SurgePays (NASDAQ: SURG) taps Chelsea Pullano as interim CFO via MACK deal

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

SurgePays, Inc. reported that its board has appointed Chelsea Pullano as interim Chief Financial Officer effective January 14, 2026, filling the vacancy created by the prior separation from Tony Evers. Her appointment is tied to a new master services agreement with MACK Financial Solutions LLC, signed January 9, 2026, under which MACK will provide outsourced financial, accounting, and executive financial services, including CFO duties.

Ms. Pullano will serve as CFO on a part-time basis, spending at least 40 hours per month in the role. The Company will pay her $5,000 per month for her CFO services and pay MACK an additional $5,000 per month for other services. The agreement can be terminated by either party on 60 days’ notice or immediately by the non-breaching party after a material breach that is not cured within 14 days. SurgePays notes her prior senior finance roles and confirms there are no family relationships or related-party transactions involved in her selection.

Insights

Corporate governance and executive-comp expert

SurgePays shifts to a part-time, outsourced CFO model via MACK.

The company has filled its CFO vacancy by appointing Chelsea Pullano as interim CFO through a master services agreement with MACK Financial Solutions LLC. This structure combines an officer appointment with an external services contract, so core finance and reporting functions will be delivered by an outside firm rather than a traditional full-time internal executive.

Compensation is relatively modest at $5,000 per month to Ms. Pullano as CFO and $5,000 per month to MACK for broader financial and accounting services. The agreement allows either side to terminate on 60 days’ notice or sooner after an uncured material breach, giving both parties flexibility but also limiting long-term commitment. Ms. Pullano’s prior CFO and finance experience and the absence of related-party ties align with standard governance expectations for interim appointments.

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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 and Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2026 (January 9, 2026)

SURGEPAYS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada		001-40992		98-0550352
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

3124 Brother Blvd, Suite 104

Bartlett TN 38133

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(901) 302-9587

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

☐	Written communication 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		SURG		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

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

Appointment of Chelsea Pullano as Interim CFO

Effective as of January 14, 2026, the Board appointed Chelsea Pullano as interim Chief Financial Officer to fill the vacancy created by the previous separation with Tony Evers. Ms. Pullano’s appointment is in connection with the Company’s entry into the master services agreement (“CFO Agreement”) with MACK Financial Solutions LLC (“MACK”) on January 9, 2026, pursuant to which MACK shall provide outsourced financial, accounting, and executive financial services to the Company as requested by the Company from time to time, including, without limitation, Chief Financial Officer services, accounting oversight, bookkeeping, financial reporting, and public-company financial compliance support (collectively, the “Services”). Ms. Pullano’s role as Chief Financial Officer will be on a part-time basis, and Ms. Pullano will spend no less than 40 hours per month in such capacity as Chief Financial Officer providing the Services as described herein.

In consideration of the Services to be performed, the Company will pay Ms. Pullano $5,000 per month in her capacity as Chief Financial Officer, and will pay MACK $5,000 per month for other Services. Additionally, Ms. Pullano shall be entitled to the same indemnification, advancement of expenses, and other protections afforded to similarly situated officers of the Company under its organizational documents and applicable law. The CFO Agreement may be terminated by either the Company or MACK upon sixty days notice, however, if a material breach of the CFO Agreement is not cured within fourteen days of receipt of notice, the CFO Agreement may be immediately terminated by the non-breaching party.

Ms. Pullano is a financial executive with experience supporting public and private companies in accounting, financial reporting, and strategic finance. Since May 2023, Ms. Pullano has been a partner and serves as Chief Executive Officer of MACK, an accounting and advisory firm that provides outsourced financial and accounting services to growth-stage and public companies. From June 29, 2020 to May 2023, Ms. Pullano served as Chief Financial Officer of Creatd, Inc, and from September 2024 to March 2025, she served as Director of Finance at Lucosky Brookman LLP.

Ms. Pullano has no family relationships with any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, and she is not a party to, and does not have any direct or indirect material interest in, any transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Pullano and any other persons pursuant to which she was selected as Chief Financial Officer.

The foregoing description of the CFO Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the CFO Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 10.1		Master Services Agreement, dated January 9, 2026, between the Company and MACK Financial Solutions LLC
Exhibit 104		Cover Page Interactive Data File

SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.

	SURGEPAYS, INC.
Date: January 14, 2026	By:	/s/ Kevin Brian Cox
		Kevin Brian Cox
		Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What did SurgePays (SURG) disclose in this 8-K filing?

SurgePays disclosed that its board appointed Chelsea Pullano as interim Chief Financial Officer effective January 14, 2026, under a new master services agreement with MACK Financial Solutions LLC, which will provide outsourced financial and accounting services.

Who is Chelsea Pullano, the new interim CFO of SurgePays (SURG)?

Chelsea Pullano is a financial executive with experience in accounting, financial reporting, and strategic finance. Since May 2023, she has been a partner and Chief Executive Officer of MACK Financial Solutions LLC, and she previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Creatd, Inc. and Director of Finance at Lucosky Brookman LLP.

How is SurgePays compensating its interim CFO and MACK Financial Solutions?

SurgePays will pay Ms. Pullano $5,000 per month for her services as interim Chief Financial Officer and will pay MACK Financial Solutions LLC an additional $5,000 per month for other financial, accounting, and executive financial services.

Is the interim CFO role at SurgePays (SURG) full-time or part-time?

The interim CFO role is part-time. Ms. Pullano is expected to spend no less than 40 hours per month serving as Chief Financial Officer while providing the contracted services.

What are the key terms of SurgePays’ master services agreement with MACK Financial Solutions?

The master services agreement, dated January 9, 2026, provides that MACK will deliver outsourced financial, accounting, and executive financial services, including CFO services. It may be terminated by either party on 60 days’ notice, or immediately by the non-breaching party if a material breach is not cured within 14 days after notice.

Does Chelsea Pullano have any related-party or family relationships with SurgePays’ leadership?

No. SurgePays states that Ms. Pullano has no family relationships with any of its directors or executive officers and has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

What protections does SurgePays provide to its interim CFO?

Ms. Pullano is entitled to the same indemnification, advancement of expenses, and other protections that are afforded to similarly situated officers of SurgePays under its organizational documents and applicable law.