Pride Holdings Group (OTC: PHSE) announced the formation of a new Advisory Board and the appointment of Richard Hawkins, George Wallace, and Darren Donnelly as its initial members. The move is part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to build corporate governance and strategic infrastructure as it expands its operating portfolio, evaluates additional acquisitions, and works toward a potential uplisting to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or NASDAQ.
The Advisory Board will work alongside Company leadership, providing guidance in areas such as acquisitions, corporate governance, operational growth, and capital markets strategy. The appointments bring a mix of capital markets expertise, community perspective, and direct operational experience.
Richard Hawkins is a seasoned capital markets executive with over two decades of experience in public company leadership, corporate finance, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth. He has held executive and board roles across multiple public companies and serves as managing partner of a multi-strategy investment fund focused on public company investments and special situations. His experience is expected to aid Pride Holdings Group as it strengthens its corporate infrastructure and evaluates strategic transactions.
George Wallace, a member of the Orlando LGBTQ+ community, brings a community-focused perspective. His appointment reinforces the Company’s commitment to maintaining a strong connection between its growth strategy and the LGBTQ+ communities it serves.
Darren Donnelly, MBA, offers both business education and direct operating experience. He previously served as Manager of Trevi Lounge in Connecticut and has since joined the Pride Holdings Group team. His venue-level experience provides an operational perspective as the Company evaluates acquisitions and expands its portfolio of hospitality and nightlife businesses.
“Establishing our Advisory Board is another important step in building the corporate infrastructure for the future of Pride Holdings Group,” said Tim Majors, CEO of Pride Holdings Group. “Richard, George and Darren each bring a different perspective to the table – from corporate strategy and community engagement to direct operational experience. That diversity of experience will be valuable as we continue evaluating acquisitions, strengthening our governance and positioning the Company for its next stage of growth.” Majors added that the goal is to surround the Company with individuals who understand business, operations, and the community it serves, building a stronger organization with the governance, accountability, and strategic discipline needed to operate at a larger scale.
The Advisory Board is expected to play an active role in reviewing acquisition opportunities, providing perspective on strategic fit, operational integration, potential financial contribution, and long-term shareholder value. It will also advise management on steps necessary to pursue a future NYSE/NASDAQ uplisting, though any such move would be subject to satisfying applicable listing standards and regulatory requirements, and there can be no assurance that an uplisting will occur within any particular timeframe.
Pride Holdings Group anticipates adding more members to the Advisory Board in 2027 as it continues to expand operations and corporate infrastructure. The Company is a publicly traded holding company focused on acquiring, operating, and scaling LGBTQ+ oriented hospitality, nightlife, entertainment, and real estate assets. Through its portfolio of venues, events, and branded experiences, it aims to create safe, inclusive, and economically sustainable community spaces while delivering long-term value to shareholders.
For readers tracking developments in the business services and hospitality sectors, the formation of this Advisory Board signals Pride Holdings Group’s intent to professionalize its governance and acquisition processes. The addition of capital markets expertise could enhance the Company’s ability to execute on growth opportunities and potentially achieve a major exchange listing, which would increase its visibility and access to capital. The inclusion of community and operational perspectives suggests a balanced approach to expansion that considers both financial and social impacts. The announcement was distributed via NEWMEDIAWIRE.
