Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Our Directors and Executive Officers
Below is certain information about our directors and executive
officers.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Served
as an Officer
and/or Director Since
|
Paul M. Galvin
|
|
58
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
November 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stevan Armstrong
|
|
73
|
|
Chief Technology Officer
|
|
November 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Rogers
|
|
53
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
December 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Sheeran
|
|
40
|
|
Acting Chief Financial Officer
|
|
August 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yaniv Blumenfeld (1)(3)(5)
|
|
48
|
|
Independent Director
|
|
April 2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher Melton (1)(2)(3)(5)(6)(7)
|
|
49
|
|
Independent Director
|
|
November 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maggie Coleman (1)(3)(4)(5)
|
|
45
|
|
Independent Director
|
|
June 2020
|
|
(1)
|
Audit Committee Member.
|
|
(2)
|
Audit Committee Chairman.
|
|
(3)
|
Compensation Committee Member.
|
|
(4)
|
Compensation Committee Chairman.
|
|
(5)
|
Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee Member.
|
|
(6)
|
Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee Chair
|
|
(7)
|
Lead Independent Director.
|
Paul
M. Galvin was appointed as a director and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer upon consummation of the reverse merger
among CDSI Holdings Inc., CDSI Merger Sub, Inc., the Company, and certain stockholders of the Company on November 4, 2011 (the “Merger”).
Mr. Galvin is a founder of SG Blocks, LLC, the predecessor entity of the Company. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since April 2009 and as a director of the Company since January 2007. Mr. Galvin has been a managing member of TAG Partners,
LLC (“TAG”), an investment partnership formed for the purpose of investing in the Company, since October 2007. Mr. Galvin
brings over 20 years of experience developing and managing real estate, including residential condominiums, luxury sales and market rate
and affordable rental projects. Prior to his involvement in real estate, he founded a non-profit organization that focused on public
health, housing and child survival, where he served for over a decade in a leadership position. During that period, Mr. Galvin designed,
developed and managed emergency food and shelter programs through New York City’s Human Resources Administration and other federal
and state entities. From November 2005 to June 2007, Mr. Galvin was Chief Operating Officer of a subsidiary of Yucaipa Investments, where
he worked with religious institutions that needed to monetize underperforming assets. While there, he designed and managed systems that
produced highest and best use analyses for hundreds of religious assets and used them to acquire and re-develop properties across the
U.S. Mr. Galvin has served on the board of directors of ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBLT), a designer, manufacturer and distributor
of innovative tools and accessories to the building industry, since November 2018, and currently serves as the chair of its compensation
committee and as a member of each of the audit and nominating and governance committees. Mr. Galvin holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting
from LeMoyne College and a Master’s Degree in Social Policy from Fordham University. He was formerly an adjunct professor at Fordham
University’s Graduate School of Welfare. Mr. Galvin previously served for 10 years on the Sisters of Charity Healthcare System
Advisory Board and six years on the board of SentiCare, Inc. In 2011, the Council of Churches of New York recognized Mr. Galvin with
an Outstanding Business Leadership Award.
We selected Mr. Galvin to serve on our Board
because he brings extensive knowledge of the real estate and finance industries and managements experience. Mr. Galvin’s pertinent
experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include his expertise in real estate development and management and finance.
Stevan
Armstrong was appointed as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer upon consummation of the Merger on November 4,
2011. Mr. Armstrong served as a director of the Company from November 4, 2011 until July 1, 2016. Mr. Armstrong is a founder of SGBlocks,
LLC. Mr. Armstrong has served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of SGB and its predecessor entity since April 2009 and as
a director of SGB and its predecessor entity since January 2007. From 2003 until fully phasing out in March 2010, he was a minority partner
(owner) and Chief Construction Officer for Stratford Companies, a large senior housing development group, where he had complete responsibility
for all engineering, design construction, and commissioning of over $250,000,000 of facilities over a three-year period. Prior to that,
he was the Executive Vice President for Operations of Hospital Affiliates Development Corp., a proprietary health care company specializing
in the development of healthcare and senior care projects both domestically and internationally. Mr. Armstrong managed the design and
construction of healthcare and elderly care housing projects in 40 states and 16 foreign countries with overall responsibility for operations.
His background includes structural design engineering for large-scale healthcare projects, project scheduling, and management of development
of construction budgets. He spent much of his early career working on-site as a field engineer and construction specialist. Mr. Armstrong
served 30 years on active and reserve duty as a Civil Engineering Corps Officer for the U.S. Navy, retiring as Assistant Chief of Staff
for Operations for the Atlantic Seabees (Navy Construction Battalions) both Active and Reserve based out of Norfolk, Virginia, with 8,000
engineering and construction troops reporting to headquarters. Mr. Armstrong was responsible for their operations both in the U.S. and
worldwide. Mr. Armstrong holds a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a Master's in Engineering
from George Washington University. Mr. Armstrong brings extensive design, construction, and engineering expertise to the Company and
his pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills include real estate and development expertise.
William
Rogers has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since December 2020. Mr. Rogers has over 30
years of professional construction experience as lead superintendent. From April 2007 through
December 2020, Mr. Rogers acted as the Construction Superintendent at Plaza Construction Corp. based out
of New York City. As the Construction Superintendent, Mr. Rogers supervised and directed subcontractors while demonstrating strong
leadership, communication, organizational and time management skills. As part of his responsibilities, Mr. Rogers monitored costs
including labor and material, project schedule and progress, and coordinated the sequence of construction details.
Gerald Sheeran has served as the Controller
of the Company since March of 2018 and Acting Chief Financial Officer since August 22, 2019. Mr. Sheeran brings to our Company extensive
experience and expertise in areas of finance and accounting. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sheeran was a Senior Accounting Manager
for Lucid Energy Group from March of 2013 to March of 2018. Before his time at Lucid Energy Group, Mr. Sheeran worked for several different
companies in connection with their accounting, reporting, and financial operations. Mr. Sheeran holds a Bachelor of Business Administration
in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Yaniv Blumenfeld joined the Board in April
2018. He founded Glacier Global Partners LLC in 2009 and is responsible for its strategic direction and oversees its investments and day-to-day
management, including origination, underwriting, closing, investor relations and asset management functions. Mr. Blumenfeld has over 20
years of real estate experience, 13 years of which have been with leading Wall Street firms, where he was responsible for structuring,
underwriting, pricing, securitizing and syndicating over $16 billion of commercial real estate loans and equity transactions. Prior to
founding Glacier Global Partners LLC, Mr. Blumenfeld was a Managing Director at The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase &
Co., and, in such role, was responsible for structuring and closing over $2 billion in real estate debt and equity transactions for institutional
clientele. Prior to that, Mr. Blumenfeld was a Managing Director and Head of the CMBS Capital Markets Group for the U.S. at EuroHypo AG,
then world’s largest real estate investment bank. In that capacity, Mr. Blumenfeld expanded the large loan CMBS group and oversaw
the structuring, pricing, securitization and syndication functions and served on the bank’s investment committee in charge of approving
all transactions. He designed and implemented risk-control measures, standardized underwriting and pricing models and structured over
$4 billion of real estate loans. Other positions previously held by Mr. Blumenfeld include Senior Vice President at Lehman Brothers, PaineWebber/UBS
and Daiwa Securities. Prior to joining the banking industry, Mr. Blumenfeld worked as a real estate consultant at Ernst & Young real
estate consulting group, advising real estate owners and operators, and various investment banks. Mr. Blumenfeld received a Bachelor of
Science in real estate finance from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. He is a member of the CRE Finance Council, was
a guest lecturer at Columbia University, and was a recipient of the Young Jewish Professional NYC Real Estate Entrepreneur & Achievement
Award in 2013. He is also involved with various philanthropic organizations, including The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, White
Plains Hospital, American Friends of Rabin Medical Center and is on the board of directors of ArtsWestchester and the White Plains Business
Improvement District.
We selected Mr. Blumenfeld to serve on our
Board because he brings extensive knowledge of the real estate finance industry. Mr. Blumenfeld’s pertinent experience, qualifications,
attributes and skills include expertise in real estate finance, risk-control, developments, investment banking and capital raising.
Christopher Melton was appointed as a
director of the Company upon consummation of the Merger on November 4, 2011. Mr. Melton serves on several public and private boards, including
CBD Brands and funds advised by TNT Capital Advisors. Mr. Melton is a licensed real estate salesperson in the State of South Carolina
and serves as a specialist Land Advisor with SVN. Mr. Melton was a Portfolio Manager for Kingdon Capital Management (“Kingdon”)
in New York City, where he ran an $800 million book in media, telecom and Japanese investment. Mr. Melton opened Kingdon’s office
in Japan, where he set up a Japanese research company. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Melton served as a Vice President at JPMorgan Investment
Management as an equity research analyst, where he helped manage $500 million in REIT funds under management. Mr. Melton was a Senior
Real Estate Equity Analyst at RREEF Funds in Chicago from 1995 to 1997. RREEF Funds is the real estate investment management business
of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division. Mr. Melton earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy of Industrial Societies
from the University of California, Berkeley in 1995. Mr. Melton earned Certification from University of California, Los Angeles’s
Anderson Director Education Program in 2014.
We selected Mr. Melton to serve on our Board because he brings
extensive knowledge of finance and the real estate industry. Mr. Melton’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills
include financial literacy and expertise, managerial experience and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his real estate
investment and development activities.
Maggie
Coleman is a Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of International Capital, Americas at Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:
JLL), a Fortune 500 company, a position she has held since January 2020. In this role, Ms. Coleman leads a team that is primarily focused
on cross-border capital deployment from global investors across Canada, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Ms. Coleman is responsible for placing
capital from international investors into JLL’s direct transactions, structuring recapitalizations and joint ventures, while also
helping offshore capital acquire and finance JLL’s global investment portfolios and large single asset sales. Ms. Coleman has been
involved in over $20 billion in transactions and has directed the JLL platform that has executed over $53 billion in transactions since
2011, including over $10 billion in loan sales in the US, Europe and Asia. Further, Ms. Coleman is responsible for business development,
client management and the execution of global transactions and is a frequent speaker on global capital flows in the real estate sector.
Ms. Coleman also served in various other positions at JLL including as Executive Vice President at JLL form 2013-209 and Managing Director
for, 2016-2019. Prior to the its merger with JLL in 2008, Ms. Coleman worked as a Director within the M&A Advisory Services group
of Staubach Capital Markets specializing in real estate structured financial solutions and investment banking. Ms. Coleman earned a master’s
degree from the University of Chicago in Political Economy and a bachelor’s degree in business economics & public policy (BEPP)
and international business from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Ms. Coleman is a council member of the Urban Development/Mixed-Use
Council (UDMUC) at the Urban Land Institute. Commercial Property Executive named Ms. Coleman as a recipient of the “Rising Leader
Award” for 2012. In 2012, Ms. Coleman also received the Catalyst Award from JLL for her achievements in team management. Ms. Coleman
is affiliated with the Guild Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Jackson
Chance Foundation.
We selected Ms. Coleman to serve on our Board
because she brings extensive real estate investment knowledge. Ms. Coleman’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and
skills include expertise in real estate investment and financial literacy.
THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
Board Leadership Structure
The Board recognizes that one
of its key responsibilities is to evaluate and determine its optimal leadership structure to provide independent oversight of management.
Our Board is currently led by a Chairman of the Board who also serves as our Chief Executive Officer. The Board understands that the right
Board leadership structure may vary depending on the circumstances, and our independent directors periodically assess these roles and
the Board leadership to ensure the leadership structure best serves the interests of the Company and stockholders.
Mr. Galvin currently holds the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer roles. Mr. Melton currently serves as the Lead Independent Director elected by the majority of the Board.
The responsibilities of the Lead
Independent Director include, among others: (i) serving as primary intermediary between non-employee directors and management; (ii) approving
the agenda and meeting schedules for the Board; (iii) advising the Chairman of the Board as to the quality, quantity and timeliness of
the information submitted by management to directors; (iv) recommending director candidates and selections for the membership and chairman
position for each committee of the Board; (v) calling meetings of independent directors; and (vi) serving as liaison for consultation
and communication with stockholders.
We believe the current leadership
structure, with combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles and a Lead Independent Director, best serves the Company and its stockholders
at this time. Mr. Galvin possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the Company and the industry and the issues, opportunities and challenges
we face, and is best positioned to ensure the most critical business issues are brought for consideration by the Board. In addition, having
one leader serving as both the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer provides decisive, consistent and effective leadership, as well as
clear accountability to our stockholders and customers. This enhances our ability to communicate our message and strategy clearly and
consistently to our stockholders, employees, customers and suppliers, particularly during times of turbulent economic and industry conditions.
The Board believes the appointment of a strong Lead Independent Director and the use of regular executive sessions of the non-management
directors, along with a majority the Board being composed of independent directors, allow it to maintain effective oversight of management.
We believe that the combination of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles is appropriate in the current circumstances and, based
on the relevant facts and circumstances, separation of these offices would not serve our best interests and the best interests of our
stockholders at this time.
Director Independence
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605 requires a majority of a listed
company’s board to be comprised of independent directors. In addition, the Nasdaq Listing Rules require that, subject to specified
exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit and compensation committees be independent under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee must also satisfy the
independence criteria set forth in Rules 10A-3 and 10C-1 under the Exchange Act, respectively. Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2), a
director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of the Board, that person does not have a relationship
that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In order to be considered
independent for purposes of Exchange Act Rule 10A-3, an Audit Committee member may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member
of the Audit Committee, the Board or any other committee of the Board, accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other
compensatory fee from the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or otherwise be affiliated with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
In order for Compensation Committee members to be considered independent for purposes of Exchange Act Rule 10C-1, the Board must consider
all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to the Company that is material to that director’s
ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a Compensation Committee member, including, but not limited
to: (1) the source of compensation of the director, including any consulting advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the Company to
the director; and (2) whether the director is affiliated with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
The Board has reviewed
the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors has with the Company and has determined that each of Messrs. Blumenfeld,
Melton, and Ms. Coleman is “independent” in accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Mr. Galvin is not considered “independent.”
As such independent directors comprise a majority of our Board and the members of our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committees are fully independent.
There are no family relationships between any of our directors,
director nominees or executive officers.
Board and Committee Responsibilities
Generally
The Board is the ultimate decision-making
body of the Company, except with respect to those matters to be decided by the stockholders. It selects the Chief Executive Officer and
other members of the senior management team, which is charged with the conduct of the Company’s day-to-day business. The Board acts
as an advisor and counselor to senior management and ultimately monitors its performance. The function of the Board to monitor the performance
of senior management is facilitated by the presence of non- employee directors who have substantive knowledge of the Company’s business.
Our Board has established
a separate standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the Audit Committee,
Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which may
be viewed on the Company’s website at https://www.sgblocks.com under the “Investors—Corporate Governance”
tab.
Audit Committee
The members of our Audit Committee are
Mr. Melton, who serves as chairperson, Mr. Blumenfeld and Ms. Coleman. The Audit Committee Charter requires that the Audit Committee
consist of at least three members of the Board, each of whom is required to be independent as defined by Nasdaq and SEC rules. The
Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as defined by Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq
Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). The Board has also determined that Mr. Melton is an “audit committee financial expert,” as
defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
The Audit Committee is directly
responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. Functions
of the Audit Committee include, but are not limited to, reviewing the results and scope of the audit performed, and the financial recommendations
provided by, our independent registered public accounting firm and coordinating the Board’s oversight of our internal financing
and accounting processes.
All audit services to be
provided to the Company by our independent public accounting firm, Whitley Penn, are pre-approved by the Audit Committee prior to the
initiation of such services (except for items exempt from pre-approval requirements under applicable laws and rules). The Audit Committee
approved all services provided by Whitley Penn to us during 2020.
Compensation Committee
The members of our Compensation
Committee are Ms. Coleman, who serves as chairperson, Mr. Melton and Mr. Blumenfeld. The Compensation Committee Charter requires that
the Compensation Committee consist of at least two members of the Board, each of whom is required to be independent as defined by Nasdaq
rules. The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent, as defined in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule
5605(a)(2).
Functions of the Compensation Committee,
include, but are not limited to: reviewing and approving, or recommending the Board approve, compensation arrangements for our executive
officers, including salary and payments under the Company’s equity-based plans; reviewing compensation for non-employee directors
and recommending changes to the Board; and administering our stock compensation plans. Our principal executive officer annually reviews
the performance of each of the named executive officers and other officers and makes recommendations regarding the named executive officers
and other officers and managers of the company, while the Compensation Committee reviews the performance of our principal executive officer.
The conclusions and recommendations resulting from our principal executive officer’s review are then presented to the Compensation
Committee for its consideration and approval. The Compensation Committee can exercise its discretion in modifying any of our principal
executive officer’s recommendations. The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to a subcommittee of its members.
In performing its
functions, the Compensation Committee may retain or obtain the advice of such compensation consultants, legal counsel and other
advisors. In February 2018, the Compensation Committee retained Haigh & Company as its independent compensation consultant. With
the assistance of Haigh & Company, the Compensation Committee developed and implemented an organizational framework covering
salary, annual bonus and equity ownership, with the goal of attracting and retaining talented individuals who are critical to the
Company’s long-term success and aligning pay with performance. Based on the information received from the consultant, the
Compensation Committee believes that the work Haigh & Company performed in 2018 did not raise a conflict of interest and that it
was fully independent. The Compensation Committee re-engaged Haigh & Company in September 2020 as its independent compensation
consultant.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of our Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee are Mr. Melton, who serves as the chairperson, Mr. Blumenfeld and Ms. Coleman. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee Charter requires that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consist of at least two members of the Board,
each of whom is required to be independent as defined by Nasdaq rules. The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee is independent, as defined in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). Specific responsibilities of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee include: (i) considering and recommending to the Board, candidates for election to the Board; (ii)
considering recommendations and proposals submitted by stockholders in respect of Board nominees, establishing policies in respect of
such recommendations and proposals (including stockholder communications with the board of directors), and recommending any action to
the Board in respect of such stockholder recommendations and proposals; (iii) identifying, evaluating and recommending to the board of
directors, candidates to serve on committees of the Board; (iv) assessing the performance of the Board; and (v) reviewing risk governance
structure, risk assessment and risk management practices and guidelines, policies and processes for risk assessment and risk management.
Ad Hoc Committees
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we also had an Executive
Committee which was terminated in July 2020.
Changes to Procedures for Recommending
Nominees to the Board of Directors.
None.
Conduct of Board Meetings
The Chairman sets the agenda for
Board meetings with the understanding that the Board is responsible for providing suggestions for agenda items that are aligned with the
advisory and monitoring functions of the Board. Agenda items that fall within the scope of responsibilities of a committee of the Board
are reviewed with the chair of that committee. Any member of the Board may request that an item be included on the agenda. Board materials
related to agenda items are provided to Board members sufficiently in advance of Board meetings to allow the directors to prepare for
discussion of the items at the meeting. At the invitation of the Board, members of senior management recommended by the Chairman attend
Board meetings or portions thereof for the purpose of participating in discussions.
Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
Our executive officers are responsible for the day-to-day
management of risks the Company faces, while our Board has an advisory role in the Company’s risk management process, as a whole
and at the committee level, and, in particular, the Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic and operational risk exposures,
including cybersecurity risk. The Board and committees rely on the representations of management, the external audit of our financial
and operating results, our systems of internal control and our historic practices when assessing the Company’s risks. The Audit
Committee oversees management of financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, and
additionally provides oversight of internal controls. The Compensation Committee, in conjunction with the Audit Committee, assesses and
monitors whether any of the Company’s compensation policies and programs have the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.
While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board is regularly
informed about such risks by committee reports, as well as advice and counsel from expert advisors.
Certain Relationships and Related
Party Transactions
Any transaction with a related
person is subject to our written policy for transactions with related persons. Pursuant to such policy, our Audit Committee reviews in
advance all related person transactions. The Audit Committee approves only those related person transactions that are determined to be
in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, taking into account all available facts and circumstances
as the Audit Committee determines in good faith to be necessary. These facts and circumstances will typically include, but not be limited
to: whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of business of the Company; the purpose and potential benefits of the
transaction to the Company; the terms of the transaction and of comparable transactions that would be available to unrelated third parties
or to employees generally; and the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, an immediate
family member of a director or an entity in which a director is a partner, stockholder or executive officer. In reviewing and approving
such transactions, the Audit Committee shall obtain, or shall direct management to obtain on its behalf, all information that the Audit
Committee believes to be relevant and important to a review of the transaction prior to its approval. The Audit Committee may adopt any
further policies and procedures relating to the approval of related person transactions that it deems necessary or advisable from time
to time.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy
We maintain an insider trading
policy that applies to our officers and directors that prohibits trading our securities when in possession of material non-public information.
It also prohibits the hedging of our securities, including short sales or purchases or sales of derivative securities based on our securities,
and, unless an exemption is approved by our Audit Committee, the pledging of our securities. Since the adoption of our insider trading
policy, the Audit Committee has not granted any such exemptions to the policy’s general prohibition on pledging.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10 percent of a registered class of SG Blocks,
Inc. equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock. Such
officers, directors and persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file with
the SEC.
Based solely on a review
of the copies of such forms that were received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required for those persons, we are not aware of any failures to file reports or report transactions in a timely manner during the year
ended December 31, 2020 other than a late Form 3 filing by Larry G. Swets upon becoming a 10% owner of our common stock and a late Form
4 filing by Mr. Swets upon acquisition of shares of our common stock.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Board has adopted a Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our principal executive officer, principal
financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our website at https://www.sgblocks.com
under the “Investors— Corporate Governance” tab, and is available free of charge, upon request to our Corporate Secretary
at SG Blocks, Inc., 195 Montague Street, 14th Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11201; telephone number: (646) 240-4235. Any substantive amendment
of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and any waiver of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for executive officers or directors,
will be made only after approval by the Board or a committee of the Board and will be disclosed on our website. In addition, any such
waiver will be disclosed within four days on a Form 8-K filed with the SEC if then required by applicable rules and regulations.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
We are a “smaller
reporting company” and the following compensation disclosure is intended to comply with the requirements applicable to smaller
reporting companies. Although the rules allow us to provide less detail about its executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee
is committed to providing the information necessary to help stockholders understand its executive compensation-related decisions. Accordingly,
this section includes supplemental narratives that describe the 2020 executive compensation program for our named executive officers.
The following discussion and table relates
to compensation arrangements on behalf of, and compensation paid by our Company to, Paul M. Galvin, Gerald Sheeran and Stevan Armstrong.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth all compensation
awarded to, paid to or earned by the following named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Stock Awards
($) (1)
|
|
|
All Other Compensation
($) (2)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Paul M. Galvin,
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
330,945
|
|
|
$
|
1,274,096
|
|
|
$
|
36,674
|
|
|
$
|
1,641,715
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
354,167
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
10,450
|
|
|
$
|
364,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Sheeran,
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
157,500
|
|
|
$
|
150,030
|
|
|
$
|
33,694
|
|
|
$
|
341,224
|
|
Acting Chief Financial Officer and Controller
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
136,346
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
|
$
|
137,846
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stevan Armstrong,
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
52,083
|
|
|
$
|
95,260
|
|
|
$
|
675
|
|
|
$
|
148,018
|
|
Chief Technology Officer
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
114,786
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
|
$
|
116,286
|
|
|
(1)
|
On April 14, 2020, the Compensation
Committee granted RSUs with a value of $53,935 to Mr. Galvin, $14,280 to Mr. Sheeran and $4,760 to Mr. Armstrong. On September
23, 2020 the Compensation Committee awarded, RSUs with a value of $135,750 to Mr. Sheeran and $90,500 to Mr. Armstrong. On December
9, 2020, the Compensation Committee awarded RSUs with a value of $1,220,160 to Mr. Galvin. This column indicates the aggregate
grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic
718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC Topic 718”), of the RSUs granted in April and November 2020.
See “Note 17 — Share-based Compensation” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for an explanation of the assumptions made in valuing these awards.
|
|
(2)
|
For 2020, all other compensation
consisted of: Mr. Galvin — automobile allowance of $10,400, medical insurance allowance of $24,474 and phone allowance of $1,800;
Mr. Sheeran — phone allowance of $1,500, medical insurance allowance of $7,894, other allowances of $22,500 and $1,800 matching
contributions under the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan; and Mr. Armstrong — phone allowance of $675. For 2019, all
other compensation consisted of: Mr. Galvin — automobile allowance of $8,800 and phone allowance of $1,650; Mr. Sheeran —
phone allowance of $1,500; and Mr. Armstrong — phone allowance of $1,500.
|
|
(3)
|
During 2019, Mr. Galvin
earned salary compensation of $354,167, for his duties as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and President. Mr. Galvin
voluntarily deferred $170,547 of his annual base salary during 2019. Such deferred salary amount of $170,547 was paid to Mr. Galvin
in 2020.
|
|
(4)
|
During 2019, Messrs. Armstrong
and Sheeran deferred salary of $14,333 and $5,000, respectively, of their annual base salary during 2019. Such deferred salary were
paid to Messrs. Armstrong and Sheeran in 2020.
|
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Following is a brief summary of each core element of the
compensation program for our named executive officers.
Base Salary
We provide competitive base salaries
that are intended to attract and retain key executive talent. Base salary levels depend on the executive’s position,
responsibilities, experience, market factors, recruitment and retention factors, internal equity factors and our overall
compensation philosophy. Effective January 1, 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Galvin as
described further below under “Employment Agreements.” On July 24, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved an increase
to the annual base salary of Mr. Galvin, the Company’s President, retroactive to January 1, 2018. Mr. Galvin’s salary
increased from $240,000 to $370,000. Such increases were based on a competitive market assessment provided by Haigh & Company,
the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant.
On August 22, 2019, the Board
appointed Gerald Sheeran, the former Controller of the Company, as the acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company. We do not have a
written agreement with Mr. Sheeran. Effective on August 21, 2019, the annual base salary of Mr. Sheeran increased from $120,000 to $180,000
as a result of his appointment to Acting Chief Financial Officer.
On December 1, 2019, the
annual base salary for Mr. Galvin decreased from $370,000 to $180,000. The annual base salary for Mr. Sheeran decreased from $180,000
to $120,000 effective December 1, 2019.
On April 24, 2020, the
annual base salary for Mr. Galvin increased from $180,000 to $400,000. On May 15, 2020, the annual base salary for Mr. Sheeran
increased from $120,000 to $180,000.
On December 7, 2020, the
Company appointed William Rogers to serve as the Company’s Chief Operations Officer with an annual salary of $300,000 per year.
Pursuant to an offer letter signed by Mr. Rogers on November 11, 2020 (the “Offer Letter”), Mr. Rogers receives an
annual salary of $300,000 per year and an annual bonus of up to 50% of his salary at the discretion of management and the Board. We plan
to issue Mr. Rogers an initial grant of 100,000 restricted stock units following a 90-day probationary period, pursuant to the SG Blocks,
Inc., Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Incentive Plan”) which will vest over a two-year period. Mr. Rogers may
participate in benefit plans for which he is eligible as may be established from time to time by the Company for its executive employees,
including the cost of medical benefits provided to Mr. Rogers and his family as well as paid time off. We also provide Mr. Rogers
with directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Mr. Rogers’ employment is on an “at will” basis
and may be terminated at any time by Mr. Rogers or the Company.
Bonus Payments
No bonus were earned by
any named executive officer for 2019 or for 2020.
Special Retention Bonus
Payments
Stock Options
In the past, we generally
offered stock options to our key employees, including our named executive officers, as the long-term incentive component of our compensation
program. Our stock options allow key employees to purchase shares of our Common Stock at a price per share equal to the fair market value
of our common stock on the date of grant, and may be intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under the Internal
Revenue Code. No stock options were granted to any named executive officer for 2019 or 2020.
Employment
/ Consulting Agreements
The following discussion relates to compensation
arrangements on behalf of, and compensation paid by the Company to, Messrs. Galvin, and Armstrong pursuant to the terms of their employment
/ consulting agreements with the Company.
Paul M. Galvin
We employ Mr. Galvin, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board, pursuant to employment agreement, effective January 1, 2017. The employment agreement provided for an initial term of two years,
with automatic renewals unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of the employment agreement. The employment agreement originally
provided for base compensation in the amount of $240,000 per year, which was increased to $370,000 in early 2019, but subsequently reduced
to $180,000 in December 2019. The employment agreement also provides for incentive compensation at the discretion of our Board. The agreement
provides for the payment of severance compensation in an amount equal to one year of his base annual salary, if his employment is terminated
by the Company other than for “Cause,” as defined therein. In April 2020, we entered into an amendment to Mr. Galvin’s
employment agreement, dated January 1, 2017, to extend the term of employment to December 31, 2021 and increased the annual base salary
to $400,000, provide for a performance bonus structure for a bonus of up to 50% of base salary upon the Company’s achievement of
$2,000,000 EBITDA and additional performance bonus payments for the achievement of EBITDA in excess of $2,000,000 based on a percentage
of the incremental increase in EBITDA (ranging from 10% of the incremental increase in EBITDA if the Company achieves over $2,000,000
and up to $7,000,000 in EBITDA, 8% of the incremental increase in EBITDA if the Company achieves over $7,000,000 and up to $12,000,000
in EBITDA and 3% of the incremental increase in EBITDA over $12,000,000), provide for a profits-based additional bonus of up to $250,000
in certain limited circumstances, and provide for one (1) year severance, plus a pro-rated amount of any unpaid bonus earned by him during
the year as verified by the Company’s principal financial officer, if Mr. Galvin is terminated without cause. At the Company’s
option, up to fifty (50%) percent of the EBITDA performance bonuses may be paid in restricted stock units if then available for grant
under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan. All other terms of the employment agreement remain in full force and effect.
Stevan Armstrong
Since January 1, 2017 Mr. Armstrong has served as our Chief Technology
Officer. His employment agreement that was effective as of January 1, 2017 provided for base compensation in the amount of $140,000 per
year and incentive compensation at the discretion of our Board, which was reduced to $50,000 in November 2019. The employment agreement
provided for an initial term of two years, with automatic renewals unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of the employment
agreement. Mr. Armstrong previously served as our President and Chief Operating Officer until his appointment as Chief Technology Officer,
effective February 1, 2018. The employment agreement further provided for the payment of severance compensation equal to one year of his
base annual salary if his employment is terminated by the Company other than for “Cause,” as defined therein. Mr. Armstrong
currently provides services to us pursuant to the terms of a consulting agreement on a part-time basis. On April 13, 2019, we entered
into a consulting agreement with SMA Development Group, LLC, an entity of which Mr. Armstrong is the sole member and manager pursuant
to which Mr. Armstrong was retained to serve as our Chief Technology Officer and provide services for a monthly fee of $4,166.67 plus
a phone reimbursement of $75 per month. The agreement provided for an initial term that expired December 31, 2020, with automatic renewals
of an additional three months unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of the agreement.
William Rogers
We
appointed Mr. Rogers to serve
as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer pursuant to an offer letter signed by Mr. Rogers on November 11, 2020, Mr. Rogers will
receive an annual salary of $300,000 per year and an annual bonus of up to 50% of his salary at the discretion of management and our
Board.
Gerald Sheeran
We do not have a written employment agreement
with Mr. Sheeran. Effective on August 21, 2019, the annual base salary of Mr. Sheeran increased from $120,000 to $180,000 as a result
of his appointment as the Company’s Acting Chief Financial Officer but subsequently reduced to $120,000 in December 2019. The base
salary of Mr. Sheeran was increased from $120,000 to $180,000 in May 2020.
Retirement, Health, Welfare, and Additional Benefits
Our executive officers are eligible
to participate in our employee benefit plans and programs, including medical benefits, flexible spending accounts, short and long-term
disability and life insurance, to the same extent as our other full-time employees, subject to the terms and eligibility requirements
of those plans. Our executive officers are also eligible to participate in a tax-qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan to the same
extent as our other full-time employees. Currently, we do match contributions made by participants in the 401(k) plan or make other contributions
to participant accounts.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal
Year-End
The following table sets forth information
regarding the outstanding option awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2020:
|
|
Options
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of
|
|
|
Number
of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of
|
|
|
Market
value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares
or units
|
|
|
shares
or units
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Option
|
|
of
stock that
|
|
|
of
stock that
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
(#)
|
|
|
Options
(#)
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Expiration
|
|
have
not vested
|
|
|
have
not vested
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Price
($)
|
|
|
Date
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
Paul M. Galvin
|
|
12/09/2020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
186,000
|
(11)
|
|
$
|
1,134,600
|
|
|
|
4/14/2020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,833
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
17,279
|
|
|
|
3/22/2019
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,181
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
7,201
|
|
|
|
3/30/2018
|
|
|
4,108
|
(6)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
92.20
|
|
|
3/30/2028
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
3/10/2017
|
|
|
5,298
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
100.00
|
|
|
3/10/2027
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
3/10/2017
|
|
|
3,973
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
120.00
|
|
|
3/10/2027
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1/30/2017
|
|
|
4,841
|
(2)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
60.00
|
|
|
1/30/2027
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
11/01/2016
|
|
|
4,914
|
(3)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
60.00
|
|
|
11/01/2026
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
11/01/2016
|
|
|
667
|
(4)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
60.00
|
|
|
11/01/2026
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stevan Armstrong
|
|
9/23/2020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
28,986
|
(10)
|
|
$
|
176,811
|
|
|
|
4/14/2020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
250
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
1,525
|
|
|
|
3/22/2019
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
278
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
1,694
|
|
|
|
3/30/2018
|
|
|
742
|
(6)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
92.20
|
|
|
3/30/2028
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1/30/2017
|
|
|
1,724
|
(2)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
60.00
|
|
|
1/30/2027
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
11/01/2016
|
|
|
2,184
|
(5)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
60.00
|
|
|
11/01/2026
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Sheeran
|
|
9/23/2020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
43,478
|
(10)
|
|
$
|
265,217
|
|
|
|
4/14/2020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
750
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
4,575
|
|
|
|
03/30/2018
|
|
|
729
|
(7)
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
$
|
92.20
|
|
|
3/30/2028
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
|
In
connection with a public offering by the Company, completed in June 2017, Mr. Galvin was
granted performance-based option awards, to vest upon the completion of certain conditions.
A portion of the shares were granted at an exercise price to equal the price per share at
which the public purchased shares in the offering ($100.00 per share), while the remainder
were granted at an exercise price equal to 120% of such price per share ($120.00 per share).
In September 2017, the Compensation Committee determined that each of Mr. Galvin met his
respective performance conditions, and the option awards vested in full.
|
|
(2)
|
With respect to Mr. Galvin,
990 options vested on the grant date, while the remaining 3,851 vested in equal quarterly
installments on the last day of each fiscal quarter following the date of grant over a two-year
period. With respect to Mr. Armstrong, 660 vested on the grant date, while the remaining
1,064 vested in equal quarterly installments on the last day of each fiscal quarter following
the date of grant over a two-year period. All options vested in full as of December 31, 2018.
|
|
(3)
|
Of these options, 2,184
vested on the grant date, while the remainder vest in three equal installments of 910 on
the three anniversaries following the grant date. Such options vested in full as of November
1, 2019.
|
|
(4)
|
Mr. Galvin received these
options in connection with their service as directors of the Company. The options vested
in equal quarterly installments on the last day of each fiscal quarter following the date
of grant and vested in full as of September 30, 2017.
|
|
(5)
|
Of these options, 1,092
vested on the grant date, while the remainder vested in two equal installments of 546 on the anniversary of the grant date, and vested
in full as of November 1, 2018.
|
|
(6)
|
These options vest in equal
quarterly installments over a two year period, beginning March 31, 2018, and vested in full as of December 31, 2019.
|
|
(7)
|
These options vest in equal
quarterly installments over a three year period, beginning March 30, 2018, and vest in full as of March 31, 2021.
|
|
(8)
|
The shares subject to these
restricted stock units vest in three equal installments over a three year period, beginning December 31,2020, and vest in full as
of December 31, 2022.
|
|
(9)
|
The shares subject to these
restricted stock units vest over a one year period, beginning April 14,2020, and vest in full as of April 14, 2021.
|
|
(10)
|
The shares subject to these
restricted stock units vest over a two year period with 1/3 due at grant, 1/3 on the one year anniversary of the grant date and 1/3
on the two year anniversary of the grant date, beginning September 23,2020, and vest in full as of September 23, 2022.
|
|
(11)
|
The shares subject to these
restricted stock units vest a one year period with 1/2 due at grant and 1/2 on the one year anniversary of the grant date, beginning
December 9,2020, and vest in full as of December 9, 2021.
|
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
As of December 31, 2020, the following securities
issued under equity compensation were outstanding:
Plan Category
|
|
Number of
Shares Issuable
Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants or Rights
(a) (1)
|
|
|
Weighted- Average Exercise
Price of Outstanding Options
(b)
|
|
|
Number of Shares Remaining Available
for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Shares Reflected in Column
(a))(c) (2)
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
920,780
|
|
|
$
|
78.71
|
|
|
|
179,547
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
|
920,780
|
|
|
$
|
78.71
|
|
|
|
179,547
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes 36,437 shares
issuable upon the exercise of options and 884,343 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted
stock units outstanding under the SG Blocks, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.
|
|
(2)
|
Represents shares available for issuance under the SG Blocks,
Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.
|
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation Program
Our director compensation
program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified directors and align their interests with those of our stockholders. We compensate
directors who are not employed by the Company with a combination of cash and equity awards. Mr. Galvin did not receive any compensation
for serving on our Board in 2020.
The Compensation Committee reviews
the director compensation program and recommends proposed changes for approval by the Board. As part of this review, the Compensation
Committee considers the significant amount of time expended, and the skill level required, by each director not employed by the Company
in fulfilling his or her duties on the Board, each director’s role and involvement on the Board and its committees and the market
compensation practices and levels of our peer companies.
During its annual review of the director compensation program in
2018, the Compensation Committee considered an analysis prepared by its independent consultant, Haigh & Company, which summarized
director compensation trends for independent directors and pay levels at the same peer companies used to evaluate the compensation
of our named executive officers. Following this review, and after considering the advice of Haigh & Company about market practices
and pay levels, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the new compensation program for non-employee directors
described below, which remained in effect during 2020.
Cash Fees
The following table sets forth the cash fee schedule for compensating
non-employee directors from January 2020 through December 2020:
|
|
1/20-12/20
|
|
Annual Board Retainer
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
Lead Independent Director
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
Audit Committee Chair
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
Compensation Committee Chair
|
|
$
|
7,500
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair
|
|
$
|
5,000
|
|
The above fees are to be paid quarterly in advance, in four equal
installments, to each person serving as a non-employee director at the time when such payment is made. Non-employee directors may choose
to receive the annual Board retainer as equity in restricted stock units (“RSUs”), in, effective January 15 of the year in
which the annual cash retainer is otherwise earned. Among other things, each RSU granted represents the right to receive one share of
Common Stock; vests one year after grant, subject to the recipient’s continued service as a director of the Company through such
date; and is payable six months after the termination of the director from the Board or death or disability. Directors receive no additional
per-meeting fee for Board or committee meeting attendance.
Annual Equity Awards
In addition, pursuant to the SG Blocks, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan,
during 2020 non-employee directors received an annual grant of RSUs (the “Equity Awards”), with a grant date value of $50,000,
some of which were issued in May 2020 and the balance of which were issued in November 2020 after the Compensation Committee reviewed
the 2020 compensation report prepared by Haigh & Company. The RSUs vest as to 50% on the date of grant and 50% on the one year anniversary
of the date of grant.
Additional Compensation
In connection with special committees
that the Board may form from time to time in connection with various transactions or undertakings, the Board may award additional compensation
to the directors, in its discretion, for membership on such special committees. The Board may, from time to time, grant additional merit-based
cash or equity compensation to non-employee directors for extraordinary service. All directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in
connection with each Board and committee meeting attended.
Director Compensation
Table The following table sets forth information regarding all forms of compensation that were both earned by and paid to our non-employee
directors during the year ended December 31, 2020. The compensation arrangements for Mr. Galvin is disclosed in the Summary Compensation
Table set forth in the “Executive Compensation” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A. The compensation arrangements
for Mr. Shetty with respect to fees paid as a director while he served as a named executive officer is disclosed in the Summary Compensation
Table set forth in the “Executive Compensation” section of this this Annual Report on Form 10- K/A. Mr. Galvin did not receive
compensation for his services as a director during the year ended December 31, 2020. Mr. Shetty earned compensation set forth in the
chart below for his services as a director in 2020, after he no longer served as an executive officer.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash
($)
|
|
|
Stock Awards
(1)
|
|
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Yaniv Blumenfeld (2)
|
|
$
|
52,500
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
102,500
|
|
Maggie Coleman
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
65,000
|
|
Christopher Melton (3)
|
|
$
|
55,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
105,000
|
|
James C. Potts (4)
|
|
$
|
33,125
|
|
|
$
|
19,040
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
52,165
|
|
Mahesh S. Shetty (5)
|
|
$
|
17,500
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
17,500
|
|
|
(1)
|
This column indicates
the aggregate grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with Financial Accounting
Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation
(“FASB ASC Topic 718”), of the RSUs granted in April and November 2020. See “Note
17 — Share-based Compensation” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for an explanation
of the assumptions made in valuing these awards.
|
(2)
|
Amount includes fees ($22,500 for Mr. Blumenfeld)
earned for Board and committee service in fiscal 2018 and 2019 of which ($22,500) was paid in 2020.
|
|
(3)
|
Amount includes fees
($5,000 for Mr. Melton) earned for Board and committee services in fiscal 2019 of which (5,000)
was paid in 2020.
|
|
(4)
|
Amount includes fees
($11,250 for Mr. Potts) earned for Board and committee services in fiscal 2019 that was paid
in 2020. Mr. Potts did not stand for re-election to the board of directors of the Company
but remained a director until the 2020 Annual Meeting, at which point his unvested RSUs were
forfeited and were no longer outstanding.
|
|
(5)
|
Amount includes fees
($17,500 for Mr. Shetty) earned for Board services in fiscal 2020 that remains unpaid in
2021. Represents compensation for the portion of the year that he served as a director.
|
The aggregate number of
option and stock awards outstanding (including exercisable and unexercised stock options and vested and unvested RSUs) as of December
31, 2020 for each non-employee director was as follows:
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
Name
|
|
(#)
|
|
(#)
|
Yaniv Blumenfeld
|
|
—
|
|
18,791 RSUs
|
Maggie Coleman
|
|
—
|
|
20,920 RSUs
|
Christopher Melton
|
|
833 (all exercisable)
|
|
18,790 RSUs
|
James C. Potts
|
|
—
|
|
1,838 RSUs
|
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Related Party Transactions
Pursuant to our Audit Committee
charter, our Audit Committee shall review on an on-going basis our policies and procedures for reviewing and approving or ratifying all
“Related Party Transactions” (defined as transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K), including
the Company’s Related Person Transaction Policy, and recommend any changes to the Board. In accordance with our Related Person Transaction
Policy and Nasdaq Rule 4350 (h), the Audit Committee shall conduct appropriate review and oversight of all related person transactions
for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis.
The following is a summary
of transactions since January 1, 2019 to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and in which any of
our executive officers, directors or beneficial holders of more than five percent of our capital stock had or will have a direct or indirect
material interest, other than compensation arrangements and equity awards granted to our executive officers and directors during 2018
and 2019 that are described under the sections of this Annual Report on Form 10- K/A entitled “Part III—Item 11. “Executive
Compensation” and “Part III—Item 11. “Director Compensation.”
On January 21, 2020, CPF GP 2019-1
LLC (“CPF GP”) issued to the Company a promissory note in the principal amount of $400,000 (the “Company Note”)
and issued to Paul Galvin, the Company’s Chairman and CEO, a promissory note in the principal amount of $100,000 (the “Galvin
Note”). The transaction closed on January 22, 2019, on which date the Company loaned CPF GP 2019-1 LLC $400,000 and Mr. Galvin personally
loaned CPF GP $100,000 on behalf of the Company.
The Company Note and Galvin Note were issued pursuant
to the Loan Agreement and Promissory Note, dated October 3, 2019, as amended on October 15, 2019 and November 7, 2019 by and between the
CPF GP and the Company, and bear interest at five percent (5%) per annum, payable, together with the unpaid principal amount of the promissory
notes, on the earlier of the July 31, 2023 maturity date or upon the liquidation, redemption sale or issuance of a dividend upon the LLC
interests in CPF MF 2019-1 LLC, a Texas limited liability company of which CPF GP is the general partner. The terms of the Galvin Note,
however, provide that all interest payments due to Mr. Galvin under the Galvin Note shall be paid directly to, and for the benefit of,
the Company. In connection with the issuance of the Company Note and the Galvin Note, CPF GP, the Company and Mr. Galvin entered into
a Security Agreement, dated January 21, 2020, pursuant to which CPF GP granted a security interest in its LLC interests in CPF MF 2019-1
LLC to the Company and Mr. Galvin to secure its obligations thereunder.
On January 31, 2020, Mahesh Shetty,
the Company’s former President and Chief Financial Officer (“Former Employee”), filed suit against the Company and its
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Galvin, claiming (i) $372,638 in unpaid wages and bonuses and (ii) $300,000 due in severance
(hereafter the “Action”). The Former Employee has also named the Company’s third party payroll processing company Staff-One
as a co-defendant. The Company maintains that the Former Employee agreed to accept (and did receive) restricted stock units of the Company’s
common stock in full satisfaction and payment of all alleged unpaid wages and bonuses that are claimed in the Action, and/or has otherwise
been paid in full for all amounts claimed. The Company further maintains that the Former Employee’s employment agreement precludes
any entitlement to or liability for severance. On March 25, 2020, the Former Employee filed an amended complaint raising additional claims
of retaliation and indemnification. The Company denies the merits of the claims set forth in the Former Employee’s amended complaint
and/or asserts that valid defenses preclude any recovery, and intends to vigorously defend against the Action. Litigation is subject to
many uncertainties, and the outcome of this action is not predicted with assurance. The Company is currently unable to predict the possible
loss or range of loss, if any, associated with the resolution of this litigation, and, accordingly, the Company has made no provision
related to this matter in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Independence of the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors
undertook a review of the independence of the members of our Board of Directors and considered whether any director has a material relationship
with our company that could compromise his ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities. Based on such
review, the Board has determined that each of Messrs. Blumenfeld and Melton, and Ms. Coleman qualifies as “independent” in
accordance with applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules and SEC rules and regulations. See the section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A entitled
“Part III—Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance—The Board and its Committee—Director
Independence” for a more detailed discussion of our independent directors.