Primary Hydrogen Appoints David Jackson as Chief Executive Officer
Primary Hydrogen has appointed David Jackson as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 20 July 2026, as the company prepares to advance its natural hydrogen and rare earth exploration portfolio.
Jackson succeeds Benjamin Asuncion, who is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer but will remain involved with the company as a member of its board of directors. The leadership transition comes as Primary Hydrogen continues to expand its exploration activities across North America.
Jackson brings an operational background in scaling international businesses rather than traditional mining or energy exploration. Most recently, he served as President and Managing Partner of a veterinary technology manufacturing company that grew sales into 56 countries before being acquired by a global healthcare technology company in 2024. Following the acquisition, he remained as Managing Director during a two-year transition period.
According to the company, Jackson's experience in building and growing operating businesses will be applied to the next stage of Primary Hydrogen's development as it advances both its natural hydrogen and rare earth exploration programmes.
Primary Hydrogen has assembled a portfolio of exploration projects across Canada and the United States, including the Blakelock, Hopkins, Mary's Harbour, Point Rosie, Crooked Amphibolite, Coquihalla and Cogburn projects. The company also holds an option to acquire a 75% interest in the Wicheeda North hydrogen and rare earth element project in British Columbia.
As part of his appointment, Jackson has been granted 235,000 incentive stock options with an exercise price of C$1.16 per share. The options have a five-year term and will vest after four months and one day, subject to the company's stock option plan and TSX Venture Exchange policies.
The appointment marks a leadership transition for Primary Hydrogen as it continues evaluating and advancing its growing portfolio of natural hydrogen exploration assets across multiple prospective geological regions.
Full press release can be found below:
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 20, 2026) - Primary Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: HDRO) (OTCQB: HNATF) (FSE: 83W) (the "Company" or "Primary Hydrogen") is pleased to announce the appointment of David Jackson as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 20, 2026. Mr. Jackson succeeds Benjamin Asuncion, who is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer and will continue to serve the Company as a director.
Mr. Jackson is a serial entrepreneur and operating executive with a background spanning property development and healthcare technology. He most recently served as President and Managing Partner of a veterinary technology manufacturing firm with sales in 56 countries Mr. Jackson was instrumental in scaling the business and leading its acquisition by a global healthcare technology firm in 2024. Following the acquisition, he served as Managing Director of the acquirer through a two-year transition period. Mr. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta.
"I am excited to be taking the role of CEO at Primary Hydrogen and I look forward to applying the operational and scaling discipline I've built over my career to help advance the Company's rare earth and hydrogen exploration programs," said Mr. Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
"I'm pleased to hand the CEO role to David and to remain closely involved as a director. His experience scaling operating businesses internationally is exactly what this Company needs as it moves into its next phase, and I look forward to supporting him from the board." said Benjamin Asuncion, director of the Company.
Stock Option Grant
In connection with the appointment, the Company has granted Mr. Jackson incentive stock options to purchase up to 235,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $1.16 per share, exercisable for a period of five years from the date of grant and vesting 100% on the date that is four months and a day following the date of grant, in accordance with the Company's stock option plan and subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, including a four-month hold period on the underlying shares.
About Primary Hydrogen Corp.
Primary Hydrogen is dedicated to the exploration and development of natural hydrogen resources. With over 740 acres in the U.S. and 230 square kilometers across Canada, the Company's portfolio includes the Blakelock, Hopkins, Mary's Harbour, Point Rosie, Crooked Amphibolite, Coquihalla, and Cogburn projects. Primary has an option to acquire a 75% interest in a hydrogen-REE project known as Wicheeda North located in British Columbia.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Dave Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Primary Hydrogen Corp.
Email: dave@primaryh2.com
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the appointment and role of Mr. Jackson, the Company's exploration plans at Wicheda North, and the terms of the stock option grant. Forward-looking information is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and assumptions and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate, and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
