Sec Form 3 Filing - Ruiz Alvaro @ Vertex Energy Inc. - 2022-06-10

FORM 3 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person Ruiz Alvaro 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol Vertex Energy Inc. [ VTNR] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) _____ Director _____ 10% Owner X __ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) Chief Strategy Officer (Last) (First) (Middle) 1331 GEMINI STREET, SUITE 250 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YY) 06/10/2022 (Street) HOUSTON, TX77058 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YY) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) __ X __ Form filed by One Reporting Person _____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned 1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock 56,250 D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) 1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (MM/DD/YY) 7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 1.45 ( 1 ) 05/20/2029 Common Stock 6,250 D Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 1.92 ( 2 ) 05/12/2031 Common Stock 75,000 D

Reporting Owners Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships Director 10% Owner Officer Other Ruiz Alvaro 1331 GEMINI STREET SUITE 250 HOUSTON, TX77058 Chief Strategy Officer Signatures /s/ Alvaro Ruiz 06/14/2022 Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

( 1 )The Stock Options vest on May 20, 2023, subject to Reporting Person's continue service with the Company on such vesting date, subject to certain customary accelerated vesting upon a change of control and in certain other situations under the Reporting Person's employment agreement. The stock option was granted on May 20, 2019. ( 2 )The Stock Options vest at the rate of 1/3 of such on each of May 12, 2023, 2024 and 2025, subject to Reporting Person's continue service with the Company on such vesting dates, subject to certain customary accelerated vesting upon a change of control and in certain other situations under the Reporting Person's employment agreement. The stock option was granted on May 12, 2021.

Remarks: Appointed as Chief Strategy Officer of the Issuer on June 10, 2022.

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

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