Kaival Brands Appoints New Board Members Ahead of IPO

Kaival Brands Innovations Group has appointed Paul Reuter, Carolyn Hanigan and Roger Brooks to its board of directors.

In addition to gaining the experience and judgment that the new members will bring to the board, their appointments are intended to ensure the company complies with certain corporate governance rules ahead of its planned Nasdaq uplisting.

“We are very pleased that Paul, Carolyn and Roger have agreed to join us as new members of the board,” said Niraj Patel, CEO of Kaival Brands, in a statement. “Coming off a remarkable year that demonstrated the strength of our team and products, these three individuals are joining the company at an exciting time. We look forward to benefiting from their diverse backgrounds and respective expertise.”

Reuter brings nearly five decades of industry experience in small box retail as a journalist, editorial director, entrepreneur and speaker. He has launched two businesses, including MidWest Retail Group, where he served as chairman and founding partner from April 2013 through June 2019. He is also the founder of Kreative Collaborations, an industry consultancy.

Prior to her retirement, Hanigan was the president of Reynolds American Innovation Co., an operating company of Reynolds American Inc. (RAI). Hanigan led the global vapor collaboration with British American Tobacco (BAT) up until RAI was acquired by BAT in 2017.

Coming off a remarkable year that demonstrated the strength of our team and products, these three individuals are joining the company at an exciting time.

She was the architect of RAI’s U.S. reduced-risk products strategic direction to further the vision of transforming tobacco. Under her leadership, RAI prepared both the U.S. commercial execution and regulatory applications for the Glo tobacco-heating products, the Velo nicotine pouches, and the Alto, Ciro, Vibe and Solo nicotine vaporizers.

Brooks is currently the chairman, treasurer and co-founder of Abierto Networks. Prior to his roles at Abierto Networks, from 1998 to 2008, Brooks was the lead independent director and member of the compensation and audit committees for Moldflow Corp. From 2017 to 2019, Brooks served as an independent director of Lytron Incorporated.

Kaibal Brands recently reached $100 million in revenues.