APPLIED ENERGETICS, INC.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 28, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 28, 2025
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Item 11. Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table discloses the compensation for the persons who served as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, and Chief Science Officer for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Mr. Donaghey served as our Chief Operating and Financial Officer from July 2022 until becoming President and CEO (and Principal Financial Officer) in November 2024. Dr. Quarles served as our Chief Executive Officer from May 6, 2019 and President since January 2022 through November 2024 when he became CEO Emeritus. Ms. O’Hara was appointed General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer in January 2022 and Secretary in September 2022. Dr. McCahon has served as Chief Science Officer since May 2023.
| Name and Principal Position · Year · Salary ($) · Bonus ($) · Stock Awards ($) · Option Awards ($) · All Other Compensation(1) · Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Donaghey, | 2024 | $354,167 | (1) | $ | - | $ | - | $656,582 | $ | - | $1,010,749 | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer (and Principal Financial Officer) | 2023 | $350,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $350,000 | |
| Gregory J Quarles, | 2024 | $400,000 | ||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer Emeritus | 2023 | $400,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $400,000 | |
| Mary P. O’Hara, | 2024 | $250,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $250,000 | |
| General Counsel, CLO and Secretary | 2023 | $250,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $250,000 | |
| Stephen McCahon, | 2024 | $350,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $350,000 | |
| Chief Scientist | 2023 | $300,000 | (2) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $300,000 |
| (1) | Mr. Donaghey’s salary is based on an annual amount of $350,000 for the first 11 months of 2024 and of $400,000 for the last one month of 2024. |
| (2) | This amount reflects compensation received by Dr. McCahon pursuant to the Consulting Agreement with SWM Consulting LLC, an entity which he controls, through April 30, 2023 and pursuant to his Executive Employment Agreement from May 1 through December 31, 2023. |
Director Compensation
The following table discloses our director compensation for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Name · Year · Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) · Stock Awards ($) · Option Awards ($) (1) · All Other Compensation ($) · Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford T. Adamczyk, | 2024 | $215,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $215,000 | |
| Executive Chairman | 2023 | $215,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $215,000 | |
| Michael J. Alber | 2024 | $ | - | $ | - | $419,028 | $ | - | $419,028 | |
| 2023 · $ · N/A · N/A · N/A · N/A · N/A | ||||||||||
| John E. Schultz, Jr. | 2023 | $90,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $90,000 | |
| 2022 | $90,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $90,000 | ||
Board Considerations in Determining Salaries
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and incentivize talented executives with a dedication to achieving our scientific and strategic objectives. Our 2024 compensation program consisted primarily of base salary as we awarded certain officers time vesting equity during prior years. Mr. Donaghey received additional options and an increase in salary as consideration for his acceptance of the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Compensation of our named executive officers is primarily determined by compensation levels in the market for their services, among large- and small-cap defense and technology companies. The Board considers recommendations from various outside consultants and other informed sources in making compensation decisions. Aligning executive compensation with stockholder interests is a key consideration for our compensation program. As we continue to grow, we anticipate developing and evolving our compensation program around specific objectives and key responsibilities with metrics and compensation targets.
Employment Agreements for Named Executive Officers
Effective November 25, 2024, we entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Christopher Donaghey setting forth the terms of his service as President and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement is for a term of three years and is renewable thereafter for sequential one-year periods. The agreement may be terminated by the company for “Cause” or by Mr. Donaghey for “Good reason” both of which terms are defined in the agreement. The agreement may also be terminated, without Cause or Good Reason, by either party upon sixty days’ written notice to the other.
The agreement calls for (i) a cash salary of $400,000 per annum, payable monthly, and eligibility for a discretionary bonus within 60 days of the end of each year, and (ii) incentive stock options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.78 per share under the company’s 2018 Incentive Stock Plan. These options vest in installments based upon achievement by the company of target amounts of “gross revenue” (as defined under US GAAP) during any one fiscal-year period (each, an “Annual Revenue Target”) as follows: with respect to 170,000 shares, upon achievement of an Annual Revenue Target of $10 million; with respect to an additional 330,000 shares, upon achievement of an Annual Revenue Target of $25 million; and with respect to the remaining 500,000 shares, upon achievement of an Annual Revenue Target of $50 million. The installments shall be cumulative. (I.e., the options may be exercised, as to any or all shares covered by an installment, at any time or times after an installment becomes exercisable and until expiration or termination of the options, and achievement of more than one Annual Revenue Target in any one fiscal-year period will cause the options to vest as to shares covered by both such installment amounts.).
In the event of a termination of the agreement by Mr. Donaghey with Good Reason, or by us without cause, we must pay him any unpaid base compensation due as of the termination date as well as any pro rata unpaid bonus and any unpaid expenses plus additional severance of 90 days’ base salary.
The company and Mr. Donaghey entered into an Executive Employment Agreement in August 2022 pursuant to which he served as Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer until his appointment as President and CEO. The agreement provided for a salary of $350,000 per year, plus standard benefits as well as options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock under its 2018 Incentive Stock Plan, which vest over four years from the date of grant and have an exercise price of $2.36 per share, and Restricted Stock Units representing up to 400,000 shares of the company’s common stock which also vest over the same four-year period. The Restricted Stock Units were issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Mr. Donaghey forfeited unvested options to purchase up to 950,000 shares of common stock which he had previously received for service on the company’s Board of Advisors.
As of April 18, 2019, we entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Dr. Gregory J. Quarles setting forth the terms of his service as Chief Executive Officer. The agreement called for (i) a cash salary of $250,000 per annum, payable monthly, and eligibility for a discretionary bonus within 60 days of the end of each year, and (ii) options to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.35 per share. These options were issued pursuant to a grant agreement, dated as of April 18, 2019 and vest immediately with respect to 500,000 shares and in semi-annual installments with respect to the remaining 4,500,000 shares. The agreement also provided for Quarles to retain 2,000,000 options previously granted to him under a Consultant Stock Option Agreement in 2017, for his services on the Scientific Advisory Board, which are subject to vesting based on achievement of performance milestones. Dr. Quarles forfeited options to purchase an additional 1,500,000 shares under another prior option agreement. Dr. Quarles also received health and life insurance and other standard benefits under the agreement and reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. This agreement was amended December 15, 2020, increasing Dr. Quarles’ salary to $300,000 per year effective January 1, 2021, on November 30, 2021, increasing his salary to $350,000 per year effective January 1, 2022, and again, on November 29, 2022, increasing his salary to $400,000 per year effective November 1, 2022.
Effective November 25, 2024, the Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Dr. Quarles as President and Chief Executive Officer and entered into an Employment and Transition Agreement with Dr. Quarles pursuant to which he serves as CEO Emeritus. This agreement has an initial term of one year and may be extended by mutual agreement for an additional year. Under this agreement, he is to receive a salary at a monthly rate of $33,333 until March 1, 2025 and $29,167 thereafter, subject to certain performance criteria.
As of May 1, 2023, we entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Dr. Stephen W. McCahon setting forth the terms of his service as Chief Science Officer. The agreement is for an initial term through December 31, 2025, and is renewable thereafter for sequential one-year periods unless terminated by either party. The agreement may be terminated by the company for “cause” or by McCahon for “Good Reason” both of which terms are defined in the agreement.
The agreement calls for a cash salary of $300,000 annualized for 2023, $325,000 for 2024 and $350,000 for 2025, plus standard benefits. Dr. McCahon’s salary is payable monthly. The agreement also requires the company to reimburse certain out-of-pocket expenses. In the event that we terminate the agreement for cause or he terminates without Good Reason, he will receive base compensation and expense reimbursement through the date of termination but will forfeit any unvested equity compensation.
Prior to entering into his Executive Employment Agreement described above, Dr. McCahon served as our Chief Scientist, pursuant to a Consulting Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2019 (the “SWM Consulting Agreement”), by and between the company and SWM Consulting LLC, of which he is the principal. The SMW Consulting Agreement provided for a combination of cash and equity compensation. The SWM Consulting Agreement provided for cash compensation of $180,000 for the first year and $250,000 during each of the second and third years of the term. Under the SWM Consulting Agreement, the company also repurchased 5,000,000 shares if its common stock, issued to Dr. McCahon in 2016 under a prior Consulting Agreement, at a price of $0.06 per share based on the company share price at the time of the SWM Consulting Agreement. 5,000,000 of an additional 15,000,000 shares held by Dr. McCahon are subject to a lock-up and released pro rata each month during the term of the agreement which may be accelerated in the event of termination other than for cause or a change in control. Effective May 23, 2022, the company and Dr. McCahon agreed to an extension of the SWM Consulting Agreement upon the same general terms and conditions. On January 17, 2023, the company amended the SWM Consulting Agreement. The amendment was effective as of January 1, 2023, provided for an extended term of three years, commencing on that date, and increased compensation under the agreement to $300,000, $325,000 and $350,000 per year for the first, second and third years of the extended term, respectively. The Consulting Agreement terminated upon execution of Dr. McCahon’s Executive Employment Agreement described above. Thus Dr. McCahon’s current compensation under his Executive Employment Agreement is commensurate with what he was to receive under the SMW Consulting Agreement.
Effective May 24, 2019, and in connection with the entry into the SWM Consulting Agreement, the company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Applied Optical Sciences, Inc. (“AOS”), an Arizona corporation of which Stephen W. McCahon is the majority stockholder. The Asset Purchase Agreement provided for purchase of specified assets from AOS, including principally intellectual property, contracts and equipment in exchange for consideration consisting of (i) cash in the amount of $2,500,000.00, payable in the form of a Promissory Note, secured by the assets, and (ii) warrants to purchase up to 2,500,000 shares of Applied Energetics’ common stock at an exercise price of $0.06 per share. The Promissory Note was initially payable in six-month installments, with the first payment being due on the first anniversary of the note but was amended in February 2021 to extend the maturity date by six months and restructure the payment to time up to the adjusted maturity date. The amendment also called for waiver of any late payment penalties for the first two payments. The company made the first three payments of $500,000 each on February 10, 2021, May 24, 2021, and November 19, 2021, respectively. Effective May 23, 2022, the parties further amended the Promissory Note to extend the maturity date by an additional six months and to further restructure the remaining payments due thereunder to be monthly at $100,000 each with the final such payment being due on April 24, 2023. Accordingly, the company paid the Promissory Note in full in April 2023.
Dr. McCahon is a significant stockholder of the company. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”
Effective January 1, 2022, the company and Mary P. O’Hara entered into an Executive Employment Agreement, pursuant to which she is currently serving as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for an initial term of three years, with automatic renewal for additional one-year periods thereafter unless either party terminates the agreement. The agreement calls for salary of $250,000 per year, plus standard benefits and eligibility for a bonus at the discretion of the board. The company has also granted Ms. O’Hara incentive stock options to purchase up to 640,000 shares of its common stock under its 2018 Incentive Stock Plan, which vest over four years, at an exercise price of $2.40 per share.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all plan-based awards granted to our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
| Type of Award | Grant Date | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford T. Adamczyk | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gregory J. Quarles | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Christopher Donaghey(2) | Stock Option | 11/26/2024 | 1,000,000 | $0.78 | $0.67 | |
| Mary P. O’Hara | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Stephen W. McCahon | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| (1) | Based on Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model and assumptions therein, including implied volatility of the underlying common stock. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table discloses unexercised options held by the named executives at December 31, 2024:
| Option Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date |
| Bradford T. Adamczyk | 4,900,000 | - | $0.07 | 11/12/2028 |
| Gregory J. Quarles(1) | 4,920,500 | - | $0.35 | 4/18/2029 |
| Christopher Donaghey(2) | 150,000 | $0.35 | 4/29/2029 | |
| 200,000 | - | $0.61 | 5/12/2031 | |
| 500,000 | 500,000 | $2.36 | 7/13/2032 | |
| 1,000,000 | $0.78 | 11/26/2034 | ||
| Mary P. O’Hara | 360,000 | - | $1.27 | 8/20/2031 |
| 480,000 | 160,000 | $2.40 | 1/1/2032 | |
| Stephen W. McCahon | - | - | - | - |
| (1) | Dr. Quarles also holds Restricted Stock Units covering 1,954,545 shares of the company’s common stock which are subject to time and milestone vesting and terminate in November 2032. |
| (2) | Mr. Donaghey also holds Restricted Stock Units covering 200,000 shares of the company’s common stock which are subject to time vesting. |
In addition to the foregoing, as of December 31, 2024, Jonathan Barcklow, a director until April 1, 2024, held options to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock, and John Schultz, also a director, held options to purchase up to 2,500,000 shares of common stock, each at an exercise price of $0.07 per share and both of which expire on November 12, 2028. Details regarding these options are set forth in Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters below.
Payments upon Termination or Change-In-Control
There are no termination or change in control agreements in place that would require payments
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION:
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, none of our executive officers served on the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of any other company whose executive officers also serve on our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee.
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