Latest news with #MichaelHowe
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., Announces Michael C. Howe - With Decades of Experience at Leading and Building Brands in the Healthcare and Consumer Space - To Be Its New Chief Executive Officer
Michael Howe - who currently serves as an Independent Board Member - to assume CEO role on June 10, 2025 Michael's career spans nationally recognized brands such as MinuteClinic, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, CEO of Arby's, and as an early-stage investor/board member in healthcare and software businesses HUMACAO, PR AND NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 10, 2025 / Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASBP) ("Aspire" or the "Company"), a developer of a multi-faceted patent-pending drug delivery technology, today announced that its Board of Directors has elected Michael C. Howe, as the Company's new chief executive officer. The Board selected Michael Howe to be CEO based on his proven track record of hands-on success during his more than four decades of experience with leading brands and early-stage companies, and his recognized leadership qualities. Kraig Higginson, who has stepped down as CEO and Chairman of the Board, will remain with the Company and serve as Executive Chairman of the Board. Michael Howe is a visionary C-level executive with a proven record of driving transformative success across diverse industries. With a deep understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and innovative brand positioning, Howe has consistently demonstrated his ability to foresee and shape consumer trends, leading to the creation of groundbreaking operational strategies. His career has been marked by his ability to build and strengthen nationally recognized brands with companies such as MinuteClinic, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Arby's. His strategic leadership has consistently delivered significant growth and financial success, from start-ups to multinational corporations. His healthcare leadership and expertise in creating innovative consumer focused brands was most effectively demonstrated in his leadership of MinuteClinic, a network of board-certified health providers offering high-quality, team-based care services. Howe joined MinuteClinic in June 2005 with 19 clinics in two markets as the brand struggled to define a clear national expansion strategy. Within 15 months, Howe added more than 100 clinics in 13 markets and facilitated the sale of the company to CVS in September 2006, which delivered a nearly sixfold return for investors. He stayed with CVS as CEO of MinuteClinic for 2 additional years leading the national expansion to more than 530 clinics. Since 2022, Howe has served as a Co-founder and CEO of The Good Clinic (TGC), which offered a holistic care approach to primary healthcare services, integrating functional medicine, genetic testing, technology, alternative treatments, and nutrition. Howe is now leading the funding and expansion to relaunch the TGC concept under the newly formed First Choice Healthcare Solutions. Since 2021, he has also served as an independent director for P1 Dental Partners, an Indianapolis-based, PE-funded dental services organization. "Michael is a seasoned strategist with a track record of driving sustainable growth through innovation, and we have every confidence in his ability to lead Aspire during this important time," said Kraig Higginson, Executive Chairman of Aspire. "He brings meaningful expertise in scaling differentiated platforms and has a deep understanding of the health and wellness sector - making him uniquely suited to serve as Aspire's next CEO. I have worked closely with Michael over the past six months as a fellow board member during which time his contributions and insights have confirmed the excellent qualities he brings to the role. Together with the entire Board, I look forward to working with him." On his appointment, Howe said, "I am honored to be named as CEO of Aspire. I am grateful to our Executive Chairman, Kraig Higginson for his commitment, leadership and passion, and to the members of our Board for their leadership, particularly in these recent months, and for the confidence they have placed in me to lead our business." Howe continued "Aspire has a powerful and differentiated drug delivery platform, is engaged in an important clinical trial which could support a submission to the FDA via the 505(b)(2) pathway, and has the opportunity to generate early revenue upon the launch of its novel pre-workout supplement, both of which are expected to occur in 2025. I am eager to build upon the work the entire Aspire team has been doing to position our business for the future and create value for our shareholders over the long-term." Higginson added, "It has been a privilege to lead Aspire. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I want to express my thanks to the many team members who, through their hard work and commitment to the company, have made our success possible. From the going public process, to commencing the first FDA clinical trials of our high-dose aspirin, to preparing for the launch of our innovative pre-workout product, BUZZ BOMB™, now is the right time to transition the leadership of Aspire to Michael. I believe the Company and shareholders will benefit from his experience as a strategic thinker with a laser focus on capturing current market and operational opportunities." About Michael C. Howe A successful growth-oriented CEO with 40+ years of consumer and healthcare experience. Howe has established a proven track record of leading and building successful consumer focused businesses across several different business sectors including consumer goods, fast food restaurants, SaaS products, and innovative healthcare companies. He began his career at Procter & Gamble with positions in sales and marketing. He then joined PepsiCo in their fast-food division with operational roles with the KFC brand. Five years later, he joined Arby's as a senior operational executive, subsequently rising to the position of President and CEO, growing the brand's revenue by 25% in just 3 years. After a successful term as CEO of Arby's, Howe joined MinuteClinic in June 2005 and within 15 months orchestrated the sale of the company to CVS in September 2006, where he remained for 2 additional years leading the national expansion. After leaving CVS in 2008, he founded Howe & Associates, which focused on supporting start up and early- stage companies in their expansion processes, as an angel investor, board member, and / or executive, leading 11 companies to a successful financial exit. Howe earned both his accounting and business degrees from the University of Minnesota, Duluth after serving 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. About the Aspire Targeted Oral Delivery Platform Aspire's sublingual delivery technology has been developed using our patent-pending methodology, and "trade secret" process. The technology's new mechanism of action allows for rapid sublingual absorption and entry into the bloodstream of supplements and other substances. The benefits of "rapid absorption" are to provide rapid impact in more precise quantities. About Aspire Biopharma, Inc. Headquartered in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Aspire Biopharma has developed a disruptive technology through a Novel Soluble Formulation which can deliver supplements and drugs rapidly and precisely. For more information, please visit Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements made in this communication are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "projects," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "would," "should," "future," "propose," "potential," "target," "goal," "objective," "outlook" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, and on the current expectations of Aspire'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. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the control of the parties, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. ContactTraDigital IRKevin McGrath+1-646-418-7002kevin@ SOURCE: Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill increasing financial reporting for public officials advances in North Dakota House
North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe speaks during a legislative committee hearing on Jan. 23, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) The House on Tuesday night voted 64-26 to require public officials to file statements of interest annually. Current law only requires officials to submit one statement of interest form when they file for candidacy or when they're appointed to office. Statewide officials file their forms with the Secretary of State's Office, while local government officials file with their respective local offices. The primary sponsor of House Bill 1469, Rep. Glenn Bosch, R-Bismarck, said the proposal will increase public transparency as well as make the submission process more straightforward for officials. 'Hopefully we can see that helps provide clarity for us, too, when we have to fill this out,' he said on the House floor. More financial reporting proposed for North Dakota elected officials The proposal is supported by the North Dakota Ethics Commission and the Secretary of State's Office. House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Lefor and Senate Majority Leader Sen. David Hogue are also sponsoring the bill. The bill adds the following reporting requirements: A list of any local governments or state agencies that the individual or their spouse have provided more than $5,000 worth of goods or services to. A list of any employer, business or trust in which the individual or their spouse has more than a 10% stake in. Currently, candidates or appointees must only report the following information: The employer and principal source of income of that individual and their spouse. The name of any businesses or trusts in which the individual and their spouse have a financial interest. A list of associations with which the individual or spouse 'are closely associated' or of which either is an officer or director. Business offices, directorships or fiduciary relationships held by the individual and their spouse within the past year. The proposal would also require the Secretary of State's Office to publish the forms filed with its office online. The forms are not online now and there can be a fee to obtain them. North Dakota's likely next governor would regulate his own industry, testing ethics guardrails Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Minot, said the proposal would be tedious for him, since his business serves dozens of local governments across the state. Ruby's legislative bio says he owns a sanitation and landfill business. 'I'd probably have over 60 towns and counties,' Ruby, who voted against the bill, said on the floor. 'Do they really want a list of every customer that we have that might be a municipality? That just seems kind of unnecessary.' Bosch acknowledged that the bill would require more work from people like Ruby, but that complying with the new requirements would be easy for most officials, especially after the first year. 'For me, I think those two measurements – if you own more than 10% of a business, if you do more than $5,000 worth of business with that political sub — are thresholds that we can all live with,' Bosch said. The bill advances to the Senate for further consideration. In 2017, lawmakers considered a bill that would have made statements of interest available online to the public for free. The bill got amended to a study and the proposed changes were not implemented. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Property tax bill correcting oversight is first 2025 bill signed by North Dakota governor
Gov. Kelly Armstrong signs the first bill of the 2025 legislative session on Feb. 18, 2025, as Secretary of State Michael Howe and legislative leaders look on. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Tuesday signed the first bill of the 2025 legislative session, cleaning up a property tax bill from two years ago. Senate Bill 2201 expands eligibility for the $500 primary residence tax credit to an estimated 3,900 more households. The bill clarifies that the tax credit lawmakers approved in 2023 applies to homes held by trust, life estates and property being purchased under a contract for deed. 'This bill corrects an oversight from last session and rightfully allows primary residences held in trust to be eligible for the primary residence credit on their 2024 and 2025 property taxes,' primary sponsor Sen. Mark Weber, R-Casselton, said in a statement. The bill was approved unanimously by the House and Senate. It is estimated to save taxpayers up to $1.9 million for the 2023-25 and 2025-27 budget cycles. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus encouraged people to apply online at or contact the department at 877-649-0112. Lawmakers continue working on additional property tax bills, including a proposal championed by Armstrong that would expand the primary residence tax credit to about $1,500 per year.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill would require more frequent financial disclosure reporting from North Dakota officials
North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe speaks in opposition to a bill to require voter registration in North Dakota on Jan. 23, 2025. Howe is supporting a bill that would require annual financial disclosures from officials. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota Ethics Commission and Secretary of State's Office presented a bill Friday to require North Dakota officials to file financial disclosure forms on an annual basis. House Bill 1469 would also require the Secretary of State's Office to publish the forms online. Right now, officials only need to submit one form when they file for candidacy or when they're appointed to office. The documents aren't available online. Rep. Glenn Bosch, R-Bismarck, told the House Political Subdivisions Committee that the bill will help make it easier for officials to track their own possible conflicts of interest, as well as increase public transparency. The bill would also add the following reporting requirements: A list of any local governments or state agencies that the individual or their spouse have provided more than $5,000 worth of goods or services to A list of any employer, business or trust in which the individual or their spouse has more than a 10% stake in Currently, candidates or appointees must only report the following information: The employer and principal source of income of that individual and their spouse. The name of any businesses or trusts in which the individual and their spouse have a financial interest. A list of associations with which the individual or spouse 'are closely associated' or of which either is an officer or director. Business offices, directorships or fiduciary relationships held by the individual and their spouse within the past year. North Dakota's likely next governor would regulate his own industry, testing ethics guardrails Under the proposal, an official must refile a form annually even if their disclosures do not change. Testifying in support of the bill, Secretary of State Michael Howe called the measure the 'right balance of transparency without burdensome requirements for filers.' State officials would still file with the Secretary of State's Office, and local government officials would still file with their respective local offices. The bill as proposed establishes Jan. 15 as the annual deadline. Ethics Commission Executive Director Rebecca Binstock said that 47 other states already require officials to submit financial disclosures annually. She said the bill 'affirms the integrity of our state institutions, and ensures citizens that decisions are being made with their best interest.' Howe proposed an amendment to only require his agency to publish forms filed by state officials. Kory Peterson, representing the League of Cities, said he wants to make sure local governments won't be required to publish their forms online. He said this could be difficult for smaller towns that still mostly keep everything on paper. 'These guys, they don't publish a lot of things online,' Peterson, a former mayor of Horace, said. 'I want to make sure we're not overwhelming people with paperwork' He also suggested only requiring people to file if they have changes to report. The committee did not take any action on the bill on Friday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill would require more frequent financial disclosure reporting from North Dakota officials
North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe speaks in opposition to a bill to require voter registration in North Dakota on Jan. 23, 2025. Howe is supporting a bill that would require annual financial disclosures from officials. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota Ethics Commission and Secretary of State's Office presented a bill Friday to require North Dakota officials to file financial disclosure forms on an annual basis. House Bill 1469 would also require the Secretary of State's Office to publish the forms online. Right now, officials only need to submit one form when they file for candidacy or when they're appointed to office. Rep. Glenn Bosch, R-Bismarck, told the House Political Subdivisions Committee that the bill will help make it easier for officials to track their own possible conflicts of interest, as well as increase public transparency. The bill would also add the following reporting requirements: A list of any local governments or state agencies that the individual or their spouse have provided more than $5,000 worth of goods or services to A list of any employer, business or trust in which the individual or their spouse has more than a 10% stake in Currently, candidates or appointees must only report the following information: The employer and principal source of income of that individual and their spouse. The name of any businesses or trusts in which the individual and their spouse have a financial interest. A list of associations with which the individual or spouse 'are closely associated' or of which either is an officer or director. Business offices, directorships or fiduciary relationships held by the individual and their spouse within the past year. North Dakota's likely next governor would regulate his own industry, testing ethics guardrails Under the proposal, an official must refile a form annually even if their disclosures do not change. Testifying in support of the bill, Secretary of State Michael Howe called the measure the 'right balance of transparency without burdensome requirements for filers.' State officials would still file with the Secretary of State's Office, and local government officials would still file with their respective local offices. The bill as proposed establishes Jan. 15 as the annual deadline. Ethics Commission Executive Director Rebecca Binstock said that 47 other states already require officials to submit financial disclosures annually. She said the bill 'affirms the integrity of our state institutions, and ensures citizens that decisions are being made with their best interest.' Howe proposed an amendment to only require his agency to publish forms filed by state officials. Kory Peterson, representing the League of Cities, said he wants to make sure local governments won't be required to publish their forms online. He said this could be difficult for smaller towns that still mostly keep everything on paper. 'These guys, they don't publish a lot of things online,' Peterson, a former mayor of Horace, said. 'I want to make sure we're not overwhelming people with paperwork' He also suggested only requiring people to file if they have changes to report. The committee did not take any action on the bill on Friday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
