UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.__)
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy
Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy
Statement |
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Definitive Additional
Materials |
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Soliciting Material under
§240.14a-12 |
Amesite Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required |
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Fee paid previously with
preliminary materials |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit
required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11. |
AMESITE INC.
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214
Detroit, Michigan 48226
October 28, 2022
NOTICE OF 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on December 15, 2022
Dear Stockholder:
We are pleased to invite you to attend the annual meeting of
stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Amesite Inc. (the
“Company”), which will be held on December 15, 2022 at 8:45 a.m.
Eastern Time.
Due to the continuing public health impact of the coronavirus
outbreak (COVID-19) and to support the health and well-being of our
employees and stockholders, the Annual Meeting will be held in a
virtual-only meeting format at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022.
In addition to voting by submitting your proxy prior to the Annual
Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically
during the Annual Meeting. Further details regarding the virtual
meeting are included in the accompanying proxy statement. At the
Annual Meeting, the holders of our outstanding common stock will
act on the following matters:
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1. |
Election of two Class II Directors to hold office
until successors are duly elected and qualified or until the 2025
Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
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2. |
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023;
and |
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3. |
To
transact such other matters as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Our board of directors has fixed October 27, 2022 as the record
date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at
any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND:
To be admitted to the Annual Meeting, which is being held
virtually, you must have your control number available and follow
the instructions found on your proxy card or voting instruction
form. You may vote during the Annual Meeting by following the
instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting.
Please allow sufficient time before the Annual Meeting to complete
the online check-in process. Your vote is very important.
If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares,
please call our proxy solicitor, Robert V. Johnson of Carideo
Group:

Strategic Stockholder Advisor and Proxy Solicitation
Agent
7754 Lochmere Terrace, Minneapolis, MN 55439
Phone Number:
952-426-0479
Email: info@carideogroup.com
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BY ORDER OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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October 28, 2022 |
/s/ Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
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Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
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Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual Annual Meeting,
we urge you to vote your shares at your earliest convenience. This
will ensure the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Promptly voting your shares will save the Company the expenses and
extra work of additional solicitation. An addressed envelope for
which no postage is required if mailed in the United States is
enclosed if you wish to vote by mail. Submitting your proxy now
will not prevent you from voting your shares at the Annual Meeting
if you desire to do so, as your proxy is revocable at your option.
Your vote is important, so please act today!
AMESITE INC.
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700PMB 214
Detroit, Michigan 48226
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE
2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on December 15, 2022
The board of directors of Amesite Inc. (“Amesite” or the “Company”)
is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on December 15,
2022, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time, in a virtual format online by
accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022, and at any
adjournment thereof.
This proxy statement contains information relating to the Annual
Meeting. This year’s Annual Meeting of stockholders will be held
as a virtual meeting. Stockholders attending the virtual meeting
will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate
as they would at an in-person meeting. You will be able to
attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online via a live
webcast by visiting
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022. In addition to
voting by submitting your proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, you
also will be able to vote your shares electronically during the
Annual Meeting.
We intend to begin mailing the attached notice of the Annual
Meeting, the enclosed proxy card, and a copy of our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 on or about
November 7, 2022 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders who owned our common stock on
October 27, 2022 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
AMESITE INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTING
What is a proxy?
A proxy is the legal designation of another person to vote the
stock you own. That other person is called a proxy. If you
designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that
document is also called a proxy or a proxy card. By completing,
signing and returning the accompanying proxy card, you are
designating Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, and Mark Corrao, Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
as your proxies for the Annual Meeting and you are authorizing such
proxies to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting as you have
instructed on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted
whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to
attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote in one of the ways
described below so that your vote will be counted even if you are
unable or decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
What is a proxy statement?
A proxy statement is a document that we are required by the
regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) to give you when we ask you to sign a proxy card
designating Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Mark Corrao as proxies to
vote on your behalf.
Why did you send me this proxy statement?
We sent you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card
because our board of directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at
the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement summarizes information
related to your vote at the Annual Meeting. All stockholders who
find it convenient to do so are cordially invited to attend the
Annual Meeting virtually. However, you do not need to attend the
meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign
and return the enclosed proxy card or vote over the Internet or by
phone.
We intend to begin mailing the attached notice of Annual Meeting,
the enclosed proxy card, and a copy of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 on or about November
7, 2022 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. Only stockholders who owned our common stock on
October 27, 2022 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy
materials?
If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares
may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts.
Please complete, sign, and return each proxy card to ensure that
all of your shares are voted.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held on December 15, 2022, at 8:45 a.m.
Eastern Time in a virtual format online by accessing
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022. Information on
how to vote in person at the Annual Meeting is discussed below.
Who is entitled to vote?
The board of directors has fixed the close of business on October
27, 2022 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
On the Record Date, there were 30,300,305 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock represents one
vote that may be voted on each proposal that may come before the
Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between holding shares as a record holder
and as a beneficial owner (holding shares in street name)?
If your shares are registered in your name with our transfer agent,
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are the “record
holder” of those shares. If you are a record holder, these proxy
materials have been provided directly to you by the Company.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account, a bank or
other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner”
of those shares held in “street name”. If your shares are held in
street name, these proxy materials have been forwarded to you by
that organization. The organization holding your account is
considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting
at the Annual Meeting. As the beneficial owner, you have the right
to instruct this organization on how to vote your shares. See “How
Will my Shares be Voted if I Give No Specific Instruction?” below
for information on how shares held in street name will be voted
without instructions provided.
Who may attend the Annual Meeting?
Only record holders and beneficial owners of our common stock, or
their duly authorized proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting. If
your shares of common stock are held in street name, you will need
to provide a copy of a brokerage statement or other documentation
reflecting your stock ownership as of the Record Date.
What am I voting on?
There are three matters scheduled for a vote:
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1. |
Election of two Class II Directors to hold office
until successors are duly elected and qualified or until the 2025
Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and |
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2. |
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2023. |
What if another matter is properly brought before the Annual
Meeting?
The board of directors knows of no other matters that will be
presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other
matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the
intention of the person named in the accompanying proxy to vote on
those matters in accordance with his best judgment.
How do I vote?
MAIL |
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INTERNET |
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PHONE |
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ONLINE AT THE
MEETING |
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Mailing your signed proxy card or voter
instruction card. |
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Using the Internet before the Meeting at:
www.proxyvote.com
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By calling:
1-800-690-6903
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You can vote during the Meeting at:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022
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Stockholders of Record
If you are a registered stockholder, you may vote by mail, phone or
online at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions above.
You also may submit your proxy by mail by following the
instructions included with your proxy card. The deadline for
submitting your proxy by Internet is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on
December 14, 2022. Our board of directors’ designated proxies, Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Mark Corrao, will vote your shares
according to your instructions. If you attend the live webcast of
the Annual Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares
electronically at the Annual Meeting up until the time the polls
are closed.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name
If you are a street name holder, your broker or nominee firm is the
legal, registered owner of the shares, and it may provide you with
materials in connection with the Annual Meeting. Follow the
instructions on the materials you receive to access our proxy
materials and vote or to request a paper or email copy of our proxy
materials. The materials include a voting instruction card so that
you can instruct your broker or nominee how to vote your shares.
Please check the voting instruction card or contact your broker or
other nominee to determine whether you will be able to deliver your
voting instructions by Internet in advance of the meeting and
whether, or if you attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting,
if you will be able to vote your shares electronically at the
meeting up until the time the polls are closed.
All shares entitled to vote and represented by a properly completed
and executed proxy received before the Annual Meeting and not
revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting as instructed in a
proxy delivered before the Annual Meeting. We provide Internet
proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares online, with
procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of
your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you
must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as
usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone
companies.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share
of common stock you own as of the close of business on the Record
Date.
Is my vote confidential?
Yes, your vote is confidential. Only the inspector of elections,
individuals who help with processing and counting your votes and
persons who need access for legal reasons will have access to your
vote. This information will not be disclosed, except as required by
law.
What constitutes a quorum?
To carry on business at the Annual Meeting, we must have a quorum.
A quorum is present when a majority of the shares entitled to vote,
as of the Record Date, are represented in person or by proxy. Thus,
15,150,153 shares must be represented in person or by proxy to have
a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Your shares will be counted towards
the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on
your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote
in person at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will be counted towards the quorum requirement. Shares owned by the
Company are not considered outstanding or considered to be present
at the Annual Meeting. If there is not a quorum at the Annual
Meeting, either the chairperson of the Annual Meeting or our
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting may adjourn the
Annual Meeting to a future date as allowed under applicable
law.
How will my shares be voted if I give no specific
instruction?
We must vote your shares as you have instructed. If there is a
matter on which a stockholder of record has given no specific
instruction but has authorized us generally to vote the shares,
they will be voted as follows:
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1. |
“For”
the election of two Class II Directors to hold office until
successors are duly elected and qualified or until the 2025 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. |
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2. |
“For”
the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. |
This authorization would exist, for example, if a stockholder of
record merely signs, dates and returns the proxy card but does not
indicate how such shares are to be voted on one or more proposals.
If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting and you do
not provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted
at the discretion of Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Mark Corrao, the
board of directors’ designated proxies.
If your shares are held in street name, see “What is a broker
non-vote?” below regarding the ability of banks, brokers and other
such holders of record to vote the uninstructed shares of their
customers or other beneficial owners in their discretion.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for
the Annual Meeting, who will separately count, for the election of
directors, “For”, “Withhold” and broker non-votes; and, with
respect to the other proposals, votes “For” and “Against,”
abstentions and broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will not be
included in the tabulation of the voting results of any of the
proposals and, therefore, will have no effect on such
proposals.
What is a broker non-vote?
A “broker non-vote” occurs when shares held by a broker in “street
name” for a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a
proposal because (1) the broker has not received voting
instructions from the stockholder who beneficially owns the shares
and (2) the broker lacks the authority to vote the shares at their
discretion.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. However,
under current New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules and
interpretations that govern broker non-votes: (i) Proposal No. 1
for the election of directors is considered a non-discretionary
matter, and a broker will lack the authority to vote uninstructed
shares at their discretion on such proposal, and (ii) Proposal No.
2 for the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is
considered a discretionary matter, and a broker will be permitted
to exercise its discretion to vote uninstructed shares on the
proposal. Because NYSE rules apply to all brokers that are members
of the NYSE, this prohibition applies to the Annual Meeting even
though our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
What is an abstention?
An abstention is a stockholder’s affirmative choice to decline to
vote on a proposal. Under Delaware law, abstentions are counted as
shares present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Generally, unless provided otherwise by applicable law, our Bylaws
(“Bylaws”) provide that an action of our stockholders (other than
for the election of directors) is approved if a majority of the
number of shares of stock entitled to vote thereon and present
(either in person or by proxy) vote in favor of such action.
Therefore, abstentions will have no effect with respect to Proposal
2.
How many votes are required to approve each proposal?
The table below summarizes the proposals that will be voted on, the
vote required to approve each item, and how votes are counted:
Proposal |
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Votes Required |
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Voting
Options |
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Impact
of
“Withhold”
or
“Abstain”
Votes |
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Broker
Discretionary
Voting
Allowed |
Proposal No. 1: Election of
Directors |
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The
plurality of the votes cast. This means that the nominees receiving
the highest number of affirmative “FOR” votes will be elected as
directors. |
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“FOR”
“WITHHOLD”
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None(1) |
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No(3) |
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Proposal No. 2: Ratification of
the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm |
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The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of
the votes cast affirmatively or negatively (excluding abstentions
and broker non-votes) at the Annual Meeting by the holders entitled
to vote thereon. |
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“FOR”
“AGAINST”
“ABSTAIN”
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None(2) |
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Yes(4) |
(1)
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Votes
that are “withheld” will have the same effect as an abstention and
will not count as a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” a director, because
directors are elected by plurality voting. |
(2) |
A
vote marked as an “Abstention” is not considered a vote cast and
will, therefore, not affect the outcome of this
proposal. |
(3) |
As
this proposal is not considered a discretionary matter, brokers
lack authority to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed
shares on this proposal. |
(4) |
As
this proposal is considered a discretionary matter, brokers are
permitted to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares
on this proposal. |
What are the voting procedures?
In voting by proxy with regard to the election of directors, you
may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold your votes as to all
nominees, or withhold your votes as to specific nominees. With
regard to other proposals, you may vote in favor of or against the
proposal, or you may abstain from voting on the proposal. You
should specify your respective choices on the accompanying proxy
card or your vote instruction form.
Is my proxy revocable?
You may revoke your proxy and reclaim your right to vote at any
time before your proxy is voted by giving written notice to the
Secretary of the Company by delivering a properly completed,
later-dated proxy card or vote instruction form or by voting in
person at the Annual Meeting. All written notices of revocation and
other communications with respect to revocations of proxies should
be addressed to: Amesite Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB
214, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attention: Secretary. Your most
current proxy card or Internet proxy is the one that will be
counted.
Who is paying for the expenses involved in preparing and mailing
this proxy statement?
All of the expenses involved in preparing, assembling and mailing
these proxy materials and all costs of soliciting proxies will be
paid by us. In addition to the solicitation by mail, proxies may be
solicited by our officers and other employees by telephone or in
person. Such persons will receive no compensation for their
services other than their regular salaries. Arrangements will also
be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial
owners of the shares held of record by such persons, and we may
reimburse such persons for reasonable out of pocket expenses
incurred by them in forwarding solicitation materials. We have
retained Carideo Group as our strategic stockholder advisor and
proxy solicitation agent in connection with the solicitation of
proxies for the Annual Meeting. If you have any questions or
require any assistance with completing your proxy, please contact
Carideo Group by telephone at 952-426-0479, or by email at
info@carideogroup.com.
Do I have dissenters’ rights of appraisal?
Stockholders do not have appraisal rights under Delaware law or
under Amesite’s governing documents with respect to the matters to
be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual
Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting.
In addition, final voting results will be disclosed in a Current
Report on Form 8-K that we expect to file with the SEC within four
business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are
not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K with the SEC within
four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a
Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business
days after the final results are known to us, file an amended Form
8-K to publish the final results.
PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Size and
Structure
Our Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”),
and our Bylaws provide that our business is to be managed under the
direction of our board of directors. Our board of directors is
required to consist of not less than one director.
Our board of directors currently consists of seven directors. Our
Certificate of Incorporation provides that the number of directors
on our board of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution
adopted by our board of directors. The board of directors, by
resolution adopted at a meeting of the board of directors held on
November 23, 2020, set the number of directors at 7, effective on
the date of the Annual Meeting. The directors shall be divided into
three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, as
nearly equal in number as possible. Directors shall be assigned to
each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted
by the board of directors. At the 2022 annual meeting of
stockholders, the term of office of the Class II directors shall
expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of
three years. At the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, the term
of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III
directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the
2024 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the
Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual
meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term
of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms
expire at such annual meeting. Each director shall serve until his
or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her
earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of
directors constituting the board of directors shall shorten the
term of any incumbent director. Our board of directors met eleven
times during the year ended June 30, 2022. All members of our board
of directors attended at least 75% of board and applicable
committee meetings during the year ended June 30, 2022.
When considering whether directors have the experience,
qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable
our board of directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities
effectively in light of our business and structure, the board of
directors focuses primarily on each person’s background and
experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the
directors’ individual biographies set forth below. We believe that
our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills
relevant to the size and nature of our business.
Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, pursuant to our
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the board of directors or
any individual director may be removed from office only for cause
at a meeting of stockholders called for that purpose, by the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all the then
outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single
class.
Nominees for Election
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Barbie Brewer have been nominated by
the board of directors to stand for re-election at the Annual
Meeting. If elected by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Barbie Brewer will serve for a term
expiring at the annual meeting to be held in 2025 (the “2025 Annual
Meeting”) and the election and qualification of their successors or
until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected,
and management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be
unable to serve. If, however, prior to the Annual Meeting, the
board of directors should learn that any nominee will be unable to
serve for any reason, the proxies that otherwise would have been
voted for this nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee as
selected by the board of directors. Alternatively, the proxies, at
the discretion of the board of directors, may be voted for that
fewer number of nominees as results from the inability of any
nominee to serve. The board of directors has no reason to believe
that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Information About Board Nominees
The following pages contain certain biographical information for
the nominees for director, including all positions currently held,
their principal occupation and business experience for the past
five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which
such nominee currently serves as a director or has served as a
director during the past five years.
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. –Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chairman of Board of Directors
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. (55) has served as our Chief Executive
Officer, President and Chairman of the board of directors since our
incorporation in November 2017. A biographical summary for Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D. is included in the section titled “Executive
Officers”.
Barbie Brewer - Director
Ms. Brewer (46) has served as a member of our board of directors
since July 2019. Ms. Brewer has been the Chief People Officer of
Marqeta, Inc., since February 2019. From May 2017 to present, Ms.
Brewer has also been the founder and CEO of TNT Consulting LLC, a
consulting firm that advises early-stage growth companies. From
September 2017 to February, 2019, Ms. Brewer was the Chief Culture
Officer of GitLab Inc., an information technology and services
company that uses open-source software to create a single
application that covers the entire DevOps lifecycle. From 2011
through 2017, Ms. Brewer served as the Vice President of Human
Resources at Netflix, where she led human resources for Netflix’s
product innovation, engineering/development, business development
and digital supply chain organizations, managing a team that
supported over 1,500 employees. Prior thereto, from April 2008 to
January 2011, Ms. Brewer worked as a Vice President of Human
Resources at Sportvision, a leading provider in sports
entertainment products and data solutions. From 2000 through 2007,
Ms. Brewer worked at Cisco as the Human Resources Manager. She also
has certifications in Situational Leadership and Project
Management. Ms. Brewer received a bachelor’s degree in
communications and business from Santa Clara University, where she
graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also holds a master’s degree in
Human Resource Management from George Washington University. We
believe that Ms. Brewer’s management experience qualifies her to
serve on our board of directors.
Information About Board Members Not Currently up for
Election
The following pages contain certain biographical information for
board members not currently up for election, including all
positions currently held, their principal occupation and business
experience for the past five years, and the names of other
publicly-held companies of which such nominee currently serves as a
director or has served as a director during the past five
years.
J. Michael Losh – Director
Mr. Losh (76) has served as a member of our board of
directors since February 2018. Mr. Losh served as the Chief
Financial Officer at Cardinal Health from July 2004 to May 2005.
Mr. Losh was with General Motors from 1964 to 2000. He served as
the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of General
Motors Corp., from July 1994 to August 2000. He is a Director at
Aon PLC (NYSE: AON) (2003-present) and a Director at Cardinal
Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH) (1996 to 2009 and 2018 to 2021). Mr. Losh
has served as a director of AMB Corp., Care Fusion Inc., Electronic
Data Systems Corp., Delphi Automotive Systems Corp., Hughes
Electronics, Quaker Oats Company, TRW Automotive Inc., HB Fuller
Co, and Prologis, Inc. He served as Chairman of the boards of GMAC,
Metaldyne Corp, and Masco Corp. (NYSE: MAS). Mr. Losh holds a B.S.
in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and an M.B.A.
from Harvard University. We believe that Mr. Losh’s public company
experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Richard T. Ogawa - Director
Mr. Ogawa (60) has served as a member of our board of directors
since February 2018. From 2013 to 2021, Mr. Ogawa served as General
Counsel of Inphi Corporation, responsible for overseeing legal
matters as well as corporate, intellectual property, and government
affairs. Mr. Ogawa is a Registered United States Patent Attorney
and a Member of the California State Bar with more than 25 years of
experience specializing in technology companies. Prior to Inphi, he
was a Partner at Townsend and Townsend, a law firm focused on
intellectual property. He is the founder and owner of Ogawa
Professional Corporation, his own law firm, focusing on venture
backed startup companies. He also previously served as General
Counsel for Soraa Laser Diode, Inc., a venture funded company by
Khosla Ventures, and MCube, Inc. a venture funded company by
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. He has also held a variety of
engineering and management positions at NEC Electronics. He is a
Charter Member of the Indus Entrepreneur Group (TIE) and had been a
member of the boards of the Asian Law Alliance, American
Intellectual Property Law Association, and others. Mr. Ogawa also
served as a Partner Member for Technology Group 2800 of the United
States Patent and Trademark Office. He received a B.S. in Chemical
Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1984, and a
J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of Pacific in 1991. We
believe that Mr. Ogawa’s experience as an attorney and his patent
expertise qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Anthony M. Barkett - Director
Mr. Barkett (57) has served as a member of our board of directors
since February 2018. Mr. Barkett is a California-based real estate
developer. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and
Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles,
as well as a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the
Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Mr. Barkett practiced law from
1994-2003 specializing in land use, affordable housing and
government relations. He is currently the managing member of
several limited liability companies which developed and now own and
manage commercial real estate in California, Arizona and Hawaii. He
is the managing member of Oliveto, LLC which farms and manages
olive and walnut orchards in Linden, CA. He is the CEO of Trinity
Solar and managing member of Affordable Energy Partners, LLC which
built and still owns and manages solar systems throughout CA. In
2013 he was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California
Citizens Compensation Commission, a State commission that sets
compensation for the legislature. He is a board member and has been
for 17 years of the Downtown Stockton Alliance which is a property
owner based 501(c)(3) organized to promote and restore downtown
Stockton. He is also a political consultant for Stockton East Water
District and has held this position for 20 years. In 2016, he was a
co-founder of Ready to Work a 501(c)(3) corporation formed to help
homeless and previously incarcerated men get paid work, job
training and permanent housing. Additionally, Mr. Barkett was
appointed as a Commissioner to the Port of Stockton and is also a
board member of Aspire Public Schools. We believe that Mr.
Barkett’s non-profit experience qualifies him to serve on our board
of directors.
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. - Director
Dr. Omenn (81) has served as a member of our board of directors
since March 2020. Prior to his appointment as a member of the board
of directors, Dr. Omenn served on our board of advisors. Dr. Omenn
is the Harold T. Shapiro Distinguished University Professor of
Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, Internal Medicine,
Human Genetics, and Public Health at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Omenn brings decades of public-company board experience,
including 27 years with Amgen, Inc, (NASDAQ: AMGN) and 22 years
with Rohm & Haas Company. He was Dean of the University of
Washington School of Public Health & Community Medicine
(1982-1997) and then Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs
at the University of Michigan and CEO of the UM Health System
(1997-2002). In addition, he was a White House Fellow at the Atomic
Energy Commission (1973-1974), Associate Director of the White
House Office of Science & Technology Policy and the Office of
Management and Budget (1977-1981), on the advisory council for the
AAAS “Project 2061: Science for all Americans” (1986-1996), chair
of the Presidential/Congressional Commission on Risk Assessment
& Risk Management (1994-1997), President of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS, 2006), member of
the Scientific Management Review Board for the NIH (2012-2014),
member of the Council of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM,
2015-2017), and currently a member of the Policy & Global
Affairs Committee of the National Academies. He is a director
of Angion Biomedica and of Galectin Therapeutics. We believe
that Dr. Omenn’s public company, academic, science education, and
healthcare experience qualifies him to serve on our board of
directors.
George Parmer - Director
George Parmer (83) has served as a member of our board of directors
since November 2020. George sits on the board of Linkbancorp, Inc.,
is the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Messiah
University in Pennsylvania. He is the founder and president of
residential home building and development company Fine Line Homes,
which has developments along the east coast from New York to North
Carolina. He is also the founder and president of nationwide
company Residential Warranty Corporation and three insurance
companies located in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Texas. We believe
that Mr. Parmer’s business and leadership experience qualifies him
to serve on our board of directors.
Board Diversity Matrix (October 28, 2022)
|
Total
Number of Directors |
|
7 |
|
|
Female |
|
Male |
|
Non-Binary |
|
Did Not Disclose
Gender |
Part I: Gender
Identity |
Directors |
|
2 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
Part II:
Demographic Background |
African American or
Black |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alaskan Native or Native
American |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asian |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Hispanic or Latinx |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Native Hawaiian or Pacific
Islander |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
White |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
Two or More Races or
Ethnicities |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LGBTQ+ |
|
|
Did Not Disclose Demographic
Background |
|
|
Information Concerning the Board and Corporate
Governance
Board Leadership Structure
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chairman of the board of directors since our
incorporation in November 2017. We believe that this structure is
the most effective governance framework for us and our stockholders
at this time because it allows our Company to benefit from Dr.
Sastry’s talent, knowledge, and leadership as the founder of
Amesite, and allows her to use the in-depth focus and perspective
gained in running the Company to effectively and efficiently lead
our board of directors. As Dr. Sastry has experience with advising
boards of directors and senior management with respect to
management and other business aspects, she is particularly
well-suited to serve as Chairman.
We recognize that different board leadership structures may be
appropriate for companies in different situations. We will continue
to re-examine our corporate governance policies and leadership
structures on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet
the Company’s needs.
Role in Risk Oversight
Management is responsible for managing the risks that we face. The
board of directors is responsible for overseeing management’s
approach to risk management that is designed to support the
achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic
objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and
enhance stockholder value. The involvement of the full board of
directors in reviewing our strategic objectives and plans is a key
part of the board of directors’ assessment of management’s approach
and tolerance to risk. A fundamental part of risk management is not
only understanding the risks a company faces and what steps
management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding
what level of risk is appropriate for us. In setting our business
strategy, our board of directors assesses the various risks being
mitigated by management and determines what constitutes an
appropriate level of risk for us.
Stockholder Communications to the Board of Directors
Stockholders wishing to submit written communications directly to
the board of directors, or a specified director, should send their
communications to Secretary, Amesite Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite
700 PMB 214, addressed to the entire board of directors or to such
specified director. All stockholder communications will be
considered by the independent members of our board of directors.
Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the
board of directors may be excluded, such as:
|
● |
junk mail and mass
mailings; |
|
|
|
|
● |
resumes and other forms of job
inquiries; |
|
|
|
|
● |
surveys; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
solicitations or
advertisements. |
In addition, any material that is unduly hostile, threatening, or
illegal in nature may be excluded, provided that any communication
that is filtered out will be made available to any independent
director upon request.
Director or Officer Involvement in Certain Legal
Proceedings
Except as set forth herein, the Company’s directors, executive
officers and director nominees were not involved in any legal
proceedings described in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K during the
past ten years. Further, there are no material proceedings to which
any director, officer or affiliate of the Company, any owner of
record or beneficially of more than five percent of any class of
voting securities of the Company, or any associate of any such
director, officer, affiliate of the Company, or security holder is
a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a
material interest adverse to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
The Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
insuring its directors and officers against liability for acts or
omissions in their capacities as directors or officers, subject to
certain exclusions. Such insurance also insures the Company against
losses, which it may incur in indemnifying its officers and
directors. In addition, officers and directors also have
indemnification rights under applicable laws, and the Company’s
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Director Independence
The listing rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market require that
independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed
company’s board of directors. In addition, the rules of The Nasdaq
Capital Market require that, subject to specified exceptions, each
member of a listed company’s audit, compensation, and nominating
and governance committees be independent. Audit committee members
must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”). Under the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, a
director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the
opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not
have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of
independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director.
The Company’s board of directors has undertaken a review of the
independence of the Company’s directors and director nominees and
considered whether any director has a material relationship that
could compromise their ability to exercise independent judgment in
carrying out their responsibilities. Based upon information
requested from and provided by each director concerning his
background, employment and affiliations, including family
relationships, the board of directors has determined that each of
Anthony M. Barkett, Barbie Brewer, J. Michael Losh and Gilbert S.
Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., currently representing four of the Company’s
seven directors, are “independent” as that term is defined under
the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing
standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. In making these
determinations, the board of directors considered the current and
prior relationships that each non-employee director has with the
Company and all other facts and circumstances the board of
directors deemed relevant in determining their independence,
including the beneficial ownership of the Company’s capital stock
by each non-employee director, and any transactions involving them
described in the section captioned “Certain Relationships and
Related Party Transactions”.
Prohibited Transactions
Directors and executive officers may not hedge Company securities
and, subject to limited exceptions, may not pledge Company
securities as collateral for any loan. Other restrictions are
detailed in the Company’s Insider Trading Compliance Program which
is available at
https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_6be070def9601c6df66acdbe1d988118/amesite/db/525/4557/file/AMST_Insider_Trading_Compliance_Program.pdf.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive
officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock
to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.
Based solely on copies of these reports provided to us and written
representations that no other reports were required, we believe
that these persons timely met all of the applicable Section 16(a)
filing requirements during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022,
with the exception of the following: (i) George Parmer filed two
late reports on Form 4 covering two transactions, (ii) Anthony
Barkett filed two late reports on Form 4 covering four
transactions, (iii) Mark Corrao filed one late report on Form 3
covering no transactions, (iv) Barbie Brewer filed one late report
on Form 4 covering one transaction, (v) Michael J. Losh filed one
late report on Form 4 covering one transaction, (vi) Richard Ogawa
filed one late report on Form 4 covering one transaction, and (vii)
Gilbert S. Omenn filed one late report on Form 4 covering one
transaction.
Board Committees
In September 2020, the board of directors established an audit,
compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees,
each of which are comprised of the members and have the
responsibilities described below. Each of the below committees has
a written charter approved by the Company’s board of directors,
which are available on the Company’s website at
https://ir.amesite.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents.
Each of the committees reports to the Company’s board of directors
as such committee deems appropriate and as the Company’s board of
directors may request.
The composition and functions of each committee are described
below.
Name |
|
Independent |
|
Audit |
|
Compensation |
|
Corporate
Governance and
Nominating
Committee (1) |
Anthony M. Barkett |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
Barbie Brewer |
|
X |
|
|
|
X* |
|
X |
J.
Michael Losh |
|
X |
|
X* |
|
|
|
X |
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
* |
Chairperson of the committee |
|
(1) |
Our independent directors perform
the Nominating and Corporate Governance function. |
Audit Committee
The audit committee is currently comprised of Anthony M. Barkett,
J. Michael Losh and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. Mr. Losh serves
as the chairperson of the audit committee. The Company’s board of
directors has determined that each member of the audit committee
meets the requirements for independence and financial literacy
under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the
listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company’s board
of directors has also determined that Mr. Losh is an “audit
committee financial expert” as defined in the rules of the SEC and
has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the
listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The
responsibilities of the audit committee include, among other
things:
|
● |
selecting and hiring the independent registered
public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial
statements; |
|
● |
overseeing the performance of the independent
registered public accounting firm and taking those actions as it
deems necessary to satisfy itself that the accountants are
independent of management; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing financial statements and discussing
with management and the independent registered public accounting
firm the Company’s annual audited and quarterly financial
statements, the results of the independent audit and the quarterly
reviews, and the reports and certifications regarding internal
control over financial reporting and disclosure
controls; |
|
|
|
|
● |
preparing the audit committee report that the SEC
requires to be included in the Company’s annual proxy
statement; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the
Company’s internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures,
as may be required; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing the Company’s policies on risk
assessment and risk management, including risk related to
cybersecurity; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing related party transactions;
and |
|
|
|
|
● |
approving or, as required, pre-approving, all
audit and all permissible non-audit services and fees to be
performed by the independent registered public accounting
firm. |
The Company’s audit committee operates under a written charter
which satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
the listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The audit
committee met four times during the year ended June 30, 2022.
Compensation Committee
The Company’s compensation committee is currently comprised of
Anthony M. Barkett, Barbie Brewer and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D.
Ms. Brewer serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee.
The Company’s board of directors has determined that each member of
the compensation committee meets the requirements for independence
under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and listing
standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. Each member of the
compensation committee is a non-employee director as defined in
Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The purpose of the
compensation committee is to oversee the Company’s compensation
policies, plans and benefit programs and to discharge the
responsibilities of the Company’s board of directors relating to
compensation of its executive officers. The responsibilities of the
compensation committee include, among other things:
|
● |
reviewing and approving or recommending to the
board of directors for approval compensation of the Company’s
executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing and recommending to the board of
directors for approval the compensation of directors; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing the Company’s overall compensation
philosophy and compensation policies, plans and benefit programs
for service providers, including the Company’s executive
officers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing, approving and making recommendations
to the Company’s board of directors regarding incentive
compensation and equity plans; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
administering the Company’s equity compensation
plans. |
The compensation committee met one time during the year ended June
30, 2022. In addition, the Company engaged Willis Towers Watson to
serve as a compensation consultant in fiscal year 2021, and to
advise on executive and director compensation. Any recommendations
from Willis Towers Watson will not be implemented until at least
fiscal year 2023, if at all, as such recommendations will apply to
fiscal year 2023 compensation. The engagement of Willis Towers
Watson did not raise any conflicts of interest.
The Role of Management in the Compensation-Setting
Process
Management’s role in the compensation-setting process, includes the
following:
|
● |
to
establish the operating budget approved by the board of directors,
which forms the basis for evaluating corporate achievements and the
achievements of the divisions our Named Executive Officers manage
that are taken into consideration when evaluating compensation
levels for Named Executive Officers; and |
|
● |
to
make recommendations to the Compensation Committee on salary levels
and stock option and restricted stock awards (or RSUs). |
Management also prepares information for each Compensation
Committee meeting. Our Chief Executive Officer also participates in
committee meetings at the request of the Compensation Committee to
provide, among other things:
|
● |
background information regarding the Company’s
strategic objectives; and |
|
● |
their
evaluation of the performance of the Named Executive Officers,
including accomplishments, and areas of strength and
weakness. |
Corporate Governance and Nominating
The independent directors of the Company’s board of directors are
responsible for reviewing, on an annual basis, the appropriate
characteristics, skills and experience required for the board of
directors as a whole and its individual members. The independent
directors of the Company’s board of directors, in evaluating the
suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and
current members) and recommending candidates for election, and the
board of directors, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies,
appointing) such candidates, consider many factors, including the
following:
|
● |
diversity of personal and professional
background, perspective and experience; |
|
|
|
|
● |
personal and professional integrity, ethics and
values; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience in corporate management, operations or
finance, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a
publicly held company, and a general understanding of marketing,
finance and other elements relevant to the success of a
publicly-traded company in today’s business
environment; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience relevant to the Company’s industry and
with relevant social policy concerns; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience as a board member or executive officer
of another publicly held company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
relevant academic expertise or other proficiency
in an area of the Company’s operations; |
|
● |
practical and mature business judgment, including
ability to make independent analytical inquiries; |
|
|
|
|
● |
promotion of a diversity of business or career
experience relevant to the Company’s success; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
any
other relevant qualifications, attributes or skills. |
Currently, the independent directors evaluate each individual in
the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the
objective of assembling a group that can best maximize the success
of the business and represent stockholder interests through the
exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in
these various areas.
The independent directors consider stockholder nominees made in
accordance with our bylaws, and evaluate candidates recommended by
stockholders in the same manner as all other candidates brought to
the attention of the independent directors. Stockholder
recommendations may be submitted to the independent directors in
care of the Secretary at the address set forth under “Stockholder
Communications to the Board of Directors.”
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
None of the Company’s executive officers serves, or in the past has
served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation
committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of
any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as
members of the Company’s board of directors or its compensation
committee. None of the members of the Company’s compensation
committee is, or has ever been, an officer or employee of the
Company.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company’s board of directors adopted a code of business conduct
and ethics applicable to its employees, directors and officers, in
accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the
corporate governance rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The code
of business conduct and ethics is publicly available on the
Company’s website. Any substantive amendments or waivers of the
code of business conduct and ethics may be made only by the
Company’s board of directors and will be promptly disclosed as
required by applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the
corporate governance rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Company’s board of directors has adopted corporate governance
guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of The
Nasdaq Capital Market.
Director Compensation
The Company accrued or paid compensation to its directors for
serving in such capacity, as shown in the table below. The Company
is not aware of any agreements or arrangements between any director
or nominee for director, and any person or entity other than the
Company, relating to compensation or other payment in connection
with such person’s candidacy or service as a director of the
Company.
Name |
|
Fiscal
Year |
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid in
Cash |
|
|
Stock
Awards |
|
|
Option
Awards
(1) |
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation |
|
|
Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings |
|
|
Total |
|
Anthony M. Barkett (2) |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,348 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
164,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barbie
Brewer (3) |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
55,500 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,348 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
171,848 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.
Michael Losh (4) |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,348 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
174,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
T. Ogawa (5) |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,348 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
164,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D.
(6) |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,348 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
164,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Parmer |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
90,962 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
238,962 |
|
|
(1) |
Amounts shown in this column do not
reflect dollar amounts actually received. Instead, these amounts
represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option
awards determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The
assumptions used in the valuation of these awards are set forth in
the notes to our financial statements, which are included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on September 28,
2022. |
|
(2) |
As of June 30, 2022, Anthony
Barkett had 337,101 option awards outstanding. |
|
(3) |
As of June 30, 2022, Barbie Brewer
had 309,184 option awards outstanding. |
|
(4) |
As of June 30, 2022, Michael Losh
had 418,559 option awards outstanding. |
|
(5) |
As of June 30, 2022, Richard Ogawa
had 635,225 option awards outstanding. |
|
(6) |
As of June 30, 2022, Gilbert S.
Omenn had 225,642 option awards outstanding. |
On May 22, 2021, the board of directors adopted a director
compensation program for the Company’s independent directors
consisting of equity compensation, beginning in fiscal year 2021.
Directors who are also officers do not receive any additional
compensation for serving on any board committees. These programs
consist of the following equity compensation for independent
directors:
Cash and Equity Compensation
On September 29, 2021, the board of directors approved changes to
our director compensation program for fiscal year 2022 and beyond.
The board instituted an annual cash retainer for our directors in
an amount of $48,000, provided that the cash retainer for the chair
of our Compensation Committee and Audit Committee shall also
contain an additional retainer of $7,500 and $10,000, respectively.
In addition, our directors received an annual $100,000 restricted
stock unit grant, which will vest on the one-year anniversary of
grant. Cash and equity payments for director service are paid on a
quarterly basis.
Finally, our board of directors adopted a Deferred Fee Plan for our
non-employee directors pursuant to which directors may defer all or
a portion of their total cash compensation into deferred stock
units which will be payable to them on the earlier of, their
departure from the board or a change in control. Directors make an
annual election before the start of the calendar year regarding
what portion of cash compensation will be deferred for the
subsequent calendar year.
Interests of Executive Officers and Directors in this
Proposal
Except for our current director nominees, our executive officers,
directors and associates of our executive officers, directors and
director nominees do not have any substantial interest, direct or
indirect, in this proposal.
Required Vote of Stockholders
A plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to
elect a nominee as a director.
Board Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote
“FOR” the election of Ann Marie Sastry and Barbie
Brewer as directors of the Company.
PROPOSAL 2:
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our board of directors has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP
(“Deloitte”) to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2023. Deloitte has audited our financial statements
since the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. A
representative of Deloitte is expected to be available at the
Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if
he or she so desires and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
Although stockholder approval of the selection of Deloitte is not
required by law, our board of directors believes it is advisable to
give stockholders an opportunity to ratify this selection. If this
proposal is not approved at the Annual Meeting, the board of
directors may reconsider its selection of Deloitte.
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte acted as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and for
the interim periods in such fiscal years. The following table shows
the fees that were incurred by the Company for audit and other
services provided by Deloitte for the years ended June 30, 2022 and
2021.
|
|
Years Ended June 30, |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
Audit Fees (a) |
|
$ |
155,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (b) |
|
$ |
9,912 |
|
|
|
2,533 |
|
Tax Fees
(c) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other Fees (d) |
|
$ |
110,450 |
|
|
$ |
53,000 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
275,362 |
|
|
$ |
195,533 |
|
(a) |
Audit
fees include fees for professional services provided in connection
with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, the
review of its financial statements included in the Company’s
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally
provided by the independent registered accounting firm for
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements in the indicated
fiscal year. |
(b) |
Audit-related include the fees for assurance and
related services by the independent registered accounting firm that
are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of
the company’s financial statements. |
(c) |
Tax
fees represent fees for professional services related to tax
compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
(d) |
Other
fees represent fees for any other products and services provided by
the independent registered accounting firm, including those related
to our filing of certain registration statements. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
All services described under “Audit-Related Fees” and “Other Fees”
above rendered by Deloitte were pre-approved by the Company’s board
of directors. The board of directors has adopted a pre-approval
policy that provides for the pre-approval of all services performed
for the Company by its independent registered public accounting
firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm and
management are required to periodically report to the board of
directors regarding the extent of services provided by the
independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with
this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to
date.
Interests of Executive Officers and Directors in this
Proposal
Our executive officers, directors and director nominees, and
associates of our executive officers, directors and director
nominees do not have any substantial interest, direct or indirect,
in this proposal.
Required Vote of Stockholders
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of the independent
registered public accounting firm.
Board Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote
“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte
as our independent registered public accounting firm.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORT
The following Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be
“soliciting material,” deemed “filed” with the SEC or subject to
the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s previous
filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act that might incorporate by
reference future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole
or in part, the following Audit Committee Report shall not be
incorporated by reference into any such filings.
We have reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial
statements as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 with
management and with the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”).
We have discussed with Deloitte the matters required to be
discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and the SEC.
We have received the written disclosures and the letter from
Deloitte required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding
Deloitte’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning
independence, and we have discussed with Deloitte such firm’s
independence from management and the Company.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, we
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial
statements referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, for
filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee is comprised of three independent directors (as
defined under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2)): J. Michael Losh,
Anthony M. Barkett, and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. The Audit
Committee operates under a written charter, which is available on
our website at
https://ir.amesite.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents.
|
|
Submitted
by the Audit Committee |
|
|
|
|
|
J. Michael Losh – Chairman
Anthony M. Barkett
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D.
|
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The table below identifies and sets forth certain biographical and
other information regarding our executive officers as of date of
this proxy statement. There are no family relationships among any
of our executive officers or directors.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position(s) |
|
|
|
|
|
Ann Marie Sastry,
Ph.D. |
|
55 |
|
Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chairman of the Board |
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Corrao |
|
64 |
|
Chief Financial
Officer |
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. - President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the board of directors
Dr. Sastry has been our President, Chief Executive Officer, and
Chairman since our incorporation in November 2017. From April 2008
to October 2015, Dr. Sastry served as the President, Chief
Executive Officer, member of the board of directors and co-founder
of Sakti3, recognized as one of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology’s 50 Smartest Companies in 2015. Backed by a global team
of venture capitalists Sakti3 was sold to Dyson Ltd. in 2015 for
$90 million. Dr. Sastry was invited to the White House in 2015 to
be recognized for her technology entrepreneurship, and meet with
President Barack Obama. From October 2015 to November 2017, Dr.
Sastry continued on with Dyson as head of the global solid state
battery team, focusing on technology strategy and advancement,
staff and organizational growth, and partnership development. Her
technology and business work have been featured in the Wall Street
Journal, Fortune, Forbes, the Economist, USA Today, the New York
Times and on the cover of Inc.
Prior to starting her companies, Dr. Sastry was a professor of
engineering at the University of Michigan (UM). Dr. Sastry was
named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor (UM’s highest teaching honor)
in 2008. Tenured and promoted early, Sastry was recognized with
some of the highest honors in her scientific fields over her 17
year academic career, including the ASME Frank Kreith Energy Award
(2011) and NSF’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and
Engineers (1997). She founded two academic research centers in
intracellular signaling (Keck Foundation) and advanced automotive
batteries (GM/Department of Energy), and a global graduate program
in Energy Systems Engineering. She has co-authored over 100
publications and 100 patents and filings, and has delivered over
100 invited lectures and seminars globally on a range of scientific
and technology topics, spanning mathematics, physics, bioscience
and battery technology. Sastry is active in philanthropy and
business mentorship, with a focus on education and poverty
alleviation. She holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Cornell
University, and a B.S. degree from the University of Delaware, all
in mechanical engineering. We believe that Dr. Sastry’s experience
working with successful companies and her experience in education
qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.
Mark Corrao – Chief Financial Officer
Mark Corrao has served as our Chief Financial Officer since
December 15, 2021. Mr. Corrao has extensive experience in public
accounting, specializing in certified auditing, SEC accounting,
corporate taxation and financial planning. Since 2012, Mr. Corrao
has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Neuropathix, Inc.
(OTCQB:NPTX), a drug development company. From 2012 to 2020, Mr.
Corrao was a Managing Director of The CFO Squad LLC, an accounting
and consulting services firm, and he currently serves as an advisor
to the company. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Corrao served as the Chief
Financial Officer for Brain Scientific, Inc., a medical device
company. From 2017 to 2021, Mr. Corrao served as the Chief
Financial Officer for Generex Biotechnology Corporation
(OTCQB:GNBT), a drug development company, and its subsidiaries.
From 2015 to 2017, Mr. Corrao served as the Chairman of the Audit
Committee for Success Holdings Group International. In 2003, Mr.
Corrao founded Strikeforce Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:SFOR), a
publicly traded software development and services company, serving
as the Chief Financial Officer until 2010 and a director until
2013. Mr. Corrao’s background also includes previous experience on
Wall Street with Merrill Lynch, Spear Leeds & Kellogg, and
Greenfield Arbitrage Partners.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or
accrued during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 to (i)
our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) the two most highly compensated
individuals who were not serving as executive officers as of June
30, 2022, and (iii) two additional individuals for whom disclosure
would have been provided pursuant to prong (ii) but for the fact
that they were not serving as an executive officer as of June 30,
2022 (we refer to these individuals as the “Named Executive
Officers”).
Name
and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Stock
Awards |
|
|
Option
Awards (1) |
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(2) |
|
|
Total |
|
Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D., |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer and President |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
500,549 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
650,549 |
|
Mark
Corrao, |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
$ |
21,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer (3) |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew
Kern, |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
$ |
90,615 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
90,615 |
|
Former
Chief Financial Officer (4) |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
53,304 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
108,996 |
|
|
$ |
14,027 |
|
|
$ |
176,327 |
|
Jonathan
M. Hunkapiller (5) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
$ |
184,615 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
15,640 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
200,256 |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
78,846 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
78,846 |
|
Brandon
Owens (6) |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
$ |
176,823 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
14,888 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
191,711 |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
|
(1) |
Amounts shown in this column do not
reflect dollar amounts actually received. Instead, these amounts
represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option
awards determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The
assumptions used in the valuation of these awards are set forth in
the notes to our financial statements, which are included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on September 28,
2022. Mr. Kern received two different awards in 2021. Upon joining
the Company, he received 30,000 options with an exercise price of
$5.50 per share and vest over a period of two (2) years, with 50%
shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and
the remaining 50% vesting over the next twelve (12) months in
twelve (12) equal installments. Mr. Kern received an additional
award on May 13, 2021 of 40,000 options with an exercise price of
$2.19 per share and vest over a period of four (4) years, with 25%
shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and
the remaining 75% vesting over the next thirty-six (36) months in
thirty-six (36) equal installments. Upon termination in fiscal year
2022, Mr. Kern forfeited his 70,000 options since they were not yet
vested. |
|
(2) |
The amounts represent annual cash
performance-based bonuses earned by our named executive officers
pursuant to the achievement of certain Company and individual
performance objectives in the fiscal year under the FY2021 Bonus
Plan. See “FY2021 Bonus Plan” below. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Corrao was appointed as the
Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective December 15, 2021. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Kern served as the Company’s
Chief Financial Officer from February 2021 through December 15,
2021. |
|
(5) |
Mr. Hunkapiler served as the
Company’s Director of Engineering, Infrastructure from
November 30, 2020 through July 27, 2022. |
|
(6) |
Mr. Owens is the Senior Director,
Enterprise Sales effective November 2, 2020. |
Employment Agreements
Ann Marie Sastry, Chief Executive Officer
On April 27, 2018 Amesite Parent entered into an Executive
Employment Agreement with Dr. Sastry (the “Sastry Employment
Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Sastry Employment
Agreement, Dr. Sastry is entitled to a $350,000 base salary to be
paid in accordance with our regularly established payroll practice.
Additionally, Dr. Sastry received a bonus of $200,000 for the year
ended June 30, 2019 based upon achievement of certain performance
milestones (with determination of achievement of such milestones
approved by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors).
Dr. Sastry is also eligible to receive other customary benefits,
including paid time off, health insurance, and other benefits. Dr.
Sastry’s base salary is reviewed periodically by our board of
directors and adjustments may be made upon the recommendations of
the Compensation Committee.
Except in situations where the employment of Dr. Sastry is
terminated for “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Sastry
Employment Agreement) or by death, in the event that we terminate
Dr. Sastry’s employment at any time, Dr. Sastry will receive (i) an
amount equal to twelve (12) months of the her then-current base
salary, payable in the form of salary continuation (“Severance” and
such period, the “Severance Period”) and (ii) if Dr. Sastry timely
elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Company will pay the cost
of continuation coverage for Dr. Sastry and her eligible family
members under the our group health plan until the earlier of (a)
the end of the Severance Period, and (b) the date Dr. Sastry
becomes covered under another employer’s group health plan. Dr.
Sastry’s eligibility for Severance is conditioned on Dr. Sastry
having first signed a release agreement with us. Executive shall
not be entitled to any Severance if Dr. Sastry’s employment is
terminated for Cause or by death or if Dr. Sastry’s employment is
terminated by Dr. Sastry without Good Reason (as defined in the
Sastry Employment Agreement).
We entered into an Executive Agreement, effective June 1, 2020,
with Dr. Sastry regarding her continued service as our Chief
Executive Officer (the “May 2020 Sastry Agreement”). This agreement
replaced and superseded the Sastry Employment Agreement. Pursuant
to the terms of the May 2020 Sastry Employment Agreement, Dr.
Sastry was entitled to a $350,000 base salary (the “Base Salary”)
to be paid in accordance with our regularly established payroll
practice, which increased to $550,000 per year upon completion of
our initial public offering. Additionally, Dr. Sastry received
525,000 options to purchase our common stock, and is entitled to
receive additional grants of options each successive year she
serves as Chief Executive Officer based on her Base Salary. Dr.
Sastry is also eligible to earn an annual bonus of up to $300,000,
based on the achievement of certain performance-based milestones
for each fiscal year mutually agreed upon by our board of directors
and/or our Compensation Committee and Dr. Sastry.
Dr. Sastry is also eligible to receive other customary benefits
offered by the Company to its senior executives and directors,
including paid time off, retirement benefits, health insurance,
life insurance and other benefits. Dr. Sastry’s base salary is
reviewed periodically by our board of directors and adjustments may
be made upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee.
Mark Corrao, Chief Financial Officer
In connection with Mr. Corrao’s appointment as Chief Financial
Officer on December 15, 2021, we entered into CFO Agreement with
Mr. Corrao, pursuant to which he received $3,000 upon signing of
the agreement and $3,000 per month thereafter, payable in
accordance with our standard payroll policies. The CFO Agreement
will terminate on December 15, 2022, and may only be extended
thereafter by mutual agreement, unless terminated earlier by
operation of and in accordance with the CFO Agreement. The CFO
Agreement and all compensation payable thereunder is contingent
upon the continuance of a separate consulting services agreement
between the Company and The CFO Squad LLC.
Matthew Kern, Former Chief Financial Officer
In connection with Mr. Kern’s appointment as Chief Financial
Officer in February 2021, we entered into an Employment Letter with
Mr. Kern, pursuant to which he was entitled to receive a base
salary at the annual rate of $152,000, payable in accordance with
our standard payroll policies, and stock options to purchase up to
30,000 shares of common stock under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan,
which vest as follows: 50% of the options shall vest on the one
year anniversary of the grant; and (ii) the remaining 50% of the
options shall vest and become exercisable in twelve (12) successive
equal monthly installments thereafter. Mr. Kern will all be
eligible to receive a $40,000 performance-based bonus, as awarded
in the sole discretion of our board of directors.
Mr. Kern was terminated on December 15, 2021 by the board of
directors and the Company and as such, all of his options were
unvested and forfeited immediately upon termination.
FY2021 Bonus Plan
Ann Marie Sastry, Chief Executive Officer
On September 20, 2020 2018 Amesite Parent entered into a bonus plan
agreement with Dr. Sastry (“FY2021 Bonus Plan”). pursuant to
Section 5 of the Sastry Employment Agreement, Dr. Sastry is
entitled to be given the opportunity to earn an annual bonus of up
to $300,000. Dr. Sastry’s bonus plan structure is as follows:
|
● |
Common
stock remains listed on national securities exchange as of June 30,
2021 – 25% or $75,000 |
|
● |
Revenue
target of $5.5 million achieved (based on sales, not fundraising) –
if $7 million in revenue is met, 50% is earned; if $3.0 - $5.5
million in revenue is met, 25% is earned – up to $150,000 to be
paid |
|
● |
Company
establishes a strategic channel partnership – 25% or
$75,000 |
Dr. Sastry earned a $150,000 bonus in FY2022 as the stock remained
listed on the NASDAQ securities exchange ($75,000 bonus earned),
and the Company established a strategic channel partnership in
FY2022 ($75,000 bonus earned). The revenue target was not met
resulting in no bonus payout related to that objective.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding
stock options held by our named executive officers as of June 30,
2022:
NAME |
|
GRANT DATE |
|
VESTING COMMENCEMENT DATE |
|
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
(#) |
|
|
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS UNEXERCISABLE
(#) |
|
|
OPTION EXERCISE PRICE ($) |
|
|
OPTION EXPIRATION DATE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ann Marie Sastry,
Ph.D. |
|
5/22/2020 |
|
5/22/2020 |
|
|
525,000 |
(1) |
|
|
525,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
5/21/2030 |
Brandon Owens |
|
11/4/2020 |
|
11/4/2020 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
20,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
11/4/2030 |
Brandon Owens |
|
5/13/2021 |
|
5/13/2021 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
25,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
2.19 |
|
|
5/13/2031 |
|
(1) |
50% of the options vest on the one
year anniversary of the grant and the remaining 50% vested on the
two year anniversary. |
|
(2) |
25% of the options vest on the
one-year anniversary of the date of the grant and the remaining 75%
vest in thirty-six (36) successive equal monthly installments
thereafter. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of October
27, 2022, based on 30,300,305 shares issued and outstanding by (i)
each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of our
outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors and director
nominees, (iii) our named executive officers and (iv) all directors
and executive officers as a group. Shares are beneficially owned
when an individual has voting and/or investment power over the
shares or could obtain voting and/or investment power over the
shares within 60 days of the Record Date. Except as otherwise
indicated, the persons named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned,
subject to community property laws, where applicable. Unless
otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed
below is c/o Amesite Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214,
Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Name of Beneficial Owner and Title of Officers and Directors |
|
Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Percentage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer, and
Chairman of the Board (1) |
|
|
6,504,167 |
|
|
|
29.60 |
% |
Mark Corrao, Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.
Michael Losh, Director (3) |
|
|
388,541 |
|
|
|
1.77 |
% |
Gilbert
S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., Director (4) |
|
|
220,624 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
% |
Richard
T. Ogawa, Director (5) |
|
|
645,832 |
|
|
|
2.94 |
% |
Anthony
M. Barkett, Director (6) |
|
|
324,792 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
% |
Barbie
Brewer, Director (7) |
|
|
264,062 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
% |
George
Parmer, Director (8) |
|
|
1,009,999 |
|
|
|
4.60 |
% |
All
Officers and Directors as a Group (8
persons) (9) |
|
|
9,358,017 |
|
|
|
42.58 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Owner
Greater than 5% Stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
Tompkins (10) |
|
|
2,043,103 |
|
|
|
9.30 |
% |
(1) |
Includes
(i) 6,241,667 shares of common stock held by Dr. Sastry and (ii)
262,500 shares of common stock underlying options that are
presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date held by Dr. Sastry. Does not include 262,500 shares underlying
options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date held by Dr. Sastry. |
(2) |
Does
not include 70,000 shares underlying options that are not presently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held
by Mr. Kern. |
(3) |
Includes
(i) 41,666 shares of common stock held by Mr. Losh and (ii) 346,875
shares of common stock underlying options that are presently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held
by Mr. Losh. Does not include 62,500 shares underlying options that
are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the
Record Date held by Mr. Losh. |
(4) |
Includes
(i) 41,666 shares of common stock held by Dr. Omenn and (ii)
178,958 shares of common stock underlying options that are
presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date held by Dr. Omenn. Does not include 37,500 shares underlying
options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date held by Dr. Omenn. |
(5) |
Includes
(i) 66,666 shares of common stock held by Mr. Ogawa and (ii)
579,166 shares of common stock underlying options that are
presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date held by Mr. Ogawa. Does not include 46,875 shares underlying
options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date held by Mr. Ogawa. |
(6) |
Includes
(i) 50,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Barkett and (ii)
274,792 shares of common stock underlying options that are
presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date held by Mr. Barkett. Does not include 53,125 shares underlying
options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date held by Mr. Barkett. |
(7) |
Includes
(i) 25,000 shares of common stock held by Ms. Brewer and (ii)
239,062 shares of common stock underlying options that are
presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date held by Ms. Brewer. Does not include 60,938 shares underlying
options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date held by Ms. Brewer. |
(8) |
Includes
(i) 1,009,999 shares of common stock held by Mr.
Parmer. |
(9) |
Includes
1,881,353 shares of common stock underlying options that are either
presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date held by all directors and officers as a group. Does not
include 593,438 shares of common stock underlying options that are
not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the
Record Date held by all directors and officers as a
group. |
(10) |
Mr.
Tompkins’s address is Apt 1, via Guidino 23, 6900 Lugano, Paradiso,
Switzerland. Mr. Tompkins has voting and dispositive authority over
the shares. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a description of transactions since July 1, 2020
to which the Company party, in which the amount involved exceeds
the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the
Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed
fiscal years, and in which any of our respective directors,
director nominees, executive officers or beneficial owners of more
than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family
member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material
interest.
Related Party Advances
Since November 2017, Dr. Sastry has advanced approximately $239,292
to us to fund our start-up operations, which included research and
development, organizational costs, and various professional fees in
connection with the private placement offerings and insider
investment. We did not have a formal arrangement or agreement with
Dr. Sastry pursuant to which these funds were paid. Dr. Sastry paid
certain related expenses and was reimbursed out of proceeds of
private placement financings. Dr. Sastry was repaid without
interest.
Indemnification Agreements and Directors’ and Officers’
Liability Insurance
We will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our
directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other
things, will require us to indemnify each director and executive
officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including
indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments,
fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive
officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or
proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s
services as a director or executive officer.
Consulting Agreements
On March 29, 2018, Amesite Parent’s board of directors approved a
consulting agreement with Mr. Richard Ogawa whereby Mr. Ogawa
provided certain consulting services to us relating to the
protection of our intellectual property and general business advice
for our benefit. We agreed to pay Mr. Ogawa $1,000 for each filed
patent application and $1,000 for each issued or granted patent
regardless of the jurisdiction or type of patent, except for
provisional patent applications for which no fee would be paid by
us. In addition, we granted Mr. Ogawa a nonqualified stock option
to purchase 291,666 shares of Amesite Parent’s common stock at an
exercise price of $1.50 per share (subject to adjustment for the
Merger).
Related Person Transaction Policy
We have not had a formal policy regarding approval of transactions
with related parties. We expect to adopt a related person
transaction policy that sets forth our procedures for the
identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification
of related person transactions. For purposes of our policy only, a
related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or
relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements
or relationships, in which we and any related person are, were or
will be participants in which the amount involved exceeds the
lesser of $120,000 or one percent of our total assets at year-end
for our last two completed fiscal years. Transactions involving
compensation for services provided to us as an employee or director
are not covered by this policy. A related person is any executive
officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class
of our voting securities, including any of their immediate family
members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
Under the policy, if a transaction has been identified as a related
person transaction, including any transaction that was not a
related person transaction when originally consummated or any
transaction that was not initially identified as a related person
transaction prior to consummation, our management must present
information regarding the related person transaction to our audit
committee, or, if audit committee approval would be inappropriate,
to another independent body of our board of directors, for review,
consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must
include a description of, among other things, the material facts,
the interests, direct and indirect, of the related persons, the
benefits to us of the transaction and whether the transaction is on
terms that are comparable to the terms available to or from, as the
case may be, an unrelated third party or to or from employees
generally. Under the policy, we will collect information that we
deem reasonably necessary from each director, executive officer
and, to the extent feasible, significant shareholder to enable us
to identify any existing or potential related-person transactions
and to effectuate the terms of the policy. In addition, under our
code of business conduct and ethics, our employees and directors
will have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction
or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a
conflict of interest. In considering related person transactions,
our audit committee, or other independent body of our board of
directors, will take into account the relevant available facts and
circumstances including, but not limited to:
|
● |
the
risks, costs and benefits to us; |
|
● |
the
impact on a director’s independence in the event that the related
person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an
entity with which a director is affiliated; |
|
● |
the
availability of other sources for comparable services or products;
and |
|
● |
the
terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third
parties or to or from employees generally. |
The policy requires that, in determining whether to approve, ratify
or reject a related person transaction, our audit committee, or
other independent body of our board of directors, must consider, in
light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is
not inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our
shareholders, as our audit committee, or other independent body of
our board of directors, determines in the good faith exercise of
its discretion.
OTHER MATTERS
The board of directors knows of no other business, which will be
presented to the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly
brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies in the enclosed form
will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting
the proxies.
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies in the accompanying
form. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may also be
solicited by our directors, officers or other employees, personally
or by telephone, facsimile or email, none of whom will be
compensated separately for these solicitation activities. We have
engaged Carideo Group to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We
will pay a fee of approximately $1,500 plus reasonable
out-of-pocket charges to Carideo Group for such services.
If you do not plan to attend the Annual Meeting, in order that your
shares may be represented and in order to assure the required
quorum, please sign, date and return your proxy promptly. In the
event you are able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, at your
request, we will cancel your previously submitted proxy.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR
Stockholders who intend to have a proposal considered for inclusion
in our proxy materials for presentation at our 2023 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders must submit the proposal to us at our corporate
headquarters no later than August 3, 2023, which proposal must be
made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 of the
Exchange Act and our Bylaws. Stockholders who intend to present a
proposal, or nominate any person for election to the board of
directors, at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders without
inclusion of the proposal in our proxy materials are required to
provide notice of such proposal to our Secretary so that such
notice is received by our Secretary at our principal executive
offices on or after August 3, 2023, but no later than September 2,
2023. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take
other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not
comply with these and other applicable requirements.
Any director candidates recommended by security holders would be
referred to the governance and nominating committee for
consideration. The committee would review the qualifications of
such director candidate and make a report to the board of
directors. The board would then consider whether such candidate,
taking into account various relevant factors, such as diversity,
equity position in the company, background, experience, reputation,
membership in other public company boards, business relationships,
and potential contribution to the Company’s business and
development, should be offered a position on the board of
directors, either by appointment or at the next stockholders
meeting. Stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of
director nominees other than the registrant’s nominees must provide
notice to the Company not less than ninety (90) days nor more
than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year
anniversary of the preceding year’s annual
meeting; provided, however, that if the
date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days
before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary
date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered,
or mailed and received, not later than the ninetieth
(90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the
tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure
of the date of such annual meeting was first made, which notice
must comply with Rule 14a-19.
HOUSEHOLDING
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries
(e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy
statements and other Annual Meeting materials with respect to two
or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a proxy
statement or other Annual Meeting materials addressed to those
stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as
householding, potentially provides extra convenience for
stockholders and cost savings for companies. Stockholders who
participate in householding will continue to be able to access and
receive separate proxy cards.
If you share an address with another stockholder and have received
multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may write or call us at
the address or phone number below to request delivery of a single
copy of the notice and, if applicable, other proxy materials in the
future. We undertake to deliver promptly upon written or oral
request a separate copy of the proxy materials, as requested, to a
stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the proxy
materials was delivered. If you hold stock as a record stockholder
and prefer to receive separate copies of our proxy materials either
now or in the future, please contact us at 607 Shelby Street, Suite
700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attn: Secretary, or by phone
at (734) 876-8130. If your stock is held through a brokerage
firm or bank and you prefer to receive separate copies of our proxy
materials either now or in the future, please contact your
brokerage firm or bank.
ANNUAL REPORT
Additional copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2022 may be obtained without charge by writing
to the Company’s Secretary, 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214,
Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2022 and certain other related financial and business
information are contained in our 2022 Annual Report to
Stockholders, which is being made available to our stockholders
along with this proxy statement, but which is not deemed a part of
the proxy soliciting material.
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
/s/
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
|
Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
October
28, 2022 |
Chairman
of the Board of Directors |
PROXY CARD
AMESITE INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2022
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints, Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Mark
Corrao, as proxies with full power of substitution, to represent
and to vote all the shares of common stock of Amesite Inc. (the
“Company”), which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, at the
Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held December 15,
2022 and at any adjournments thereof, subject to the directions
indicated on this Proxy Card.
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon any
other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS
MADE, BUT IF NO CHOICES ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY
THE PROXY HOLDERS FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AND FOR THE
PROPOSALS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND IN THEIR DISCRETION ON ANY
OTHER MATTERS THAT ARE PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE MEETING OR ANY
ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
IMPORTANT — This Proxy must be signed and dated below.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Amesite Inc. will be held
virtually on December 15, 2022 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022.
THIS IS YOUR PROXY
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Dear Stockholder:
We cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Amesite Inc. to be held virtually at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022, on December 15, 2022
beginning at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Please read the proxy statement which describes the proposals and
presents other important information, and complete, sign and return
your proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A
VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1-3.
1.
Election of two Class II Director Nominees |
|
FOR |
|
WITHHOLD |
|
|
01 –
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D.
02 – Barbie Brewer |
|
☐ |
|
☐ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Proposal to ratify Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2023. |
|
FOR
☐
|
|
AGAINST
☐
|
|
ABSTAIN
☐
|
NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof will be voted on by the proxy
holders in their discretion.
Important: Please sign exactly as name appears on this proxy. When
signing as attorney, executor, trustee, guardian, corporate
officer, etc., please indicate full title.
|
Dated:________________,
2022 |
|
|
|
Signature |
|
|
|
Signature |
|
(Joint
Owners) |
|
|
|
Name
(printed) |
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
You may vote your proxy in the following ways:
Login to www.proxyvote.xom
Enter your control number (12 digit number located below)
1-800-690-6903
Vote Processing
c/o Broadridge
51 Mercedes Way
Englewood, NY 11717
CONTROL NUMBER:
You may vote by Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Internet
voting is available through 11:59 p.m.,
prevailing time, on December 14, 2022.
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