UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D. C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
PROXY
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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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[X]
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Material
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Solicitation
Material under §240.14a-12
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ALGODON
WINES & LUXURY DEVELOPMENT
Group,
Inc.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment
of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]
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No
fee required.
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3)
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5)
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid with preliminary materials.
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, of the Form or Schedule and the date
of its filing.
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1)
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Amount
Previously Paid:
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2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3)
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Filing
Party:
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4)
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Date
Filed:
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ALGODON
WINES & LUXURY DEVELOPMENT Group, Inc.
135
Fifth Ave., 10
th
Floor
New
York, NY 10010
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE COMPANY’S PROXY STATEMENT
On
September 19, 2017
To
our Stockholders:
You
are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Algodon Wines & Luxury Development Group, Inc. (“Algodon”)
on September 19, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at 135 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
At the Annual Meeting the Company will submit the following six (6) proposals to its stockholders for approval:
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1.
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To
elect five directors for a three-year term to serve until the 2020 annual meeting of the stockholders.
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2.
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To
ratify and approve the appointment of Marcum LLP, as Algodon’s independent registered accounting firm for the year ended
December 31, 2017.
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3.
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To
conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation.
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4.
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To
conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation.
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5.
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To
give the Board of Directors discretion (if necessary to effect a listing of Algodon’s common stock on a national exchange)
on or before June 30, 2018, to implement a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of common stock in a range from one-for-two
(1:2) up to one-for-six (1:6), or anywhere between, while maintaining the number of authorized shares of Common Stock (the
“
Reverse Stock Split
”).
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6.
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To
ratify the approval by the Board of Directors of the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.
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Additionally,
any other business that may properly come before the meeting will be conducted.
The
discussion of the proposals set forth above is intended only as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the information
contained in the accompanying Proxy Statement. Only holders of record of our common stock and holders of record of our Series
B preferred stock on an as converted basis to common stock on August 25, 2017 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled
to notice of and to vote at this Annual Meeting, and any postponements or adjournments thereof.
The
accompanying Proxy Statement is being furnished to our stockholders for informational purposes only, pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations prescribed
thereunder. The Board will be soliciting your proxy in connection with the matters discussed above. Stockholders who wish to vote
on the proposals accordingly must either attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person or otherwise designate a proxy to attend
the Annual Meeting and vote on their behalf.
In
accordance with rules approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are providing this notice to our stockholders to
advise them of the availability on the internet of our proxy materials related to the Annual Meeting. The rules allow companies
to provide access to proxy materials in one of two ways. Because we have elected to utilize the “full set delivery”
option, we are delivering our proxy materials to our stockholders under the “traditional” method, by providing paper
copies, as well as providing access to our proxy materials on a publicly accessible website.
The
Company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the other meeting materials are
available on the internet at:
http://www.cstproxy.com/algodongroup/2017.
You
are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date,
sign and return the enclosed proxy or vote as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible, in order to ensure your
representation at the meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting. Please
note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting,
you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
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Sincerely,
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/s/
Scott L. Mathis
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Chairman
of the Board and
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Chief
Executive Officer
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ALGODON
WINES & LUXURY DEVELOPMENT Group, Inc.
135
Fifth Ave., 10
th
Floor
New York, NY 10010
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held on September 19, 2017 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time
August
15, 2017
We
are furnishing this Proxy Statement to stockholders of ALGODON WINES & LUXURY DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC. (“We” or
“Algodon” or the “Company”) in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”)
and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. We will hold the Annual Meeting on September 19, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, at 135 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010.
The
Annual Meeting is being held for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This Proxy
Statement (including the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders) are first being made available to stockholders beginning on
or about September 1, 2017. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, including
financial statements (“Annual Report”), was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
on March 31, 2017, and the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017, including
financial statements (“Quarterly Report”), was filed with the SEC on August 14, 2017. Hard copies of this Proxy Statement
and the Annual Report will be provided via U.S. Mail, and the Quarterly Report is available on the internet at:
http://www.cstproxy.com/algodongroup/2017
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Voting
Securities and Vote Required.
Holders
of record of our common stock and Series B preferred stock at the close of business on August 25, 2017 (the “Record Date”)
will be entitled to vote on all matters. On the Record Date, we had 42,974,812 shares of common stock issued and 42,970,401 outstanding.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share. On the Record Date, we had 736,672 shares of Series B preferred
stock issued and outstanding. Shares of Series B preferred stock are entitled to vote with common stock on each proposal on as
converted basis, for a total of 7,062,791 votes. Common stock and Series B preferred stock represent our only two classes of voting
securities outstanding.
Cumulative
voting shall not be allowed in the election of directors or any of the proposals being submitted to the stockholders at the meeting.
For
the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting a quorum must be present. A quorum consists of a majority of the shares entitled
to vote at the meeting. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve any proposals at the time of the
Annual Meeting, the meeting may be adjourned to a future time and date. Common stock and Series B preferred stock will vote together
as a class on each proposal.
Revocability
of Proxies
You
can revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by timely delivery of a properly executed, later-dated proxy, by delivering
a written revocation of your proxy to our Secretary, or by voting at the Meeting. The method by which you vote by proxy will in
no way limit your right to vote at the Meeting if you decide to attend in person. If your shares are held in the name of a bank
or brokerage firm, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the bank or broker, to be able to vote at the Meeting.
No
Dissenters Rights
The
proposed corporate actions on which the stockholders are being asked to vote are not corporate actions for which stockholders
of a Delaware corporation have the right to dissent under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
Proposals
by Security Holders
No
stockholder has requested that we include any additional proposals in this Proxy Statement or otherwise requested that any proposals
be submitted to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Q.
Why am I receiving these materials?
A.
We have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Algodon Wines and Luxury Development
Group, Inc. (sometimes referred to as the “Company” or “Algodon”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at
the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), including at any adjournments or postponements of
the meeting. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. 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.
We
intend to commence the mailing of these proxy materials on or about September 1, 2017 to all stockholders of record entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting.
Q.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
A.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. local time in the Company’s New York office at
135 Fifth Avenue, 10
th
Floor, New York, NY 10010. Directions to the Annual Meeting may be found at
https://www.algodongroup.com/contact/locations
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Information on how to vote in person at the Annual Meeting is discussed below.
Q.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
A.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 25, 2017 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On this
record date, there were 42,970,401 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote and 736,672 shares of Series B preferred
stock outstanding and entitled to vote on an as-converted basis to common shares.
Stockholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If
on August 25, 2017 your shares were registered directly in your name with Algodon’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, Inc., then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the meeting
or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card.
Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If
on August 25, 2017 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other
similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials
are being 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 a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other
agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you
are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid
proxy from your broker or other agent.
Q.
What am I voting on?
A.
There are six matters scheduled for a vote:
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Election
of five directors for a three-year term to serve until the 2020 annual meeting of the stockholders.
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Ratification
and approval of the appointment of Marcum LLP, as Algodon’s independent registered accounting firm for the year ended
December 31, 2017.
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Advisory
vote on executive compensation.
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Advisory
vote on the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation.
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Providing
the Board of Directors discretion (if necessary to effect a listing of Algodon’s common stock on a national exchange)
on or before June 30, 2018, to implement a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of common stock in a range from one-for-two
(1:2) up to one-for-six (1:6), or anywhere between, while maintaining the number of authorized shares of Common Stock (the
“Reverse Stock Split”).
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Approval
of the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.
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Q.
What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?
A
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly
brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance
with their best judgment.
Q.
How do I vote?
A.
As to the election of directors under Proposal No. 1, you may vote “For” the election of each of the nominees proposed
by the Board, or “Withhold” for one or more of the nominees being proposed. Directors will be elected by a plurality
of votes at the meeting.
With
respect to Proposal No. 2 (ratification of the appointment of our independent registered accounting firm), Proposal No. 3 (the
non-binding vote on executive compensation), Proposal No. 5 (reverse stock split), and Proposal No. 6 (2016 Equity Incentive Plan),
you may vote “For” or “Against” or “Abstain” for each proposal. Each proposal will be approved
if a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting vote in favor of such proposal.
With
respect to Proposal No. 4 (the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation) you may vote for any one of the following:
every “One Year,” “Two Years,” or “Three Years,” or you may abstain from voting on that matter.
The frequency receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the frequency recommended by the stockholders.
Proposals
No. 2, 3 and 4 are advisory in nature and non-binding on the Company. However, our Board of Directors values the opinions of all
of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of this vote when making future decisions.
The
procedures for voting are fairly simple:
Stockholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If
you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting, or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend
the meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.
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To
vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.
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To
vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided.
If we receive your signed proxy card before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
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Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If
you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a voting
instruction form with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from Algodon. Simply complete and mail the voting
instruction form to ensure that your vote is counted.
To
vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions
from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.
Q.
How many votes do I have?
A
.On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of August 25, 2017 and for each
share of Series B preferred stock you own as of August 25, 2017, you are entitled to the number of votes per share based on the
following formula:
$10
÷ the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock as of the date the shares of Series B preferred stock were
issued, subject to a maximum of ten votes per share of Series B preferred stock.
Q.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
A.
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by completing your proxy card or in person at the Annual Meeting, your shares
will not be voted.
Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
A.
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether
your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the particular proposal is considered to be a
routine matter under applicable rules. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares
with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine” under applicable rules but not with respect to “non-routine”
matters. Under applicable rules and interpretations, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect
the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested),
executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder
votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. Accordingly, your
broker or nominee may not vote your shares on the election of directors (Proposal 1), the advisory vote on executive compensation
(Proposal 3), the advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 4), the Reverse Stock
Split (Proposal 5), or the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (Proposal 6) without your instructions, but may vote your shares on the ratification
of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2017 (Proposal 2) even in the absence of your
instruction.
Q.
What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices?
A.
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as
applicable, “For” the election of the five nominees for director named in this proxy statement, “For”
the approval of the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending
December 31, 2016, “For” the advisory vote on executive compensation, every “Three Years” for the advisory
vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation, “For” the reverse stock split to be implemented
in the discretion of the Board of Directors subject to the terms of the resolution, and “For” the ratification of
the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder (one
of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
Q.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
A.
The Company will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, the Company’s directors
and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will
not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. The Company may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other
agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
Q.
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?
A.
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 follow the voting instructions on the proxy card in the proxy materials to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Q.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
A.
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares,
you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
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1.
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You
may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date;
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2.
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You
may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Algodon’s Secretary at 135 Fifth Avenue, 10
th
Floor, New York, NY 10010; or
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3.
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You
may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
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Your
most current proxy card is the one that is counted.
Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
A.
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker
or bank.
Q.
When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for next year’s Annual Meeting?
A.
We anticipate that our 2018 Annual Meeting will be held in September 2018. To be considered for inclusion in next year’s
proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by May 4, 2018, to the attention of the Secretary of Algodon Wines
& Luxury Development Group, Inc. at 135 Fifth Avenue, 10
th
Floor, New York, NY 10010. If you wish to submit a proposal
(including a director nomination) at the meeting that is to be included in next year’s proxy materials, you must do so in
accordance with the Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which contain additional requirements
about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. In addition, you must comply with all applicable requirements
of Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Q.
What are “broker non-votes”?
A.
As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker
or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) to be
“non-routine,” the broker or nominee cannot vote the shares. These unvoted shares are counted as “broker non-votes.”
Q.
What is the quorum requirement?
A.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority
of the outstanding common shares and Series B preferred shares (on an as converted basis with the common stock) entitled to vote
are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were 42,970,401 common shares outstanding
and 736,672 shares of Series B preferred stock, convertible into 7,062,791 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Thus,
the holders of 25,016,597 shares of common stock and Series B preferred stock (on an as converted basis) must be present in person
or represented by proxy at the meeting to have a quorum.
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 meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum
requirement. If there is no quorum, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of shares present at the meeting
in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date.
Q.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
A.
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current
report on Form 8-K that we expect to file 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 within four business days after the 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 additional Form 8-K to publish
the final results.
Q.
What proxy materials are available on the internet?
A.
The proxy statement and the annual report to stockholders are available at:
http://www.cstproxy.com/algodongroup/2017
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Forward
Looking Statements
This
Proxy Statement may contain certain “forward-looking” statements, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in connection
with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if
they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such
forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding actions contemplated by
this Proxy Statement, our potential business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. You can identify
forward-looking statements by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather,
forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made
and are often identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,”
“could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” or “will,”
and similar expressions or variations. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these
statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any
future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results
to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described
under the caption “Risk Factors” included in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”),
including the disclosures set forth in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Furthermore, such forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this Proxy Statement. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements
to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.
RECORD
DATE AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
Security
Ownership of Management
As
of August 10, 2017, the Company had 42,974,812 shares of its common stock issued and 42,970,401 outstanding, and 661,783 shares
of its Series B preferred stock issued and outstanding. The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company’s
common stock and Series B preferred stock as of the Record Date by each person who serves as a director and/or an executive officer
of the Company on that date, and the number of shares beneficially owned by all of the Company’s directors and named executive
officers as a group:
Name
and Address
of Beneficial Owner
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Position
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Amount
and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership of
Common Stock
(1)
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Percent
of
Common
Stock
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Amount
and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership of
Series B Stock
(1)
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Percent
of
Series
B
Stock
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Total
Voting Power
(8)
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Scott
L. Mathis
c/o
Algodon, 135 Fifth Avenue, 10
th
Floor, New York, NY 10010
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Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
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7,951,046
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(2)
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17.4
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%
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2,100
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Less
than 1
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%
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15.2
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%
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Maria
Echevarria
c/o
Algodon, 135 Fifth Avenue, 10
th
Floor, New York, NY 10010
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Chief Financial Officer
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122,450
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(3)
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Less
than 1
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%
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—
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—
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Less
than 1
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%
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Julian Beale
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Director
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705,922
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(4)
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1.6
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%
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—
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—
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter J.L. Lawrence
|
|
Director
|
|
804,034
|
(5)
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven Moel
|
|
Director
Nominee
|
|
508,220
|
(6)
|
|
1.2
|
%
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Dumont
|
|
Director
Nominee
|
|
950,000
|
(7)
|
|
2.2
|
%
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All current directors,
director nominees, executive officers and named executive officers as a group (six persons)
|
|
|
|
11,062,672
|
(8)
|
|
24.3
|
%
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
|
Less
than 1
|
%
|
|
|
21.1
|
%
|
Notes
to
Security Ownership of Management
table shown above:
|
(1)
|
Calculated
in accordance with 1934 Act Rule 13d-3.
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
Consists
of: 336,545 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Mathis directly; 4,660,656 common shares owned by The WOW Group, LLC, of which
Mr. Mathis is a controlling member; 119,999 common shares owned by Mr. Mathis’s 401(k) account; 2,100 shares of Series
B preferred stock held by Mr. Mathis’ 401(k); warrants to acquire 462,657 shares of common stock, and the right to acquire
2,371,189 shares of common stock subject to the exercise of options.
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
Consists
of: 575 shares of common stock owned by Ms. Echevarria’s 401(k) and options to acquire 121,875 shares of common stock
upon exercise.
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
Consists
of: 97,588 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Beale directly; and options to acquire 608,334 shares of common stock upon
exercise.
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
Consists
of: 184,971 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Lawrence directly; 10,729 shares owned by Mr. Lawrence and his spouse as trustees
for the Peter Lawrence 1992 Settlement Trust; and 608,334 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options.
|
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
Consists
of: 151,491 common shares held by Mr. Moel directly; 176,546 common shares held by Mr. Moel’s retirement account; 26,693
common shares held by Andrew Moel, Mr. Moel’s son; 28,490 common shares held by Erin Moel, Mr. Moel’s daughter;
and options to acquire 125,000 shares of common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
Consists
of 950,000 common shares held in joint tenancy with Mr. Dumont, Patrick Dumont, and Viciane Dumont.
|
|
|
|
|
(8)
|
Calculated
based common stock being entitled to a total of 42,970,401 votes as of the August 10, 2017 and Series B preferred stock being
entitled to a total of 6,325,920 votes as of August 10, 2017.
|
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
As
August 10, 2017, the only persons or entities that beneficially own more than 5% of its outstanding common stock who do not serve
as an executive officer or director or who are a director nominee of the Company are presented in the table below.
Name
and Address of Beneficial
Owner
|
|
Amount
and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership of
Common
Stock (1)
|
|
|
Percent
of
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Amount
and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
of
Series B
Stock
(1)
|
|
|
Percent
of
Series B Stock
|
|
|
Total
Voting
Power (8)
|
|
The WOW
Group, LLC
c/o Scott L. Mathis
135 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
|
|
|
4,660,656
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
%
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
%
|
Murdock and Janie Richard
(2)
|
|
|
2,789,913
|
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
Ralph & Mary Rybacki
(3)
|
|
|
2,782,348
|
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
Calculated
in accordance with 1934 Act Rule 13d-3.
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
Based
on information contained on Schedule 13G filed by Murdock Richard on February 6, 2015. The principal business address of Mr.
and Mrs. Richard is 5950 Sherry Lane, Suite 210, Dallas, TX 7522.
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
Based
on information contained on Schedule 13G filed by Ralph and Mary Rybacki on February 11, 2016. The principal business address
of Mr. and Mrs. Rybacki is 500 Capital Drive, Lake Zurich, IL 60047.
|
PROPOSAL
NO. 1
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
following persons have been nominated by the Board of Directors for election to the Company’s Board of Directors to each
serve for a three-year term:
|
●
|
Scott
L. Mathis
|
|
●
|
Julian
Beale
|
|
●
|
Peter
J.L. Lawrence
|
|
●
|
Marc
Dumont
|
|
●
|
Steven
Moel
|
Messrs.
Mathis, Beale and Lawrence are current members of the Board of Directors. If elected to the Board, Messrs. Dumont and Moel would
not join the Board until the Company’s common stock is formally uplisted to Nasdaq.
At
the Annual Meeting a vote will be taken on a proposal to approve the election of the five (5) director nominees.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE election of the five (5) director nominees.
The
Company’s Board of Directors seeks to ensure that it is composed of members whose particular experience, qualifications,
attributes, and skills, when taken together, will allow the Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight obligations effectively.
The Company does not currently have a separate nominating (or similar) committee as given the Company’s small size the Company
does not yet believe such a committee is necessary. However, as the Company grows and considers trying to position itself for
a potential listing on a stock exchange, it will establish a separate nominating committee. Currently, the independent members
of the Board of Directors are responsible for identifying and nominating appropriate persons to add to the Board of Directors
when necessary. In identifying Board candidates, it is the goal of the independent members of the Board to identify persons whom
they believe have appropriate expertise and experience to contribute to the oversight of a company of Algodon’s nature while
also reviewing other appropriate factors.
The
Company believes that each of the persons nominated for reelection to the Board have the experience, qualifications, attributes
and skills when, taken as a whole, will enable the Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively. With
regard to the three nominees who currently serve as members of our Board, the following factors were among those considered that
led to the Board’s conclusion that each would continue to make valuable contributions to the Board:
|
●
|
Scott
Mathis
: Mr. Mathis has been actively involved with the Company’s business operations and strategy since it was founded
in 1999 and has significant knowledge regarding its current and contemplated business operations. The Board believes he is
valuable in forming the Company’s business strategy and identifying new business opportunities, a determination based
on his executive level experience working in the real estate development industry and in several consumer-focused businesses.
|
Mr.
Mathis is the founder of Algodon and has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors since its inception
in April 1999. Mr. Mathis has over five years’ experience serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Mercari Communications Group, Ltd., a public company. Mr. Mathis is also the founder, Chief Executive Officer, and
Chairman of InvestProperty Group, LLC and various other affiliated entities. Since July 2009, Mr. Mathis has served as the Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of Hollywood Burger Holdings, Inc., a company he founded which is developing Hollywood-themed American
fast food restaurants. Since June 2011, Mr. Mathis has also served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of InvestBio, Inc.,
a former subsidiary of Algodon that was spun off in 2010. Including his time with Algodon and its subsidiaries, Mr. Mathis worked
for over 25 years in the securities brokerage field. From 1995-2000, he worked for National Securities Corporation and The Boston
Group, L.P. Before that, he was a partner at Oppenheimer and Company and a Senior Vice President and member of the Directors Council
at Lehman Brothers. Mr. Mathis also worked with Alex Brown & Sons, Gruntal and Company, Inc. and Merrill Lynch. Mr. Mathis
received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Mississippi State University.
|
●
|
Julian
Beale
: Mr. Beale was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors in April 1999 and continues to serve as a director.
The Board believes Mr. Beale’s experience and knowledge with the capital markets are valuable to the Board of Directors
as a whole.
|
Since
1996, Mr. Beale has managed his own investments, which include listed “blue chip” shares, numerous speculative stocks,
and real estate. Mr. Beale has over 10 years’ experience serving as a director of Adacel Technologies Ltd., an Australian
Stock Exchange listed company that provides air traffic simulations, training, and management activities. Mr. Beale is also a
director of Private Branded Beverage Ltd., a private company, and since July 2009 a director of InvestBio, Inc. After 14 years
in engineering and after forming a plastics processing company that he built to employ more than 200 people, Mr. Beale has since
the early 1970’s been involved in consulting and investing. In 1977, he was part of a consortium that purchased what became
the Moonie Oil Company, a resources corporation that had interests in petroleum production. In 1984, he entered Federal Parliament
(Australia). During his 12 years in politics, he held many Shadow Minister portfolios (i.e., cabinet level position with minority
party). He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Sydney University, Australia and an MBA from Harvard University. The determination
was made that Mr. Beale should serve on Algodon’s Board of Directors due to his experience as a director for other public
companies and as an investor in real estate.
|
●
|
Peter
J.L. Lawrence:
Mr. Lawrence has served as a director of Algodon since July 1999. The Board has determined that he is a
valuable member of the Board due to his experience as an investor in smaller public companies and service as a director for
a number of public companies.
|
Specifically,
since 2000, Mr. Lawrence has been a director of Sprue Aegis plc, a U.K. company traded on the London Stock Exchange that designs
and sells smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for fire-fighters principally in the U.K.; Chairman of Infinity IP, a private company
involved with intellectual property and distribution in Australasia; and director of Hollywood Burger Holdings, Inc. Since June
2001, he has served as a director of InvestBio, Inc. Until recently, Mr. Lawrence was Chairman of Polastar plc, a UK company that
specializes in the development, manufacture and sale of a patent- pending intelligent low-location lighting system. Prior to joining
Polastar, Mr. Lawrence served as the Chairman of Associated British Industries plc, a company that manufactured car engine and
aviation jointings and sealants for both original equipment manufacturers and after markets, specialty waxes and anti-corrosion
coatings for the automotive tire and plastics industries.
Mr.
Lawrence has additional experience as a director of a publicly-traded company by serving as a director of Beacon Investment Trust
PLC, a London Stock Exchange-listed company from 2003 to June 2010. Beacon invested in small and recently floated companies on
the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. Mr. Lawrence served on the investment committee of ABI Pension
fund for 20 years as well as the investment committee of Coram Foundation Children Charity founded in 1939 as the Foundling Hospital
from 1977 to 2004. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from Oxford University where he graduated with honors.
The
Company believes that each of the two persons nominated to join the Board but who do not currently serve as members of our Board,
also have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to enhance the ability of the Board of Directors to satisfy its
oversight responsibilities effectively. The following factors were among those considered that led to the Board’s conclusion
that each would make valuable contributions to the Board:
|
●
|
Marc
Dumont
: Mr. Marc Dumont is an Independent Investment Banker and International Financial Consultant. He is also Chairman
and CEO of Chateau de Messey Wineries, Meursault, France. Mr. Dumont previously served as the President of PSA International
SA (a PSA Peugeot Citroen Group company) from January 1981 to March 1995. He consults and advises international clients in
Europe and Asia, as well as the United States. He is also the Chairman of Sanderling Ventures (a European affiliate of a U.S.
venture capital firm) since 1993, managing five biotechnology funds. Mr. Dumont is also a Board member of Lightwave Systems
Inc., Santa Barbara, California (since 1997) and Caret Industries, Oxnard, California (since 1995). He has served on many
other boards including Finterbank Zurich, Banque Internationale a Luxemborg, Xiphias International Investment Fund Limited
(an alternative investment fund), and also Irvine Sensors Corporation where he was member/Chairman of their Audit, Nominating,
and Corporate Governance, and Compensation Committees. Mr. Dumont holds a Degree in Electrical Engineering and Applied Economics
from the University of Louvain, Belgium and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
|
|
●
|
Steven
Moel:
Dr. Moel has served a member of the Company’s Board of Advisors since 2008. Dr. Moel is a medical doctor and
licensed attorney. Mr. Moel had a private legal practice as a business and transactional attorney and a member of the California
and American Bar Association, and the American Inns of Court. He has also served as counsel to many corporations. The Board
has determined that he would be a valuable member of the Board due to his extensive and broad experience and knowledge in
business.
|
In
addition to serving as a member of the Company’s Board of Advisors, Mr. Moel is presently a member of the Board of Directors
of Hollywood Burger Holdings, Inc. (International Fast Food Restaurants) and a Senior Business Advisor for Global Job Hunt (International
Recruiting and Education).
Mr.
Moel was a founder of Akorn, Inc., a NASDAQ:AKRX (Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical Mfg.), where he served as a Director on the Executive
Board and as Vice-President of Mergers & Acquisitions. Mr. Moel previously served as: the Vice-President, Mergers & Acquisitions
and Business Development of Virgilian, LLC (Nutraceuticals/Agricultural); CEO of U.S. Highland BB:UHLN (Mfg. of Motorcycles/Motorsports);
CEO of Millennial Research Corp. (Mfg./Ultra-high efficiency motors); Chairman and COO of WayBack Granola Co. (Granola Manufacturing);
Executive VP, Mergers and Acquisitions of Agaia Inc. (Green Cleaning Products). He has also served as: President, COO and Executive
Director of American Wine Group (Wine Production/Distribution); Senior Business and Advisor, of viaMarket Consumer Products, LLC
(Manufacturer of Consumer Products); as a member of the Board of Directors of Grudzen Development Corp. (Real Estate); COO and
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Paradigm Technologies (Electronics/Computer Developer); President and CEO of Sem-Redwood
Enterprises (Stock Pool), and as a member of the Advisory Board of Mahlia Collection (Jewelry Design/ Manufacturing).
Dr.
Moel is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who was in academic and private practice and has edited and authored multiple journal
articles, medical studies and textbooks, and is an Emeritus Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. His academic history
includes Washington University, University of Miami-Coral Gables, Marshall University, West Virginia University, University of
Colorado, Harvard University, Louisiana State University-New Orleans, University of Illinois-Chicago, and College of Law in Santa
Barbara.
He
is licensed in the state of California in law, medicine, and as a real estate broker.
Identification
of Directors and Executive Officers
As
of the Record Date, the names, titles, and ages of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors, its Director nominees,
and its executive officers, are as set forth in the below table.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Scott
L. Mathis
|
|
55
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
Peter
J.L. Lawrence
|
|
83
|
|
Director
|
Julian
Beale
|
|
82
|
|
Director
|
Maria
Echevarria
|
|
37
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
Steven
Moel
|
|
73
|
|
Director
Nominee
|
Marc
Dumont
|
|
74
|
|
Director
Nominee
|
Summaries
of the background and experience of Messrs. Mathis, Beale, Lawrence, Moel, and Dumont are set forth above.
Maria
Echevarria.
In April 2015, the Board of Directors appointed Ms. Echevarria as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary. She joined the Company as Corporate Controller in June 2014 and had primary responsibility for the Company’s
corporate consolidation, policies and procedures as well as financial reporting for SEC compliance, coordinating budgets and projections,
preparing financial presentations and analyzing financial data. Ms. Echevarria has over 15 years of experience in Accounting,
Compliance, Finance, Information Systems and Operations. Her experience includes SEC reporting and financial analysis, and her
career accomplishments include developing and implementing major initiatives such as SOX, BSA and AML reporting and valuation
of financial instruments. Prior to her employment with the Company, Ms. Echevarria served as Director of Finance and Accounting
for The Hope Center, a nonprofit, from 2008 to June 2014 overseeing Finance, Information Systems and Operations. From 2001 through
2008 she served as a Quality Control and Compliance Analyst, Financial Analyst, and Accounting Manager for Banco Popular in San
Juan, Puerto Rico, where she specialized in Mortgage Quality Control, Compliance, Financial Analysis and Mortgage Accounting,
and corresponding with the FHA, VA and other mortgage guarantors. Ms. Echevarria also coordinated audits and compliance programs
related to reporting, remittances, escrow accounting and default management for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other private investors.
She has developed and taught accounting courses for Herzing University, and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Southern
New Hampshire University. She is a CPA, licensed in New Jersey and Puerto Rico, and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University
of Puerto Rico and a MBA in Business from University of Phoenix. Mrs. Echevarria was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and is fluent
in Spanish and English.
Significant
Employees
There
are no significant employees of Algodon other than its executive officers named above.
Transactions
with Related Persons
The
following sets forth information regarding transactions between the Company (and its subsidiaries) and its officers, directors
and significant stockholders since January 1, 2016.
|
●
|
Scott
Mathis is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hollywood Burger Holdings, Inc. (“HBH”), a private company he
founded which is developing Hollywood-themed American fast food restaurants in Argentina and the United States. The Company
has an expense sharing agreement with HBH to provide office space and other clerical services. The Company was entitled to
receive reimbursements of general and administrative expenses in the amount of $124,428 during the year ended on December
31, 2016, as a result of the expense sharing agreement. As of December 31, 2016, HBH owes $363,389 to the Company under such
and similar prior agreements.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
InvestBio,
Inc. (“InvestBio”) was a wholly-owned subsidiary of AWLD until it was spun-off to AWLD stockholders, effective
September 30, 2010. The owners of more than 5% of InvestBio are Scott Mathis and Ralph Rybacki. The Board of Directors of
InvestBio consists of Scott Mathis, Julian Beale and Peter Lawrence. The Company has an expense sharing agreement with InvestBio
to provide office space and other clerical services. The Company was entitled to receive reimbursements of general and administrative
expenses in the amount of $15,960 during the year ended December 31, 2016 as a result of the agreement. InvestBio owed $396,067
to the Company under the expense sharing agreement as of December 31, 2016 of which $387,000 is deemed unrecoverable and written
off.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
DPEC
Capital paid regular brokerage commissions to its registered representatives according to the standard firm payout schedule,
which includes the allocation of earned warrants. During 2016, in connection with the sale of AWLD common stock, the Company
issued five-year warrants to its subsidiary DPEC Capital who acted as placement agent, to purchase 342,642 and 16,000 shares
of AWLD common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 and $2.50 per share, respectively, including 100,188 warrants valued at
$87,965 to Scott Mathis and 38,988 warrants valued at $34,231 to Keith Fasano, each in their capacity as registered representatives.
Mr. Mathis and Mr. Fasano also received cash commissions of $173,330 and $56,637, respectively, related to the sale of common
stock. The Company recorded $262,113 of stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 which is recorded
within general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
|
|
●
|
On
June 1, 2016, the Company modified the warrants granted to DPEC Capital between December 2015 and May 2016, such that the
exercise price was adjusted from $2.50 per share to $2.00 per share, and the aggregate number of shares available to be purchased
in connection with the warrants was increased from 198,807 to 245,883 shares. The Company recorded warrant modification expense
of $68,548 related to the modification of the CAP Warrants.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Accounts
receivable – related parties, net of $563,761 at June 30, 2017 represents the net realizable value of advances made
to related, but independent, entities under common management, of which $492,791 represents amounts owed to the Company in
connection with expense sharing agreements as described below.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
On
April 1, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with a related entity of which the Company’s CEO is Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and the Company’s CFO is an executive officer, to share expenses such as office space, support
staff and other operating expenses. The Company is entitled to receive reimbursement of $132,355 for expenses incurred during
the six months ended June 30, 2017. The entity owed a total of $485,744 as of June 30, 2017 under the agreement. The amount
owed to the Company at June 30, 2017, will be repaid through October 1, 2018, pursuant to a repayment schedule agreed upon
by the Company and the related entity on March 24, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
The
Company has an expense sharing agreement with a related entity to share expenses such as office space and other clerical services.
The owners of more than 5% of that entity include (i) the Company’s chairman, and (ii) a more than 5% owner of the Company.
The Company was entitled to receive reimbursement of $7,980 for expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2017 pursuant
to this agreement. The entity owed a total of $400,047 to the Company under the expense sharing agreement as of June 30, 2017
of which $393,000 is deemed unrecoverable and reserved.
|
Employment
Agreements
See
the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement for a discussion of the employment agreement between the Company and
Mr. Mathis.
Director
Independence
After
the Annual Meeting, it is expected that the Company’s Board will consist of Messrs. Mathis, Beale and Lawrence, and that
Messrs. Dumont and Moel will join the Board at such time that the Company’s common stock is formally uplisted to Nasdaq.
The
Company utilizes the definition of “independent” as it is set forth in Section 5062(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Rules. Further,
the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances in its determination of independence of all members of the board (including
any relationships). Based on the foregoing criteria, Messrs. Beale, Dumont, Lawrence and Moel would all be considered independent
directors and were confirmed as such by the Board of Directors.
Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings
During
the past ten years, except as provided below, none of the persons serving as executive officers and/or directors of the Company
has been the subject matter of any of the following legal proceedings that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401(f)
of Regulation S-K including: (a) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner
or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (b) any criminal convictions;
(c) any order, judgment, or decree permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement
in any type of business, securities or banking activities; (d) any finding by a court, the SEC or the CFTC to have violated a
federal or state securities or commodities law, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies,
or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud; or (e) any sanction or order of any self-regulatory organization or registered
entity or equivalent exchange, association or entity. Further, no such legal proceedings are believed to be contemplated by governmental
authorities against any director or executive officer.
FINRA
Enforcement Action (2004-2015)
: In May 2007, InvestPrivate (now known as DPEC Capital), Scott Mathis and two other InvestPrivate
officers entered into a settlement of a disciplinary action filed in May 2004 by the NASD (now known as FINRA), the regulatory
body that had primary jurisdiction over InvestPrivate. As part of the settlement, the NASD expressly withdrew numerous allegations
and charges, and also resolved almost all of the remaining charges in the case. Mr. Mathis received a 30-day suspension from acting
in a principal capacity for InvestPrivate, and InvestPrivate was suspended for 60 days from accepting new engagements to offer
private placements. The settling parties paid fines totaling $215,000, and InvestPrivate was also required to engage an independent
consultant to evaluate InvestPrivate’s practices and procedures relating to private placement offerings, and to make necessary
changes in response to the consultant’s recommendations.
While
the settlement with the NASD resolved most of the issues in the case, a few remaining charges were not resolved, namely, whether
Mr. Mathis inadvertently or willfully failed to properly make certain disclosures on his personal NASD Form U-4, specifically,
the existence of certain federal tax liens on his Form U4 during the years 1996-2002.
In
December 2007, the FINRA Office of Hearing Officers (“OHO”) held that Mr. Mathis negligently failed to make certain
disclosures on his Form U4 concerning personal tax liens, and to have willfully failed to make other required U4 disclosures regarding
those tax liens. (All of the underlying tax liabilities were paid in 2003 so the liens were released in 2003.) Mr. Mathis received
a three-month suspension, and a $10,000 fine for the lien nondisclosures. With respect to other non-willful late U4 filings relating
to two customer complaints, he received an additional 10-day suspension (to run concurrently) plus an additional $2,500 fine.
The suspension was completed on September 4, 2012, and all fines have been paid.
Mr.
Mathis has never disputed that he failed to make or timely make these disclosures on his Form U4; he only disputed the willfulness
finding. He appealed the decision (principally with respect to the willfulness issue) to the FINRA National Adjudicatory Council
(“NAC”). In December 2008, NAC affirmed the OHO decision pertaining to the “willful” issue, and slightly
broadened the finding. Thereafter, Mr. Mathis appealed the NAC decision to the Securities and Exchange Commission and thereafter
to the U.S. Court of Appeals. In each instance, the decision of the NAC was affirmed.
While
under FINRA’s rules, the finding that Mr. Mathis was found to have acted willfully subjects him to a “statutory disqualification,”
in September 2012, Mathis submitted to FINRA an application on Form MC-400 in which he sought permission to continue to work in
the securities industry notwithstanding the fact that he is subject to a statutory disqualification. That application was approved
in April 2015.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance:
Section
16 of the Exchange Act requires that reports of beneficial ownership of common stock and changes in such ownership be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission by Section 16 “reporting persons,” including directors, certain officers, holders
of more than 10% of the outstanding common stock and certain trusts of which reporting persons are trustees. We are required to
disclose in this Proxy Statement each reporting person whom we know to have failed to file any required reports under Section
16 on a timely basis during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of copies of Forms
3, 4 and 5 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and written representations that no other reports were required,
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 our officers, directors and 10% stockholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to them, except for the untimely filing of a Form 4 for each of Messrs. Beale and Lawrence related to
the granting of stock options, the untimely filing of a Form 4 for Mr. Mathis related to warrants granted to him during 2016 in
his capacity as a registered representative of DPEC Capital, and the untimely filing of a Form 4 for Mr. Fasano, related to the
acquisition of common shares held in his 401(k) account.
Corporate
Governance
In
considering its corporate governance requirements and best practices, Algodon looks to the Nasdaq Listed Company manual. The manual
is available through the internet at
http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com/
.
Board
Leadership Structure
The
Board does not have an express policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman as the
Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company to make that determination based on the position and direction of the
Company and the membership of the Board. The Board has not designated a lead independent director. Currently, Scott Mathis serves
as both the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mathis is involved
in the day-to-day operations of the Company and also provides strategic guidance on the Company’s operations. The Board
believes Mr. Mathis’s experience and knowledge are valuable in the oversight of both the Company’s operations as well
as with respect to the overall oversight of the Company at the Board level. The Board believes that this leadership structure
is appropriate as Mr. Mathis is intimately knowledgeable with the Company’s current and planned operations.
Role
of the Board and the Audit Committee in Risk Oversight
While
management is charged with the day-to-day management of risks that Algodon faces, the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee
of the Board, have been responsible for oversight of risk management. The full Board, and the Audit Committee since it was formed,
have responsibility for general oversight of risks facing the Company. Specifically, the Audit Committee will review and assess
the adequacy of Algodon’s risk management policies and procedures with regard to identification of Algodon’s principal
risks, both financial and non-financial, and review updates on these risks from the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Executive
Officer. The Audit Committee will also review and assess the adequacy of the implementation of appropriate systems to mitigate
and manage the principal risks.
Review
and Approval of Transactions with Related Parties
On
April 15, 2015, the Board adopted a policy requiring that disinterested directors approve transactions with related parties which
are not market-based transactions. The Board of Directors had been following this policy on an informal basis before.
Generally
the Board of Directors will approve transactions only to the extent the disinterested directors believe that they are in the best
interests of Algodon and on terms that are fair and reasonable (in the judgment of the disinterested directors) to Algodon.
Audit
Committee
The
Board of Directors established the Audit Committee on April 15, 2015, in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act
and NYSE MKT Rule 803(B) as modified for smaller reporting companies by NYSE MKT Rule 801(h). The Audit Committee was established
to oversee the Company’s corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements.
The members of our Audit Committee are Messrs. Beale and Lawrence. On May 14, 2015, Mr. Lawrence was appointed chairman of the
Audit Committee. On August 11, 2015, the Board of Directors determined that Messrs. Beale and Lawrence were independent under
SEC Rule 10A-3(b)(1). The Board has determined that all current members of the Audit Committee are “financially literate”
as interpreted by the Board in its business judgment. No members of the Audit Committee have been qualified as an audit committee
financial expert, as defined in the applicable rules of the SEC because the Board believes that the Company’s status as
a smaller reporting company does not require expertise beyond financial literacy. The Audit Committee has met at least quarterly
since November 2016.
The
Audit Committee expects to meet periodically with our independent accountants and management to review the scope and results of
the annual audit and to review our financial statements and related reporting matters prior to the submission of the financial
statements to the Board. In addition, the committee expects to meet with the independent auditors at least on a quarterly basis
to review and discuss the annual audit or quarterly review of our financial statements.
We
have established an Audit Committee Charter that deals with the establishment of the Audit Committee and sets out its duties and
responsibilities. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the Audit Committee Charter on an annual basis. The
Audit Committee Charter is available on our Company website at
http://www.algodongroup.com
.
No
Nominating Committee
Algodon
has not established a nominating committee. However, on March 24, 2015 the Board adopted Nomination Guidelines effective April
15, 2015. Nominating decisions are made by the independent directors. Eligible stockholders may nominate a person to the Board
of Directors based on the procedure set forth in the Nomination Guidelines.
No
Compensation Committee or Compensation Consultant
Algodon
has not established a compensation committee. Under the NYSE MKT Rule 805(a), if there is no compensation committee, compensation
of the CEO (being Mr. Mathis) must be determined, or recommended to the Board for determination, by a majority of independent
directors on its Board of Directors. The CEO may not be present during voting or deliberations for his compensation.
NYSE
MKT Rule 805(c)(1) enhances the independence requirements for directors in connection with compensation decisions by requiring
that the directors “consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to the
listed company which is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties
of a Compensation Committee member.” The Board of Directors has operated based on a belief that Messrs. Beale and Lawrence
were independent under this requirement.
Although
NYSE MKT Rule 805(c)(3)(i) provides that the Compensation Committee may (in its discretion, not Board discretion) retain compensation
consultants, independent legal counsel, and other advisors, the independent directors acting as the compensation committee have
not decided to do so. On March 24, 2015, our Board adopted Compensation Guidelines effective April 15, 2015. Our Compensation
Guidelines is posted at our website:
www.algodongroup.com.
Code
of Business Conduct and Whistleblower Policy
On
March 24, 2015, our Board of Directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Whistleblower Policy effective April 15, 2015 (the
“Code of Conduct”). The Code of Conduct applies to all of our officers and employees, including our principal executive
officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Our Code of Conduct establishes standards and guidelines
to assist our directors, officers, and employees in complying with both the Company’s corporate policies and with the law
and is posted at our website:
www.algodongroup.com
.
Insider
Trading Policy
On
March 24, 2015, our Board of Directors adopted an Insider Trading Policy effective April 15, 2015. The Insider Trading Policy
applies to all of our officers, directors, and employees. Our Insider Trading Policy is posted at our website:
www.algodongroup.com
.
Stockholder
Communications to the Board
Stockholders
who are interested in communicating directly with members of the Board, or the Board as a group, may do so by writing directly
to the individual Board member c/o Secretary, Algodon Wines & Luxury Development Group, Inc., 135 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor,
New York, NY 10010. The Company’s Secretary will forward communications directly to the appropriate Board member. If the
correspondence is not addressed to the particular member, the communication will be forwarded to a Board member to bring to the
attention of the Board. The Company’s Secretary will review all communications before forwarding them to the appropriate
Board member.
Meetings
of the Board and Committees; Attendance at the Annual Meeting
The
Board of Directors held eight formal meetings either in person or via telephone during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
and acted by unanimous consent 21 times during 2016. The Board has held three meetings thereafter through the date of this Proxy
Statement, and acted by unanimous consent six times. None of the incumbent directors attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate
of the total number of Board meetings during fiscal 2016. In addition, regular communications were maintained throughout the year
among all of the officers and directors of the Company.
Board
members are not required to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. The Company has not previously held an annual meeting of
stockholders.
Executive
Compensation
The
following table sets out the compensation received for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 in respect
to the individual who served as the Company’s chief executive officer during those fiscal years, as well as the Company’s
most highly compensated executive officers (collectively referred to herein as the “NEOs”):
Summary
Compensation Table for Executive Officers
|
Name
and Principal
Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
(1)
($)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation ($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Scott L.
Mathis
(2)
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
404,713
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
404,713
|
|
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
401,700
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
932,045
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,333,745
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maria I Echevarria
(3)
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
175,000
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
95,765
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
240,765
|
|
(1)
|
Represents
the grant date full fair value of compensation costs of stock options granted during the respective year for financial statement
reporting purposes, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are
included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Refer to the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
schedule regarding option details on an award-by-award basis.
|
|
|
(2)
|
On
September 28, 2015, we entered into a new employment agreement with Scott Mathis, our CEO. Among other things, the agreement
provides for a three-year term of employment at an annual salary of $401,700 (subject to a 3% cost-of-living adjustment per
year), bonus eligibility, paid vacation and specified business expense reimbursements. The agreement sets limits on the Mr.
Mathis’ annual sales of AWLD common stock. Mr. Mathis is subject to a covenant not to compete during the term of the
agreement and following his termination for any reason, for a period of twelve months. Upon a change of control (as defined
by the agreement), all of Mr. Mathis’ outstanding equity-based awards will vest in full and his employment term resets
to two years from the date of the change of control. Following Mr. Mathis’s termination for any reason, Mr. Mathis is
prohibited from soliciting Company clients or employees for one year and disclosing any confidential information of AWLD for
a period of two years. The agreement may be terminated by the Company for cause or by the CEO for good reason, in accordance
with the terms of the agreement.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Maria
Echevarria was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Compliance Officer effective April
13, 2015.
|
The
Board of Directors, acting in lieu of a compensation committee, is charged with reviewing and approving the terms and structure
of the compensation of the Company’s executive officers. To date, the Company has not retained an independent compensation
consultant to assist the Company in reviewing and analyzing the structure and terms of the compensation payable to the Company’s
executive officers.
The
Company considers various factors when evaluating and determining the compensation terms and structure of its executive officers,
including the following:
|
1.
|
The
executive’s leadership and operational performance and potential to enhance long-term value to the Company’s stockholders;
|
|
2.
|
The
Company’s financial resources, results of operations, and financial projections;
|
|
3.
|
Performance
compared to the financial, operational and strategic goals established for the Company;
|
|
4.
|
The
nature, scope and level of the executive’s responsibilities;
|
|
5.
|
Competitive
market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions, experience and performance levels; and
|
|
6.
|
The
executive’s current salary, the appropriate balance between incentives for long-term and short-term performance.
|
Company
management is responsible for reviewing the base salary, annual bonus and long-term compensation levels for other Company employees,
and the Company expects this practice to continue going forward. The entire Board of Directors remains responsible for significant
changes to, or adoption, of new employee benefit plans.
The
Company believes that the compensation environment for qualified professionals in the industry in which we operate is highly competitive.
In order to compete in this environment, the compensation of our executive officers is primarily comprised of the following four
components:
|
●
|
Base
salary;
|
|
●
|
Stock
option awards and/or equity based compensation;
|
|
●
|
Discretionary
cash bonuses; and
|
|
●
|
Other
employment benefits.
|
Base
Salary.
Base salary, paid in cash, is the first element of compensation to our officers. In determining base salaries for
our key executive officers, the Company aims to set base salaries at a level we believe enables us to hire and retain individuals
in a competitive environment and to reward individual performance and contribution to our overall business goals. The Board of
Directors believes that base salary should be relatively stable over time, providing the executive a dependable, minimum level
of compensation, which is approximately equivalent to compensation that may be paid by competitors for persons of similar abilities.
The Board of Directors believes that base salaries for our executive officers (not including our chief executive officer) are
appropriate for persons serving as executive officers of public companies similar in size and complexity similar to the Company.
On
September 28, 2015, we entered into a new employment agreement with Scott Mathis, our CEO. Among other things, the agreement provides
for a three-year term of employment at an annual salary of $401,700 (subject to a 3% cost-of-living adjustment per year), bonus
eligibility, paid vacation and specified business expense reimbursements. Further details are provided below under Employment
Agreements. The Company’s other executive officer, Ms. Echevarria, does not have a written employment agreement but receives
a base salary as noted above, believed to be in accordance with industry standards and norms.
Stock
Option Plan Benefits –
Each of the Company’s executive officers is eligible to be granted awards under the Company’s
equity compensation plans. The Company believes that equity based compensation helps align management and executives’ interests
with the interests of our stockholders. Our equity incentives are also intended to reward the attainment of long-term corporate
objectives by our executives. We also believe that grants of equity-based compensation are necessary to enable us to be competitive
from a total remuneration standpoint. At the present time, we have two equity incentive plans for our management and employees.
The first is the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, and the second is the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. All shares of common stock reserved
for issuance in connection with awards under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan have been or were utilized in conjunction with existing,
expired or cancelled awards of stock options.
We
have no set formula for granting awards to our executives or employees. In determining whether to grant awards and the amount
of any awards, we take into consideration discretionary factors such as the individual’s current and expected future performance,
level of responsibilities, retention considerations, and the total compensation package.
The
Company has granted each of its executive officers stock options, as outlined below.
Discretionary
Annual Bonus.
Discretionary cash bonuses are another prong of our compensation plan. The Board of Directors believes that
it is appropriate that executive officers and other employees have the potential to receive a portion of their annual cash compensation
as a cash bonus to encourage performance to achieve key corporate objectives and to be competitive from a total remuneration standpoint.
We
have no set formula for determining or awarding discretionary cash bonuses to our other executives or employees. In determining
whether to award bonuses and the amount of any bonuses, we have taken and expect to continue to take into consideration discretionary
factors such as the individual’s current and expected future performance, level of responsibilities, retention considerations,
and the total compensation package, as well as the Company’s overall performance including cash flow and other operational
factors.
The
employment agreement we have entered into with Mr. Mathis provides that he is eligible to receive a discretionary cash bonus,
to be determined by the Board of Directors. After the end of our 2016 fiscal year, the Board of Directors did not award any cash
bonuses.
Other
Compensation/Benefits.
Another element of the overall compensation is through providing our executive officers various employment
benefits, such as the payment of health and life insurance premiums on behalf of the executive officers. Our executive officers
are also eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan on the same basis as other employees and the Company historically has made
matching contributions to the 401(k) plan, including for the benefit of our executive officers.
Employment
Agreements
We
have entered into an employment agreement with the Company’s Chief Executive Office, Scott L. Mathis.
Scott
Mathis -
On September 28, 2015, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with its CEO (the “Employment
Agreement”). Among other things, the Employment Agreement provides for a three-year term of employment at an annual salary
of $401,700 (subject to a 3% cost-of-living adjustment per year), bonus eligibility, paid vacation and specified business expense
reimbursements. The Employment Agreement sets limits on the CEO’s annual sales of Algodon common stock. The CEO is subject
to a covenant not to compete during the term of the Employment Agreement and following his termination for any reason, for a period
of twelve months. Upon a change of control (as defined by the Employment Agreement), all of the CEO’s outstanding equity-based
awards will vest in full and his employment term resets to two years from the date of the change of control. Following the CEO’s
termination for any reason, the CEO is prohibited from soliciting Company clients or employees for one year and disclosing any
confidential information of Algodon for a period of two years.
The
Employment Agreement sets forth the terms whereby Mr. Mathis could be terminated by the Company for cause, in accordance with
the terms of the Employment Agreement. Should he be terminated without cause, he will be entitled to receive his then-current
base salary for a period of twelve months, plus all of the benefits or payments in respect of such benefits provided for under
the Employment Agreement.
Stock
Option, Stock Awards and Equity Incentive Plans
In
accordance with the Company’s 2008 and 2016 Equity Incentive Plans, the Company granted certain of its executive officers
stock options during the Company’s 2016 fiscal year; no other equity based awards were granted to executive officers during
the fiscal year.
The
following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards for each named executive officer at December 31, 2016.
|
|
Option
Awards
|
Name
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
|
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
Scott L. Mathis
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3.85
|
|
|
4/15/2017
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2.48
|
|
|
4/15/2018
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2.48
|
|
|
6/30/2018
|
|
|
|
281,250
|
(1)
|
|
|
218,750
|
(1)
|
|
|
2.48
|
|
|
8/27/2019
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2.48
|
|
|
8/27/2019
|
|
|
|
547,460
|
(2)
|
|
|
912,430
|
(2)
|
|
|
2.20
|
|
|
6/8/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maria I. Echevarria
|
|
|
56,250
|
(3)
|
|
|
93,750
|
(3)
|
|
|
2.20
|
|
|
6/8/2020
|
(1)
|
On
August 27, 2014, Mr. Mathis was granted an option to acquire 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which
31,250 shares underlying the option vested on November 27, 2014 and 31,250 shares vest every three months thereafter.
|
|
|
(2)
|
On
June 8, 2015, Mr. Mathis was granted an option to acquire 1,459,890 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 364,794
shares underlying the option vest on June 8, 2016, and 91,243 shares vest every three months thereafter.
|
|
|
(3)
|
On
June 8, 2015, Ms. Echevarria was granted an option to acquire 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which
37,500 shares underlying the option vest on June 8, 2016, and 9,375 shares vest every three months thereafter.
|
Compensation
of Directors
Since
its founding, the Company has compensated the non-employee members of its Board of Directors only with grants of stock options.
In 2016, the Company granted each Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Beale an option to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock at a price of $2.20 per share, of which 66,667 were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.
Director
Compensation
The
following table sets forth compensation received by our non-employee directors:
|
|
|
|
|
Director
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid in
Cash
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
|
Option
Awards
(1)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
Peter Lawrence
(2)
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
119,710
|
|
|
|
119,710
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julian Beale (3)
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
119,710
|
|
|
|
119,710
|
|
(1)
|
Represents
the grant date full fair value of compensation costs of stock options granted during the respective year for financial statement
reporting purposes, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are
included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements
|
|
|
(2)
|
On
July 19, 2016, the Company granted Mr. Lawrence an option to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at
a price of $2.20 per share, of which 66,667 were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.
|
|
|
(3)
|
On
July 19, 2016, the Company granted Mr. Beale an option to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a
price of $2.20 per share, of which 66,667 were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.
|
Frequency
of the Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
The
Board of Directors has included an advisory stockholder vote regarding named executive officer compensation in these proxy materials
for the upcoming Annual Meeting. Unless the timing of the advisory votes is changed, the next required advisory vote regarding
the frequency of an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation will be at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held in 2020.
Risks
of Compensation Programs
The
Company’s equity-based compensation is performance based in that the issued stock options become valuable as the stockholders’
returns (measured by stock price) increase. Furthermore, in all cases, options granted to the Company’s employees are time-based
vesting. The Company believes that this vesting, coupled with the internal controls and oversight of the risk elements of its
business, have minimized the possibility that the compensation programs and practices will have a material adverse effect on the
Company and its financial, and operational, performance.
As
described above, the Board of Directors has general oversight responsibility with respect to risk management, and exercises appropriate
oversight to insure that risks are not viewed in isolation and are appropriately controlled. The Company’s compensation
programs are designed to work within this system of oversight and control, and the Board considers whether these compensation
programs reward reasonable risk-taking and achieve the proper balance between the desire to appropriately reward employees and
protecting the Company.
PROPOSAL
NO. 2:
RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MARCUM LLP
The
Board of Directors has selected the accounting firm of Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) to serve as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year. We are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of Marcum as our independent
registered public accounting firm. Although ratification is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the
selection of Marcum to our stockholders for ratification because we value our stockholders’ views on the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm and as a matter of good corporate practice.
If
our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, it will be considered as a direction to the Board to consider the selection of
a different firm. The Board considers Marcum to be well qualified to serve as the independent auditors for the Company and Marcum
has experience since 2010 in doing so. However, even if the selection is ratified, the Board of Directors in its discretion may
select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change
would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. To the Company’s knowledge, a representative from Marcum
is not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
Fees
Billed By Independent Accounting Firm
The
following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the Company by Marcum, LLP, its independent registered public accounting
firm, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit fees
(1)
|
|
$
|
227,500
|
|
|
$
|
175,000
|
|
Audit-related fees
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
Tax fees
|
|
|
27,500
|
|
|
|
25,200
|
|
Other fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
$
|
260,000
|
|
|
$
|
208,200
|
|
|
(1)
|
Represents
fees associated with the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015, and the reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q during 2016 and 2015.
|
Pre-Approval
Policies and Procedures
The
Audit Committee Charter provides that the Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight
of the independent public accountants, and pre-approves all audit services and permissible non-audit services to be provided to
the Company by the independent public accountants. The Audit Committee may, in its discretion, delegate the authority to pre-approve
all audit services and permissible non-audit services to the Chairman of the Audit Committee provided the Chairman reports any
delegated pre-approvals to the Audit Committee at the next meeting thereof. The Audit Committee has not, however, adopted any
specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services.
The
Board of Directors approved Marcum performing our audit for the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years and approved Marcum performing our
audit for the 2017 fiscal year.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF MARCUM LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017.
PROPOSAL
NO. 3:
ADVISORY
VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Beginning
in 2011, Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the
“Dodd-Frank Act”), now require that at stockholder meetings at which directors are to be elected, certain public companies
submit to their stockholders what is commonly known as a “Say on Pay” proposal. A Say on Pay proposal gives stockholders
the opportunity to vote to approve or not approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the companies Named Executive Officers
(“NEOs”), those executive officers whose total compensation is described in the Executive Compensation disclosure
included in the company’s annual report as well as in the materials prepared and distributed in connection with stockholder
meetings.
This
Say On Pay vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Company’s
NEOs and our compensation philosophy, policies and practices, as disclosed under the “Executive Compensation Discussion”
section of this Proxy Statement.
The
Company recognizes that a framework that accounts for the Company’s financial resources and its business objectives is essential
to an effective executive compensation program. The Company’s compensation framework and philosophy are established and
overseen primarily by the Board of Directors. Our executive compensation program is designed to provide a competitive level of
compensation necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced executives and to motivate them to achieve short-term and
long-term corporate goals that enhance stockholder value. To that end we strive to ensure that the compensation of our executives
is in-line with those of similarly situated companies. The Board of Directors attempts to balance the compensation of our NEOs
between near term compensation (being the payment of competitive salaries) with providing compensation intended to reward executives
for the Company’s long term success (being equity based compensation). Moreover, the equity based compensation element is
intended to further align the longer term interests of our executive officers with that of our stockholders. To further implement
our objectives in attracting and retaining qualified executive officers, our NEOs are also eligible to receive an annual bonus
and receive various employment benefits.
Additionally,
as part of our philosophy of aiming to attract and retain qualified executive level personnel, the Company has entered into an
employment agreement with one of its NEOs that is intended to provide that executive with a reasonable level of security with
respect to his on-going employment.
We
believe our executive compensation program implements our primary objectives of attracting and retaining qualified executive level
personnel, providing the executives with reasonable contractual terms that offer some level of security, and motivating executive
level personnel with a balance between short-term incentives with longer term incentives aimed to help further align the interests
of our executive officers with our stockholders. Stockholders are encouraged to read the Executive Compensation section of this
Proxy Statement for a more detailed discussion of the compensation structure and programs implemented by the Company during its
2016 fiscal year and which we expect to continue going forward.
At
the Meeting we will ask our stockholders to indicate their support for our NEO compensation as described in this Proxy Statement
by voting “FOR” the following resolution:
RESOLVED,
that the stockholders of Algodon approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers,
as such compensation is disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the “Executive Compensation” section,
the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying narrative executive compensation disclosures set forth
in the Company’s 2017 annual meeting Proxy Statement.
While
we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, the final vote is advisory in nature and therefore not binding
on the Company. However, our Board of Directors values the opinions of all of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of
this vote when making future compensation decisions for our NEOs.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
PROPOSAL
NO. 4:
FREQUENCY OF STOCKHOLDER VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Beginning
in 2011, Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Act, now require that public companies give their
stockholders the opportunity to vote, at stockholder meetings at which directors are to be elected and on an advisory basis, on
the frequency with which companies include in their meeting materials an advisory vote to approve or not approve the compensation
of their NEOs.
Our
Board of Directors believes that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every three years is the most appropriate
choice for the Company, as a triennial vote complements the Company’s goal to create a compensation program that enhances
long-term stockholder value. As described in the section titled “Executive Compensation,” our executive compensation
program is designed to motivate executives to achieve both short-term and longer-term corporate goals that enhance stockholder
value. To facilitate the creation of long-term, sustainable stockholder value, all our compensation awards are contingent upon
successful completion of multi-year performance or upon successful completion of periods of service to the Company. A triennial
vote will provide stockholders the ability to evaluate our compensation program over a time period similar to the periods associated
with our compensation awards, allowing them to compare the Company’s compensation program to the long-term performance of
the Company.
The
Company and the Board of Directors would similarly benefit from this longer time period between advisory votes. Three years will
give the Company sufficient time to fully analyze the Company’s compensation program (as compared to the Company’s
performance over that same period) and to implement necessary changes. In addition, this period will provide the time necessary
for implemented changes to take effect and the effectiveness of such changes to be properly assessed. The greater time period
between votes will also allow the Company to consider various factors that impact the Company’s financial performance, stockholder
sentiments and executive pay on a longer-term basis. The Board of Directors believes anything less than a triennial vote may yield
a short-term mindset and detract from the long-term interests and goals of the Company.
At
the Annual Meeting stockholders will have the opportunity to cast their vote on the preferred voting frequency by selecting the
option of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation: 1) “EVERY THREE YEARS,” 2) “EVERY TWO YEARS”,
3) “EVERY ONE YEAR,” or stockholders may “ABSTAIN.” The stockholder vote is not intended to approve or
disapprove the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Rather, we will consider the stockholders to have expressed a preference
for the option that receives the most votes.
While
we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, the final vote is advisory in nature and therefore not binding
on the Company or the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors values the opinions of all of our stockholders and will consider
the outcome of this vote when making future decisions on the frequency with which we will hold an advisory vote on executive compensation.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO CONDUCT AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION EVERY THREE (3) YEARS.
PROPOSAL
NO. 5
REVERSE
STOCK SPLIT
The
Board of Directors is considering applying to list Algodon’s common stock ($0.01 par value, 80,000,000 shares authorized,
referred to herein as the “Common Stock”) on a national exchange, such as the NASDAQ. One of the requirements under
one of the alternative processes for listing on the NASDAQ is that at the time the listing becomes effective, a company’s
stock must initially trade at or above $3.00 per share. The Board of Directors believes that a reverse stock split will assist
in achieving a price for Algodon Common Stock at or above the $3.00 per share requirement. Therefore, the Board unanimously approved
a reverse stock split of all the outstanding shares of Algodon’s Common Stock at an exchange ratio ranging from one post-split
share for two pre-split shares (1:2) up to one post-split share for six pre-split shares (1:6), or anywhere between those ratios,
at the Board’s discretion (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and approved an amendment to Algodon’s certificate
of incorporation to effect such Reverse Stock Split. The Board noted that it will
only
effect the Reverse Stock Split in
conjunction with a listing on a national exchange.
Except
for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares, which will be rounded up to the nearest whole number,
each stockholder will beneficially hold the same percentage of Common Stock immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as such
stockholder held immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split. Also, proportionate adjustments will be made to the per-share exercise
price and the number of shares covered by outstanding options and warrants to buy Common Stock, so that the total prices required
to be paid to fully exercise each option and warrant before and after the Reverse Stock Split will be approximately equal. Further,
with respect to the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, proportionate adjustments will be made to the common stock conversion
and voting rights features of that stock to fairly reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split.
The
Board does not intend as part of the Reverse Stock Split to reduce the amount of the Company’s authorized shares of Common
Stock (or of its Series B Preferred Stock). As of August 10, 2017, the Company has a total of 80,000,000 shares of Common Stock
authorized and 42,937,873 shares issued, leaving 37,062,127 shares available for issuance. As a result, the number of unissued,
available authorized shares of Common Stock will increase, as reflected in the following table as if the Reverse Stock Split were
to occur on August 10, 2017:
Ratio
|
|
Authorized
|
|
|
Issued
pre-
Reverse
Stock
Split
|
|
|
Issued
post-
Reverse
Stock
Split
|
|
|
Increase
in
post- Reverse
Stock Split
Authorized
and Unissued
Shares*
|
|
1:2
|
|
|
80,000,000
|
|
|
|
42,937,873
|
|
|
|
21,468,936
|
|
|
|
21,468,937
|
|
1:3
|
|
|
80,000,000
|
|
|
|
42,937,873
|
|
|
|
14,312,624
|
|
|
|
28,625,249
|
|
1:4
|
|
|
80,000,000
|
|
|
|
42,937,873
|
|
|
|
10,734,468
|
|
|
|
32,203,405
|
|
1:6
|
|
|
80,000,000
|
|
|
|
42,937,873
|
|
|
|
7,156,312
|
|
|
|
35,781,561
|
|
*Does
not reflect shares reserved for issuance upon conversion of Series B or exercise of warrants or options.
The
increase in the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance and any subsequent issuance of such shares could have
the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of Algodon without further action by the stockholders. The Board is not
aware of any attempt to take control of Algodon and has not presented this proposal with the intention that the Reverse Stock
Split be used as a type of antitakeover device. Any additional common and preferred stock, when issued, would have the same rights
and preferences as the shares of common and preferred stock presently outstanding.
The
additional authorized common stock will be available for issuance by the Board for stock splits or stock dividends, acquisitions,
raising additional capital, conversion of Algodon debt into equity, stock options or other corporate purposes. Algodon has no
plans for the use of any additional shares of common stock except in connection with the exercise of currently outstanding options
and warrants. Algodon does not anticipate that it would seek authorization from the stockholders for issuance of such additional
shares unless required by applicable law or regulation.
Additional
Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split
In
addition to the achievement of a stock price required for listing on a national exchange there are additional reasons the Board
believes the Reverse Stock Split will be beneficial to Algodon. One is that the Board believes that the increased market price
of the Common Stock expected as a result of implementing the Reverse Stock Split will improve the marketability of the Common
Stock and will encourage interest and trading in the Common Stock by brokerage houses and institutions that are not currently
able or willing to trade the Common Stock. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many potential
investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or that tend to discourage
individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, low-priced stocks not listed on an exchange
are subject to the additional broker-dealer disclosure requirements and restrictions found in SEC Rule 15g-6.
It
should be noted that the liquidity of the Common Stock may be adversely affected by the Reverse Stock Split given the reduced
number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse Stock Split. The Board anticipates, however, that the expected higher
market price and (if successful) exchange listing will mitigate, to some extent, the effects on the liquidity through the anticipated
increase in marketability discussed above.
The
Board understands that there is a risk that the market price for the Common Stock may not react proportionally to the Reverse
Stock Split. For example, if Algodon accomplishes a 1:3 Reverse Stock Split at a time when the market price is $1.50 per share,
there can be no assurance that the resulting market price will thereafter remain at or above $4.50 per share (three times the
previous market price).
The
Board confirms that the contemplated reverse stock split is not and will not be the first step in a series of plans or proposals
of a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act.
Based
upon the foregoing factors and understanding the risks, the Board has determined that the Reverse Stock Split is in the best interests
of the Company and its stockholders.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO give THE Board of Directors discretion (if necessary to effect a listing of
Algodon’s common stock on a national exchange) on or before June 30, 2018, to implement a reverse stock split of the outstanding
shares of common stock in a range from one-for-two (1:2) up to one-for-SIX (1:6), or anywhere between, while maintaining the number
of authorized shares of Common Stock.
PROPOSAL
NO. 6
RATIFICATION
OF 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
On
July 11, 2016, the Board of Directors adopted the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). Under the 2016 Plan,
1,224,308 shares of common stock of the Company are authorized for issuance, with an automatic annual increase on January 1 of
each year equal to 2.5% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on such date, on a fully diluted basis. As of
December 31, 2016, there were 324,308 shares available for issuance under the 2016 Plan. On January 1, 2017, the number of shares
available under the 2016 Plan was automatically increased by 1,072,774 shares for a total of 1,397,082 shares available.
[*]
The
Board seeks stockholder approval of the 2016 Plan in order to meet the stockholder approval requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
In addition, we regard stockholder approval of the 2016 Plan as desirable and consistent with corporate governance best practices.
Summary
of the Plan
The
following is a summary of principal features of the 2016 Incentive Plan. The summary, however, does not purport to be a complete
description of all the provisions of the 2016 Incentive Plan. The 2016 Plan includes two types of options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based awards. Options intended to qualify
as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, are referred to as incentive options.
Options which are not intended to qualify as incentive options are referred to as non-qualified options. No options granted under
the 2016 Plan will qualify as incentive options.
The
2016 Plan is presently administered and interpreted by the Board of Directors, authority which in the future may be delegated
to a compensation committee of the Board. In addition to determining who will be granted options or other awards under the 2016
Plan and what type of awards will be granted, the Board has the authority and discretion to determine when awards will be granted
and the number of awards to be granted. The Board also may determine the terms and conditions of the awards; amend the terms and
conditions of the awards; how the awards may be exercised whether in cash or securities or other property; establish, amend, suspend,
or waive applicable rules and regulations and appoint agents to administer the 2016 Plan; take any action for administration of
the 2016 Plan; and adopt modifications to comply with laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions.
Participants
in the 2016 Plan consist of Eligible Persons, who are employees, officers, consultants, advisors, independent contractors, or
directors providing services to the Company or any affiliate of the Company as determined by the Board. The Board may take into
account the duties of persons selected, their present and potential contributions to the success of Company and such other considerations
as the Board deems relevant to the purposes of the 2016 Plan.
The
exercise price of any option granted under the 2016 Plan must be no less than 100% of the “fair market value” of the
Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Any incentive stock option granted under the 2016 Plan to a person owning more
than 10% of the total combined voting power of the common stock must be at a price of no less than 110% of the fair market value
per share on the date of grant.
*
|
All
share amounts refer to pre-Reverse Stock Split shares, and those amounts will be adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split
if and when implemented.
|
Awards
remain exercisable for a period of six months (but no longer than the original term of the award) after a participant ceases to
be an employee or the consulting services are terminated due to death or disability. All restricted stock held by the participant
becomes free of all restrictions, and any payment or benefit under a performance award is forfeited and cancelled at time of termination
unless the participant is irrevocably entitled to such award at the time of termination, where termination results from death
or disability. Termination of service as a result of anything other than death or disability results in the award remaining exercisable
for a period of one month (but no longer than the original term of the award) after termination and any payment or benefit under
a performance award is forfeited and cancelled at time of termination unless the participant is irrevocably entitled to such award
at the time of termination. All restricted stock held by the participant becomes free of all restrictions unless the participant
voluntarily resigns or is terminated for cause, in which event the restricted stock is transferred back to the Company.
The
Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the 2016 Plan at any time; provided, however, that, without the approval
of the stockholders of the Company, no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made that,
absent such approval: (i) violates the rules or regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) or any
other securities exchange that are applicable to the Company; (ii) causes the Company to be unable, under the Internal Revenue
Code, to grant incentive stock options under the 2016 Plan; (iii) increases the number of shares authorized under the 2016 Plan
other than the 2.5% increase per year; (iv) permits the award of options or stock appreciation rights at a price less than 100%
of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant of such award, as prohibited by the 2016 Plan or the repricing of options
or stock appreciation rights, as prohibited by the 2016 Plan; or (v) would prevent the grant of options or stock appreciation
rights that would qualify under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The
information set forth below is a summary only and does not purport to be complete. The information is based upon current federal
income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any recipient may
depend on his or her particular situation, each recipient should consult the recipient’s tax adviser regarding the federal,
state, local, and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired as a result
of an award. The 2016 Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any of the
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described
below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m)
of the Code and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.
Nonstatutory
Stock Options
. Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of a nonstatutory stock option if the stock option is granted
with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. On exercise, an optionholder
will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock over
the exercise price. If the optionholder is employed by us or one of our affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding
taxes. The optionholder’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to their fair market value on the date of exercise of
the stock option, and the optionholder’s capital gain holding period for those shares will begin on that date.
Subject
to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation,
we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the optionholder.
New
Plan Benefits
Since
adoption of the 2016 Plan certain options have been granted to directors, officers and employees of the Company under 2016 Plan
as disclosed in the table below. Other than the previously granted options set forth in the table below, equity-based or cash
compensation awards to be granted in the future to eligible individuals, including current and future employees, officers and
directors, under the 2016 Plan cannot be determined at this time, as actual awards will be made at the discretion of the Board
of Directors.
New
Plan Benefits
Name
and Position
|
|
Number
of
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott L. Mathis, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maria Echevarria, Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers
as a Group
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julian
Beale, Director(1)
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter J.L. Lawrence,
Director(2)
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-employee Directors
as a Group(3)
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Executive Officer
Employee Group(4)
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director Nominees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
(1)
|
On
July 19, 2016, the Company granted Mr. Beale an option to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a
price of $2.20 per share, of which 66,667 were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
On
July 19, 2016, the Company granted Mr. Lawrence an option to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at
a price of $2.20 per share, of which 66,667 were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
Consists
of Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Beale’s options.
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
On
October 20, 2016, the Company granted Greg Gassoso, an employee of the Company, an option to acquire 100,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at a price of $2.20 per share, none of which were vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.
|
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
OTHER
MATTERS
As
of the date of this Proxy Statement, management does not know of any other matters that will come before the Annual Meeting.
ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Annual
Report
Available
with this Proxy Statement (and available on the internet as stated above) is the Company’s 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders
on Form 10-K.
Information
Available
The
Company is subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance with the Exchange Act,
the Company files periodic reports, documents and other information with the SEC relating to its business, financial statements
and other matters, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and any reports
prior to or subsequent to that date.
These
reports and other information filed with the SEC by the Company may be inspected and are available for copying at the public reference
facilities maintained at the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20549.
The
Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are also available to the public from the SEC’s website,
http://www.sec.gov
and at the Company’s website,
http://www.algodongroup.com
. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2016, and other reports filed under the Exchange Act, are also available to any stockholder at
no cost upon request to: Corporate Secretary, Algodon Wines & Luxury Development Group, Inc., 135 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor,
New York, NY 10010; tel: (212) 735-7688.
Delivery
of Documents to Security Holders Sharing an Address
We
will send only one Proxy Statement and other corporate mailings to stockholders who share a single address unless we received
contrary instructions from any stockholder at that address. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to
reduce our printing and postage costs. However, the Company will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy
of the Proxy Statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the Proxy Statement was delivered. You may
make such a written or oral request by (a) sending a written notification stating (i) your name, (ii) your shared address and
(iii) the address to which the Company should direct the additional copy of the Proxy Statement, to the Company at Corporate Secretary,
Algodon Wines & Luxury Development Group, Inc., 135 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010; or (b) contacting the Company
by telephone at (212) 735-7688.
If
multiple stockholders sharing an address have received one copy of this Proxy Statement or any other corporate mailing and would
prefer the Company to mail each stockholder a separate copy of future mailings, you may send notification to or call the Company’s
principal executive offices. Additionally, if current stockholders with a shared address received multiple copies of this Proxy
Statement or other corporate mailings and would prefer the Company to mail one copy of future mailings to stockholders at the
shared address, notification of such request may also be made by mail or telephone to the Company’s principal executive
offices.
A
copy of our Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2017 will be provided, without charge, to any person to whom this Proxy
Statement is delivered upon written or oral request of such person and by first class mail or other equally prompt means within
one business day of such request.
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
ALGODON
WINES & LUXURY DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC.
Scott
L. Mathis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Appendix
A
ALGODON
WINES & LUXURY DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC.
2016
EQUITY incentive plan
(as
amended as of July 29, 2016)
Table
of Contents
Section
1.
|
Purpose
|
1
|
|
|
|
Section
2.
|
Definitions
|
1
|
|
|
|
Section
3.
|
Administration
|
4
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Power
and Authority of the Committee
|
4
|
(b)
|
Delegation
|
5
|
(c)
|
Power
and Authority of the Board
|
5
|
(d)
|
Previously
Granted Options
|
5
|
(e)
|
Actions
Taken in Good Faith
|
6
|
(f)
|
Costs
of Administration
|
6
|
|
|
|
Section
4.
|
Shares
Available for Awards
|
6
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Shares
Available
|
6
|
(b)
|
Accounting
for Awards
|
6
|
(c)
|
Adjustments
|
7
|
(d)
|
Code
Section 162(m) Award Limitations Under the Plan
|
7
|
|
|
|
Section
5.
|
Eligibility
|
7
|
|
|
|
Section
6.
|
Awards
|
8
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Options
|
8
|
(b)
|
Stock
Appreciation Rights
|
9
|
(c)
|
Restricted
Stock and Restricted Stock Units
|
9
|
(d)
|
Performance
Awards
|
10
|
(e)
|
Other
Stock Grants
|
10
|
(f)
|
Other
Stock-Based Awards
|
11
|
(g)
|
General
|
11
|
|
|
|
Section
7.
|
Events
Affecting Outstanding Awards
|
13
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Additional
Definitions for this Section
|
13
|
(b)
|
Termination
of Service Resulting from Death or Disability
|
13
|
(c)
|
Termination
of Service Resulting from Other than Death or Disability
|
14
|
(d)
|
Change
in Control
|
15
|
Section
8.
|
Amendment
and Termination; Adjustments
|
15
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Amendments
to the Plan
|
15
|
(b)
|
Amendments
to Awards
|
16
|
(c)
|
Correction
of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies
|
16
|
|
|
|
Section
9.
|
Income
Tax Withholding
|
16
|
|
|
|
Section
10.
|
General
Provisions
|
16
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
No
Rights to Awards
|
16
|
(b)
|
Award
Agreements
|
17
|
(c)
|
Plan
Provisions Control
|
17
|
(d)
|
No
Rights of Stockholders
|
17
|
(e)
|
No
Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements
|
17
|
(f)
|
No
Right to Employment
|
17
|
(g)
|
Governing
Law
|
18
|
(h)
|
Severability
|
18
|
(i)
|
No
Trust or Fund Created
|
18
|
(j)
|
Other
Benefits
|
18
|
(k)
|
No
Fractional Shares
|
18
|
(l)
|
Headings
|
18
|
(m)
|
Section
16 Compliance; Section 162(m) Administration
|
18
|
(n)
|
Conditions
Precedent to Issuance of Shares; Notices
|
19
|
(o)
|
Participant’s
Agreement and Acknowledgements Regarding Taxes
|
19
|
|
|
|
Section
11.
|
Section
409A
|
20
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Time
and Form of Payment
|
20
|
(b)
|
Delay
in Payment
|
20
|
(c)
|
Key
Definitions
|
20
|
(d)
|
Amendments
|
20
|
|
|
|
Section
12.
|
Effective
Date of the Plan
|
21
|
|
|
|
Section
13.
|
Term
of the Plan
|
22
|
ALGODON
WINES & LUXURY DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC.
2016
EQUITY incentive plan
Section
1. Purpose
The
purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term retention of key employees of the Company and other persons or entities who are
in a position to make significant contributions to the success of the Company, to further reward these employees and other persons
or entities for their contributions to the Company’s success, to provide additional incentive to these employees and other
persons or entities to continue to make similar contributions in the future, and to further align the interests of these employees
and other persons or entities with those of the Company’s stockholders. These purposes will be achieved by granting to such
employees one or more Awards authorized by the Plan.
Section
2. Definitions
As
used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a)
“
Affiliate
” shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is controlled
by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as determined by the Committee.
(b)
“
Award
” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance
Award, Other Stock Grant or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c)
“
Award Agreement
” shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any
Award granted under the Plan. An Award Agreement may be in an electronic medium and need not be signed by a representative of
the Company or the Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and any
other terms and conditions (not inconsistent with the Plan) determined by the Committee.
(d)
“
Board
” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e)
“
Code
” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(f)
“
Committee
” shall mean a committee of Directors designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which shall
initially be the Company’s compensation committee. The Committee shall be comprised of not less than such number of Directors
as shall be required to permit Awards granted under the Plan to qualify under Rule 16b-3 and Section 162(m) of the Code, and each
member of the Committee shall be a “
Non-Employee Director
.” In the absence of any Committee of Non-Employee
Directors, the term “Committee” when used herein shall refer to the entire Board.
(g)
“
Company
” shall mean Algodon Wines & Luxury Development Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including
all current and future subsidiaries, and any successor corporation.
(h)
“
Director
” shall mean a member of the Board, including any Non-Employee Director.
(i)
“
Eligible Person
” shall mean any employee, officer, consultant, advisor, independent contractor or director
providing services to the Company or any Affiliate who the Committee determines to be an Eligible Person.
(j)
“
Exchange Act
” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(k)
“
Fair Market Value
” shall mean, with respect to any property, the fair market value of such property determined
by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fair
Market Value of a Share, as of a given date, shall be determined as follows:
(i)
If the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or traded on a national market system, including platforms on the OTC
Markets, Inc., the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be the average closing sale price for such share (or the closing bid, if
no sale was reported) as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the
Shares) on the ten trading days preceding such day of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal
or such other
source as the Committee deems reliable. If there are no reported sales during any of the ten preceding trading days, the calculation
of Fair Market Value under this sub-paragraph shall include the closing price from the immediately prior day or days needed to
reach an average based on ten days.
(ii)
In the absence of such markets for the Shares, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee using
a reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method.
(l)
“
Incentive Stock Option
” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is intended to qualify
as an “incentive stock option” in accordance with the terms of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.
(m)
“
Non-Employee Director
” shall mean any Director: (i) who is not also an employee of the Company or an Affiliate
within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; and (ii) who is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code.
(n)
“
Non-Qualified Stock Option
” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is not an Incentive
Stock Option.
(o)
“
Option
” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(p)
“
Other Stock Grant
” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan.
(q)
“
Other Stock-Based Award
” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(f) of the Plan.
(r)
“
Participant
” shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be granted an Award under the Plan.
(s)
“
Performance Award
” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan.
(t)
“
Performance Goal
” shall mean one or more of the following performance goals, either individually, alternatively
or in any combination, applied on a corporate, subsidiary, division, business unit or line of business basis: sales, revenue,
costs, expenses (including expense efficiency ratios and other expense measures), earnings (including one or more of net profit
after tax, gross profit, operating profit, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization and net earnings), earnings per share, earnings per share from continuing operations, operating income, pre-tax income,
operating income margin, net income, margins (including one or more of gross, operating and net income margins), returns (including
one or more of return on actual or
pro forma
assets, net assets, equity, investment, capital and net capital employed),
stockholder return (including total stockholder return relative to an index or peer group), stock price, economic value added,
cash generation, cash flow, unit volume, working capital, market share, cost reductions and strategic plan development and implementation.
Such goals may reflect absolute entity or business unit performance or a relative comparison to the performance of a peer group
of entities or other external measure of the selected performance criteria. Pursuant to rules and conditions adopted by the Committee
on or before the 90th day of the applicable performance period for which Performance Goals are established, the Committee may
appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under such goals to exclude the effect of certain events, including any of
the following events: asset write-downs; litigation or claim judgments or settlements; changes in tax law, accounting principles
or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results; severance, contract termination and other costs related to exiting
certain business activities; and gains or losses from the disposition of businesses or assets or from the early extinguishment
of debt.
(u)
“
Person
” shall mean any individual or entity, including a corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
association, joint venture or trust.
(v)
“
Plan
” shall mean the Algodon Wines & Luxury Development Group, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
from time to time, the provisions of which are set forth herein.
(w)
“
Restricted Stock
” shall mean any Share granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan.
(x)
“
Restricted Stock Unit
” shall mean any unit granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan evidencing the right to
receive a Share (or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date.
(y)
“
Rule 16b-3
” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor rule or regulation.
(z)
“
Securities Act
” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(aa)
“
Share
” or “
Shares
” shall mean a share or shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share,
of the Company or such other securities or property as may become subject to Awards pursuant to an adjustment made under Section
4(c) of the Plan.
(bb)
“
Stock Appreciation Right
” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan.
Section
3. Administration
(a)
Power and Authority of the Committee
. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the express provisions
of the Plan and to applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to:
(i)
designate Participants;
(ii)
determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan;
(iii)
determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or the method by which payments or other rights are to be determined in connection
with) each Award;
(iv)
determine the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement;
(v)
amend the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement and accelerate the exercisability of any Option or waive any restrictions
relating to any Award;
(vi)
determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended;
(vii)
interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement, including an Award Agreement, relating to the Plan;
(viii)
establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper
administration of the Plan;
(ix)
make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration
of the Plan; and
(x)
adopt such modifications, rules, procedures, and sub-plans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws
of non-U.S. jurisdictions in which the Company or an Affiliate may operate, including, without limitation, establishing any special
rules for Affiliates, Eligible Persons or Participants located in any particular country, in order to meet the objectives of the
Plan and to ensure the viability of the intended benefits of Awards granted to Participants located in such non-United States
jurisdictions.
Unless
otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with
respect to the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any
time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon any Eligible Person and any holder or beneficiary of any Award. The Company
intends that Awards under the Plan shall avoid application of Section 409A of the Code and thereby avoid any adverse tax results
thereunder. The Committee shall administer and interpret the Plan and all Award Agreements in a manner consistent with this intent.
In this regard, if any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement would result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A
of the Code, the Committee may amend that provision (or take any other action reasonably necessary) to avoid any adverse tax results
and no action taken to comply with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to impair or otherwise adversely affect the rights
of any holder of an Award or beneficiary thereof.
(b)
Delegation
. The Committee may delegate its powers and duties under the Plan to one or more Directors (including a Director
who is also an officer of the Company) or a committee of Directors, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee
may establish in its sole discretion;
provided
,
however
, that the Committee shall not delegate its powers and duties
under the Plan
(i)
with regard to officers or directors of the Company or any Affiliate who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or
(ii)
in such a manner as would cause the Plan not to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(c)
Power and Authority of the Board
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, at any time
and from time to time, without any further action of the Committee, exercise the powers and duties of the Committee under the
Plan, unless the exercise of such powers and duties by the Board would cause the Plan not to comply with the requirements of Section
162(m) of the Code. The Board’s approval of a grant of an Award under the Plan, including the names of Participants and
the size of the Award, including the number of Shares subject to the Award, shall be reflected in minutes of meetings held by
the Board or in written consents signed by members of the Board. Once approved by the Board, each Award shall be evidenced by
such written instrument, containing such terms as are required by the Plan and such other terms, consistent with the provisions
of the Plan, as may be approved from time to time by the Board.
(d)
Previously Granted Options
. There are outstanding options for the purchase of Shares granted by the Company to Eligible
Persons pursuant to the Company’s existing stock option plans (the “Pre-Existing Plan”). Options which are outstanding
under the Pre-Existing Plan as of the effective date of this Plan shall continue to be exercisable and shall be governed by and
be subject to the terms of the Pre-Existing Plan and the stock option agreements evidencing their issuance. The number of Shares
that may be issued under the Plan shall not be reduced by (i) the number of Shares subject at such time to options granted and
outstanding under the Pre-Existing Plan, or (ii) the number of Shares issued under the Pre-Existing Plan after the effective date
of this Plan.
(e)
Actions Taken in Good Faith
. No member of the Committee or Board shall be liable for any action taken or determination
made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan. Further, except for the express obligations of
the Company under the Plan and under Awards granted in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, the Company shall have no liability
with respect to any Award, or to any Participant or any transferee of Shares from any Participant, including, but not limited
to, any tax liabilities, capital losses, or other costs or losses incurred by any Participant or any such transferee.
(f)
Costs of Administration
. All costs incurred in connection with the administration and operation of the Plan shall be paid
by the Company.
Section
4. Shares Available for Awards
(a)
Shares Available
. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) of the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares that may
be issued under the Plan, excluding shares issued under the Pre-Existing Plan, shall be 1,224,308 Shares, plus an automatic annual
increase to be added on January 1 of each year equal to 2.5% of the total number of Shares outstanding on such date (including
for this purpose any Shares issuable upon conversion of any outstanding capital stock of the Company).
(i)
Any Shares subject to an Award issued under this Plan or the Pre-Existing Plan that are canceled, forfeited or expire prior to
exercise or realization, either in full or in part, shall be added to the total number of Shares available for an Award to be
made under the Plan.
(ii)
Shares to be issued under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued Shares or Shares re-acquired and held in treasury.
(iii)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the number of Shares available for granting Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall not
exceed the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) of
the Plan and subject to the provisions of Section 422 or 424 of the Code or any successor provision and (B) the number of Shares
available for granting Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall not exceed 500,000, subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 4(c) of the Plan. Shares tendered by Participants as full or partial payment to the Company upon exercise of an Award,
and Shares withheld by or otherwise remitted to the Company to satisfy a Participant’s tax withholding obligations with
respect to an Award, shall become available for issuance under the Plan.
(b)
Accounting for Awards
. For purposes of this Section 4, if an Award entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares,
the number of Shares covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award
against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan. If any Shares covered by an Award or to which
an Award relates are not purchased or are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any Shares, then
the number of Shares counted against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the
extent of any such forfeiture or termination, shall again be available for granting Awards under the Plan. For Stock Appreciation
Rights settled in Shares upon exercise, the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised,
rather than the number of Shares actually issued upon exercise, shall be counted against the number of Shares available for Awards
under the Plan. Awards that do not entitle the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, and Awards that are denominated at
the time of grant as payable only in cash and that are settled in cash, shall not be counted against the aggregate number of Shares
available for Awards under the Plan.
(c)
Adjustments
. In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form
of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance
of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company or other similar corporate transaction or event
affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement
of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as
it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of
(i)
the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) that thereafter may be made the subject of Awards,
(ii)
the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards, and
(iii)
the purchase price or exercise price with respect to any Award;
provided
,
however
, that no such adjustment shall be made to any Award to the extent that it would, in the view of the Company, cause
such Award to be subject to Section 409A of the Code, and the number of Shares covered by any Award or to which such Award relates
shall always be a whole number.
(d)
Code Section 162(m) Award Limitations Under the Plan
. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), no Participant
may be granted (i) Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to more than 500,000 Shares per year or (ii) Restricted Stock
Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Performance Awards and/or Other Share-Based Awards that are intended to comply with the
performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) and are denominated in Shares with respect to more than 500,000 Shares per
year.
Section
5. Eligibility
Any
Eligible Person shall be eligible to be designated a Participant. In determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award
and the terms of any Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Eligible
Persons, their present and potential contributions to the success of the Company or such other factors as the Committee, in its
discretion, shall deem relevant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to full-time or
part-time employees (which term as used herein includes, without limitation, officers and directors who are also employees), and
an Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to an employee of an Affiliate unless such Affiliate is also a “subsidiary
corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or any successor provision.
Section
6. Awards
(a)
Options
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to Eligible Persons with the following terms and conditions
and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee shall determine:
(i)
Exercise Price
. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee;
provided
,
however
, that such purchase price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant
of such Option.
(ii)
Option Term
. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee at the time of grant.
(iii)
Time and Method of Exercise
. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole
or in part and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other securities,
other Awards or other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the applicable
exercise price) in which, payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made. Without
intending to limit the foregoing, if the market price of Shares subject to an Option exceeds the exercise price of the Option
at the time of its exercise, the Board may cancel the Option and cause the Company to pay in cash or in Shares to the person exercising
the Option an amount equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares which would have been purchased pursuant
to the exercise (determined on the date the Option is canceled) and the aggregate exercise price which would have been paid.
(iv)
Incentive Stock Options
. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the following additional provisions shall
apply to the grant of stock options which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options:
(A)
To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive
Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and
its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they
were granted) shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.
(B)
All Incentive Stock Options must be granted within ten years from the earlier of the date on which this Plan was adopted by the
Board or the date this Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company.
(C)
Unless sooner exercised, all Incentive Stock Options shall expire and no longer be exercisable no later than 10 years after the
date of grant;
provided
,
however
, that in the case of a grant of an Incentive Stock Option to a Participant who,
at the time such Option is granted, owns (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Affiliate, such Incentive Stock Option shall expire
and no longer be exercisable no later than 5 years from the date of grant.
(D)
The purchase price per Share for an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on
the date of grant of the Incentive Stock Option;
provided
,
however
, that, in the case of the grant of an Incentive
Stock Option to a Participant who, at the time such Option is granted, owns (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) stock
possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Affiliate, the purchase
price per Share purchasable under an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on
the date of grant of the Incentive Stock Option.
(E)
Any Incentive Stock Option authorized under the Plan shall contain such other provisions as the Committee shall deem advisable,
but shall in all events be consistent with and contain all provisions required in order to qualify the Option as an Incentive
Stock Option.
(b)
Stock Appreciation Rights
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Persons subject
to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall, upon
exercise, confer on the holder the right to receive, as determined by the Committee, cash or a number of Shares equal to the excess
of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise (or, if the Committee shall so determine, at any time during
a specified period before or after the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as determined
by the Committee, which grant price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of
the Stock Appreciation Right. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods
of exercise, dates of exercise, methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions (including conditions or restrictions
on the exercise thereof) of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Committee.
(c)
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Restricted Stock and Restricted
Stock Units to Eligible Persons with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent
with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee shall determine:
(i)
Restrictions
. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee
may impose (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share of Restricted Stock, or prohibition against
the right to receive any dividend or other right or property with respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse separately or
in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise as the Committee may deem appropriate.
(ii)
Issuance and Delivery of Shares.
Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall be issued at the time such Awards are
granted and may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance
of a stock certificate or certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such certificate or certificates
shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable
to such Restricted Stock. Shares representing Restricted Stock that is no longer subject to restrictions shall be delivered to
the Participant promptly after the applicable restrictions lapse or are waived. In the case of Restricted Stock Units, no Shares
shall be issued at the time such Awards are granted. Upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions and the restricted period relating
to Restricted Stock Units evidencing the right to receive Shares, such Shares shall be issued and delivered to the holder of the
Restricted Stock.
(iii)
Forfeiture
. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon a Participant’s termination of employment or resignation
or removal as a Director (in either case as determined under criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable restriction
period, all applicable Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units at such time subject to restriction shall be forfeited
and reacquired by the Company;
provided
,
however
, that the Committee may, when it finds that a waiver would be in
the best interests of the Company, waive in whole or in part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to Shares of Restricted
Stock or Restricted Stock Units.
(d)
Performance Awards
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Performance Awards to Eligible Persons subject to the terms
of the Plan. A Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without
limitation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units), other securities, other Awards or other property and (ii) shall confer
on the holder thereof the right to receive payments, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such performance goals during
such performance periods as the Committee shall establish. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the performance goals to be achieved
during any performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award granted, the amount of
any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award and any other terms and conditions of any Performance Award
shall be determined by the Committee. Performance Awards denominated in Shares (including, without limitation, Restricted Stock
and Restricted Stock Units) that are granted to Eligible Persons who may be “covered employees” under Section 162(m)
and that are intended to be “qualified performance based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m), to the
extent required by Section 162(m), shall be conditioned solely on the achievement of one or more objective Performance Goals established
by the Committee within the time prescribed by Section 162(m), and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 162(m).
(e)
Other Stock Grants
. The Committee is hereby authorized, subject to the terms of the Plan, to grant to Eligible Persons
Shares without restrictions thereon as are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan.
(f)
Other Stock-Based Awards
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Eligible Persons, subject to the terms of the
Plan, such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on
or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are deemed by the Committee to be
consistent with the purpose of the Plan. Shares or other securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this
Section 6(f) shall be purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by such method or methods and in such form or forms
(including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property or any combination thereof), as
the Committee shall determine.
(g)
General
(i)
Consideration for Awards
. Awards may be granted for no cash consideration or for any cash or other consideration as determined
by the Committee and required by applicable law.
(ii)
Requirements for Issuance of Shares and Effectiveness of Awards
. Except as specifically provided by the Plan or the instrument
evidencing an Award, a Participant shall not become a stockholder of the Company until (A) the Participant makes any required
payments in respect of the Shares issued or issuable pursuant to the Award; (b) the Participant furnishes the Company with any
required agreements, certificates, letters or other instruments; and (c) the Participant actually receives the Shares. Subject
to any terms and conditions imposed by the Plan or the instrument evidencing an Award, upon the occurrence of all of the conditions
set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, a Participant shall have all rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares,
including, but not limited to, the right to vote such Shares and to receive dividends and other distributions paid with respect
to such Shares.
(iii)
Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together
. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or
in addition to, in tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted under any plan of the Company or any
Affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition to or in tandem with awards granted under
any such other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the
grant of such other Awards or awards.
(iv)
Forms of Payment under Awards
. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers
to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as
the Committee shall determine (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property or
any combination thereof), and may be made in a single payment or transfer, or in installments, in each case in accordance with
rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the
payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments.
(v)
Limits on Transfer of Awards
. No Award (other than Other Stock Grants) and no right under any such Award shall be transferable
by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and the Company shall not be required to recognize
any attempted assignment of such rights by any Participant;
provided
,
however
, that, if so determined by the Committee,
a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights
of the Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant;
provided
,
further
, that, if so determined by the Committee, a Participant may transfer a Non-Qualified Stock Option to any “family
member” (as such term is defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 (or successor to such Instructions or such Form))
at any time that such Participant holds such Option,
provided
that the Participant may not receive any consideration for
such transfer, the “family member” may not make any subsequent transfers other than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution and the Company receives written notice of such transfer,
provided
,
further
, that, if so determined
by the Committee and except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, Awards may be transferable as determined by the Committee.
Except as otherwise determined by the Committee (for Awards other than an Incentive Stock Option), each Award or right under any
such Award shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or, if permissible under applicable
law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee (for Awards
other than an Incentive Stock Option), no Award or right under any such Award may be pledged, alienated, attached or otherwise
encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment or other encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against
the Company or any Affiliate.
(vi)
Term of Awards
. Subject to Section 6(a)(iv)(C), the term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by
the Committee.
(vii)
Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing
. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall not be obligated
to deliver any Shares pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from Shares previously delivered under the Plan: (A) until
all conditions to the Award have been satisfied or removed; (B) until, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, all applicable
federal and state laws and regulations have been complied with; (C) if the Shares are at the time listed on any stock exchange
or included for quotation on an inter-dealer system, until the shares to be delivered have been listed or included or authorized
to be listed or included on such exchange or system upon official notice or notice of issuance; (D) if it might cause the Company
to issue or sell more Shares than the Company is then legally entitled to issue or sell; and (e) until all other legal matters
in connection with the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been approved by counsel to the Company.
(viii)
Limits on Sale of Shares
. All Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise
thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan,
applicable federal or state securities laws and regulatory requirements, and the Committee may direct appropriate stop transfer
orders and cause other legends to be placed on the certificates for such Shares or other securities to reflect such restrictions.
(ix)
Prohibition on Repricing
. Except as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be amended
to reduce its initial exercise price and no Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled and replaced with an Option or
Options or Stock Appreciation Right having a lower exercise price, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company or
unless there would be no material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements as prepared in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles.
Section
7. Events Affecting Oustanding Awards
(a)
Additional Definitions for this Section.
(i)
“
Change in Control
” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (A) One Person (or more than
one Person acting as a group) acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such person or
group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company;
provided,
that
, a Change in Control shall not occur if any Person (or more than one Person acting as a group) owns more than 50% of
the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company’s stock and acquires additional stock; (B) One Person (or
more than one Person acting as a group) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most
recent acquisition) ownership of the Company’s stock possessing 50% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the
Company; or (C) A majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve-month period by directors whose appointment
or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of appointment or election.
(ii)
“
Status Change
” shall mean where a Participant ceases to be an Employee or there is a termination of the consulting
service or other relationship in respect of which a non-Employee Participant was granted an Award.
(b)
Termination of Service Resulting from Death or Disability
. If a Participant suffers a Status Change by reason of death
or permanent disability (as determined by the Board), the following rules shall apply, unless otherwise determined by the Board:
(i)
All Options held by the Participant at the time of such Status Change, to the extent then exercisable, will continue to be exercisable
by the Participant’s heirs, executor, administrator or other legal or personal representative, for a period of six months
after the Participant’s Status Change. After the expiration of such six month period, all such Options shall terminate.
In no event, however, shall an Option remain exercisable beyond the latest date on which it could have been exercised without
regard to this Section 7. All Options held by a Participant at the time of such Status Change that are not then exercisable shall
terminate upon such Status Change.
(ii)
All Restricted Stock held by the Participant at the time of such Status Change shall immediately become free of all restrictions
and conditions.
(iii)
Any payment or benefit under a Performance Award to which the Participant was not irrevocably entitled at the time of such Status
Change shall be forfeited and the Award canceled as of the time of such Status Change.
(c)
Termination of Service Resulting from Other than Death or Disability
. If a Participant suffers a Status Change other than
by reason of death or permanent disability, the following rules shall apply, unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time
of grant of an Award:
(i)
All Options held by the Participant at the time of such Status Change, to the extent then exercisable, will continue to be exercisable
by the Participant for a period of one month after the Participant’s Status Change. After the expiration of such one month
period, all such Options shall terminate. In no event however, shall an Option remain exercisable beyond the latest date on which
it could have been exercised without regard to this Section 7. All Options held by a Participant at the time of such Status Change
that are not then exercisable shall terminate upon such Status Change.
(ii)
All Restricted Stock held by the Participant at the time of such Status Change shall immediately become free of all restrictions
and conditions, unless such Status Change results from a voluntary resignation or termination for Cause (as defined herein), in
which event all Restricted Stock held by the Participant at the time of the Status Change shall be transferred to the Company
(and, in the event the certificates representing such Restricted Stock are held by the Company, such Restricted Stock shall be
so transferred without any further action by the Participant).
(iii)
Any payment or benefit under a Performance Award to which the Participant was not irrevocably entitled at the time of such Status
Change shall be forfeited and the Award canceled as of the date of such Status Change.
(iv)
A termination by the Company of a Participant’s employment with or service to the Company shall be for “Cause”
only if the Board determined that the Participant: (1) was guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance
of his or her duties for the Company; (2) had failed to perform the requirements of their job position or function in any material
respect; (3) had breached or violated, in a material respect, any agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of
the Company’s policy statements regarding conflicts-of-interest, insider trading or confidentiality; (4) had committed a
material act of dishonesty or breach of trust; (5) had engaged in conduct that was potentially detrimental to the business, reputation,
character and standing of the Company; or (6) had committed a felony. Determination of Cause shall be made by the Board in its
sole discretion.
(v)
For all purposes of this Section 7, if a Participant is an Employee of an Affiliate that ceases to be an Affiliate, then the Participant’s
employment with the Company will be deemed to have been terminated by the Company without Cause, unless the Participant is transferred
to the Company or another Affiliate. Further, the employment with the Company of a Participant will not be deemed to have been
terminated if the Participant is transferred from the Company to an Affiliate, or vice versa, or from one Affiliate of the Company
to another.
(d)
Change in Control
. In the event of a Change in Control, the following rules will apply, unless otherwise expressly provided
by the Board at the time of the grant of an Award or unless determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions of this
section:
(i)
50% of each unvested outstanding Option shall automatically become exercisable in full six months after the occurrence of such
Change in Control or, if sooner, upon a termination by the Company of the Participant’s employment with or service to the
Company for any reason other than for Cause. This provision shall not prevent an Option from becoming exercisable sooner where
it would otherwise have become exercisable under such Option during such period.
(ii)
50% of each unvested outstanding share of Restricted Stock shall automatically become free of all restrictions and conditions
six months after the occurrence of such Change in Control or, if sooner, upon a termination by the Company of the Participant’s
employment with or service to the Company for any reason other than for Cause. This provision shall not prevent the earlier lapse
of any restrictions or conditions on Restricted Stock that would otherwise have lapsed during such period.
(iii)
Conditions on Performance Awards which relate only to the passage of time and continued employment shall automatically terminate
six months after the occurrence of such Change in Control or, if sooner, upon a termination by the Company of the participant’s
employment with or service to the Company for any reason other than for Cause. This provision shall not prevent the earlier lapse
of any conditions relating to the passage of time and continued employment that would otherwise have lapsed during such period.
Performance or other conditions (other than conditions relating only to the passage of time and continued employment) shall continue
to apply unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or in any other agreement between the Participant and
the Company or unless otherwise agreed to by the Board.
(iv)
The Board shall have discretion, on a case by case basis, to increase the percentage of unvested outstanding Options or Restricted
Stock that shall vest upon a Change in Control.
Section
8. Amendment and Termination; Adjustments
(a)
Amendments to the Plan
. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan at any time;
provided
,
however
, that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, without the approval of the stockholders
of the Company, no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made that, absent such approval:
(i)
violates the rules or regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) or any other securities exchange
that are applicable to the Company;
(ii)
causes the Company to be unable, under the Code, to grant Incentive Stock Options under the Plan;
(iii)
increases the number of shares authorized under the Plan as specified in Section 4(a);
(iv)
permits the award of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights at a price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the
date of grant of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as prohibited by Sections 6(a)(i) and 6(b) of the Plan or the repricing
of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, as prohibited by Section 6(g)(ix) of the Plan; or
(v)
would prevent the grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that would qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(b)
Amendments to Awards
. The Committee may waive any conditions of or rights of the Company under any outstanding Award, prospectively
or retroactively. Except as otherwise provided herein or in an Award Agreement, the Committee may not amend, alter, suspend, discontinue
or terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively, if such action would adversely affect the rights of the holder
of such Award, without the consent of the Participant or holder or beneficiary thereof, except as provided under Section 11 of
this Plan.
(c)
Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies
. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile
any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.
Section
9. Income Tax Withholding
In
order to comply with all applicable federal, state or local income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as
it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal, state, local or foreign payroll, withholding, income or other taxes,
which are the sole and absolute responsibility of a Participant, are withheld or collected from such Participant. In order to
assist a Participant in paying all or a portion of the applicable taxes to be withheld or collected upon exercise or receipt of
(or the lapse of restrictions relating to) an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such additional terms and
conditions as it may adopt, may permit the Participant to satisfy such tax obligation by (a) electing to have the Company withhold
a portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such
Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes or (b) delivering to the Company Shares other than Shares issuable
upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount
of such taxes. The election, if any, must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.
Section
10. General Provisions
(a)
No Rights to Awards
. No Eligible Person or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and
there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The
terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to different Participants.
(b)
Award Agreements
. No Participant will have rights under an Award granted to such Participant unless and until an Award
Agreement shall have been duly executed on behalf of the Company and, if requested by the Company, signed by the Participant,
or until such Award Agreement is delivered and, if required by the Committee, accepted through any electronic medium in accordance
with procedures established by the Committee.
(c)
Plan Provisions Control
. In the event that any provision of an Award Agreement conflicts with or is inconsistent in any
respect with the terms of the Plan as set forth herein or subsequently amended, the terms of the Plan shall control.
(d)
No Rights of Stockholders
. Except with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock as to which the Participant has been granted
the right to vote, neither a Participant nor the Participant’s legal representative shall be, or have any of the rights
and privileges of, a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares issuable to such Participant upon the exercise or payment
of any Award, in whole or in part, unless and until such Shares have been issued in the name of such Participant or such Participant’s
legal representative without restrictions thereto.
(e)
No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements
. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from
adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally
applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(f)
No Right to Employment
. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in
the employ, or as giving a Director of the Company or an Affiliate the right to continue as a Director or an Affiliate of the
Company or any Affiliate, nor will it affect in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate such employment
at any time, with or without cause or remove a Director in accordance with applicable law. In addition, the Company or an Affiliate
may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, or terminate the term of a Director of the Company or an Affiliate, free
from any liability or any claim under the Plan or any Award, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.
Nothing in this Plan shall confer on any person any legal or equitable right against the Company or any Affiliate, directly or
indirectly, or give rise to any cause of action at law or in equity against the Company or an Affiliate. The Awards granted hereunder
shall not form any part of the wages or salary of any Eligible Person for purposes of severance pay or termination indemnities,
irrespective of the reason for termination of employment. Under no circumstances shall any person ceasing to be an employee of
the Company or any Affiliate be entitled to any compensation for any loss of any right or benefit under the Plan which such employee
might otherwise have enjoyed but for termination of employment, whether such compensation is claimed by way of damages for wrongful
or unfair dismissal, breach of contract or otherwise. By participating in the Plan, each Participant shall be deemed to have accepted
all the conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of any rules and regulations adopted by the Committee and shall be
fully bound thereby.
(g)
Governing Law
. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan or any Award, and any rules and regulations relating to
the Plan or any Award, shall be determined in accordance with the law of the state of Delaware, without regard to such state’s
conflict of law rules.
(h)
Severability
. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision
shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without,
in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall
be stricken as to such jurisdiction or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(i)
No Trust or Fund Created
. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund
of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and an Eligible Person or any other Person. To the
extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right
shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
(j)
Other Benefits
. No compensation or benefit awarded to or realized by any Participant under the Plan shall be included for
the purpose of computing such Participant’s compensation under any compensation-based retirement, disability, or similar
plan of the Company unless required by law or otherwise provided by such other plan.
(k)
No Fractional Shares
. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee
shall determine whether cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto
shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
(l)
Headings
. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.
Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision
thereof.
(m)
Section 16 Compliance; Section 162(m) Administration
. The Plan is intended to comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3 or
any successor provision, as in effect from time to time, and in all events the Plan shall be construed in accordance with the
requirements of Rule 16b-3. If any Plan provision does not comply with Rule 16b-3 as hereafter amended or interpreted, the provision
shall be deemed inoperative. The Board of Directors, in its absolute discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so as to restrict, limit
or condition the use of any provision of the Plan with respect to persons who are officers or directors subject to Section 16
of the Exchange Act without so restricting, limiting or conditioning the Plan with respect to other Eligible Persons. The Company
intends to have the Plan administered in accordance with the requirements for the award of “qualified performance-based
compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(n)
Conditions Precedent to Issuance of Shares; Notices
.
(i)
Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise or payment of the purchase price relating to an Award unless such exercise
or payment and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including,
without limitation, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the requirements of
any applicable stock exchange and the laws of the state of Delaware. As a condition to the exercise or payment of the purchase
price relating to such Award, the Company may require that the person exercising or paying the purchase price represent and warrant
that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if,
in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation and warranty is required by law.
(ii)
All notices with respect to the Plan shall be in writing and shall be hand delivered or sent by certified mail or reputable overnight
delivery service, expenses prepaid. Notices to the Company or the Board shall be delivered or sent to the Company’s headquarters
to the attention of its Chief Executive Officer. Notices to any Participant or holder of Shares issued pursuant to an Award shall
be sufficient if delivered or sent to such person’s address as it appears in the regular records of the Company or the Company’s
transfer agent.
(o)
Participant’s Agreement and Acknowledgements Regarding Taxes.
(i)
By accepting an Award, each Participant agrees that the Company, to the extent permitted or required by law, shall have the right
(but not the obligation) to deduct a sufficient number of shares or money due to the Participant upon exercise of an Option or
an Stock Appreciation Right or the grant of Restricted Stock or a Restricted Stock Unit to allow the Company to pay federal, state
and local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld upon the exercise or payment of such Award from any payment of any
kind otherwise due to the Participant. The Company shall not be obligated to advise any Participant of the existence of any tax
or the amount which the Company will be so required to withhold.
(ii)
By accepting an Award, each Participant acknowledges that the Company has advised such Participant to discuss the grant of such
Award with the Recipient’s tax, legal, investment, and other advisors as the Participant and such advisors determine to
be appropriate, and that such consultation shall include (to the extent determined by the Participant and Participant’s
advisors) a discussion of the advisability of making an election under Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(iii)
Participant further acknowledges that: (A) Section 83 of the Code taxes as ordinary income the difference between the purchase
price for Shares and the Fair Market Value of Shares as of the date any forfeiture restrictions on the Shares terminates or lapses;
(B) Participant may elect to be taxed at the time the Shares are issued, rather than when and as the forfeiture restrictions terminate
or lapse (if ever), by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty days
from the date the Shares were issued; and (C) it is Participant’s responsibility (and not the Company’s) to file timely
the election under Section 83(b), even if Participant requests the Company or its representatives to make that filing on its behalf.
Section
11. Section 409A
(a)
Time and Form of Payment
. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan or in an Award Agreement to the contrary, the
time and form of payment of an Award that is subject to the limitations imposed by Section 409A of the Code, shall be set forth
in the applicable Award Agreement on or before the time at which the Participant obtains a legally binding right to the Award
(or such other time permitted under Section 409A of the Code) and such time and form of payment shall comply with the requirements
of Section 409A of the Code.
(b)
Delay in Payment
. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, if the Participant
is deemed by the Company at the time of the Participant’s “separation from service” with the Company to be a
“specified employee” as determined under Section 409A of the Code, any “nonqualified deferred compensation”
to which the Participant is entitled in connection with such separation from service after taking into account all applicable
exceptions from Section 409A, shall not be paid or commence payment until the date that is the first business day following the
six month period after the Participant’s separation from service (or if earlier, the Participant’s death). Such delay
in payment shall only be effected with respect to each separate payment to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment
to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code. Any compensation which would have otherwise been paid during the delay period
(whether in a lump sum or in installments) in the absence of this Section 11(b) shall be paid to the Participant (or his or her
beneficiary or estate) in a lump sum payment on the first business day following the expiration of the delay period.
(c)
Key Definitions
. For purposes of this Plan, the term “termination of employment” shall mean “separation
from service” and the terms “separation from service,” “specified employee” and “nonqualified
deferred compensation” shall have the meanings ascribed to the terms pursuant to Section 409A and other applicable guidance.
(d)
Amendments
. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan are intended
to be eligible for certain regulatory exceptions to the limitations of, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of
the Code. The Committee, in the exercise of its sole discretion and without the consent of the Participant, may amend or modify
the terms of an Award in any manner and delay the payment of any amounts payable pursuant to an Award to the minimum extent necessary
to reasonably comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, provided that the Company shall not be required to assume
any increased economic burden. No action taken by the Committee with respect to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall
be deemed to adversely affect a Participant’s rights with respect to an Award or to require the consent of such Participant.
The Committee reserves the right to make additional changes to the Plan and Awards from time to time to the extent it deems necessary
with respect to Section 409A of the Code.
Section
12. Effective Date of the Plan
The
Plan shall be effective upon its adoption by the Board,
provided
,
however
, that in the event the Plan is not approved
by the stockholders of the Company within one year thereafter, no Option granted pursuant to this Plan shall qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option.
Section
13. Term of the Plan
No
Award shall be granted under the Plan after ten years from the earlier of the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board or the
date of stockholder approval or any earlier date of discontinuation or termination established pursuant to Section 8(a) of the
Plan. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted
may extend beyond such date, and the authority of the Committee provided for hereunder with respect to the Plan and any Awards,
and the authority of the Board to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond the termination of the Plan.