UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 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): February 10, 1997 Gum Tech International, Inc. --------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in it charter) Utah 0-27646 87-0482806 - ---------------------------- ---------- ---------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification Number) 4205 North Seventh Avenue Suite 300 Phoenix, AZ 85013-3080 -------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (602) 277-0606 Not applicable ----------------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) ITEM 5. Other Events On February 10, 1998, the Board of Directors of Gum Tech International, Inc. accepted the resignation of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Gerald N. Kern prior to a scheduled review of Mr. Kern's performance. The severance package includes a payment of $200,000 to Mr. Kern, of which $50,000 will be held in trust for 120 days and is subject to a mutual non-disparagement clause. The Company will also forgive $116,000 of debt and officer's advances owed by Mr. Kern to the Company. Additionally, Mr. Kern will receive 100,000 Gum Tech stock options, exercisable up to one year at $5.81 per share upon cancellation of all his existing options. Gary Kehoe, the company's current Chief Operating Officer was named the interim-President. Bruce Jorgenson was named as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. SIGNATURES 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. GUM TECH INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Registrant) By: /s/ Jeffrey L. Bouchy -------------------------------- Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer Dated: February 13, 1998