SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / March 20, 2026 / Eco Innovation Group, Inc. (OTC:ECOX) (“ECOX” or the “Company”), a company focused on building a publicly traded platform for next-generation sustainable fuel technologies, has appointed Brian Vitale as Director of Aviation, strengthening the Company’s operational leadership as it advances the commercialization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and synthetic fuel technologies through its pending acquisition of Kepler GTL Technologies Inc.

Mr. Vitale brings more than 45 years of aviation experience across commercial airline operations, military aviation, aircraft maintenance, and aviation safety leadership, adding direct operational depth as the Company transitions from development into execution and real-world deployment.

Vitale recently completed a 34 year career as a Captain with American Airlines, where he operated across multiple aircraft platforms including the Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, Airbus A320, and Fokker 100, with extensive experience in both domestic and international operations. His background includes direct exposure to fuel performance, operational efficiency, safety protocols, and airline decision making, providing a practical foundation for evaluating and integrating new fuel technologies into active airline environments.

Prior to his airline career, Vitale served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot and aviation officer, flying UH-1 and UH-60 aircraft. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism and additional honors for life saving missions during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1993, and also served as an Aviation Safety Officer and instructor, reinforcing a long-standing focus on safety, training, and operational discipline.

He began his aviation career as an FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic, providing deep technical knowledge of aircraft systems, propulsion, fuel systems, and maintenance standards. This combination of pilot, mechanic, and safety leadership positions him to bridge the gap between engineering development and airline adoption as ECOX advances its GTL and CTL fuel platforms.

As Director of Aviation, Vitale will support airline engagement, certification pathways, and operational validation, with a focus on aligning fuel performance with real-world airline requirements and supporting the integration of synthetic fuel technologies into commercial aviation environments.

“Brian has spent his career inside real aviation environments, not around them. He understands how airlines actually operate, how decisions get made, and what it takes to introduce something new into that system. That matters at this stage. As we move into execution, the priority is making sure what we are building translates directly into operational reality and can be adopted without friction,” said Richard Hawkins, CEO of Eco Innovation Group, Inc.

Brent Nelson, CEO of Kepler GTL Technologies Inc. commented, “Brian brings a combination of operational, technical, and safety experience that is difficult to replicate. As we move toward commercialization of our GTL and CTL technologies, his perspective will be critical in ensuring alignment with airline requirements and accelerating adoption.”

The Company continues to build out its leadership team in parallel with the advancement of the Kepler GTL transaction and its broader intellectual property and commercialization strategy, positioning ECOX to support the growing demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and next-generation synthetic fuel solutions.

To learn more about Kepler GTL’s modular gas-to-liquids technology and its potential to convert stranded energy resources into Sustainable Aviation Fuel and other low-carbon fuels, view the company overview presentation here: Kepler GTL Technology Overview