Paul D. Lapping

Paul D. Lapping, will serve as a Director effective March 17, 2026. He has served as a director of Churchill Capital Corp IX (Nasdaq: CCIX) (“Churchill IX“), a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC“) since April 2025. 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 SuRo Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: SSSS), a publicly traded, growth-stage venture capital firm (“Suro“). Prior to Suro, 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 is a Certified Public Accountant. 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.