Current Report Filing (8-k)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 3, 2014

Global Digital Solutions, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey

000-26361

22-3392051

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800 West

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (561) 515-6163

	N/A
	(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective December 3, 2014, Global Digital Solutions, Inc.’s (the “Company”) wholly owned subsidiary, North American Custom Specialty Vehicles, Inc. (“NACSV”) appointed Jennifer S. Carroll as President and CEO, succeeding Brian A. Dekle who assumes the position of Non-Executive Chairman at NACSV.

Ms. Carroll has served as a Senior Advisor of the Company since April 24, 2013. Prior thereto, Ms. Carroll served as Florida's 18th Lt. Governor from 2011 to 2013. She was the state's first female elected as Lt. Governor and its first African-American elected statewide. She was the Chairperson of the state's space program and in charge of the state's Military Affairs. Prior to her service as Lt. Governor, Ms. Carroll was a Florida state legislator for over seven years, a small business owner, and Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs responsible for over 1.8 million veterans and managed a $30 million dollar budget.

As a Florida state legislator, Ms. Carroll worked to pass meaningful legislation that enhanced economic development, which included procuring $2.9 million to fund the Florida Export Finance Corporation to help employers have access to short term loans in order to retain and create jobs. She sponsored the Entertainment Economic Development Legislation that created thousands of jobs for Floridians who were paid over $485 million in wages. Ms. Carroll also served as Deputy Majority Leader from 2003-2004, Majority Whip from 2004-2006, Vice Chair of the Transportation and Economic Development Committee 2003-2004, Chair of the Finance Committee from 2006-2008 and Chair of the Economic and Development Council from 2008-2010.

Ms. Carroll, who enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979 and retired as a Lieutenant Commander 20 years later, held secret and top secret clearance, and was awarded numerous awards, including a Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Expert Pistol Medal. As an Aviation Maintenance Officer Ms. Carroll organized and supervised the maintenance and repair, manufacturing modification of aircraft, aircraft components, and aviation support equipment. She supervised the scheduling of aircraft inspections and directed technical training, oversaw and managed the budget for aircraft maintenance, material control for supply acquisition, quality assurance, aircraft weight and balance logs and records.

Ms. Carroll holds an MBA degree from St. Leo University.

Ms. Carroll does not have any family relationship with any other executive officer or director of either the Company or NACSV. In April 2013, the Company granted Ms. Carroll a restricted stock award of 2.5 million shares of common stock, valued at $425,000, which vest through January 2015. At this time there are no other transactions between the Company, NACSV and Ms. Carroll that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On December 4, 2014, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Ms. Carroll as President and CEO of NACSV. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release dated December 4, 2014 issued by the Company.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Global Digital Solutions, Inc.

Date: December 4, 2014	By:	/s/ David A. Loppert
		David A. Loppert
		Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release dated December 4, 2014 issued by the Company.

Exhibit 99.1

Contact:

Richard J. Sullivan

561-515-6163

info@gdsi.co

Jennifer Carroll, Former Lt. Governor of Florida, Has Been Appointed President and CEO of Global Digital Solutions’ (GDSI) Wholly Owned Subsidiary, North American Custom Specialty Vehicles, Inc. (NACSV) Effective December 3, 2014

Ms. Carroll's decorated military career, senior-level experience in government and international affairs, and longtime involvement with national security and law enforcement issues make her ideally suited to lead GDSI’s expanding operations in the United States -- Brian Dekle, NACSV’s outgoing president, has been named non-executive chairman of NACSV

PALM BEACH, Fla., December 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Digital Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB:GDSI), a company that is positioning itself as a leader in providing cyber arms manufacturing and complementary security and technology solutions, today announced that, effective December 3, 2014, Jennifer Carroll, former Lt. Governor of Florida, assumed the duties of President and Chief Executive Officer of GDSI’s wholly owned subsidiary, North American Custom Specialty Vehicles, Inc. (“NACSV”). Ms. Carroll has served as a GDSI Senior Advisor since April 2013.

During her 20-year Navy career, Ms. Carroll, who held secret and top secret clearance, was awarded numerous awards, including a Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Expert Pistol Medal. As an Aviation Maintenance Officer Ms. Carroll organized and supervised the maintenance and repair, manufacturing modification of aircraft, aircraft components, and aviation support equipment. She supervised the scheduling of aircraft inspections and directed technical training, oversaw and managed the budget for aircraft maintenance, material control for supply acquisition, quality assurance, aircraft weight and balance logs and records.

Ms. Carroll served as Florida's 18th Lt. Governor from 2011 to 2013. She was the state's first female elected as Lt. Governor and its first African-American elected statewide. She was the Chairperson of the state's space program and in charge of the state's Military Affairs. Prior to her service as Lt. Governor, Ms. Carroll was a state legislator for over seven years, a small business owner, and Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs responsible for over 1.8 million veterans and managed a $30 million dollar budget.

"We're delighted to announce Jennifer Carroll’s appointment as President and CEO of NACSV,” said Richard J. Sullivan, GDSI’s Chairman and CEO. "I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Jennifer since she joined GDSI as a senior advisor, and I have been very impressed with her energy, organizational savvy, customer focus, and strong leadership qualities. There’s no question that her extensive experience in government, including military affairs and law enforcement, will be extremely helpful as we continue to implement our growth strategy at NACSV. I want to thank Brian Dekle for the excellent job he has done as president of NACSV and I look forward to continuing to benefit from his advice and expertise in his new role as chairman of NACSV.”

"I'm honored to assume the duties of President and CEO at NACSV,” said Ms. Carroll. "I look forward to working closely with Dick Sullivan and the entire team at GDSI and NACSV. I believe our domestic U.S. operations are poised for rapid growth and it will be exciting to help GDSI grow the business profitably and enhance shareholder value in the months and years ahead."

"Our team at NACS Vehicles welcomes the expertise of Ms. Carroll,” said Brian Dekle, NACSV’s outgoing president. “Ms. Carroll's technical, management and sales background will enhance our capabilities and continue the success of our Company. We are proud to have someone who has served our nation, our state, and our citizens so honorably."

More About Jennifer Carroll

Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad West Indies, Jennifer Carroll immigrated to the United States as a young child. After enlisting in the United States Navy in 1979, Ms. Carroll served her adopted nation honorably and with distinction, rising from the rank of jet mechanic E-1 to retire as a Lieutenant Commander, Aviation Maintenance Officer. As a Florida state legislator, Carroll served as Deputy Majority Leader from 2003-2004, Majority Whip from 2004-2006, Chair of the Finance Committee from 2006-2008, and Chair of the Economic and Development Council from 2008-2010. Carroll holds an MBA degree from St. Leo University.

About Global Digital Solutions, Inc.

Global Digital Solutions is positioning itself as a leader in providing cyber arms manufacturing and complementary security and technology solutions. On June 16, 2014, GDSI completed its acquisition of North American Custom Specialty Vehicles (NACSV), a leading builder of mobile command/communications and specialty vehicles for emergency management, first responders, national security and law enforcement operations. For more information about NACSV’s suite of advanced vehicles, click here or visit http://www.gdsi.co/nacs_vehicles.html. For more information about GDSI, visit http://www.gdsi.co.