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 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12 |
PowerFleet, Inc. |
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
(Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
PowerFleet, Inc.
123 Tice Boulevard
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677
NOTICE OF 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On July 19, 2022
To the Stockholders of PowerFleet, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of PowerFleet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) will be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and thereafter as it may be postponed or adjourned from time to time. In light of the continuing public health impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will be holding our Annual Meeting in a virtual meeting format only. You may attend, vote and submit questions during the Annual Meeting via the Internet at https://web.lumiagm.com/209728603. The password for the meeting is power2022 (case sensitive). We have designed the format of the Annual Meeting to ensure that you are afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as you would at an in-person meeting, using online tools to ensure your access and participation.
We have scheduled the Annual Meeting for the following purposes, each of which is described more fully in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting:
1. | To elect four (4) directors, the names of whom are set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement, each to serve until the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; |
2. | To vote upon the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022; |
3. | To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the Company’s executive compensation; and |
4. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, including any motion to adjourn to a later date to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary, or before any adjournment thereof. |
The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Only holders of record of shares of our common stock at the close of business on June 2, 2022, the date fixed by our Board of Directors as the record date for the Annual Meeting, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.
For a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available and open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting during normal business hours at our principal executive offices located at 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677. If our principal executive offices are closed at that time due to COVID-19, please email JFong@powerfleet.com to make alternate arrangements to examine the stockholder list.
Your vote is important. Whether you expect to attend the virtual Annual Meeting or not, please vote your shares by Internet or by mail pursuant to the instructions included on the proxy card or voting instruction card. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote your shares over the Internet, even though you have previously signed and returned your proxy.
By order of the Board of Directors, | |
/s/ Steve Towe | |
Steve Towe | |
Chief Executive Officer |
Dated: June 9, 2022
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Important Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 19, 2022. The Notice, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2022) are available through the Internet at https://ir.powerfleet.com/proxy-materials. Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, we are providing access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet.
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POWERFLEET, INC.
123 TICE BOULEVARD
WOODCLIFF LAKE, NEW JERSEY 07677
PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
July 19, 2022
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of PowerFleet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), for use at our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. In light of the continuing public health impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will be holding our Annual Meeting in a virtual meeting format only. You may attend, vote and submit questions during the Annual Meeting via the Internet at https://web.lumiagm.com/209728603. The password for the meeting is power2022 (case sensitive). We have designed the format of the Annual Meeting to ensure that you are afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as you would at an in-person meeting, using online tools to ensure your access and participation.
The Board is sending the proxy materials relating to the Annual Meeting, which include this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 2, 2022, our “Annual Report”) and proxy card, to the Company’s stockholders beginning on or about June 20, 2022. The information included in this Proxy Statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation of our most highly paid executive officers and our directors, and certain other required information.
Important Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 19, 2022
The Notice, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report are available through the Internet at https://ir.powerfleet.com/proxy-materials. Under the SEC rules, we are providing access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet.
Record Date and Outstanding Shares
The Board has fixed the close of business on June 2, 2022, as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any and all adjournments or postponements thereof.
As of the Record Date, we had issued and outstanding 36,126,995 shares of common stock. Our common stock comprises all of our issued and outstanding voting stock.
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For a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available and open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting during normal business hours at our principal executive offices located at 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677. If our principal executive offices are closed at that time due to COVID-19, please email JFong@powerfleet.com to make alternate arrangements to examine the stockholder list.
Purposes of the Annual Meeting
The purposes of the Annual Meeting are (i) to elect four (4) directors to our Board, each to serve until our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; (ii) to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022; (iii) to approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive compensation; and (iv) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. In addition to the foregoing, there will be a report on the progress of our Company and an opportunity for questions of general interest to the stockholders.
Unless we receive specific instructions to the contrary or unless such proxy is revoked, shares represented by each properly executed proxy will be voted: (i) “FOR” the election of each of our nominees as a director; (ii) “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022; (iii) “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation; and (iv) with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, at the discretion of the proxy holders. We do not presently anticipate that any other business will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.
Virtual Meeting Format
Attending and Participating at the Virtual Annual Meeting
In light of the continuing public health impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will be holding our Annual Meeting in a virtual meeting format only. If you are a stockholder of record as of the close of business on June 2, 2022, you may attend, vote and ask questions by typing them into the dialog box provided during the meeting by logging into the meeting at https://web.lumiagm.com/209728603. The password for the meeting is power2022 (case sensitive).
Rationale for the Virtual Format
As a part of our precautions relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to hold our Annual Meeting in a virtual meeting format only. We believe that hosting a virtual meeting under the current environment will facilitate stockholder attendance and participation by enabling stockholders to participate from any location around the world and improve our ability to communicate more effectively with our stockholders. We have designed the virtual meeting to provide substantially the same opportunities to participate as you would have at an in-person meeting. We are providing opportunities to submit questions prior to the meeting, to enable us to address appropriate questions at the Annual Meeting.
Voting at the Annual Meeting
Quorum Requirements
The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the total outstanding shares of our common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting constitutes presence in person for purposes of quorum at the meeting. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” (as hereinafter defined) are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. A broker “non-vote” on a matter occurs when a broker, bank or your representative may not vote on a particular matter because it does not have discretionary voting authority and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.
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Stockholders of Record and Beneficial Owners
Each share of our common stock outstanding on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Cumulative voting by stockholders is not permitted. The shares to be voted include shares of our common stock that are (i) held of record directly in a stockholder’s name and (ii) held for stockholders in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee. If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s stock transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), you are considered the “stockholder of record” with respect to those shares. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares.
If you hold your shares of our common stock through a broker, bank or other representative, generally the broker, bank or representative may only vote the common stock that it holds for you in accordance with your instructions. However, under the rules that govern brokers who have record ownership of shares that are held in street name for their clients who are the beneficial owners of the shares, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters. Therefore, if the broker, bank or representative has not timely received your instructions, it may vote on certain matters for which it has discretionary voting authority. The ratification of the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm is considered a routine matter. Thus, if you do not otherwise instruct your broker, the broker may turn in a proxy card voting your shares “FOR” ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Company believes that all of the other proposals to be voted upon at the meeting will be considered “non-routine.” Thus, a broker or other nominee cannot vote without instructions on these non-routine matters, and, consequently, if your shares are held in street name, you must provide your broker or nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares in order for your shares to be voted on those proposals.
Holders of our common stock will not have any rights of appraisal or similar dissenters’ rights with respect to any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
Vote Required
For the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast is required. Since the number of candidates does not exceed the number of vacancies, receipt of any votes in favor of any candidate will ensure that that candidate is elected. If no voting direction is indicated on a proxy card that is signed and returned, the shares will be considered votes “FOR” the election of all director nominees set forth in this Proxy Statement. In accordance with Delaware law, stockholders entitled to vote for the election of directors may withhold authority to vote for all nominees for directors or may withhold authority to vote for certain nominees for directors. Broker non-votes are not considered for the purpose of the election of directors.
The ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and the advisory (non-binding) proposal to approve the Company’s executive compensation each requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome on these matters.
Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except: (i) as may be necessary to meet applicable legal requirements or to assert or defend claims for or against the Company; (ii) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; and (iii) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
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Effect of Advisory Votes
The approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation, also known as a “say on pay” vote, is an advisory vote mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This means that while we ask stockholders to approve our executive compensation, it is not an action that requires stockholder approval, and stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation with respect to this proposal. This advisory vote is non-binding on the Board, although the Board welcomes the input of our stockholders on the Company’s compensation policies and compensation program and will take the advisory vote into account in making determinations concerning executive compensation. At our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders held on June 15, 2017, we conducted a stockholder advisory vote on the frequency of future stockholders votes on the Company’s executive compensation (every one, two or three years), also known as a “say on frequency” vote. The Board considered the results of this “say on frequency” advisory vote and, since the most affirmative votes of all the votes cast on the “say on frequency” matter expressed a preference for having the “say on pay” vote every year, determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation would be conducted on an annual basis until the next vote on the frequency of such stockholder advisory votes. Notwithstanding the outcome of stockholder “say on frequency” votes, however, the Board may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a less frequent basis if appropriate and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with stockholders and the adoption of material changes to compensation programs.
Voting of Proxies
Stockholders of Record
As a stockholder of record, these proxy materials will be furnished directly to you by the Company by mail. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company or to vote in person at the meeting.
Beneficial Owners
As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee as to how to vote your shares. Please refer to the voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or nominee. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, because a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting. Once you have received a legal proxy from your broker, bank or nominee, it should be emailed to JFong@powerfleet.com and should be labeled “Legal Proxy” in the subject line. Please include proof from your broker, bank or other nominee of your legal proxy (e.g., a forwarded email from your broker, bank or other nominee with your legal proxy attached, or an image of your legal proxy attached to your email). Requests for registration must be received by AST no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 15, 2022.
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Voting Without Attending the Meeting
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or through a broker, bank or other nominee as the beneficial owner, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the Annual Meeting. There are two ways to vote by proxy without attending the meeting:
● | By Internet — Stockholders of record may submit proxies over the Internet by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction card. |
● | By Mail — Stockholders of record may submit proxies by completing, signing and dating their proxy card or voting instruction card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope. |
Revocation of Proxies
Stockholders can revoke a proxy prior to the completion of voting at the Annual Meeting through any of the following methods:
● | by writing a letter delivered to our Corporate Secretary, stating that the proxy is revoked; |
● | by submitting another proxy bearing a later date; or |
● | by attending the virtual Annual Meeting and voting virtually (unless you are a beneficial owner without a legal proxy, as described below). |
Please note, however, if you were not a registered stockholder of record, but held shares through a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in street name), you will need to obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares, confirming your beneficial ownership of the shares.
Solicitation
The cost of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the proxy material and of reimbursing brokers, nominees and fiduciaries for the out-of-pocket and clerical expenses of transmitting copies of the proxy material to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons will be borne by the Company. Certain officers and employees of the Company, without additional compensation, may use their personal efforts, by telephone or otherwise, to obtain proxies.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board has nominated Steve Towe, Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey and Charles Frumberg for election as directors of the Company. If elected to the Board, each nominee will hold office until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2023 and until his respective successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Each of Messrs. Towe, Brodsky, Casey and Frumberg has consented to being named as a nominee and, if elected, to serve as a director. The nominating committee of the Board (the “Nominating Committee”) and the Board believe that each of these nominees possesses the attributes we seek in directors generally as well as the individual experiences, qualifications and skills included in their individual biographies below. Mr. Mahlab will be retiring from the Board at the end of his term at the Annual Meeting.
If any nominee is unable to serve, which the Board has no reason to expect, the persons named in the proxy intend to vote for the balance of those nominees named above and, if they deem it advisable, for a substitute nominee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
Information About Our Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers
The table below sets forth the names and ages of the directors, nominees for director and executive officers of the Company as of June 2, 2022, as well as the position(s) and office(s) with the Company held by those individuals. A summary of the background and experience of each of those individuals is set forth after the table. In addition to the four directors nominated for re-election by the holders of our common stock at the Annual Meeting, two directors (the “Series A Directors”) will be elected by the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class. The holders of our common stock do not vote on the election of the Series A Directors. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have nominated and intend to re-elect Anders Bjork and Medhini Srinivasan as the Series A Directors.
Name |
Age |
Position(s) | ||
DIRECTORS, DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: | ||||
Steve Towe | 50 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
Anders Bjork | 48 | Series A Director | ||
Michael Brodsky | 54 | Director and Chairman of the Board | ||
Michael Casey | 58 | Director | ||
Charles Frumberg | 66 | Director | ||
David Mahlab | 65 | Director | ||
Medhini Srinivasan | 37 | Series A Director |
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Directors and Director Nominees
Steve Towe. Mr. Towe has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company since January 2022. Mr. Towe also serves on the board of directors of PowerFleet Israel Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“PowerFleet Israel”). Mr. Towe has over twenty years’ of experience in senior leadership positions for global software companies and previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Aptos, Inc., a global leader of unified commerce solutions in the retailer enterprise SaaS market, from 2016 to December 2021. Mr. Towe has vast knowledge of the IoT industry, having served from 2011 to 2016, as the Chief Commercial Officer of Masternaut, a global telematics provider. Before his tenure at Masternaut, Mr. Towe served as Managing Director, from 2006 to 2011, and Director of Group Operations, from 2002 to 2006, of Cybit Ltd, a market consolidating data company, and was a founding member and senior executive of Fleetstar Information Systems, the fleet management subsidiary of the Trafficmaster Group, from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Towe’s early career was spent in numerous leadership roles for global retailer WH Smith.
Mr. Towe’s qualifications to serve the Board include his years of experience scaling high value, global technology organizations. In addition, Mr. Towe’s role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company provides the Board with invaluable insight into the management and daily operations of the Company.
Anders Bjork. Mr. Bjork has served as a director of the Company and of Pointer Telocation Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Pointer”), since October 2019. Mr. Bjork is a Partner at ABRY Partners, a private equity investment firm, which he joined in February 2017. Prior to joining ABRY Partners, he was a Principal at Fir Tree Partners, a private investment firm, from May 2014 to February 2017. He has also worked for private investment firms Guggenheim Partners and VSS and previously led corporate development at information services company IHS Markit. Mr. Bjork holds a B.S., with honors, from the University of Denver, an M.S.F. from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
With Mr. Bjork’s many years of experience as an investment professional, he brings significant financial and capital markets expertise as well as a professional investor’s perspective to the Board. Mr. Bjork also possesses management experience through the leadership roles he has held at various investment firms and at a global information services company. We believe Mr. Bjork’s expertise in finance and capital markets and his business and management experience enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.
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Michael Brodsky. Mr. Brodsky has served as a director of the Company since June 2014, as Chairman of the Board since December 2016 and as a director of Pointer since October 2019. Previously, Mr. Brodsky was the Lead Director of the Board from June 2014 until December 2016. Mr. Brodsky is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Options Solutions, LLC, a specialized asset manager, and the Managing Partner of Vajra Asset Management, LLC, an investment firm. Mr. Brodsky also currently serves on the board of directors of EdgeCortix Inc., a firm specializing in semi-conductor technology, since March 2021, and on the board of advisors of Alpine Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: REVE), a special purpose acquisition company focused on the family leisure and hospitality industries, since July 2021. Previously, Mr. Brodsky served on the board of directors of Genesis Land Development Corporation (OTCMKTS: GNLAF), a residential land developer and homebuilder, from 2012 to May 2019, including as Chairman of the Board from September 2012 to May 2019, on the board of directors of Determine, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTRM), a provider of contract management, procurement and sourcing software, from October 2010 until its sale in April 2019, including as Chairman of the Board from August 2013 to April 2019 and as Chief Executive Officer from August 2013 until December 2013, on the board of directors of Trans World Corporation (OTCQB: TWOC), an owner and operator of hotels and casinos throughout Europe, from September 2013 until its sale in March 2018, including as Chairman of the Board from June 2014 to March 2018, and on the board of directors of Spark Networks, Inc. (AMEX: LOV), a collection of niche-oriented community websites, from November 2015 until its sale in November 2017. From February 2015 until its sale in July 2015, Mr. Brodsky also served on the board of directors of JPS Industries, Inc. (formerly OTCPK: JPST), a manufacturer of urethane film, sheet, tubing, and other highly-engineered components. From February 2013 to July 2014, he was a member of the board of directors of AltiGen Communications, Inc. (OTCPK: ATGN), a provider of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems and call center solutions. Previously, he was a member of the board of directors and served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Youbet.com, Inc. (formerly Nasdaq: UBET), an online horse racing wagering provider based in Woodland Hills, California. Following the June 2010 acquisition of Youbet.com, Inc. by Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), an industry-leading racing, gaming and online entertainment company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Brodsky served on the board of directors of Churchill Downs until April 2012. From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Brodsky was the managing partner of New World Opportunity Partners, LLC, an investment firm. Mr. Brodsky holds a B.A. from Syracuse University, an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Mr. Brodsky possesses extensive business, operating and executive expertise. Among other things, Mr. Brodsky has served as the Chief Executive Officer of several companies and possesses skills in executive management and leadership. We believe Mr. Brodsky’s management and leadership skills and experience as a member of the board of directors of various companies enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.
Michael Casey. Mr. Casey has served as a director of the Company since September 2016 and as a director of Pointer since October 2019. Mr. Casey served on the board of directors and as a member of the nominating/corporate governance committee and as chairperson of the audit committee for Determine, Inc. from 2010 until its acquisition in April 2019 and has served as the Chairman of the Board of Determine, Inc. since April 2019. Mr. Casey also serves on the board of directors of Revegy, Inc., a privately held software business. Since 2006, Mr. Casey has been a partner at TechCXO, LLC, a professional services firm that provides financial, strategic and operational consulting services to businesses in the technology industry. Mr. Casey’s prior experience includes having served as chief financial officer for MAPICS, Inc., a publicly traded provider of enterprise resource planning software for the discrete manufacturing industries. Previously, Mr. Casey served as executive vice president, chief financial and administrative officer of iXL Enterprises, Inc., a publicly traded professional services firm, chief financial officer of Manhattan Associates, Inc., a publicly traded provider of supply chain execution solutions, and chief financial officer of IQ Software Corporation, a publicly traded provider of business intelligence software. Mr. Casey began his career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co. and holds a B.B.A. degree in accounting from The University of Georgia.
Mr. Casey possesses extensive business, operating and executive expertise. Mr. Casey’s experience includes more than twelve years of service as the chief financial officer of several publicly traded software and services companies. In addition, Mr. Casey has served in various executive management roles, including as chief financial officer and chief operating officer, and as an advisor for software businesses in the asset performance management, supply chain and business intelligence and analytics sectors. We believe Mr. Casey’s management and leadership skills and experience with software businesses enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.
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Charles Frumberg. Mr. Frumberg has served as a director of the Company since July 2018 and as a director of Pointer since October 2019. Mr. Frumberg has been the Managing Member of Emancipation Capital, a technology-focused group of funds, since its inception in 2003. Before founding Emancipation Capital, Mr. Frumberg served as Co-Head of Equities at SG Cowen Securities Corp. (“SG Cowen”), a leading technology and healthcare investment bank, and was a member of SG Cowen’s merchant banking and venture committees. Previously, Mr. Frumberg led U.S. Research and served as Co-Head of Global Research at UBS Securities, an investment bank, and served on its management and merchant banking committees. Mr. Frumberg has served as a member of the board of directors of multiple public and private technology companies. Mr. Frumberg earned a B.S. degree in economics at New York University and attended New York University’s Stern School of Business as part of its B.S./MBA program.
Mr. Frumberg possesses extensive business, operating and executive expertise. Having served on the boards of many technology companies, Mr. Frumberg has extensive industry and technology expertise. As the managing member of Emancipation Capital and through his executive roles as various investment banks, Mr. Frumberg also possesses significant financial and capital markets experience. We believe Mr. Frumberg’s management skills and experience with technology companies and investment banks enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.
David Mahlab. Mr. Mahlab has served as a director of the Company and a director of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, PowerFleet Israel and Pointer, since October 2019. Mr. Mahlab previously served as Chief Executive Officer International of the Company from October 2019 until January 2020, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pointer from February 1, 2011 until its acquisition by the Company in October 2019 and as the Chief Executive Officer International of Pointer from October 2019 until January 2020. Mr. Mahlab is the co-founder of Scopus Video Networks, a provider of digital video networking products, where he served as both its Chief Executive Officer from 1995 until January 2007 and the chairman of its board of directors from January 2007 until March 2009. Since November 2020, Mr. Mahlab has served as Chairman of the Board of Blitz Motors, an Israel-based developer and manufacturer of electric scooters. Since August 2020, Mr. Mahlab has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Everest Technologies, an Israel-based company that provides automatic test equipment design. Mr. Mahlab holds a BSc. and a MSc. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, an MBA from Tel Aviv University and LLB from Tel Aviv University.
Mr. Mahlab possesses over twenty years of experience serving as the chief executive of companies in the telematics and telecommunications technology sectors. In particular, as the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Pointer, Mr. Mahlab brings a unique perspective, including insight into Pointer’s operations, to the Board. We believe Mr. Mahlab’s management experience and industry expertise enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.
Medhini Srinivasan. Ms. Srinivasan has served as a director of the Company and of Pointer since July 2020. Ms. Srinivasan is a Principal at ABRY Partners, a private equity investment firm, which she joined in 2016. Prior to joining ABRY Partners, she served as Vice President at Moelis Capital Partners, a private equity firm, from 2012 to 2015. She has also worked for The Edgewater Funds and J.P. Morgan. Ms. Srinivasan holds an M.B.A. with Honors from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.B.A. with High Distinction from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
With her many years of experience as an investment professional, Ms. Srinivasan brings significant financial and capital markets expertise as well as a professional investor’s perspective to the Board. We believe Ms. Srinivasan’s expertise in finance and capital markets and her business and investment experience enable her to be an effective contributing member of the Board.
Executive Officers
Steve Towe. See narrative description under the caption “Directors and Director Nominees” above.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
General
Our Board is responsible for the management and direction of our Company and for establishing broad corporate policies. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business through various documents and reports provided by the Chief Executive Officer and other corporate officers, and by participating in Board and committee meetings. Each director has access to all of our books, records and reports, and members of management are available at all times to answer their questions.
Currently, there are seven members of the Board. The Board is not classified or staggered, and all directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
Board Composition
On October 3, 2019, we completed the transactions (the “Transactions”) pursuant to which we acquired Pointer. Upon the closing of the Transactions, each of I.D. Systems, Inc. (“I.D. Systems”) and Pointer became wholly-owned subsidiaries of PowerFleet, Inc.
In connection with the completion of the Transactions, we amended and restated our certificate of incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”). Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that so long as shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) remain outstanding and represent 15% or more, on an as-converted basis, of the voting power of our common stock, the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two directors to the Board (the “Series A Directors”) and any committee or subcommittee thereof (subject to the application of SEC and Nasdaq independence requirements). So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding and represent less than 15% but not less than 5%, on an as-converted basis, of the voting power of our common stock, the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect one Series A Director to the Board. For so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding and there are no Series A Directors on the Board, the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to designate one non-voting observer to attend all meetings of the Board and committees and subcommittees thereof, although the observer may be excluded from executive sessions of any committee at the discretion of such committee. Mr. Bjork and Ms. Srinivasan have been appointed to the Board by the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock.
Director Independence
Our Board has determined that, with the exception of Messrs. Towe and Mahlab, each of our current directors and director nominees satisfies the current “independent director” standards established by the Nasdaq Rules and, as to the members of the audit committee of our Board (the “Audit Committee”), the additional independence requirements under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. Thus, a majority of the Board is comprised of independent directors as required by the Nasdaq rules. The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Casey, Brodsky and Frumberg, each of whom is an independent director in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(c). The compensation committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) is composed of Messrs. Bjork, Casey and Frumberg, each of whom is an independent director in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(d). The Nominating Committee of the Board is composed of Messrs. Brodsky, Bjork and Frumberg, each of whom is independent in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(e).
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Board Diversity
The following Board Diversity Matrix presents our Board diversity statistics in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5606, as self-disclosed by our current directors.
Board Diversity Matrix as of June 2, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
Total Number of Directors: 7 | ||||||||||||||||
Female | Male | Non-Binary | Did Not Disclose Gender | |||||||||||||
Part I: Gender Identity | ||||||||||||||||
Directors | 1 | 3 | - | 3 | ||||||||||||
Part II: Demographic Background | ||||||||||||||||
African American or Black | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Alaskan Native or Native American | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Asian | 1 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Hispanic or Latinx | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
White | - | 3 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Two or More Races or Ethnicities | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
LGBTQ+ | - | |||||||||||||||
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | 3 |
Board Leadership Structure
We currently separate the roles of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer sets the strategic direction for the Company, working with the Board, and provides day-to-day leadership, while our Chairman leads the Board in the performance of its duties and serves as the principal liaison between the independent directors and the Chief Executive Officer. The separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer allows our independent Chairman to focus on governance of our Board, Board meeting agenda planning, Board committee responsibilities, investor engagement and outreach on governance matters, and our Chief Executive Officer to focus his attention on our business and execution of our Company’s strategy. While the Board believes that this leadership structure is the most effective for the Company at this time, it continues to evaluate the composition of the Board to determine what leadership structure is most appropriate for the Company and our stockholders.
Risk Oversight
The Board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process and regularly reviews issues that present particular risk to us, including those involving competition, customer demands, economic conditions, planning, strategy, finance, sales and marketing, products, information technology, facilities and operations, supply chain, legal and environmental matters and insurance. The Board further relies on the Audit Committee for oversight of certain areas of risk management. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial and enterprise risk exposures, including internal controls, and discusses with management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including risks related to fraud, liquidity, credit operations and regulatory compliance, and advises the internal audit function as to overall risk assessment of the Company.
While the Board oversees risk management, Company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the Board, committees of the Board and individual directors on significant risks that have been identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed frequently do, communicate directly with senior management.
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The Company believes that its leadership structure, discussed above, supports the risk oversight function of the Board. The separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions aids in the Board’s oversight of management, independent directors chair the various Board committees involved with risk oversight, there is frequent and open communication among management and directors, and all directors are actively involved in the risk oversight function. The Board believes that this approach provides appropriate checks and balances against undue risk-taking.
Board and Committee Meetings
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Board held 12 meetings. Each director attended over 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the meetings held by committees of the Board during the period in which such individual served as a director in 2021. We encourage, but do not require, members of the Board to attend our annual meetings of stockholders.
Committees of the Board
The standing committees of the Board include the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which is a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is composed of Messrs. Casey, Brodsky and Frumberg, each of whom is independent under Nasdaq Rule 5605(c)(2) and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
The Board has determined that it has at least one “audit committee financial expert” serving on the Audit Committee. Mr. Casey serves as the audit committee financial expert. Mr. Casey also serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Audit Committee held 5 meetings.
The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is publicly available on our website at https://ir.powerfleet.com/corporate-governance/board-committees. The Audit Committee’s charter sets forth the responsibilities, authority and specific duties of the Audit Committee and is reviewed and reassessed annually. The information on our website is not a part of this Proxy Statement. The charter specifies, among other things, the structure and membership requirements of the Audit Committee, as well as the relationship of the Audit Committee to our independent registered public accounting firm and management.
In accordance with its written charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board in monitoring (i) the integrity of our financial reporting process including our internal controls regarding financial reporting, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and (ii) the independence and performance of our internal and external auditors, and serves as an avenue of communication among the independent registered public accounting firm, management and the Board.
The report of the Audit Committee appears on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.
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Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Bjork, Casey and Frumberg, each of whom is independent within the meaning of Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). Mr. Bjork serves as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Compensation Committee held 2 meetings.
The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board for its approval our executive officers’ annual compensation and long-term incentives and option and other equity grants, reviews management’s performance, development and compensation, and administers our incentive plans. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, a copy of which is publicly available on our website at https://ir.powerfleet.com/corporate-governance/board-committees. The Compensation Committee’s charter sets forth the responsibilities, authority and specific duties of the Compensation Committee and is reviewed and reassessed annually. The charter specifies that the Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for evaluating and recommending to the Board for approval our director and officer compensation plans, policies and programs. The charter also specifies that the Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees of the Compensation Committee when appropriate; however, the Compensation Committee may not delegate authority to any other persons. As discussed below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” for compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee considers recommendations relating to compensation for executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer, if any) of our Chief Executive Officer and includes him in its discussions with respect to such compensation, and considers compensation information provided by compensation consultants, if any, retained by the Compensation Committee for such purpose.
The Compensation Committee Process. Compensation Committee meetings typically involve a preliminary discussion with our Chief Executive Officer prior to the Compensation Committee deliberating without any members of management present. For compensation decisions, including decisions regarding the grant of equity compensation relating to executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer), the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer and includes him in its discussions. The Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees of the Compensation Committee when appropriate.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Brodsky, Bjork and Frumberg, each of whom is independent within the meaning of Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). Mr. Brodsky serves as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Nominating Committee did not hold any meetings.
The Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating Committee, which is publicly available on our website at https://ir.powerfleet.com/corporate-governance/board-committees. The Nominating Committee’s charter authorizes the committee to develop certain procedures and guidelines addressing certain nominating matters, such as procedures for considering nominations made by stockholders, minimum qualifications for nominees and identification and evaluation of candidates for the Board, and the Nominating Committee has adopted procedures addressing the foregoing.
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Procedures for Considering Nominations Made by Stockholders. The Nominating Committee has adopted guidelines regarding procedures for nominations to be submitted by stockholders and other third parties, other than candidates who have previously served on the Board or who are recommended by the Board and nominees for the Series A Directors to be elected by holders of our Series A Preferred Stock. These guidelines provide that a nomination must be delivered to our Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. In no event will the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or recess of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a notice as described above. The guidelines require a nomination notice to set forth as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, including a reasonably detailed description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements or understandings during the past three years, as well as any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made and its affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee and his or her affiliates, associates or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, (ii) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, (iii) all information with respect to such proposed nominee that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice as to any other business that a stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, as set forth in our bylaws, if such proposed nominee were the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, and (iv) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that the proposed nominee (1) is qualified and if elected intends to serve as a director of the Company for the entire term for which such proposed nominee is standing for election, (2) is not and will not become a party to (x) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how the proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Company, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Company or (y) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with the proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Company, with the proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (3) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (4) if elected as a director of the Company, the proposed nominee would be in compliance and will comply, with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, ethics, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company. The Nominating Committee’s policy is to consider all persons proposed to be nominated for election as a director in accordance with these procedures.
Qualifications. The Nominating Committee has adopted guidelines describing the minimum qualifications for nominees and the qualities or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. Each nominee:
● | must satisfy any legal requirements applicable to members of the Board; |
● | must have business or professional experience that will enable such nominee to provide useful input to the Board in its deliberations; |
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● | must have a reputation, in one or more of the communities serviced by the Company and its affiliates, for honesty and ethical conduct; |
● | must have a working knowledge of the types of responsibilities expected of members of the board of directors of a public company; and |
● | must have experience, either as a member of the board of directors of another public or private company or in another capacity that demonstrates the nominee’s capacity to serve in a fiduciary position. |
We believe that each member of our Board should possess the qualities of character, judgment, business acumen, diligence, lack of conflicts of interest, familiarity with our business and industry, ability to work collegially and ability to act in the best interests of all stockholders. While we do not have a formal diversity policy, we seek to have directors representing a range of experiences, qualifications, skills and backgrounds.
Identification and Evaluation of Candidates for the Board. Candidates to serve on the Board will be identified from all available sources, including recommendations made by stockholders of the Company. The Nominating Committee has a policy that there will be no differences in the manner in which the Nominating Committee evaluates nominees recommended by stockholders and nominees recommended by the Nominating Committee or management, except that no specific process shall be mandated with respect to the nomination of any individuals who have previously served on the Board. The evaluation process for individuals other than existing members of the Board will include:
● | a review of the information provided to the Nominating Committee by the proponent; |
● | a review of reference letters from at least two sources determined to be reputable by the Nominating Committee; and |
● | a personal interview of the candidate, together with a review of such other information as the Nominating Committee shall determine to be relevant. |
Third Party Recommendations. With respect to the directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee did not receive any nominations from any stockholder or group of stockholders which owned more than 5% of our common stock for at least one year.
Compensation of Directors
General
All directors are entitled to reimbursement for travel and lodging and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their attendance at Board and/or Board committee meetings or other activities on our behalf.
Employee Directors
Directors who are current officers or employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company do not receive any additional compensation for their service as members of either the Board or any committees of the Board.
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Non-Employee Directors
On August 1, 2017, the Board adopted a non-employee director compensation program pursuant to which non-employee directors are entitled to receive annual compensation having economic value of approximately $119,000, which includes a cash retainer of $59,000 and restricted stock grants with an economic value of approximately $60,000. The cash retainer may be paid, at each director’s election, in cash or in restricted shares of our common stock. Each of Mr. Bjork and Ms. Srinivasan, as the Series A Directors, agreed to waive participation in the Company’s non-employee director compensation program. Each of the non-employee directors, other than the Series A Directors, was paid his retainer for 2021 in cash. With respect to restricted stock awards, the number of shares issuable in 2021 was calculated based on the average of the reported closing price per share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market over a twenty (20) consecutive trading day period ending on and including the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders.
The Chairman of the Board and the chairperson of each of the committees of the Board are also entitled to a supplemental retainer, which may be paid, at each director’s election, in cash or in restricted shares of our common stock. Specifically, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional $36,000 per year of service; the chairperson of the Audit Committee receives an additional $18,000 per year of service; the chairperson of the Compensation Committee receives an additional $12,000 per year of service; and the chairperson of the Nominating Committee receives an additional $10,000 per year of service. Each of the non-employee directors, other than the Series A Directors, was paid his supplemental retainer in 2021 in cash.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey, Charles Frumberg and David Mahlab were paid cash retainers in the aggregate amounts of $105,000, $77,000, $59,000 and $59,000, respectively. In addition, each such non-employee director received an award of 8,556 restricted shares of common stock in consideration for his services as a director of the Company, which were granted on August 9, 2021, pursuant to the Company’s 2018 Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2018 Plan”). All such restricted stock awards vest as to 100% of such shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided that the non-employee director is then serving as a director of the Company. Each of Mr. Bjork and Ms. Srinivasan, as the Series A Directors, did not receive any compensation for their service as directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Our non-employee directors are not entitled to retirement, benefit or other perquisite programs.
The following table provides certain information with respect to the compensation paid to our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2)(3) | Option Awards ($)(4) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||
Anders Bjork(5) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Michael Brodsky | $ | 105,000 | $ | 61,689 | - | $ | 166,689 | |||||||||
Michael Casey | $ | 77,000 | $ | 61,689 | - | $ | 138,689 | |||||||||
Charles Frumberg | $ | 59,000 | $ | 61,689 | - | $ | 120,689 | |||||||||
David Mahlab | $ | 59,000 | $ | 61,689 | - | $ | 120,689 | |||||||||
Medhini Srinivasan(5) | - | - | - | - |
(1) | The amount under this column reflects the aggregate amount of cash retainers paid to each non-employee director. |
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(2) | The amounts under this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of 8,556 restricted shares of our common stock granted to each of Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey, Charles Frumberg and David Mahlab under the 2018 Plan on August 9, 2021, each computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding any service-based vesting conditions. For a discussion of the assumptions we made in valuing the stock awards, see “Note 2[Q] – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Stock-based compensation” and “Note 10 – Stock-Based Compensation” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report. The amounts set forth under this column do not include the restricted shares of common stock granted in lieu of cash for fees set forth under the column “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash.” Each of the restricted stock awards granted to Messrs. Brodsky, Casey, Frumberg and Mahlab will vest in full on August 9, 2022, provided that such non-employee director is then serving as a director of the Company on such date. |
(3) | At December 31, 2021, each of Messrs. Brodsky, Casey, Frumberg and Mahlab held 8,556 shares of unvested restricted stock and neither Anders Bjork nor Medhini Srinivasan held any shares of unvested restricted stock. |
(4) | At December 31, 2021, Michael Brodsky held options to purchase 95,000 shares of our common stock, each of Michael Casey and Charles Frumberg held options to purchase 45,000 shares of our common stock, and David Mahlab held options to purchase 191,878 shares of our common stock. Neither Anders Bjork nor Medhini Srinivasan held any options to purchase shares of our common stock at December 31, 2021. |
(5) | Anders Bjork and Medhini Srinivasan did not receive any compensation for their service as directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. |
Process for Sending Communications to the Board of Directors
The Board has established a procedure that enables stockholders to communicate in writing with members of the Board. Any such communication should be addressed and sent to our Corporate Secretary at c/o PowerFleet, Inc., 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677. Any such communication must state, in a conspicuous manner, that it contains a stockholder communication and that it is intended for distribution to the entire Board or to one or more members of the Board, as applicable. All such stockholder communications will be forwarded to the director or directors to whom the communications are addressed. Under the procedures established by the Board, upon the Corporate Secretary’s receipt of such a communication, our Corporate Secretary will send a copy of such communication to each member of the Board or to the applicable director(s), identifying it as a communication received from a stockholder. Absent unusual circumstances, at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board held more than two days after such communication has been distributed, the Board will consider the substance of any such communication.
Code of Ethics
We have a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller and Treasurer. A copy of our Code of Ethics can be found on our website at www.powerfleet.com. The Code of Ethics also is available in print, free of charge, to any stockholder who requests a copy by writing to the Company at the following address: PowerFleet, Inc., 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Our Code of Ethics is intended to be a codification of the business and ethical principles that guide the Company, and to deter wrongdoing, to promote honest and ethical conduct, to avoid conflicts of interest, and to foster full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosures, compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, the prompt internal reporting of violations and accountability for adherence to this code. We will post any amendment to the Code of Ethics, as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC or The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, on our website.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Our policy prohibits conflicts between the interests of our employees, officers and directors and our company. A conflict of interest exists when an employee, officer, or director’s personal interest interferes or may interfere with the interests of the Company. When it is deemed to be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders, the Audit Committee may grant waivers to employees, officers and directors who have disclosed an actual or potential conflict of interest, which waivers are subject to approval by our Board. This policy is included in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Officers and Directors.
In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for annually reviewing any transactions or series of similar transactions to which we are or were a party and in which any director, executive officer or beneficial holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or members of any such person’s immediate family, have had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Our Audit Committee’s procedures for reviewing related party transactions are not in writing. Except as described below, since January 1, 2020, there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which the Company is or was a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer or beneficial holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or members of any such person’s immediate family, have had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. As of June 2, 2022, our common stock is the Company’s only class of voting securities.
Investment and Transaction Agreement
On March 13, 2019, we entered into an Investment and Transaction Agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) by and among I.D. Systems, the Company, PowerFleet US Acquisition Inc., and ABRY Senior Equity V, L.P. (“ASE”), ABRY Senior Equity Co-Investment Fund V, L.P. (“ASECF”) and ABRY Investment Partnership, L.P. (together with ASE and ASECF, the “Investors”), affiliates of ABRY Partners II, LLC, pursuant to which, on October 3, 2019, we issued and sold to the Investors (i) 50,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $50,000,000, and (ii) convertible unsecured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 (the “Notes”). On May 13, 2020, the Company and the Investors amended and restated the Notes to, among other things, (i) remove the conversion feature of the Notes, (ii) provide for certain mandatory prepayment obligations of the Company on or following October 1, 2020, and (iii) extend the maturity date of the Notes to March 31, 2021. The Notes bore interest at 10% per annum. On October 1, 2020, we repaid in full the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 and accrued interest under the Notes. The net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the 50,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were used to fund our acquisition of Pointer. A portion of the proceeds from the Notes were used to pay expenses related to such acquisition and the remaining proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes. As a result of the issuance of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the Investors, ASE and ABRY Senior Equity Holdings V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ASEH”), became beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock.
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Proxy Statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language in those filings, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Report of the Audit Committee by reference therein.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is currently comprised solely of independent directors meeting the requirements of applicable rules of the SEC and of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. All members of the Audit Committee were appointed by the Board. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board. The Audit Committee reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter on an annual basis. As more fully described in the charter, the purpose of the Audit Committee is to provide general oversight of the Company’s financial reporting, integrity of financial statements, internal controls and internal audit functions.
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, and internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, laws and regulations. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and expressing an opinion in its report on those financial statements.
The Audit Committee reviewed the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and met with both management and Ernst & Young LLP to discuss those financial statements and Ernst & Young LLP’s related opinion.
The Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees.
The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence.
Based on its review and the meetings, discussions and reports described above, and subject to the limitations of its role and responsibilities referred to above and in its charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 for filing with the SEC.
Members of the Audit Committee:
Michael Casey, Chairperson
Michael Brodsky
Charles Frumberg
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
This discussion presents the principles underlying our executive officer compensation program. Our goal in this discussion is to provide the reasons why we award compensation as we do and to place in perspective the data presented in the tables that follow this discussion. The focus is primarily on compensation of our executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, but some historical and forward-looking information is also provided to put such year’s compensation information in context. The information presented herein relates to the following individuals who are considered “named executive officers,” under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, each of whom is sometimes referred to in this Proxy Statement as a “Named Executive Officer:” (i) Chris Wolfe, who served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, (ii) Ned Mavrommatis, who served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and (iii) Elizabeth Elkins, who served as the Company’s Chief Product Officer through August 13, 2021. Following the accounting treatment of the Transactions, I.D. Systems was determined to be the accounting acquirer. As a result, for Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis, who were executives of I.D. Systems prior to the completion of the Transactions, the following discussion and compensation tables reflect compensation related to their service with I.D. Systems and the Company during all of 2019. Mr. Wolfe retired from his position as Chief Executive Officer effective January 4, 2022, and Mr. Mavrommatis resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer effective May 15, 2022.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
We attempt to apply a consistent philosophy to compensation for all employees, including senior management. This philosophy is based on the premises that our success is dependent upon the efforts of each employee and that a cooperative, team-oriented environment is an essential part of our culture. We believe in the importance of rewarding our employees for our successes, which is why we emphasize pay-for-performance incentive compensation. Particular emphasis is placed on broad employee equity participation through the use of stock options and restricted stock awards, as well as on annual cash bonuses linked to achievement of our corporate performance goals. We considered the results of the “say on pay” proposal with respect to executive compensation presented to the stockholders at our 2021 annual meeting held on July 20, 2021, and in light of the support the proposal received, we continue to emphasize pay-for-performance incentive compensation, as explained in detail in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Our compensation programs for our Named Executive Officers are designed to achieve a variety of goals, including:
● | attracting and retaining talented and experienced executives; |
● | motivating and rewarding executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success; |
● | aligning the interests of our executives and stockholders by motivating executives to increase stockholder value in a sustained manner; and |
● | providing a competitive compensation package which rewards achievement of our goals. |
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Total compensation paid to our executive officers is influenced significantly by the need to attract and retain management employees with a high level of expertise and to motivate and retain key executives for our long-term success. Some of the components of compensation, such as salary, are generally fixed and do not vary based on our financial and other performance. Some components, such as bonus and in some cases, such as our long-term incentive plans adopted in prior years, stock options and stock award grants, are dependent upon the achievement of certain goals approved by the Compensation Committee; and for such purpose, the Compensation Committee considers goals for executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer) recommended by our Chief Executive Officer, and includes him in its discussions with respect to such goals. Furthermore, the value of certain of these components, such as stock options and restricted stock, is dependent upon our future stock price.
We compensate our executive officers in these different ways in order to achieve different goals. Cash compensation, for example, provides executive officers with a minimum base salary. Incentive bonus compensation is generally linked to the achievement of financial and business goals (as described in greater detail below), and is intended to reward executive officers for our overall performance. Stock options and grants of restricted stock are intended to link our executive officers’ longer-term compensation with the performance of our stock and to build executive ownership positions in our stock. This encourages our executive officers to remain with us and to act in ways intended to maximize stockholder value, and serves to penalize them if we and/or our stock fails to perform to expectations.
We view the three components of our executive officer compensation as related but distinct. Although the Compensation Committee does review total compensation, it does not believe that compensation derived from one component of compensation necessarily should negate or reduce compensation from other components. We determine the appropriate level for each compensation component based in part, but not exclusively, on its historical practices with the individual and our view of individual performance and other information we deem relevant. The Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid out compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation, or among different forms of compensation. We have not reviewed wealth and retirement accumulation as a result of employment with us and have only focused on fair compensation for the year in question.
The Compensation Committee monitors the results of the annual advisory “say-on-pay” proposal and incorporates such results as one of many factors considered in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities. At our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, and in light of such approval, the Compensation Committee continued with its performance-based compensation philosophy and its balanced approach to the components of its compensation program.
Elements of Executive Officer Compensation
Base Salary. We pay our executive officers a base salary, which we review and determine annually. We believe that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program. We believe that attractive base salaries can motivate and reward executives for their overall performance. Base salaries are established in part based on the particular executive’s position, responsibility, experience, skills and expected contributions during the coming year and such individual’s performance during the prior year. We also have generally sought to align base compensation levels comparable to our competitors and other companies in similar stages of development. We do not view base salaries as primarily serving our objective of paying for performance, but in attracting and retaining the most qualified executives necessary to run the Company’s business. The Company continues to focus on pay-for-performance structure, which is discussed below.
On May 28, 2020, the Board approved certain temporary compensation actions in response to the impact and uncertainty caused by the global outbreak of COVID-19. Beginning with the pay period ending on May 31, 2020 and through the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year, the base salaries of all salaried employees in the United States, including Chris Wolfe, our former Chief Executive Officer, Ned Mavrommatis, our former Chief Financial Officer, and Elizabeth Elkins, our former Chief Product Officer, were reduced by 15%. We took these and other actions to preserve cash in 2020 and issued to each employee affected by such compensation changes restricted stock in an amount equivalent to such employee’s salary reduction, which grants vested in full on December 31, 2021.
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In addition on May 28, 2020, following a review of peer group data provided by, and based on the advice of, Korn Ferry, the Company’s independent compensation consultant (“Korn Ferry”), the Board also approved an increase in Mr. Wolfe’s annual base salary from $325,000 to $400,000. However, in light of the impact of COVID-19, such increase did not go into effect until January 1, 2021.
Cash Incentive Bonus Programs. The primary objective of our annual cash incentive bonus program is to motivate and reward our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, for meeting our short-term objectives using a pay-for-performance program with objectively determinable performance goals. Each of Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis was eligible to receive a cash incentive bonus under our Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which is discussed below.
Executive Incentive Plan. On February 7, 2021, the Board approved the EIP for 2021. The objectives of the EIP are to align the interests of senior management with the Company’s performance goals. The EIP focuses on rewarding executives for the achievement of financial objectives with competitive financial incentives and provides a systemic plan for establishing definitive performance goals. Under the EIP for 2021, the Company’s performance goals are based on (i) revenue growth, (ii) operating income, (iii) cash flow generation, and (iv) certain individual objectives for each executive. Executives are eligible to be awarded bonus compensation based on the Company’s annual results.
The EIP for 2021 may be modified or terminated by the Board at any time, but incentive awards that have been earned by the participating Named Executive Officers through the date of termination of the EIP will be payable. The Board has the authority to administer the EIP for 2021 and has the final decision on any discrepancies in interpretation of the EIP for 2021.
Awards under the EIP for 2021 were calculated as a percentage of the executive’s base salary. The target award under the EIP for 2021 for Chris Wolfe was set at 100% of his base salary and for Ned Mavrommatis was set at 75% of his base salary and may be payable in cash or restricted stock based on certain criteria. 25% of each executive’s target award under the EIP for 2021 could be earned based on each of the following metrics: (i) the Company having at least $(1.3) million in cash flow from operations less capital expenditures and scheduled amortization payments on the Company’s term loans for the 2021 fiscal year, (ii) the achievement of at least $0.8 million in operating income for the 2021 fiscal year, (iii) the achievement of at least $133 million in revenue for the 2021 fiscal year, and (iv) certain individual objectives. Based on the Company’s financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and the results of each executive’s applicable individual objectives, each of Chris Wolfe and Ned Mavrommatis received annual bonuses under the EIP for 2021 in the aggregate amount of $194,893 and $109,627, respectively.
Equity Compensation. We believe that stock options and restricted stock awards are an important long-term incentive for our executive officers and employees and that our stock option and restricted stock award program has been effective in aligning officer and employee interests with those of our stockholders. We review our equity compensation plans annually. Employees are eligible for annual stock option and restricted stock award grants. These options and grants are intended to produce value for each executive officer if (i) our stockholders derive significant sustained value and (ii) the executive officer remains employed with us.
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Historically, other than the EIP, the Company did not have any program, plan or obligation under which it was required to grant equity compensation to any executive officer on specified dates or upon the achievement of certain performance goals. The authority to make equity grants to executive officers rests with the Compensation Committee and the Board, although, as noted, the Compensation Committee and the Board do consider the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer in setting the compensation of our other executive officers.
The number of restricted shares of our common stock and options to purchase our common stock granted to and held by our Named Executive Officers are set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” and the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below.
Severance and Change-in-Control Benefits. Except for the severance and change-in-control benefits described below under the captions “Severance Arrangements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” we do not provide to any of our executive officers any severance or change in control benefits in the event of termination or retirement, whether following a change in control or otherwise.
Benefits. The executive officers participate in all of our employee benefit plans, such as medical and 401(k) plans, on the same basis as our other employees, except that we pay 100% of the premiums for health and dental insurance of our executive officers and 75% of the premiums for health and dental insurance of our other employees.
Perquisites. Certain of our Named Executive Officers receive an allowance for automobile and related expenses, which amounts are reflected under column titled “All Other Compensation” in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. Our use of perquisites as an element of compensation is very limited. We do not view perquisites as a significant element of our comprehensive compensation structure.
Peer Group
In making decisions regarding the compensation of our executive officers, the Compensation Committee generally considers compensation and survey data for similarly situated executives at companies with comparable revenue, market capitalization and businesses as the Company. The Compensation Committee utilized as a reference for determining competitive total compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers for 2021, our peer group of companies that were identified by Korn Ferry, the compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee in 2020. These comparison data are primarily used to gauge the reasonableness and competitiveness of executive compensation decisions. The peer group of companies determined by Korn Ferry was based on revenue, market capitalization, business fit and peer groups identified by prior compensation consultants.
We believe that the compensation practices of our industry, in general, and of our select peer group, in particular, provide useful information to help us establish compensation practices that allow us to attract, retain, and motivate a highly talented executive team. We review the levels of cash, equity, and total compensation for comparable executives in our peer group relative to the elements of compensation paid to our executives. In considering how these data relate to our existing compensation structure, we take into account our size, performance, and geographic location as compared to these peer companies, as well as what we know about the comparable scope of responsibilities of our executives versus those of comparable executives at such peer group companies.
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The following companies were identified as members of our peer group by Korn Ferry in 2020:
AIRGAIN, INC. | KVH INDUSTRIES INC. | |
AMERICAN SOFTWARE, INC. | NAPCO SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | |
CALAMP CORP. | ONESPAN INC | |
CALIX, INC. | ORBCOMM, INC. | |
DIGI INTERNATIONAL INC. | PERCEPTRON, INC. | |
EMCORE CORPORATION | SIERRA WIRELESS, INC. | |
GLOBAL STAR, INC | SUPPORT.COM, INC. | |
INDENTIVE, INC. | SYCHRONOSS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | |
INSEEGO COPR. | TELENAV, INC. | |
ITERIS, INC. |
Regulatory Considerations
We account for the equity compensation expense for our employees under the rules of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 (“ASC 718”), which requires us to estimate and record an expense for each award of equity compensation over the service period of the award. Accounting rules also require us to record cash compensation as an expense at the time the obligation is accrued.
Employment Agreements
The Company has not entered into employment agreements with any of its executive officers.
Severance Agreements
The Company is a party to severance agreements with each of Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis, which provide each such executive with certain severance and change in control benefits upon the occurrence of certain events.
The severance agreement with Mr. Wolfe provides Mr. Wolfe with certain severance and change in control benefits upon the occurrence of a “Trigger Event,” which will have occurred if the Company terminates Mr. Wolfe without cause, or upon the occurrence of a “Change in Control Trigger Event,” which will have occurred if the Company terminates Mr. Wolfe without cause or Mr. Wolfe resigns for good reason, each within six months following a change in control event (as defined in the severance agreement). Under the terms of the severance agreement with Mr. Wolfe, subject to Mr. Wolfe’s delivery of a general release to the Company, Mr. Wolfe is entitled to the following: (i) cash payments either (A) at the rate of Mr. Wolfe’s annual base salary, in the case of a Trigger Event, or (B) at twice the rate of Mr. Wolfe’s annual base salary, in the event of a Change in Control Trigger Event, in each case, as in effect immediately prior to such Trigger Event or Change in Control Trigger Event, as the case may be, for a period of 12 months, made as a series of payments that are payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices; (ii) a waiver of any remaining portion of Mr. Wolfe’s healthcare continuation payments under COBRA for the 12-month severance period, provided that Mr. Wolfe timely elects COBRA coverage and continues to make contributions for such coverage equal to his contribution amount in effect immediately preceding the date of his termination of employment; (iii) partial accelerated vesting of Mr. Wolfe previously granted stock options and restricted stock awards, such that (to the extent not already then vested) a portion of these awards shall vest and/or become exercisable, in each case on a pro-rated basis that takes into account the number of months elapsed since the date of grant as compared to the scheduled vesting date (provided that the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plans will continue to govern acceleration of vesting in the event of a change of control as defined in such plan); and (iv) in the event of a Change in Control Trigger Event, a pro rata portion of any bonus that would have been payable to Mr. Wolfe with respect to the year of termination based on the achievement of predetermined objectives used to determine the Company’s performance.
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The severance agreement with Mr. Mavrommatis provides Mr. Mavrommatis with certain severance and change in control benefits upon the occurrence of a “Trigger Event,” which will have occurred if the Company terminates Mr. Mavrommatis without cause or Mr. Mavrommatis resigns for good reason within six months following a change in control event (as defined in the severance agreement). Under the terms of the severance agreements with Mr. Mavrommatis, subject to Mr. Mavrommatis’s delivery of a general release to the Company, Mr. Mavrommatis is entitled to the following: (i) cash payments at the rate of his annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Trigger Event for a period of 12 months, made as a series of payments that are payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices; (ii) a waiver of any remaining portion of his healthcare continuation payments under COBRA for the 12-month severance period, provided that Mr. Mavrommatis timely elects COBRA coverage and continues to make contributions for such coverage equal to his contribution amount in effect immediately preceding the date of his termination of employment; and (iii) partial accelerated vesting of his previously granted stock options and restricted stock awards, such that (to the extent not already then vested) a portion of these awards shall vest and/or become exercisable, in each case on a pro-rated basis that takes into account the number of months elapsed since the date of grant as compared to the scheduled vesting date (provided that the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plans will continue to govern acceleration of vesting in the event of a change of control as defined in such plan).
As a condition to the Company’s obligations under the severance agreements, each of Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis executed and delivered to the Company a restrictive covenants agreement containing covenants regarding confidentiality, assignment of inventions, non-competition and non-solicitation. These restrictive covenants will remain in effect during the applicable severance period.
The Company had also entered into an employment offer letter with Ms. Elkins, which provided Ms. Elkins with six months’ cash severance payments in the event she was terminated by the Company without cause. As Ms. Elkins resigned from the Company, effective as of August 13, 2021, no severance payments were made to Ms. Elkins.
Additionally, the Company has also entered into a severance agreement with its current Chief Executive Officer, Steve Towe. The severance agreement with Mr. Towe provides Mr. Towe with certain severance and change in control benefits upon the occurrence of one of the following events: (i) the termination of Mr. Towe’s employment by the Company without cause (a “Trigger Event”) or (ii) the termination of Mr. Towe’s employment by the Company without cause or Mr. Towe’s resignation for good reason within six months following a change in control event (a “Change in Control Trigger Event”).
Under the terms of the severance agreement with Mr. Towe, subject to Mr. Towe’s delivery of a general release to the Company, Mr. Towe will be entitled to the following upon a Trigger Event or Change in Control Trigger Event: (i) cash payments either (a) in the case of a Trigger Event, at the rate of his annual base salary, or (b) in the case of a Change in Control Trigger Event, at twice the rate of his annual base salary, in each case as in effect immediately prior to the Trigger Event or Change in Control Trigger Event, as the case may be, for a period of 12 month, made as a series of separate payments that are payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices; (ii) a waiver of any remaining portion of Mr. Towe’s healthcare continuation payments under COBRA for the 12-month severance period, provided that he timely elects COBRA coverage and continues to make contributions for such coverage equal to his contribution amount in effect immediately preceding the date of his termination of employment; (iii) partial accelerated vesting of his previously granted stock options and restricted stock awards, such that (to the extent not already then vested) a portion of these awards shall vest and/or become exercisable, in each case on a pro-rated basis that takes into account the number of months elapsed since the date of grant as compared to the scheduled vesting date (provided that the terms of the Company’s equity compensation plans shall continue to govern acceleration of vesting in the event of a change of control as defined in such plan); (iv) any bonus that would have otherwise been payable to Mr. Towe for the calendar year prior to termination; and (v) if the Trigger Event or Change in Control Trigger Event occurs prior to January 1, 2024, payment of any remaining unpaid installment of Mr. Towe’s $650,000 retention bonus.
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As a condition to the Company’s obligations under the severance agreement with Mr. Towe, Mr. Towe also executed and delivered to the Company a restrictive covenants agreement containing covenants regarding confidentiality, assignment of inventions, non-competition and non-solicitation.
Compensation Tables
The following table, which should be read in conjunction with the explanations provided above, sets forth summary compensation information for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 for our Named Executive Officers.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Option Awards ($)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3) | All Other Compensation ($)(4) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Wolfe, | 2021 | 400,000 | (5) | — | 688,550 | — | 194,893 | 19,790 | 1,303,233 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Former Chief Executive Officer(5) | 2020 | 424,675 | (6) | — | — | 885,500 | 297,000 | 10,505 | 1,617,680 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | 325,000 | — | 336,135 | 832,880 | 48,750 | 10,776 | 1,553,541 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ned Mavrommatis, | 2021 | 300,000 | 57,686 | 317,791 | — | 109,627 | 26,727 | 811,831 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Former Chief Financial Officer, | 2020 | 299,704 | (8) | — | — | 379,500 | 223,312 | 30,328 | 932,844 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary(7) | 2019 | 300,000 | (9) | — | 220,201 | 543,314 | 33,750 | 29,403 | 1,126,668 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth Elkins, | 2021 | 178,221 | (10) | — | 218,481 | — | — | — | 396,702 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Former Chief Product Officer(10) | 2020 | 257,102 | (11) | — | 113,100 | 49,171 | — | — | 419,373 |
(1) | The dollar amount shown under the heading “Bonus” with respect to Ned Mavrommatis for 2021 represents a discretionary cash bonus earned for 2021. |
(2) | The dollar amount shown under the headings “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” with respect to each of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock and option awards granted in the fiscal year indicated, computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding service-based vesting conditions. For a discussion of the assumptions we made in valuing the stock and option awards, see “Note 2[Q] — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Stock-based compensation” and “Note 10 — Stock-Based Compensation” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report. |
(3) | The dollar amount shown under the heading “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” (i) for each of Chris Wolfe and Ned Mavrommatis for 2021 represents bonus earned for such fiscal year pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan for 2021; (ii) for each of Chris Wolfe and Ned Mavrommatis for 2020 represents bonus earned for such fiscal year pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan for 2020, and (iii) for each of Chris Wolfe and Ned Mavrommatis for 2019 represents bonus earned for such fiscal year pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan for 2019. |
(4) | The dollar amounts shown under the heading “All Other Compensation” represent the incremental cost of all perquisites and other personal benefits to our Named Executive Officers for automobile allowance and related expenses and health insurance premiums. The automobile allowance and related expenses for 2021 for Ned Mavrommatis was $13,188; and the health insurance premiums for 2021 for each of Chris Wolfe and Ned Mavrommatis were $19,790 and $13,539, respectively. The automobile allowance and related expenses for 2020 for Ned Mavrommatis was $13,188; the health insurance premiums for 2020 for each of Chris Wolfe and Ned Mavrommatis were $10,505 and $17,140, respectively. The automobile allowance and related expenses for 2019 for Ned Mavrommatis was $13,188; the health insurance premiums for 2019 for each of Chris Wolfe and Ned Mavrommatis were $10,776 and $16,215, respectively. |
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(5) | Effective as of January 1, 2021, the annual base salary of Chris Wolfe was increased to $400,000. Mr. Wolfe retired as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of January 4, 2022. |
(6) | On May 28, 2020, the Board approved a $30,469 temporary reduction in Mr. Wolfe’s base salary for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year and in exchange for such salary reduction, Mr. Wolfe received a grant of 6,414 restricted shares of common stock, which vested on December 31, 2021. In addition, on May 28, 2020, the Board approved an increase in Mr. Wolfe’s annual base salary from $325,000 to $400,000. In lieu of cash payments as a result of such increase to Mr. Wolfe’s annual base salary, Mr. Wolfe received grants of restricted stock to be issued on the last day of each calendar month in 2020, commencing with a grant on May 31, 2020 in an amount equivalent to $41,667 with all remaining grants in 2020 equal to an amount equivalent to $8,333 per month, which grants vested in full on December 31, 2020. The dollar amount shown reflects the amount of Mr. Wolfe’s salary for 2020 received in cash and the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock received by Mr. Wolfe in lieu of his salary reduction and cash payments for his increased salary. |
(7) | Ned Mavrommatis resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of May 15, 2022. |
(8) | On May 28, 2020, the Board approved a $28,125 temporary reduction in Mr. Mavrommatis’s base salary for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year and in exchange for such salary reduction, Mr. Mavrommatis received a grant of 5,921 restricted shares of common stock, which vested on December 31, 2021. The dollar amount shown reflects the amount of Mr. Mavrommatis’s salary for 2020 received in cash and the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock received by Mr. Mavrommatis in lieu of his salary reduction. |
(9) | Effective as of January 1, 2019, the annual base salary of Ned Mavrommatis was increased to $300,000. |
(10) | Elizabeth Elkins’s annual base salary was $275,000. Ms. Elkins resigned as Chief Product Officer of the Company, effective as of August 13, 2021. |
(11) | On May 28, 2020, the Board approved a $25,781 temporary reduction in Ms. Elkins’s base salary for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year and in exchange for such salary reduction, Ms. Elkins received a grant of 5,428 restricted shares of common stock, which was scheduled to vest on December 31, 2021. As a result of Ms. Elkins’s resignation effective as of August 13, 2021, such shares were forfeited. The dollar amount shown reflects the amount of Ms. Elkins’s salary for 2020 received in cash and the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock received by Ms. Elkins in lieu of her salary reduction. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides certain information with respect to restricted stock awards and options granted to our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards ($)(1) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (#) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Threshold | Target | Maximum | (#)(2) | (#) | ($/Sh) | ($)(3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Wolfe | 2/7/2021 | 100,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/7/2021 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 89,655 | - | - | 688,550 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ned Mavrommatis | 2/7/2021 | 56,250 | 225,000 | 225,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/7/2021 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 41,379 | - | - | 317,791 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth Elkins | 2/7/2021 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 28,448 | - | - | 218,481 |
(1) | The information under “Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” relates to bonuses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 payable to our named executive officers based on the achievement of annual company financial goals and individual objectives for 2021 pursuant to our Executive Incentive Plan. |
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(2) | Represents restricted shares issued under the 2018 Plan. Twenty-five percent (25%) of these restricted shares will vest on each of the first, second, third and fourth annual anniversary date of the date of grant, provided that the awardee is an employee of the Company on each such anniversary. |
(3) | Calculated based on the closing price of our common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. |
Stock Option Exercises and Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards
The following table provides certain information with respect to options that were exercised and shares of restricted stock that vested for each of our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) | ||||||||||||
Chris Wolfe | - | - | 58,015 | 445,095 | ||||||||||||
Ned Mavrommatis | 117,314 | 385,618 | 47,695 | 363,480 | ||||||||||||
Elizabeth Elkins | - | - | 3,750 | 30,038 |
(1) | Represents the difference between the market price of the underlying securities at exercise of the option and the exercise price of the option. |
(2) | Represents the aggregate dollar value of the shares on the vesting date. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table provides certain information concerning outstanding equity awards held by each of our Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2021.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(1) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(2) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Wolfe | 100,000 | - | 5.21 | 8/4/2026 | (3) | 135,806 | 643,720 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
100,000 | - | 4.70 | 12/7/2026 | (3) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
81,250 | 81,250 | 6.08 | 1/30/2029 | (3) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
78,788 | 78,788 | 5.87 | 11/5/2029 | (3) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- | 350,000 | 6.28 | 5/28/2030 | (4) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- | 350,000 | 6.00 | 5/28/2030 | (5) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ned Mavrommatis | 23,678 | - | 5.93 | 3/29/2022 | (6) | 73,521 | 348,489 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
16,503 | - | 5.71 | 4/4/2023 | (3) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3,888 | - | 6.00 | 2/17/2027 | (3) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
50,000 | 50,000 | 6.08 | 1/30/2029 | (3) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
54,546 | 54,545 | 5.87 | 11/5/2029 | (3) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- | 150,000 | 6.28 | 5/28/2030 | (4) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- | 150,000 | 6.00 | 5/28/2030 | (5) | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth Elkins(7) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
(1) | Represents restricted shares issued under the 2015 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and the 2018 Plan. |
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(2) | Calculated based on $4.74 per share, the closing price per share of our common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, on December 31, 2021. |
(3) | These option awards vest over a four-year period, such that twenty-five percent (25%) of the options vests on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant, provided that the holder is an employee of the Company on each such anniversary. |
(4) | These option awards will vest and become exercisable in full on December 31, 2022, provided that the holder is an employee of the Company on such date, if at any point prior to such date the volume weighted average price of our common stock during a consecutive 30 trading day period (the “30 Day VWAP”) reaches $12.00. |
(5) | These option awards will vest and become exercisable in full immediately upon the 30 Day VWAP reaching $10.00, provided that the holder is an employee of the Company on such date. |
(6) | One hundred percent (100%) of these option awards vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant. |
(7) | Elizabeth Elkins resigned as Chief Product Officer of the Company, effective as of August 13, 2021. As a result, all outstanding stock options that were not exercised within three months following the effective date of Ms. Elkins’s resignation were forfeited and all unvested shares of restricted stock were forfeited as of the effective date of her resignation. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control under Severance Arrangements
As described above under the caption “Severance Arrangements,” the Company has entered into severance agreements with Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis. These severance agreements provide for severance payments or other compensation upon the termination of such executive’s employment or a change in control with respect to the Company.
The Company had also entered into an employment offer letter with Ms. Elkins, which provided Ms. Elkins with six months’ cash severance payments in the event she was terminated by the Company without cause. As Ms. Elkins resigned from the Company, effective as of August 13, 2021, no severance payments were made to Ms. Elkins.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control under Equity Compensation Plans
Our 2015 Plan provides that the Compensation Committee may, at the time of the grant of an award, provide for the effect of a “change in control” on any award, including (i) accelerating or extending the time periods for exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any award, (ii) eliminating or modifying the performance or other conditions of an award, (iii) providing for the cash settlement of an award for an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Compensation Committee, or (iv) such other modification or adjustment to an award as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and interests of participants upon or following a change in control. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and without the need for the consent of any recipient of an award, also take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of a change in control: (a) cause any or all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights to become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (b) cause any other awards to become non-forfeitable, in whole or in part; (c) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for a substitute option; (d) cancel any award of restricted stock, stock units, performance shares or performance units in exchange for a similar award of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (e) redeem any restricted stock for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (f) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration based on the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control, and cancel any option or stock appreciation right without any payment if its exercise price exceeds the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (g) cancel any stock unit or performance units held by a participant affected by the change in control in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of the change in control, or (h) make such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding awards as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or appropriate.
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For purposes of the 2015 Plan, a “change in control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any person or group (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding the Company, its affiliates and any person holding securities under employee benefit plan or trust of the Company) is or becomes the beneficial owner of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or the then outstanding shares of our common stock; (ii) any consolidation or merger of the Company where stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to such consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after such consolidation or merger, beneficially own shares representing in the aggregate 50% of more of the combined voting power of the securities of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger; or (iii) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by persons in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale; (iv) the approval by stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (v) the members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive 24-calendar-month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided that any member of the Board whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved or ratified by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board then still in office who were members of the Board at the beginning of such 24-calendar-month period, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director.
Our 2018 Plan provides that, unless the Compensation Committee provides otherwise in advance of the grant, in the event of a “change in control,” if the employee or service provider is terminated other than for “cause” (as defined in the 2018 Plan) within one year of such change in control or leaves for “good reason” (as defined in the 2018 Plan), options and restricted stock (including restricted stock units) shall vest. In addition, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, the payout of performance stock units and performance shares shall be determined exclusively by the attainment of the performance goals established by the Compensation Committee, which may not be modified after the change in control, and the Company will not have the right to reduce the awards for any other reason.
For purposes of the 2018 Plan, a “change in control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any person, other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, becomes the beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the board of directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the board of directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; (iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets.
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Estimated Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The following table shows potential payments to Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis under existing severance agreements, plans or arrangements in connection with a termination of employment or change in control with respect to the Company. Ms. Elkins resigned, effective as of August 13, 2021, and did not receive any severance payments or benefits. The following table assumes a December 31, 2021 termination or change in control date and uses the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on December 31, 2021, $4.74. The disclosed amounts are estimates only and do not necessarily reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to the Named Executive Officer. These actual amounts would only be known at the time the Named Executive Officers become eligible for payment and would only be payable upon the termination of employment or change in control.
Name | Benefit | Non Change-in-Control Termination (Without Cause or for Good Reason) | Change-in-Control Termination (Without Cause or for Good Reason) | Change-in-Control Only | ||||||||||
Chris Wolfe(1) | Severance Pay | $ | 400,000 | $ | 800,000 | $ | — | |||||||
Exercise of Vested Stock Options Upon Termination | $ | — | $ | — | (2) | $ | — | (2) | ||||||
Realization of Restricted Stock Awards Upon Termination | $ | 181,379 | (3) | $ | 643,716 | (4) | $ | 643,716 | (4) | |||||
Benefit Continuation | $ | 22,272 | $ | 22,272 | $ | — | ||||||||
Ned Mavrommatis(5) | Severance Pay | $ | 300,000 | $ | 300,000 | $ | — | |||||||
Exercise of Vested Stock Options Upon Termination | $ | — | $ | — | (2) | $ | — | (2) | ||||||
Realization of Restricted Stock Awards Upon Termination | $ | 107,742 | (3) | $ | 348,390 | (4) | $ | 348,390 | (4) | |||||
Benefit Continuation | $ | 42,072 | $ | 42,072 | $ | — |
(1) | Chris Wolfe retired as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of January 4, 2022. |
(2) | The 2015 Plan provides that upon or in anticipation of any change in control (as defined in the 2015 Plan), the Compensation Committee has the discretion to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding options. The 2018 Plan provides that in the event of a change in control (as defined in the 2018 Plan), options will vest if the employee or service provider is terminated other than for cause within one year of a change in control or leaves for good reason. No options were in-the-money as of December 31, 2021. |
(3) | The terms of the severance agreements entered into between the Company and each of Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis generally provide for accelerated vesting of a pro-rated portion of the unvested restricted shares held by the individual upon the occurrence of a “trigger event” (as defined in such severance agreements) or a “change in control trigger event” (as defined in Mr. Wolfe’s severance agreement). |
(4) | The 2015 Plan provides that upon or in anticipation of any change in control (as defined in the 2015 Plan), the Compensation Committee has the discretion to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding restricted stock awards. The 2018 Plan provides that in the event of a change in control (as defined in the 2018 Plan), restricted stock will vest if the employee or service provider is terminated other than for cause within one year of a change in control or leaves for good reason. The amounts reported in the table assume that, with respect to restricted stock awards issued under the 2015 Plan, the Compensation Committee decided to accelerate the vesting of such outstanding restricted stock upon a change in control and that, with respect to restricted stock awards issued under the 2018 Plan, Messrs. Wolfe and Mavrommatis were terminated other than for cause within one year of a change in control or left for good reason. |
(5) | Ned Mavrommatis resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of May 15, 2022. |
Risk Considerations
We do not believe that our compensation practices and policies for our employees, including our executive officers, create risks or are likely to create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us or our results of operations or financial condition.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of shares of our common stock as of June 2, 2022 by:
● | each stockholder known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding common stock; |
● | each of our Named Executive Officers; |
● | each of our current directors and director nominees; and |
● | all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. |
To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to the table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting and disposition power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s or entity’s name. The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, director or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has the sole or shared voting power or investment power and any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 2, 2022, through the exercise of stock options, warrants or other convertible securities or any other right. Shares of our common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 2, 2022 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person (except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group). As used in this Proxy Statement, “voting power” is the power to vote or direct the voting of shares and “investment power” includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares.
The number and percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 36,126,995 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 2, 2022. The information in the following table regarding the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock is based upon information supplied by our principal stockholders or set forth in Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. The determination that there were no other persons, entities or groups known to the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock was based on a review of all statements filed with the SEC with respect to the Company pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange Act.
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The address for those persons for which an address is not otherwise provided is c/o PowerFleet, Inc., 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding(1) | ||||||
5% Stockholders: | ||||||||
ABRY Senior Equity Holdings V, LLC c/o ABRY Partners II, LLC 888 Boylston Street, Suite 1600 Boston, MA 02199 | 7,617,408 | (2) | 17.41 | % | ||||
Lynrock Lake LP 2 International Drive Suite 130 Rye Brook, NY 10573 | 3,580,966 | (3) | 9.91 | % | ||||
North Run Capital, LP 62 Walnut Street Wellesley, MA 02481 | 2,233,173 | (4) | 6.18 | % | ||||
Private Capital Management, LLC 8889 Pelican Bay Boulevard Suite 500 Naples, FL 34108 | 2,229,699 | (5) | 6.17 | % | ||||
The Phoenix Holding Ltd. Derech Hashalom 53 Givataim, 53454, Israel | 2,169,632 | (6) | 6.01 | % | ||||
Current Executive Officers: | ||||||||
Steve Towe | 231,754 | (7) | * | |||||
Former Executive Officers: | ||||||||
Chris Wolfe | 150,567 | (8) | * | |||||
Ned Mavrommatis | 432,650 | (9) | 1.19 | % | ||||
Elizabeth Elkins | 3,750 | (10) | * | |||||
Current Non-Employee Directors: | ||||||||
Anders Bjork | — | * | ||||||
Michael Brodsky | 397,885 | (11) | 1.10 | % | ||||
Michael Casey | 173,431 | (12) | * | |||||
Charles Frumberg | 148,410 | (13) | * | |||||
David Mahlab | 616,552 | (14) | 1.70 | % | ||||
Medhini Srinivasan | — | * | ||||||
All current directors and executive officers as a group (seven individuals) | 1,568,032 | 4.30 | % |
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
(1) | Ownership percentages are based on 36,126,995 shares of common stock of the Company outstanding as of June 2, 2022. |
(2) | Based on information contained in Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021 and a subsequent Form 4 filed with the SEC on April 4, 2022, ASEH may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 7,617,408 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held directly by ASE and ASECF, with shared voting and dispositive power over such shares. ASE beneficially owns an aggregate of 6,392,529 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held directly by it, with shared voting and dispositive power over such shares. ASECF beneficially owns an aggregate of 1,224,879 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held directly by it, with shared voting and dispositive power over such shares. |
(3) | Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, Lynrock Lake LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Lynrock Lake”), Lynrock Lake Partners LLC, the general partner of Lynrock Lake (“Lynrock Lake Partners”), and Cynthia Paul, a U.S. citizen who serves as the sole member of Lynrock Lake Partners and Chief Investment Officer of Lynrock Lake, beneficially own an aggregate of 3,580,966 shares of the Company’s common stock, with sole voting and dispositive power over these shares. |
(4) | Based on information contained in Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, North Run Capital, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“North Run Capital”), North Run Advisors, LLC, the general partner of North Run Capital (“North Run Advisors”), Todd B. Hammer and Thomas B. Ellis, U.S. citizens who serve as sole members of North Run Advisors, beneficially own an aggregate of 2,233,173 shares of the Company’s common stock, with shared voting and dispositive power over these shares. |
(5) | Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 4, 2022, Private Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, beneficially owns an aggregate of 2,229,699 shares of the Company’s common stock, with shared voting and dispositive power over 959,907 shares, and sole voting and dispositive power over 1,269,792 shares. |
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(6) | Based on information contained in Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 7, 2022, The Phoenix Holding Ltd. beneficially owns an aggregate of 2,169,632 shares of the Company’s common stock, with shared voting and dispositive power over these shares. |
(7) | This number includes 200,000 restricted shares of common stock, 25% of which shares vest on each of January 5, 2023, January 5, 2024, January 5, 2025 and January 5, 2026, provided that Mr. Towe is employed by the Company on each such date. |
(8) | This number reflects Mr. Wolfe’s ownership as of the effective date of his cessation of employment. We do not have information as to Mr. Wolfe’s current share ownership. |
(9) | This number reflects Mr. Mavrommatis’s ownership as of the effective date of his cessation of employment. We do not have information as to Mr. Mavrommatis’s current share ownership. |
(10) | This number reflects Ms. Elkins’s ownership as of the effective date of her cessation of employment. We do not have information as to Ms. Elkins’s current share ownership. |
(11) | This number includes (i) 76,000 shares of our common stock held by Vajra Fund I, L.P., of which Mr. Brodsky is the general partner; (ii) 8,556 restricted shares of our common stock, which vest on August 9, 2022, provided that Mr. Brodsky is a director of the Company on such date; and (iii) 95,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of June 2, 2022. |
(12) | This number includes (i) 8,556 restricted shares of our common stock, which vest on August 9, 2022, provided that Mr. Casey is a director of the Company on such date; and (ii) 45,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of June 2, 2022. |
(13) | This number includes (i) 8,556 restricted shares of our common stock, which vest on August 9, 2022, provided that Mr. Frumberg is a director of the Company on such date; and (ii) 33,750 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of June 2, 2022. |
(14) | This number includes (i) 8,556 restricted shares of our common stock, which vest on August 9, 2022, provided that Mr. Mahlab is a director of the Company on such date; and (ii) 191,878 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of June 2, 2022. |
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC statements on Form 3, Form 4 and Form 5 of ownership and changes in ownership. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they file.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments to those forms that have been furnished to us, we believe that all parties subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) filed all such required reports during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, except that each of Ned Mavrommatis, our former Chief Financial Officer, and Chris Wolfe, our former Chief Executive Officer, filed late a Form 4 with respect to transactions that occurred on November 5, 2021.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed the firm of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the current fiscal year, subject to the ratification of such appointment by our stockholders. Representatives of EY are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Fees and Services of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), our independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, comfort letters, statutory and subsidiary audits, consents and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were $550,000 and $800,000, respectively. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, aggregate audit fees included fees for the audit of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Audit-Related Fees
There were no fees billed by EY for audit-related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were $279,000 and $222,000, respectively.
All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for products or professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were $41,500 and $5,000, respectively, in addition to the services described under the captions “Audit Fees” and “Tax Fees” above, which primarily consist of fees related to financial reporting advisory services.
Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee pre-approves all services, including both audit and non-audit services, provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. For audit services, each year the independent registered public accounting firm provides the Audit Committee with an engagement letter outlining the scope of the audit services proposed to be performed during the year, which must be formally accepted by the Audit Committee before the audit commences. The independent registered public accounting firm also submits an audit services fee proposal, which also must be approved by the Audit Committee before the audit commences. None of the fees for services described above under the captions “Tax Fees” or “All Other Fees” approved by the Audit Committee were approved pursuant to the exception provided by paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In accordance with recently adopted Section 14A of the Exchange Act, which was added under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are asking stockholders to approve an advisory resolution on the Company’s executive compensation as reported in this Proxy Statement. Our executive compensation programs are designed to support the Company’s long-term success. As described above in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee has structured our executive compensation program to achieve the following key objectives:
● | to provide a total rewards package to our executives that are competitive with our peer companies; |
● | to attract and retain key talent; and |
● | to link pay to performance by providing incentives that promote short and long-term financial growth and stability to continuously enhance stockholder value. |
We believe that our performance-based executive compensation programs provide incentives that are aligned with the best interests of our stockholders and have facilitated the Company’s performance.
We urge stockholders to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and related compensation tables and narrative contained herein, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The Board believes that the policies and procedures articulated in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our Named Executive Officers reported in this Proxy Statement has supported and contributed to the Company’s success.
Accordingly, we are asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of PowerFleet, Inc. (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables and narrative in the Proxy Statement relating to the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” resolution, is non-binding on the Board. Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully review and consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL NO. 3 AND APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
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STOCKHOLDERS’ PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
If you intend to submit a proposal to be included in next year’s proxy statement pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8, the Corporate Secretary must receive your proposal on or before February 9, 2023. Submitting a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that we will include the proposal in the proxy statement if the proposal does not satisfy the SEC’s rules.
If you want to present your proposal at the 2023 annual meeting but are not proposing it pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8, the Corporate Secretary must receive your proposal no earlier than the close of business on March 21, 2023 and no later than the close of business on April 20, 2023, and it must satisfy the requirements set forth in Article I, Section 1.10 of our Amended and Restated Bylaws. If, however, the date of the 2023 annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after the anniversary of this Annual Meeting, we must receive such notice no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such meeting and the 10th day following the public announcement of the meeting date.
In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our Bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules (once they become effective), stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominee must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than May 20, 2023 (the 60th day prior to the first anniversary of the annual meeting for the preceding year’s annual meeting).
Rule 14a-4 of the Exchange Act governs our use of our discretionary proxy voting authority with respect to a stockholder proposal that is not addressed in the proxy statement. With respect to our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023, if we are not provided notice of a stockholder proposal prior to April 20, 2023, we will be permitted to use its discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the meeting, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board is not aware of any matters, other than those stated above, that may be brought before the Annual Meeting. The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy or their substitutes will vote with respect to any such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
By order of the Board of Directors, | |
/s/ Steve Towe | |
Steve Towe | |
Chief Executive Officer |
Dated: June 9, 2022
A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 (EXCLUDING EXHIBITS) ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THE ANNUAL REPORT IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS PROXY SOLICITING MATERIAL OR AS A COMMUNICATION BY MEANS OF WHICH ANY SOLICITATION IS TO BE MADE.
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