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New Era Energy (NUAI) hires new Chief Corporate Officer with RSU grant

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

New Era Energy & Digital, Inc. appointed Andrew Casazza as Chief Corporate Officer effective April 28, 2026, under a detailed employment and equity package. His annual base salary is $415,000 with a target bonus of up to 40% of salary based on performance goals set by the compensation committee.

Casazza will receive standard executive benefits and may be granted additional equity awards under the company’s equity plan. He was also granted 400,000 restricted stock units, vesting monthly over four years, intended as an inducement grant outside the existing plan. If terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, he is eligible for salary-based severance, bonus components and health benefit payments, with enhanced terms following a change in control. The company also states that its Texas Critical Data Centers LLC project is expected to have potential capacity of approximately 1.4 GW of gross power production.

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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 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Base salary $415,000 per year Annual base salary for Chief Corporate Officer
Target bonus Up to 40% of salary Annual target bonus opportunity for Casazza
RSU grant size 400,000 shares Restricted stock units awarded to Casazza, vesting monthly over four years
Severance multiple pre-change in control 100% of base salary Severance if terminated without cause or for good reason before change in control
Severance multiple post-change in control 150% of base salary Severance if terminated without cause or for good reason after change in control
Health benefit coverage pre-change in control 12 months Lump sum equivalent of benefit premiums in certain terminations
Health benefit coverage post-change in control 18 months Lump sum equivalent of benefit premiums in change-in-control terminations
Project power capacity 1.4 GW Expected potential gross power production for Texas Critical Data Centers LLC
restricted stock units financial
"Mr. Casazza was also granted an award of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) covering a total of 400,000 shares"
Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.
Change in Control financial
"at any time before a Change in Control (as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement)"
A "change in control" occurs when the ownership or management of a company shifts significantly, such as through a merger, acquisition, or sale of a large part of its assets. This change can impact how the company is run and may influence its future direction. For investors, it matters because it can affect the company's stability, strategy, and value, often signaling potential changes in investment risk or opportunity.
Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory
"Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure."
Regulation FD disclosure requires public companies to share important, market-moving information with everyone at the same time instead of tipping off analysts or large investors first. Think of it as making sure all players on a field hear the same announcement simultaneously; that fairness helps investors trust that stock prices reflect the same information and reduces the risk of sudden, unfair trading advantages or regulatory penalties for selective leaks.
emerging growth company regulatory
"Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
non-competition financial
"The Casazza Employment Agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants, including non-competition, confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants"
A non-competition is a contractual restriction that prevents a person or business from starting or working in a competing business within a specified time and geographic area after leaving a job or completing a transaction. It matters to investors because it acts like a temporary fence around customers, trade secrets and know‑how, helping protect future revenue and company value; weak or unenforceable restrictions can increase the risk of customer loss and competitive erosion.
Equity Incentive Plan financial
"pursuant to the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)"
An equity incentive plan is a program that gives employees, executives or directors the right to receive company stock or options to buy stock as part of their pay. Think of it as offering slices of future company profit to motivate people to boost long‑term performance; for investors it matters because it can align employee goals with shareholder value but also increases the number of shares outstanding, which can dilute existing ownership.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

April 14, 2026

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Nevada   001-42433   99-3749880
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

200 N. Loraine Street, Suite 1324
Midland, TX
  79701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (432) 695-6997

 

Not Applicable

(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 class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock   NUAI   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants   NUAIW   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 Chief Corporate Officer

 

On April 17, 2026, New Era Energy & Digital, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that on April 14, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company appointed Andrew Casazza to serve as Chief Corporate Officer of the Company, effective April 28, 2026.

 

Mr. Casazza, age 58, served as co-founder, chief financial officer and a board member for Windy Cove Energy II and Pure Earth Plasma Holdings, since 2017 and 2021, respectively. Mr. Casazza has a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College.

 

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Casazza and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Casazza was selected to serve as the Company’s Chief Corporate Officer. Mr. Casazza does not have any family relationship with any director or executive officer of the Company, or any person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. There are no transactions in which Mr. Casazza has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Casazza Employment Agreement

 

In connection with Mr. Casazza’s appointment as Chief Corporate Officer, the Company and Mr. Casazza entered into an employment agreement (the “Casazza Employment Agreement”), effective April 28, 2026. Under the Casazza Employment Agreement, Mr. Casazza’s annual base salary is $415,000, subject to adjustment by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”). Mr. Casazza will have an annual target bonus opportunity of up to 40% of his annual base salary based on the achievement of specified performance goals set by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Casazza will be entitled to participate, on the same basis as other executives of the Company, in those employee benefit programs for which substantially all of the executive officers of the Company are from time to time generally eligible, as determined by the Board. Mr. Casazza may be eligible to receive grants of equity, equity-based or similar compensation awards pursuant to the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) or as otherwise approved by the Compensation Committee.

 

In the event of a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by Mr. Casazza for Good Reason at any time before a Change in Control (as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement), the Company will pay to Mr. Casazza: (i) severance compensation in an amount equal to 100% of his annual base salary, (ii) any unpaid annual target bonus earned for the prior year, (iii) a pro-rated portion of the annual target bonus for the year in which the Casazza Employment Agreement is terminated, and (iv) a lump sum payment equal to the total cost of premium payments for 12 months of coverage under the Company’s benefit plans.

 

In the event of a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by Mr. Casazza for Good Reason on or after a Change in Control, the Company will pay to Mr. Casazza: (i) severance compensation in an amount equal to 150% of his annual base salary, (ii) any unpaid annual target bonus earned for the prior year, (iii) a pro-rated portion of the annual target bonus for the year in which the Employment Agreement is terminated, and (iv) a lump sum payment equal to the total cost of premium payments for 18 months of coverage under the Company’s benefit plans. Severance payments described above are contingent upon the execution of a release of claims against the Company.

 

The Casazza Employment Agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants, including non-competition, confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants, a covenant not to solicit clients for a period of 18-months following the termination of his employment and not to solicit employees for a period of 24 months following the termination of his employment.

 

Casazza RSU Award Agreement

 

Mr. Casazza was also granted an award of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) covering a total of 400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which shall vest each month over a four-year period beginning on April 28, 2026 subject to Mr. Casazza’s continued employment with the Company and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2026, by and between the Company and Mr. Casazza (the “Casazza RSU Agreement”). The RSUs are intended to serve as inducement grants, and were not granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

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The foregoing descriptions of the Casazza Employment Agreement and Casazza RSU Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Casazza Employment Agreement and Casazza RSU Agreement, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

The Company currently expects that its flagship project, Texas Critical Data Centers LLC, will have the potential to support up to approximately 1.4 GW of gross power production.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT   DESCRIPTION
10.1   Employment Agreement, dated April 28, 2026, by and between the Company and Andrew Casazza.
10.2   Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated April 28, 2026, by and between the Company and Andrew Casazza.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect the current view about future events. When used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the risks contained in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

 

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

  NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
Date: April 17, 2026    
  By: /s/ E. Will Gray II
    E. Will Gray II
    Chief Executive Officer

 

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FAQ

What executive change did NUAI announce in this 8-K filing?

New Era Energy & Digital, Inc. appointed Andrew Casazza as Chief Corporate Officer, effective April 28, 2026. He brings prior experience as co-founder, CFO and board member at Windy Cove Energy II and Pure Earth Plasma Holdings, expanding the senior leadership team.

What is Andrew Casazza’s compensation package at NUAI?

Andrew Casazza will receive a $415,000 annual base salary and an annual target bonus opportunity of up to 40% of salary. He will also participate in standard executive benefit plans and may be eligible for additional equity or similar awards under the company’s equity incentive plan.

How many RSUs did NUAI grant to Andrew Casazza?

Andrew Casazza received an inducement grant of 400,000 restricted stock units tied to NUAI common stock. These RSUs vest monthly over four years beginning April 28, 2026, conditioned on his continued employment and governed by a separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

What severance protections does Andrew Casazza have at NUAI?

If NUAI terminates Casazza without cause, or he resigns for good reason before a change in control, he can receive one year of base salary, bonus components and 12 months of benefit premiums. After a change in control, severance rises to 1.5 times salary and 18 months of benefits.

What restrictions apply to Andrew Casazza after leaving NUAI?

Casazza’s agreement includes non-competition, confidentiality, non-disparagement and non-solicitation covenants. He agrees not to solicit clients for 18 months and not to solicit employees for 24 months following termination, in addition to other protective restrictions favoring the company.

What project capacity did NUAI disclose for Texas Critical Data Centers?

NUAI stated that its flagship project, Texas Critical Data Centers LLC, is currently expected to have potential to support up to approximately 1.4 gigawatts of gross power production, highlighting the intended scale of the company’s data center and energy-related development.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

6 documents