Roman Franklin joins Laser Photonics (LASE) as new CFO under services pact

Filing Impact

(Very High)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Laser Photonics Corporation appointed Roman Franklin as its Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer, effective under a Master Services Agreement with The CFO Portal, LLC. The agreement initially runs for six months, then renews month-to-month unless terminated with 30 days’ written notice.

Franklin will receive a fixed retainer of $22,500 per month for his services, with additional project work billed separately on a fixed-fee basis. The company may convert him to a full-time CFO on mutually agreed terms. He brings more than 20 years of finance and operations experience, including oversight of over $100 million in assets and extensive SEC reporting and capital markets work.

8-K Event Classification

3 items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01

3 items

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.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure

Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

CFO monthly retainer: $22,500 per month Initial MSA term: Six months Assets overseen at Diocese: More than $100 million +2 more

5 metrics

CFO monthly retainer $22,500 per month Fixed fee for CFO Services under the Master Services Agreement

Initial MSA term Six months Initial term for CFO engagement before month-to-month renewals

Assets overseen at Diocese More than $100 million Trust, endowment and real estate assets managed by Franklin

Experience in finance and operations More than 20 years Franklin’s finance and operations leadership background

Simplicity Esports locations 16 states Retail gaming center locations during Franklin’s tenure there

Key Terms

Master Services Agreement, fractional Chief Financial Officer services, Regulation A+ offerings, material weakness remediation, +1 more

5 terms

Master Services Agreement financial

"appointed Roman Franklin to serve as its Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer under the terms of a Master Services Agreement"

A master services agreement is a standing contract that sets the main terms, responsibilities, pricing framework and processes for future work between two parties, allowing individual projects or orders to be added later without renegotiating core terms. For investors, it signals predictability and reduced legal friction around revenue streams and costs—like a subscription plan for services that makes future income and obligations easier to forecast and value.

fractional Chief Financial Officer services financial

"a Florida limited liability company specializing in fractional Chief Financial Officer services for microcap public companies"

Regulation A+ offerings financial

"capital markets readiness, including S-1 preparation, Regulation A+ offerings, and reverse merger integration"

A Regulation A+ offering is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that lets companies raise money from the public through a simplified stock or bond sale with two size levels: a smaller option with lighter rules and a larger option that requires more disclosure and audits. It matters to investors because it opens the door to buying into earlier-stage or smaller issuers outside traditional markets, but those investments often carry higher risk and lower liquidity—think backing a local startup versus buying stock in a large, well-known company.

material weakness remediation financial

"he leads engagements covering SEC reporting (Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K), material weakness remediation, SEC comment letter response"

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws."

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

05/12/2026 - 04:30 PM

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 7, 2026

Laser Photonics Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-41515	84-3628771
(State of other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

250 Technology Park
Lake Mary, FL		32746
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (407) 804-1000

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐	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		Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share		LASE		The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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 7, 2026, the registrant (“Laser Photonics” or the “Company”) appointed Roman Franklin to serve as its Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer under the terms of a Master Services Agreement (the “MSA”) between the Company and The CFO Portal, LLC, a Florida limited liability company specializing in fractional Chief Financial Officer services for microcap public companies and private companies preparing for public markets (the “MSA”). Mr. Franklin is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The CFO Portal, LLC, which he founded in 2025.

Under the terms of the MSA, Mr. Franklin is engaged to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Principal Financial Officer (the “Services”) for an initial six month term that automatically renews on a month-to-month basis unless either party provides a written notice of non-renewal 30 days prior to the end of the then-current term. Either party can terminate the MSA following 30 days prior notice or for cause. The MSA allows for conversion by the Company of Mr. Franklin to a full-time CFO upon terms to be mutually agreed to by both parties. Mr. Franklin will receive a fixed monthly retainer of $22,500 per month for the Services, but services outside the scope of the statement of work, including (without limitation) capital raise documentation, S-1/S-3/Reg A+/PIPE filings, M&A diligence and integration, restatement support and SEC enforcement response, will be quoted and invoiced separately on a fixed-fee basis. The foregoing description of the MSA does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the MSA that is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Mr. Franklin, age 42, has more than 20 years of experience in finance and operations leadership in several public and private companies. Since September 2025, Mr. Franklin has served as Chief Executive Officer of The CFO Portal, LLC, where he leads engagements covering SEC reporting (Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K), material weakness remediation, SEC comment letter response, audit management and capital markets readiness, including S-1 preparation, Regulation A+ offerings, and reverse merger integration. Concurrently, since January 2024, Mr. Franklin has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Central Florida, a religious non-profit corporation, where he leads a team overseeing accounting, financial reporting and employee benefits administration, and where he is responsible for the management of more than $100 million in trust, endowment and real estate assets. From September 2017 to November 2023, Mr. Franklin served as President, Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company (OTCIQ:WINR), an experiential entertainment company with retail gaming center locations in 16 states, where he primarily supported the company’s acquisition program, capital markets activities and franchise growth. From January 2004 to September 2017, Mr. Franklin served as President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer of Franklin Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisory firm he founded and ultimately exited in 2017.

Mr. Franklin holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from Stetson University (2011) and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, with concentrations in Management and Finance, from Barry University (2005). He has been quoted in financial publications including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and InvestmentNews on financial planning and investment topics. Other than his service as a director of Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, which concluded in 2023, Mr. Franklin does not currently serve, and has not during the past five years served, on the board of directors of any other public company.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosures.

Laser Photonics issued a press release on May 12, 2026, regarding the appointment of Mr. Franklin as Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibits

10.1		Master Services Agreement dated May 7, 2026, between Laser Photonics Corporation and Roman Franklin

99.1		Press Release Issued by Laser Photonics Corporation dated May 12, 2026.

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

-2-

SIGNATURES

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

Date:	May 12, 2026	Laser Photonics Corporation

		By:	/s/ Wayne Tupuola
			Wayne Tupuola
			President and CEO

-3-

Exhibit 99.1

Laser Photonics Appoints Roman Franklin as Chief Financial Officer

ORLANDO, FL / May 12, 2026 / Laser Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ: LASE), a global leader in laser systems for industrial and defense applications, today announced the appointment of respected executive Roman Franklin as its Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

Franklin is a seasoned finance executive with more than 20 years of experience in finance and operations leadership across public and private companies. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The CFO Portal, LLC, a Florida-based firm specializing in strategic accounting services for microcap public companies and private companies preparing for public markets. Through The CFO Portal, Franklin leads engagements covering SEC reporting, material weakness remediation, SEC comment letter response, audit management and capital markets readiness, including S-1 preparation, Regulation A+ offerings, and reverse merger integration.

Concurrently, Franklin serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Central Florida, a religious non-profit corporation, where he leads a team overseeing accounting, financial reporting and employee benefits administration, and manages more than $100 million in trust, endowment and real estate assets. Previously, he served as President, Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, an experiential entertainment company with retail gaming center locations in 16 states, where he supported the company’s acquisition program, capital markets activities and franchise growth. Prior to that, Franklin served as President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Franklin Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisory firm he founded and ultimately exited in 2017.

Franklin holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from Stetson University and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, with concentrations in Management and Finance, from Barry University. He has been quoted in financial publications including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and InvestmentNews.

Management Commentary

“Roman brings a strong combination of public company financial leadership, SEC reporting expertise and capital markets experience that is well-suited to where Laser Photonics is today,” said Wayne Tupuola, Chief Executive Officer of Laser Photonics. “As we continue to scale our operations and execute on our growth strategy, Roman’s hands-on experience managing audit processes, supporting capital raises and strengthening financial controls will be instrumental in positioning the Company for long-term success. On behalf of the entire Laser Photonics team, I am pleased to welcome Roman to the organization.”

Franklin added: “Laser Photonics has built a compelling technology portfolio with strong relevance across critical industrial and defense end markets. I see a significant opportunity to strengthen the Company’s financial infrastructure, enhance reporting processes and support management’s strategic priorities as the business continues to grow. I look forward to partnering with Wayne and the leadership team to drive operational efficiency and deliver long-term value for shareholders.”

About Laser Photonics Corporation

Laser Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ: LASE) is a global leader in laser systems for industrial and defense applications. The Company develops and manufactures advanced laser technologies used in cleaning, surface preparation, and precision material processing across demanding operating environments. Laser Photonics serves a broad range of end markets, including defense and government, aerospace, energy, maritime, automotive, and advanced manufacturing. Through a combination of internal development, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships, the Company continues to expand its product portfolio and address new applications where performance, efficiency, and environmental considerations are critical. For more information, please visit laserphotonics.com.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements are based on current expectations as of the date of this press release and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our preliminary internal financial information, which is unaudited, subject to completion of our financial closing and audit procedures and may differ materially from our actual results. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impacts of federal government funding disruptions and shutdowns on our contracts, operations, capital-raising activities, and strategic initiatives. We encourage readers to review the “Risk Factors” in our Registration Statement and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a comprehensive understanding. Laser Photonics Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws or regulations, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Investor Relations Contact

Lucas A. Zimmerman & Ian Scargill

MZ Group - MZ North America

(262) 357-2918

LASE@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What did Laser Photonics (LASE) announce in this 8-K filing?

Laser Photonics appointed Roman Franklin as Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer. He will serve under a Master Services Agreement with The CFO Portal, LLC, providing fractional CFO services focused on financial reporting, controls, and capital markets readiness.

What are the key terms of Roman Franklin’s CFO engagement at Laser Photonics (LASE)?

Franklin is engaged through a Master Services Agreement for an initial six-month term that automatically renews monthly. Either party may terminate with 30 days’ written notice, and the company can convert him to a full-time CFO on mutually agreed terms.

How much will Laser Photonics (LASE) pay its new CFO Roman Franklin?

Laser Photonics will pay Franklin a fixed retainer of $22,500 per month for CFO services. Additional work such as capital raise documentation, registration filings, M&A diligence, or SEC enforcement response will be quoted and invoiced separately on a fixed-fee basis.

What relevant experience does new Laser Photonics (LASE) CFO Roman Franklin have?

Franklin has over 20 years of finance and operations leadership across public and private companies. His background includes SEC reporting, material weakness remediation, audit management, capital markets readiness, and managing more than $100 million in trust, endowment, and real estate assets.

Does Roman Franklin hold other roles while serving as Laser Photonics (LASE) CFO?

Yes. Franklin is founder and CEO of The CFO Portal, LLC, which provides strategic accounting services, and serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Central Florida, overseeing accounting, financial reporting, benefits administration, and management of over $100 million in assets.

Did Laser Photonics (LASE) issue a press release about the CFO appointment?

Laser Photonics issued a press release on May 12, 2026, announcing Franklin’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer. The release highlights his SEC reporting expertise, capital markets experience, and focus on strengthening the company’s financial infrastructure and reporting processes.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

32 documents

Press Releases

EX-99.1 EX-99.1 9.5 KB

Agreements & Contracts

EX-10.1 EX-10.1 24.3 KB