Pride Holdings Group (OTC: PHSE) announced on September 29, 2026, the formation of a new Advisory Board and the appointment of Richard Hawkins, George Wallace, and Darren Donnelly as its first members. The move signals a deliberate effort to build the corporate infrastructure necessary for a larger, more complex organization as the company expands its portfolio of LGBTQ+ oriented hospitality, nightlife, entertainment, and real estate assets.
The Advisory Board will work alongside company leadership, offering strategic guidance on acquisitions, corporate governance, operational growth, and capital markets strategy. This is particularly important because Pride Holdings Group is simultaneously evaluating additional acquisition opportunities and working toward a long-term objective of pursuing an uplisting to the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. An uplisting would significantly enhance the company’s visibility, liquidity, and access to institutional capital, but it requires meeting stringent listing standards and regulatory requirements. By establishing an advisory board with relevant expertise, the company aims to demonstrate the governance and accountability necessary to operate at a significantly larger scale.
Richard Hawkins brings more than two decades of capital markets and public company leadership experience, including corporate finance, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth initiatives. His background in capital formation and regulatory compliance is expected to provide valuable perspective as Pride Holdings Group strengthens its corporate infrastructure and evaluates strategic transactions. George Wallace, a member of the Orlando LGBTQ+ community, reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining a strong connection between its growth strategy and the communities it serves. Darren Donnelly, MBA, offers direct operating experience from his previous role as Manager of Trevi Lounge in Connecticut and his current position on the Pride Holdings Group team, giving the board an operational viewpoint as the company evaluates acquisitions and expands its hospitality portfolio.
CEO Tim Majors emphasized that the Advisory Board’s diverse experience—spanning corporate strategy, community engagement, and direct operations—will be critical as the company evaluates acquisitions, strengthens governance, and positions itself for its next stage of growth. He noted the objective is to build a stronger organization with the governance, accountability, and strategic discipline necessary to operate at a significantly larger scale. The Advisory Board is expected to play an active role in reviewing acquisition opportunities, assessing strategic fit, operational integration, potential financial contribution, and long-term shareholder value. It will also advise management on the steps needed to pursue a future NYSE/NASDAQ uplisting, though any such uplisting would be subject to satisfying applicable listing standards and regulatory requirements, and there can be no assurance that it will occur within any particular timeframe.
Pride Holdings Group anticipates adding additional members to the Advisory Board in 2027 as it continues to expand operations and corporate infrastructure. For a company focused on creating safe, inclusive, and economically sustainable community spaces while delivering long-term shareholder value, the formation of this board represents a key milestone in its evolution from a small-cap OTC company to a potential national player. The announcement, first reported by NEWMEDIAWIRE, underscores the growing importance of robust governance structures for companies with ambitious growth plans in niche markets. As Pride Holdings Group continues to evaluate acquisitions and prepare for a possible uplisting, the Advisory Board’s guidance could prove instrumental in navigating the complexities of public markets and scaling operations effectively.
