STOCK TITAN

Leadership changes at AppTech (OTCQB: APCX) as Lord becomes Executive Chairman

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

AppTech Payments Corp. updated its leadership and executive employment terms. The Board designated Albert L. Lord as Executive Chairman, so he is no longer treated as an independent director and has stepped down from the Compensation Committee.

The Board also ratified employment arrangements for Chief Executive Officer Thomas DeRosa and Chief Operating Officer Anthony Shall. Effective May 4, 2026, Mr. DeRosa will continue as CEO with an annual base salary of $384,000, and Mr. Shall will continue as COO with an annual base salary of $240,000, each eligible for discretionary bonuses and participation in the company’s equity and benefit plans.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
CEO base salary $384,000 per year Annual base salary for Chief Executive Officer Thomas DeRosa effective May 4, 2026
COO base salary $240,000 per year Annual base salary for Chief Operating Officer Anthony Shall effective May 4, 2026
Warrant exercise price $4.15 per share Each whole warrant exercisable for one share of common stock at $4.15
Executive Chairman financial
"including the designation of Albert L. Lord as Executive Chairman of the Company"
An executive chairman is the board leader who also takes an active role in running the company, combining oversight of the board with hands-on involvement in strategy and major decisions. For investors, this matters because it concentrates influence in one person—like a team captain who both sets the game plan and plays on the field—so their judgment can speed decisions but also increases governance and succession risk that can affect stock value.
independent director financial
"Mr. Lord will no longer be considered an independent director under applicable corporate governance standards"
An independent director is a member of a company's board of directors who is not involved in the company's day-to-day operations and has no significant relationships with the company that could influence their judgment. Their role is to provide unbiased oversight and ensure the company is managed in the best interests of all shareholders. This helps build trust and confidence among investors by promoting transparency and accountability.
Compensation Committee financial
"and will step down from the Compensation Committee"
A compensation committee is a group within a company's leadership responsible for setting and reviewing how much top executives and employees are paid, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits. It matters to investors because fair and effective pay decisions can influence a company's performance, leadership motivation, and overall governance, helping ensure that the company’s management is aligned with shareholders’ interests.
equity incentive financial
"participation in the Company’s equity incentive and employee benefit plans"
Equity incentive is a form of pay that gives employees or executives a stake in the company through stock or the right to buy stock, often granted with conditions that spread out over time. It matters to investors because it aligns workers’ interests with shareholders—encouraging growth and retention—but can also affect share count and profits when new shares are issued, similar to giving team members a slice of the company pie that can grow or dilute others’ slices.
emerging growth company regulatory
"Emerging growth company Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
false 0001070050 0001070050 2026-05-04 2026-05-04 0001070050 APCX:CommonStockParValue0.001PerShareMember 2026-05-04 2026-05-04 0001070050 APCX:WarrantsEachWholeWarrantExercisableForOneShareOfCommonStockAtExercisePriceOf5.19Member 2026-05-04 2026-05-04 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 4, 2026

 

AppTech Payments Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-39158   65-0847995

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

5876 Owens Ave, Suite 100

Carlsbad, California 92008

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (760) 707-5959

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
     
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
     
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
     
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share   APCX  

OTCQB

Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $4.15   APCXW  

OTCQB

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

   

 

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On May 4, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AppTech Payments Corp. (the “Company”) discussed and approved certain executive leadership and governance matters, including the designation of Albert L. Lord as Executive Chairman of the Company. In connection with such designation, Mr. Lord will no longer be considered an independent director under applicable corporate governance standards and will step down from the Compensation Committee.

 

In connection with such actions, the Board ratified employment arrangements for Thomas DeRosa, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Anthony Shall, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. The Company previously employed Mr. DeRosa and Mr. Shall in their respective executive officer roles, and the arrangements formalize certain terms of their continuing employment with the Company.

 

Effective May 4, 2026, the Company entered into an employment arrangement with Mr. DeRosa pursuant to which he will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The arrangement contemplates an annual base salary of $384,000 and eligibility for discretionary bonus compensation and participation in the Company’s equity incentive and employee benefit plans.

 

Effective May 4, 2026, the Company entered into an employment arrangement with Mr. Shall pursuant to which he will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The arrangement contemplates an annual base salary of $240,000 and eligibility for discretionary bonus compensation and participation in the Company’s equity incentive and employee benefit plans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  APPTECH PAYMENTS CORP.
     
Date: May 8, 2026 By: /s/ Thomas DeRosa
    Thomas DeRosa
    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 3 

 

FAQ

What executive leadership change did AppTech Payments Corp. (APCX) announce?

AppTech Payments Corp. named Albert L. Lord as Executive Chairman. This board-level move updates his role from an independent director to an executive position, affecting his committee service and placing him in a more active leadership capacity within the company’s governance structure.

How does Albert L. Lord’s new role affect his independence at AppTech (APCX)?

By becoming Executive Chairman, Albert L. Lord is no longer considered an independent director. He also stepped down from the Compensation Committee, reflecting that his responsibilities and relationship to management now align more closely with an executive rather than an independent oversight role.

What are the key terms of CEO Thomas DeRosa’s employment at AppTech (APCX)?

Thomas DeRosa will continue as Chief Executive Officer with an annual base salary of $384,000. He is eligible for discretionary bonus compensation and may participate in AppTech’s equity incentive and employee benefit plans, formalizing terms for his ongoing leadership role with the company.

What compensation was set for COO Anthony Shall at AppTech Payments (APCX)?

Anthony Shall will continue serving as Chief Operating Officer with an annual base salary of $240,000. He is also eligible for discretionary bonus compensation and participation in the company’s equity incentive and employee benefit plans, confirming his ongoing role in day-to-day operations management.

Did AppTech Payments Corp. (APCX) change its CEO or COO on May 4, 2026?

AppTech did not replace its CEO or COO; it formalized their employment arrangements. Thomas DeRosa continues as Chief Executive Officer and Anthony Shall continues as Chief Operating Officer, with specified base salaries and eligibility for bonuses and participation in equity and benefit plans.

Which board committee role did Albert L. Lord leave at AppTech (APCX)?

Albert L. Lord stepped down from the Compensation Committee. This change follows his designation as Executive Chairman, which means he is no longer treated as an independent director under applicable corporate governance standards while assuming broader executive responsibilities.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents