Newsmax Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 31, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 31, 2025
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Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following section describes our compensation program for 2024 and the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other two most highly compensated executive officers (each, a “Named Executive Officer” or “NEO”) during 2024. For 2024, the following individuals were our Named Executive Officers:
| ● | Christopher Ruddy, Chief Executive Officer |
| ● | Darryle Burnham, Chief Financial Officer |
| ● | Andrew Brown, Chief Operating Officer |
Detailed information on the compensation for our NEOs is presented in the following tables and accompanying narrative.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2024.
| Name and Principal Position · Year · Salary ($) · Bonus ($) · Stock awards ($) · Option Awards ($) (3) · Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) · Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings · All Other Compensation ($) (2) · Total ($) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) · (b) · (c) · (d) · (e) · (f) · (g) · (h) · (i) · (j) | ||||||||||||||
| Christopher Ruddy Chief Executive Officer (1) | 2024 | $ | $373,077 | $ | $275,000 | $ | $0 | $ | $0 | $ | $0 | $0 | $265,462 | $913,539 |
| Darryle Burnham Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | $ | $357,000 | $ | $0 | $ | $0 | $ | $100,000 | $ | $0 | $0 | $32,453 | $489,453 |
| Andrew Brown Chief Operating Officer | 2024 | $ | $175,396 | $ | $0 | $ | $0 | $ | $25,000 | $ | $0 | $0 | $8,707 | $209,103 |
| (1) | All amounts listed in this table for Mr. Ruddy include a portion of compensation and expense reimbursement paid to Crown Reserve LLC, an entity wholly owned by Mr. Ruddy. |
| (2) | Amounts reported represent the aggregate grant date fair value of equity awards granted to the named executive officers, computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s, or FASB’s, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718. Additional information regarding the assumptions made in calculating the grant date for the value of the equity awards reported in this column will be provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements to be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. |
| (3) | For 2024, all other compensation for each NEO includes the following: |
| Name | Car and Auto Insurance Payment ($) | Tax Gross Up ($) | Apartment Reimbursement | Personal Liability Insurance Premium $ | Life Insurance Payments | 401(k) Match | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Ruddy (1) | $27,298 | $48,790 | $124,771 | $799 | $46,746 | $17,058 | $265,462 |
| Darryle Burnham (2) | $13,018 | $2,449 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $16,986 | $32,453 |
| Andrew Brown (3) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $8,707 | $8,707 |
| (1) | We pay directly Mr. Ruddy’s car lease payments and auto insurance, provide matching contributions under the terms of our 401(k) plan and pay a portion of various life insurance and other personal liability insurance premiums. In addition, prior to August 1, 2024 we reimbursed Mr. Ruddy for the costs of his apartment in New York City, which was used by Mr. Ruddy when he worked out of our New York City office. Starting on August 1, 2024, we leased our own apartment in New York City as a corporate apartment, the use of which we provide to Mr. Ruddy when he is working out of our New York City office. |
| (2) | We reimburse Mr. Burnham’s car lease payments (and provide a tax gross up to cover certain taxes due by Mr. Burnham as a result of such reimbursement) and provide matching contributions under the terms of our 401(k) plan. |
| (3) | We provide Mr. Brown matching contributions under the terms of our 401(k) plan. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information regarding awards held by each of our Named Executive Officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and reflects the Forward Stock Split. There were no other equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2024.
| Option Awards · Stock Awards | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable (1) | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised earned options (#) | Option exercise price ($) | 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 ($) | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards; Market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($) |
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | (j) |
| Darryle Burnham | 22,190 | 0 | 0 | 30,539.29 | 6/8/2031 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18,605 | 0 | 0 | 36,308.56 | 6/29/2033 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Andrew Brown | 5,548 | 0 | 0 | 30,539.29 | 6/8/2031 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4,668 | 0 | 0 | 36,308.56 | 6/29/2033 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| (1) | All option awards were fully vested on December 31, 2024. |
Employment Agreements
We have entered into the following employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers:
Christopher Ruddy
In June 2024, we entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Mr. Ruddy, pursuant to which Mr. Ruddy serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Ruddy’s employment agreement provides for a base salary of $400,000 and provides that he will be eligible for annual merit-based increases of such salary or cost-of-living increases at the discretion of our board of directors (the “Board”). The Board shall also determine any bonus opportunities or other compensation to be provided to Mr. Ruddy.
Mr. Ruddy is eligible to participate in our benefit plans, including but not limited to, group hospitalization, health, life, disability, travel or accident insurance, equity incentive plan, retirement income or pension plan, 401(k) plan or other present or future group employee benefit plan or program for which executives are or will become eligible. Mr. Ruddy is entitled to accumulate twenty-seven (27) days of PTO per year (provided, that if at the end of each calendar year, Mr. Ruddy has more than ten (10) PTO days accrued and unused, then the Company shall pay him the value of such excess PTO days in cash during the first payroll run of the new calendar year), and is also entitled to receive (i) reimbursement for insurance expenses associated with personal liability, personal liability umbrella and life insurances in which an affiliate of Mr. Ruddy (or his trust) is the beneficiary; (ii) reimbursement for car expenses (including, but not limited to lease and insurance payment); and (iii) a housing allowance for all expenses in connection with an apartment located in New York, NY to be used at his sole discretion, including for travel to our offices in New York, NY (and a tax gross-up to cover any taxes resulting from such expenses and such tax gross-up).
Pursuant to Mr. Ruddy’s employment agreement, in the event that his employment is terminated by the Company without cause, or if he resigns for “good reason,” he will be entitled to (i) severance compensation in an amount equal to 24 months of his then-current base salary; (ii) any bonuses earned, but not yet paid for any completed full fiscal year or calendar quarter immediately preceding the termination date; (iii) continuation of health benefits for a period of 24 months and (iv) payout of his accrued vacation.
In the event that Mr. Ruddy’s employment is terminated by reason of his death or disability, the Company shall pay him (or his estate, as applicable) a payout for his accrued vacation.
Darryle Burnham
In June 2024, we entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Mr. Burnham, pursuant to which Mr. Burnham serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Burnham’s employment agreement provides for a base salary of $357,000 and provides that he will be eligible for annual merit-based increases of such salary or cost-of-living increases at the discretion of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall also determine any bonus opportunities or other compensation to be provided to Mr. Burnham.
Mr. Burnham is eligible to participate in our benefit plans, including but not limited to, group hospitalization, health, life, disability, travel or accident insurance, equity incentive plan, retirement income or pension plan, 401(k) plan or other present or future group employee benefit plan or program for which executives are or will become eligible. Mr. Burnham is entitled to accumulate twenty-seven (27) days of PTO per year (provided, that if at the end of each calendar year, Mr. Burnham has more than ten (10) PTO days accrued and unused, then the Company shall pay him the value of such excess PTO days in cash during the first payroll run of the new calendar year), and is also entitled to receive reimbursement for lease payments for a vehicle approved by the Company.
Pursuant to Mr. Burnham’s employment agreement, in the event that his employment is terminated by the Company without cause, or if he resigns for “good reason,” he will be entitled to (i) severance compensation in an amount equal to 24 months of his then-current base salary; (ii) any bonuses earned, but not yet paid for any completed full fiscal year or calendar quarter immediately preceding the termination date; (iii) continuation of health benefits for a period of 24 months and (iv) payout of his accrued vacation.
In the event that Mr. Burnham’s employment is terminated by reason of his death or disability, the Company shall pay him (or his estate, as applicable) a payout for his accrued vacation.
Andrew Brown
Mr. Brown is not employed by us pursuant to any employment agreement. In the event that Mr. Brown’s employment is terminated by reason for any reason, we are not obligated to pay any amounts to him as severance compensation or benefits.
Annual Incentives
Our compensation program for Named Executive Officers and other executive officers includes eligibility for annual cash bonuses. The annual bonuses are discretionary and are paid, if at all, based on our performance and the applicable executive’s performance. Generally, the Board determines bonuses for Mr. Ruddy and Mr. Ruddy, as the CEO, determines the amount of bonuses for our other NEOs. With respect to 2024, our Board in view of our performance last year, awarded Mr. Ruddy a discretionary bonus in the amount set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above, and Mr. Ruddy determined that that no discretionary bonuses shall be paid to our other NEOs with respect to 2024.
Long-Term Incentives
Equity-based awards are a variable element of compensation that allows us to reward our NEOs for their sustained contributions to the Company. Equity awards reward performance and continued employment by a NEO, with associated benefits to the Company of attracting and retaining employees. We believe that equity-based compensation, including but not limited to stock options and restricted stock, will provide NEOs with a strong link to long-term corporate performance and the creation of shareholder value.
On May 22, 2024, the Board approved the Company’s assumption of the Newsmax Media, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and certain stock option awards granted thereunder. Under the Plan, 240 shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock are available for grant.
The Company may grant incentive stock options (or “ISOs”), non-statutory stock options or restricted stock to participants under the Plan. The Plan will terminate upon the expiration of a 10 year term, and awards issued thereunder shall expire as provided in the award agreement with respect thereto.
Other Benefits
We offer standard health, dental, life and disability insurance benefits, as well as a 401(k) plan with a company match, to our NEOs, on the same terms and conditions as provided to all eligible employees. We do not offer a deferred compensation plan or pension plan.
Director Compensation
The following Director Compensation Table sets forth the compensation of our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
| Name | Fees earned or paid in cash ($)(1) | Stock awards ($) | Option awards ($) (2) | Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) | Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($) | All other compensation ($) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) |
| Shaun Doherty(3) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Christopher Cox | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Nancy Brinker | $0 | $0 | $25,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25,000 |
| (1) | We did not pay any cash fees to our non-employee directors in 2024. |
| (2) | On January 1, 2024, we granted a stock option award with respect to 0.69 shares (4,668 shares reflecting the Forward Stock Split) of the Company’s Class B Common Stock to Ms. Brinker, which vests in full on January 1, 2025. The amount shown above reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of such award computed in accordance with FASB’s ASC Topic 718. Other than this stock option award to Ms. Brinker, our non-employee directors hold no other equity incentive awards. Additional information regarding the assumptions made in calculating the grant date for the value of the equity awards reported in this column will be provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements to be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. |
| (3) | Mr. Doherty resigned from the Board effective January 30, 2024. |
Narrative to Director Compensation Table
Following our initial public offering, on March 28, 2025, we adopted a Director Compensation Policy, which is summarized as follows:
Each non-employee director shall be entitled to receive an annual cash retainer in the amount of $75,000, which shall be payable in equal quarterly installments. Each non-employee director who serves as a Chairperson of the Board shall receive an additional cash retainer in the amount of $10,000, which shall be payable in equal quarterly installments. The payment of such amounts with respect to the first quarter of 2025 shall be prorated from the date of adoption of our Director Compensation Policy and paid concurrently with the applicable payment amounts for the second quarter of 2025.
For each Board committee upon which a non-employee director serves, such non-employee director shall receive an annual cash retainer in the amount of $7,500, which shall be payable in equal quarterly installments. For each Board committee upon which a non-employee director serves as a member and a Chairperson, such non-employee director shall receive an additional cash retainer in the amount of $2,500, which shall be payable in equal quarterly installments.
The payment of such amounts with respect to the first quarter of 2025 shall be prorated from the date of adoption of our Director Compensation Policy and paid concurrently with the applicable payment amounts for the second quarter of 2025.
In addition, each non-employee director shall be entitled to receive an annual equity award, which shall be granted (A) with respect to calendar year 2025, on the date of adoption of the Director Compensation Policy, and (B) with respect to any other calendar year, on the date of the Company’s annual shareholder meeting for such year. Subject to the non-employee director’s continued service, such equity awards shall vest upon the one-year anniversary of the date of grant. The number of shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such awards shall be determined by dividing $175,000 by the Fair Market Value (as such term is defined in the Company’s 2025 Plan (as defined below) or its successor plan) of the Company’s Class B Common Stock on the date of grant of such award.
Subject to the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, each non-employee director shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other business expenses in connection with attending meetings of the Board or its committees, as applicable; provided, that any expenses in excess of $2,500 is subject to prior approval by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to the adoption of our Director Compensation Policy, our non-employee directors were paid such amounts for their services as was determined by the Board from time to time. In addition. each director or member of a committee of the Board was eligible to be reimbursed for expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board or committee thereof, as applicable.
2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
On March 28, 2025, the Board adopted our 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2025 Plan”) and it was approved by our shareholders on March 24, 2025 (the “Effective Date”).
Under the 2025 Plan, 6,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock are initially available for grant.
Our administrator may grant incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to participants to acquire shares of common stock under the 2025 Plan. It is anticipated that the Plan will be administered by the Board.
Rationale for the 2025 Plan
Grants of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares of common stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to our employees, directors and independent contractors are an important part of our long-term incentive compensation program, which we use in order to strengthen the commitment of such individuals to us, motivate them to faithfully and diligently perform their responsibilities and attract and retain competent and dedicated individuals whose efforts are expected to result in our long-term growth and profitability.
The number of shares available for grant under the 2025 Plan is designed to enable the Company to properly incentivize its employees and management teams over a number of years on a going-forward basis.
Shares Available; Certain Limitations
The maximum number of shares of common stock reserved and available for issuance under the 2025 Plan is 6,500,000 shares of common stock, provided that such number of shares shall increase annually on January 1 of each year beginning with January 1, 2026 and ending with the last January 1 during the initial ten-year term of the Plan, by a number of shares of common stock equal to the lesser of (A) five percent (5%) of the shares of common stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis, which shall include shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding securities or rights convertible into or exercisable for shares of common stock, including without limitation, preferred stock, warrants and employee options to purchase any shares of common stock) on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (B) such lesser number of shares of common stock as determined by the Board; provided further that shares of common stock issued under the 2025 Plan with respect to an Exempt Award will not count against the share limit. Under the 2025 Plan, an “Exempt Award” is (i) an award granted in the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by another business entity acquired by us or any of our subsidiaries or with which we or any of our subsidiaries merges, (ii) an “employment inducement” award as described in the applicable stock exchange listing manual or rules; or (iii) an award that a participant purchases at fair market value.
No more than 6,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs, provided that such number of shares shall increase annually on January 1 of each year beginning with January 1, 2026 and ending with the last January 1 during the initial ten-year term of the Plan by a number of shares of common stock equal to the lesser of (A) five percent (5%) of the shares of common stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis, which shall include shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding securities or rights convertible into or exercisable for shares of common stock, including without limitation, preferred stock, warrants and employee options to purchase any shares of common stock) on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, (B) 6,500,000 shares of common stock, and (C) such lesser number of shares of common stock as determined by the Board.
New shares reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of common stock or shares of common stock that will have been or may be reacquired by us in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. If any shares of common stock subject to an award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an award terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the participant, the shares of common stock with respect to such award will, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for awards under the Plan except that (i) any shares of common stock reacquired by us on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of options, and (ii) any shares of common stock surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an award and/or withholding taxes in respect of an award will not again be available for awards under the Plan. If an award is denominated in shares of common stock, but settled in cash, the number of shares of common stock previously subject to the award will again be available for grants under the 2025 Plan. If an award can only be settled in cash, it will not be counted against the total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2025 Plan. However, upon the exercise of any award granted in tandem with any other awards, such related awards will be cancelled as to the number of shares as to which the award is exercised and such number of shares of common stock will no longer be available for grant under the 2025 Plan.
As exhibited by our responsible use of equity over the past several years and good corporate governance practices associated with equity and executive compensation practices in general, the stock reserved under the 2025 Plan will provide us with the platform needed for our continued growth, while managing program costs and share utilization levels within acceptable industry standards.
Description of 2025 Plan
The following is a summary of the material features of the 2025 Plan. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2025 Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 10.12.
Types of Awards. The 2025 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and other stock-based awards. Items described above in the Section called “Shares Available” are incorporated herein by reference.
Administration. The 2025 Plan will be administered by the Board, or if the Board does not administer the 2025 Plan, a committee or subcommittee of the Board that complies with the applicable requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and any other applicable legal or stock exchange listing requirements (each of our board of directors or such committee or subcommittee, the “plan administrator”). The plan administrator may interpret the 2025 Plan and may prescribe, amend and rescind rules and make all other determinations necessary or desirable for the administration of the 2025 Plan.
The 2025 Plan permits the plan administrator to select the eligible recipients who will receive awards, to determine the terms and conditions of those awards, including but not limited to the exercise price or other purchase price of an award, the number of shares of common stock or cash or other property subject to an award, the term of an award and the vesting schedule applicable to an award, and to amend the terms and conditions of outstanding awards.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock and RSUs may be granted under the 2025 Plan. The plan administrator will determine the purchase price, vesting schedule and performance goals, if any, and any other conditions that apply to a grant of restricted stock and RSUs. If the restrictions, performance goals or other conditions determined by the plan administrator are not satisfied, the restricted stock and RSUs will be forfeited. Subject to the provisions of the 2025 Plan and the applicable award agreement, the plan administrator has the sole discretion to provide for the lapse of restrictions in installments.
Unless the applicable award agreement provides otherwise, participants with restricted stock will generally have all of the rights of a shareholder; provided that dividends will only be paid if and when the underlying restricted stock vests. RSUs will not be entitled to dividends prior to vesting, but may be entitled to receive dividend equivalents if the award agreement provides for them. The rights of participants granted restricted stock or RSUs upon the termination of employment or service to us will be set forth in the award agreement.
Options. Incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options may be granted under the 2025 Plan. An “incentive stock option” means an option intended to qualify for tax treatment applicable to incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. A “non-statutory stock option” is an option that is not subject to statutory requirements and limitations required for certain tax advantages that are allowed under specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. A non-statutory stock option under the 2025 Plan is referred to for federal income tax purposes as a “non-qualified” stock option. Each option granted under the Plan will be designated as a non-qualified stock option or an incentive stock option. At the discretion of the administrator, incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees, employees of our “parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or employees of our subsidiaries.
The exercise period of an option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant and the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted (110% of fair market value in the case of incentive stock options granted to ten percent shareholders). The exercise price for shares of common stock subject to an option may be paid in cash, or as determined by the administrator in its sole discretion, (i) through any cashless exercise procedure approved by the administrator (including the withholding of shares of common stock otherwise issuable upon exercise), (ii) by tendering unrestricted shares of common stock owned by the participant, (iii) with any other form of consideration approved by the administrator and permitted by applicable law or (iv) by any combination of these methods. The option holder will have no rights to dividends or distributions or other rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares of common stock subject to an option until the option holder has given written notice of exercise and paid the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes.
In the event of a participant's termination of employment or service, the participant may exercise his or her option (to the extent vested as of such date of termination) for such period of time as specified in his or her option agreement.
Stock Appreciation Rights. SARs may be granted either alone (a “Free-Standing Right”) or in conjunction with all or part of any option granted under the 2025 Plan (a “Related Right”). A Free-Standing Right will entitle its holder to receive, at the time of exercise, an amount per share up to the excess of the fair market value (at the date of exercise) of a share of common stock over the base price of the Free-Standing Right (which shall be no less than 100% of the fair market value of the related shares of common stock on the date of grant) multiplied by the number of shares in respect of which the SAR is being exercised. A Related Right will entitle its holder to receive, at the time of exercise of the SAR and surrender of the applicable portion of the related option, an amount per share up to the excess of the fair market value (at the date of exercise) of a share of common stock over the exercise price of the related option multiplied by the number of shares in respect of which the SAR is being exercised. The exercise period of a Free-Standing Right may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The exercise period of a Related Right will also expire upon the expiration of its related option.
The holder of a SAR will have no rights to dividends or any other rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares of common stock subject to the SAR until the holder has given written notice of exercise and paid the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes.
In the event of an participant's termination of employment or service, the holder of a SAR may exercise his or her SAR (to the extent vested as of such date of termination) for such period of time as specified in his or her SAR agreement.
Other Stock-Based Awards. The administrator may grant other stock-based awards under the 2025 Plan, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, shares of common stock. The administrator will determine the terms and conditions of these awards, including the number of shares of common stock to be granted pursuant to each award, the manner in which the award will be settled, and the conditions to the vesting and payment of the award (including the achievement of performance goals). The rights of participants granted other stock-based awards upon the termination of employment or service to us will be set forth in the applicable award agreement. In the event that a bonus is granted in the form of shares of common stock, the shares of common stock constituting such bonus shall, as determined by the administrator, be evidenced in uncertificated form or by a book entry record or a certificate issued in the name of the participant to whom such grant was made and delivered to such participant as soon as practicable after the date on which such bonus is payable. Any dividend or dividend equivalent award issued hereunder shall be subject to the same restrictions, conditions and risks of forfeiture as apply to the underlying award.
Equitable Adjustment and Treatment of Outstanding Awards Upon a Change in Control
Equitable Adjustments. In the event of a merger, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase, reorganization, special or extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution (whether in the form of common stock, cash or other property), combination, exchange of shares, or other change in corporate structure affecting our common stock, an equitable substitution or proportionate adjustment shall be made in (i) the aggregate number and kind of securities reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan; (ii) the kind and number of securities subject to, and the exercise price of, any outstanding options and SARs granted under the 2025 Plan; (iii) the kind, number and purchase price of shares of common stock, or the amount of cash or amount or type of property, subject to outstanding restricted stock, RSUs and other stock-based awards granted under the 2025 Plan; and (iv) the terms and conditions of any outstanding awards (including any applicable performance targets). Equitable substitutions or adjustments other than those listed above may also be made as determined by the plan administrator. In addition, the plan administrator may, subject in all events to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, terminate all outstanding awards for the payment of cash or in-kind consideration having an aggregate fair market value equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock, cash or other property covered by such awards over the aggregate exercise price, if any, of such awards, but if the exercise price of any outstanding award is equal to or greater than the fair market value of the shares of common stock, cash or other property covered by such award, the plan administrator may cancel the award without the payment of any consideration to the participant. With respect to awards subject to foreign laws, adjustments will be made in compliance with applicable requirements. Except to the extent determined by the plan administrator, adjustments to ISOs will be made only to the extent not constituting a “modification” within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code.
Change in Control. The 2025 Plan provides that, unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator and evidenced in an award agreement, if a “change in control” (as defined below) occurs and a participant is employed by us or any of our affiliates immediately prior to the consummation of the change in control, then the plan administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may (i) provide that any unvested or unexercisable portion of an award carrying a right to exercise will become fully vested and exercisable; and (ii) cause the restrictions, deferral limitations, payment conditions and forfeiture conditions applicable to any award granted under the 2025 Plan to lapse, and the awards will be deemed fully vested and any performance conditions imposed with respect to such awards will be deemed to be fully achieved at target performance levels. If the administrator determines in its discretion to accelerate the vesting of options and SARs in connection with a change in control, the administrator shall also have discretion in connection with such action to provide that all outstanding and unexercised options and SARs shall expire upon the consummation of such change in control.
For purposes of the 2025 Plan, a “change in control” means, in summary, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a person or entity becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of our voting power; (ii) an unapproved change in the majority membership of our board of directors; (iii) a merger or consolidation of us or any of our subsidiaries, other than (A) a merger or consolidation that results in our voting securities continuing to represent 50% or more of the combined voting power of the surviving entity or its parent and our board of directors immediately prior to the merger or consolidation continuing to represent at least a majority of the board of directors of the surviving entity or its parent or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization in which no person is or becomes the beneficial owner of our voting securities representing more than 50% of our combined voting power; or (iv) shareholder approval of a plan of our complete liquidation or dissolution or the consummation of an agreement for the sale or disposition of substantially all of our assets, other than (A) a sale or disposition to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of which is owned by our shareholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of us immediately prior to such sale; or (B) a sale or disposition to an entity controlled by our board of directors. However, a change in control will not be deemed to have occurred as a result of any transaction or series of integrated transactions following which our shareholders, immediately prior thereto, hold immediately afterward the same proportionate equity interests in the entity that owns all or substantially all of our assets.
Tax Withholding
Each participant will be required to make arrangements satisfactory to the plan administrator regarding payment of up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the participant’s applicable jurisdiction with respect to any award granted under the 2025 Plan, as determined by us. We have the right, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the participant. With the approval of the plan administrator, the participant may satisfy the foregoing requirement by either electing to have us withhold from delivery of shares of common stock, cash or other property, as applicable, or by delivering already owned unrestricted shares of common stock, in each case, having a value not exceeding the applicable taxes to be withheld and applied to the tax obligations. We may also use any other method of obtaining the necessary payment or proceeds, as permitted by applicable law, to satisfy our withholding obligation with respect to any award.
Amendment and Termination of the 2025 Plan
The 2025 Plan provides our board of directors with authority to amend, alter or terminate the 2025 Plan, but no such action may impair the rights of any participant with respect to outstanding awards without the participant’s consent. The plan administrator may amend an award, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment may materially impair the rights of any participant without the participant’s consent. Shareholder approval of any such action will be obtained if required to comply with applicable law. The 2025 Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date (although awards granted before that time will remain outstanding in accordance with their terms).
Clawback
If we are required to prepare an accounting restatement of our financial statements due to our material noncompliance (whether one occurrence or a series of occurrences of noncompliance) with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then the administrator may require any Section 10D-1(d) of the Exchange Act “executive officer” to repay or forfeit to us that part of the cash or equity incentive compensation received by that Section 10D-1(d) executive officer during the preceding three (3) completed fiscal years that the administrator determines was in excess of the amount that such Section 10D-1(d) executive officer would have received had such cash or equity incentive compensation been calculated based on the restated amounts reported in the restated financial statement. The administrator may take into account any factors it deems reasonable in determining whether to seek recoupment of previously paid cash or equity incentive compensation and how much of such compensation to recoup from each Section 10D-1(d) executive officer (which shall be made irrespective of any fault, misconduct or responsibility of each Section 10D-1(d) executive officer). The amount and form of the incentive compensation to be recouped shall be determined by the administrator in its sole and absolute discretion, and calculated on a pre-tax basis.
US Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences of awards under the 2025 Plan. It does not purport to be a complete description of all applicable rules, and those rules (including those summarized here) are subject to change.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. A participant who has been granted a non-qualified stock option will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a non-qualified stock option. Rather, at the time of exercise of such non-qualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary income for income tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock purchased over the exercise price. We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction at such time and in the same amount that the participant recognizes ordinary income. If shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option are later sold or exchanged, then the difference between the amount received upon such sale or exchange and the fair market value of such shares on the date of such exercise will generally be taxable as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss (if the shares are a capital asset of the participant) depending upon the length of time such shares were held by the participant.
Incentive Stock Options. In general, no taxable income is realized by a participant upon the grant of an ISO. If shares of common stock are purchased by a participant, or option shares, pursuant to the exercise of an ISO granted under the 2025 Plan and the participant does not dispose of the option shares within the two-year period after the date of grant or within one year after the receipt of such option shares by the participant, such disposition a disqualifying disposition, then, generally (1) the participant will not realize ordinary income upon exercise and (2) upon sale of such option shares, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price paid for the option shares will be taxed to such participant as capital gain (or loss). The amount by which the fair market value of the common stock on the exercise date of an ISO exceeds the purchase price generally will constitute an item which increases the participant’s “alternative minimum taxable income.” If option shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO are disposed of in a disqualifying disposition, the participant generally would include in ordinary income in the year of disposition an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the option shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of the option shares), over the exercise price paid for the option shares. Subject to certain exceptions, an option generally will not be treated as an ISO if it is exercised more than three months following termination of employment. If an ISO is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies as an ISO, such option will be treated as a nonqualified stock option as discussed above. In general, we will receive an income tax deduction at the same time and in the same amount as the participant recognizes ordinary income.
Stock Appreciation Rights. A participant who is granted an SAR generally will not recognize ordinary income upon receipt of the SAR. Rather, at the time of exercise of such SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income for income tax purposes in an amount equal to the value of any cash received and the fair market value on the date of exercise of any shares of common stock received. We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction at such time and in the same amount, if any, that the participant recognizes as ordinary income. The participant’s tax basis in any shares of common stock received upon exercise of an SAR will be the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of exercise, and if the shares are later sold or exchanged, then the difference between the amount received upon such sale or exchange and the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise will generally be taxable as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss (if the shares are a capital asset of the participant) depending upon the length of time such shares were held by the participant.
Restricted Stock. A participant generally will not be taxed upon the grant of restricted stock, but rather will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the earlier of the time the shares become transferable or are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of the Code). Wegenerally will be entitled to a deduction at the time when, and in the amount that, the participant recognizes ordinary income on account of the lapse of the restrictions. A participant’s tax basis in the shares of common stock will equal their fair market value at the time the restrictions lapse, and the participant’s holding period for capital gains purposes will begin at that time. Any cash dividends paid on the shares of common stock before the restrictions lapse will be taxable to the participant as additional compensation and not as dividend income, unless the individual has made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code. Under Section 83(b) of the Code, a participant may elect to recognize ordinary income at the time the restricted shares areawarded in an amount equal totheir fair market value at that time, notwithstanding the fact that such stock is subject to restrictions or transfer and a substantial risk of forfeiture. If such an election is made, no additional taxable income will be recognized by such participant at the time the restrictions lapse, the participant will have a tax basis in the shares of common stock equal to their fair market value on the date of their award, and the participant’s holding period for capital gains purposes will begin at that time. Wegenerally will be entitled to a tax deduction at the time when, and to the extent that, ordinary income is recognized by such participant.
Restricted Stock Units. In general, the grant of RSUs will not result in income for the participant or in a tax deduction for us. Upon the settlement of such an award in cash or shares of common stock, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the aggregate value of the payment received, and we generally will be entitled to a tax deduction at the same time and in the same amount.
Other Awards. With respect to other stock-based awards, generally when the participant receives payment in respect of the award, the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any shares of common stock or other property received will be ordinary income to the participant, andwe generally will be entitled to a tax deduction at the same time and in the same amount.
New Plan Benefits
Future grants under the 2025 Plan will be made at the discretion of the plan administrator and, accordingly, are not yet determinable. In addition, benefits under the 2025 Plan will depend on a number of factors, including the fair market value of our common stock on future dates and the exercise decisions made by participants. Consequently, at this time, it is not possible to determine the future benefits that might be received by participants receiving discretionary grants under the 2025 Plan.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.