American Fusion, Inc. filed a current report on Form 8-K on October 30, 2026, disclosing an executive leadership change effective October 26, 2026, in which Brent Nelson was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Richard C. Hawkins transitioned to a new role.

Key Highlights

  • CEO transition: Richard C. Hawkins ceased serving as Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary effective October 26, 2026.
  • New CEO appointed: Brent Nelson, age 65, was appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately on October 26, 2026, and continues as Chairman of the Board.
  • Hawkins new role: Richard C. Hawkins was appointed Chief Administrative Officer, subject to his acceptance, according to the filing.
  • New Corporate Secretary: Michael G. Smith, age 66, was appointed Corporate Secretary, effective immediately on October 26, 2026.
  • Nelson compensation: Under a consulting services agreement dated March 1, 2026, Mr. Nelson receives $15,000 per month from the company.
  • Consulting agreement unchanged: The Nelson Consulting Agreement was not entered into or amended in connection with Mr. Nelson's appointment as Chief Executive Officer and remains in effect.

American Fusion Installs Nelson as CEO With Existing Consulting Agreement Intact

According to the filing, the Board of Directors of American Fusion, Inc. approved the leadership change effective October 26, 2026. Richard C. Hawkins, who had served as Chief Executive Officer on a non-salaried basis, stepped down from that role and was designated as Chief Administrative Officer, subject to his acceptance. The filing noted that his departure from the CEO position "does not, by itself, constitute a departure from any position as a director." The Consulting Services Agreement under which Mr. Hawkins separately provided strategic corporate, financial, and capital markets services, dated January 1, 2025, "remains in effect and is not being amended or terminated in connection with the change in Mr. Hawkins' title," the filing stated.

Brent Nelson, who had served as Executive Chairman of the Board since March 1, 2026, was appointed to succeed Mr. Hawkins as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Nelson continues to serve as Chairman of the Board. The filing described Mr. Nelson as "a technology entrepreneur, venture investor and business executive with more than 30 years of experience in energy, aerospace, healthcare and advanced technology." During the past five years, according to the filing, Mr. Nelson has served as founder, Chairman, and CEO of Kepler Aerospace and has held leadership roles with American Fusion, Inc. and American EcoFuels Inc. His prior ventures, as disclosed, include a company that developed technology later associated with Windows Media Player, Palmworks, CybeRecord, RF Surgical Systems, and Mobile PET Systems.

The filing disclosed that Mr. Nelson's existing consulting services agreement, dated March 1, 2026, provides for $15,000 per month in compensation. The company noted it may award additional compensation or bonuses at its discretion. The agreement has an initial six-month term and renews automatically for successive six-month periods unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least 30 days before the end of the current term. The filing stated that as of the report date, no additional material plan, contract, or arrangement had been entered into with Mr. Nelson in connection with his CEO appointment, and that an amendment would be filed within four business days if material terms of any such arrangement are determined.

What Was Disclosed

American Fusion, Inc. reported an executive leadership change effective October 26, 2026, with Brent Nelson named CEO and Chairman, Richard C. Hawkins moving to a CAO role, and Michael G. Smith appointed Corporate Secretary. Nelson's existing $15,000-per-month consulting agreement remains unchanged.