On June 3, 2024, the Board of Directors of Vivakor, Inc. appointed Mr. Michael Thompson as a member of the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Thompson has been determined by the Board to be an independent director consistent with Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ listing standards. In addition to serving as an independent director, Mr. Thompson will serve as chair of the Audit Committee of the Board (the ?Audit Committee?).
Michael Thompson, age 55, combines over 25 years of experience in company directorship. Previously, he had been involved in four companies and two nonprofit organizations, holding positions including President, Representative Director, and board member. Mr. Thompson presently serves as the Global Head of Multi-Vendor Solutions at HP.
From 2016 to 2021, Mr. Thompson has served on the Board of Directors as the Chair of the Audit Committee and Conflicts Committee of Rhino Resources, LTD, a company concentrated on coal and energy-related assets and activities. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Thompson was a Director and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of Idaho Aquarium, a nonprofit aquarium. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Thompson was a member of the board of Asister, a nonprofit organization focused on designing and distributing appliances in Latin America.
From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Thompson served on the Board of Directors for Environmental Energy Services, Inc. and Blaze Energy, Inc., energy services and asset accumulation companies. From 1996 to 1999, he served as President and Representative Director of Micron Electronics Japan, K.K. and Micron Electronics China. Mr. Thompson has a bachelor's degree in Business and Japanese from Brigham Young University and a master?s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.
Mr. Thompson is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and brings to Board over 25 years of experience in corporate governance, compliance and turnaround.