Eric Van Lent
About Eric Van Lent
Eric R. Van Lent, age 42, is Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting/Financial Officer) of 180 Life Sciences (ATNF) since February 15, 2025. He is a CPA (California) with a Master of Business Management in Finance from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Business Management from Pepperdine University; he also served in the U.S. Navy . His background spans 20+ years in finance, financial reporting, strategic planning, and ERP implementations across manufacturing, distribution, software, defense, and esports, including leading NetSuite deployments and multi-million-dollar cost reductions . He was engaged under an executive consulting agreement via EVL Consulting LLC with a part-time structure and discretionary bonus eligibility; 180 Life has a formal clawback policy and anti-hedging rules in place .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Media Holdings, Inc. | Vice President & Corporate Controller | 2018–2021 | Led restructuring, Nasdaq uplisting support, and NetSuite ERP implementation across global operations . |
| Cumula3 Group | NetSuite Advanced Financials Consultant | 2024–present | Implemented advanced ERP capabilities; optimized reporting/processes . |
| EVL Consulting LLC | Managing Member | 2020–present | Consulting engagements focused on financial operations and ERP improvements . |
| Assa Abloy | Finance/Operations roles | Not disclosed | Executed ERP integrations and automated financial processes . |
| Lockheed Martin | Finance/Operations roles | Not disclosed | ERP/process automation; cost reduction initiatives . |
| Flight Line Products | Finance/Operations roles | Not disclosed | ERP/process automation; multimillion-dollar savings . |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumula3 Group | NetSuite Advanced Financials Consultant | 2024–present | ERP optimization and financial reporting improvements . |
| EVL Consulting LLC | Managing Member | 2020–present | Independent consulting across finance and ERP disciplines . |
Fixed Compensation
| Component | Terms | Effective Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly retainer | $8,000 per month | Feb 15, 2025–Jul 30, 2025 | For avg 10 hours/week; overtime at $200/hour with pre-approval . |
| Overtime rate | $200/hour | Feb 15, 2025–Jul 30, 2025 | Requires written pre-approval . |
| Termination payment | $10,000 upon Company termination | Feb 15, 2025–Jul 30, 2025 | Payable within 60 days . |
| Contract extension | Term extended to Dec 31, 2025 | Jul 31, 2025 | Via First Amendment to Consulting Agreement . |
| Revised termination payment | $25,000 upon Company termination | Jul 31, 2025–Dec 31, 2025 | Payable within 60 days . |
Performance Compensation
| Metric | Weighting | Target | Actual | Payout | Vesting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary bonus | Not specified | Not specified | Not disclosed | At Board/Comp Committee discretion; cash or equity | Not disclosed . |
The company’s clawback policy (adopted Oct 2, 2023) mandates recovery of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation from current/former executive officers after accounting restatements, regardless of misconduct .
Equity Ownership & Alignment
- Stock ownership policy: The Company does not have a policy on equity ownership .
- Beneficial ownership: No shares/awards disclosed for Van Lent in filings reviewed to date; executive ownership table as of Oct 31, 2024 predates his appointment and does not include him .
- Anti-hedging: Insider Trading Policy prohibits short sales and includes specific anti-hedging provisions applicable to employees, officers, and directors .
- Clawback: Policy for recovery of erroneously awarded incentive compensation is in place, applicable to executive officers .
Employment Terms
| Term | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting/Financial Officer) | |
| Start date | February 15, 2025 | |
| Contract party | EVL Consulting LLC (owned by Van Lent) | |
| Initial term | Through July 30, 2025 | |
| Extended term | Through December 31, 2025 (First Amendment dated July 12, 2025, effective July 31, 2025) | |
| Base comp | $8,000/month for avg 10 hours/week; $200/hour beyond with pre-approval | |
| Termination economics | Company may terminate at any time; pays $10,000 (initial) → $25,000 (amended) within 60 days | |
| Non-compete | Prohibition on EVL/Van Lent competing during the term | |
| Confidentiality/IP | Customary confidentiality, non-disclosure, proprietary rights |
Additional termination for “just cause” and other termination mechanics are described in later filings; termination for cause limits payments to accrued/unpaid fees/expenses .
Performance & Track Record
- ERP execution and financial transformation: Led NetSuite ERP implementations and process automation across multiple companies, improving reporting and operations .
- Capital markets: Supported Engine Media’s uplisting to Nasdaq; managed restructuring and international finance functions .
- Cost discipline: Executed cost-reduction initiatives achieving multimillion-dollar savings across prior roles .
Governance, Policies, and Risk Considerations
- Anti-hedging and trading windows: Applies to all employees and executives; trades limited to windows or 10b5-1 plans .
- Clawback compliance: Adopted per SEC Rule 10D-1 and Nasdaq 5608; three-year lookback on restatements .
- Board/committee oversight: Compensation Committee retains discretion over bonuses for executives .
Investment Implications
- Alignment: No disclosed equity grants or ownership for Van Lent; combined with absence of a company equity ownership policy, current incentives appear more cash/consulting-based than equity-aligned .
- Retention risk and cost: Part-time consulting structure with modest monthly retainer and defined termination payments ($10,000 initially, rising to $25,000 after amendment) suggests flexible engagement but limited retention friction; incremental termination fee could modestly discourage abrupt termination .
- Controls and execution: His ERP, controllership, and restructuring experience should strengthen financial reporting and system controls—an important de-risking lever for a company with prior leadership turnover .
- Policy safeguards: The company’s clawback and anti-hedging policies mitigate compensation and trading-related risks for executive officers .
Net: Van Lent’s consulting-based, part-time engagement offers cost-controlled financial leadership and process rigor but provides limited “skin in the game” unless future equity awards are granted; watch for bonus decisions, any equity issuance, or contract renewals to gauge evolving alignment and retention dynamics .