Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Apr 15, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Apr 15, 2026
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Item 11. Executive Compensation
The Board is responsible for evaluating and approving the compensation of executive officers. The major elements of Petros’ compensation program include:
| ● | base salary; |
| ● | cash bonus incentive opportunities tied to Petros’ performance and certain employment agreements; |
| ● | retirement benefits through a qualified defined contribution scheme (such as a 401(k) plan in the United States); and |
| ● | other benefit programs generally available to all U.S. and non-U.S. employees that are customary and appropriate for the country in which the employee is operating. |
Petros’ compensation objectives.
| | | Description | | Performance/ Job Considerations | | Primary Objectives | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | | Fixed cash amount. | | Increases based upon individual performance against goals, objectives and job criteria such as executive qualifications, responsibilities, role criticality, potential and market value. | | Recruit qualified executives or personnel. Retention of personnel. | |
| Cash Incentive Opportunity | | Short-term incentive, annual bonus opportunities. | | Amount of actual payment based on achievement of corporate financial goals, key strategic and operating objectives. | | Promote achievement of short-term financial goals and strategic and operating objectives. | |
| Retirement and Welfare Benefits | | 401(k) plan, health and insurance benefits. | | None, benefits offered to broad workforce. | | Recruit qualified employees. | |
Petros provides base salary based on the executive officers’ individual responsibilities and performance. Petros offers bonus opportunities to certain executive officers and employees based primarily on company performance. See “Employment Agreements” below. Petros’ compensation decisions and salary adjustments are generally evaluated on a calendar year basis.
On November 28, 2023, we adopted a Compensation Recovery Policy, which provides for the recovery of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation received by current or former executive officers.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows compensation awarded to, paid to or earned by (1) Petros’ principal executive officer, (2) Petros’ two most highly compensated executive officer other than the principal executive officer and (3) up to two individuals who would have qualified as one of Petros’ two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer of the Company at the end of the last completed fiscal year; during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Non-equity | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Incentive Plan | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Stock | | Option | | Compensation | | All Other | | |
| Name and Principal Position | | Year | | Salary ($) | | Bonus ($) | | Awards ($) (1) | | Awards ($) (2) | | ($) | | Compensation ($) (3) | | Total ($) (4) |
| Joshua N. Silverman | | 2025 | | 321,250 | | 200,000 | | 271,000 | | — | | — | | — | | 792,250 |
| Executive Chairman | 2024 | 100,000 | — | | — | — | — | — | 100,000 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fady Boctor | 2025 | 320,833 | 50,000 | | 121,950 | — | — | 35,421 | 528,204 | |||||||
| President and Chief Commercial Officer | 2024 | 332,500 | 350,000 | | — | — | — | 57,961 | 740,461 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Mitchell Arnold | 2025 | 231,000 | 25,000 | | 40,650 | — | — | 47,523 | 344,173 | |||||||
| Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer | 2024 | 274,313 | 111,250 | | — | — | — | 52,729 | 438,292 |
| (1) | Mr. Boctor received restricted stock units of 18,000 shares and Mr. Arnold received restricted stock units of 6,000 shares. The shares were valued as of the grant date. |
| (2) | For awards of stock options, the aggregate grant date fair value is computed based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the fair value of the underlying shares at the measurement date. |
| (3) | Amounts in this column reflect 401(k) contributions and insurance premiums (life, long term disability, short term disability, health, dental, and vision). For 2025, this represents: for Mr. Boctor, $4,301 for contributions under Petros’ 401(k) plan and $31,120 of insurance premiums; and for Mr. Arnold, $7,889 for contributions under Petros’ 401(k) plan and $39,634 of insurance premiums. For 2024, this represents: for Mr. Boctor, $10,350 for contributions under Metuchen’s 401(k) plan and $47,611 of insurance premiums; for Mr. Arnold, $10,350 for contributions under Petros’ 401(k) plan and $42,379 of insurance premiums. |
| (4) | In 2024, Mr. Silverman received a total of $100,000 in cash compensation payments in his role as Board Chairman. |
Employment Agreements
Joshua Silverman
On August 13, 2025, the Company entered into an executive compensation agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Silverman setting forth the terms and conditions of Mr. Silverman’s employment as the Company’s Executive Chairman. The Employment Agreement has a three-year initial term commencing on August 13, 2025, which term automatically renews each year for successive one-year terms, unless earlier terminated by either party in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement.
The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Silverman will be entitled to receive an annual base salary of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. For each fiscal year during the employment period, Mr. Silverman is eligible to receive an annual bonus upon achievement of target objectives and performance criteria, payable on or before March 15 of the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which the bonus relates. The Employment Agreement also entitles Mr. Silverman to receive customary benefits and reimbursement for ordinary business expenses.
In connection with Mr. Silverman’s appointment, the Company agreed to grant Mr. Silverman long-term incentive awards under the Company’s long-term equity incentive plan (the “LTIP”) on such terms and conditions as determined by the Board and the Compensation Committee in their sole discretion. For each fiscal year during the employment period, Mr. Silverman shall receive annual long-term incentive awards under the LTIP of up to 300% of his base salary upon achievement of target objectives and performance criteria established by the Board in their sole discretion, subject to and governed by the terms and provisions of the LTIP as in effect from time to time and the award agreements evidencing such awards.
In the event Mr. Silverman’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Silverman without Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Silverman will be entitled to: (i) any earned but unpaid base salary earned during his employment and applicable to all pay periods prior to the termination date, and (ii) any unpaid expense reimbursements and vested amounts and benefits in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan, program, corporate governance document, policy, agreement or arrangement of the Company (collectively, “Accrued Compensation”).
If Mr. Silverman’s employment is terminated prior to the end of the term by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Silverman for Good Reason, then, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Employment Agreement (including the execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims), Mr. Silverman will be entitled to: (i) Accrued Compensation; (ii) severance equal to two times the sum of (A) Mr. Silverman’s base salary in effect at the time his employment terminates and (B) the target bonus for the year of termination prorated based upon the number of days worked for the year of termination; and (iii) accelerated vesting of the unvested portion of any outstanding equity awards.
If Mr. Silverman’s employment is terminated prior to the end of the term by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Silverman for Good Reason within two (2) years after a Change in Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or within six (6) months prior to a Change in Control, Mr. Silverman will be entitled to: (i) Accrued Compensation; (ii) severance equal to three times the sum of (A) Mr. Silverman’s base salary in effect at the time his employment terminates and (B) the target bonus for the year of termination prorated based upon the number of days worked for the year of termination; and (iii) accelerated vesting of the unvested portion of any outstanding equity awards.
The Employment Agreement also contains customary provisions relating to, among other things, confidentiality and non-disparagement.
Fady Boctor
On January 24, 2019, the Company provided an offer letter to Mr. Boctor. The offer letter provided for Mr. Boctor’s at-will employment and set forth his initial base salary as $250,000 per annum ($208,333 was paid pro-rata based on his start date of March 1, 2019), a signing bonus of $50,000, eligibility for an annual bonus with a target of 36% of his base salary and additional incentive bonuses, and eligibility to participate in the Company’s benefit plans generally. Mr. Boctor is subject to the Company’s standard confidentiality, non-competition and invention assignment agreement.
On December 11, 2020, and in connection with the commencement of Mr. Fady Boctor’s employment as the President and Chief Commercial Officer of Petros, the Company and Mr. Boctor entered into a Bonus Agreement (the “Bonus Agreement”), pursuant to which Petros agreed to award Mr. Boctor a bonus in the amount of $125,000 payable on December 15, 2020. The Bonus Agreement provides that in the event that Mr. Boctor is not employed by Petros on June 11, 2022, he shall be obligated to repay such amount to Petros, unless his employment was terminated by Petros without “Cause” or by Mr. Boctor for “Good Reason” as such terms are defined in the Bonus Agreement.
Effective as of February 19, 2021, the Company entered into an employment offer letter (the “Employment Offer Letter”) with Mr. Boctor, pursuant to which, Mr. Boctor will serve in an “at-will” capacity, at an initial base salary of $350,000 per annum. Mr. Boctor received a signing bonus in the amount of $250,000 (the “Signing Bonus”), payable in two equal installments of $125,000 each, the first of which was paid to Mr. Boctor in December 2020, and the second will be paid to Mr. Boctor as soon as practicable following May 1, 2021, provided that Mr. Boctor remains employed with the Company on such date. The Employment Offer Letter provides that in the event that Mr. Boctor does not remain employed by Petros on May 1, 2022, he shall be obligated to repay to Petros the Signing Bonus, unless his employment was terminated by Petros without “Cause” or by Mr. Boctor for “Good Reason” as such terms are defined in the Employment Offer Letter. Additionally, commencing in calendar year 2021, Mr. Boctor will be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in respect of each calendar year that ends during the term of his employment, to be earned based on the achievement of performance objectives determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Each Annual Bonus will be targeted at 100% of Mr. Boctor’s then-base salary. Mr. Boctor will be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, policies, programs or privileges made available to similarly situated employees of Petros. The Employment Offer Letter contains customary restrictive covenants and confidentiality obligations and provides that Mr. Boctor will be subject to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during the term of his employment with Petros and for a period of one-year following Mr. Boctor’s separation from the Company under any circumstances.
In consideration of entering into the Employment Offer Letter, Mr. Boctor was granted an option to purchase up to 21,566 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at an exercise price of $37.40 per share (the “Options”). The Options vested 50% as of February 19, 2021, the date of grant, and the remainder vested in equal installments on the first and second anniversary thereof.
On December 21, 2023, we approved a one-time grant under our Amended and Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) to Mr. Boctor of: (i) 49,645 shares of our Common Stock; and (ii) options to purchase up to 109,066 shares of our Common Stock, with an exercise price of $1.41 per share. On the date of grant, 50% of the options vested, and the remaining options will vest upon the achievement of certain strategic goals during 2023 and 2024, provided that Mr. Boctor remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
On October 16, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to the Employment Offer Letter (the “Offer Letter Amendment”), which, among other things, (i) allows Mr. Boctor to engage in other consulting or employment activities for direct or indirect remuneration, so long as such engagement or service does not create a conflict of interest with, or interfere with the performance of, his duties under the Employment Offer Letter or conflict with any covenants with the Company; (ii) amends the term of the Offer Letter, such that the Offer Letter terminated on December 31, 2024; and (iii) adjusts Boctor’s base salary from an annual rate of $350,000 to an annual rate of $280,000, effective as of October 16, 2024.
On June 1, 2025, the Company adjusted Mr. Boctor’s base salary from an annual rate of $280,000 to an annual rate of $350,000.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2025 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2025.
| · · · · · · · · · · · | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Option awards | ||||||||||
| · · · · · · Number of · · · · · | ||||||||||
| · · · · Number of · · securities · · · · · | ||||||||||
| · · · · securities · · underlying · · · · · | ||||||||||
| | | Vesting | | underlying | | unexercised | | Option | | |
| | | Commencement | | unexercised | | options (#) | | Exercise | | Option |
| Name | | date | | options (#) exercisable | | unexercisable | | Price ($) | | Expiration Date |
| Joshua N. Silverman | | 04/08/2021 | | 200 | | — | | $31.80 | | 04/08/2031 |
| | | 04/06/2023 | | 1,600 | | — | | $35.25 | | 04/06/2033 |
| | | 12/21/2023 | | 1,600 | | — | | $35.25 | | 12/21/2033 |
| Fady Boctor | 2/19/2021 | 863 | — | | $37.40 | 2/19/2031 | ||||
| | | 12/21/2023 | | 2,182 | | — | | $35.25 | | 12/21/2033 |
| Mitchell Arnold | 5/11/2021 | 200 | — | | $32.10 | 5/11/2031 | ||||
| | | 12/21/2023 | | 800 | | — | | $35.25 | | 12/21/2033 |
Accounting and Tax Considerations
Section 162(m) of the Code places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that a public company may deduct as a business expense in any year with respect to such company’s chief executive officer, certain other named executive officers, and all “covered employees” as defined by Section 162(m).
The Company’s Compensation Committee intends to maximize deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m) to the extent practicable while maintaining a competitive, performance-based compensation program. However, the Company’s compensation committee reserves the right to award compensation which it deems to be in the Company’s best interest and in the best interest of its stockholders, but which may not be fully tax deductible under Code Section 162(m).
2020 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan
The Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended and restated, the “2020 Plan”) was approved by our stockholders on November 25, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), and amended by the First Amendment on November 17, 2021, the Second Amendment on December 22, 2021, and the Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan on December 21, 2022. The 2020 Plan is a successor to the Neurotrope, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and the Neurotrope, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, amended as of July 23, 2014, and further amended as of November 21, 2016 (collectively, the “Prior Plans”).
On December 22, 2021, our stockholders approved the Second Amendment to the 2020 Plan to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2020 Plan by 152,166 shares to a total of 260,000 shares of Common Stock. On September 14, 2023, our stockholders approved the Third Amendment to the 2020 Plan, which then became effective as of August 15, 2023, to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2020 Plan by 2,500,000 shares to a total of 2,760,000 shares of Common Stock. On April 10, 2025, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2020 Plan to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2020 Plan by 40,000,000, to a total of 40,110,400 shares of Common Stock.
On February 10, 2025, the Company amended the 2020 Plan to remove certain individual limitations on the number of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units that could be awarded to an employee participant in any fiscal year pursuant to Section 4(d) of the 2020 Plan. As of April 15, 2026, we had 32,129,087 shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under the 2020 Plan.
Purpose and Types of Awards
The purpose of the 2020 Plan is to attract and retain key employees, non-employee directors, consultants, and advisors. The 2020 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock awards, stock units, stock appreciation rights, and other stock-based awards. The 2020 Plan is intended to provide an incentive to participants to contribute to Petros’ economic success by aligning the economic interests of participants with those of Petros’ stockholders.
Administration
The 2020 Plan is administered by Petros’ Compensation Committee. The committee consists of two “non-employee directors” as defined under Rule 16b - 3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Mr. Silverman, Chairman of the Compensation Committee, is not a “non-employee directors” as defined under Rule 16b 3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The committee determines the terms and conditions applicable to awards under the 2020 Plan, including, without limitation, who will receive awards and the number of shares of Common Stock subject to awards. The committee may delegate authority under the 2020 Plan to one or more subcommittees as it deems appropriate. Subject to compliance with applicable law and the applicable stock exchange rules, the Board, in its discretion, may perform any action of the committee under the 2020 Plan. Subject to compliance with applicable law and applicable stock exchange requirements, the committee (or the Board or a subcommittee, as applicable) may delegate all or part of its authority to Petros’ Chief Executive Officer, as it deems appropriate, with respect to awards to employees, consultants, or advisors who are not executive officers or directors under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The committee, the Board, any subcommittee, or the Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, that has authority with respect to a specific award will be referred to as “the committee” in this description of the 2020 Plan.
Shares Subject to the 2020 Plan
Subject to adjustment, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or transferred under the 2020 Plan, as amended, with respect to awards made on and after the Effective Date is 40,110,400 shares. In addition, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans that terminate, expire, or are cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered without having been exercised, vested, or paid in shares under the Prior Plans, as applicable, after the Effective Date will be available for issuance under the 2020 Plan.
If any options or stock appreciation rights, including outstanding options granted under the Prior Plans, terminate, expire, or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered without having been exercised, or if any stock awards, stock units, or other stock-based awards are forfeited, terminated, or otherwise not paid in full, the shares of Petros’ Common Stock subject to such awards will again be available for purposes of the 2020 Plan. Shares of Petros’ Common Stock that are surrendered in payment of the exercise price of an option (including an option granted under the Prior Plans) or a stock appreciation right will not again be available for issuance under the 2020 Plan. Shares of Petros’ Common Stock that are withheld in satisfaction of the withholding taxes, or surrendered for the payment of taxes, incurred in connection with the issuance, vesting, or exercise of any award (including an option granted under the Prior Plans), or the issuance of Petros’ Common Stock will not be available for issuance under the 2020 Plan. When stock appreciation rights are granted, the full number of shares subject to the stock appreciation rights will be considered issued under the 2020 Plan regardless of the number of shares issued upon exercise of the stock appreciation rights. If Petros repurchases shares of Petros’ Common Stock on the open market with the proceeds from the exercise price Petros receives from options (including options granted under the Prior Plans), the repurchased shares will not be available for issuance under the 2020 Plan. If any awards are paid in cash, and not in shares of Petros’ Common Stock, any shares of Petros’ Common Stock subject to such awards will also be available for future awards. In addition, shares of Petros’ Common Stock issued under awards made pursuant to assumption, substitution, or exchange of previously granted awards of a company that Petros acquires will not reduce the number of shares of Petros’ Common Stock available under the 2020 Plan. Available shares under a stockholder approved plan of an acquired company may be used for awards under the 2020 Plan and will not reduce the share reserve, subject to compliance with the applicable stock exchange requirements and the Code.
The maximum number of shares of Petros’ Common Stock that may be subject to an option, stock appreciation right, stock award, stock unit, or other stock-based awards made to any employee, consultant, or advisor under the 2020 Plan, as interpreted and administered by Petros since the Effective Date, in any calendar year will not exceed 21,567 shares of Petros’ Common Stock in the aggregate, subject to adjustments as described below. The limit for awards that are made to newly hired employees on around their date of hire is two times the limit described in the preceding sentence, subject to any adjustments as described below. The maximum aggregate grant date value of shares of Common Stock subject to awards made to any non-employee director during any calendar year for services rendered as a non-employee director, including any cash fees earned for services rendered as a non-employee director during the calendar year, will not exceed $750,000 in total value. In determining this dollar limit, the value of awards will be calculated based on the grant date fair market value of the awards for financial reporting purposes.
Adjustments
In connection with stock splits (reverse stock splits), stock dividends, recapitalizations, and certain other events affecting Petros’ Common Stock, the committee will make adjustments as it deems appropriate including, without limitation, in (i) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance as awards or for which individuals may receive awards in any year, (ii) the number and kind of shares covered by outstanding awards, (iii) the kind of shares that may be issued or transferred under the 2020 Plan, (iv) the price per share or market value of any outstanding awards, (v) the exercise price of options and the base amount of stock appreciation rights, and (vi) the performance goals or other terms and conditions as the committee deems appropriate. On November 30, 2022, the Company effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split.
Eligibility
All of Petros’ employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Plan. In addition, Petros’ consultants and advisors who render bona fide services for Petros may receive awards under the 2020 Plan if (i) the services rendered are not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (ii) such consultant or advisor does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for Petros’ securities. Incentive stock options may be granted only to Petros’ employees.
Vesting
The committee determines the vesting and exercisability terms of awards granted under the 2020 Plan. Except in connection with a change in control (in which case, awards will be treated as described below), the committee may generally accelerate the vesting of awards in its discretion, provided such acceleration complies with Sections 409A and 424 of the Code. Dividends and dividend equivalents granted in connection with any awards made under the 2020 Plan will vest and be paid only if and to the extent the underlying awards vest and are paid.
At the committee’s discretion, performance objectives for awards may be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or more performance goals established by the committee. If the committee so determines, the vesting of any such award subject to performance objectives may be described in terms of company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual participant or the subsidiary, division, department, or function within the company or subsidiary in which the participant is employed. Performance objectives may be measured on an absolute or relative basis. Relative performance may be measured by a group of peer companies or by a financial market index. Performance objectives may include: specified levels of or increases in, a division’s or a subsidiary’s return on capital, equity, or assets; earnings measures/ratios (on a gross, net, pre-tax, or post-tax basis), including basic earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, operating earnings, earnings growth, earnings before interest and taxes and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization; net economic profit (which is operating earnings minus a charge to capital); net income; operating income; sales; sales growth; gross margin; direct margin; costs; share price (including but not limited to growth measures and total stockholder return); operating profit; per period or cumulative cash flow (including but not limited to operating cash flow and free cash flow) or cash flow return on investment (which equals net cash flow divided by total capital); inventory turns; financial return ratios; market share; balance sheet measurements such as receivable turnover; improvement in or attainment of expense levels; improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; debt reduction; strategic innovation; customer or employee satisfaction; the consummation of one or more acquisitions of a certain size as measured by one or more of the financial criteria listed above; individual objectives; regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; implementation or completion of critical projects (including, but not limited to, milestones such as clinical trial enrollment targets, commencement of phases of clinical trials and completion of phases of clinical trials); and any combination of the foregoing.
Options
Under the 2020 Plan, the committee will determine the exercise price of the options granted and may grant options to purchase shares of Common Stock in such amounts as it determines. The committee may grant options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, or non-qualified stock options, which are not intended to so qualify. Non-qualified stock options may be granted to eligible participants under the 2020 Plan, but incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of Petros or its parent or subsidiaries that are corporations. The exercise price of a stock option granted under the 2020 Plan cannot be less than the fair market value of a share of Petros’ Common Stock on the date the option is granted. If an incentive stock option is granted to a 10% or greater stockholder, the exercise price cannot be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of Petros’ Common Stock on the date the option is granted. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or transferred under the 2020 Plan, as interpreted and administered by Petros since the Effective Date, pursuant to incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code granted on and after the Effective Date may not exceed 2,760,000 shares of Common Stock. The fair market value of Petros’ Common Stock is generally equal to the closing price for the Common Stock on the date the option is granted (or if there was no closing price on that date, on the last preceding date on which a closing price was reported). If the fair market value (determined as of the date of grant) of the shares with respect to which a participant’s incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time during any year, whether granted under the 2020 Plan or any Prior Plans, exceeds $100,000, then incentive stock options for the shares over the $100,000 threshold will be treated as nonqualified stock options, rather incentive stock options.
The exercise price for any option is generally payable in cash or check. In certain circumstances as permitted by the committee, the exercise price may be paid by (i) the surrender of shares of Petros’ Common Stock with an aggregate fair market value on the date the option is exercised that is at least equal to the exercise price, (ii) payment through a broker in accordance with procedures established by the Federal Reserve Board, (iii) withholding shares of Common Stock subject to the exercisable option which have a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price, (iv) or such other method as the committee approves.
The term of an option cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant, except that if an incentive stock option is granted to a 10% or greater stockholder, the term cannot exceed five years from the date of grant. In the event that on the last day of the term of a non-qualified stock option, the exercise is prohibited by applicable law, including a prohibition on purchases or sales of Petros’ Common Stock under Petros’ insider trading policy, the term of the non-qualified option will be extended for a period of 30 days following the end of the legal prohibition, unless the committee determines otherwise.
Except as provided in the award agreement, an option may only be exercised while a participant is employed by or providing service to Petros. The committee will determine in the award agreement under what circumstances and during what time periods a participant may exercise an option after termination of employment.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Under the 2020 Plan, the committee may grant stock appreciation rights to eligible participants separately or in tandem with any options. Stock appreciation rights granted with a non-qualified stock option may be granted either at the time the non-qualified stock option is granted or any time thereafter while the option remains outstanding. Stock appreciation rights granted with an incentive stock option may be granted only at the time of the grant of the incentive stock option. The committee will establish the base amount of the stock appreciation right at the time the stock appreciation right is granted, which will be equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of Petros’ Common Stock as of the date of grant.
If a stock appreciation right is granted in tandem with an option, the number of stock appreciation rights that are exercisable during a specified period will not exceed the number of shares of Petros’ Common Stock that the participant may purchase upon exercising the related option during such period. Upon exercising the related option, the related stock appreciation rights will terminate, and upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, the related option will terminate, to the extent of an equal number of shares of Petros’ Common Stock. Generally, stock appreciation rights may only be exercised while the participant is employed by, or providing services to, Petros unless otherwise specified by the committee. When a participant exercises a stock appreciation right, the participant will receive the excess of the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock over the base amount of the stock appreciation right. The appreciation of a stock appreciation right will be paid in shares of Petros’ Common Stock, cash, or both.
The term of a stock appreciation right cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant. In the event that on the last day of the term of a stock appreciation right, the exercise is prohibited by applicable law, including a prohibition on purchases or sales of Petros’ Common
Stock under Petros’ insider trading policy, the term of the stock appreciation right will be extended for a period of 30 days following the end of the legal prohibition, unless the committee determines otherwise.
Stock Awards
Under the 2020 Plan, the committee may grant stock awards to eligible participants. A stock award is an award of Petros’ Common Stock that may be subject to restrictions as the committee determines. The restrictions, if any, may lapse over a specified period of employment or based on the satisfaction of pre-established criteria, in installments, or otherwise, as the committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the award agreement relating to the stock award, a participant will have all of the rights of a stockholder as to those shares, including the right to vote and the right to receive dividends or distributions on the shares; provided, however, that dividends with respect to stock awards shall vest and be paid if and to the extent that the underlying stock award vests and is paid. All unvested stock awards are forfeited if the participant’s employment or service is terminated for any reason, unless the committee determines otherwise.
Stock Units
Under the 2020 Plan, the committee may grant restricted stock units to eligible participants. Restricted stock units are phantom units that represent shares of Petros’ Common Stock. Restricted stock units become payable on terms and conditions determined by the committee and will be payable in cash or shares of Petros’ stock as determined by the committee. All unvested restricted stock units are forfeited if the participant’s employment or service is terminated for any reason, unless the committee determines otherwise.
Other Stock-Based Awards
Under the 2020 Plan, the committee may grant other types of awards that are based on or measured by shares of Petros’ Common Stock to eligible participants. The committee will determine the terms and conditions of such awards. Other stock-based awards may be payable in cash, shares of Petros’ Common Stock, or a combination of the two.
Dividend Equivalents
Under the 2020 Plan, the committee may grant dividend equivalents in connection with awards of stock units or other stock-based awards made under the 2020 Plan. Dividend equivalents entitle the participant to receive amounts equal to ordinary dividends that are paid on the shares underlying an award while the award is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be paid in cash, in shares of Petros’ Common Stock, or in a combination of the two. The committee will determine the terms and conditions of the dividend equivalent awards, including whether the awards are payable upon the achievement of specific performance goals; provided, however, that dividend equivalents shall vest and be paid only if and to the extent that the underlying stock units or other stock-based awards vest and are paid. For the avoidance of doubt, no dividends or dividend equivalents will be granted with respect to stock options or stock appreciation rights.
Change in Control
If Petros experiences a “change in control” (as defined in the 2020 Plan, which definition is generally described below) where Petros is not the surviving corporation (or survive only as a subsidiary of another corporation), all outstanding awards that are not exercised or paid at the time of the change in control will be assumed by, or replaced with awards that have comparable terms by, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation). In the event that the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation) does not assume or replace awards with grants that have comparable terms, unless otherwise provided in an award agreement, outstanding options and stock appreciation rights will accelerate and become fully exercisable and the restrictions and conditions on outstanding stock awards, stock units, other stock-based awards and dividend equivalents immediately lapse, provided that if the vesting of any such awards is based, in whole or in part, on performance, such awards shall vest based on the greater of (i) actual performance as of the change in control, or (ii) target performance, pro-rated based on the period elapsed between the beginning of the applicable performance period and the date of the change in control. At the committee’s discretion, if awards are assumed by, or replaced with awards that have comparable terms by, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation) and a participant incurs an involuntary termination of employment or service on or after a change in control, the participant’s outstanding awards may become vested, in whole or in part, as of the date of termination; provided that if the vesting of any such award is based, in whole or in part, on performance, such awards shall vest only based on the greater of (i) actual performance as of the change in control,
or (ii) target performance, pro-rated based on the period elapsed between the beginning of the applicable performance period and the date of the termination.
If there is a change in control and any outstanding awards are not assumed by, or replaced with awards that have comparable terms by, the surviving corporation, the committee may take any of the following action without the consent of any participant:
| ● | pay participants, in an amount and form determined by the committee, in settlement of outstanding stock units, other stock-based awards, or dividend equivalents; |
| ● | require that participants surrender their outstanding stock options, stock appreciation rights, or any other exercisable award, in exchange for a payment by Petros, in cash or shares of Petros’ Common Stock, equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the underlying shares of Common Stock; provided, however, if the per share fair market value of the Common Stock does not exceed the per share stock option exercise price or stock appreciation right base amount, as applicable, Petros will not be required to make any payment to the participant upon surrender of the stock option or stock appreciation right; or |
| ● | after giving participants an opportunity to exercise all of their outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights, terminate any unexercised stock options and stock appreciation rights on the date determined by the committee. |
In general terms, a “change in control” under the 2020 Plan includes:
| ● | the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by a person of more than 50% of the combined voting power of Petros’ voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however, that the following acquisitions of voting securities shall not constitute a change in control: (a) any acquisition by or from Petros or any of its subsidiaries, or by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Petros or any of its subsidiaries, (b) any acquisition by any underwriter in any firm commitment underwriting of securities to be issued by Petros, or (c) any acquisition by any corporation (or other entity) if, immediately following such acquisition, 50% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (or other equity unit) of such corporation (or other entity) and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation (or other entity), are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals or entities who, immediately prior to such acquisition, were the beneficial owners of Petros’ then outstanding shares of Common Stock and the voting securities in substantially the same proportions, respectively, as their ownership immediately prior to the acquisition of Petros’ stock and voting securities; |
| ● | the consummation of the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of Petros’ assets, other than to a wholly-owned subsidiary or to a holding company of which Petros is a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary prior to such transaction; |
| ● | the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of Petros, other than a reorganization, merger or consolidation which would result in Petros’ voting securities outstanding immediately prior to the transaction continuing to represent (whether by remaining outstanding or by being converted to voting securities of the surviving entity) 65% or more of the voting securities or the voting power of the voting securities of such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction; |
| ● | the consummation of a plan for Petros’ complete liquidation; or |
| ● | the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board: individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constituted the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation relating to the election of Petros’ directors) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by Petros’ stockholders was approved and recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended. |
Notwithstanding the above, in the case of an award under the 2020 Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, only an event which constitutes a “change in control event” as defined under Section 409A of the Code shall constitute a change in ownership or effective control for purposes of the payment provisions under the 2020 Plan.
Deferrals
The committee may permit or require participants to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be due to the participant in connection with an award under the 2020 Plan. The committee will establish the rules and procedures applicable to any such deferrals, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
Withholding
All awards under the 2020 Plan are subject to applicable U.S. federal (including Federal Insurance Contribution Act (“FICA”)), state and local, foreign, or other tax withholding requirements. Petros may require participants or other persons receiving awards or exercising awards to pay an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding requirements with respect to such awards, or Petros may deduct from other wages and compensation paid by Petros the amount of any withholding taxes due with respect to such award.
The committee may permit or require that Petros’ tax withholding obligation with respect to awards paid in Petros’ Common Stock will be paid by having shares withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the participant’s applicable withholding tax rate for U.S. federal (including FICA), state and local, foreign, or other tax liabilities. In addition, the committee may, in its discretion, and subject to such rules as the committee may adopt, allow participants to elect to have such share withholding applied to all or a portion of the tax withholding obligation arising in connection with any particular award.
Transferability
Except as permitted by the committee with respect to non-qualified stock options, only a participant may exercise rights under an award during the participant’s lifetime. Upon death, the personal representative or other person entitled to succeed to the rights of the participant may exercise such rights. A participant cannot transfer those rights except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) with respect to awards other than incentive stock options, pursuant to a domestic relations order. The committee may provide in an award agreement that a participant may transfer non-qualified stock options to (x) family members, or (y) one or more trusts or other entities for the benefit of or owned by family members, consistent with applicable securities laws; provided, the participant receives no consideration for the transfer and the transferred options continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately before the transfer.
Amendment; Termination
The Board may amend or terminate the 2020 Plan at any time, except that Petros’ stockholders must approve an amendment if such approval is required in order to comply with the Code, applicable laws, or applicable stock exchange requirements. Unless terminated sooner by the Board or extended with stockholder approval, the 2020 Plan will terminate on the day immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.
Stockholder approval is required to (i) amend the terms of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights to reduce the exercise price or base price of options or stock appreciation rights, respectively, (ii) cancel outstanding options or stock appreciation rights in exchange for options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price or base price, as applicable, that is less than the exercise price or base price of the original options or stock appreciation rights, or (iii) cancel outstanding options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price or base price, as applicable, above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities. However, such stockholder approval is not required in connection with certain corporate transactions or other actions with respect to Petros’ securities, such as a stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change in control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of shares of Petros’ Common Stock.
Establishment of Sub-Plans
The Board may, from time to time, establish one or more sub-plans under the 2020 Plan to satisfy applicable blue sky, securities, or tax laws of various jurisdictions. The Board may establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the 2020 Plan setting forth limitations on the committee’s discretion and such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the 2020 Plan as the Board will deem necessary or desirable. All such supplements will be deemed part of the 2020 Plan, but each supplement will only apply to participants within the affected jurisdiction.
Clawback
Subject to applicable law, the committee may provide in any award agreement that if a participant breaches any restrictive covenant agreement between the participant and Petros, or otherwise engages in activities that constitute cause either while employed by, or providing services to, Petros or within the applicable period of time thereafter, all awards held by the participant will terminate, and Petros may rescind any exercise of an option or stock appreciation right and the vesting of any other award and delivery of shares upon such exercise or vesting, as applicable on such terms as the committee will determine, including the right to require that in the event of any rescission:
| ● | the participant must return the shares received upon the exercise of any option or stock appreciation right or the vesting and payment of any other awards; or |
| ● | if the participant no longer owns the shares, the participant must pay to Petros the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a result of any sale or other disposition of the shares (if the participant transferred the shares by gift or without consideration, then the fair market value of the shares on the date of the breach of the restrictive covenant agreement or activity constituting cause), net of the price originally paid by the participant for the shares. |
All awards are also subject to any applicable clawback or recoupment policy, share trading policy, and other policies that the Board may adopt and amend from time to time. Payment by the participant will be made in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be required by the committee. Petros will be entitled to set off against the amount of any such payment any amounts that Petros otherwise owes to the participant.
Employment Benefits Plans
Petros 401(k) Plan
Petros has a defined contribution retirement plan in which all employees are eligible to participate. This plan is intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Code so that contributions by employees and by Petros to the plan and income earned on plan contributions are not taxable to employees until withdrawn or distributed from the plan, and so that contributions, including employee salary deferral contributions, will be deductible by Petros when made. Petros currently provides contributions under this plan of up to four percent (4%) of an employee’s compensation, subject to statutory limits.
Participants may elect a salary deferral up to the statutorily prescribed annual limit for tax-deferred contributions and Petros may make contributions up to four percent (4%) of the participant’s compensation, subject to certain statutory limits.
Petros also contributes to medical, disability and other standard insurance plans for its employees.
Director Compensation Program
The following table presents the total compensation for each person who served as a member of our Board during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Other than set forth in the table and described more below, we did not pay any compensation, reimburse any expense of, make any equity awards or non-equity awards to, or pay any other compensation to any of the other members of our Board in 2025.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | Non-equity | | | | | | |
| | | Fees | | | | | | incentive | | Nonqualified | | | | |
| | | earned or | | Stock | | Option | | plan | | deferred | | All other | | |
| | | paid in | | awards | | awards | | compensation | | compensation | | compensation | | |
| Name | | cash ($)(1) | | ($) | | ($) (2) | | ($) | | earnings ($) | | ($) | | Total ($) |
| Bruce T. Bernstein | 197,500 | | 81,300 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 278,800 | |
| Wayne R. Walker | 100,000 | | 40,650 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 140,650 |
(1)Represents fees paid in cash
(2)Based upon the number of options issued times Black–Scholes value.
Timing of Certain Equity Awards
We do not have any policies and practices on the timing of awards of stock options or other equity grants in relation to the disclosure of material nonpublic information. The Company grants stock options based on timelines in the normal course of business independent of the occurrence of these types of events (e.g., at a pre-established dates, such as on an employee’s start date, at board of director meetings held once each year and following annual performance reviews). During the last completed fiscal year, we did not grant equity awards in anticipation of the release ofmaterial nonpublic information that is likely to result in changes to the price of our Common Stock and did not time the public release of such information based on award grant dates. During the last completed fiscal year, we have not made awards to any named executive officer during the period beginning four business days before and ending one business day after the filing of a period report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K or the filing or furnishing of a current report on Form 8-K, and we have not timed the disclosure of material nonpublic informationfor the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.