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Erickson exit: USBC (NYSE: USBC) grants $375k severance and full vesting

Filing Impact
(Very High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

USBC, Inc. reports that former Chairman and Science Division President Ronald P. Erickson concluded his service effective March 27, 2026, in connection with the divestiture of the company’s legacy non-invasive sensor technology business. The company states his departure was not due to any disagreement over operations, policies, or practices.

Under a Separation and General Release Agreement, USBC will pay Erickson severance equal to his annual base salary of $375,000 in installments over one year, in exchange for a general release and ongoing covenants. In addition, all 167,500 previously unvested restricted shares from a 335,000-share equity award vested in full on his last employment date.

Positive

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Insights

USBC formalizes Erickson’s exit with standard severance and equity vesting.

USBC links Ronald P. Erickson’s departure to the sale of its legacy sensor business and clarifies it did not stem from disagreements over company matters. This ties leadership changes directly to the strategic shift away from the divested business.

The Separation and General Release Agreement provides $375,000 in severance over one year and accelerates vesting of 167,500 restricted shares, in exchange for a broad release, non-disparagement, confidentiality, and cooperation covenants. These are typical protections when a long-serving leader exits after a strategic transaction.

Remaining post-termination obligations under the August 2025 employment agreement stay in force, suggesting continued guardrails on Erickson’s conduct. Future filings may clarify how leadership and strategy evolve following the divestiture and this leadership transition.

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 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Annual base salary / severance $375,000 Severance equal to annual base salary, paid over one year
Total equity award 335,000 shares Common stock award granted August 2025
Initially vested shares 167,500 shares 50% of award vested upon grant
Restricted Shares vested at separation 167,500 shares Previously unvested restricted shares vested in full at last employment date
Separation Date March 27, 2026 Effective date of Erickson’s conclusion of service
Separation Agreement date April 9, 2026 Date company and Erickson executed Separation Agreement
Separation and General Release Agreement financial
"the Company and Mr. Erickson entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement on April 9, 2026"
Restricted Shares financial
"the remaining 167,500 shares (the “Restricted Shares”) were subject to vesting"
Restricted shares are company stock that cannot be sold or transferred immediately because they are subject to legal or contractual limits, such as a required holding period or performance conditions. They matter to investors because these locked-up shares can affect a company’s available stock for trading, future dilution, and insider incentives—imagine a gift that can’t be cashed until certain conditions are met, which changes when and how much supply can suddenly enter the market.
general release of claims financial
"The Separation Agreement includes a customary general release of claims in favor of the Company"
non-disparagement financial
"as well as customary non-disparagement, confidentiality, and cooperation covenants"
A non-disparagement provision is a promise in an agreement that one party will not make negative public statements about the other, like a vow to avoid “badmouthing” a business or its leaders. Investors care because such promises protect reputation and can limit public criticism that might affect a company’s stock price, signal unresolved disputes, or introduce legal risk if enforcement leads to further costs or constrained disclosure.
Private Placement financial
"effective on the closing date of the Private Placement transaction entered into by the Company"
A private placement is a way for companies to raise money by selling securities directly to a small group of investors instead of through a public offering. This process is often quicker and less regulated, making it similar to offering a special, exclusive investment opportunity to select individuals or institutions. For investors, it can provide access to unique investment options that are not available on public markets.
0001074828FALSE00010748282026-04-092026-04-09

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): April 9, 2026
 
USBC, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Nevada
001-37479
90-0273142
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
300 E 2nd Street, 15th Floor, Reno, NV
89501
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
 
775-239-7673
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
(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 classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001USBC
NYSE American LLC
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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

As previously disclosed in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2026, USBC, Inc. ("USBC" or the “Company”) completed the divestiture of its legacy non-invasive sensor technology business on March 27, 2026 (the "Closing Date") pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into by and among the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Particle, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Particle”), Particle Acquisition Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Buyer”), and the Company’s former Chairman, President and CEO, Ronald P. Erickson, an individual and principal officer of the Buyer solely for purposes of Section 6.07 of the Agreement.

Effective as of the Closing Date of the divestiture of the legacy sensor business, Ronald P. Erickson concluded his service as a member of the Company's Board of Directors and as President of the Company's Science Division.

Such departure from Mr. Erickson's positions with the Company was not the result of any disagreement with the Company, Particle or any of their respective affiliates on any matter relating to their respective operations, policies or practices.

In connection with his departure, Mr. Erickson is eligible to receive such separation benefits and post-departure continuing compensation as may be provided pursuant to that certain employment agreement dated August 6, 2025, by and between the Company and Mr. Erickson.

Separation Agreement

In connection with Mr. Erickson’s conclusion of service on March 27, 2026 (the "Separation Date"), the Company and Mr. Erickson entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement on April 9, 2026 (the “Separation Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, and subject to Mr. Erickson’s execution and non-revocation of the Separation Agreement and continued compliance with its terms, the Company agreed to provide Mr. Erickson with severance payments equal to his annual base salary of $375,000, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices over a period of one year following the Separation Date.

Except as expressly provided in the Separation Agreement, certain provisions of Mr. Erickson’s employment agreement, dated August 6, 2025 (the “Employment Agreement”), including provisions relating to post-termination obligations, remain in full force and effect.

The Separation Agreement includes a customary general release of claims in favor of the Company, as well as customary non-disparagement, confidentiality, and cooperation covenants.

The foregoing is only a summary of the material terms of the Separation Agreement, does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties thereunder and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Separation Agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

Acceleration of Unvested Equity Awards

As previously disclosed in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2025, effective on the closing date of the Private Placement transaction entered into by the Company with Goldeneye 1995 LLC on August 6, 2025, Mr. Erickson was awarded 335,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 167,500 shares (50%) vested upon grant and the remaining 167,500 shares (the “Restricted Shares”) were subject to vesting in eight quarterly installments, subject to his continued service.

The Restricted Shares were eligible for accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of certain events, including a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s sensor-related intellectual property or an involuntary termination of Mr. Erickson’s employment.

The Company determined that all of the unvested Restricted Shares vested in full as of his last date of employment with the Company, consistent with the terms of his equity award agreement.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits
 



Exhibit No.Description
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)




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.
 
USBC, INC.
Date: April 15, 2026
By: /s/ Kitty Payne
Name: Kitty Payne
Title:Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What leadership change did USBC (USBC) disclose in this 8-K filing?

USBC disclosed that former Chairman and Science Division President Ronald P. Erickson concluded his service effective March 27, 2026. His exit coincided with the divestiture of the company’s legacy non-invasive sensor technology business and was not due to any disagreement over operations or policies.

What severance compensation will Ronald P. Erickson receive from USBC (USBC)?

Under the Separation and General Release Agreement, Erickson will receive severance equal to his annual base salary of $375,000. This amount is payable in substantially equal installments over one year following his March 27, 2026 separation date, in line with the company’s normal payroll practices.

How were Ronald P. Erickson’s USBC (USBC) equity awards treated at separation?

Erickson previously received 335,000 USBC common shares, of which 167,500 were unvested restricted shares. The company determined all 167,500 unvested restricted shares vested in full as of his last employment date, consistent with the equity award’s acceleration terms tied to certain events.

Did Ronald P. Erickson leave USBC (USBC) because of disagreements with the company?

USBC states Erickson’s departure was not due to any disagreement with the company, its subsidiary Particle, or their affiliates. This covers matters relating to their operations, policies, or practices, positioning his exit as part of the divestiture of the legacy sensor technology business rather than a governance dispute.

What ongoing obligations does Ronald P. Erickson have to USBC (USBC) after leaving?

The Separation Agreement includes a general release, non-disparagement, confidentiality, and cooperation covenants in favor of USBC. Certain provisions of Erickson’s August 6, 2025 employment agreement, including post-termination obligations, remain in full force, providing ongoing protections and cooperation for the company after his departure.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents