, you understand that by signing this Agreement, you waive the right to recover any damages or to receive other relief in any claim or suit brought by or through the EEOC, Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, or any other state or local agency on your behalf to the fullest extent permitted by law, but expressly excluding any monetary award or other relief available from the SEC/OSHA, including an SEC/OSHA whistleblower award, or other awards or relief that may not lawfully be waived. This General Release covers only those claims that arose prior to your execution of this Agreement. As set forth herein, you may file suit to enforce this Agreement or to challenge its validity under the ADEA.


e. To the extent the release and covenant not to sue in this Agreement expressly extends to Released Parties that are not signatories to this Agreement, it is expressly declared to be for their benefit and use.

f. If any portion of this General Release is found to be unenforceable, it shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions and all remaining provisions shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

4. Representations & Warranties.

a. You represent and warrant that you shall not and have not filed or otherwise initiated any legal action or administrative proceeding of any kind against the Company or any of the Released Parties that relate to any actions or conduct occurring prior to the execution of this Agreement, except for any such claims that cannot be waived in a private agreement. You agree that if you do file such an action or proceeding, irrespective of the forum, the Separation Benefits made under this Agreement shall constitute full and complete consideration for your release of claims.

b. You represent and warrant that you have not assigned, transferred, sold, or hypothecated any of the Released Claims.

c. You represent and warrant you have not made any claims or allegations related to sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual abuse at the Company and that none of the payments set forth in this Agreement are related to sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual abuse.

d. You represent and warrant that there are no liens or encumbrances on the Separation Benefits.

e. You represent and warrant that you have been timely paid all of your Base Compensation earned through the Termination Date and any other Accrued Benefits as described in Paragraph 5 of your Employment Agreement. This includes but is not limited to compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, vacation time, paid time off (PTO), or any other benefits. You acknowledge and agree that, prior to the execution of this Agreement, you were not entitled to receive any further payments or benefits from the Company in connection with your employment other than the benefits required pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 as amended (“COBRA”) and/or similar state law, and the only payments and benefits that you are entitled to receive from the Company in the future are those specified in this Agreement. You further affirm that you have no unreimbursed business expenses.

f. You represent and warrant you have been granted all leave (paid or unpaid) to which you are entitled, that you have not been discriminated or retaliated against due to your exercise of rights, if any, under the Family and Medical Leave Act or any state or local leave laws. You further affirm that you did not suffer any known injury or occupational disease covered by workers’ compensation in the course and scope of your employment with the Company.


g. You represent and warrant that you were advised to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement.

5. Promise Not to Sue. This Agreement is expressly conditioned upon your covenant not to file any claim against the Company or the Released Parties for any of the claims released above. You further agree not to participate in any class, collective, representative, or group action that may include any of the claims released above, and will affirmatively opt out of any such class, collective, representative or group action. Further, you agree not to participate in, seek to recover in, or assist in any litigation or investigation by other persons or entities against the Released Parties, except as required by law or permitted as set forth herein. You understand that this is an affirmative promise by you not to sue any of the Released Parties, which is in addition to your general release of claims. If you sue one of the Released Parties in violation of this Agreement, irrespective of the forum, you agree that: (i) the Released Parties, or any one of them, will be entitled to apply for and receive an injunction to restrain any violation of this Agreement; (ii) you shall be required to pay that Released Party’s reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs incurred in defending against your suit and enforcing the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) the Company can require you to return all but $100.00 of the Separation Pay and benefits provided to you under this Agreement. In that event, the Company shall be excused from any remaining obligations that exist solely because of this Agreement.

6. No Admission. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute or be treated as an admission by the Company or the Released Parties of any liability, wrongdoing, or violation of law.

7. Continuing Obligations. You agree and acknowledge that you continue to be bound by the Employee NonDisclosure, Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality and Developments Agreement, dated June 5, 2023, which you executed on or about May 23, 2023, and which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.    You understand your continuing obligations include but are not limited to those that are set forth in the following provisions: Non-Solicitation of Customers, Non-Solicitation/Non-Hire of Employees, Noncompetition, Nondisclosure Obligation, Company Documentation, Assignment of Inventions, Notice to Third Parties, and Remedies Upon Breach. You acknowledge and agree that your obligations under this Section 7 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company. You further represent and warrant that you have not divulged any Confidential Information of the Company without the Company’s consent.

8. Non-Disclosure. To the extent permitted by law, you agree that you have not and will not disclose to others the existence of this Agreement or its terms, verbally or in writing, by any means. To the extent permitted by law, you have not disclosed and will not disclose any term of this Agreement, including any payment under this Agreement, to anyone except to your immediate family members, or to your attorney, financial advisors, or accountant in order for such individuals to render services to you. Each of them is bound by this provision, and a disclosure by any of them is a disclosure by you. This provision is a material term of this Agreement.


9. Non-Disparagement. You agree that you will not orally or in writing disparage, criticize, make negative statements, or otherwise undermine the reputation of the Company or any of the Released Parties, or encourage or induce others to disparage, criticize, make negative statements, or otherwise undermine the reputation of the Company or any of the Released Parties. For the purpose of this Agreement, “disparage” includes, without limitation, making comments or statements on social media or the internet, or to any person or entity including, but not limited to, the press and/or media, current or former employees, partners or principals of the Company or any entity with whom the Company has a business relationship, that would adversely affect in any manner (a) the conduct of the business of the Company or any of the Released Parties (including, but not limited to, any business plans or prospects) or (b) the reputation of the Company or any of the Released Parties. Nothing in this Section or this Agreement shall prohibit you from providing truthful information as permitted under the terms of this Agreement or as required by law in a legal proceeding or a government investigation, which includes but is not limited to disclosing factual information regarding any claim for sexual harassment, sex discrimination or retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or sex discrimination or from discussing the terms and conditions of your employment with others to the extent expressly permitted by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

10. Liquidated Damages. In the event you breach the obligations in Section 7 Continuing Obligations and/or Section 9 Non-Disparagement of this Agreement, you agree that damages for the breach of such obligations would be and are difficult to ascertain. You therefore agree to pay the Company or the Released Parties $10,000 as liquidated damages for each and every such breach of such obligations, representing a sum that each party agrees is reasonable in light of the circumstances existing at the time of this Agreement. The Company and the Released Parties are entitled to any other available remedies at law.

11. Enforcement. You acknowledge and agree that if you breach or threaten to breach this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief plus attorneys’ fees the Company incurs in enforcing this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, plus any additional relief determined to be appropriate.

12. Return of Company Property. You hereby warrant that you have returned to the Company any and all property of the Company or any of its affiliates in your possession or control, including, without limitation, equipment, documents and correspondence (in paper and electronic form, created or received by you as part of your employment with the Company or any of its affiliates), files, data, employee information, business plans, emails, customer, vendor or supplier lists, financial data, security access cards, and credit cards, or, if incapable of being returned, you have deleted, destroyed and finally purged all property of the Company or any of its affiliates that you stored in electronic form or media (including, but not limited to, any property of the Company or any of its affiliates stored in a cloud environment or in your personal computer, USB drives or in any other device that will remain in your possession or control after the date of this Agreement). Your receipt of the Separation Benefits offered under this Agreement is contingent upon compliance with this provision.

13. Transition and Cooperation. Upon reasonable notice, you agree to cooperate with the Company and/or any of the Released Parties and its or their legal counsel in connection with any current or future investigation or litigation relating to any matter with which you were involved or of which you have knowledge.


14. Whistleblowing. You agree that (i) no one interfered with your ability to report within the Company possible violations of any law, and (ii) it was the Company’s policy throughout your employment to encourage such reporting.

15. Arbitration Agreement. You and the Company agree that any and all claims or disputes arising out of or relating to your employment or termination of employment with the Company, this Agreement, or any alleged breach of this Agreement, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be resolved by final, binding and confidential arbitration before a single neutral arbitrator in Fulton County, Georgia (or another mutually agreeable location) conducted under the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures, which can be reviewed at https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/. Before engaging in arbitration, you and the Company agree to first attempt to resolve the dispute informally or with the assistance of a neutral third-party mediator. You and the Company each acknowledge and understand that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, you and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute, claim or demand through a trial by jury or judge in court or by administrative proceeding. The Company will pay the arbitrator’s fees and arbitration expenses and any other costs unique to the arbitration hearing, except for the initial filing fee. However, you will not be required to pay any amount in initial filing fees more than what you would be required to pay to file a lawsuit, or to take your dispute to another administrative body. The arbitrator, and not a court, shall also be authorized to determine arbitrability, except as provided herein. The arbitrator may in his or her discretion award attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party. Any arbitral award shall be final and binding on the parties and may be entered as a judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction. All claims or disputes must be submitted to arbitration on an individual basis and not as a representative, class and/or collective action proceeding on behalf of other individuals. Any issue concerning the validity of this representative, class and/or collective action waiver must be decided by a Court and if for any reason it is found to be unenforceable, the representative, class and/or collective action claim may only be heard in Court and may not be arbitrated. Claims will be governed by applicable statutes of limitations. Both Parties are bound by this agreement to arbitrate, but it does not include disputes, controversies or differences which may not by law be arbitrated. This arbitration agreement does not cover any action seeking only emergency, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief (including a temporary restraining order) in a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law to protect a party’s confidential or trade secret information. This arbitration agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act. By signing this Agreement, you acknowledge you have read this paragraph and agree with the arbitration provision.

16. No Reliance. The Parties represent and acknowledge that in executing this Agreement, they do not rely and have not relied upon any representation or statement made (or any material facts omitted) by the other party or the other party’s agents, attorneys, employees, officers, directors, or representatives with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement, other than those specifically stated in this Agreement.

17. Waiver. The waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement by either Party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent or simultaneous breach.


18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any exhibits and other documents expressly referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any prior agreements, contracts, or understandings between the Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement modifies, supersedes, voids, or otherwise alters your Employee NonDisclosure, Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality and Developments Agreement with the Company, as attached hereto as Exhibit A, which shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may only be modified or altered in a written document signed by you and an authorized representative of the Company.

19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted under federal law if that law governs, and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

20. Construction and Headings. In any construction of this Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis that the party was the drafter. The language of all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against either of the Parties. The headings and captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall in no way define, limit, expand, or otherwise affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

21. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement and such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, the balance of which will remain in and have its intended full force and effect; provided, however that if such invalid or unenforceable provision may be modified so as to be valid and enforceable as a matter of law, such provision shall be deemed to have been modified so as to be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.

22. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and upon their heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and each of them and to their heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns. You expressly warrant that you have not transferred to any person or entity any right, cause of action, or claim released in this Agreement, and that you are fully empowered to enter into this Agreement.

23. Knowing and Voluntary Agreement. You acknowledge and agree you are forty years old or older, and thus have been advised of and acknowledge the following: (i) you have carefully read and fully understand all provisions of this Agreement; (ii) you are receiving valid consideration for this Agreement that is in addition to anything of value to which you are already entitled; (iii) this Agreement does not waive rights or claims that may arise after it is executed; (iv) by signing this Agreement, you are waiving rights under the ADEA (and as amended by the OWBPA); (v) you have been advised and given the opportunity to consult with an attorney of your choice before signing this Agreement; (vi) you have reviewed and considered the information attached hereto as Exhibit B; (vii) you were given at least forty-five (45) days to consider this Agreement before signing it, that you may choose to sign the Agreement in a shorter time, but if you do so, you acknowledge that any such signing is done on a knowing and voluntary basis; and (viii) you may revoke this Agreement at any time up to seven (7) days after signing this Agreement. The Agreement shall not become effective until the revocation period has expired.


24. Revocation. You have a full seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement. To revoke, you must deliver a written or electronic statement of revocation to Margaret McCandless no later than 11:59 p.m. on the seventh (7th) day after you signed this Agreement. If you revoke within seven (7) days, you will receive no benefits under this Agreement. In the event you do not exercise your right to revoke this Agreement, the Agreement shall become effective on the eighth (8th) calendar day immediately following the seven-day revocation period described above (“Effective Date”).

25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one agreement. Execution via DocuSign or a similar service, or of a facsimile copy or scanned image shall have the same force and effect as execution of an original, and an electronic or facsimile signature or scanned image of a signature shall be deemed an original and valid signature.

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To accept this Agreement, you must sign and date this Agreement and return it to me either: (i) in person; (ii) sent via a national recognized overnight courier service; or (iii) sent via email within 46 days from the date of this letter. Failure to do so will result in the expiration of this offer and this Agreement being revoked.

 

Sincerely,
LOCAL BOUNTI CORPORATION
By:  

 

  (Signature)
Name:   Kathleen Valiasek
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Address:   400 W Main St. Hamilton, MT 59840
Email:  

My agreement with the terms and conditions of this Agreement is signified by my signature below. Furthermore, I acknowledge that I have read and understand this Agreement and that I sign this release of all claims voluntarily and without coercion, with full appreciation that at no time in the future may I pursue any of the rights I have waived in this Agreement. I am aware that this Agreement includes a release of all known and unknown claims. By signing below, I agree I had the opportunity to negotiate this Agreement with the Company and this Agreement shall not be construed for or against either party as a drafter of its terms. I further agree that I was advised in writing, by getting a copy of this Agreement, to consult with an attorney before signing below.

 

Signed:   

 

      Dated:  

 

  
   Anna Fabrega           

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Local Bounti Announces Leadership Transition and Provides Business Update

Board of Directors Re-Appoints Co-Founder Craig Hurlbert as Chief Executive Officer

Georgia Facility Doubled Run-rate Production in December

Provides Update to Full Year 2023 Sales Expectation

HAMILTON, Mont., December 15, 2023 – Local Bounti Corporation (NYSE: LOCL) (“Local Bounti” or the “Company”), a breakthrough U.S. indoor agriculture company, today announced a leadership transition and a business update.

Craig Hurlbert, the Company’s Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, is reprising the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Hurlbert previously served as Local Bounti’s co-CEO from November 2021 to June 2023 and as Senior Vice President of Strategy from June 2023 to December 2023. Mr. Hurlbert succeeds Anna Fabrega, who is leaving the Company as part of a broader restructuring to optimize the Company’s organizational structure. The Company expects to save approximately $3.2 million on an annualized basis as a result of these actions.

Craig Hurlbert, CEO of Local Bounti, stated, “We have an amazing team at Local Bounti that I believe possesses the unique capabilities to cement our place as a leader in our industry. As we continue to scale this business, we are working diligently to achieve breakeven cashflow. Our primary objective is to drive greater efficiency at every level of the business through optimization of our cost structure and further flattening of our organization to enable faster decision making and enhance strategic initiatives. I believe our mandate is simple – to foster an environment of excellence and ensure that we have the right people in the right places to maximize value for both our customers and shareholders. I’m pleased to say that we are definitely on the right track, and I look forward to leading our team to new heights. I would like to thank Anna for her contribution to our success over the past six months.”

2023 has been a pivotal year for Local Bounti, complete with expanded production capacity brought about by the final integration of the Company’s Stack & Flow Technology at its Georgia facility in October 2023. As a result of the additional capacity, the Company has doubled its run-rate production out of the Georgia facility in December in support of its off-take agreement with a large club customer.

Construction of the Company’s Washington facility remains on track with seeding expected to commence in early January. Although its Texas facility is also nearly complete, unexpected delivery delays on select equipment has pushed seeding back and operations are now expected to commence in late January following the start-up of the Washington facility.


As a result of the phasing of shipments in the fourth quarter, the Company now expects full year 2023 sales to be approximately $28 million, implying growth of approximately 44% compared to full year 2022.

Craig Hurlbert Biography

Craig Hurlbert co-founded Local Bounti’s predecessor company in August 2018. Mr. Hurlbert served as Chairman of the Board of Directors from November 2021 to June 2023 and since October 2023, co-Chief Executive Officer from November 2021 to June 2023, and Senior Vice President of Strategy since June 2023.

Prior to leading Local Bounti, Mr. Hurlbert co-founded BrightMark Partners, LLC, a growth equity and management firm providing capital and resources to venture, growth phase and middle-market businesses, and served as a Managing Partner from January 2014 to March 2021. Previously, Mr. Hurlbert held various leadership roles at TAS Energy, a leading provider of high efficiency and modular cooling and energy systems for the data center, commercial, industrial, and power generation markets, including President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Hurlbert also held leadership roles at General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) and North American Energy Services.

About Local Bounti

Local Bounti is redefining indoor farming with an innovative method – its Stack & Flow Technology – that significantly improves crop turns, increases output and improves unit economics. Local Bounti operates advanced indoor growing facilities across the United States, servicing approximately 13,000 retail doors with its two brands: Local Bounti® and Pete’s®. Local Bounti grows healthy food utilizing a hybrid approach that integrates the best attributes of controlled environment agriculture with natural elements. Local Bounti’s sustainable growing methods are better for the planet, using 90% less land and 90% less water than conventional farming methods. With a mission to ‘bring our farm to your kitchen in the fewest food miles possible,’ Local Bounti’s food is fresher, more nutritious, and lasts longer than traditional agriculture. To find out more, visit localbounti.com or follow Local Bounti on LinkedIn for the latest news and developments.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of terms such as “expect,” “will,” “continue,” “believe,” expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “should,” “is to be,” or similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: statements regarding anticipated timing toward achieving breakeven cashflow, cost benefits associated with changes to the Company’s leadership, projections of market opportunity and market share, commencement of operations at the Texas and Washington facilities, and 2023 sales results. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from results expressed or implied in this press release. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the risk that Local Bounti will fail to obtain additional necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all; Local Bounti’s ability to effectively integrate the acquired operations of any CEA or similar operations which it acquires into its existing operations; the


ability of Local Bounti to retain and hire key personnel; the Company’s ability to meet the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange; the uncertainty of projected financial information; if and when the Company will repurchase the stock authorized by its Board of Directors and the impact of the share repurchase program to the Company and its stockholders; Local Bounti’s increased leverage as a result of additional indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of Pete’s or as the result of the incurrence of additional future indebtedness; restrictions contained in Local Bounti’s debt facility agreements with Cargill; Local Bounti’s ability to repay, refinance, restructure and/or extend its indebtedness as it comes due; Local Bounti’s ability to generate revenue; the risk that Local Bounti may never achieve or sustain profitability; the risk that Local Bounti could fail to effectively manage its future growth; Local Bounti’s ability to build out additional facilities; reliance on third parties for construction, delays relating to material delivery and supply chains, and fluctuating material prices; Local Bounti’s ability to decrease its cost of goods sold over time; potential for damage to or problems with Local Bounti’s CEA facilities; Local Bounti’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees, including management; Local Bounti’s ability to develop and maintain its brand or brands it may acquire; Local Bounti’s ability to maintain its company culture or focus on its vision as it grows; Local Bounti’s ability to execute on its growth strategy; the risks of diseases and pests destroying crops; Local Bounti’s ability to compete successfully in the highly competitive natural food market; Local Bounti’s ability to defend itself against intellectual property infringement claims; changes in consumer preferences, perception and spending habits in the food industry; seasonality; Local Bounti’s ability to achieve its sustainability goals; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time, including those under “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in Local Bounti’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023, as supplemented by other reports and documents Local Bounti files from time to time with the SEC. Local Bounti cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Local Bounti does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Contact:

Kathleen Valiasek, Chief Financial Officer

Local Bounti

investors@localbounti.com

v3.23.3
Document and Entity Information
Dec. 14, 2023
Cover [Abstract]  
Entity Registrant Name Local Bounti Corporation/DE
Security Exchange Name NYSE
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001840780
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Dec. 14, 2023
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-40125
Entity Tax Identification Number 98-1584830
Entity Address, Address Line One 400 W. Main St.
Entity Address, City or Town Hamilton
Entity Address, State or Province MT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 59840
City Area Code (800)
Local Phone Number 640-4016
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Common Stock, par value of $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol LOCL
Entity Emerging Growth Company true
Entity Ex Transition Period false

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