Twin Vee PowerCats Co
For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Mar 27, 2024.
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FY2023 · Filed Mar 27, 2024
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Item 11. Executive Compensation
Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023, which consisted of our principal executive officer and the next most highly compensated executive officers, were:
| ● | Joseph C. Visconti, President and Chief Executive Officer |
| ● | Preston Yarborough, Vice President |
| ● | Carrie Gunnerson, Chief Financial Officer |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation that was paid to our named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
| Option · All Other | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and Principal Position · Year · Salary · Bonus · Awards ($)(1) · Compensation · Total ($) | |||||||
| Joseph C. Visconti | 2023 | 250,000 | 300,000 | 80,016 | 49,758 | (2) | 679,774 |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | 2022 | 250,000 | 300,000 | 1,990,196 | 44,356 | (2) | 2,584,552 |
| Preston Yarborough | 2023 | 185,841 | 61,208 | 27,212 | 23,036 | (3) | 297,297 |
| Vice President | 2022 | 160,000 | 42,167 | — | 21,030 | (3) | 223,197 |
| Carrie Gunnerson | 2023 | 211,000 | 63,300 | 27,212 | 18,461 | (4) | 319,973 |
| Chief Financial Officer | 2022 | 187,462 | 73,300 | 107,516 | 12,080 | (4) | 380,358 |
| (1) | Options issued pursuant to the Twin Vee 2021 Stock Incentive Plan and the Forza 2022 Stock Incentive Plan. The amounts in the “Option Awards” column reflect the dollar amounts of the grant date fair value for the financial statement reporting purposes for stock options for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 in accordance with ASC 718. The fair value of the options was determined using the Black-Scholes model. For a discussion of the assumptions used in computing this valuation, see Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. |
| (2) | Consists of $30,000 of car expense paid, $18,461 of health insurance expense, and $1,297 of life insurance paid in 2023 and $30,000 of car expenses and $14,356 of health insurance expenses paid in 2022. |
| (3) | Consists of $12,000 of car expenses paid and $11,036 of health insurance expense paid in 2023 and $12,000 of car expenses and $9,030 of health insurance paid in 2022. |
| (4) | Consists of $18,461 of health insurance expense paid in 2023 and $12,080 of health insurance paid in 2022. |
| (5) | Mrs. Gunnerson provided notice of her resignation to be effective May 31, 2024. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End (December 31, 2023)
The following table provides information about the number of outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2023:
| Option Awards | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name · Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (Exercisable) · Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (Unexercisable) · Option Exercise Price · Option Expiration Date · Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested · Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested | |||||||
| Joseph C. Visconti | 219,111 | 52,889 | (1) | 5.80 | 6/8/2031 | — | — |
| President and Chief | 188,889 | 2,111,111 | (2) | 5.00 | 8/10/2032 | — | — |
| Executive Officer | 97,222 | 152,778 | (3) | 2.01 | 10/19/2032 | — | — |
| 33,333 | 66,667 | (4) | 1.33 | 12/14/2032 | — | — | |
| 6,453 | 137,547 | (6) | 0.70 | 10/4/2033 | — | — | |
| Preston Yarborough | 109,555 | 26,445 | (1) | 5.80 | 6/8/2031 | — | — |
| Vice President | 1,389 | 23,611 | (6) | 0.70 | 10/3/2033 | — | — |
| 1,388 | 23,612 | (7) | 1.35 | 10/4/2033 | — | — | |
| Carrie Gunnerson | 58,933 | 77,067 | (5) | 3.87 | 9/30/2031 | — | — |
| Chief Financial Officer | 33,333 | 66,667 | (4) | 1.33 | 12/14/2032 | — | — |
| 1,389 | 23,611 | (6) | 0.70 | 10/4/2033 | — | — | |
| 1,388 | 23,612 | (7) | 1.35 | 10/4/2033 | — | — | |
| (1) | On July 23, 2021, options were granted, under the Twin Vee 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, vesting monthly over 3 years. |
| (2) | On August 11, 2022, options were granted, under the Forza 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, vesting monthly over 3 years. |
| (3) | On October 20, 2022, options were granted, under the Twin Vee 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, vesting monthly over 3 years. |
| (4) | On December 15, 2022, options were granted, under the Forza 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, vesting monthly over 3 years. |
| (5) | On October 1, 2021, options were granted, under the Twin Vee 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, vesting monthly over 5 years. |
| (6) | On October 4, 2023, options were granted, under the Forza 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, vesting monthly over 3 years. |
| (7) | On October 4, 2023, options were granted, under the Twin Vee 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, vesting monthly over 3 years. |
Employment Arrangements with Our Named Executive Officers
Joseph Visconti
Twin Vee entered into a five-year employment agreement with Mr. Visconti (the “Visconti Employment Agreement”) effective upon the closing of the initial public offering in July 2021. Under the Visconti Employment Agreement, Mr. Visconti serves as Twin Vee’s President and Chief Executive Officer. He receives an annual base salary of $250,000 and is eligible to receive an annual performance cash bonus with a target amount equal to 125% of his annual base salary, based upon achievement of performance goals established by the compensation committee of Twin Vee’s board of directors. Upon the completion of Twin Vee’s initial public offering in July 2021, Mr. Visconti received a stock option to purchase 272,000 shares of Twin Vee’s common stock under the 2021 Plan, vesting pro rata on a monthly basis over a three-year period subject to continued employment through each vesting date. On October 20, 2022, Mr. Visconti received a stock option to purchase 250,000 shares of Twin Vee’s common stock under the 2021 Plan, vesting pro rata on a monthly basis over a three-year period subject to continued employment through each vesting date.
The Visconti Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Visconti will be eligible to participate in all benefit and fringe benefit plans generally made available to Twin Vee’s other executive officers. In addition, he is entitled to (i) four weeks of paid vacation per year, (ii) a $2,500 a month car allowance and (iii) the cost of medical insurance for coverage for Mr. Visconti and his family.
The Visconti Employment Agreement provides that it shall continue until terminated (i) by mutual agreement; (ii) due to death or disability of Mr. Visconti; (iii) by Mr. Visconti without good reason upon 90 days written notice to us; (iv) by us for cause (as defined in the Visconti Employment Agreement); (v) by Twin Vee without cause; or (vi) by Mr. Visconti for good reason (as defined in the Visconti Employment Agreement).
Pursuant to the Visconti Employment Agreement, Mr. Visconti is subject to a one-year post-termination non-compete and non-solicit of employees and clients. He is also bound by confidentiality provisions.
In the event of a termination by Twin Vee without cause or a termination by Mr. Visconti for good reason other than in connection with a change in control, Mr. Visconti will receive: an aggregate of twelve months of salary continuation at his then-current base annual salary, paid out in equal installments over a 6 month period; payment of any amount of annual bonus accrued for the year prior to the date of termination; payment of the bonus Mr. Visconti would have received based on the attainment of performance goals had he remained employed through the end of the year of termination, pro-rated based on the number of days in the termination year that Mr. Visconti was employed by Twin Vee (paid when its other senior executives receive payment of their annual bonuses); reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to twelve months; and full vesting for any outstanding, unvested equity awards granted under the Twin Vee 2021 Plan. Mr. Visconti’s outstanding vested stock options in Twin Vee will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
In the event of a termination by Twin Vee without cause or a resignation by Mr. Visconti for good reason within twelve months following a change in control, Mr. Visconti will receive an aggregate of 18 months of salary continuation at his then-current base annual salary, paid out in equal installments over a twelve month period; payment of any amount of annual bonus accrued for the year prior to the year of termination; payment of a pro-rated target annual bonus for the year of termination based on the number of days in the termination year that Mr. Visconti was employed by Twin Vee; payment of one time his then-current target annual bonus; reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to 18 months; and full vesting for any outstanding, unvested equity awards granted under the Twin Vee 2021 Plan. Mr. Visconti’s outstanding vested stock options will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
The receipt of any termination benefits described above is subject to Mr. Visconti’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, a form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Visconti Employment Agreement.
In the event of Mr. Visconti’s termination due to death or disability, Mr. Visconti will receive full vesting for any outstanding, unvested equity awards granted under Twin Vee’s 2021 Plan. Mr. Visconti’s outstanding vested stock options will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
Preston Yarborough
Twin Vee entered into a five-year employment agreement with Mr. Yarborough (the “Yarborough Employment Agreement”) effective upon the closing of Twin Vee’s initial public offering in July 2021. Under the Yarborough Employment Agreement, Mr. Yarborough serves as Twin Vee’s Vice President and Director of Product Development. He receives an annual base salary of $160,000 and is eligible to receive an annual performance cash bonus with a target amount equal to 50% of his annual base salary, based upon achievement of performance goals established by the compensation committee of Twin Vee’s board of directors. Upon the completion of Twin Vee’s initial public offering in July 2021, Mr. Yarborough received a stock option to purchase 136,000 shares of Twin Vee’s common stock under the 2021 Plan, vesting monthly over a three-year period subject to continued employment through each vesting date.
The Yarborough Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Yarborough would be eligible to participate in all benefit and fringe benefit plans generally made available to Twin Vee’s other executive officers. In addition, he is entitled to (i) four weeks of paid vacation per year, (ii) a $1,000 a month car allowance and (iii) the cost of medical insurance for coverage for Mr. Yarborough and his family.
The Yarborough Employment Agreement provides that it shall continue until terminated (i) by mutual agreement; (ii) due to death or disability of Mr. Yarborough; (iii) by Mr. Yarborough without good reason upon 90 days written notice to Twin Vee; (iv) by Twin Vee for cause (as defined in the Yarborough Employment Agreement); (v) by Twin Vee without cause; or (vi) by Mr. Yarborough for good reason (as defined in the Yarborough Employment Agreement).
Pursuant to the Yarborough Employment Agreement, Mr. Yarborough is subject to a one-year post-termination non-compete and non-solicit of employees and clients. He is also bound by confidentiality provisions.
In the event of a termination by Twin Vee without cause or a termination by Mr. Yarborough for good reason other than in connection with a change in control, Mr. Yarborough will receive: an aggregate of nine months of salary continuation at his then-current base annual salary, paid out in equal installments over a six month period; payment of any amount of annual bonus accrued for the year prior to the date of termination; payment of the bonus Mr. Yarborough would have received based on the attainment of performance goals had he remained employed through the end of the year of termination, pro-rated based on the number of days in the termination year that Mr. Yarborough was employed by Twin Vee (paid when Twin Vee’s other senior executives receive payment of their annual bonuses); reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to nine months; and full vesting for any outstanding, unvested equity awards granted under the Twin Vee 2021 Plan. Mr. Yarborough’s outstanding vested stock options will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
In the event of a termination by Twin Vee without cause or a resignation by Mr. Yarborough for good reason within twelve months following a change in control, Mr. Yarborough will receive an aggregate of twelve months of salary continuation at his then-current base annual salary, paid out in equal installments over a twelve month period; payment of any amount of annual bonus accrued for the year prior to the year of termination; payment of a pro-rated target annual bonus for the year of termination based on the number of days in the termination year that Mr. Yarborough was employed by Twin Vee;
payment of one time his then-current target annual bonus; reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to twelve months; and full vesting for any outstanding, unvested equity awards granted under the Twin Vee 2021 Plan. Mr. Yarborough’s outstanding vested stock options will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
The receipt of any termination benefits described above is subject to Mr. Yarborough’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, a form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Yarborough Employment Agreement.
In the event of Mr. Yarborough’s termination due to death or disability, Mr. Yarborough will receive full vesting for any outstanding, unvested equity awards granted under Twin Vee’s 2021 Plan. Mr. Yarborough’s outstanding vested stock options will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
On October 4, 2023, the Board of Directors approved the temporary payment of $7,000 a month in additional compensation to Preston Yarborough for services to be rendered by him as Interim Plant Manager of the AquaSport manufacturing plant in White Bluff Tennessee, for so long as he continues to act in that capacity.
Carrie Gunnerson
Twin Vee entered into a five-year employment agreement with Ms. Gunnerson (the “Gunnerson Employment Agreement”) effective in October 2021. Under the Gunnerson Employment Agreement, Ms. Gunnerson serves as Twin Vee’s Chief Financial Officer. She receives an annual base salary of $211,000 and is eligible to receive an annual performance cash bonus with a target amount equal to 30% of her annual base salary, based upon achievement of performance goals established by the compensation committee of Twin Vee’s board of directors. Ms. Gunnerson also received a stock option to purchase 136,000 shares of Twin Vee’s common stock under its 2021 Plan, vesting monthly over a five-year period subject to continued employment through each vesting date.
The Gunnerson Employment Agreement provides that Ms. Gunnerson is eligible to participate in all benefit and fringe benefit plans generally made available to Twin Vee’s other executive officers. In addition, she is entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per year.
The Gunnerson Employment Agreement provides that it shall continue until terminated (i) by mutual agreement; (ii) due to death or disability of Ms. Gunnerson; (iii) by Ms. Gunnerson without good reason upon 90 days written notice to Twin Vee; (iv) by Twin Vee for cause (as defined in the Gunnerson Employment Agreement); (v) by Twin Vee without cause; or (vi) by Ms. Gunnerson for good reason (as defined in the Gunnerson Employment Agreement).
Pursuant to the Gunnerson Employment Agreement, Ms. Gunnerson is subject to a one-year post-termination non-compete and non-solicit of employees and clients. She is also bound by confidentiality provisions.
In the event of a termination by Twin Vee without cause or a termination by Ms. Gunnerson for good reason during the first six (6) months following the effective date of the Gunnerson Employment Agreement, Ms. Gunnerson will receive an aggregate of three months of salary continuation at her then-current base annual salary, paid out in equal installments over a three-month period. In the event of a termination by Twin Vee without cause or a termination by Ms. Gunnerson for good reason after the first six (6) months following the effective date of the Gunnerson Employment Agreement, Ms. Gunnerson will receive an aggregate of six months of salary continuation at her then-current base annual salary, paid out in equal installments over a six-month period. Ms. Gunnerson’s outstanding vested stock options will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
The receipt of any termination benefits described above is subject to Ms. Gunnerson’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, a form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Gunnerson Employment Agreement.
In the event of Ms. Gunnerson’s termination due to death or disability, Ms. Gunnerson will receive full vesting or any outstanding, unvested equity awards granted under the 2021 Plan. Ms. Gunnerson’s outstanding vested stock options will generally remain exercisable no longer than six months following such a termination.
On March 4, 2024, Mrs. Gunnerson provided notice of resignation to be effective May 31, 2024.
Employee Benefit and Stock Plans
Simple IRA Plan
We maintain a Simple IRA retirement savings plan for the benefit of our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Under the Simple IRA, eligible employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation, within the limits prescribed by the Code, on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the Simple IRA plan. The Simple IRA plan authorizes employer safe harbor matching contributions equal to 3% of covered compensation for eligible employees. The Simple IRA plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code. As a tax-qualified retirement program, contributions to the Simple IRA plan and earnings on those contributions are not taxable to the employees until distributed from the Simple IRA plan.
2021 Stock Incentive Plan
On April 8, 2021, our board of directors and our stockholders approved the Twin Vee PowerCats Co. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, which plan was amended and restated on June 1, 2021 (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan became effective immediately prior to the closing of our initial public offering in July 2021. The principal provisions of the 2021 Plan are summarized below.
Administration
The 2021 Plan vests broad powers in a committee to administer and interpret the 2021 Plan. Our board of directors has initially designated the compensation committee to administer the 2021 Plan. Except when limited by the terms of the 2021 Plan, the compensation committee has the authority to, among other things: select the persons to be granted awards; determine the type, size and term of awards; establish performance objectives and conditions for earning awards; determine whether such performance objectives and conditions have been met; and accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an award. In its discretion, the compensation committee may delegate all or part of its authority and duties with respect to granting awards to one or more of our officers, subject to certain limitations and provided applicable law so permits.
Our board of directors may amend, alter or discontinue the 2021 Plan and the compensation committee may amend any outstanding award at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment or termination may adversely affect awards then outstanding without the holder’s permission. In addition, any amendments seeking to increase the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan or modifying the classes of participants eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Plan will require ratification by our stockholders in accordance with applicable law. Additionally, as described more fully below, neither the compensation committee nor the board of directors is permitted to reprice outstanding options or stock appreciation rights without shareholder consent.
Eligibility
Any of our employees, directors, consultants, and other service providers, or those of our affiliates, are eligible to participate in the 2021 Plan and may be selected by the compensation committee to receive an award.
Vesting
The compensation committee determines the vesting conditions for awards. These conditions may include the continued employment or service of the participant, the attainment of specific individual or corporate performance goals, or other factors as determined in the compensation committee’s discretion (collectively, “Vesting Conditions”).
Shares of Stock Available for Issuance
Subject to certain adjustments, the maximum number of shares of common stock that initially could be issued under the 2021 Plan in connection with awards was 1,630,000 shares. We have issued options to purchase an aggregate of 1,271,016 shares of our common stock. In addition, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2021 Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2022 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2031, in a number of shares of common stock equal to 4.5% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year; provided, however that the board of directors may act prior to January 1 of a given calendar year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of common stock. All available shares may be utilized toward the grant of any type of award under the 2021 Plan. The 2021 Plan imposes a $250,000 limitation on the total grant date fair value of awards granted to any non-employee director in his or her capacity as a non-employee director in any single calendar year. The total number of shares available for issuance increased on January 1, 2023 to 1,743,400 shares of our common stock.
Director Compensation
2023 Director Compensation
Cash Compensation
Our directors cash compensation for the year ended December 31, 2023 remained the same as the prior year. All non-employee directors are entitled to receive the following cash compensation for their services:
| ● | $5,000 per year for service as a board member; |
| ● | $12,000 per year additionally for service as chair of the audit committee; |
| ● | $5,000 per year additionally for service as member of the audit committee (excluding committee chair); |
| ● | $10,000 per year additionally for service as chair of the compensation committee; |
| ● | $4,000 per year additionally for service as member of the compensation committee (excluding committee chair); |
| ● | $5,000 per year additionally for service as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee; |
| ● | $3,000 per year additionally for service as member of the nominating and corporate governance committee (excluding committee chair); |
All cash payments to non-employee directors who served in the relevant capacity at any point during the immediately preceding prior fiscal quarter will be paid quarterly in arrears. A non-employee director who served in the relevant capacity during only a portion of the prior fiscal quarter will receive a pro-rated payment of the quarterly payment of the applicable cash retainer.
Equity Compensation
Each non-employee director who served as a director during 2021 received an initial grant of non-qualified stock options under our 2021 Plan to purchase 5,500 shares of our common stock, which options vestpro rata on a monthly basis over a period of twelve months from the grant date, subject to the grantee’s continued service through that date. Each non-employee director who served as a director during 2022 received a grant of non-qualified stock options under our 2021 Plan to purchase 5,500 shares of our common stock, which options vestpro rata on a monthly basis over a period of twelve months from the grant date, subject to the grantee’s continued service through that date.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned for service on our board of directors by our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2023. The compensation for each of Messrs. Visconti and Yarborough as an executive officer is set forth above under “—Summary Compensation Table.” Messrs. Visconti and Yarborough receive no compensation for service as a director.
| (a) Name | (b) Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | (c) Stock Awards ($) | (d) Option Awards(1) ($) | (e) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | (f) Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | (g) All Other Compensation ($) | (h) Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bard Rockenbach | 17,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 17,000 |
| James Melvin | 17,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 17,000 |
| Neil Ross | 19,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 19,000 |
| Kevin Schuyler | 30,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 16,732 |
| (1) | During the year ended December 31, 2023, no equity compensation was awarded to any directors. |
| (2) | As of December 31, 2023, the following are the outstanding aggregate number of option awards held by each of our directors who were not also Named Executive Officers: |
| Name | Option Awards (#) |
|---|---|
| Bard Rockenbach | 10,083 |
| James Melvin | 11,000 |
| Neil Ross | 11,000 |
| Kevin Schuyler | 5,500 |
During 2023, each non-employee member of the Board of Directors received an annual cash fee of $5,000, all non-employee directors received an annual cash fee of $5,000, $4,000 and $3,000 for service on the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, respectively, and the Chairman of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee received a cash fee of $12,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. In addition, in 2021 and 2022 each non-employee member of the Board of Directors has been issued an annual option grant exercisable for 5,500 shares of our common stock, for a term of one year, vesting monthly over one year of the date of grant. During the year ended December 31, 2023, no equity compensation was awarded to any directors.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.