Kopin Corp 10-K/A, filed May 20, 2025
Kopin Corp (KOPN)
About this 10-K/A
Kopin Corp filed this 10-K/A on May 20, 2025, covering the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
(Amendment No. 2)
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For
the fiscal year ended
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
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file number
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐
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by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐
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by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
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by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | |
| ☒ | Smaller Reporting Company | |||
| Emerging Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
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included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
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by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
As
of June 29, 2024 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recent second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of outstanding
shares of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $
As of April 16, 2025, shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $ per share, were issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Explanatory Note to Form 10-K/A
In accordance with Rule 12b-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, amended (“the Exchange Act”), Part III, Items 10 through 14, and Part IV, Item 15 of the Original Form 10-K are hereby amended and restated in their entirety. The reference on the cover page of the Original Form 10-K to the incorporation by reference of portions of our definitive proxy statement into Part III of the Original Form 10-K is hereby deleted. Pursuant to Rule 12b-15 and Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act, this Amendment No. 2 contains new certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which are attached hereto.
Except as set forth in the first paragraph of this Explanatory Note, this Amendment No. 2 does not amend, modify, or otherwise update any financial or other information in or on exhibits filed with the Original Form 10-K. Accordingly, this Amendment No. 2 should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC.
Unless expressly indicated or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” in this document refer to Kopin Corporation (“Kopin”), a Delaware corporation.
INDEX
| PART III | ||
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 3 |
| Part IV | ||
| Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 18 |
| SIGNATURES | 21 | |
| 2 |
Part III
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Company is considered a “smaller reporting company” under Item 10 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act and provides scaled compensation disclosure intended to comply with the requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies Although the SEC guidance permits us to follow the rules applicable to a small reporting company for purposes of this proxy statement, we are committed to providing the compensation disclosure necessary to enable shareholders to understand our compensation plans, plan design and programs, as well as 2024 compensation decisions made by the Compensation Committee, and make informed voting decisions
Named Executive Officers
Our NEOs for fiscal year 2024 were:
| ● | Michael Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | |
| ● | Richard A. Sneider, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | |
| ● | Paul Baker, Chief Operating Officer (COO) |
Executive Summary
Provided below are key Company performance and executive compensation highlights for fiscal year 2024:
In 2024, we continued the reorganization of Kopin under a program we call One Kopin. We have three manufacturing and assembly locations and previously the business development and engineering staff concentrated on the products made at those locations. In 2023, we started the process of creating one Business Development group that would sell all of Kopin’s products and one engineering group that would work on the design, development and manufacturing of all of Kopin’s products with the understanding that there are limits because of the nature of some of our products. Below is a summary of certain financial and development performance highlights that occurred in 2024:
| ● | Our fiscal year 2024 revenues were $50.3 million, an increase of 24.6% over the fiscal year 2023 revenues of $40.4 million. Our fiscal year 2024 product revenues increased to $43.6 million as compared to fiscal year 2023 product revenues of $25.9 million. | |
| ● | Our fiscal year 2024 gross margins increased to 17% from approximately four percent for fiscal year 2023. Our operating loss was approximately $43.1 million, which included $24.8 million for litigation accrual. Our fiscal year 2023 operating loss was approximately $17.1 million. | |
| ● | In fiscal year 2024 we received orders in excess of $40 million. The orders we received in fiscal year 2024 were for eyepieces used in thermal weapon sights, displays used in fixed wing and rotary aircraft, training and simulation headsets and contracts for display and application specific optical solution design and development. We also received initial orders for our medical headset. | |
| ● | In fiscal year 2024 we used government, customer and internal funding to develop new displays including our bidirectional Neural™ display that is intended to provide biological information to artificial intelligence software to adjustment the display image and thereby improve user performance. We also commenced development on day and night modules that can be used with current soldier helmets to provide additional capabilities. |
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Compensation Highlights:
Summarized below are highlights with respect to executive compensation for fiscal year 2024:
●
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Messrs. Murray, Sneider and Baker received base wages increases from $450,000 to $495,000, $349,048 to $359,520, and $324,450 to $334,184, respectively, in 2024. | |
| ● | Mr. Murray was awarded a bonus for fiscal year 2024 performance of $668.000 | |
| ● | Mr. Murray received a grant of 1,200,000 shares of restricted stock (2026 Performance-Based Equity Award) which shall vest based on the attainment of corporate performance goals and targets, including a minimum revenue for the fiscal year 2026, and his continued employment through December 31, 2026. The target number of restricted shares is 1,000,000 and the target performance goals are fiscal year 2026 revenue of $65 million and a consolidated 6% operating profit. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at less than 80% of target, the number of restricted shares earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be zero. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 80% and 100% of target, the number of restricted shares earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 50% and 100% of target. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 100% and 120% of target, the number of restricted shares earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 100% and 120% of target. Performance between performance levels will be interpolated on a straight-line basis Performance achievement will be determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion exercised in good faith. Performance between performance levels will be interpolated on a straight-line basis | |
| ● | Our primary objective for fiscal year 2024 was to continue to increase revenues and cash flow. To that end, as part of the annual incentive plan we granted our CFO and COO 45,300 and 40,800 shares of restricted stock, respectively, which could have been earned if certain revenue, cash flow and individual goals were met. The number of shares granted represented approximately 35% of their 2023 base wages divided by approximately the Company’s share price on day of grant. 20% of the shares could have been earned by meeting certain revenue targets, 70% of the shares could have been earned by meeting certain cash flow targets and 10% could be earned based on meeting individual goals in fiscal year 2024. The revenue and cash flow goals had a minimum base amount, a target amount and a maximum upper goal amount. If the minimum base amount was not achieved, then no restricted stock was earned. If the minimum base amount was achieved approximately 30% of the shares could be earned, if the target amount was achieved approximately 75% of the shares could be earned and if the maximum upper goals was achieved all the shares could be earned. |
Messrs. Sneider and Baker earned 25,505 and 22,972, respectively, of the shares granted which represents achieving approximately 56% of the goals.
| ● | Under our long-term incentive plan, each of Messrs. Sneider and Baker each received restricted stock grants of 75,000 shares that at the rate of 34% on December 10, 2025, 33% shall vest on December 10, 2026 and 33% shall vest on December 10, 2027, subject to the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and remain employed by the Company. These grants were issued to incentivize the individuals to remain with the Company and further align their interest with those of stockholders. |
President and Chief Executive Officer:
In September 2022, Mr. Michael Murray joined Kopin as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Murray received an annual base salary of $450,000. Additionally, Mr. Murray received 800,000 shares of restricted stock, which vest in 20% increments each December 10 beginning in 2023, and a sign-on bonus of$100,000. A more detailed discussion of Mr. Murray’s initial employment agreement is discussed in the Employment and Other Agreements section below.
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Mr. Murray received an annual base salary of $450,000. Additionally, Mr. Murray received 800,000 shares of restricted stock, which vest in 20% increments each December 10 beginning in 2023, and a sign-on bonus of $100,000. A more detailed discussion of Mr. Murray’s initial employment agreement is discussed in the Employment and Other Agreements section below.
On April 15, 2024 the Company and Mr. Murray signed a new Employment Agreement (the “New Agreement”). The New Agreement was entered into to provide more specificity that was incorporated in his initial employment agreement. This summary of the New Agreement is subject to the terms of the New Agreement which is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to Form 8-K. Under the New Agreement, Mr. Murray’s salary was set at $495,000 with eligibility for a target cash bonus of 100% of base salary up to a maximum of 150% base salary based on a formula and the determination of achievement of goals as determined by the Board. Mr. Murray also is eligible for the Company’s standard benefits package and to participate in all applicable group employee benefit plans and programs offered. Mr. Murray is eligible to receive equity awards covering the Company’s common stock. Provided that Mr. Murray continues to be employed by the Company on the date of a change of control (as defined in the New Agreement), all outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Murray immediately prior to the effective date of a change of control which vest based upon his continued service over time shall accelerate, become fully vested and/or exercisable, as the case may be, immediately prior to the change of control, and all outstanding equity awards held immediately prior to the change of control which vest based upon attainment of performance criteria shall vest based on target performance immediately prior to the change of control.
On June 28, 2024 Mr. Murray received a grant of 1,200,000 shares of restricted stock which shall vest based on the attainment of corporate performance goals and targets, including a minimum target revenue for the fiscal year 2026 of $65 million and an operating profit of 6%, and his continued employment through December 31, 2026. The target number of restricted stock that can be earned is 1,000,000. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at less than 80% of target, the number of restricted shares earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be zero. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 80% and 100% of target, the number of restricted shares earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 50% and 100% of target. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 100% and 120% of target, the number of restricted shares earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 100% and 120% of target. Performance between performance levels will be interpolated on a straight-line basis Performance achievement will be determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion exercised in good faith. Performance between performance levels will be interpolated on a straight-line basis.
Key Compensation Governance Attributes:
Our pay practices emphasize good governance and market practice:
| What We Do | What We Don’t Do | |||
| ✔ | Stock Ownership guidelines for the CEO and Non- Employee Directors | ✘ | No employment agreements for anyone other than the CEO | |
| ✔ | Maintain a clawback policy | ✘ | No excise tax gross-up provisions | |
| ✔ | Emphasize pay for performance | ✘ | No excessive executive perquisites | |
| ✔ | Annual Say on Pay advisory vote | |||
2024 Say on Pay Vote:
| ● | In 2024, our stockholders voted to approve our executive compensation program (also known as “Say on Pay”) for the thirteenth time, and of the 37,210,088 votes cast, 26,650,929, or 71.6%, were in favor. The Compensation Committee considered the results of this advisory vote as it continually evaluates the Company’s compensation programs and policies to ensure that the programs strike a balance between internal (business strategy) and external (stockholder) alignment. |
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Compensation Philosophy
We believe that our NEOs play a critical role in the operational and financial performance of our company that creates long-term value for our stockholders. Accordingly, our executive compensation philosophy is to reward our executives for individual performance and for contributions to our corporate performance. We have invested significant efforts and funds in developing new technologies and products for both our traditional markets, military and industrial, and for the emerging “wearables” industrial market. In fiscal year 2023, our strategic emphasis shifted to improving operational excellence through a reorganization plan we refer to as One Kopin. Accordingly, we are in the process of adjusting our performance award system to be based more towards financial and operational metrics, specifically revenue growth, gross margin improvement, on-time in-full deliveries, production yields, and cash flow improvement.
We strive to counterbalance our employee retention objectives and pay-for-performance objectives. Historically we believe we have accomplished this by compensating our executives with a combination of base salary, performance bonus awards and long-term equity-based retention compensation. In fiscal year 2024, we maintained the same philosophy but we are striving to create a system that is based on a cash reward for achievement of annual goals such as revenue and cash flow milestones and using restricted stock grants for the achievement of longer- term incentives or retention purposes. To this end, in fiscal year 2024, we increased the number of employees eligible to receive a cash bonus based on fiscal year 2024 results. We also issued restricted stock grants to certain employees for retention purposes.
We believe that the quality, commitment and performance of our executives are critical factors affecting our long-term value. Accordingly, our compensation objectives include:
| ● | aligning our executive’s interests with the Company’s goals and our stockholders’ interests; | |
| ● | attracting, retaining and motivating our executives and key employees; and | |
| ● | rewarding individuals for their performance that enhances shareholder value. |
In addition, we periodically use publicly available data and surveys and peer group comparisons to assist us in determining whether our executive compensation is appropriate in light of our compensation objectives and philosophy.
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors sets our executive compensation policies and determines the amounts and elements of compensation for our executive officers and Board of Directors. As set forth in the Compensation Committee’s written charter, its responsibilities include establishing compensation policies for our directors and executive officers; reviewing and approving the Chief Executive Officer’s annual compensation; approving employment agreements or arrangements with executive officers; administering our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and legacy equity award plans (the “Equity Plans”) and approving grants under the 2020 Equity Plan; and making recommendations regarding any other incentive compensation or equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee may delegate certain authority with respect to compensation matters to our executive officers.
The Compensation Committee considers the amounts and elements of compensation for our executive officers, both for the past and the upcoming fiscal year based on the following:
| ● | the Company’s next fiscal year’s forecasted development and financial results; | |
| ● | the evaluation and performance review process; and | |
| ● | the Compensation Committee members’ personal experience and trends identified in the peer group benchmarking analysis. |
For all employees, other than our NEOs and certain executive officers and employees, the Compensation Committee approves ranges of merit increases, for example up to 5% of base salary compensation based on recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer related to compensation, other than his own compensation.
For all executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, the Compensation Committee establishes and approves the base salary compensation based on recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer.
With respect to compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee establishes and approves the compensation determinations based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation and performance reviews of our Chief Executive Officer.
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A copy of the Compensation Committee charter is posted on our website, www.kopin.com, under the heading “Investors: Corporate Governance.” For the fiscal year 2024, our Compensation Committee consisted of Dr. Hsieh (Chairperson), Mr. Nieuwsma and Ms. Seif. All Board members who served on the Compensation Committee in 2024 were determined to be an independent director as determined by our Board, based upon the Nasdaq Rules and our independence guidelines.
The Role of Management
At the request of the Compensation Committee, NEOs of the Company may be present at Compensation Committee meetings for discussion purposes. However, they are not involved in the decisions made by the Compensation Committee regarding their compensation, nor do they have a vote on any matters brought before the Committee. The Compensation Committee meets with the Chief Executive Officer to discuss his performance and compensation package, but ultimately, decisions regarding his package are made solely based upon the Compensation Committee’s deliberations, as well as input from the independent compensation consultant, as requested. The Compensation Committee considers recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as input from the compensation consultant as requested, to make decisions regarding other NEOs.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
In making its determinations with respect to executive compensation, the Compensation Committee has periodically engaged the services of a compensation consultant to provide input on trends in executive compensation and to obtain an outside perspective on our executive compensation practices and assist with our peer group benchmarking analysis. The Compensation Committee does not believe a formal annual peer group assessment by an independent third party is necessary unless either internal factors, such as employee turn-over, or external factors, such as published reports in industry periodicals, indicate significant changes in executive compensation have taken place. In 2023, Aon’s Human Capital Solutions practice, a division of Aon plc (Aon), was engaged to review the Company’s Board of Director compensation. In 2024, the Company engaged Aon, , as the independent compensation consultant to provide the following services:
| ● | Recommend changes to the peer group of comparable companies; | |
| ● | Complete a competitive analysis of compensation for each executive utilizing comparable peer company compensation data; | |
| ● | Provide assistance with our long-term incentive strategy; and | |
| ● | Provide general executive compensation advice. |
In addition, the Company periodically asks Aon for assistance in benchmarking the compensation and long-term incentives of the CEO and other NEOs.
The independent compensation consultant reports directly to the Compensation Committee and carries out responsibilities as assigned by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate the compensation consultant and to approve the compensation consultant’s fees and all other terms of the engagement. The Compensation Committee exercised this authority to engage Aon as its independent compensation consultant and has direct access to the compensation consultant throughout the year. Aon serves as an advisor to the Compensation Committee on topics primarily related to Board and executive compensation. Aon does not provide us with any services other than the services provided at the request of the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the services provided by its outside consultants and believes that Aon is independent in providing executive compensation consulting services. The Compensation Committee conducted a specific review of its relationship with Aon in preparation of the 2024 proxy statement and determined that Aon’s work for the Compensation Committee did not raise any conflicts of interest, consistent with the guidance provided under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and by the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”).
Compensation Determinations
In making determinations with respect to amounts and elements of executive compensation, the Compensation Committee evaluates our overall corporate performance during the fiscal year against development plans and annual budgets; evaluates the Chief Executive Officer’s achievements against the Board’s expectations; obtains input from the Chief Executive Officer on the performance reviews of the other executive officers; evaluates the potential for future contributions by each executive to our long-term success; and periodically compares our executive compensation against a benchmarking analysis of a group of peer companies. In 2024, we did a formal benchmarking analysis of our NEOs compensation.
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Peer Group – Board of Director Compensation
In 2023, the Compensation Committee engaged Aon to assist in selecting a new peer group with a median revenue and market capitalization size that approximated ours for the purposes of benchmarking our Board of Director compensation. Based on Aon’s structured peer group review process and recommendations the final 2023 peer group consisted of 20 companies with a revenue range of $15 million to $150 million and market capitalization in the range of $50 million to $500 million and included the following companies:
| ● | 908 Devices | ● | Everspin Technologies |
| ● | Amtech Systems. | ● | GSI Technology |
| ● | Aware | ● | Immersion Corp. |
| ● | CEVA Inc | ● | InTEST |
| ● | Coda Octopus Group | ● | Intevac Inc. |
| ● | Digimarc. | ● | NVE Corp.. |
| ● | eMagin Corp | ● | Ouster |
| ● | Emcore | ● | Pixelworks, Inc. |
| ● | PowerFleet | ||
| ● | Quicklogic | ||
| ● | Vuzix |
Peer Group – NEO Compensation
In 2024, the Compensation Committee engaged Aon to assist in selecting a new peer group with a median revenue and market capitalization size that approximated ours for the purposes of benchmarking our NEO compensation. Based on Aon’s structured peer group review process and recommendations the final 2024 peer group consisted of 20 companies with trailing twelve month revenues ranging from approximately $18 million to $163 million and market capitalization size ranging from approximately $43 million to $545 million and included the following companies:
| ● | 908 Devices | ● | GSI Technology |
| ● | Aehr Test Systems | ● | Immersion Corp. |
| ● | Amtech Systems. | ● | InTEST |
| ● | Arteris | ● | Intevac Inc. |
| ● | Aware | ● | LightPath Technologies |
| ● | CEVA Inc | ● | NVE Corp |
| ● | Coda Octopus Group | ● | Ouster |
| ● | Digimarc. | ● | Pixelworks, Inc |
| ● | Emcore | ● | Quicklogic |
| ● | Everspin Technologies | ● | Sono-tek |
| ● | Frequency Electronics | . |
The following companies were added to the 2024 Peer Group: Aehr Test Systems, Arteris, Frequency Electronis, and Sono-tek. The following companies were removed from the 2024 Peer Group: eMagin Corp, PowerFleet, and Vuzix.
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Elements of Compensation
Our compensation program is designed to be simple, straightforward and fair. We use the following compensation and benefits elements to provide an overall competitive compensation and benefits package that is tied to creating stockholder value and supporting the execution of our business strategies:
| ● | Base salary; |
| ● | Annual incentive (cash or restricted stock); |
| ● | Long-term incentives; |
| ● | 401(k) matching contribution; |
| ● | Partially funded health insurance; and |
| ● | Employment and change-in-control agreements for the Chief Executive Officer. |
The Compensation Committee does not have any formal policies for allocating compensation among salary, annual cash incentive awards and long-term incentive equity grants, short- and long-term compensation or among cash and non-cash compensation. Instead, the Compensation Committee exercises judgment to establish a total compensation program for each officer that is a mix of current, short- and long-term incentive compensation, and cash and non-cash compensation, that the Compensation Committee believes is appropriate to achieve the goals of our executive compensation program and our corporate goals and objectives. In setting the elements of compensation, the Compensation Committee considers prior compensation paid and amounts realizable from prior stock-based awards, as well as other benefits provided by the Company. The combination and allocation of the components and the target amount of each component is also influenced by the role of the executive officer, individual performance, expected contributions, market practices, and the total value of all the compensation and benefits available to the individual executive officers. The Compensation Committee reviews and considers each component for each executive officer before making compensation decisions.
Compensation Element Detail
For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 the elements of compensation based on the amounts in the Summary Compensation Table and expressed as a percentage of total compensation for our CEO and Named Executive Officers was as follows:
| Officer | Salary(1) | Bonus | Restricted Stock Awards | |||||||||
| Michael Murray | 20.4 | % | 37.4 | % | 42.2 | % | ||||||
| Richard Sneider | 69.1 | % | — | 30.9 | % | |||||||
| Paul Baker | 69.0 | % | — | 31.0 | % | |||||||
| (1) | Includes “All Other Compensation” for Mr. Murray, Mr. Sneider and Mr. Baker of $7,183, $12,738 and $12,022, respectively. Amounts represent the Company’s matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan ranging from approximately $6,200 to $10,400 per year and premiums paid for life insurance. |
Salary
We believe that establishing an appropriate level of annual base salary for our executives is an important element in retaining and motivating our executive officers. In determining base salaries for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers the responsibilities of each position, cost of living adjustments and the skills and experience required for each job. The Compensation Committee’s determinations are influenced heavily by the evaluations and performance reviews for each executive officer by our Chief Executive Officer, as discussed above. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews the peer group benchmarking analysis, if performed, and finally, reviews total compensation for reasonableness prior to making any final determinations.
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The following table summarizes the base salaries for 2023 and 2024:
| Officer | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||
| Mr. Murray | $ | 450,000 | $ | 495,000 | ||||
| Mr. Sneider | $ | 349,048 | $ | 359,520 | ||||
| Mr. Baker | $ | 324,450 | $ | 334,184 | ||||
Mr. Murray received an increase in base salary of approximately 10% based upon his performance, comparison to the market and cost of living increase. Messrs. Sneider and Baker received a cost of living increase of approximately 3%.
Annual Bonus and Incentives
For fiscal year 2024, under the terms of Mr. Murray’s employment agreement he was eligible for a target bonus of 100% of his in initial base salary ($450,000) up to a maximum of 150% base salary based on a formula and the determination of achievement of goals as determined by the Board. For fiscal year 2024, based on the overall improvement of operating results the Board awarded Mr. Murray a bonus of 135% of his base salary of $668,000.
For fiscal year 2024 Messrs. Sneider and Baker received 45,300 and 40,800 shares of restricted stock, respectively, which could have been earned if fiscal year 2024 revenue target $50 million, cash flow target $8.8 million and individual goals were met. The revenue and cash flow goals had a minimum base amount, a targets amount and a maximum upper goal amount. If the minimum base amount was achieved approximately 30% of the shares could be earned, if the target amount was achieved approximately 75% of the shares could be earned and if the maximum upper goals was achieved all the shares could be earned. If the base amount was not achieved, then no restricted stock was earned.
Messrs. Sneider and Baker earned 25,505 and 22,972, respectively, of the shares granted which represents achieving approximately 56% of the goals.
Long-Term Incentives
We believe that including an equity-based incentive component of compensation is a critical tool for motivating our executives and certain employees. We believe that granting equity awards to our executives aligns executive compensation with long-term stockholder value. By awarding executive officers with equity awards that vest over time, we believe that our executive officers will have a continuing stake in our long-term success and these awards serve as an important retention program.
We weighted our total executive compensation towards restricted stock awards that either vest upon the achievement of certain milestones or vest over time. While our management can improve our financial performance through the sales of our current products, cost reduction efforts, process improvements and other short-term advancements, we believe that our executive officers’ focus on long-term achievements, particularly increasing our product and patent portfolios, will create the greatest stockholder value. We believe that by granting our executives meaningful levels of equity awards that vest both in the short-term and long-term we will achieve the proper balance between incentivizing them to focus on the current fiscal year’s results and longer- term strategies of the Company.
In determining the size of each equity award granted to our executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers:
| ● | the amount previously awarded on an annual basis to the executive, | |
| ● | recommendations from the compensation consultant, | |
| ● | the total value of unvested equity awards held by the executive, and | |
| ● | the executive’s overall performance, our performance during the year and the dilution to the stockholders. |
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In 2024, we granted Mr. Murray 1,200,000 shares of restricted stock which vests based on the attainment of corporate performance goals and targets, including a minimum revenue of $65 million and a 6% operating profit for the fiscal year 2026, and his continued employment through December 31, 2026. The Compensation Committee determined that the 1,200,000 cliff vesting award along with the 800,000 restricted stock grant that vests over 5 years awarded to Mr. Murray upon his joining the Company in 2022 provides long-term incentive and aligns his interest with shareholder interests. The Board has the discretion to modify the performance goals and targets during the performance period to account for certain irregular, nonrecurring or one-time items in order to maintain alignment with stockholders’ interests in the Board’s sole discretion. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at less than 80% of target, the number of RSUs earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be zero. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 80% and 100% of target, the number of RSUs earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 50% and 100% of target. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 100% and 120% of target, the number of RSUs earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 100% and 120% of target. Performance achievement will be determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion exercised in good faith in 2027 based on the audited financials for fiscal year 2026, and in no event will the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award be earned at greater than 120% of target. Performance between performance levels for financial goals will be interpolated on a straight-line basis. The Board has the discretion to grant an additional performance based equity award following the 2026 fiscal year.
In 2024, we granted Messrs. Sneider and Baker’s restricted stock grants of 75,000 shares each that vest at the rate of 34% on December 10, 2025, 33% shall vest on December 10, 2026 and 33% shall vest on December 10, 2027, subject to the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and remain employed by the Company.
In 2024 we granted our Board and employees an aggregate of 4,388,090 shares of restricted common stock of the Company of which 1,246,590 could be earned based on achieving milestones in fiscal year 2024.
Perquisites
The Company does not offer any perquisites for the exclusive benefit of the NEOs. Our healthcare, insurance and other welfare and employee-benefit programs are the same for all eligible domestic employees, including executive officers. Benefits provided include health and dental coverage, group term life insurance, disability programs and matching contributions to our 401(k) plan. We share the cost of health and welfare benefits with our employees, a cost that is dependent on the level of benefits coverage that each employee elects. The benefits provided to foreign employees are typically determined by the laws of the applicable country they reside in. We have no outstanding loans of any kind to our executive officers.
Clawback Policy
We have a Clawback Policy that provides that performance-based compensation is recoverable from an executive officer if the Board determines that an officer has engaged in knowing or intentional fraudulent or illegal conduct that caused or substantially caused the need for a restatement of the Company’s financial results. Performance-based compensation includes cash payments and any other awards pursuant to any Company incentive plan made on or after January 1, 2009 where payment was predicated on achieving certain financial results. If the Board or an authorized committee determines that any such performance-based compensation would have been at a lower amount had it been based on the restated financial results, the Company will, to the extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, seek recoupment from such officer of the portion of such performance-based compensation that is greater than that which would have been awarded or earned had such compensation been calculated on the basis of the restated financial results.
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Employment and Other Agreements
In September 2022, Mr. Michael Murray joined Kopin as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Murray’s compensation was as follows: Mr. Murray received an annual base salary of $450,000. Additionally, Mr. Murray received 800,000 shares of restricted stock, which vest in 20% increments each December 10 beginning in 2023, and a sign-on bonus of $100,000. Mr. Murray is entitled to an annual performance-based bonus opportunity in the form of cash and long-term awards, subject to approval by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Murray also is eligible for the Company’s standard benefits package and to participate in all applicable group employee benefit plans and programs offered. In 2023, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Murray a $150,000 bonus for performance in 2022.
On April 15, 2024 the Company and Mr. Murray signed a new Employment Agreement (the “New Agreement”). This summary of the New Agreement is subject to the terms of the New Agreement which is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to Form 8-K. Under the New Agreement, Mr. Murray’s salary was set at $495,000 with eligibility for a target bonus of 100% of base salary up to a maximum of 150% base salary based on a formula and the determination of achievement of goals as determined by the Board. Mr. Murray also is eligible for the Company’s standard benefits package and to participate in all applicable group employee benefit plans and programs offered. Mr. Murray is eligible to receive equity awards covering the Company’s common stock. As of the effective date of the New Agreement, Mr. Murray is no longer eligible to participate in the executive stock program applicable to other senior executives of the Company. Provided that Mr. Murray continues to be employed by the Company on the date of a change of control (as defined in the New Agreement), all outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Murray immediately prior to the effective date of a change of control which vest based upon his continued service over time shall accelerate, become fully vested and/or exercisable, as the case may be, immediately prior to the change of control, and all outstanding equity awards held immediately prior to the change of control which vest based upon attainment of performance criteria shall vest based on target performance immediately prior to the change of control. For the fiscal year 2024 the Board awarded Mr. Murray $668,000 bonus for performance in 2024.
Subject to continued employment on the grant date, Mr. Murray is eligible for a performance-based award with a target of 1,000,000 RSUs and a maximum 1,200,000 RSU, which will vest based on attainment of corporate performance goals and targets established by the Board in its sole discretion, after consultation with Mr. Murray and his continued employment through December 31, 2026 (“2026 Performance-Based Equity Award”). The Board has the discretion to modify the performance goals and targets during the performance period to account for certain irregular, nonrecurring or one-time items in order to maintain alignment with shareholders’ interests in the Board’s sole discretion. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at less than 80% of target, the number of RSUs earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be zero. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 80% and 100% of target, the number of RSUs earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 50% and 100% of target. If any of the applicable performance goals are attained at between 100% and 120% of target, the number of RSUs earned for the portion of the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award attributable to that performance goal will be between 100% and 120% of target. Performance achievement will be determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion exercised in good faith in 2027 based on the audited financials for fiscal year 2026, and in no event will the 2026 Performance-Based Equity Award be earned at greater than 120% of target. Performance between performance levels for financial goals will be interpolated on a straight-line basis. The Board has the discretion to grant an additional performance based equity award following the 2026 fiscal year. The Company may terminate Mr. Murray’s employment at any time without cause or Mr. Murray may terminate his employment at any time for good reason. Upon termination by the Company without cause or by Mr. Murray with good reason, whether before or after the Change of Control Protection Period (as defined in the New Agreement), if Mr. Murray executes and does not revoke a written release (as defined in the New Agreement), Mr. Murray shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of any payments under any severance plan or program for employees or executives, the following:
The Company will pay Mr. Murray an amount equal to six months of Base Salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the termination date. Payment shall be made over the six-month period following the termination date in substantially equal instalments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. Payment will begin within 60 days following the termination date, and any instalments not paid between the termination date and the date of the first payment will be paid with the first payment.
Provided that he is eligible for and timely elects continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company will pay directly to the COBRA administrator the COBRA premiums required to maintain Mr. Murray’s continued health care coverage under the Company’s group health plans that he participated in on the date of termination (“COBRA Payments”). The Company will pay the COBRA Payments for the period from his termination date until the earliest to occur of (i) the end of the six-month period following the termination date; (ii) the date he becomes eligible for group health insurance coverage through a subsequent employer; or (iii) the date he ceases to be eligible for COBRA coverage for any reason (each of the events described in (ii) or (iii) a “Disqualifying Event”. Mr. Murray is required to notify the Company within five days of becoming aware that a Disqualifying Event has occurred or will occur. The COBRA health care continuation coverage period under section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), shall run concurrently with the period during which the Company pays the COBRA Payments.
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The Company shall pay any earned, accrued, and owing Base Salary up until the date of termination and any benefits accrued and due under any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon termination by the Company without Cause or by the Mr. Murray with Good Reason on or within six months preceding or 15 months following a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Protection Period”), and provided that Mr. Murray executes and does not revoke a written Release, then he shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of certain payments or any severance plan or program for employees or executives the following:
| (a) | The Company will pay an amount equal to 12 months Base Salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the termination date (but not less than $495,000 in the aggregate). Payment shall be made in a lump sum within 60 days following the termination date; provided that such payment shall be made in instalments as set forth in Section 6(a) above over the 12-month period following the termination date if the Change of Control is not a “change in control event” as defined under section 409A of the Code and; provided further that in the event Mr. Murray’s employment is terminated as described in this Section 7 on or within six months preceding the Change of Control, payments shall commence and, effective upon the closing of the Change of Control, he shall receive any additional amount less the aggregate amount of instalment payments already received. | |
| (b) | Provided that he is eligible for and timely elects continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company will pay the COBRA administrator the COBRA Payments for the period from his termination date until the earliest to occur of (i) the end of the 12-month period following the termination date or (ii) a Disqualifying Event. Mr. Murray is required to notify the Company within five days of becoming aware that a Disqualifying Event has occurred or will occur. The COBRA health care continuation coverage period under section 4980B of the Code shall run concurrently with the period during which the Company pays the COBRA Payments. | |
| (c) | The Company will pay a prorated target Annual Bonus for the year in which his termination of employment occurs, which amount will be determined by multiplying (i) the full-year target Annual Bonus for the year in which his termination of employment occurs, by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which he was employed by the Company in the fiscal year in which the termination date occurs and the denominator of which is 365. Such prorated target Annual Bonus shall be paid in a lump sum within 60 days following the termination date. |
Our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan allows for the acceleration of the vesting of unvested stock options and restricted stock awards subject to a “double trigger” mechanism in the event of a change in control.
Policies Regarding Stock Ownership and Related Matters
We believe that by holding shares of our common stock and options to purchase our common stock, our executives will have interests that are more closely aligned with those of our stockholders.
The Compensation Committee grants equity-based awards, including restricted stock awards, to our executive officers and other key employees. These equity awards are generally made on an annual grant cycle in the fourth quarter of each year at a pre-established Compensation Committee meeting following the release of earnings. We also grant equity awards in the form of restricted stock awards to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors on an annual basis following their election as directors at the annual meeting of shareholders. The Compensation Committee may make off cycle equity awards from time to time on an as-needed basis as circumstances warrant. We do not time the disclosure of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation, and it is the Compensation Committee’s practice to generally avoid granting equity awards during periods in which there is undisclosed material non-public information about the Company. In fiscal year 2024, we did not grant new awards of stock options to our NEOs during the time period outlined in Item 402(x) of Regulation S-K.
We have share ownership and retention guidelines that require each director of the Company to own shares of our common stock or options to purchase shares of our common stock having an aggregate market value of at least three times the cash component of the director’s annual retainer (excluding committee retainers) for service on the Board.
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In addition, the guidelines require our directors and CEO to own shares of our common stock having an aggregate market value of at least three times his or her annual base salary. Our directors and our CEO have five years from the time they become subject to the stock ownership guidelines to achieve the target ownership thresholds. In 2024, our directors and CEO were on track to maintain compliance with the minimum stock ownership guidelines.
We have an Insider Trading Policy that governs our officers, directors and employees. The policy imposes limits as to when and how our personnel can engage in transactions in our securities and prohibits short sales of our common stock by all our personnel. We have filed a copy of our Insider Trading Policy as an exhibit to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024. Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our directors and executive officers from engaging in certain hedging and derivative transactions with respect to our securities.
All of our officers have established Rule 10b5-1 plans with an independent broker. These plans typically govern the sale of an officer’s stock when our stock prices meet certain levels. These plans, generally, may only be adjusted during certain times of the year with the Company’s approval. Officers and directors may also sell shares outside a Rule 10b5-1 plan during open windows under our Insider Trading Policy.
Tax and Accounting Implications
As part of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”), which generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for certain compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid in any year to a company’s chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated officers. Certain compensation, including qualified performance-based compensation, will not be subject to the deduction limitation if certain requirements are met. Although the Compensation Committee has not adopted any specific policy with respect to the application of Section 162(m), we generally seek to structure any long-term incentive compensation granted to our executive officers in a manner that is intended to avoid disallowance of deductions under Section 162(m).
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
As discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, the accounting for stock-based awards requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on the fair value of all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and employee stock purchases under employee stock purchase plans. We are required to account for share-based compensation transactions using a fair value method and recognize the related expense associated with share- based payments in our statement of operations. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the accounting measurement date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period. The expense recognized over the service period is required to include an estimate of the awards that will be forfeited.
Since 2004 we have only issued restricted stock awards and the fair value of the award is typically based on the closing price of our stock on Nasdaq on the day of grant. All employees are eligible to participate in our equity award program but the number of employees who actually participate annually has been reduced and does not typically include employees who are paid on an hourly basis.
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Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 of those persons who served as our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and our next most highly compensated executive officer for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024. We refer to these individuals in this proxy as our named executive officers (NEOs).
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($)(1) | Restricted Stock Awards ($)(2)(3) | Option Awards ($) | Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4) | Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(5) | All Other Compensation ($)(6) | Total $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael Murray President and Chief Executive Officer | 2024 | $ | 481,155 | $ | 226,620 | $ | 1,007,880 | — | $ | 668,000 | — | $ | 7,183 | $ | 2,390,838 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | 450,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 431,999 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 10,357 | $ | 1,042,357 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Richard A. Sneider Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | $ | 356,701 | $ | — | $ | 165,408 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 12,738 | $ | 534,847 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | 349,048 | $ | — | $ | 278,800 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 10,211 | $ | 638,060 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Baker Chief Operating Officer of Kopin Government and Industrial and Strategic Business Officer | 2024 | $ | 330,814 | $ | — | $ | 154,338 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 12,022 | $ | 497,174 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | 324,450 | $ | — | $ | 231,480 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 10,145 | $ | 566,075 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The amount represents discretionary cash bonuses awarded by the Company. In 2024 the Company awarded Mr. Murray a bonus of $226,620 related to performance for fiscal year 2023. In 2025 the Company awarded Mr. Murray a bonus of $668,000 for performance related to fiscal year 2024. |
| (2) | The amounts in the column reflect the number of shares of restricted common stock granted in each year multiplied by the closing share price of the Company’s stock as listed on Nasdaq on the date of grant. See notes 1 and 6 of the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, regarding assumptions underlying valuation of equity awards. |
| (3) | The amounts included as the value of 2023 Restricted Stock Awards in previous filings incorrectly included the value of restricted stock vesting in 2023 and have been adjusted above to report the grant day fair value of the restricted stock. |
| (4) | The amounts reflect cash bonus payments earned with respect to annual incentive plans. |
| (5) | The Company does not maintain any pension or non-qualified deferred compensation plan. |
| (6) | Includes amounts for the Company’s matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan ranging and premiums paid for life insurance. Messer. Murray, Sneider and Baker received $6,161, $10,350 and $9,882, respectively of 401(k) match and $1,021, $2,388 and $2,140 of life insurance premiums paid for on their behalf. |
Perquisites and Benefits
We provide benefit programs to executive officers and to other employees. The Board and executive management believe that perquisites for executive officers should be extremely limited in scope and value. As a result, Kopin has historically given nominal perquisites to executive officers, including NEOs. The following table generally identifies such benefit plans and who may be eligible to participate
| Benefit Plan | Executive Officers |
Certain Managers |
Full Time Domestic Employees |
Full Time Foreign Employees | ||||
| 401(k) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Offered | ||||
| Defined Contribution to Retirement Plan | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Yes(1) | ||||
| Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Offered | ||||
| Life and Disability Insurance(2) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Offered | ||||
| Short Term Incentive Plan . | Yes(3) | Yes(3) | Yes(4) | Not Offered | ||||
| Equity Incentive Plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Offered | ||||
| Automobile Allowance | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Income Tax Planning services | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Deferred Compensation Plan | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Supplemental Early Retirement Plan | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Employee Stock Ownership Plan | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Defined Benefit Pension Plan | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Financial Planning Allowance | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Country Club Memberships | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | ||||
| Dwellings for Personal Use(5) | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
| (1) | Kopin’s United Kingdom subsidiary contributes to a government sponsored retirement program for its employees. |
| (2) | Kopin pays for life insurance equal to an employee’s base salary for domestic employees. |
| (3) | Kopin has a short-term incentive plan pursuant to which certain officers and certain managers are paid a bonus if they remain with the company during the next fiscal year. |
| (4) | The Board has historically provided for a discretionary bonus award at the end of the fiscal year for individuals who have significantly exceed their performance expectations or provided ideas that have significant benefits to the Company. |
| (5) | Kopin does not provide dwellings for personal use other than for temporary job relocation. |
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Executive Employment Agreement / Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation
Our Equity Plans have provisions that may result in the acceleration of vesting of certain equity awards as a result of a change in control.. The table below summarizes the effects on the compensation of our named executive officers as if the termination of employment or change of control provisions of the Equity Plans and employment agreement were triggered on December 28, 2024.
| Name | Value of Equity Awards if a Change in Control Occurs on 12/28/24(1) | Health Care Benefits | Severance Payments | |||||||||
| Michael Murray | $ | 2,381,533 | — | — | ||||||||
| Richard A. Sneider | $ | 229,767 | — | — | ||||||||
| Paul Baker | $ | 219,342 | — | — | ||||||||
| (1) | Our Equity Plans provide for the acceleration of the vesting of our equity awards in the event of a change in control of the Company. The amounts in this column represent the value the executive officer would have received if there were a change of control of the Company on December 28, 2024, and his unvested restricted stock awards as of December 28, 2024 became vested. The restricted stock award value is computed by multiplying the number of unvested shares of restricted stock at December 28, 2024 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq on December 28, 2024 ($1.39). There were no unvested stock options as of December 28, 2024. |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table discloses information concerning stock options and unvested stock awards held by our named executive officers as of December 28, 2024 pursuant to our Equity Plans.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Yet Vested ($)(1) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards; Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael Murray . | — | — | — | — | — | 513,333 | $ | 713,533 | 1,200,000 | $ | 1,668,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Richard A. Sneider | — | — | — | — | — | 120,000 | $ | 166,800 | 45,300 | $ | 62,967 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Baker | — | — | — | — | — | 117,000 | $ | 162,630 | 40,800 | $ | 56,712 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Market value information is determined by multiplying the number of shares by the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on the last trading day of our 2024, fiscal year ($1.39 as of December 28, 2024). |
| Name | 2024 Incentive Plan(1) | 2023 Retention Grant(2) | 2022 Retention Grant(3) | Total(7) | ||||||||||||
| Michael Murray | 1,200,000 | 33,333 | 480,000 | 1,713,333 | ||||||||||||
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2024 Incentive Plan(4) | 2024 Retention Grants(5) | 2023 Retention Grant(6) | 2021 Retention Grant(6) | 2020 Incentive Grant(6) | Total(7) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Richard Sneider | 45,300 | 75,000 | 20,000 | 5,000 | 20,000 | 165,300 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Baker | 40,800 | 75,000 | 20,000 | 5,000 | 17,000 | 157,800 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Vesting of shares will vest upon achievement of certain milestones in the Company’s fiscal year 2026. |
| (2) | Shares vest on December 10, 2024. |
| (3) | The original grant was 800,000 shares and they vest at the rate of 160,000 shares on each December 10th, commencing December 10, 2023. |
| (4) | Vesting of shares will vest upon achievement of certain milestones in the Company’s fiscal year 2024. |
| (5) | Shares vest at the rate of 34% on December 10, 2025, 33% on December 10, 2026 and 33% on December 10, 2027. |
| (6) | Shares vest on December 10, 2025 |
| (7) | The employees must remain employed by the Company, except as provided in the Company’s equity plans, and meet certain other conditions for the shares to vest |
Director Compensation Commencing in Fiscal Year 2024
In 2023, the Compensation Committee engaged Aon to perform a peer review of our Board of Director compensation. Commencing in 2024 our Board-approved compensation for non-employee directors is as follows:
| ● | Annual retainer: $40,000 | |
| ● | Annual stock grant: 64,500 shares of restricted stock which vest on the anniversary of the grant Committee membership fees paid annually: | |
| ● | Non-employee Chairperson of the Board: $30,000 | |
| ● | Audit Committee Chairperson: $15,000 | |
| ● | Nominating Committee Chairperson: $10,000 | |
| ● | Compensation Committee Chairperson: $10,000 | |
| ● | Audit Committee member: $8,000 | |
| ● | Nominating Committee member: $4,375 | |
| ● | Compensation Committee member: $5,000 |
As a result of the adoption of the Board Compensation plan commencing in 2024 the following adjustments were made:
| ● | The Annual retainer was decreased from $45,000 to $40,000 | |
| ● | The annual stock grant was increased to 64,500 shares of restricted stock from 10,000 shares Committee membership fees paid annually: | |
| ● | Non-employee Chairperson of the Board: $30,000 | |
| ● | Audit Committee Chairperson compensation was increased $5,000 | |
| ● | Compensation Committee Chairperson compensation increased $6,250 | |
| ● | Audit Committee member compensation increased $3,000 | |
| ● | Nominating Committee member compensation increased $1,875 | |
| ● | Compensation Committee member compensation decreased $1,250 | |
| ● | Meeting fees were eliminated |
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Each non-employee director was also entitled to receive an initial restricted stock award for 64,500 shares of our common stock on the date of his or her initial election to the Board. We also pay expenses for attendance at meetings of the Board and committees thereof.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation earned by or awards to each non-employee director who served on our Board of Directors in the 2024 fiscal year.
Mr. Murray, who was an employee of Kopin during 2024, was not compensated for his service as director and his compensation is fully reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above.
Director Compensation Table for 2024
| Name | Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($) | Stock
Awards
($)(1) | Option
Awards
($)(2) | Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation
($)(3) | Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(3) | All Other
Compensation
($)(3) | Total
($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Jill J. Avery(4) | $ | 61,188 | $ | 50,310 | — | — | — | — | $ | 111,498 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chi Chia Hsieh(5) | $ | 54,000 | $ | 50,310 | — | — | — | — | $ | 104,310 | ||||||||||||||||||
| David Nieuwsma (6) | $ | 55,000 | $ | 50,310 | — | — | — | — | $ | 105,310 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Margaret Seif(7) | $ | 52,188 | $ | 50,310 | — | — | — | — | $ | 85,828 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Walsh, Jr.(8) | $ | 27,333 | $ | 54,573 | — | — | — | — | $ | 81,907 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Each Board member received his or her annual restricted stock grant of 64,500 shares which vests on the anniversary of the grant if the person is still a member of our Board of Directors on such anniversary with the exception of Mr. Walsh. The amounts in the column were determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted common stock granted by the closing price of our common stock as listed on the Nasdaq on the day of grant. The 2024 grant occurred on June 6, 2024, and the closing price of our stock was $0.78. Mr. Walsh joined the Board of Directors on September 9, 2024 and he was granted 64,500 shares of restricted stock. Our stock price on September 9, 2024 was $0.85. |
| (2) | There were no stock options issued in 2024. |
| (3) | No non-equity incentive compensation, pension, non-qualified deferred compensation or other compensation payments were made as compensation for director services in fiscal year 2024 or are contemplated under our current compensation plan. |
| (4) | Dr. Avery’s annual cash fees were comprised of the annual retainer of $40,000, $7,188 for serving on the Nominating Committee, and $8,000 for serving on the Audit Committee. In addition, prior to the implementation of the current Board member compensation plan members were paid meeting fees. Ms. Avery was paid $2,000 for attending meetings of the Board and $4,000 for attending meetings of the Audit Committee under the prior Board member compensation plan. |
| (5) | Dr. Hsieh’s annual cash fees were comprised of the annual retainer of $40,000 and $10.000 for serving as the Compensation Committee Chairperson. In addition, prior to the implementation of the current Board member compensation plan members were paid meeting fees. Dr. Hsieh was paid $2,000 for attending meetings of the Board and $2,000 for attending meetings of the Compensation Committee under the prior Board member compensation plan. |
| (6) | Mr. Nieuwsma’s annual cash fees were comprised of the annual retainer of $40,000, $8,000 for serving on the Audit Committee and $5.000 for serving as the Compensation Committee. In addition, prior to the implementation of the current Board member compensation plan members were paid meeting fees. Mr. Nieuwsma was paid $2,000 for attending meetings of the Board. |
| (7) | Ms. Sief’s annual cash fees were comprised of the annual retainer of $40,000, $7,188 for serving as Chairperson of the Nominating Committee and $5.000 for serving as the Compensation Committee. |
| (8) | Mr. Walsch, Jr.’s annual cash fees were comprised of a prorated annual retainer of $12,333, and $15,000 for serving as the Audit Committee Chairperson. |
| (9) | Each Director, excluding Michael Murray, has 64,500 of unvested restricted shares. |
| Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
(a)(1) Financial Statements
No financial statement or supplemental data are filed with this Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Index to Financial Statements and Supplemental Data of the Original 10-K.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedule
All schedules are omitted for the reason that they are not required or the information is otherwise supplied in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in the Original 10-K.
(a)(3) Exhibits
The exhibits required to be filed as part of this report are listed in the Index to Exhibits attached hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
| 18 |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| 19 |
| 20 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
May 20, 2025
| Kopin Corporation | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Murray | |
| Michael Murray | ||
| President, Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| 21 |
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Michael Murray, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed the annual report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, of Kopin Corporation; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have: |
| (a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |
| (b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
| (c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
| (d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| (a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| (b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 20, 2025
| /s/ MICHAEL MURRAY | |
| Michael Murray | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Richard A. Sneider, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed the annual report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, of Kopin Corporation; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have: |
| (a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |
| (b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
| (c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
| (d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| (a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| (b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 20, 2025
| /s/ Richard A. Sneider | |
| Richard A. Sneider | |
| Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The certification set forth below is hereby made solely for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and may not be relied upon or used for any other purposes.
In connection with the Annual Report of Kopin Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge: (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
| Date: | May 20, 2025 | |
| By: | /s/ MICHAEL MURRAY | |
| Michael Murray | ||
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The certification set forth below is hereby made solely for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and may not be relied upon or used for any other purposes.
In connection with the Annual Report of Kopin Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Richard A. Sneider, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge: (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
| Date: | May 20, 2025 | |
| By: | /s/ Richard A. Sneider | |
| Richard A. Sneider | ||
| Chief Financial Officer |