William Sherman

William Sherman will serve as a Director upon the commencement of trading of our securities on Nasdaq. Since July 2024, he has served as a Director of Churchill Capital Corp IX, and since May 2025, he has served as a Director of Churchill Capital Corp X. 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.