New America Acquisition I Corp. Appoints Kyle Wool as Chairman and Adds Stefan Passantino as Independent Director

Rhea-AI Summary

New America Acquisition I Corp (NYSE:NWAX) appointed Kyle Wool as chairman and added Stefan Passantino as an independent director, effective February 6, 2026. The move emphasizes governance, regulatory oversight, and board continuity.

Wool brings 20+ years in capital markets, including roles at Dominari, Morgan Stanley and Oppenheimer. Passantino brings 30 years in compliance, election and lobbying law and recent roles advising transition teams and corporate clients. The company also updated its investment committee to include Wool, Steve Scopellite and Kevin McGurn.

Positive

• Appointed Kyle Wool as chairman with 20+ years capital markets experience
• Added an independent director with 30 years in compliance and regulatory law
• Updated investment committee to include Wool, Steve Scopellite, Kevin McGurn

Negative

• Director's high-profile political background may create public perception risk

Board appointments strengthen governance, continuity and regulatory oversight

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 6, 2026 / New America Acquisition I Corp (NYSE:NWAXU)(NYSE:NWAX)(NYSE:NWAXW) today announced that Kyle Wool has been appointed chairman of the board of directors and that Stefan Passantino has joined the board as an independent director, effective immediately. Wool previously served on the Company's advisory board.

Kevin McGurn, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of New America Acquisition I Corp., commented:

"Kyle's appointment as chairman reflects both continuity and confidence in his leadership. His familiarity with New America and deep experience in capital markets make him well-suited to guide the board as we move forward. Stefan's background in compliance, governance and regulatory matters further strengthens our oversight and supports our commitment to disciplined execution and strong corporate governance."

Kyle Wool brings more than two decades of experience across financial services and capital markets. He has served as president of Dominari Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: DOMH) since December 2023 and chief executive officer of Dominari Securities LLC since May 2023. Earlier in his career, Wool was an executive director at Morgan Stanley, advising clients on investment strategy and capital allocation. He also held senior roles at Oppenheimer and Co., including serving as managing director of the Professional Investors Group for Oppenheimer Asia Ltd. Wool holds a degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

Stefan Passantino joins the board as an independent director. He began his career in law before serving as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Counsel in the first Trump White House, where he led compliance and ethics programs. Over his 30-year career, he has advised corporations, political figures, and advocacy groups on state and federal election law, campaign finance, lobbying regulations, and congressional investigations.

Passantino has represented national political committees, federal candidates, and corporations, including serving as counsel to some of the largest SuperPACs and 501(c)(4) advocacy groups during the 2016 election cycle. He also co-chaired the Republican National Lawyers Association's Ballot Access Project, providing legal guidance to presidential campaigns. In addition to his political law work, he has been appointed Special Assistant to the Attorney General of Georgia, served as general counsel to corporate entities formed by former Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senator Kelly Loeffler, and trained Members of Congress and corporate clients on ethics and lobbying compliance. Most recently, he worked with the 2025 Presidential transition and later onboarded Trump 47 executive branch officials.

Passantino earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Drew University and a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law, where he was Managing Editor of the Emory Law Journal. He is now a visiting professor at the University of Georgia and previously at the Georgia State University College of Law. His expertise in campaign and election law has been recognized by Washingtonian Magazine, which named him one of the "Best Legal Minds in Washington." In early 2025, he joined Miller Strategies as a Principal.

Committee Composition Update:

The Company also updated its board investment committee composition as follows:

• Kyle Wool

• Steve Scopellite

• Kevin McGurn

About New America Acquisition I Corp

New America Acquisition I Corp is a blank-check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company intends to target established U.S.-based companies that contribute to industrial capacity, technological innovation, and economic resilience, with a focus on automation, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and energy systems. Learn more at https://newamericaacquisition.com/

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and include statements regarding the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Many such risks and uncertainties are beyond the control of the Company, including those discussed in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement for the initial public offering, which is available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Investor/Press Contact:

Brian S. Siegel, IRC^®, M.B.A.
Senior Managing Director
Hayden IR - Chicago
(346) 396-8696 (o)
brian@haydenir.com

SOURCE: New America Acquisition I Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

Who was named chairman of New America Acquisition I Corp (NWAX) on February 6, 2026?

Kyle Wool was named chairman effective February 6, 2026. According to the company, Wool has over 20 years of capital markets experience and leadership roles at Dominari, Morgan Stanley and Oppenheimer, signaling board continuity and market expertise.

What experience does new director Stefan Passantino bring to NWAX's board?

Stefan Passantino brings three decades of experience in compliance, election and lobbying law. According to the company, his background includes White House compliance roles, advising political committees and corporate counsel work, strengthening regulatory and governance oversight.

How did NWAX update its investment committee after the February 6, 2026 appointments?

The company named the investment committee members as Kyle Wool, Steve Scopellite and Kevin McGurn. According to the company, the update aligns committee leadership with the board appointments to support continuity in investment oversight.

Does the NWAX announcement affect the company's governance or oversight?

Yes. The appointments are positioned to strengthen governance and regulatory oversight. According to the company, Wool's capital markets experience and Passantino's compliance expertise aim to reinforce disciplined execution and board continuity.

Could Stefan Passantino's political background impact NWAX shareholders or reputation?

Potentially, as public perception may be affected by high-profile political ties. According to the company, Passantino's compliance and regulatory experience is intended to enhance governance, though political associations could draw external scrutiny.