JAKKS PACIFIC INC
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 6, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Mar 6, 2025
Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.
See the whole filing, with its images and exhibitsContents
Item 11. Executive Compensation
We believe that a strong management team comprised of highly talented individuals in key positions is critical to our ability to deliver sustained growth and profitability, and our executive compensation program is an important tool for attracting and retaining such individuals. We also believe that our people are our most important resource. While some companies may enjoy an exclusive or limited franchise or are able to exploit unique assets or proprietary technology, we depend fundamentally on the skills, relationships, energy and dedication of our employees to drive our business. It is only through their constant efforts that we are able to innovate through the creation of new products and the continual rejuvenation of our product lines, to maintain operating efficiencies, and to develop and exploit marketing channels. With this in mind, we have consistently sought to employ the most talented, accomplished and energetic people available in the industry. Therefore, we believe it is vital that our named executive officers receive an aggregate compensation package that is both highly competitive with the compensation received by similarly-situated executive officers, and also reflective of each individual named executive officer’s contributions to our success on both a long-term and short-term basis. As discussed in greater depth below, the objectives of our compensation program are designed to execute this philosophy by compensating our executives at the top quartile of their peers.
Our executive compensation program is designed with three main objectives:
| ● | to offer a competitive total compensation opportunity that will allow us to continue to retain and motivate highly talented individuals to fill key positions; |
| ● | to align a significant portion of each executive’s total compensation with our annual performance and the interests of our stockholders; and |
| ● | reflect the qualifications, skills, experience and responsibilities of our executives. |
Our executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee receives legal advice from our outside general counsel and in previous years has retained a compensation consulting firm, such as Willis Towers Watson, Frederic W. Cook & Co. and Lipis Consulting, Inc., which provides advice directly to the Compensation Committee. Historically, the base salary, bonus structure and long-term equity compensation of our executive officers are governed by the terms of their individual employment agreements (see “Employment Agreements and Termination of Employment Arrangements”) and we expect that to continue in the future. With respect to our executive officers, the Compensation Committee establishes target performance levels for incentive bonuses based on factors that are designed to further our executive compensation objectives.
Historically, factors given considerable weight in establishing bonus performance criteria are Net Sales, Adjusted EPS, which is the net income per share of our common stock calculated on a fully-diluted basis in accordance with GAAP, and Adjusted EBITDA applied on a basis consistent with past periods, as adjusted in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee to take account of extraordinary or special items. However, since at least 2019, bonus performance has been based exclusively upon adjusted EBITDA. In 2025 an additional performance bonus was established based solely upon the market performance of our common stock.
In 2021, the Company amended the employment agreements between the Company and each of Mr. Stephen G. Berman, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John (a/k/a Jack) McGrath, our then Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. John Kimble, our Chief Financial Officer. The purpose of the amendments was to change the issuance, past and future, of all restricted stock awards to restricted stock units. All other material terms of the respective employment agreements remained the same, including without limitation, the terms of all such grants including the timing of all vesting periods and the vesting benchmarks.
The current employment agreements with our named executive officers also give the Compensation Committee the authority to award additional compensation to each of them as it determines in the Committee’s sole discretion based upon criteria it establishes.
The Compensation Committee also annually reviews the overall compensation of our named executive officers for the purpose of determining whether discretionary bonuses should be granted. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the base salaries, annual bonuses, total cash compensation, long-term compensation and total compensation of our senior executive officers.
Our executive officers receive base salary pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements. Mr. Berman has been an executive officer at least since his entry into his employment agreement in 2010, Mr. McGrath became an executive officer on August 23, 2011 pursuant to the terms of an amendment to his employment agreement, and Mr. Kimble became an executive officer when he entered into a letter employment agreement on November 20, 2019. Mr. McGrath ceased being an executive officer effective January 1, 2024 when he assumed the position of President European Operations in our United Kingdom office.
The Compensation Committee also annually reviews the overall compensation of our named executive officers for the purpose of determining whether discretionary bonuses should be granted. The Compensation Committee consulted with a compensation consultant in 2023 and 2024.
The compensation packages for the Company’s senior executives have both performance-based and non-performance-based elements. Based on its review of each named executive officer’s total compensation opportunities and performance, and the Company’s performance, the Compensation Committee determines each year’s compensation in the manner that it considers to be most likely to achieve the objectives of our executive compensation program. The specific elements, which include base salary, annual cash incentive compensation and long-term equity compensation, are described below.
The Compensation Committee has negative discretion to adjust performance results used to determine annual incentive and the vesting schedule of long-term incentive payouts to the named executive officers and has discretion to grant bonuses even if the performance targets were not met.
Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement for Messrs. Berman and Kimble in effect as of January 1, 2024, they each receive a base salary which is increased automatically each year by at least $25,000 and 4%, respectively. Any further increase in base salary above the contractually required minimum increase is determined by the Compensation Committee based on the Compensation Committee’s analysis of a combination of two factors: the salaries paid in peer group companies to executives with similar responsibilities, and evaluation of the executive’s unique role, job performance and other circumstances. Evaluating both of these factors allows us to offer a competitive total compensation value to each individual named executive officer that takes into account the unique attributes of and circumstances relating to each individual and marketplace factors. This approach has allowed us to continue to meet our objective of offering competitive total compensation value and attracting and retaining key personnel. Based on its review of these factors, the Compensation Committee has generally determined not to increase the base salary of Messrs. Berman and Kimble above the contractually required minimum increase as unnecessary to maintain our competitive total compensation position in the marketplace.
The function of the annual cash bonus is to establish a direct correlation between the annual incentives awarded to the participants and our financial performance. This purpose is in keeping with our compensation program’s objective of aligning a significant portion of each executive’s total compensation with our annual performance and the interests of our shareholders. The employment agreements for Messrs. Berman, McGrath and Kimble contemplated that the Compensation Committee may grant discretionary bonuses in situations where, in its sole judgment, it believes they are warranted. No discretionary bonuses were awarded for 2022, 2023 and 2024 to any executive officer.
Long-term compensation is an area of particular emphasis in our executive compensation program because we believe that these incentives foster the long-term perspective necessary for our continued success. This emphasis is in keeping with our compensation program objective of aligning a significant portion of each executive’s total compensation with our long-term performance and the interests of our shareholders.
Historically, our long-term compensation program focused on the granting of stock options that vested over time. However, commencing in 2006 we began shifting the emphasis of this element of compensation, and we currently favor the issuance of restricted stock units. The Compensation Committee believes that the award of full-value shares that vest over time is consistent with our overall compensation philosophy and objectives, as the value of the restricted stock units vary based upon the performance of our common stock, thereby aligning the interests of our executives with our shareholders. The Compensation Committee has also determined that awards of restricted stock units are anti-dilutive as compared to stock options inasmuch as it feels that less restricted units have to be granted to match the compensation value of stock options.
Mr. Berman’s 2010 amended and restated employment provided for annual grants of $500,000 of restricted stock which vest in equal annual installments through January 1, 2017, which was one year following the life of the agreement, subject to meeting the 3% vesting condition, as defined in the agreement. As described in greater detail below, pursuant to the 2012 amendment, commencing in 2013, this bonus changed to $3,500,000 of restricted stock, part of which vests over four years and part of which are subject to performance milestones with cliff vesting spread out over three years. Mr. Kimble’s employment agreement provided for a grant of $250,000 of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for the initial year and annual grants of $500,000 of RSUs thereafter subject in part to time vesting over three years and in part to performance milestones with cliff vesting spread over three years. The milestone targets for each of these employment agreements are established by the Compensation Committee during the first quarter of each year. The employment agreements for Messrs. Berman and Kimble also provide for an annual performance bonus based upon net revenue and EBITDA criteria. This bonus, if earned, is payable partially in cash and partially in shares of restricted common stock. Messrs. Berman and Kimble, earned 100% of the bonus based on Total Shareholders Return, EBITDA, and 50% of the bonus based on Net Revenue in 2022. In 2023 Messrs. Berman and Kimble, earned 100% of the cash-payable bonus based on Total Shareholders Return, EBITDA, and 50% of the bonus based on Net Revenue in 2023. In 2023 only Mr. Kimble had unvested performance-based RSUs outstanding and earned 100% of the bonus based on Total Shareholders Return. In 2024 Messrs. Berman and Kimble earned 100% of the cash-payable bonus based on EBITDA, and Messr. Kimble earned 100% and 50% of the remaining performance-based RSUs outstanding, based on EBITDA and Net Revenue, respectively.
Mr. Berman’s and Kimble’s employment agreements also provide for an additional bonus solely in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. After a review of all of the factors discussed above, the Compensation Committee determined that, in keeping with our compensation objectives, Messrs. Berman and Kimble were not awarded any discretionary cash bonuses for 2022, 2023 or 2024.
Our executive officers participate in the health and dental coverage, life insurance, paid vacation and holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plans and other programs that are generally available to all the Company’s employees.
The provision of any additional perquisites to each of the named executive officers is subject to review by the Compensation Committee. Historically, these perquisites include payment of an automobile allowance and matching contributions to a 401(k) defined contribution plan. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, the named executive officers were granted the following perquisites: automobile allowance and 401(k) plan matching contribution for Messrs. Berman and Kimble; and a life insurance benefit for Mr. Berman. We value perquisites at their incremental cost in accordance with SEC regulations.
We believe that the benefits and perquisites we provide to our named executive officers are within competitive practice and customary for executives in key positions at comparable companies. Such benefits and perquisites serve our objective of offering competitive compensation that allows us to continue to attract, retain and motivate highly talented people to these critical positions, ultimately providing a substantial benefit to our shareholders.
We recognize that, as with any public company, it is possible that a change of control may take place in the future and that the threat or occurrence of a change of control can result in significant distractions of key management personnel because of the uncertainties inherent in such a situation. We further believe that it is essential and in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to retain the services of our key management personnel in the event of the threat or occurrence of a change of control and to ensure their continued dedication and efforts in such event without undue concern for their personal financial and employment security. In keeping with this belief and its objective of retaining and motivating highly talented individuals to fill key positions, which is consistent with our general compensation philosophy, the employment agreement for named chief executive officers contain provisions which guarantee specific payments and benefits upon a termination of employment without good reason following a change of control of the Company. In addition, the employment agreements also contain provisions providing for certain lump-sum payments if the executive is terminated without “cause” or if we materially breach the agreement leading the affected executive to terminate the agreement for good reason, as applicable.
Compensation Risk Management
As part of its annual review of our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee reviews with management the design and operation of our incentive compensation arrangements for senior management, including executive officers, to determine if such programs might encourage inappropriate risk-taking that could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee considers, among other things, the features of the Company’s compensation program that are designed to mitigate compensation-related risk, such as the performance objectives and target levels for incentive awards (which are based on overall Company performance), and its compensation recoupment policy. The Compensation Committee also considers our internal control structure which, among other things, limits the number of persons authorized to execute material agreements, requires approval of our Board of Directors for matters outside of the ordinary course and its whistle blower program. Based upon the above, the Compensation Committee concluded that any risks arising from the Company’s compensation plans, policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Additional details of the terms of the change of control agreements and termination provisions outlined above are provided below.
At our 2024 annual meeting, our shareholders approved our current executive compensation with over a majority of all shares actually voting on the issue affirmatively giving their approval. Accordingly, we believe that this vote ratifies our executive compensation philosophy and policies, as currently adopted and implemented, and we intend to continue such philosophy and policies.
Summary Compensation Table–2022-2024
| Change in | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension | |||||||||||||||
| Value and | |||||||||||||||
| Non-Equity · Nonqualified | |||||||||||||||
| Name and · Salary · Bonus · Stock Awards · Option Awards · Incentive Plan Compensation · Deferred Compensation Earnings · All Other Compensation · Total | |||||||||||||||
| Principal Position | Year | ($) | ($) | ($)(1) | ($) | ($) | ($)(3) | ($)(2) | ($) | ||||||
| Stephen G. Berman | 2024 | 1,826,042 | 2,943,219 | 3,500,004 | — | — | — | 30,806 | 8,300,071 | ||||||
| Chief Executive Officer, | 2023 | 1,800,000 | 5,171,940 | 3,499,994 | — | — | — | 50,441 | 10,522,375 | ||||||
| President and Secretary | 2022 | 1,741,267 | 5,548,203 | 5,726,466 | — | — | — | 71,478 | 13,087,414 | ||||||
| John L. Kimble | 2024 | 584,929 | 757,018 | 877,410 | — | — | 124,289 | 54,505 | 2,398,151 | ||||||
| Executive Vice President | 2023 | 562,432 | 1,001,805 | 843,648 | — | — | — | 52,550 | 2,460,435 | ||||||
| and Chief Financial Officer | 2022 | 540,800 | 753,822 | 1,352,005 | — | — | — | 42,046 | 2,688,673 | ||||||
| (1) | For Mr. Berman, the grant-date fair value of the awards assuming 100% achievement of the applicable performance conditions totaled the lesser of (a) $3.5 million in value (based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the last business day of the prior year), or (b) 2.25% of outstanding shares of Common Stock in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For Mr. Kimble the grant-date fair value of the awards assuming 100% achievement of the applicable performance conditions totaled $877,410, $843,648 and 540,800 in 2024, 2023 and 2022. The awards to Mr. Berman are capped at the amount of available shares in the Plan. |
| (2) | Represents automobile allowances paid in the amount of $3,846, $24,306 and $22,528 for Mr. Berman for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $18,000, $18,000 and $13,000 for Mr. Kimble for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The amounts include matching contributions made by us to the Named Executive Officer’s 401(k) defined contribution plan in the amount of $18,975, $18,150 and $15,250, for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The amounts include $7,985, $7,985 and $25,265 related to a life insurance policy for Mr. Berman in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. |
| (3) | Represents the unrealized gains during the year based on the net changes in fair value in the underlying mutual fund investments offered as part of the Company’s Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan. |
The following table sets forth certain information regarding all equity-based compensation awards outstanding as of December 31, 2024 by the Named Officers:
Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-end
| Option Awards | Stock Awards / Units | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($) (1) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) |
| Stephen G. Berman | — | — | — | — | — | 508,371 | 14,310,644 | — | — |
| John L. Kimble | — | — | — | — | — | 116,568 | 3,281,389 | — | — |
| (1) | The product of (x) $28.15 (the closing sale price of the common stock on December 31, 2024) multiplied by (y) the number of unvested restricted shares or units outstanding. These units of stock vest annually until 2027. |
The following table sets forth certain information regarding amount realized upon the vesting and exercise of any equity-based compensation awards during 2024 by the Named Executive Officers:
Options Exercises And Stock Vested-2024
| Option Awards · Stock Awards / Units | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of | Number of | |||
| Shares | Value | Shares | Value | |
| Acquired on | Realized on | Acquired on | Realized on | |
| Name | Exercise (#) | Exercise ($) | Vesting (#) | Vesting ($) |
| Stephen G. Berman | — | — | 81,760 | 2,906,568 |
| John L. Kimble | — | — | 26,837 | 846,701 |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The following tables describe potential payments and other benefits that would have been received by each Named Officer at, following or in connection with any termination, including, without limitation, resignation, severance, retirement or a constructive termination of such Named Officer, or a change in control of our Company or a change in such Named Officer’s responsibilities on December 31, 2024. The potential payments listed below assume that there is no earned but unpaid base salary at December 31, 2024.
Stephen G. Berman
| Involuntary | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Termination | ||||||||||||||
| Quits For · Termination · In Connection | ||||||||||||||
| Upon · “Good Reason” · Upon Death · Upon “Disability” · Termination Without · For “Cause” · with Change of | ||||||||||||||
| Retirement | (3) | (4) | (5) | “Cause” | (6) | Control (7) | ||||||||
| Base Salary | $— | $3,652,083 | $— | $— | $3,652,083 | $— | $22,807,520 | (8) | ||||||
| Restricted Stock Units (1) | — | 14,310,644 | — | — | 14,310,644 | — | 14,310,644 | |||||||
| Annual Cash Incentive Award (2) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| (1) | The product of (x) $28.15 (the closing sale price of the common stock on December 31, 2024) multiplied by (y) the number of unvested restricted shares outstanding. |
| (2) | Assumes that if the Named Officer is terminated on December 31, 2024, they were employed through the end of the incentive period and no bonus was earned and unpaid. |
| (3) | Defined as (i) our violation or failure to perform or satisfy any material covenant, condition or obligation required to be performed or satisfied by us, or (ii) the material change in the nature, titles or scope of the duties, obligations, rights or powers of the Named Officer’s employment resulting from any action or failure to act by us. |
| (4) | Under the terms of Mr. Berman’s employment agreement (see “Employment Agreements”), the provision of health care coverage for Mr. Berman’s children will continue until they reach the maximum age at which a child can be covered as a matter of law under a parent’s policy in the event of his death during the term of his employment agreement. |
| (5) | Defined as the Named Officer’s inability to perform his duties by reason of any disability or incapacity (due to any physical or mental injury, illness or defect) for an aggregate of 180 days in any consecutive 12-month period. |
| (6) | Defined as (i) the Named Officer’s conviction of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (which plea is not withdrawn prior to its approval by the court) to, a felony offense and either the Named Officer’s failure to perfect an appeal of such conviction prior to the expiration of the maximum period of time within which, under applicable law or rules of court, such appeal may be perfected or, if he does perfect such an appeal, the sustaining of his conviction of a felony offense on appeal; or (ii) the determination by our Board of Directors, after due inquiry, based upon convincing evidence, that the Named Officer has: |
| (A) | committed fraud against, or embezzled or misappropriated funds or other assets of, our Company (or any subsidiary); |
| (B) | violated, or caused our Company (or any subsidiary) or any of our officers, employees or other agents, or any other individual or entity to violate, any material law, rule, regulation or ordinance, or any material written policy, rule or directive of our Company or our Board of Directors; |
| (C) | willfully, or because of gross or persistent inaction, failed properly to perform his duties or acted in a manner detrimental to, or adverse to our interests; or |
| (D) | violated, or failed to perform or satisfy any material covenant, condition or obligation required to be performed or satisfied by him under his employment agreement with us; and that, in the case of any violation or failure referred to in clause (B), (C) or (D), above, such violation or failure has caused, or is reasonably likely to cause, us to suffer or incur a substantial casualty, loss, penalty, expense or other liability or cost. |
| (7) | Section 280G of the Code disallows a company’s tax deduction for what are defined as “excess parachute payments” and Section 4999 of the Code imposes a 20% excise tax on any person who receives excess parachute payments. As discussed above, Mr. Berman is entitled to certain payments upon termination of his employment, including termination following a change in control of our Company. Under the terms of his employment agreement (see “Employment Agreements”), Mr. Berman is entitled to the full amount of the payments and benefits payable in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the employment agreement) even if it triggers an excise tax imposed by the tax code if the net after-tax amount would still be greater than reducing the total payments and benefits to avoid such excise tax. |
| (8) | Under the terms of Mr. Berman’s employment agreement (see “Employment Agreements”), if a change of control occurs and within two years thereafter Mr. Berman is terminated without “Cause” or quits for “Good Reason,” then he has the right to receive a payment equal to 2.99 times his then current base amount as defined in section 280(G) of the Code (which was $7,627,933 in 2024) and continued health care coverage. |
John L. Kimble
| Involuntary | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Termination | |||||||
| In Connection | |||||||
| Quits For “Good · Termination · Termination For · with Change | |||||||
| Upon Retirement | Reason” (3) | Upon Death | Upon “Disability” | Without “Cause” | “Cause” (4) | of Control (5) | |
| Base Salary | $— | $1,169,858 | $— | $— | $1,169,858 | $— | $1,169,858 |
| Restricted Stock Units (1) | — | 3,281,389 | — | — | 3,281,389 | — | 3,281,389 |
| Annual Cash Incentive Award (2) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| (1) | The product of (x) $28.15 (the closing sale price of the common stock on December 31, 2024) multiplied by (y) the number of unvested restricted shares outstanding. |
| (2) | Assumes that if the Named Officer is terminated on December 31, 2024, they were employed through the end of the incentive period and no bonus was earned and unpaid. |
| (3) | Defined as (i) any material reduction of the Named Officer’s base salary, (ii) relocation of the Named Officer’s principal place of employment by more than thirty miles, or (iii) the material change in the nature, titles or scope of the duties, obligations, rights or powers of the Named Officer’s employment resulting from any action or failure to act by us. |
| (4) | Defined as (i) the Named Officer’s conviction of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (which plea is not withdrawn prior to its approval by the court) to, a felony offense and either the Named Officer’s failure to perfect an appeal of such conviction prior to the expiration of the maximum period of time within which, under applicable law or rules of court, such appeal may be perfected or, if he does perfect such an appeal, the sustaining of his conviction of a felony offense on appeal; or (ii) the determination by our Board of Directors, after due inquiry, based on convincing evidence, that the Named Officer has: |
| (A) | committed fraud against, or embezzled or misappropriated funds or other assets of, our Company (or any subsidiary); |
| (B) | violated, or caused our Company (or any subsidiary) or any of our officers, employees or other agents, or any other individual or entity to violate, any material law, rule, regulation or ordinance, or any material written policy, rule or directive of our Company or our Board of Directors; |
| (C) | willfully, or because of gross or persistent inaction, failed properly to perform his duties or acted in a manner detrimental to, or adverse to our interests; or |
| (D) | violated, or failed to perform or satisfy any material covenant, condition or obligation required to be performed or satisfied by him under his employment agreement with us; and that, in the case of any violation or failure referred to in clause (B), (C) or (D), above, such violation or failure has caused, or is reasonably likely to cause, us to suffer or incur a substantial casualty, loss, penalty, expense or other liability or cost. |
| (5) | Under the terms of Mr. Kimble’s employment agreement (see “Employment Agreements”), if a change of control occurs and within one year thereafter Mr. Kimble is terminated without “Cause” or quits for “Good Reason”, then he has the right to receive a payment equal to two times his then current base salary. |
Compensation of Directors
Analogous to our executive compensation philosophy, it is our desire to similarly compensate our non-employee directors for their services in a way that will serve to attract and retain highly qualified members of the Board. As changes in securities laws require greater involvement by, and places additional burdens on, a company’s directors, it becomes even more necessary to locate and retain highly qualified directors.
In August 2019, following the Recapitalization, our Board of Directors changed the compensation payable to non-employee directors to provide that (i) each director receives an annual cash fee of $100,000 paid quarterly, (ii) each member of a Committee receives an annual cash fee of $5,000, (iii) the chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional cash fee of $15,000 and (iv) the chair of the other Committees receives an additional $10,000. Mr. Winkler, pursuant to the internal rules of his employer, did not receive any fees as a director until Q2 of 2024 when his fees began to be paid to his employer, Benefit Street Partners.
In February 2010 our Board determined the terms for the minimum shareholding requirements. Pursuant to the new minimum shareholding requirements, each director will be required to hold shares with a value equal to at least two times the average annual cash stipend paid to the director during the prior two calendar years. To illustrate: if an average director wishes to sell shares in 2025, he/she will have to hold shares with a market value of at least $218,958 prior to and following any sale of shares calculated as of the date of the sale, such $218,958 minimum calculated by taking the average cash stipend of $109,479 paid during the prior two years multiplied by two.
The following table sets forth the compensation earned by our non-employee directors for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024:
Director Compensation
| Change in | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension Value | ||||||||
| and | ||||||||
| Fees · Non-Equity · Nonqualified | ||||||||
| Earned · Incentive · Deferred | ||||||||
| or Paid in · Stock · Option · Plan · Compensation · All Other | ||||||||
| Cash · Awards · Awards · Compensation · Earnings · Compensation · Total | ||||||||
| Name | Year | ($) | ($) | ($) | Incentive ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) |
| Alexander Shoghi | 2024 | 135,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 135,000 |
| Zhao Xiaoqiang (1) | 2024 | 100,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 100,000 |
| Carole Levine | 2024 | 110,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 110,000 |
| Lori J. MacPherson | 2024 | 110,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 110,000 |
| Joshua Cascade | 2024 | 105,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 105,000 |
| Matthew Winkler (2) | 2024 | 93,750 | — | — | — | — | — | 93,750 |
| Neilwantie Mahabir (3) | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| (1) | Did not stand for re-election at the 2024 annual meeting. |
| (2) | Mr. Winkler, pursuant to the internal rules of his employer, did not receive any fees as a director until Q2 of 2024 when his fees began to be paid to his employer, Benefit Street Partners. |
| (3) | Elected at the 2024 annual meeting. |
Employment Agreements and Termination of Employment Arrangements
We entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Berman on November 11, 2010. We entered into an amended employment agreement with Mr. McGrath on August 23, 2011 when he became our Chief Operating Officer. Mr. McGrath ceased being an executive officer on December 31, 2023. We entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Kimble on November 20, 2019 when he became our Chief Financial Officer.
On June 7, 2016, we amended the employment agreement between us and Mr. Berman, our Chairman, CEO and President, and entered into Amendment Number Two to Mr. Berman’s Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated November 11, 2010 (the “Berman Employment Agreement”). The terms of the Berman’s Employment Agreement have been amended as follows: (i) extension of the term until December 31, 2020; (ii) increase of Mr. Berman’s Base Salary to $1,450,000 effective June 1, 2016, subject to annual increases thereafter as determined by the Compensation Committee, with annual minimum increases of $25,000 commencing January 1, 2017; (iii) modification of the performance and vesting standards for each $3.5 million Annual Restricted Stock Grant (“Annual Stock Grant”) provided for under Section 3(b) of the Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2017, so that 40% ($1.4 million) of each Annual Stock Grant will be subject to time vesting in four equal annual installments over four years and 60% ($2.1 million) of each Annual Stock Grant will be subject to three year “cliff vesting” (i.e. payment is based upon performance at the close of the three year performance period), with vesting of each Annual Stock Grant determined by the following performance measures: (a) total shareholder return as compared to the Russell 2000 Index (weighted 50%), (b) net revenue growth as compared to our peer group (weighted 25%) and (c) growth in Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) as compared to our peer group (weighted 25%); (iv) modification of the performance measures for award of the Annual Performance Bonus equal to up to 300% of Base Salary (“Annual Bonus”) provided for under Section 3(d) of the Berman Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2017, so that the performance measures will be based only upon net revenues and EBITDA, each performance measure weighted 50%, and with the specific performance criteria applicable to each Annual Bonus determined by the Compensation Committee during the first quarter of each fiscal year; and (v) provision of health and dental insurance coverage for Mr. Berman’s children in the event of his death during the term of the Berman Employment Agreement.
On August 9, 2019, we further amended the Berman Employment Agreement as follows: (i) increase of Mr. Berman’s Base Salary to $1,700,000, effective immediately; (ii) addition of a 2020 performance bonus opportunity in a range between twenty-five percent (25%) and three hundred percent (300%) of Base Salary, based upon the level of EBITDA achieved for the fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee, and subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth therein; (iii) addition of a special sale transaction bonus equal to $1,000,000 if we enter into and consummate a Sale Transaction on or before February 15, 2020, subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth therein; (iv) modification of the Berman Annual Stock Grant provided for under section 3(b) of the Berman Employment Agreement, effective as of January 2020, so that the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Berman Annual Stock Grant equal the lesser of (a) $3,500,000 in value (based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on December 31, 2019), or (b) 1.5% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which shall vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of grant; (v) waiver of certain “Change of Control”, Liquidity Event, and other provisions under the Berman Employment Agreement with respect to certain Specified Transactions; and (vi) modification of the definition of “Good Reason Event” to include a change in membership of the Board such that following such change, a majority of the directors are not Continuing Directors. All capitalized terms used but not defined in the previous sentence have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Berman Employment Agreement, as amended by the third amendment.
On November 18, 2019, we further amended the Berman Employment Agreement as follows: (i) to extend the term of the Berman Employment Agreement for an additional year through December 31, 2021; (ii) addition of a 2021 performance bonus opportunity in a range between twenty-five percent (25%) and three hundred percent (300%) of Base Salary, based upon the level of EBITDA achieved for the fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee, which shall be payable in cash and is subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth therein; (iii) modification of the Berman Annual Stock Grant provided for under section 3(b) of the Berman Employment Agreement, effective as of January 2020, so that the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Berman Annual Stock Grant equal the lesser of (a) $3,500,000 in value (based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the last business day of the prior year), or (b) 1.5% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which shall vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of grant, provided, that no such award under (a) or (b) above shall be made to Executive (and no cash substitute shall be provided to Executive) to the extent shares are not available for grant under the Company’s 2002 Plan as of such date; and, provided, further, that we shall not be obligated to amend the 2002 Plan and/or seek shareholder approval of any amendment to increase the amount of available shares under the 2002 Plan. All capitalized terms used but not defined in the previous sentence have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Berman Employment Agreement, as amended by the fourth amendment.
On February 18, 2021, we further amended the Berman Employment Agreement as follows: (i) to extend the Term of the Berman Employment Agreement for an additional three years through December 31, 2024; (ii) addition of a performance bonus opportunity for 2022 – 2024 in a range between twenty-five percent (25%) and three hundred percent (300%) of Base Salary, based upon the level of EBITDA achieved by the Company for the fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee, which shall be payable in cash and is subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth therein; and (iii) modification of the Annual Restricted Stock Grant provided for under section 3(b) of the Berman Employment Agreement, effective as of January 2022, so that the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to such Annual Restricted Stock Grant equal the lesser of (a) $3,500,000 in value (based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the last business day of the prior year), or (b) 2.25% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which shall vest in three equal installments on each anniversary of grant, provided, that no such award under (a) or (b) above shall be made to Mr. Berman (and no cash substitute shall be provided to Mr. Berman) to the extent shares are not available for grant under the Plan as of such date; and, provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to amend the Plan and/or seek shareholder approval of any amendment to increase the amount of available shares under the Plan. All capitalized terms used but not defined in the previous sentence have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Berman Employment Agreement, as amended by the fifth amendment.
Effective November 20, 2019, we entered into a letter agreement with John L. Kimble (the “Kimble Employment Agreement”). The Kimble Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Kimble will be our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as an at-will employee at an annual salary of $500,000. Mr. Kimble will also receive a grant of $250,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on the date hereof and annual grants of $250,000 of RSUs for the initial year and $500,000 annual grants of RSUs for every year thereafter. The number of shares in each annual grant of RSUs will be determined by the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day prior to the day of each annual grant. 60% ($150,000 for the first year and $300,000 thereafter) of each annual grant of RSUs will be subject to three year “cliff vesting” (i.e. vesting is based upon performance at the close of the three year performance period), with vesting of each annual grant of RSUs determined by the following performance measures: (i) Total shareholder return as compared to the Russell 2000 Index (weighted 50%); (ii) Net revenue growth as compared to the Company’s peer group (weighted 25%), and (iii) EBITDA growth as compared to the Company’s peer group (weighted 25%). 40% ($100,000 for the first year and $200,000 thereafter) of each annual grant of RSUs will vest in 3 equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant and on the second and third anniversaries thereafter. The Kimble Employment Agreement also contains provisions relating to benefits, change of control, and an annual performance-based bonus award equal to up to 125% of base salary.
On February 18, 2021, we amended the Kimble Employment Agreement as follows: (i) changing Mr. Kimble’s status from an “employee at will” by providing for a term extending through December 31, 2024; (ii) increase in annual salary to $520,000 effective immediately and annual increases of at least 4% commencing January 1, 2022; (iii) modification of the cash performance bonus opportunity for 2021 – 2024 in a range between twenty-five percent (25%) and one hundred twenty five percent (125%) of Base Salary, based upon the level of EBITDA achieved by the Company for the fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee, which shall be payable in cash and is subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth therein; (iv) modification of the provision of the Kimble Employment Agreement captioned “Restricted Stock Awards”, effective as of January 2022, to provide for the annual grant of a number of shares of Restricted Stock equal to the lesser of (a) Mr. Kimble’s Base Salary in value (based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the last business day of the prior year), or (b) 1.05% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which shall vest in three equal installments on each anniversary of grant, provided, that no such award under (a) or (b) above shall be made to Mr. Kimble (and no cash substitute shall be provided to Mr. Kimble) to the extent shares are not available for grant under the Plan as of such date; and, provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to amend the Plan and/or seek shareholder approval of any amendment to increase the amount of available shares under the Plan; and (v) as described above, inasmuch as this first amendment changes Mr. Kimble’s status as an employee at will, the Kimble Employment Agreement has also been revised to include provisions regarding minimum stock ownership requirements, “clawback” provisions and termination provisions for “Cause” and “Good Reason”, all of which new provisions, are similar to the provisions in the employment agreements of the Company’s other executive officers. All capitalized terms used but not defined in the previous sentence have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Kimble Employment Agreement, as amended by the first amendment.
On September 27, 2021, the Company amended the employment agreements between the Company and each of Mr. Stephen G. Berman, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John (a/k/a Jack) McGrath, our former Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. John Kimble, our Chief Financial Officer. The purpose of the amendments was to change the issuance, past and future, of all restricted stock awards to restricted stock units. All other material terms of the respective employment agreements remain the same, including without limitation, the terms of all such grants including the timing of all vesting periods and the vesting benchmarks.
On October 25, 2022, the Company amended the employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Stephen G. Berman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and entered into Amendment NO. 7 to the Berman Employment Agreement. The terms of the Berman’s Employment Agreement have been amended as follows: (i) to extend the terms of the Berman Employment Agreement for an additional two years through December 31, 2026; (ii) addition of a performance bonus opportunity for 2025-2026 in a range between twenty-five percent (25%) and three hundred percent (300%) of Base Salary, based upon the level of EBITDA achieved by the Company for the fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee, which shall be payable in cash and is subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth herein; (iii) provision of an Annual Restricted Stock Unit Grant as provided for under section 3(b) of the Berman Employment Agreement, effective as of January 2025, if a number of shares of Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to such Annual Restricted Stock Unit Grant equal the lesser of (a) $3,500,000 in value (based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the last business day of the prior year), or (b) 2.25% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which shall vest in three equal installments on each anniversary of grant, provided, that no such award under (a) or (b) above shall be made to Mr. Berman (and no cash substitute shall be provided to Mr. Berman) to the extent shares are not available for grant under the Plan as of such date; and provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to amend the Plan and/or seek shareholder approval of any amendment to increase the amount of available shares under the Plan; and (iv) in consideration of Mr. Berman agreeing to extend the term of his employment agreement, a grant of 183,748 Restricted Stock Units, which shall vest in two equal installments of 91,874 Restricted Stock Units each on October 25, 2025 and October 25, 2026 (provided that Executive remains employed by the Company on such date(s), as applicable.) All capitalized terms used but not defined in the two previous sentences have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Berman Employment Agreement, as amended by the seventh amendment.
On October 25, 2022, the Company amended the employment letter agreement between the Company and Mr. John L. Kimble, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, and entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Kimble Employment Agreement. The terms of the Kimble Employment Agreement have been amended as follows: (i) ) to extend the Term of the Kimble Employment Agreement for an additional two years through December 31, 2026; (ii) modification of existing cash performance bonus opportunity for 2023 – 2026 in a range between twenty-five percent (25%) and two hundred percent (200%) of Base Salary, based upon the level of EBITDA achieved by the Company for the fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee, which shall be payable in cash and is subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth therein; (iii) modification of the Kimble Employment Agreement captioned “Restricted Stock Awards”, effective as of January 2023, to provide for the annual grant of a number of shares of Restricted Stock Units equal to the lesser of (a) 150% of Base Salary in value (based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the last business day of the prior year), or (b) 1.50% of outstanding shares of Common Stock, which shall vest in three equal installments on each anniversary of grant, provided, that no such award under (a) or (b) above shall be made to Mr. Kimble (and no cash substitute shall be provided to Mr. Kimble) to the extent shares are not available for grant under the Plan as of such date; and, provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated to amend the Plan and/or seek shareholder approval of any amendment to increase the amount of available shares under the Plan; and (iv) in consideration of Mr. Kimble agreeing to extend the term of his employment agreement, a grant of 41,988 Restricted Stock Units, which shall vest in two equal installments of 20,994 Restricted Stock Units each on October 25, 2025 and October 25, 2026 (provided that Executive remains employed by the Company on such date(s), as applicable.) All capitalized terms used but not defined in the previous sentence have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Kimble Employment Agreement, as amended by the first amendment.
On March 31, 2023, the Company amended the employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Stephen G. Berman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and entered into Amendment No. 8 to the Berman Employment Agreement. The terms of the Berman Employment Agreement have been amended to increase Mr. Berman’s Base Salary to an annual rate of $1,800,000, effective January 1, 2023, and for each subsequent calendar year during the Term at an annual rate to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, but is at least $25,000 more than the annual rate in the immediately preceding year.
On February 18, 2025, the Company amended the employment agreements between the Company and Messrs. Berman and Kimble to, among other things, (i) extend the terms of their respective Employment Agreements for an additional twenty-seven months through March 31, 2029; (ii) provide for the addition of a performance award consisting of RSUs which will vest in tranches based upon the market price of our common stock, and (iii) under certain circumstances continue, post-termination, to provide certain health insurance benefits to the executive and his family.
The foregoing is only a summary of the material terms of our employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers. For a complete description, copies of such agreements are annexed herein in their entirety as exhibits or are otherwise incorporated herein by reference.
On October 19, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the material terms of and adoption of our Company’s Change in Control Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”), which applies to certain of our key employees. None of our named executive officers participate in the Severance Plan. The Severance Plan provides that if, within the two year period immediately following the “change in control” date (as defined in the Severance Plan), a participant has a qualifying termination of employment, the participant will be entitled to severance equal to a multiple of monthly base salary, which multiple is the greater of (i) the number of months remaining in the participant’s term of employment under his or her employment agreement and (ii) a number ranging between 12 and 18; accelerated vesting of all unvested equity awards; and continued health care coverage for the number of months equal to the multiple used to determine the severance payment. On February 26, 2020 our Board of Directors terminated the Severance Plan, but such termination would not be effective as to any employee who was a participant as of the termination date if a Change In Control were to occur prior to the twelve-month period following the termination date.
Employee Benefits Plan
We sponsored for our U.S. employees, a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan provided that employees may defer up to 50% of their annual compensation subject to annual dollar limitations, and that the Company would make a matching contribution equal to 100% of each employee’s deferral, up to 5% of the employee’s annual compensation. Company-matching contributions, which vest immediately, totaled $1.7 million, $1.5 million and $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Starting December 2023, we sponsored for certain of our U.S. based senior employees, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan which includes provisions for salary deferrals and discretionary contributions on a deferred tax basis. As of December 31, 2024 we have not made any discretionary matching contributions to the plan. Employees direct the investment of their account balances, and we invest amounts held in the associated investment trust consistent with these directions. The value of the assets held in trust by the nonqualified plan was $1.7 million and $41.1 thousand as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company has statutory benefit plans outside the U.S., which are not material.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers has served as a director or member of a compensation committee (or other Board committee performing equivalent functions) of any other entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director or a member of our Compensation Committee.
Pay vs. Performance
In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we provide the following information about the relationship between executive compensation for our principal executive officers (“PEOs”) and non-PEO named executive officers (“NEOs”) as well as certain financial performance of the Company. The following table sets forth additional compensation information for our principal executive officer (PEO) and our non-PEO named executive officers (“Non-PEO NEOs”), calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, for fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022.
| Average · Value of Initial | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary Compensation · Average Compensation · Fixed $100 Investment | ||||||
| Summary Compensation · Compensation · Table Total for · Actually Paid to · Investment Based on Total | ||||||
| Year | Table Total For PEO (1) | Actually Paid To PEO (2) | Non-PEO NEOs (3) | Non-PEO NEOs (4) | Non-PEO NEOs (5) | Net Income (in millions) |
| 2024 | $8,300,071 | $3,933,102 | $2,273,861 | $945,505 | $277.07 | $34,200 |
| 2023 | 10,522,375 | 22,454,003 | 2,126,995 | 4,786,597 | 349.90 | 38,113 |
| 2022 | 13,087,414 | 15,174,520 | 2,252,570 | 3,082,281 | 172.15 | 91,083 |
| (1) | The dollar amounts reported are the amounts of total compensation reported for our PEO, Stephen G. Berman, in the Summary Compensation Table of our 10-K for fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022. |
| (2) | The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of “compensation actually paid”, as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts reported are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Berman during the applicable year, but also include (i) the year-end value of equity awards granted during the reported year, (ii) the change in the value of equity awards that were unvested at the end of the prior year, measured through the date the awards vested, or through the end of the reported fiscal year, (iii) value of equity awards issued and vested during the reported fiscal year, and (iv) reduced by the value of equity awards granted in prior years that were forfeited in subsequent years. |
| (3) | The dollar amounts reported are the average of the total compensation reported for our NEOs, other than our PEO, namely Mr. Kimble for fiscal year 2024 and Messrs. Kimble and McGrath for fiscal years 2023 and 2022. |
| (4) | The dollar amounts reported represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid”, as computed in accordance with SEC rules, for our NEOs, other than our PEO. The dollar amounts reported are the average of the total compensation reported for our NEOs, other than our PEO in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, but also include (i) the year-end value of equity awards granted during the reported year, (ii) the change in the value of equity awards that were unvested at the end of the prior year, measured through the date the awards vested, or through the end of the reported fiscal year, (iii) value of equity awards issued and vested during the reported fiscal year, and (iv) reduced by the value of equity awards granted in prior years that were forfeited in subsequent years. |
| (5) | Assumes an investment of $100 for the period starting on January 1, 2022 through the end of the listed fiscal year. The closing prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on Nasdaq, as applicable, on the following trading days were: (i) $17.49 on December 31, 2022; (ii) $35.55 on December 31, 2023; and (iii) $28.15 on December 31, 2024. |
The following table details the adjustments to the Summary Compensation Table to determine average “compensation actually paid” for the PEO and NEOs (other than the PEO), as computed in accordance with SEC Item 402(v). Amounts do not reflect the actual compensation earned by or paid to our PEO and NEOs during the applicable year.
| PEO | NEO | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Total Compensation (Per Comp Table) | $8,300,071 | $10,522,375 | $13,087,414 | $2,273,861 | $2,126,995 | $2,252,570 |
| Less: Grant date FV of RSUs on Summary Compensation Table | (3,500,004) | (3,499,994) | (5,726,466) | (877,410) | (681,822) | (936,002) |
| Add: YE FV of RSUs granted in CY and unvested in CY | 2,771,452 | 7,114,053 | 6,960,425 | 694,770 | 1,385,863 | 1,280,242 |
| Add: Change in FV of unvested awards granted in PY | (3,033,393) | 6,907,625 | 837,709 | (679,964) | 1,370,420 | 404,785 |
| Add: Change in FV from PY to vesting date of awards granted in PY that vested in CY | (605,024) | 1,409,944 | 15,438 | (198,594) | 604,432 | 80,687 |
| Less: Performance-based shares forfeited in CY (FV @ end of PY YE) | — | — | — | (267,158) | (19,291) | — |
| Average compensation actually paid | $3,933,102 | $22,454,003 | $15,174,520 | $945,505 | $4,786,597 | $3,082,282 |
In accordance with Item 402(v) requirements, the fair values of unvested and outstanding equity awards were remeasured as of the end of each fiscal year, and as of each vesting date, during the years displayed in the table above.
Option Grant Practices
In recent years, we have not granted stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar instruments with option-like features to our employees. We therefore (i) do not grant, and have not granted, such instruments in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information, (ii) we do not time, and have not timed, the release of material nonpublic information based on grant dates of such instruments or for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation and (iii) we do not take, and have not taken, material nonpublic information into account when determining the timing and terms of such instruments. As options, stock appreciation rights or similar instruments with option-like features have not been an element of employee compensation in recent years, we do not have a formal policy with respect to the timing of grants thereof, and we did not grant options, stock appreciation rights or similar instruments with option-like features in 2024.
Compensation Recovery Policy
Effective December 1, 2023, our Board of Directors adopted a policy (commonly known as a “clawback” policy) which provides for the recovery of erroneously awarded incentive compensation to certain of our officers in the event that we are required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance by us with any financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws. This policy is designed to comply with Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rule 10D-1 promulgated thereunder, Nasdaq Listing Rule 508, and such other applicable rules and regulations (the “Listing Standards”). The policy is administered by our Board of Directors or, if so designated by the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee (in either case, the “Administrator”). Any determinations made by the Administrator shall be final and binding on all affected individuals.
The individuals covered by this policy (the “Covered Executives”) are any current or former executive officers, as determined by the Administrator in accordance with the definition of executive officer set forth in Rule 10D-1 and the Listing Standards.
The policy covers our recoupment of “Incentive-Based Compensation” (as defined in the policy) received by a person after beginning service as a Covered Executive and who served as a Covered Executive at any time during the performance period for that Incentive Compensation. In the event we are required to prepare an accounting restatement, the policy requires us to recover, reasonably promptly, any erroneously awarded Incentive-Based Compensation received by any Covered Executive during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which we are required to prepare such accounting restatement, all as as determined by the Administrator.
The amount required to be recovered is the excess of the amount of Incentive-Based Compensation received over the amount that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the restated financial measure.
The foregoing description of our Clawback Policy does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of such policy, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used above and not defined shall have the meanings assigned them in the Policy.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.