I'll comment on what's appropriate. Keep in mind this acquisition isn't completed and have no ability to discuss what's happened inside Cipherloc that weren't part of this deal; ie, I don't have insight into the questions you're asking about David's role as CEO, because I'm not in CLOK and not privy to those discussions. I've been building SideChannel to be a successful and growing company focused on emerging and mid-market organizations.
Regarding ownership of SideChannel, shares allocated, etc, that information would be part of the filings we made with the SEC. I won't share those here and if they are to become public, would follow the correct course of communications. It especially seems improper given the deal isn't closed to discuss information that hasn't been made public via appropriate channels.
David joined SideChannel in Nov of 2019 and Nick joined in Feb 2020. I believe (based on what LinkedIn shows) that David started at Cipherloc in Oct 2020 and Nick in December 2020. We started discussing this acquisition only recently and have made the deal public on May 18th, 2022. I don't see their start dates as that close and the idea of this deal being recent creating your suspicion "that both Chasteen and Hnatiw were brought onto SideChannel as partners just a short time before they pushed for Cipherloc to buy SideChannel". That dog just don't hunt.
I will always provide transparency as a leader and professional, but a few ground rules if you will allow me:
1. I won't be 100% attentive to this board and be able to respond to any/all requests; I have a business to grow, employees to care for and value to prove to the market.
2. I would expect we discuss anything with courtesy and manner.
3. I value the shareholders and opinions, but I have a business to grow and don't suffer fools gladly.
I hope my response provides a level of insight and clarity. I look forward to the future and continuing to build this firm.
