Seasoned financial executive and former NASA
administrator join the leading stratospheric exploration company as
it prepares to go public
World View, a global leader in stratospheric exploration and
flight, today announced Stephen Wideman as Chief Financial Officer
(CFO) and former World View Exploration and Tourism Advisory Board
(ExTAB) member Lori Garver to its Board of Directors.
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Stephen Wideman (Photo: Business
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“We are excited to welcome Stephen to our executive team, and
Lori’s continued counsel in her new role as Independent Director,”
said Ryan M. Hartman, President and CEO of World View. “Their
extensive industry experience and shared value of space
exploration–in all forms–as well as its inherent role in the
preservation of our planet will provide crucial insights and
guidance as we continue to expand our global remote sensing
business and create a radically improved future for our
planet.”
As CFO, Wideman will oversee all of World View’s financial
activities including accounting and controllership, planning and
analysis, investor relations, internal audits and reporting.
Wideman brings three decades of expertise in the financial industry
that will help ensure fiscal responsibility to support World View’s
enterprise growth initiatives. His background includes a broad
array of experiences in corporate financial management; financial
planning, analysis, and risk management; investor relations; and
corporate treasury for consumer products to government contracts.
More recently, Wideman served as Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer at Erickson Incorporated, a leading provider of
aviation services. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Economics from
Tuskegee University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.
“I am thrilled to be joining the World View family,” said
Wideman. “There is clear opportunity for value creation in the
company's differentiated mission set, addressable markets,
strategic partnerships and talented workforce.”
Garver is the former Deputy Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and a renowned
aerospace executive, policy analyst and thought leader. In joining
the Board of Directors, Garver relinquished her ExTAB seat
effective May 3, 2023.
Garver began her career at NASA in 1996 and was nominated and
confirmed by President Barack Obama as Deputy Administrator in
2009, serving in this role until 2013 when she became General
Manager of the Air Line Pilots Association. For her outstanding
service at NASA, she was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public
Service Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. A career
champion for space exploration and its benefit to humanity, Garver
has also held roles as a member of the NASA Advisory Council, a
guest lecturer at the International Space University, president and
board member of Women in Aerospace and president of the American
Astronautical Society.
"I look forward to joining the Board of Directors and working
with the wider World View team to utilize the unique perspective of
the stratosphere to provide new insights about our home planet in
pursuit of a better future," said Garver.
Following Garver’s appointment, World View’s Board of Directors
will comprise five members including Sameer Gandhi, General Partner
at Accel; Deepak Kamra, Managing Partner at Canaan Partners;
Charlie Precourt, Former NASA Astronaut; Ryan M. Hartman, President
and CEO at World View; and Garver.
World View continues to bring its remote sensing capabilities to
new industries and markets around the world. Its unique approach to
remote sensing via stratospheric balloons offers significant
advantages compared to traditional satellite and fixed-wing
aircraft imaging, enabling governments, organizations and
commercial entities to gather data and analytics for a diverse
array of current and potential use cases: national security and
defense, methane detection, non-invasive energy exploration,
wildfire and storm tracking, climate change research, agriculture,
maritime monitoring and others.
To learn more about World View’s expertise pioneering
stratospheric exploration, visit worldview.space.
About World View
World View is a leading global stratospheric exploration
company, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.
World View has a demonstrated record of accomplishments in the
stratospheric ballooning industry and is leading a new era of
stratospheric exploration to take humanity’s understanding and
appreciation of Earth to inspired new heights. With a sharper
vision for a brighter future, World View exists to inspire, create
and explore new perspectives for a radically improved future.
Through its legacy remote sensing business, Stratollite® imaging
and exciting future capabilities with research and engineering
missions and space tourism and exploration, World View is working
to ensure its ultimate objective: honor the planet so that future
generations will feel blessed to call it home. For more
information, visit worldview.space.
About Leo Holdings Corp. II and Leo Holdings
Leo Holdings Corp. II (“Leo”), currently listed on the NYSE
under the ticker LHC, is a special purpose acquisition company
(SPAC) that seeks to invest in entrepreneurially driven growth
companies that aim to disrupt existing industries or business
models, as well businesses positioned to thrive in the evolving
digital information age where changing consumer behavior creates
the opportunity for outsized returns. Leo Holdings Corp. II is part
of a special purpose acquisition company initiative, Leo Holdings.
Leo Holdings was formed by the principals of Lion Capital, which is
led by Founder and Managing Partner, Lyndon Lea. Leo Holdings’
management team has extensive experience owning and operating
businesses on a global scale and has collaboratively worked
together for over 20 years. For more information, visit
https://leoholdings.com/.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain statements included in this press release that are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the
safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally
are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,”
“estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,”
“would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,”
“outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future
events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters.
All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact
included in this press release, including information concerning
World View’s possible or assumed future results of operations,
business strategies, competitive position, industry environment,
and potential growth opportunities, including any potential
benefits that may be realized as a result of new members of
management, among others, are forward looking statements. These
statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not
identified in this press release, and on the current expectations
of World View’s and Leo’s management and are not predictions of
actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided
for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as,
and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an
assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or
probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or
impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual
events and circumstances are beyond the control of World View and
Leo. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the
inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the
proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”),
including the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not
obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions
that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected
benefits of the Business Combination is not obtained; the risk that
the Business Combination may not be completed by Leo's business
combination deadline; failure to realize the anticipated benefits
of the Business Combination; risks relating to the uncertainty of
the projected financial information with respect to World View; the
occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could
give rise to the termination of the definitive business combination
agreement; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the
transaction on World View’s business relationships, operating
results, and business generally; risks that the Business
Combination disrupts current plans and operations of World View;
risks relating to World View’s capital needs and ability to obtain
adequate financing; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may
be instituted against World View or against Leo related to the
Business Combination or any related agreements; the ability to
maintain the listing of Leo's securities on a national securities
exchange; changes in domestic and foreign business, market,
financial, political, and legal conditions and changes in the
combined capital structure; the ability to implement business
plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of
the Business Combination, and identify and realize additional
opportunities; risks related to the rollout of World View’s
business and the timing of expected business milestones; the
effects of competition on World View’s business; the risks of
operating and effectively managing growth in evolving and uncertain
macroeconomic conditions, such as high inflation and recessionary
environments; the risks to World View’s business if internal
processes and information technology systems are not properly
maintained; risks associated with World View’s operational
dependence on independent contractors and third parties; risks
associated with World View’s reliance on certain suppliers,
including recent global supply chain slowdowns and disruptions;
risks and uncertainties related to World View’s international
operations, including possible restrictions on cross border
investments which could harm World View’s financial position;
ability to achieve improved margins and cost efficiency; continuing
risks relating to the COVID 19 pandemic; and risks associated with
World View’s ability to develop its products and achieve regulatory
approvals or milestones on the timelines expected or at all. The
foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Please carefully
consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and
uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the final
prospectus to Leo's registration statement on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-249676), the Registration Statement (as defined
below) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by
Leo and other documents filed or that may be filed by Leo from time
to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other
important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events
and results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements. If any of these risks materialize or
our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ
materially from the results implied by these forward-looking
statements. There may be additional risks that none of Leo or World
View presently know or that Leo or World View currently believe are
immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from
those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition,
forward-looking statements reflect Leo’s and World View’s
expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of
the date of this press release. Leo and World View anticipate that
subsequent events and developments will cause Leo’s and World
View’s assessments to change. However, while Leo and World View may
elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in
the future, Leo and World View specifically disclaim any obligation
to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied
upon as representing Leo’s and World View’s assessments as of any
date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly,
undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking
statements. Certain market data information in this press release
is based on the estimates of World View and Leo management. World
View and Leo obtained the industry, market and competitive position
data used throughout this press release from internal estimates and
research as well as from industry publications and research,
surveys and studies conducted by third parties. World View and Leo
believe their estimates to be accurate as of the date of this press
release. However, this information may prove to be inaccurate
because of the method by which World View or Leo obtained some of
the data for its estimates or because this information cannot
always be verified due to the limits on the availability and
reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering
process.
Important Information
On April 7, 2023, Leo filed with the SEC a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented, the
“Registration Statement”), which included a preliminary proxy
statement/prospectus of Leo, which is both the proxy statement to
be distributed to holders of Leo’s ordinary shares in connection
with the solicitation of proxies for the vote of Leo’s shareholders
with respect to the proposed Business Combination and related
matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well
as the prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the securities
to be issued in the Business Combination. After the Registration
Statement is declared effective, Leo will mail a definitive proxy
statement/prospectus and other relevant documents to its
shareholders. Leo’s shareholders and other interested persons are
advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy
statement/prospectus, and amendments thereto, and the definitive
proxy statement/prospectus in connection with Leo’s solicitation of
proxies for its shareholders’ meeting to be held to approve the
Business Combination and related matters because the proxy
statement/prospectus will contain important information about Leo
and World View and the proposed Business Combination.
The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to
shareholders of Leo as of a record date to be established for
voting on the proposed Business Combination and related matters.
Shareholders may obtain copies of the proxy statement/prospectus,
when available, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov
or by directing a request to: Leo Holdings Corp. II, 21 Grosvenor
Pl, London SW1X 7HF, United Kingdom or by emailing
brown@leo.holdings.
Participants in the Solicitation
This press release is not a solicitation of a proxy from any
investor or securityholder. However, Leo, World View and Leo
Investors II Limited Partnership and their respective directors,
officers and other members of their management and employees may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Leo’s
shareholders with respect to the proposed business combination and
related matters. Investors and security holders may obtain more
detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and
interests of the directors and officers of Leo and World View in
the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business
combination when it is filed with the SEC. These documents may be
obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy or subscribe for any securities or a solicitation of any vote
of approval, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of
securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or
sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under
the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of
securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting
the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
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Jack Taylor worldview@jacktaylorpr.com
Leo Holdings Corp II (NYSE:LHC)
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