Former Activision Blizzard President and COO to bring capital markets and corporate leadership experience to Rubicon
Lexington, Kentucky, June 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rubicon Technologies, LLC (“Rubicon” or the “Company”), a leading digital marketplace for waste and recycling and provider of innovative software-based solutions for businesses and governments worldwide, today announced the nomination of Coddy Johnson, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard, for election to its Board of Directors (the “Board”) upon the closing of the Company’s previously announced business combination with Founder SPAC (NASDAQ: FOUN).
“We are thrilled to announce that Coddy Johnson is nominated for election to the post-combination Rubicon Board,” said Nate Morris, Chairman and CEO of Rubicon. “Coddy’s background and experience in both leading and advising some of the most prominent technology companies in the world will be invaluable to Rubicon as we take this next step in our life as a company. Coddy represents another world-class addition to our Board.”
Mr. Johnson currently serves as an advisor to several private equity firms, including TPG and Goodwater Capital. He also sits on the Boards of Directors of multiple prominent technology companies, including Scopely and Photomath.
During his tenure at Activision Blizzard, Mr. Johnson led the company as it grew its user base to more than 400 million monthly players across marquee franchises such as Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft. Mr. Johnson was responsible for the companywide P&L, business units and product lines, with a team of more than 9,000 employees and over $8 billion in annual revenue. Prior to serving as President and COO, he also held executive roles in strategy, operations, planning, and finance, including COO and CFO for Activision Publishing, COO of Activision Studios, and Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff.
“I am delighted to be nominated to join Rubicon’s Board of Directors,” said Mr. Johnson. “Rubicon is focused on solving some of the world’s most urgent problems. As a member of the Board, I look forward to bringing my passion for, and experience in, technology and the environment to help the Company achieve its goal of ending waste and creating a healthier, cleaner, and safer world for all.”
Mr. Johnson attended Yale University, graduating magna cum laude in 1999 with a degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. He also attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business and graduated with honors as an Arjay Miller Scholar.
Prior to business school, Mr. Johnson was the National Field Director for President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. From 2001-2003, he served in the White House as Associate Director of Political Affairs, and from 1999-2000 as a Regional Director on President Bush's first national campaign.
Mr. Johnson is also an active supporter of environmental and educational causes and serves on the board of the Environmental Defense Action Fund.
About Rubicon
Rubicon is a digital marketplace for waste and recycling, and provider of innovative software-based solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. Creating a new industry standard by using technology to drive environmental innovation, the Company helps turn businesses into more sustainable enterprises, and neighborhoods into greener and smarter places to live and work. Rubicon’s mission is to end waste. It helps its partners find economic value in their waste streams and confidently execute on their sustainability goals. Learn more at Rubicon.com.
Rubicon previously announced an agreement for a business combination with Founder SPAC (Nasdaq: FOUN), which is expected to result in Rubicon becoming a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the new ticker symbol “RBT” early in the third quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.
About Founder SPAC
Founder is a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While Founder is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region, the company focuses on businesses within the technology sector, with a specific focus on the theme of Digital Transformation. Founder is led by CEO Osman Ahmed, CFO Manpreet Singh, and Executive Chairman Hassan Ahmed. The company’s independent directors include Jack Selby, Steve Papa, Allen Salmasi, and Rob Theis. Sponsor and advisor, Nikhil Kalghatgi, leads the company’s advisory board.
Important Information About the Business Combination and Where to Find It
Founder’s shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, carefully and in their entirety, the preliminary proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus included in the registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 1, 2022 (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and, when available, the definitive proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, as these materials will contain important information about Founder, Rubicon and the other parties to the Merger Agreement (as defined in the Registration Statement), and the Business Combination (as defined in the Registration Statement). After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the definitive proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of Founder as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination and other matters described in the Registration Statement. Founder shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s web site at sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Founder SPAC, 11752 Lake Potomac Drive, Potomac, MD, 20854, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, (240) 418-2649.
Participants in the Solicitation
Founder and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Founder’s shareholders with respect to the Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in the Business Combination is contained in the Registration Statement.
Rubicon and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Founder in connection with the Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the Business Combination is contained in the Registration Statement.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Founder’s and Rubicon’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Founder’s and Rubicon’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the Business Combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Business Combination and the timing of the completion of the Business Combination. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results, including factors that are outside of Founder’s and Rubicon’s control and that are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Founder and Rubicon following the announcement of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (2) the inability to complete the Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain the approval of the shareholders of Founder, approvals or other determinations from certain regulatory authorities, or other conditions to closing in the Merger Agreement; (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement or that could otherwise cause the transactions contemplated therein to fail to close; (4) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of the combined company’s shares on the New York Stock Exchange following the Business Combination; (5) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (6) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably and to retain its key employees; (7) costs related to the Business Combination; (8) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (9) the possibility that Rubicon or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (10) the combined company’s ability to raise financing in the future and to comply with restrictive covenants related to long-term indebtedness; (11) the impact of COVID-19 on Rubicon’s business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the Business Combination; and (12) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Registration Statement and other documents filed, or to be filed, by Founder with the SEC.
Founder cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Although Founder believes the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements or projections set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements or projections will be achieved. There may be additional risks that Founder and Rubicon presently do not know of or that they currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Founder cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Neither Founder nor Rubicon undertakes any duty to update these forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.
CONTACT: Media Contact – Rubicon Dan Sampson Chief Marketing & Corporate Communications Officer dan.sampson@rubicon.com rubiconPR@icrinc.com Investor Relations Contact – Rubicon Sioban Hickie, ICR, Inc. rubiconIR@icrinc.com Founder SPAC Contact Cody Slach Gateway Group (949) 574-3860 FOUN@gatewayir.com
