8-K: Surf Air Mobility Appoints Palantir Veteran Shawn Pelsinger to Board

Surf Air Mobility Inc. announced the appointment of Shawn Pelsinger, former Global Head of Corporate Development at Palantir Technologies, to its Board of Directors, effective October 8, 2025.

Summary

• Surf Air Mobility Inc. appointed Shawn Pelsinger as a Class A director to its Board of Directors, effective October 8, 2025.
• Mr. Pelsinger brings extensive experience from his previous role as Global Head of Corporate Development & Senior Counsel at Palantir Technologies for 10 years, where he was instrumental in establishing Surf Air Mobility's strategic relationship with Palantir in 2021.
• He also played a key role in creating Skywise, a data platform for commercial aviation through a partnership between Palantir and Airbus.
• Mr. Pelsinger will receive an initial equity grant of restricted stock units with a target grant date fair value of $231,000, vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
• He is currently Chief Legal Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Acrisure and serves on the boards of Palantir Technologies Japan, K.K. and Palantir, Korea, LLC.

Sentiment

Score: 8

Explanation: The appointment of Shawn Pelsinger, a highly experienced individual with direct relevance to the company's strategic technology initiatives (SurfOS and Palantir partnership), is a strong positive signal. His background in corporate development, legal, and aviation technology is a significant asset for the company's growth and governance.

Positives

• Appointment of a highly experienced director with deep expertise in enterprise software, data-driven platforms, and aviation technology.
• Mr. Pelsinger's prior involvement in establishing the strategic relationship between Surf Air Mobility and Palantir is expected to be beneficial for the company's SurfOS technology.
• His experience with Palantir's AI and Foundry platforms, which power SurfOS, provides valuable insight for market development.
• His background in leading significant deals and advising on strategic direction and governance frameworks for Palantir subsidiaries adds strong corporate governance expertise.

Future Outlook

The company anticipates that Shawn Pelsinger's expertise in enterprise software and understanding of SurfOS technology will be highly beneficial as it works to bring SurfOS to market. Surf Air Mobility plans to offer its software and electrification solutions to the Regional Air Mobility industry to improve safety, efficiency, and profitability, and is working to commercialize electrified aircraft and develop proprietary powertrain technology for the Cessna Caravan.

Management Comments

• "We are very pleased to welcome Shawn to our Board. We believe his deep expertise in enterprise software and understanding of our SurfOS technology will be beneficial as we work to bring SurfOS technology to market." Carl Albert, Chairman of the Board of Surf Air Mobility.
• "Having previously collaborated with the company on its SurfOS software initiatives during my time at Palantir, I've seen firsthand the impact this technology can have on the air mobility industry. I'm thrilled to join Surf Air Mobility's Board to support development and growth for SurfOS." Shawn Pelsinger.

Industry Context

This appointment strengthens Surf Air Mobility's position in the regional air mobility and aviation technology sectors. Mr. Pelsinger's background with Palantir, particularly his involvement in the Skywise platform for commercial aviation and his expertise in data-driven platforms, aligns directly with Surf Air Mobility's strategic focus on developing its AI-powered SurfOS software and commercializing electrified aircraft. His experience is particularly relevant given the increasing integration of advanced software and data analytics in modern aviation for efficiency and safety.

Management Changes

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potentially positive impact due to strengthened board expertise, which could lead to better strategic execution and value creation, especially concerning the SurfOS platform.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned, but a stronger board could provide better strategic direction for the company's future.
• Customers/Partners: Enhanced expertise on the board could lead to more robust product development (SurfOS) and stronger strategic partnerships, benefiting customers and partners.

Next Steps

• Shawn Pelsinger's continued service on the Board.
• Vesting of Mr. Pelsinger's initial equity award on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
• Surf Air Mobility's ongoing efforts to bring SurfOS technology to market.
• Continued development and commercialization of electrified aircraft and proprietary powertrain technology for the Cessna Caravan.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The appointment of Shawn Pelsinger to the Board of Directors is a significant positive development for Surf Air Mobility. His extensive background as Global Head of Corporate Development at Palantir Technologies, where he was instrumental in establishing the strategic relationship with Surf Air Mobility and creating the Skywise aviation data platform, brings invaluable expertise. His deep understanding of enterprise software, data-driven platforms, and aviation technology, particularly as it relates to SurfOS, is expected to accelerate the company's strategic initiatives and market penetration. This strengthens the company's governance and strategic capabilities, signaling a commitment to leveraging advanced technology for growth in the regional air mobility sector, making the stock more attractive for investment.

Keywords

Surf Air Mobility, SRFM, Board of Directors, Shawn Pelsinger, Palantir Technologies, Acrisure, Corporate Governance, Regional Air Mobility, SurfOS, Aviation Technology, Electrified Aircraft, Data Platforms, AI