ACORN ENERGY INC
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 6, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 6, 2025
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Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive and Director Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
| Name and Principal Position · Year · Salary ($) · Bonus ($) · Option Awards ($) · All Other Compensation ($) · Total ($) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan H. Loeb | 2024 | 321,360 | (3) | — | 13,009 | (5) | — | 334,369 |
| President and CEO of the Company and Acting CEO of OmniMetrix (1) | 2023 | 312,000 | (3) | — | 9,142 | (6) | — | 321,142 |
| Tracy S. Clifford | 2024 | 216,300 | (4) | — | 13,009 | (7) | — | 229,309 |
| CFO of the Company and COO of OmniMetrix (2) | 2023 | 210,000 | (4) | — | 18,000 | (8) | — | 228,000 |
| (1) | Mr. Loeb began serving as President and CEO of the Company on January 28, 2016 and as Acting CEO of OmniMetrix on December 1, 2019. |
| (2) | Ms. Clifford began serving as CFO of the Company on June 1, 2018 and as COO of OmniMetrix on December 1, 2019. |
| (3) | Represents the consulting fee paid for the provision of Mr. Loeb’s services to the Company as President and CEO of the Company and Acting CEO of OmniMetrix. |
| (4) | Represents the consulting fee paid for the provision of Ms. Clifford’s services as CFO of the Company and COO of OmniMetrix. |
| (5) | Represents the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable accounting principles with respect to 2,200 options granted on January 2, 2024 with an exercise price of $6.09. The fair value of the options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 4.0% (ii) an expected term of 4.88 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 194.1% and (iv) no dividends. |
| (6) | Represents the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable accounting principles with respect to 2,187 options granted on January 1, 2023 with an exercise price of $5.60 (as adjusted in connection with the September 2023 1-for-16 reverse stock split). The fair value of the options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 4.0% (ii) an expected term of 5.19 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 94.3% and (iv) no dividends. |
| (7) | Represents the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable accounting principles with respect to 2,200 options granted on January 2, 2024 with an exercise price of $6.09. The fair value of the options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 4.0% (ii) an expected term of 4.88 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 194.1% and (iv) no dividends. |
| (8) | Represents the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable accounting principles with respect to 6,250 options granted on June 1, 2023 with an exercise price of $4.96 (as adjusted in connection with the September 2023 1-for-16 reverse stock split). The fair value of the options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 3.9% (ii) an expected term of 3.7 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 93.8% and (iv) no dividends. |
Executive Compensation for 2024 and 2023
Jan H. Loeb. On January 2, 2024, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “2024 Loeb Consulting Agreement”) extending its arrangements for compensation of Mr. Loeb. Pursuant to the 2024 Loeb Consulting Agreement, Mr. Loeb received cash compensation of $16,780 per month for service as President and CEO of Acorn, and an additional $10,000 per month for serving as Acting CEO of OmniMetrix. Mr. Loeb also received a grant of options on January 2, 2024 to purchase 2,200 shares of the Company’s common stock, which are exercisable at an exercise price equal to the December 29, 2023, closing price of the common stock of $6.09 per share. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options were vested immediately; the remaining options vested in three equal increments on April 1, 2024, July 1, 2024 and October 1, 2024. The exercise period and other terms are otherwise substantially the same as the terms of the options granted by the Company to its outside directors. The 2024 Consulting Agreement expired on December 31, 2024; the Company and Mr. Loeb have entered into a new consulting agreement for 2025 as described below underEmployment Arrangements.
On January 1, 2023, the Company entered into a new consulting agreement (the “2023 Consulting Agreement”) with Jan H. Loeb, extending its arrangements for compensation of Mr. Loeb for his services as President and CEO of the Company and as principle executive officer of the Company’s OmniMetrix subsidiary in the capacity of Acting CEO.
Pursuant to the 2023 Consulting Agreement, Mr. Loeb received cash compensation of $16,000 per month for service as President and CEO of the Company, and an additional $10,000 per month for service as Acting CEO of OmniMetrix. Mr. Loeb also received a grant of options on January 1, 2023, to purchase 2,187 shares of the Company’s common stock, which are exercisable at an exercise price equal to the December 30, 2022, closing price of the common stock of $5.60 per share (as adjusted in connection with the September 2023 1-for-16 reverse stock split). Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options were vested immediately; the remaining options vested in three equal increments on April 1, 2023, July 1, 2023 and October 1, 2023. The exercise period and other terms are otherwise substantially the same as the terms of the options granted by the Company to its outside directors.
Tracy S. Clifford. On January 2, 2024, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement with Ms. Clifford (the “2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement”) for the provision of Ms. Clifford’s services as both CFO of Acorn and COO of OmniMetrix. The 2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement amends, restates and replaces in its entirety the 2023 Clifford Consulting Agreement. The 2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement has an effective date of January 1, 2024, had an initial one-year term, and automatically renews for an additional year upon the expiration of each one-year term unless earlier terminated as provided therein. Pursuant to the 2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement, Ms. Clifford receives cash compensation of $18,025 per month. In the event of termination, other than for cause, Ms. Clifford shall be entitled to continuation, for a period of six months following the date of such termination, of the monthly cash compensation in effect at the time of such termination. Pursuant to the terms of the 2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement, Ms. Clifford also received a grant of options on January 2, 2024, to purchase 2,200 shares of the Company’s common stock, which are exercisable at an exercise price equal to the December 29, 2023, closing price of the common stock of $6.09 per share. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options were vested immediately; the remaining options vested in three equal increments on April 1, 2024, July 1, 2024 and October 1, 2024. On each subsequent anniversary of January 1, 2024, so long as the 2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement has not been terminated, the Company will grant Ms. Clifford 2,200 stock options exercisable at an exercise price equal to the then-current stock price. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options will be vested immediately as of the date of grant; the remaining options will vest in three equal increments on April 1, July 1 and October 1 during the first nine months following the date of grant. The exercise period and other terms are otherwise substantially the same as the terms of the options granted by the Company to its outside directors. This agreement auto renewed on January 1, 2025.
On June 1, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement with Ms. Clifford (the “2023 Clifford Consulting Agreement”). The 2023 Clifford Consulting Agreement began on June 1, 2023, had a one-year term, and was to automatically renew for an additional year upon the expiration of each one-year term unless earlier terminated as provided therein. Pursuant to the 2023 Clifford Consulting Agreement, Ms. Clifford received cash compensation of $17,500 per month, as well as a grant of options on June 1, 2023, to purchase 6,250 shares of our common stock, which are exercisable at an exercise price per share equal to the May 31, 2023, closing price of the common stock of $4.96 per share (as adjusted in connection with the September 2023 1-for-16 reverse stock split). Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options were vested immediately; the remaining options vested in three equal increments on September 1, 2023, December 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024. On January 2, 2024, the Company entered into a new consulting agreement with Tracy Clifford Consulting, LLC, that amends, restates and replaces in its entirety the 2023 Clifford Consulting Agreement, as described above. From January to May 2023, Ms. Clifford received cash compensation of $17,500 per month pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement entered into by the Company and Tracy Clifford Consulting, LLC on June 1, 2022.
Stockholder input on executive compensation. Stockholders can provide the Company with their views on executive compensation matters at each year’s annual meeting through the stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation and during the interval between stockholder advisory votes. The Company welcomes stockholder input on our executive compensation matters, and stockholders are able to reach out directly to our independent directors by emailing samzentman@yahoo.com to express their views on executive compensation matters.
Employment Arrangements
The employment arrangements of each named executive officer are described below.
Jan H. Loeb
On January 6, 2025, the Company entered into a new consulting agreement (the “2025 Loeb Consulting Agreement”) extending its arrangements for compensation of Mr. Loeb. Pursuant to the 2025 Loeb Consulting Agreement, Mr. Loeb will receive cash compensation of $16,780 per month for service as President and CEO of Acorn, and an additional $10,000 per month for so long as he serves as Acting CEO of OmniMetrix. Mr. Loeb also received a grant of options on January 6, 2025 to purchase 2,200 shares of the Company’s common stock, which are exercisable at an exercise price equal to the January 3, 2025, closing price of the common stock of $17.50 per share. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options were vested immediately; the remaining options shall vest in three equal increments on April 1, 2025, July 1, 2025 and October 1, 2025. The exercise period and other terms are otherwise substantially the same as the terms of the options granted by the Company to its outside directors. The 2025 Loeb Consulting Agreement expires on December 31, 2025, unless terminated early as provided therein.
Tracy S. Clifford
On January 1, 2025, the 2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement discussed above for the provision of Ms. Clifford’s services as both CFO of Acorn and COO of OmniMetrix automatically renewed for another one-year term. Pursuant to the 2024 Clifford Consulting Agreement, Ms. Clifford receives cash compensation of $18,025 per month. Ms. Clifford also received a grant of options on January 1, 2025 to purchase 2,200 shares of the Company’s common stock, which are exercisable at an exercise price equal to the December 31, 2024, closing price of the common stock of $17.89 per share. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options were vested immediately; the remaining options shall vest in three equal increments on April 1, 2025, July 1, 2025 and October 1, 2025. The exercise period and other terms are otherwise substantially the same as the terms of the options granted by the Company to its outside directors.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth all outstanding equity awards made to each of the Named Executive Officers that were outstanding at December 31, 2024.
| OPTIONS TO PURCHASE ACORN ENERGY, INC. STOCK | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date |
| Jan H. Loeb | 2,187 | — | 5.92 | January 1, 2027 |
| 2,187 | — | 7.68 | January 1, 2028 | |
| 2,187 | — | 10.08 | January 1, 2029 | |
| 2,187 | — | 5.60 | January 1, 2030 | |
| 2,200 | — | 6.09 | January 2, 2031 | |
| Tracy S. Clifford | 1,875 | — | 6.56 | June 1, 2025 |
| 1,875 | — | 4.48 | June 25, 2026 | |
| 3,125 | — | 3.68 | June 8, 2027 | |
| 6,250 | — | 9.92 | May 10, 2028 | |
| 3,125 | — | 7.04 | June 1, 2029 | |
| 6,250 | 4.96 | June 1, 2030 | ||
| 2,200 | — | 6.09 | January 2, 2031 | |
Option and Warrant Exercises
Options were exercised by Jan Loeb on December 9, 2024, for 2,187 shares at an exercise price of $5.60 per share and on February 21, 2024, for 2,187 shares at an exercise price of $5.76 per share.
Warrants were exercised by Leap Tide Capital Management, LLC (of which Mr. Loeb is the Managing Member), on March 2, 2023, for 2,187 shares at an exercise price of $2.08 per share.
Non-qualified Deferred Compensation
There was no executive non-qualified deferred compensation activity for either of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Payments and Benefits Upon Termination or Change in Control
Jan H. Loeb
Under the terms of the consulting agreement with Mr. Loeb, there are no amounts due under any termination scenario.
Tracy S. Clifford
Under the terms of the consulting agreement with Ms. Clifford, in the event of termination by the Company other than for cause, Ms. Clifford shall be entitled to a continuation, for a period of six months following the date of such termination, of the monthly cash compensation in effect at the time of such termination. There are no other amounts due under any other termination scenario under the terms of her consulting agreement.
Compensation of Directors
The Board reviews non-employee director compensation on an annual basis. Our compensation policy for non-employee Directors for 2024 was as follows:
Each non-employee Director (other than the Executive Chairman) receives an annual retainer of $15,000, plus an annual grant on January 1 of an option to purchase 625 shares of Company Common Stock.
Upon a non-employee Director’s first election or appointment to the Board, such newly elected/appointed Director will be granted an option to purchase 1,562 shares of Company Common Stock. Each option granted to a newly elected/appointed Director shall vest for the purchase of one-third of the shares purchasable under such option on each of the three anniversaries following the date of the first election or appointment.
All options granted to non-employee Directors shall have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on its then-current trading platform or exchange on the last trading day immediately preceding the date of grant, and shall, except as described in the preceding paragraph, vest in four quarterly installments beginning on the grant date. Once vested, such options shall be exercisable in whole or in part at all times until the earliest of (i) seven years from the date of grant or (ii) 18 months from the date such Director ceases to be a Director, officer, employee of, or consultant to, the Company.
The chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000; each Audit Committee member other than the chair receives an additional annual retainer of $2,000.
Each Director may, in his discretion, elect by written notice delivered on or before the first day of each calendar year whether to receive, in lieu of some or all of his retainer and board fees, that number of shares of Company Common Stock as shall have a value equal to the applicable retainer and board fees, based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on its then-current trading platform or exchange on the last trading day immediately preceding the first day of the applicable year. Once made, the election shall be irrevocable for such election year and the shares subject to the election shall vest and be issued one-fourth upon the first day of the election year and one-fourth as of the first day of each of the second through fourth calendar quarters thereafter during the remainder of the election year. A newly-elected or appointed Director may, in his or her discretion, make such an election for the balance of the year in which he or she was elected/appointed by written notice delivered on or before the tenth day after his or her election/appointment to the Board, with the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such newly elected/appointed Director’s election to be based on closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on its then-current trading platform or exchange on the last trading day immediately preceding the day of such newly elected/appointed Director’s election/appointment.
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned for service on our Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 by each individual who served as a director at any time during the fiscal year (other than Mr. Loeb who was not separately compensated for his Board service).
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION IN 2024
| Name · Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) · Option Awards ($)(1) · All Other Compensation ($) · Total ($) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel M. Zentman | 25,000 | (2) | 3,695 | (1) | — | 28,695 |
| Gary Mohr | 17,000 | (3) | 3,695 | (1) | — | 20,695 |
| Peter Rabover | 15,000 | (4) | 3,695 | (1) | 18,695 | |
| Michael F. Osterer | 17,000 | (3) | 3,695 | (1) | — | 20,695 |
| (1) | On January 1, 2024, Samuel M. Zentman, Gary Mohr, Peter Rabover, and Michael F. Osterer were each granted 625 options to acquire stock in the Company. The options had an exercise price of $6.09 and were to expire on January 1, 2031. The fair value of the options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 3.86% (ii) an expected term of 4.9 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 194.1% and (iv) no dividends. |
| (2) | Represents the annual retainer of $15,000 as a non-employee director and $10,000 received for services rendered as Chairman of the Audit Committee. |
| (3) | Represents the annual retainer of $15,000 as a non-employee director plus $2,000 received for services rendered as a member of the Audit Committee. |
| (4) | Represents the annual retainer of $15,000 as a non-employee director. |
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