Vortex Energy Announces the Addition of Strategic Advisors & Options Issuance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia , April 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the addition of four key advisors with in-depth knowledge of Atlantic Canada, climate policy, geology of salt caverns and disruptors.

• The Honourable Stephen McNeil, retired Premier of Nova Scotia, served for 18 years in the Nova Scotia Legislature and was re-elected five times by the voters of Annapolis.
• Robert (Rob) Crosbie is a member of the Order of Canada and is an Atlantic Canada business leader with experience in hyper growth companies.
• Stephen Kukucha is a Partner at PacBridge Partners with over 20 years of experience in clean technology, renewable power, investing and public policy. At PacBridge Capital Partners, he specializes in providing early-stage and growth capital to companies seeking to take disruptive technologies to market and build scalable businesses.
• Piotr Kukialka is a salt cavern specialist with broad experience across a number of projects in Canada, the United States, and Europe. With over 20 years in the industry, Piotr has provided technical, geological, and engineering support in the solution mining field for all types of salt caverns.

Paul Sparkes, CEO of Vortex commented, "Our new advisors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help Vortex as we move forward in the salt and hydrogen space. These are exciting times for Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada and I am happy to have Stephen, Rob, Piotr and Stephen as part of our team."

Stephen McNeil

After retiring from his position as Premier of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Stephen McNeil joined Cox & Palmer in the role of Strategic Business Advisor in the Halifax office.

Until his resignation in Spring 2021, Stephen was the dean of Canadian premiers, having held the office since 2013. He served for 18 years in the Nova Scotia Legislature and was re-elected five times by the voters of Annapolis. During his time in the provincial government, Stephen served as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Planning and Priorities, Minister of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness, Minister responsible for Military Relations, Minister responsible for Social Innovation and Integrative Approaches, and Minister responsible for Youth. He was the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 2009 until 2013.

Robert (Rob) Crosbie

An experienced and well-respected Newfoundland and Labrador-based business leader and entrepreneur, Robert (Rob) Crosbie is the Chair of Crosbie and has significant experience leading growth-oriented companies. Rob started with the family business in 1991 and led the company's growth in real estate development and industrial services. Rob Crosbie is a member of the Order of Canada (2018), holds an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from Memorial University (2018), and is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame (2016). Rob has also received Ernst & Young's Atlantic Canada Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2016), Memorial University's J.D. Eaton Tribute Award (2014), and Memorial University's Faculty of Business Administration Alumnus of the Year Award (2003).

Stephen Kukucha

Stephen works across multiple platforms helping companies scale and commercialize their technologies and products. This includes roles as an investor, Advisor, Board member or sometimes even taking a hands-on role in companies to drive their early success.

With over 20 years of experience in climate and clean technologies, and other relevant experience as a lawyer and in public policy and government, he brings a wealth of experience to organizations. His current focus is helping lead companies in the emerging carbon (markets, credits, production and removal) and climate/clean tech space, capital raising, investing and advisory. Current, active roles include CEO, Cero Technologies, Senior Advisor, Fort Capital and Partner, PacBridge Capital Partners.

Stephen serves on the Board of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), DevvStream Carbon Credit Investing and Cero Technologies. Previously, he served as Vice-Chair, Fuel Cells Canada (FCC); Chair, Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance (CTFCA); Steering Team & Planning Committee ? California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP); Member, US Dept. of Energy's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Advisory Panel; Director, National Hydrogen Association (U.S.) & Director, US Fuel Cells Council.

Stephen graduated from the ICD-Rotman, Directors Education Program (September 2022) and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, ICD.D (September 2022).

Piotr Kukialka

Mr. Kukialka, M.Sc, P.Geo, is a salt cavern specialist with broad experience across a variety of projects in Canada, the United States, and Europe. With over 20 years in the industry, Piotr has provided technical, geological, and engineering support in the solution mining field for all types of salt caverns (storage, waste disposal, and brine production). He has worked for DEEP. Underground Engineering GmbH (Germany), and consulted for Encana / Cenovus, CNRL, CBW Engineering / SubTerra Engineering, and Pure Environmental. Mr. Kukialka is a Ph.D. candidate (2023) in solution mining and salina geology at the AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland.

Options Issuance

Vortex also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 600,000 stock options ("Options"), each with an exercise price of CDN $0.65, to Mr. Kukialka, Mr. McNeil, Mr. Kukucha and Mr. Crosbie. These Options shall vest in four equal installments on October 26, 2023, April 26, 2024, October 26, 2024 and April 26, 2025, and shall expire on April 26, 2026. Each vested option, upon payment of the exercise price, entitles the holder thereof to receive one common share of the Company. The Options, and any shares issued upon the exercise of, will be subject to a hold period of four months in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project in Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador covering over 17,000 hectares. Leveraging the Robinson River Salt project, the Company is also exploring the development of technologies to efficiently store green Hydrogen in Salt Caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sparkes
Chief Executive Officer, Director
+1 (778) 819-0164
[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, ?????including with respect to the Company's business and plans. The Company ??provides forward-looking statements for the ?purpose of conveying ??information about current ??expectations and plans relating to the future and ?readers are cautioned that ??such statements may not be ??appropriate for other purposes. By its ?nature, this information is subject to ??inherent risks and ??uncertainties that may be general or ?specific and which give rise to the possibility that ??expectations, ??forecasts, predictions, projections, ?or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that ??assumptions may not ??be correct, and that ?objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. ??These risks and ??uncertainties ?include but are not limited those identified and reported in the Company's ??public filings ??under the ?Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has ??attempted to identify ???important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ ??materially from those ???described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause ??actions, events or ???results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that ??such ?information ??will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially ?from ??those ??anticipated in such statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to ?update or ??revise any ??forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future ?events or ??otherwise unless ??required by law.?

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this ?press release.?