Archer Aviation Inc. (“Archer”), a leading Urban Air Mobility
company and developer of all-electric vertical take-off and landing
(“eVTOL”) aircraft, and Atlas Crest Investment Corp. (“Atlas
Crest”) (NYSE: ACIC) today announced Deborah Diaz, Maria Pinelli,
and Fred Diaz as nominees for the post-closing board of directors.
These nominations will add three additional diverse and seasoned
executives to the combined company’s board from the aviation,
automotive, technology, and finance & consulting sectors. These
nominees will become directors of the combined company following
the completion of the proposed business combination of Archer with
Atlas Crest.
Commenting on the appointments, Brett Adcock, co-founder and
co-CEO of Archer, said, “We couldn’t be more grateful that such an
accomplished and distinct group of individuals have chosen to join
us as we embark on this remarkable journey to change the future of
transportation for generations to come.”
“To attract such diversity of skills from established industries
is a huge win for Archer and we’re excited to work with these
world-class business and strategic minds to shape our route to
market,” added Adam Goldstein, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer.
Deborah Diaz
Deborah Diaz served as the CTO and deputy CIO of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”) from 2009 to 2016,
where she was responsible for NASA’s global system infrastructure,
risk management, financial and regulatory stewardship, innovation
and technology infusion. Since leaving NASA in 2016, she has served
as CEO and VC Advisor of Catalyst ADV, a strategic growth advisory
firm specializing in large-scale business transformation,
developing new business markets and strategic partnerships.
Previously, Ms. Diaz also held executive leadership roles at the
United States Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security. We believe that Ms. Diaz’s decades of senior
level international business experience, coupled with her public
corporate board and advisory board director experiences with Primis
Financial, Section, Intel, Dell, Equinix and many others in the
private sector and in government, will add significantly to
Archer’s roadmap towards their full commercializing of eVTOL
aircraft.
Maria Pinelli
Maria Pinelli led Ernst & Young LLP’s (“EY”) Consumer
Products and Retail sector based in the U.S. Southeast from 2017
until the end of 2020. Prior to this role, Ms. Pinelli was a Global
Vice Chair of EY from 2011 to 2017 and led EY’s Global Strategic
Growth Business unit with a focus on serving entrepreneurs and
private and public companies poised for exponential growth. During
this period, she was also EY’s Global IPO Leader consulting to
clients preparing for the pre and post journey. Prior to leading
this global business of EY, Ms. Pinelli was EY’s America’s director
of strategic growth markets from 2006 to 2011. In this role, Ms.
Pinelli led a team of over 5,000 professionals serving high growth
private, public and private-equity backed businesses. Ms. Pinelli
currently serves on the board of directors of Globant S.A. As
Archer scales its operations, Ms. Pinelli’s international business
experience, financial expertise and her extensive experience in
advising growth companies will serve as an asset to Archer’s
management team.
Fred Diaz
Fred Diaz served as President & CEO and Chairman of the
Board of Mitsubishi Motors North America from April 2018 to April
2020. Prior to such role, Mr. Diaz served as General Manager in
Charge of Performance Optimization Global Marketing and Sales of
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan, from July 2017 to April
2018. From April 2013 to July 2017, Mr. Diaz served in a number of
executive roles for Nissan Motor Corporation, including Division
Vice President & General Manager of North American Trucks and
Light Commercial Vehicles and Sr. Vice President Sales &
Marketing and Operations. Mr. Diaz also served in several roles for
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles from 2004 to 2013, including President
and CEO Ram Truck Brand and President and CEO Chrysler Mexico. Mr.
Diaz currently serves as a director of Site One Landscapes
(formerly John Deere Landscapes), a publicly traded company. Mr.
Diaz’s extensive experience in operations management, sales, and
marketing in the automotive transportation industry bring
significant value as Archer prepares to scale customer operations
ahead of the expected launch of commercial operations in 2024.
Oscar Munoz
The nomination of Oscar Munoz to the post-closing board of
directors was announced last week. Mr. Munoz, a seasoned aviation
executive, served as CEO of United Airlines (“United”) from 2015 to
2020 and led the company’s board as Executive Chairman from 2020
until retiring in May 2021. During his tenure, United earned
recognition for innovation and customer service, earning trust with
employees and leading the industry toward a sustainable aviation
future. Before joining United’s executive team, Mr. Munoz served in
several roles at CSX Corporation from 2003 to 2015, including
President, COO, and CFO. He has also held senior leadership roles
at AT&T, U.S. West and The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo. Prior
to becoming CEO, Mr. Munoz served on the board of directors of
United Airlines’ parent company, United Continental Holdings,
having earlier joined the board of Continental Airlines in 2004.
Mr. Munoz’s experience in management and finance working for
well-known consumer and airline brands positions Mr. Munoz to
advise Archer’s team as they scale globally.
Upon closing of the proposed business combination, these
nominees are expected to be joined by Brett Adcock, Adam Goldstein
and Michael Spellacy, CEO of Atlas Crest, on the board of directors
of the combined company. Mr. Spellacy has extensive experience in
technology, data and analytics, capital markets and private equity
and most recently, was the Global Industry Leader of Accenture
Capital Markets while overseeing Accenture’s Asset Management,
Wealth Management and Investment and Trading businesses. Previously
Mr. Spellacy held senior roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers,
Broadhaven Capital, Bridgewater Associates and Boston Consulting
Group.
About Archer
Archer’s mission is to advance the benefits of sustainable air
mobility. Archer is creating the world’s first electric airline
that moves people throughout the world's cities in a quick, safe,
sustainable, and cost-effective manner. As the world’s only
vertically integrated airline company, Archer is designing and
developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
for use in Urban Air Mobility that can carry passengers for a
targeted 60 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph while producing
minimal noise. Archer's team is based in Palo Alto, CA. To learn
more, visit www.archer.com.
About Atlas Crest
Atlas Crest Investment Corp. (NYSE: ACIC) is a special purpose
acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger,
stock purchase or similar business combination with one or more
businesses and is sponsored by an affiliate of Moelis &
Company, a leading global financial advisor to corporate
executives, boards, entrepreneurs, financial sponsors and
governments. The management team is led by Ken Moelis, Chairman,
and Michael Spellacy, Chief Executive Officer, both of whom have
had careers centered around identifying, evaluating and
implementing organic and inorganic transformational growth and
value creation initiatives across a broad range of industries.
Atlas Crest priced its $500 million initial public offering on
October 27, 2020.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are not historical
facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe
harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied
by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,”
“anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,”
“predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and
similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or
trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding future events, the proposed business
combination between Atlas Crest and Archer, the estimated or
anticipated future results and benefits of the combined company
following the proposed business combination, including the
likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully consummate
the proposed business combination, future opportunities for the
combined company, and other statements that are not historical
facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of
the management of Atlas Crest and Archer and are not predictions of
actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided
for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as,
and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an
assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or
probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or
impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual
events and circumstances are beyond the control of Atlas Crest and
Archer. These statements are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties regarding Atlas Crest’s businesses and the proposed
business combination, and actual results may differ materially.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
early-stage nature of Archer, including its history of losses and
the expectation of significant losses for the foreseeable future;
Archer’s ability to manufacture and deliver its aircraft within its
current estimated budget, including risks associated with Archer’s
reliance on its relationships with its suppliers and service
providers for the parts and components in its aircraft and its
ability to successfully develop commercial-scale manufacturing
capabilities; risks associated with the United Airlines order
constituting all of the current orders for Archer aircraft and that
the order is subject to conditions, further negotiation and
reaching mutual agreement on certain material terms; risks relating
to the uncertainty of the projections included in the model;
Archer’s ability to effectively market and sell air transportation
as a substitute for conventional methods of transportation,
following receipt of governmental operating authority, including
successfully addressing any obstacles outside of its control that
may slow market adoption of eVTOL aircraft; Archer’s ability to
compete in the competitive urban air mobility and eVTOL industries;
Archer’s ability to obtain expected or required certifications,
licenses, approvals, and authorizations from transportation
authorities; Archer’s ability to achieve its business milestones
and launch products on anticipated timelines; Archer’s dependence
on suppliers and service partners for the parts and components in
its aircraft; Archer’s ability to develop commercial-scale
manufacturing capabilities; regulatory requirements and other
obstacles outside of Archer’s control that slow market adoption of
electric aircraft; Archer’s ability to facilitate necessary changes
to Vertiport infrastructure to enable adoption, including
installation of necessary charging equipment; Archer’s ability to
establish and expand its presence within international markets and
into the market segments of defense or logistics/cargo; Archer’s
ability to hire, train and retain qualified senior management
personnel or other key employees; risks related to Archer’s aerial
ride sharing business operating in densely populated metropolitan
areas and heavily regulated airports; adverse publicity from
accidents involving aircraft, helicopters or lithium-ion battery
cells; the impact of labor and union activities on Archer’s work
force; losses resulting from indexed price escalation clauses in
purchase orders and cost overruns; regulatory risks related to
evolving laws and regulations in Archer’s industries, including
data privacy and security laws; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
Archer’s business and the global economy; risks related to natural
disasters, outbreaks and pandemics, economic, social, weather,
growth constraints and regulatory conditions or other circumstances
affecting metropolitan areas; the inability of the parties to
successfully or timely consummate the proposed business
combination, including the risk that any required regulatory
approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to
unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined
company or the expected benefits of the proposed business
combination or that the approval of the stockholders of Atlas Crest
or Archer is not obtained; a decline in Archer’s securities
following the business combination if it fails to meet the
expectations of investors or securities analysts; Archer’s
inability to protect its intellectual property rights from
unauthorized use by third parties; Archer’s ability to defend
third-party claims of intellectual property infringement against
Archer; Archer’s need for and the availability of additional
capital to pursue its business objectives and respond to business
opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances;
cybersecurity risks; risks and costs associated with the ongoing
civil litigation with Wisk Aero LLC and the federal government
investigation; risks related to the dual class structure of
Archer’s common stock, which will limit other investors’ ability to
influence corporate matters; the amount of redemption requests made
by Atlas Crest’s public stockholders; the ability of Atlas Crest or
the combined company to issue equity or equity-linked securities in
connection with the proposed business combination or in the future,
and those factors discussed in Atlas Crest’s Registration Statement
on Form S-4, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) on March 8, 2021 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”)
under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents of Atlas
Crest filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If any of these risks
materialize or if assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could
differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking
statements. There may be additional risks that neither Atlas Crest
nor Archer presently know or that Atlas Crest and Archer currently
believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to
differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In
addition, forward-looking statements reflect Atlas Crest’s and
Archer’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and
views as of the date of this press release. Atlas Crest and Archer
anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause Atlas
Crest’s and Archer’s assessments to change. However, while Atlas
Crest and Archer may elect to update these forward-looking
statements at some point in the future, Atlas Crest and Archer
specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as
representing Atlas Crest’s or Archer’s assessments as of any date
subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue
reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking
statements.
Important Information for Investors and
Shareholders
In connection with the proposed business combination between
Archer and Atlas Crest, Atlas Crest has filed the Registration
Statement, including a proxy statement/prospectus. Additionally,
Atlas Crest has filed other relevant materials with the SEC in
connection with the proposed business combination. Stockholders are
able to obtain copies of such documents, without charge at the
SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. Security holders of Atlas Crest
are urged to read the Registration Statement and the other relevant
materials before making any voting decision with respect to the
proposed business combination because they contain important
information about the proposed business combination and the parties
to the proposed business combination. The information contained on,
or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this
press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a
part of, this press release.
Participants in the Solicitation
Atlas Crest, its sponsor and their respective directors,
officers and employees may be deemed participants in the
solicitation of proxies of Atlas Crest’s stockholders in connection
with the proposed business combination. Security holders may obtain
more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and
interests of certain of Atlas Crest’s executive officers and
directors in the solicitation by reading the Registration Statement
and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with
the proposed business combination when they become available.
Information concerning the interests of Atlas Crest's participants
in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than
those of their stockholders generally, is set forth in the proxy
statement/prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.
Archer and its respective directors, officers and employees may
also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of
Atlas Crest’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business
combination. Security holders may obtain more detailed information
regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of
Archer’s executive officers and directors in the solicitation by
reading the Registration Statement and other relevant materials
filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business
combination when they become available. Information concerning the
interests of Archer’s participants in the solicitation, which may,
in some cases, be different than those of their stockholders
generally, is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus contained
in the Registration Statement.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation
of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities
in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would
be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities
shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the
requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption
therefrom.
Contacts
For Investorsinvestors@flyarcher.com
For MediaLouise BristowArcherC: 818 398
8091louise.bristow@archer.comarcher@launchsquad.com
Andrea HurstMoelis & CompanyC: 347 583
9705andrea.hurst@moelis.com
Atlas Crest Investment (NYSE:ACIC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2025 to Feb 2025
Atlas Crest Investment (NYSE:ACIC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Feb 2025