Paul D. Lapping

Paul D. Lapping, will serve as a Director effective July 13, 2026. He has served as a director of Churchill Capital Corp IX (Nasdaq: CCIX) (“Churchill IX“) and Churchill Capital Corp XI (Nasdaq: CCXI), special purpose acquisition companies (“SPAC“) since April 2025 and March 2026, respectively. From August 2025 to February 2026, he also served as a director of Churchill Capital Corp X (“Churchill X“), a SPAC that completed its business combination with Infleqtion, Inc. in February 2026. Mr. Lapping is the Manager of Jakal Investments, LLC, a private investment firm he founded in 2005 that focuses on technology, healthcare, fintech, and artificial intelligence sectors. Since April 2015, he has also served as the Manager of Green Pastures Management, LLC, a series LLC with underlying LLC investment vehicles, where he manages and oversees the investment activities of the series and underlying vehicles. From 2011 to 2012, Mr. Lapping served as Chief Operating Officer of Neostellar Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: NSLR) (f/ka SuRo Capital Corp.), a publicly traded, growth-stage venture capital firm (“Neo“). Prior to Neo, Mr. Lapping served as a director and Chief Financial Officer of New University Holdings Corp., a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, from August 2010 to August 2011. From October 2009 to May 2011, Mr. Lapping was Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, and a director of 57th Street General Acquisition Corp., a SPAC. Between 2007 and 2009, he served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary of Alternative Asset Management Acquisition Corp., also a SPAC. From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Lapping was a General Partner of Minotaur Partners II, L.P. and Merchant Partners, L.P., private equity partnerships focused on middle-market investments. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Lapping led corporate development at Montgomery Ward Holding Corp., a diversified retail and direct marketing company. From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Lapping worked at Farley Industries, Inc. and its affiliated companies (including Fruit of the Loom, Inc. and West Point-Pepperell, Inc.) in corporate development and finance roles. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lapping worked with Golder, Thoma and Cressey, a private equity firm, and in the mergers and acquisitions group at Salomon Brothers Inc. Mr. Lapping passed the Uniform CPA Examination in 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Lapping is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Board due to his significant operational, financial and leadership experience and experience serving on SPAC boards.

He has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Nat Sherman Inc. (“Nat Sherman”), a third-generation, family-owned tobacco company from 1991 to January 2017. During his time at Nat Sherman, Mr. Sherman played a pivotal role in the growth of the brand, establishing it as a leading luxury product in its category. His responsibilities spanned operations, manufacturing oversight, product development, and international sales management. As a leader in small manufacturing, Mr. Sherman was actively involved in numerous industry boards. He was a vocal advocate on regulatory and legislative issues, ensuring that the industry’s interests were well-represented. In 2017, Mr. Sherman successfully spearheaded the sale of Nat Sherman to Altria Group Inc., marking a significant milestone in Nat Sherman’s history. Following the sale, Mr. Sherman retired but remains actively engaged in various roles. He serves on the Statesmen Athletic Association board of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, his alma mater, and has dedicated himself to an array of investment and philanthropic efforts. Mr. Sherman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Mr. Sherman is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Board due to his significant operational, financial and leadership experience.