Cardiff Lexington Corp

Summary Compensation Table - Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the named persons for services rendered in all capacities during the noted periods.

Employment Agreements

Effective January 1, 2025, we entered into an employment agreement with Alex Cunningham, pursuant to which Mr. Cunningham agreed to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Cunningham is entitled to an initial base salary of $885,000 per year and is eligible for an annual bonus. The base salary shall be increased by a minimum of 10% per year beginning on January 1, 2026. Mr. Cunningham’s base salary shall be automatically and permanently increased by $100,000 upon the successful acquisition of certain companies in 2025. His base salary will also be automatically and permanently increased by $100,000 following our successful listing on Nasdaq and a corresponding $4 million dollar capital raise beginning the month after the uplisting and commensurate close of the equity raise. Mr. Cunningham is entitled to a one-time performance bonus of $100,000 following our successful listing on Nasdaq with a corresponding $4 million dollar capital raise. Mr. Cunningham shall also earn a one-time performance bonus of $100,000 following each future successful acquisition. In the event that we are unable to pay his base salary or bonus in dollars, a portion of, or all compensation due to Mr. Cunningham, may be converted to a promissory note bearing an annual interest rate of 5.00% with interest to be paid quarterly. In addition, effective as of January 1, 2025, all past due amounts owed to Mr. Cunningham shall earn interest at a rate of 5% with interest paid quarterly. Mr. Cunningham is eligible to participate in and receive equity incentive compensation as may be granted by the board pursuant to our equity incentive plans. The term of the employment agreement is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029 with automatic extensions for additional successive one (1) year renewals terms unless terminated by us or Mr. Cunningham upon at least three (3) months’ notice. The employment agreement may be terminated by us immediately for cause (as such term is defined in the employment agreement), in which case Mr. Cunningham would be entitled to receive payment of any accrued payments due and outstanding. The employment agreement may also be terminated by us without cause or by Mr. Cunningham for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement) upon ninety (90) days’ notice, in which case Mr. Cunningham would be entitled to (i) all accrued payments outstanding, (ii) a separation allowance equal to three (3) times the sum of the base salary and the target bonus (as defined in the employment agreement), payable in equal installments over a twelve (12) month period, (iii) any annual incentive bonuses earned but not yet paid for any completed full fiscal year immediately preceding the termination date, (iv) a pro rata annual incentive bonus if termination occurs prior to the end of any fiscal year, (v) payment of benefits until the earlier of twelve (12) months after termination or receipt of comparable benefits from subsequent employment, and (vi) all then-outstanding equity awards in any equity incentive plans. Mr. Cunningham will also be entitled to the compensation described in the preceding sentence in the event of termination of employment without cause or for good reason following a change-in-control of our company (as defined in the employment agreement); provided that the payment of benefits in this case shall be until the earlier of twenty-four (24) months after termination or receipt of comparable benefits from subsequent employment. The employment agreement contains customary confidentiality provisions and also provides that Mr. Cunningham may not compete against us for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of his employment for any reason or solicit employees or customers from us for a period of twenty-four (24) months after termination of his employment for any reason.

Effective July 15, 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with Daniel Thompson, which was amended January 1, 2025, pursuant to which Mr. Thompson agreed to serve as Chairman of the Board. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Thompson is entitled to a base salary of $360,000 per year through 2024 and $700,000 for calendar year 2025. Mr. Thompson is eligible for an incentive annual bonus, for a one-time performance bonus of $200,000 following our successful listing on Nasdaq with a corresponding $4 million dollar capital raise and for a one-time performance bonus of $250,000 upon the successful closing of any acquisition in 2025. Through calendar year 2024, Mr. Thompson was also eligible to receive compensation in shares of preferred stock in the event that we were unable to pay his base salary in dollars. For calendar year 2025, in the event that we are unable to pay his base salary or bonus in dollars, a portion of, or all compensation due to Mr. Thompson may be converted to a promissory note bearing an annual interest rate of 5.00% with interest to be paid quarterly. In addition, effective as of January 1, 2025, all past due amounts owed to Mr. Thompson shall earn interest at a rate of 5% with interest paid quarterly. The term of the employment agreement is from July 15, 2020 to December 31, 2025, which is the expected retirement date for Mr. Thompson. Following his retirement Mr. Thompson is eligible to receive annual compensation to be paid in accordance with our normal payroll practices over a three (3) year term as follows: $700,000 for 2026; $400,000 for 2024; and $250,000 for 2028. The employment agreement may be terminated immediately for cause (as such term is defined in the employment agreement), which would cause no severance payment obligations to Mr. Thompson. In the event of termination without cause or for good reason, we must provide Mr. Thompson with thirty (30) days prior written notice and would be required to pay all accrued payments, base salary and $200,000, Mr. Thompson’s maximum target bonus amount for the twelve months after the termination. In the event of termination of employment without cause or for good reason following a change-in-control of our company, Mr. Thompson would be entitled to all accrued payments, a lump sum separation allowance equal to two times the sum of his then base salary and then target bonus, any annual incentive bonuses, payment of benefits until the earlier of twenty-four (24) months after termination or receipt of comparable benefits from subsequent employment and all then-outstanding equity awards under any equity plan will vest in full. The employment agreement also provides that Mr. Thompson may not compete against us for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of his employment for any reason or solicit employees or customers from us for a period of twenty-four (24) months after termination of his employment for any reason.

On January 2, 2024, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Shafer setting forth the terms of his employment as Chief Financial Officer. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Shafer is entitled to an annual base salary of $228,000 and a signing bonus of 5,000 shares of our series I preferred stock. He is also eligible for consideration for a one-time achievement bonus equal to 35% of base salary within sixty (60) days upon our company uplisting to a national securities exchange. In addition, he is also eligible for an annual target bonus equal to 25% of base salary based on the achievement of certain performance goals and annual stock option grants. Mr. Shafer is also eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans, including health insurance, commensurate with his position. The term of the employment agreement is for one (1) year with automatic extensions for additional successive one (1) year renewal terms unless terminated by either party no later than thirty (30) days prior to the renewal date. The employment agreement may be terminated immediately by us with or without cause (as such term is defined in the employment agreement) or in the event of Mr. Shafer’s death or disability and may be terminated immediately by Mr. Shafer upon his voluntary resignation or other voluntary termination of employment. In the event of termination by us without cause, Mr. Shafer is entitled to the compensation and benefits described above for a period of three (3) months following termination. In the event of termination by Mr. Shafer for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement) or because Mr. Shafer cannot perform his services as result of physical or mental incapacitation, he will be eligible to receive three (3) months of base salary and medical and dental benefits under our medical and dental plans then in effect. Mr. Shafer is not entitled to receive any additional compensation upon termination by us for cause or upon a voluntary termination by Mr. Shafer. The employment agreement also contains customary confidentiality provisions and restrictive covenants prohibiting Mr. Shafer from owning or operating a business that competes with our company or soliciting our employees during the term of his employment and for a period of twelve months following the termination of his employment.

Retirement and Healthcare Benefits

We have not maintained, and do not currently maintain, a defined benefit pension plan or a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. During 2024 we established a tax qualified 401(k) plan for our employees, including the named executive officers. We currently do not contribute to this plan.

Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in the same medical, life and disability insurance programs and other welfare plans as the rest of our employees.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

As described under “—Employment Agreements” above, Messrs. Cunningham, Thompson, and Shafer, are entitled severance if their employment is terminated without cause or for good reason.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

No executive officer named above had any unexercised options, stock that has not vested or equity incentive plan awards outstanding as of December 31, 2024.

Director Compensation

The table below sets forth the compensation paid to our independent directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Effective as of April 1, 2024, we have entered into independent director agreements with each of our independent directors, Gillard B. Johnson, III, Cathy Pennington and L. Jack Staley, pursuant to which we agreed to pay to each independent director (i) an annual fee of $20,000 for the first year of service, which will increase to $40,000 commencing in the second year of service, which annual fee will be paid quarterly, and (ii) an attendance fee of $2,500 for each in person board meeting attended and $1,000 for each virtual board meeting attended. Upon appointment, we also issued 10,000 shares of common stock to each independent director and we have also agreed to grant to each independent director 5,000 shares of restricted stock under our 2024 Equity Incentive Plan for the first year of service and each subsequent year of service, which shares will vest in four (4) quarterly installments, subject to the director’s continuing service on the board. To the extent services require out-of-town travel, we have agreed to reimburse each independent director up to $1,000 per trip. We also agreed to reimburse each independent director for pre-approved reasonable business-related expenses incurred in good faith in connection with the performance of the director’s duties.

2024 Equity Incentive Plan

On January 31, 2024, our board of directors and stockholders adopted the Cardiff Lexington Corporation 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, or Plan. The following is a summary which describes the principal features of the Plan, but it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan.

Purposes. The purpose of this Plan is to provide a means whereby employees, directors, consultants of our company and its affiliates develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of our company, and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to the business of our company, thereby advancing the interests of our company and its stockholders. A further purpose of this Plan is to provide a means through which we may attract able individuals to provide services to or for the benefit of our company and to provide a means for such individuals to acquire and maintain share ownership in our company, thereby strengthening their concern for the welfare of our company.

Types of Awards. Awards that may be granted include incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted awards, performance share awards, and performance compensation awards. These awards offer our officers, employees, consultants, and directors the possibility of future value, depending on the long-term price appreciation of our common stock and the award holder’s continuing service with our company.

Eligible Recipients. Persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan will be those officers, employees, directors and consultants of our company and its subsidiaries who are selected by the administrator.

Administration. The Plan is administered by our board of directors; provided that if and when we establish a compensation committee, the compensation committee will administer the Plan. Among other things, the administrator has the authority to select persons who will receive awards, determine the types of awards and the number of shares to be covered by awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions, and other provisions of awards. The administrator has authority to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan.

Shares Available. As of December 31, 2024, pursuant to the Plan, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that could be issued to participants under the Plan was originally 2,000,000 (subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the common stock, such as stock splits); provided that the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year during the term of the Plan by an amount equal five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year. Shares subject to an award under the Plan for which the award is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the Plan. Shares subject to an award that is settled in cash will not again be made available for grants under the Plan. On January 1, 2025, the number of shares increased to 2,765,023.

Stock Options.

General. Share options give the option holder the right to acquire from us a designated number of common stock at a purchase price that is fixed upon the grant of the option. Stock options granted may be either tax-qualified stock options (so-called “incentive stock options”) or non-qualified stock options. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the administrator has the authority to determine all grants of stock options. That determination will include: the number of stock subject to any option; the exercise price per stock; the expiration date of the option; the manner, time, and date of permitted exercise; other restrictions, if any, on the option or the stock underlying the option; and any other terms and conditions as the administrator may determine.

Option Price. The exercise price for stock options will be determined at the time of grant. Normally, the exercise price will not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. As a matter of tax law, the exercise price for any incentive share option awarded may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. However, incentive stock option grants to any person owning more than 10% of our voting power must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date.

Exercise of Options. An option may be exercised only in accordance with the terms and conditions for the option agreement as established by the administrator at the time of the grant. The option must be exercised by notice to us, accompanied by payment of the exercise price. Payments may be made either: (i) in cash or its equivalent; (ii) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired stock having an aggregate fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the exercise price; (iii) a cashless exercise (broker-assisted exercise) through a “same day sale” commitment; (iv) by a combination of (i), (ii), and (iii); or (v) any other method approved or accepted by the administrator in its sole discretion.

Expiration or Termination. Options, if not previously exercised, will expire on the expiration date established by the administrator at the time of grant. In the case of incentive stock options, such term cannot exceed ten years provided that in the case of holders of more than 10% of our voting power, such term cannot exceed five years. Options will terminate before their expiration date if the holder’s service with our company or a subsidiary terminates before the expiration date. The option may remain exercisable for specified periods after certain terminations of employment, including terminations as a result of death, disability, or retirement, with the precise period during which the option may be exercised to be established by the administrator and reflected in the grant evidencing the award.

Incentive and Non-Qualified Options. As described elsewhere in this summary, an incentive share option is an option that is intended to qualify under certain provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, for more favorable tax treatment than applies to non-qualified share options. Any option that does not qualify as an incentive share option will be a non-qualified share option. Under the Code, certain restrictions apply to incentive stock options. For example, the exercise price for incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the grant date and the term of the option may not exceed ten years. In addition, an incentive stock option may not be transferred, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and is exercisable during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder. In addition, no incentive stock options may be granted to a holder that is first exercisable in a single year if that option, together with all incentive stock options previously granted to the holder that also first become exercisable in that year, relate to shares having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $100,000, measured at the grant date.

Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights, or SARs, which may be granted alone or in tandem with options, have an economic value similar to that of options. When an SAR for a particular number of stock is exercised, the holder receives a payment equal to the difference between the market price of the stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the stock under the SAR. Again, the exercise price for SARs normally is the market price of the shares on the date the SAR is granted. Under the Plan, holders of SARs may receive this payment - the appreciation value - either in cash or shares valued at the fair market value on the date of exercise. The form of payment will be determined by us.

Restricted Awards. Restricted awards are shares awarded to participants at no cost. Restricted awards can take the form of awards of restricted stock, which represent issued and outstanding shares subject to vesting criteria, or restricted share units, which represent the right to receive shares subject to satisfaction of the vesting criteria. Restricted stock awards are forfeitable and non-transferable until the shares vest. The vesting date or dates and other conditions for vesting are established when the shares are awarded. These awards will be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the administrator shall determine at the date of grant. Those may include requirements for continuous service and/or the achievement of specified performance goals.

Performance Criteria. Under the Plan, one or more performance criteria will be used by the administrator in establishing performance goals. Any one or more of the performance criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of our company, as the administrator may deem appropriate, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special index that the administrator deems appropriate.

Other Material Provisions. Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the administrator. In the event of various changes to the capitalization of our company, such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar re-capitalizations, an appropriate adjustment will be made by the administrator to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise price of such awards. The administrator is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes in the award in the event of a change of control of our company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise determined by the administrator at the date of grant, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Prior to any award distribution, we are permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements. Our board also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The board also has the authority to alter or amend the Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval of our stockholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, increase the number of shares available under the Plan, change the persons eligible for awards under the Plan, extend the time within which awards may be made, or amend the provisions of the Plan related to amendments. No amendment that would adversely affect any outstanding award made under the Plan can be made without the consent of the holder of such award.