executive track record of successfully leading through complex business transactions and advising companies on accounting, auditing and financial reporting matters. Mr. Wessel adds significant knowledge and practical experience in complex accounting and financial reporting matters, SEC registration statements, business combinations, audits of internal control over financial reporting and carve-out audits. Furthermore, Mr. Wessel has deep experience with various types of transactions including business acquisitions and divestitures.
Prior to retiring from EY in 2021, Mr. Wessel served in a variety of leadership roles during the transformation and growth of EY into a $37 billion professional services firm that has been recognized on Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for over 20 years in a row. With extensive international experience working with various multinational corporations and living in the US, Latin America and Australia, Mr. Wessel has a deep understanding of cultural diversity and how to cultivate international business relationships and empower teams.
Mr. Wessel is a graduate of Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, receiving his BA in Accounting. Mr. Wessel holds his CPA certification in Kentucky and Texas.
Qualifications for Consideration:
Mr. Wessel has over 34 years of global client service, operational, and financial expertise. Mr. Wessel also has experience in complex accounting and financial reporting matters, SEC registration statements, business combinations, audits of financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, and carve-out audits.
Conflicts of Interest
There are no family relationships among any directors, executive officers or persons nominated to be directors of the Corporation.
There are no arrangements or understandings between the Corporation and any person pursuant to which such person was or is to be selected as a director or nominee.
No director or executive officer of the Corporation, or any associate of these parties, is a party adverse to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or has a material interest adverse to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.
Corporate Cease Trade Orders or Bankruptcies
None of the proposed directors of the Corporation is, as at the date hereof, or has been, within the 10 years before the date hereof, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Corporation) that, (i) was subject to an order that was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer, or (ii) was subject to an order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer.
None of the proposed directors of the Corporation is, as at the date hereof, or has been, within the 10 years before the date hereof, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Corporation) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets.
Penalties or Sanctions
None of the proposed directors of the Corporation has been subject to (a) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or (b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
Personal Bankruptcies
None of the proposed directors of the Corporation has, within the 10 years before the date hereof, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
(iii)Appointment of Auditors
Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the enclosed proxy or voting instruction form intend to vote such proxy or voting instruction form in favor of the re-appointment of BDO USA, P.C. (“BDO”), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, as auditors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and the authorization of the directors of the Corporation to fix their remuneration.
The Audit Committee has re-appointed and is requesting approval by the Shareholders of the re-appointment of, the independent registered public accounting firm of BDO to serve as the Corporation’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. If Shareholders do not