AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc PRE 14A, filed Sep 22, 2023
AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (UAVS)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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 Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check 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.
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
I would like to directly address the decline in our current share price and the NYSE deficiency notice by sharing our current plan to resolve the situation and improve the capital market positioning of AgEagle in anticipation of our projected growth in the upcoming year.
First, I would like to thank you all for your continued support. I, along with the entire AgEagle team, have been working diligently towards the much-anticipated commercial launch of our new eBee™ VISION, which we accomplished and announced on September 6, 2023.
Since the launch, the eBee VISION attracted hundreds of prospective new customers to our exhibit at the recent Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas. In addition, I had the pleasure of showcasing the eBee Vision on national television with two live interviews aired on “Varney & Co.” and “The Big Money Show” on FOX Business News. This national and industry attention is helping us to optimize the launch of the eBee VISION, which, in turn, is helping to drive strong sales queries and order flow.
We are all aware that the capital markets have been highly and particularly volatile over the past year and have punished small cap companies like AgEagle. As a result of the prevailing market conditions, AgEagle’s stock price has steadily fallen – a decline that has been further exasperated by strong economic headwinds caused mainly by supply chain uncertainties and labor shortages that have impacted our operations. Nonetheless, we have continued to face these challenges undeterred and managed to significantly reduce our expenses, develop and engineer new products, and position the Company for long-term growth. Our efforts to effectively optimize our operations through integration and consolidation of our offices are indeed yielding tangible results, including lowering our net loss, burning less cash, and aligning our pricing, marketing and innovation strategies to grow revenue.
All this has not stopped the stock price from falling, but it has catalyzed the team at AgEagle. Although today I cannot control the current markets conditions that have led the sharp decline in our stock price, what I can do is continue to lead our team to execute the mission we have set forward and achieve success with the sale of our UAVs, advanced camera systems and our advanced software solutions. On this subject, I am confident in our growing ability to deliver consistent and predictable financial performance. I believe the stock price does not reflect the strength and promise of AgEagle, so we are working very hard to show the world our true value.
Recently, we issued an 8-K in connection with our receipt of a deficiency letter from the NYSE relating to low-priced security listing requirements. Given the performance of our Common Stock as a low-priced security, the NYSE has granted us six months to bring the stock above the low-price threshold or to have our Board effect a reverse stock split. For that reason alone, we have filed a proxy notice and statement for a special shareholder meeting asking our shareholders to vote for a provision that will include a range for a reverse stock split to be effected by the board, in the event it becomes necessary to do so. This split will allow us to better align the stock price with our future performance, increase investor awareness, and set the stage for growth as we advance our innovative new platforms, like the new MicaSense RedEdge Dual and eBee VISION.
The eBee VISION, as well as our industry leading sensors and software, are critical tools for a variety of industries; and we are implementing a campaign to increase global awareness to how AgEagle can help to better serve these industries through our pioneering UAS solutions. Our recent media attention is the just the beginning of this campaign, and AgEagle’s team has been engaged in numerous live demonstrations and intensive training sessions. It is our intention to demonstrate our advancements to the world. We will enhance shareholder value through our efforts that bring awareness to innovative new products that we are bringing to market.
I will close by asking for your continued support and encourage you to vote in favor of the proposals outlined in the proxy materials. The past 12 months have been stressful, uncertain at times, but you’ve stood by AgEagle, and for that we are very grateful. At our core, AgEagle is about continually innovating technologies focused on enabling our customers, and we could not achieve that mission without your support.
Please carefully consider the proposals and submit your vote as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Barrett Mooney,
Chairman and CEO
AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc.
AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC.
8863
E. 34th Street North
Wichita, Kansas 67226
NOTICE
OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held on November [●], 2023
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC.:
This Special Meeting of the Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), will be held on November [●], 2023, at 11:00 a.m., local time, 700 NW 1st Avenue, Ste. 1200, Miami, Florida 33136-4118, for the following purposes:
(1) To authorize the Board of Directors (the “Board”), at the discretion of the Board, to file an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, to authorize a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock with a ratio in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares, for the primary purpose of maintaining the Company’s listing on NYSE American (the “Reverse Split Proposal”);
(2) To amend the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan to [●] shares (the “Plan Amendment Proposal”); and
(3) To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the foregoing Proposals (the “Adjournment Proposal”).
We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Special Meeting.
Shareholders of record of the Company’s Common Stock at the close of business on September [●], 2023 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Your attention is directed to the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice for a more complete statement of matters to be considered at the Special Meeting.
We are pleased to take advantage of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that allows companies to furnish proxy materials primarily over the Internet. We believe that it will expedite shareholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower costs and reduce the environmental impact of distributing proxy materials for our Special Meeting. It is anticipated that on or about September [●], 2023, we will commence mailing to our shareholders (other than those who previously requested electronic or paper delivery) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement over the Internet. The Notice also includes instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail. If you receive meeting materials by mail, the Notice, this Proxy Statement and proxy card will be enclosed. If you receive your proxy materials via e-mail, the e-mail will contain voting instructions and links to this Proxy Statement on the Internet, which is available at https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Whether or not you plan to participate in this Special Meeting, your vote is very important and we encourage you to vote promptly. After reading this Proxy Statement, please promptly mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction card or vote by telephone or by Internet. If you attend the Special Meeting, you will have the right to revoke the proxy and vote your shares in person. If you hold your shares through an account with a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee to vote your shares.
| By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
| /s/ Barrett Mooney | |
| Barrett Mooney | |
| Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
| Dated: September [●], 2023 |
AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC.
8863 E. 34th Street North
Wichita, Kansas 67226
PROXY STATEMENT
for
Special Meeting of Shareholders
to be held November [●], 2023
PROXY SOLICITATION
The Company is soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) in connection with the Special Meeting of the shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), which will be held on November [●], 2023, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at 700 NW 1st Avenue, Ste. 1200, Miami, Florida 33136-4118, for the following purposes:
(1) To authorize the Board of Directors (the “Board”), at the discretion of the Board, to file an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, to authorize a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock with a ratio in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares, for the primary purpose of maintaining the Company’s listing on NYSE American (the “Reverse Split Proposal”);
(2) To amend the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan to [●] shares (the “Plan Amendment Proposal”); and
(3) To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the foregoing Proposals (the “Adjournment Proposal”).
We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Special Meeting.
The Board has set September [●], 2023 as the record date (the “Record Date”) to determine those holders of the Common Stock who are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting. A list of the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting may be examined at the Company’s office at 8863 E. 34th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67226 during the 10-day period preceding the Special Meeting.
It is anticipated that on or about September [●], 2023, the Company shall commence mailing to all shareholders of record, as of the Record Date, a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”). Please carefully review the Notice for information on how to access the Notice of Special Meeting and access the Proxy Statement on https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023, in addition to instructions on how you may request to receive a paper or email copy of these documents. There is no charge to you for requesting a paper copy of these documents.
IMPORTANT: Please mark, date, and sign the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the accompanying postage-paid envelope or vote by telephone or by Internet to assure that your shares are represented at the meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER [●], 2023: Our Proxy Statement is enclosed. A complete set of proxy materials relating to our Special Meeting, consisting of the Notice of the Special Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement is available on the Internet. The Proxy Statement may be viewed at https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Proxy Materials
Why am I receiving these materials?
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (the “Company”) has made these proxy materials available to you on the Internet, or, upon your request, has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Company’s Special Meeting, which will take place on November [●], 2023, at 11:00 a.m. local time at 700 NW 1st Avenue, Ste. 1200, Miami, Florida 33136-4118.
As a shareholder, you are invited to participate in the Special Meeting and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement includes information that we are required to provide to you under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and is designed to assist you in voting your shares.
What is included in these materials?
The proxy materials include:
| ● | this Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting; and | |
| ● | the proxy card or a voting instruction card for the Special Meeting. |
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of the proxy materials instead of a paper copy of the proxy materials?
In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, we may furnish proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement, to our shareholders by providing access to such documents over the Internet instead of mailing printed copies. Most shareholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they request them. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”), which was mailed to most of our shareholders, will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the proxy materials on the Internet. If you would like to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice.
How can I access the proxy materials over the Internet?
The Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voting instructions card will contain instructions on how to:
| ● | access and view our proxy materials for the Special Meeting over the Internet; and | |
| ● | how to vote your shares. |
If you choose to receive our future proxy materials electronically, it will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of printing and mailing these materials on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials electronically, you will receive an e-mail next year with instructions containing a link to the website where those materials are available. Your election to receive proxy materials electronically will remain in effect until you terminate it.
How may I obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials?
Shareholders receiving a Notice will find instructions in that notice about how to obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials. Shareholders receiving a Notice by e-mail will find instructions in that e-mail about how to obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials. Shareholders who have previously submitted a standing request to receive paper copies of our proxy materials will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.
What shares are included on the proxy card?
If you are a shareholder of record, you will receive only one proxy card for all the shares you hold of record in certificate form and in book-entry form.
If you are a beneficial owner, you will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or other holder of record.
What is “householding” and how does it affect me?
We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding.” Under this procedure, shareholders of record who have the same address and last name and do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials will receive only one copy of the Notice of the Special Meeting of Stockholders and this Proxy Statement, unless we are notified that one or more of these stockholders wishes to continue receiving individual copies. This procedure will reduce our printing costs and postage fees.
Shareholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.
If you are eligible for householding, but you and other shareholders of record with whom you share an address currently receive multiple copies of the Notice the Special Meeting of Shareholders and the Proxy Statement, or if you hold stock of the Company in more than one account, and in either case you wish to receive only a single copy of each of these documents for your household, please contact the Corporate Secretary of the Company by sending a written request to AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., Corporate Secretary, 8863 E. 34th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67226.
If you participate in householding and wish to receive, free of charge, a separate copy of the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and this Statement, or if you do not wish to continue to participate in householding and prefer to receive separate copies of these documents in the future, please contact the Corporate Secretary of the Company, as set forth above.
If you are a beneficial owner, you can request information about householding from your broker, bank, or other holder of record.
Voting Information
What items of business will be voted on at the Special Meeting?
The items of business scheduled to be voted on at the Special Meeting are:
(1) To authorize the Board of Directors (the “Board”), at the discretion of the Board, to file an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, to authorize a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock with a ratio in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares, for the primary purpose of maintaining the Company’s listing on NYSE American (the “Reverse Split Proposal”);
(2) To amend the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan to [●] shares (the “Plan Amendment Proposal”); and
(3) To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the foregoing Proposals (the “Adjournment Proposal”).
How does the Board recommend that I vote?
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote your shares:
| ● | “FOR” authorizing the Board, at its discretion, to file an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, to authorize a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock with a ratio in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares, for the primary purpose of maintaining the Company’s listing on NYSE American (the “Reverse Split Proposal”); | |
| ● | “FOR” the amendment to 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan to [●] shares (the “Plan Amendment Proposal”); | |
| ● | “FOR” adjourning the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the foregoing Proposals (the “Adjournment Proposal”). |
Who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on September [●], 2023 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, [●] shares of the Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to one vote on each proposal.
Is there a list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?
The names of shareholders of record entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available for ten days prior to the Special Meeting at our principal executive offices at 8863 E. 34th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67226. If you would like to examine the list for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting prior to the meeting date, please contact our Corporate Secretary.
How can I vote if I own shares directly?
Most shareholders do not own shares registered directly in their name, but rather are “beneficial holders” of shares held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee (that is, shares held “in street name”). Those shareholders should refer to “How can I vote if my shares are held in a stock brokerage account, or by a bank or other nominee?” below for instructions regarding how to vote their shares.
If, however, your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the shareholder of record, and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you. You may vote in the following ways:
| ● | By Mail: Votes may be cast by mail, as long as the proxy card or voting instruction card is delivered in accordance with its instructions prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November [●], 2023. Shareholders who have received a paper copy of a proxy card or voting instruction card by mail may submit proxies by completing, signing, and dating their proxy card or voting instruction card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope. | |
| ● | By Attending the Meeting: Please follow the instructions in the “How can I participate and vote in the Special Meeting” section of this proxy statement. | |
| ● | By Phone or Internet: Stockholders may vote by phone or Internet by following the instructions included in the proxy card they received. Your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on November [●], 2023 to be counted. If you received a Notice by mail, you may vote by proxy over the Internet by going to www.fcrvote.com/UAVS to complete an electronic proxy card or vote your proxy by phone by calling 1 866-402-3905. Have your proxy card available when you access the website or when you call. We provide Internet and telephone proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares on-line or by phone, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs or usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies. |
If you vote by proxy, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November [●], 2023, to be counted.
Whichever method you select to transmit your instructions, the proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with those instructions. If no specific instructions are given, the shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of our Board and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters that properly come before the meeting.
How can I vote if my shares are held in a stock brokerage account, or by a bank or other nominee?
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name,” and your broker or nominee is considered the “stockholder of record” with respect to those shares. Your broker or nominee should be forwarding these proxy materials to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or other nominee how to vote, and you are also invited to participate in the Special Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person unless you obtain a legal proxy from your brokerage firm or bank. If a broker, bank, or other nominee holds your shares, you will receive instructions from them that you must follow in order to have your shares voted.
What is a quorum for the Special Meeting?
The presence of the holders of 33-1/3% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock entitled to vote as of the Record Date, represented in person or by proxy, is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Special Meeting. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker) or if you participate in, and vote electronically at, the Special Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum.
What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
| Proposal | Vote Required | Broker Discretionary Voting Allowed | ||
| No. 1 – Approval of a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock with a ratio in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares, with the final ratio to be determined by the Company’s Board; | Affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast in person or by proxy | Yes | ||
| No. 2 – Approval of the amendment to the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan to [●] shares; and | Affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast in person or by proxy | No | ||
| No. 3 – Adjourn the Special Meeting to solicit more votes to approve the foregoing Proposals | Affirmative vote of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote in person or by proxy | Yes |
What is the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes?
For the Reverse Stock Split Proposal and the Plan Amendment Proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and, accordingly, will not have an effect on such matters. For the Adjournment Proposal, abstentions will have the same effect as an “AGAINST” vote while broker non-votes will not have any effect on the proposal.
If you are a beneficial owner and hold your shares in “street name” in an account at a bank or brokerage firm, it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the vote on the above proposals. Under the rules governing banks and brokers who submit a proxy card with respect to shares held in “street name,” such banks and brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. Banks and brokers may not vote any of the proposals being presented at the Special Meeting if you do not provide specific voting instructions. Accordingly, we encourage you to vote promptly, even if you plan to participate in the Special Meeting.
Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?
Subject to any rules and deadlines your broker, trustee or nominee may have, you may change your proxy instructions at any time before your proxy is voted at the Special Meeting. If you are a shareholder of record, you may change your vote by (1) delivering to the Company’s Corporate Secretary, prior to your shares being voted at Special Meeting, a written notice of revocation dated later than the prior proxy card relating to the same shares, (2) delivering a valid, later-dated proxy in a timely manner, (3) attending the Special Meeting and voting electronically (although attendance at the Special Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy), or (4) voting again via phone or Internet at a later date.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may change your vote (1) by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trustee or other nominee, or (2) if you have obtained a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares and provided a copy to our transfer agent and registrar, Equiniti, together with your email address as described below, by attending the Special Meeting and voting electronically.
Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card must be received by the Company’s Corporate Secretary prior to the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting.
Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the Special Meeting?
The Company will bear the cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. If you access the proxy materials over the Internet, you are responsible for Internet access charges you may incur. In addition, we will request banks, brokers and other intermediaries holding shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by others to obtain proxies from the beneficial owners and will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. Solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, by electronic communications and personal solicitation by our Executive Officers, Directors, and employees. No additional compensation will be paid to our Executive Officers, Directors or employees for such solicitation.
Proxies with respect to the Special Meeting may be solicited by telephone, by mail on the Internet or in person. AgEagle has engaged Alliance Advisors to assist in the solicitation of proxies.
Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares?
If you are a holder of AgEagle’s shares and have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your securities, you may call Alliance Advisors, AgEagle’s proxy solicitor, at 866-620-1197 (toll free); or email at UAVS@AllianceAdvisors.com.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
APPROVAL TO EFFECT A REVERSE SPLIT OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK
Purpose of the Reverse Split
On September 12, 2023, the Company received written notice (the “Notice”) from the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”) stating that it is not in compliance with the continued listing standard set forth in Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”) because the Company’s shares of common stock have been selling for a substantial period of time at a low price per share, which NYSE American determined to be a 30-trading day average of less than $0.20 per share.
The primary purpose of the Reverse Split is to increase the per share price of our Common Stock in order to maintain the listing of our Common Stock on the NYSE American. Our Board believes that, in addition to increasing the price of our common stock, the Reverse Split would make our Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors. Accordingly, for these and other reasons discussed below, we believe that effecting the Reverse Split is in the Company’s and our stockholders’ best interests. We believe proposing multiple ratios for the Reverse Split, rather than proposing that stockholders approve a specific ratio at this time, provides the Board with the most flexibility to achieve the desired results of the Reverse Split. At this time, the Board is seeking approval from the shareholders to authorize a reverse split in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares for all outstanding shares with all fractional shares rounded up to the next whole share.
No further action on the part of stockholders will be required to implement the Reverse Split, or to select the specific ratio for the Reverse Split. If the Reverse Split Proposal is approved, the Board would make the determination as to the final ratio of the Reverse Split which will be accomplished by amending the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (the “Charter Amendment”). See “Procedure for Effecting a Reverse Split and Exchange of Stock Certificates” below.
Except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares as described below, each stockholder will hold the same percentage of Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Reverse Split as that stockholder held immediately before the Reverse Split.
Certain Risks Associated with the Reverse Split
While the Board believes that the Company’s Common Stock would trade at higher prices after the consummation of the Reverse Split, there can be no assurance that the increase in the trading price will occur, or, if it does occur, that it will equal or exceed 10 to 20 times the market price of the Common Stock prior to the Reverse Split. In some cases, the total market value of a company following a reverse stock split is lower, and may be substantially lower, than the total market value before the reverse stock split. In addition, the fewer number of shares that will be available to trade could possibly cause the trading market of the Common Stock to become less liquid, which could have an adverse effect on the price of the Common Stock. The market price of the Common Stock is based on our performance and other factors, some of which may be unrelated to the number of our shares outstanding. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Split will result in a per share price that will attract brokers and investors who do not trade in lower priced stock.
Principal Effects of the Reverse Split
The Reverse Split would have the following effects based upon [●] shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date. In the following discussion, we provide examples of the effects of the Reverse Split at the lower-end of the Reverse Split range and at the higher-end of the Reverse Split range.
If the Reverse Split is approved at the lower end of the Reverse Split range:
| ● | in a 1-for-10 Reverse Split, every ten shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Reverse Split effective date (the “Old Shares”) owned by a shareholder will automatically and without any action on the part of the shareholders be converted into one (1) share of our Common Stock (the “New Shares”); and | |
| ● | the number of shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced from [●] shares to approximately [●] shares. |
| If the Reverse Split is approved at the higher end of the Reverse Split range: |
| ● | in a 1-for-20 Reverse Split, every twenty of our Old Shares owned by a shareholder would be exchanged for one (1) New Share; and | |
| ● | the number of shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced from [●] shares to approximately [●] shares. |
The Reverse Split will be effected simultaneously for all of our outstanding Common Stock and the exchange ratio will be the same for all of our outstanding Common Stock. The Reverse Split will affect all of our shareholders uniformly and will not affect any shareholder’s percentage ownership interests in the Company, except to the extent that the Reverse Split results in any of our shareholders owning a fractional share. As described below, shareholders and holders of options and warrants holding fractional shares will have their shares rounded up to the nearest whole number. Common Stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Split will remain fully paid and non-assessable.
Fractional Shares. No scrip or fractional share certificates will be issued in connection with the Reverse Split. Shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of Old Shares not evenly divisible by 1-for-10 or by 1-for-20 Reverse Split ratio, will be entitled, upon surrender of certificate(s) representing these shares, to a number of shares of New Shares rounded up to the nearest whole number. The ownership of a fractional interest will not give the shareholder any voting, dividend or other rights except to have his or her fractional interest rounded up to the nearest whole number when the New Shares are issued.
Options and Warrants. All outstanding options, warrants, notes, debentures and other securities convertible into Common Stock will be adjusted as a result of the Reverse Split, as required by the terms of these securities. In particular, the conversion ratio for each instrument will be reduced, and the conversion price or exercise price, if applicable, will be increased, in accordance with the terms of each instrument and based on the ratio in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares, with the final ratio to be determined by the Company’s Board.
Authorized Shares. The Company is presently authorized under its Articles of Incorporation to issue 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Upon effectiveness of the Reverse Split, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock would remain the same, although the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will decrease. Because the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock will decrease, the number of shares of Common Stock remaining authorized and available for issuance will increase. The issuance in the future of additional shares of our Common Stock may have the effect of diluting the earnings per share and book value per share, as well as the stock ownership and voting rights of the currently outstanding shares of our Common Stock. The effective increase in the number of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of the Company’s Common Stock may be construed as having an anti-takeover effect as further discussed below. Authorized but unissued shares will be available for issuance, and we may issue such shares in future financings or otherwise. If we issue additional shares, the ownership interest of holders of our Common Stock would be diluted. Also, the issued shares may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our Common Stock.
Impact of the Reverse Split on Awards Issued under our 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Company currently has reserved a total of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance as awards to be made under the Plan. As of the date hereof, the Company has [●] awards granted under the Plan, and has [●] shares of Common Stock remaining for future issuance under the Plan. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan will be appropriately reduced in the same Reverse Split ratio as our Common Stock. The effect of the Reverse Split on the awards issued under the Plan based on the range is as follows:
| ● | in a 1-for-10 Reverse Split, the number of shares previously issued under the award granted under the Plan will be reduced from [●] to [●] and | |
| ● | in a 1-for-20 Reverse Split, the number of shares previously issued under the award granted under the Plan will be reduced from [●] to [●]. |
The effect of the Reverse Split on the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan based on the range is as follows:
| ● | in a 1-for-10 Reverse Split, the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan will be reduced from [●] to [●], with [●] shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under the Plan; and | |
| ● | in a 1-for-20 Reverse Split, the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan will be reduced from [●] to [●],with [●] shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under the Plan. |
If the Reverse Split is approved, at the lower end of the Reverse Split range, the total authorized number of shares under the Plan will represent approximately [●]% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company as of the date hereof.
If the Reverse Split is approved, at the higher end of the Reverse Split range, the total authorized number of shares under the Plan will represent approximately [●]% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company as of the date hereof.
Accounting Matters. The Reverse Split will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Reverse Split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock will be reduced in proportion to the Reverse Split ratio (that is, in a 1-for-10 Reverse Split, the stated capital attributable to our Common Stock will be reduced to one-tenth of its existing amount and in a 1-for-20 Reverse Split, the stated capital attributable to our Common Stock will be reduced to one-twentieth of its existing amount) and the additional paid-in capital account shall be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will also be increased because there will be fewer shares of our Common Stock outstanding.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effect. Although the increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect (for example, by permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of our Board or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of the Company with another company), the Reverse Split was not proposed in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate our shares of Common Stock or obtain control of us, nor is it part of a plan by management to recommend a series of similar actions having an anti-takeover effect to our Board and shareholders. Other than the Reverse Split, our Board does not currently contemplate recommending the adoption of any other corporate action that could be construed to affect the ability of third parties to take over or change control of the Company.
The number of shares held by each individual shareholder will be reduced if the Reverse Split is implemented. This will increase the number of shareholders who hold less than a “round lot,” or 100 shares. Typically, the transaction costs to shareholders selling “odd lots” are higher on a per share basis. Consequently, the Reverse Split could increase the transaction costs to existing shareholders in the event they wish to sell all or a portion of their shares.
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. If the proposed Reverse Split is implemented, our Common Stock will continue to be reported on The NYSE American under the symbol “UAVS.” We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
Procedure for Effecting a Reverse Split and Exchange of Stock Certificates
The Reverse Split will be accomplished by amending the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to effect the split. The Reverse Split will become effective at such future date and the exact ratio to be as determined by the Board, as evidenced by the filing of an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada (which we refer to as the “Effective Time”) following the affirmative vote of the Company’s shareholders at the Special Meeting. Beginning at the Effective Time, each certificate representing Old Shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of New Shares. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, shareholders will be notified that the Reverse Split has been effected. The Company expects that its transfer agent, Equiniti Trust, will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of Old Shares will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing Old Shares in exchange for certificates representing New Shares in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in the letter of transmittal the Company sends to its shareholders. No new certificates will be issued to any shareholder until such shareholder has surrendered such shareholder’s outstanding certificate(s), together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, to the exchange agent. Any Old Shares submitted for transfer, whether pursuant to a sale, other disposition or otherwise, will automatically be exchanged for New Shares. Equiniti Trust, does not charge a fee for each certificate issued representing New Shares.
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S)
AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Split
The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split to a current shareholder of the Company that is a U.S. Holder (as defined below), and who holds stock of the Company as a “capital asset,” as defined in Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not purport to be a complete analysis of all of the potential tax effects of the Reverse Split. Tax considerations applicable to a particular shareholder will depend on that shareholder’s individual circumstances.
This discussion is based on provisions of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (whether final, temporary, or proposed), administrative rulings of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a holder as a result of the Reverse Split. In addition, this discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular holders nor does it take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such holder, and accordingly, is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax advice. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal 3.8% Medicare tax imposed on certain net investment income or any aspects of U.S. federal taxation other than those pertaining to the income tax, nor does it address any tax consequences arising under any tax laws other than the U.S. federal income tax law, such as gift or estate tax laws, U.S. state and local, or non-U.S. tax laws.
This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to holders in light of their individual circumstances, including holders subject to special treatment under the U.S. tax laws, such as, for example:
| ● | banks or other financial institutions, underwriters, or insurance companies; | |
| ● | traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting; | |
| ● | real estate investment trusts and regulated investment companies; | |
| ● | tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax- deferred accounts; | |
| ● | expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; | |
| ● | subchapter S corporations, partnerships or other pass-through entities or investors in such entities; | |
| ● | dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies; | |
| ● | grantor trusts; | |
| ● | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; | |
| ● | U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar; | |
| ● | persons who received stock of the Company through the issuance of restricted stock under an incentive plan or through a tax-qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation; | |
| ● | persons who own (directly or through attribution) 5% or more (by vote or value) of the outstanding stock of the Company; |
| ● | holders who hold stock of the Company, as a position in a “straddle,” as part of a “synthetic security” or “hedge,” as part of a “conversion transaction,” or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction; or | |
| ● | controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, or foreign corporations with respect to which there are one or more United States shareholders within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-3(b)(1)(ii). |
As used in this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of stock of the Company that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; | |
| ● | a corporation (or other entity that is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; | |
| ● | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or | |
| ● | a trust (i) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds stock of the Company, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partner and the partnership. A holder that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split.
The Reverse Split should constitute a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a recapitalization, no gain or loss should be recognized by a U.S. Holder upon such shareholder’s deemed exchange of Old Shares for New Shares pursuant to the Reverse Split. A U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis of the New Shares received in the Reverse Split should be the same as such shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the Old Shares being exchanged, and the holding period of the New Shares should include the holding period of such shareholder in the Old Shares.
A U.S. Holder whose fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Split are rounded up to the nearest whole share may recognize gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the value of the additional fractional share. The treatment of the exchange of a fractional share for a whole share in the Reverse Split is not clear under current law and a U.S. Holder may recognize gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the value of the additional fraction of a share of Common Stock received by such U.S. Holder.
Because of the complexity of the tax laws and because the tax consequences to the Company or to any particular shareholder may be affected by matters not discussed herein, shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to them in connection with the Reverse Split, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability and effect of non-U.S., U.S. federal, state and local and other applicable tax laws and the effect of any proposed changes in the tax laws.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal
We are a Nevada corporation and are governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes. Holders of the Company’s Common Stock will not have appraisal or dissenter’s rights under Nevada law in connection with the Reverse Split.
Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon
No director, executive officer, associate of any director or executive officer or any other person has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in the Reverse Split that is not shared by all other shareholders of ours.
Approval Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting is required to approve the Reverse Split Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and, accordingly, will have no effect with respect to the approval of the Reverse Split Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE REVERSE SPLIT PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
AMENDMENT TO AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC. 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Summary and Purpose of the Amendment to AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
The Board of Directors has voted to amend the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan by [●] shares to [●] shares.
Increase in Number of Authorized Shares
The Plan has been in place since 2017. Currently, there are 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan. However, as of the date hereof, the Company has [●] awards granted under the Plan, and only has [●] shares of Common Stock remaining for future issuance under the Plan. After the effectiveness of the Reverse Split, there will be only [●] shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under the Plan in the case of a 1-for-10 Reverse Split, and [●] shares in the case of a 1-for-20 Reverse Split. The Board of Directors believes that the Company’s success depends in large part on its ability to attract, retain, and motivate its executive officers and other key personnel and that grants of awards under the Plan may be a significant element of compensation for such persons. In addition, as the Company considers future acquisitions it will need flexibility to grant awards to employees of such companies. The Board of Directors believes that the proposed increase in the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance as provided in the Plan will provide the Compensation Committee with greater flexibility in the administration of the Plan and is appropriate in light of the growth of the Company in order to attract and retain key individuals. Following the proposed increase, the total authorized number of shares under the Plan will be [●],000,000 shares, which shall represents approximately [●]% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company after the Reverse Split.
The amendment to the Plan is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
Company 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
The 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which the Company can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, the Company The purpose of the Plan is to help the Company attract, motivate and retain such persons and thereby enhance shareholder value. The Plan provides for the grant of awards which are incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), unrestricted shares, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance stock, performance units, SARs, tandem stock appreciation rights, distribution equivalent rights, or any combination of the foregoing, to key management employees, non-employee directors, and non-employee consultants of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each a “participant”) (however, solely Company employees or employees of the Company’s subsidiaries are eligible for incentive stock option awards). The Company currently has reserved a total of 10,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance as or under awards to be made under the Plan.
Types of Stock Awards
The Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. Stock options may be granted to employees, including officers, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company or its affiliates, except that incentive stock options may be granted only to employees.
Share Reserve
The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that have been reserved for issuance under the Plan is 10,000,000. As of the Record Date, there are [ ] awards granted under the Plan, and only has [ ] shares of Common Stock remaining for future issuance under the Plan. If a stock option award expires, terminates, is canceled or is forfeited for any reason, the number of shares subject to the stock option award will again be available for issuance. In addition, if stock awards are settled in cash, the share reserve will be reduced by the number of shares of common stock with a value equal to the amount of the cash distributions as of the time that such amount was determined and if stock options are exercised using net exercise, the share reserve will be reduced by the gross number of shares of common stock subject to the exercised portion of the option. We also had [ ] shares underlying options that have been granted outside of the Plan which were exercised on [ ].
Administration
The Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to administer the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Board of Directors or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the committee, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock option awards, including the period of exercisability and vesting schedule applicable to a stock option award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the committee will also determine the exercise price and the types of consideration to be paid for the award. The committee has the authority to modify outstanding awards under the Plan. The committee has the authority to adopt, alter and repeal administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and to perform all other acts, including delegating administrative responsibilities, as it deems advisable to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any stock option award granted under the Plan. Decisions and interpretations or other actions by the committee are in the discretion of the committee and are final binding and conclusive on the company and all participants in the Plan.
Stock Options
Incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options are granted pursuant to stock option award agreements adopted by the committee. The committee determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions of the Plan, provided that the exercise price shall not be less than (i) in the case of a grant of any NQSO or an ISO to a key employee who at the time of the grant does not own stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock or of any subsidiary, one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of a share of common stock as determined on the date the stock option award is granted; (ii) in the case of a grant of an ISO to a key employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock or of any subsidiary, one hundred ten percent (110%) of the fair market value of a share of common stock, as determined on the date the stock option award is granted. The fair market value of the common stock for purposes of determining the exercise price shall be determined by the committee in accordance with any reasonable method of valuation consistent with applicable requirements of Federal tax law, including, as applicable, the provisions of Code Section 422(c)(8) and 409A as applicable. Stock options granted under the Plan will become exercisable at the rate specified by the committee and may be exercisable for restricted stock, if determined by the committee.
The committee determines the term of stock options granted under the Plan, up to a maximum of ten years. The option holder’s stock option agreement shall provide the rights, if any, that such holder has to exercise the stock option at such time that such holder’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason, including disability, death, with or without cause, or voluntary resignation. All unvested stock option awards are forfeited if the participant’s employment or service is terminated for any reason, unless our compensation committee determines otherwise.
Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the committee and may include (i) check, bank draft or money order, or wire transfer, (ii) if the company’s common stock is publicly traded, a broker-assisted cashless exercise, or (iii) such other methods as may be approved by the committee, including without limitation, the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the option holder or a net exercise of the option.
Unless the committee provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution. The committee may provide that a non-qualified stock option may be transferred to a family member, as such term is defined under the applicable securities laws.
Tax Limitations on Incentive Stock Options
The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to incentive stock options that are exercisable for the first time by an option holder during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as non-qualified stock options. No incentive stock option may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (i) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant, and (ii) the term of the incentive stock option does not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure and other Special Transactions
In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, or recapitalization, or a corporate reorganization in which we are a surviving corporation (and our shareholders prior to such transaction continue to own at least 50% of our capital stock after such transaction), including without limitation a merger, consolidation, split-up or spin-off, or a liquidation, or distribution of securities or assets other than cash dividends, the number or kinds of shares subject to the Plan or to any stock option award previously granted, and the exercise price, shall be adjusted proportionately by the committee to reflect such event.
In the event of a merger, consolidation, or other form of reorganization with or into another corporation (other than a merger, consolidation, or other form of reorganization in which we are the surviving corporation and our shareholders prior to such transaction continue to own at least 50% of the capital stock after such transaction), a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a tender or exchange offer made by any corporation, person or entity (other than an offer made by us), all stock options held by any option holder shall be fully vested and exercisable by the option holder.
Furthermore, the committee, either before or after the merger, consolidation or other form of reorganization, may take such action as it determines in its sole discretion with respect to the number or kinds of shares subject to the Plan or any option under the Plan.
Amendment, Suspension or Termination
The committee may at any time amend, suspend, or terminate any and all parts of the Plan, any stock option award granted under the Plan, or both in such respects as the committee shall deem necessary or desirable, except that no such action may be taken which would impair the rights of any option holder with respect to any stock option award previously granted under the Plan without the option holder’s consent.
Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our executive compensation philosophy and objectives, provides context for the compensation actions approved by the Compensation Committee, and explains the compensation of each of our NEOs. AgEagle’s Compensation Committee, which is made up of entirely of independent directors, oversees AgEagle’s compensation plans and policies, approves the compensation for executive officers and administers our equity compensation plans, as well as our organizational development activities and human capital management.
Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”)
The following information is furnished for the Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) of the Company or its subsidiaries and the two most highly-compensated executive officers (other than the principal executive officer) of the Company and its subsidiaries whose total compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, exceeded $100,000. These individuals are sometimes referred to in this proxy statement as the “Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”).
| Name & Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards (5) | Option Awards (7) | All Other Compensation (8) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Barrett Mooney (1) | 2022 | $ | 361,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 31,725 | $ | 21,745 | $ | 414,470 | ||||||||||||||
| Chairman and CEO | 2021 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||||
| Nicole Fernandez-McGovern | 2022 | $ | 308,462 | $ | 110,000 | $ | 225,750 | $ | 31,725 | $ | 24,257 | $ | 700,194 | ||||||||||||||
| CFO & EVP of Operations | 2021 | $ | 220,000 | $ | 66,700 | $ | 1,594,700 | $ | 182,800 | (6) | $ | - | $ | 2,064,200 | |||||||||||||
| Michael O’Sullivan (2) | 2022 | $ | 259,372 | $ | 110,233 | $ | 93,661 | $ | 7,070 | $ | - | $ | 470,336 | ||||||||||||||
| Chief Commercial Officer | 2021 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||||
| Brandon Torres Declet (3) | 2022 | $ | 23,726 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 173,025 | $ | - | $ | 119,380 | $ | 321,131 | ||||||||||||||
| Former CEO | 2021 | $ | 157,211 | $ | 10,000 | $ | 895,500 | $ | 132,325 | (6) | $ | - | $ | 1,195,036 | |||||||||||||
| J. Michael Drozd (4) | 2022 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||||
| Former CEO | 2021 | $ | 103,044 | $ | 49,130 | $ | 1,220,763 | $ | 50,475 | (6) | $ | 117,500 | $ | 1,540,912 | |||||||||||||
| (1) | Mr. Mooney was reappointed by the Board of Director to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 17, 2022. | |
| (2) | Mr. O’Sullivan’s termination will be effective on September 20, 2023. He joined the Company in October 2021 upon the acquisition of senseFly and thereafter served as Managing Director of AgEagle’s Swiss Operations, and was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer on April 11, 2022. | |
| (3) | Mr. Torres Declet served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer between May 24, 2021 and January 17, 2022. In connection with Mr. Torres Declet’s departure from AgEagle in January 2022, he received stock awards valued at $125,000 and other compensation of $117,500 in severance considerations. | |
| (4) | Mr. Drozd served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer between May 1, 2020 and May 23, 2021. In connection with Mr. Drozd’s departure from AgEagle in May 2021, he received stock awards valued at $125,000 and other compensation of $117,500 in severance considerations. | |
| (5) | Represents RSUs granted to Ms. Fernandez-McGovern, Mr. O’Sullivan, Mr. Torres Declet and Mr. Drozd. Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic 718 - Share Based Payment, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock underlying the respective RSU at the date of grant. Restricted stock awards were issued under AgEagle’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan (the Plan”) and vest over one year of service or immediately if determined to be a performance-based award. | |
| (6) | The Company had incorrectly reported the fair market value of the option awards in 2021. These amounts have been corrected to properly reflect the fair market value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 – Share Based Payment. | |
| (7) | Represents options granted to Mr. Mooney, Ms. Fernandez-McGovern, Mr. O’Sullivan, Mr. Torres Declet and Mr. Drozd. The aggregate grant date fair value of the options awarded to each executive officer is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock option awards are based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model and excludes the effect of forfeiture assumptions. These awards generally vest over a two-year period from the date of grant. Although the full grant date fair value of the stock option awards are reflected in the above table, the actual value of the stock options, if any, realized by the named executive officers will depend on the extent to which the market value of the Company common stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option on the date of exercise. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the option value realized by a named executive officer will be at or near the estimated value reflected in the above table. | |
| (8) | All Other Compensation includes health insurance premiums and employer contributions to 401(k) plan. |
Pay Versus Performance
In accordance with the SEC’s disclosure requirements pursuant to Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act, regarding Pay Versus Performance (PVP), provided below is the Company’s PVP disclosures. As required by Item 402(v) for Smaller Reporting Companies, we have included a table that compares the total compensation of our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and average other named executive officers (“Non-PEO NEOs”), as presented in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”), to Compensation Actually Paid (“CAP”). The table and disclosure below also compares CAP to our indexed TSR and GAAP Net Income.
This disclosure has been prepared in accordance with Item 402(v) and does not necessarily reflect value actually realized by the executives or how our Compensation Committee evaluates compensation decisions in light of Company or individual performance. In particular, our Compensation Committee has not used CAP as a basis for making compensation decisions, nor does it use GAAP Net Income for purposes of determining incentive compensation.
Pay Versus Performance Table – Compensation Definitions
Salary, Bonus, Stock Awards, and All Other Compensation are each calculated in the same manner for purposes of both CAP and SCT values. The primary difference between the calculation of CAP and SCT total compensation is the calculation of the value of “Stock Awards,” with the table below describing the differences in how these awards are valued for purposes of SCT total and CAP.
Pay Versus Performance Table
In accordance with the SEC’s new PVP rules, the following table below shows for 2021 and 2022 executive compensation actually paid to Mr. Barrett Mooney, Mr. Brandon Torres Declet and Mr. J. Michael Drozd, our principle executive officers (our “PEO s ”); and Nicole Fernandez-McGovern and Michael O’Sullivan, the Company’s other named executive officers (our “non-PEO NEOs”):
| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO - Mooney ($) (1) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO - Mooney ($) (1) (2) (3) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) (1) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($) (1) (2) (3) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return ($) (4) | Net Loss ($) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 414,470 | 382,745 | 585,265 | 262,750 | 22.29 | (58,253,723 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | - | - | 2,064,200 | 1,320,974 | 26.11 | (30,108,680 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO - Torres Declet ($) (1) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO - Torres Declet ($) (1) (2) (3) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) (1) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($) (1) (2) (3) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return ($) (4) | Net Loss ($) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 321,131 | 270,304 | 585,265 | 262,750 | 22.29 | (58,253,723 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 1,195,036 | 317,675 | 2,064,200 | 1,320,974 | 26.11 | (30,108,680 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO -Drozd ($) (2) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO -Drozd ($) (1) (2) (3) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) (1) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($) (1) (2) (3) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return ($) (4) | Net Loss ($) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | - | - | 585,265 | 262,750 | 22.29 | (58,253,723 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 1,540,912 | 1,141,501 | 2,064,200 | 1,320,974 | 26.11 | (30,108,680 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The PEO (CEO) in the 2022 reporting year is Mr. Mooney. The PEOs (CEOs) in the 2021 reporting year was Mr. Torres Declet and Mr. Drozd. The non-PEO NEOs in the 2022 reporting year are Ms. Fernandez-McGovern and Mr. O’Sullivan. The non-PEO NEO in the 2021 reporting year was Ms. Fernandez-McGovern. |
| (2) | The amounts shown for CAP have been calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and do not reflect compensation actually earned, realized or received by the Company’s NEOs. These amounts reflect the SCT Total with certain adjustments noted in the below table and described in footnote 5. |
| (3) | Compensation Actually Paid reflects the exclusions and inclusions of certain amounts for the PEOs and the Non-PEO NEOs as set forth below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. Amounts in the Exclusion of Stock Awards column are the totals from the Stock Awards columns set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, which reflect the fair market values of equity awards as of each grant date. |
| (4) | The total shareholder return (“TSR”) is calculated by taking the difference of the Company’s stock price from the beginning of the measurement period, December 31, 2020 at $6.00, and the ending of the measurement periods of December 31, 2021 and 2022 at $1.57 and $0.35, respectively ; then dividing by the respective measurement period’s initial stock price. |
| 2022 - PEO - Mooney ($) | 2021 - PEO - Mooney ($) | 2022 - PEO - Torres Declet ($) | 2021 - PEO - Torres Declet ($) | 2022 - PEO - Drozd ($) | 2021 - PEO -Drozd ($) | 2022 - Non-PEO NEOs ($) | 2021 - Non-PEO NEOs ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) Total Compensation | $ | 414,470 | $ | - | $ | 321,131 | $ | 1,195,036 | $ | - | $ | 1,540,912 | $ | 585,265 | $ | 2,064,200 | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Equity awards reported in SCT | (31,725 | ) | - | (173,025 | ) | (1,027,825 | ) | - | (1,271,238 | ) | (179,103 | ) | (1,777,500 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Prior and Fiscal Years | - | - | (76,670 | ) | - | - | - | (111,687 | ) | (44,078 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value of Equity Compensation Granted in Current Year at Year-End | - | - | 198,868 | 435,521 | - | 871,827 | 124,949 | 1,128,671 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Fair Value from End of Prior Fiscal Year to Vesting Date for Awards Made in Prior Fiscal Years that Vested During Current Fiscal Year | - | - | - | - | - | 23,000 | 205,875 | 432,689 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Fair Value as of the Current Fiscal Year (From the End of Prior Fiscal Year) of Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years that remain Outstanding and Unvested as of the End of the Current Fiscal Year | - | - | - | (285,057 | ) | - | - | (362,550 | ) | (483,009 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation Actually Paid | $ | 382,745 | $ | - | $ | 270,304 | $ | 317,675 | $ | - | $ | 1,164,501 | $ | 262,750 | $ | 1,320,974 | ||||||||||||||||
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2022 Fiscal Year-End
The following table lists the outstanding equity incentive awards held by the Named Executive Officers as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022:
| Option Awards (1) | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name & Principal Position | Year | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) Exercisable | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) Unexercisable | Options Exercise price ($) | Expiration Date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not Vested (#) | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not Vested ($) | |||||||||||||||||
| Barrett Mooney | 2022 | — | 25,000 | $ | 0.35 | 12/30/2027 | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | 2022 | 3,125 | 21,875 | $ | 0.46 | 9/29/2027 | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 6,250 | 18,750 | $ | 0.65 | 6/29/2027 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 9,375 | 15,625 | $ | 1.19 | 3/30/2027 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 12,500 | 12,500 | $ | 1.57 | 12/30/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 15,625 | 9,375 | $ | 3.01 | 9/29/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 18,750 | 6,250 | $ | 5.27 | 6/29/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 21,875 | 3,125 | $ | 6.26 | 3/30/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 25,000 | — | $ | 6.00 | 12/30/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 25,000 | — | $ | 2.28 | 9/29/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 15,000 | — | $ | 1.19 | 6/29/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 15,000 | — | $ | 0.41 | 3/30/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 15,000 | — | $ | 0.45 | 12/29/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 100,000 | — | $ | 0.31 | 9/28/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Nicole Fernandez-McGovern | 2022 | — | 25,000 | $ | 0.35 | 12/30/2027 | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer and EVP of Operations | 2022 | 3,125 | 21,875 | $ | 0.46 | 9/29/2027 | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 6,250 | 18,750 | $ | 0.65 | 6/29/2027 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 9,375 | 15,625 | $ | 1.19 | 3/30/2027 | 50,000 | (2) | $ | 17,500 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 12,500 | 12,500 | $ | 1.57 | 12/30/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 15,625 | 9,375 | $ | 3.01 | 9/29/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 18,750 | 6,250 | $ | 5.27 | 6/29/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 13,125 | 1,875 | $ | 6.26 | 3/30/2026 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 15,000 | — | $ | 6.00 | 12/30/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 125,000 | — | $ | 5.20 | 12/20/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 15,000 | — | $ | 2.28 | 9/29/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 12,500 | — | $ | 1.19 | 6/29/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 125,000 | — | $ | 1.27 | 5/13/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 12,500 | — | $ | 0.41 | 3/30/2025 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 12,500 | — | $ | 0.45 | 12/29/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 50,000 | — | $ | 0.31 | 9/28/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 25,000 | — | $ | 0.31 | 9/28/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 12,500 | — | $ | 0.31 | 9/28/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 12,500 | — | $ | 0.29 | 6/28/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 150,000 | — | $ | 0.41 | 3/28/2029 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 12,500 | — | $ | 0.41 | 3/29/2024 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 50,000 | — | $ | 0.54 | 12/31/2023 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 12,500 | — | $ | 0.56 | 12/30/2023 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Michael O’Sullivan(3) | 2022 | 0 | 10,000 | $ | 0.35 | 12/30/2027 | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Chief Commercial Officer | 2022 | 1,250 | 8,750 | $ | 0.46 | 9/29/2027 | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2,500 | 7,500 | $ | 0.65 | 6/29/2027 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) | All options vest equally over two years with a one-year cliff vest. |
| (2) | Restricted stock awards vests equally over a year period. |
| (3) | Mr. O’Sullivan’s termination will be effective on September 20, 2023. |
Compensation of Directors
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation of each director as of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Name | Year | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash $ | Stock Awards (4) | Total $ | |||||||||||
| Barrett Mooney (1) | 2022 | $ | 15,000 | $ | - | $ | 15,000 | ||||||||
| Director and Chairman of the Board | 2021 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 216,450 | (5) | $ | 276,450 | |||||||
| Thomas Gardner | 2022 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 31,725 | $ | 91,725 | ||||||||
| Director | 2021 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 216,450 | (5) | $ | 276,450 | |||||||
| Grant Begley | 2022 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 31,725 | $ | 91,725 | ||||||||
| Director | 2021 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 216,450 | (5) | $ | 276,450 | |||||||
| Kelly Anderson(2) | 2022 | $ | - | $ | 1,194 | $ | 1,194 | ||||||||
| Director | 2021 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
| Luisa Ingargiola (3) | 2022 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 27,500 | $ | 87,500 | ||||||||
| Former Director | 2021 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 216,450 | (5) | $ | 276,450 | |||||||
| (1) | Mr. Barrett Mooney served solely as the Company’s Chairman of the Board in 2021 and was appointed to serve as Chief Executive Officer in January 2022. |
| (2) | Ms. Anderson joined the Company’s Board on December 6, 2022. Pursuant to Ms. Kelly Anderson’s offer letter dated December 6, 2022, she was entitled to receive for her service on the Board five-year options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock per calendar quarter of service at an exercise price per share equal to the market price of our Common Stock at the time of issuance that will vest in equal installments every calendar quarter for the two-year period after date the grant. |
| (3) | Ms. Ingargiola ceased to be a director of the Company effective December 5, 2022. |
| (4) | Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic 718 - Share Based Payment, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and vest over a two-year period. |
| (5) | The Company had incorrectly reported the fair market value of the option awards in 2021. These amounts have been corrected to properly reflect the fair market value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 – Share Based Payment. |
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee approves the compensation objectives for the Company, approves the compensation of the chief executive officer and approves or recommends to the Board for approval the compensation of other executives. The Compensation Committee reviews all compensation components, including base salary, bonus, benefits and other perquisites.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Compensation Committee held two meetings.
The members of the compensation committee are Messrs. Begley and Gardner and Ms. Anderson. Mr. Begley serves as chair of the compensation committee. Each member of the compensation committee is a non-employee director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, each is an outside director as defined by Section 162(m) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and each is an independent director as defined by the NYSE American. The compensation committee has adopted a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and the NYSE American, which is available on our website.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company. None of the Company’s executive officers serves, or has served since inception, as a member of the Board, compensation committee or other Board committee performing equivalent functions of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as one of the Company’s directors or on the Company’s compensation committee.
Approval Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting is required to approve the Plan Amendment Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and, accordingly, will have no effect with respect to the approval of the Plan Amendment Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE PLAN AMENDMENT PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
Overview
The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow the Board to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to the Company’s shareholders, in the event that, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the Reverse Split Proposal and the Plan Amendment Proposal.
Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved
If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by the shareholders, the Board may not be able to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the Reverse Split Proposal and the Plan Amendment Proposal.
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote is required to approve Adjournment Proposal. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal and broker “non-votes” will have no effect with respect to the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
OTHER INFORMATION
Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents
If your shares are held in street name, your broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder may, upon request, deliver only one copy of this proxy statement to shareholders to multiple shareholders sharing an address, absent contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders. The Company will, upon request, deliver a separate copy of the proxy materials to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered, upon written or oral request, to Nicole Fernandez-McGovern, Secretary, AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., 8863 E. 34th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67226. Shareholders sharing an address and receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials who wish to receive a single copy should contact their broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder.
| By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
| /s/ Barrett Mooney | |
| Barrett Mooney | |
| Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
| September [●], 2023 |
APPENDIX A
AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC.
2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(Amendment No. 4)
ARTICLE
I
PURPOSE
The purpose of this AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”) is to benefit AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) and its stockholders, by assisting the Company and its subsidiaries to attract, retain and provide incentives to key management employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates, and to align the interests of such service providers with those of the Company’s stockholders. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the granting of Non-qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Stock Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Distribution Equivalent Rights or any combination of the foregoing.
ARTICLE
II
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan unless the context otherwise requires:
2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean any corporation which, with respect to the Company, is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or other entity in which the Company has a controlling interest in such entity or another entity which is part of a chain of entities in which the Company or each entity has a controlling interest in another entity in the unbroken chain of entities ending with the applicable entity.
2.2 “Award” shall mean, individually or collectively, any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Stock Award, Performance Unit Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Distribution Equivalent Right or Unrestricted Stock Award.
2.3 “Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and the Holder with respect to an Award, setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award, as amended.
2.4 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 “Base Value” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 14.2.
2.6 “Cause” shall mean (i) if the Holder is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Cause” (or a similar term), “Cause” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Cause” shall mean termination by the Company or an Affiliate of the employment (or other service relationship) of the Holder by reason of the Holder’s (A) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (B) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of the Holder’s duties, (C) involvement in a transaction which is materially adverse to the Company or an Affiliate, (D) breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, (E) willful violation of any law, rule, regulation or court order (other than misdemeanor traffic violations and misdemeanors not involving misuse or misappropriation of money or property), (F) commission of an act of fraud or intentional misappropriation or conversion of any asset or opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate, or (G) material breach of any provision of the Plan or the Holder’s Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Holder and the Company or an Affiliate, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board, the determination of which shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.
2.7 “Change of Control” shall mean: (i) for a Holder who is a party to an employment or consulting agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Change of Control” (or a similar term), “Change of Control” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the satisfaction of any one or more of the following conditions (and the “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have been satisfied):
(a) Any person (as such term is used in paragraphs 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, hereinafter in this definition, “Person”), other than the Company or an Affiliate or an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;
(b) The closing of a merger, consolidation or other business combination (a “Business Combination”) other than a Business Combination in which holders of the Shares immediately prior to the Business Combination have substantially the same proportionate ownership of the common stock or ordinary shares, as applicable, of the surviving corporation immediately after the Business Combination as immediately before;
(c) The closing of an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any entity that is not an Affiliate;
(d) The approval by the holders of shares of Shares of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company, other than a merger of the Company into any subsidiary or a liquidation as a result of which persons who were stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such liquidation have substantially the same proportionate ownership of shares of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after such liquidation as immediately before; or
(e) Within any twenty-four (24) month period, the Incumbent Directors shall cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board or the board of directors of any successor to the Company; provided, however, that any director elected to the Board, or nominated for election, by a majority of the Incumbent Directors then still in office, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director for purposes of this paragraph (e), but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, entity or “group” other than the Board (including, but not limited to, any such assumption that results from paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this definition).
2.8 “Code” shall mean the United States of America Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to any section and any regulation under such section.
2.9 “Committee” shall mean a committee comprised of two (2) or more members of the Board who are selected by the Board as provided in Section 4.1.
2.10 “Company” shall have the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph, including any successor thereto.
2.11 “Consultant” shall mean any non-Employee (individual or entity) advisor to the Company or an Affiliate who or which has contracted directly with the Company or an Affiliate to render bona fide consulting or advisory services thereto.
2.12 “Director” shall mean a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate, in either case, who is not an Employee.
2.13 “Distribution Equivalent Right” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIII of the Plan which entitles the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the period the Holder held the Distribution Equivalent Right.
2.14 “Distribution Equivalent Right Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Distribution Equivalent Right Award.
2.15 “Effective Date” shall mean [●]
2.16 “Employee” shall mean any employee, including any officer, of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.17 “Exchange Act” shall mean the United States of America Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.18 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any specified date, the closing sales price of the Shares for such date (or, in the event that the Shares are not traded on such date, on the immediately preceding trading date) on the NYSE American, LLC (“NYSE American”), as reported by the NYSE American, or such other domestic or foreign national securities exchange on which the Shares may be listed. If the Shares are not listed on the NYSE American or on a national securities exchange, but are quoted on the OTC Markets or by the National Quotation Bureau, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be the mean of the highest bid and lowest asked prices per Share for such date. If the Shares are not quoted or listed as set forth above, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means (which means may be set forth with greater specificity in the applicable Award Agreement). The Fair Market Value of property other than Shares shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
2.19 “Family Member” of an individual shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Holder’s household (other than a tenant or employee of the Holder), a trust in which such persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which such persons (or the Holder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which such persons (or the Holder) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.
2.20 “Holder” shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award or any such individual’s beneficiary, estate or representative, who has acquired such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, as applicable.
2.21 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is intended by the Committee to constitute an “incentive stock option” and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.22 “Incumbent Director” shall mean, with respect to any period of time specified under the Plan for purposes of determining whether or not a Change of Control has occurred, the individuals who were members of the Board at the beginning of such period.
2.23 “Non-qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.24 “Option” shall mean an Award granted under Article VII of the Plan of an option to purchase Shares and shall include both Incentive Stock Options and Non-qualified Stock Options.
2.25 “Option Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Option.
2.26 “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria selected by the Committee for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Holder for a Performance Period.
2.27 “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the written goal or goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria, which may be related to the performance of the Holder, the Company or an Affiliate.
2.28 “Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, selected by the Committee, over which the attainment of the Performance Goals shall be measured for purposes of determining a Holder’s right to, and the payment of, a Qualified Performance-Based Award.
2.29 “Performance Stock Award” or “Performance Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article XII of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, Shares are paid to the Holder.
2.30 “Performance Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Stock Award.
2.31 “Performance Unit” shall mean a Unit awarded to a Holder pursuant to a Performance Unit Award.
2.32 “Performance Unit Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article XI of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.
2.33 “Performance Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Unit Award.
2.34 “Plan” shall mean this AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, together with each of the Award Agreements utilized hereunder.
2.35 “Qualified Performance-Based Award” shall mean an Award that is intended to qualify as “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
2.36 “Restricted Stock Award” and “Restricted Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article VIII of the Plan of Shares, the transferability of which by the Holder is subject to Restrictions.
2.37 “Restricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.
2.38 “Restricted Stock Unit Award” and “RSUs” shall refer to an Award granted under Article X of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.
2.39 “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.
2.40 “Restriction Period” shall mean the period of time for which Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to Restrictions, as set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement.
2.41 “Restrictions” shall mean the forfeiture, transfer and/or other restrictions applicable to Shares awarded to an Employee, Director or Consultant under the Plan pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement.
2.42 “Rule 16b-3” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, as such may be amended from time to time, and any successor rule, regulation or statute fulfilling the same or a substantially similar function.
2.43 “Shares” or “Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.
2.44 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIV of the Plan of a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.
2.45 “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right.
2.46 “Tandem Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of some or all of which results in termination of the entitlement to purchase some or all of the Shares under the related Option, all as set forth in Article XIV.
2.47 “Ten Percent Stockholder” shall mean an Employee who, at the time an Option is granted to him or her, owns shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code), within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
2.48 “Termination of Service” shall mean a termination of a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director or Consultant of, the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, for any reason, including, without limitation, Total and Permanent Disability or death, except as provided in Section 6.4. In the event Termination of Service shall constitute a payment event with respect to any Award subject to Code Section 409A, Termination of Service shall only be deemed to occur upon a “separation from service” as such term is defined under Code Section 409A and applicable authorities.
2.49 “Total and Permanent Disability” of an individual shall mean the inability of such individual to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
2.50 “Unit” shall mean a bookkeeping unit, which represents such monetary amount as shall be designated by the Committee in each Performance Unit Agreement, or represents one Share for purposes of each Restricted Stock Unit Award.
2.51 “Unrestricted Stock Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article IX of the Plan of Shares which are not subject to Restrictions.
2.52 “Unrestricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Unrestricted Stock Award.
ARTICLE
III
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, provided that the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of such date.
ARTICLE
IV
ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Composition of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board. If necessary, in the Board’s discretion, to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall consist solely of two (2) or more Directors who are each (i) “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (“Outside Directors”), (ii) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (“Non-Employee Directors”) and (iii) “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements; provided, however, that the Board or the Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not (x) Outside Directors, the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not (A) then “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and are not expected to be “covered employees” at the time of recognition of income resulting from such Award, or (B) persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, and/or (y) Non-Employee Directors, the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not then subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. If a member of the Committee shall be eligible to receive an Award under the Plan, such Committee member shall have no authority hereunder with respect to his or her own Award.
4.2 Powers. Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority, in its discretion, to make all determinations under the Plan, including but not limited to (i) determining which Employees, Directors or Consultants shall receive an Award, (ii) the time or times when an Award shall be made (the date of grant of an Award shall be the date on which the Award is awarded by the Committee), (iii) what type of Award shall be granted, (iv) the term of an Award, (v) the date or dates on which an Award vests, (vi) the form of any payment to be made pursuant to an Award, (vii) the terms and conditions of an Award (including the forfeiture of the Award, and/or any financial gain, if the Holder of the Award violates any applicable restrictive covenant thereof), (viii) the Restrictions under a Restricted Stock Award, (ix) the number of Shares which may be issued under an Award, (x) Performance Goals applicable to any Award and certification of the achievement of such goals, and (xi) the waiver of any Restrictions or Performance Goals, subject in all cases to compliance with applicable laws. In making such determinations the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Employees, Directors and Consultants, their present and potential contribution to the Company’s (or the Affiliate’s) success and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion may deem relevant.
4.3 Additional Powers. The Committee shall have such additional powers as are delegated to it under the other provisions of the Plan. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to construe the Plan and the respective Award Agreements executed hereunder, to prescribe such rules and regulations relating to the Plan as it may deem advisable to carry out the intent of the Plan, to determine the terms, restrictions and provisions of each Award and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent the Committee shall deem necessary, appropriate or expedient to carry it into effect. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Article IV shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and all Holders.
4.4 Committee Action. Subject to compliance with all applicable laws, action by the Committee shall require the consent of a majority of the members of the Committee, expressed either orally at a meeting of the Committee or in writing in the absence of a meeting. No member of the Committee shall have any liability for any good faith action, inaction or determination in connection with the Plan.
ARTICLE
V
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND LIMITATIONS THEREON
5.1 Authorized Shares and Award Limits. The Committee may from time to time grant Awards to one or more Employees, Directors and/or Consultants determined by it to be eligible for participation in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article VI. Subject to Article XV, the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed [●] Million ([●],000,000) Shares . Shares shall be deemed to have been issued under the Plan solely to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an Award. To the extent that an Award lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, or the rights of its Holder terminate, any Shares subject to such Award shall again be available for the grant of a new Award. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Awards of Options under Article VII and/or Stock Appreciation Rights under Article XIV, in either or both cases granted to any one person during any calendar year, shall be 500,000 Shares (subject to adjustment in the same manner as provided in Article XV with respect to Shares subject to Awards then outstanding). The limitation set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied in a manner which shall permit compensation generated in connection with the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to constitute “performance-based” compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, including, but not limited to, counting against such maximum number of Shares, to the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, any Shares subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that are canceled or re-priced.
5.2 Types of Shares . The Shares to be issued pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or Shares previously issued and outstanding and reacquired by the Company.
ARTICLE
VI
ELIGIBILITY AND TERMINATION OF SERVICE
6.1 Eligibility. Awards made under the Plan may be granted solely to individuals or entities who, at the time of grant, are Employees, Directors or Consultants. An Award may be granted on more than one occasion to the same Employee, Director or Consultant, and, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, such Award may include, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, an Unrestricted Stock Award, a Distribution Equivalent Right Award, a Performance Stock Award, a Performance Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, or any combination thereof, and solely for Employees, an Incentive Stock Option.
6.2 Termination of Service. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and/or the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.4, the following terms and conditions shall apply with respect to a Holder’s Termination of Service with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable:
(a) The Holder’s rights, if any, to exercise any then exercisable Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate:
(i) If such termination is for a reason other than the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability or death, ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination of Service;
(ii) If such termination is on account of the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability, one (1) year after the date of such Termination of Service; or
(iii) If such termination is on account of the Holder’s death, one (1) year after the date of the Holder’s death.
Upon such applicable date the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in or with respect to any such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for a different time period in the Award Agreement, or may extend the time period, following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise any vested Non-qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, which time period may not extend beyond the expiration date of the Award term.
(b) In the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for any reason prior to the actual or deemed satisfaction and/or lapse of the Restrictions, vesting requirements, terms and conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award and/or Restricted Stock Unit Award, such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs shall immediately be canceled, and the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in and with respect to any such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine, prior to or within thirty (30) days after the date of such Termination of Service that all or a portion of any such Holder’s Restricted Stock and/or RSUs shall not be so canceled and forfeited.
6.3 Special Termination Rule. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VI, if a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director of, the Company or an Affiliate shall terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become a Consultant, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been a Consultant for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding. Should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her employment or Director status had terminated until such time as his or her Consultant status shall terminate, in which case his or her Award, as it may have been reduced in connection with the Holder’s becoming a Consultant, shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2, provided, however, that any such Award which is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall, upon the Holder’s no longer being an Employee, automatically convert to a Non-qualified Stock Option. Should a Holder’s status as a Consultant terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become an Employee or a Director, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been an Employee or a Director, as applicable, for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding, and, should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her Consultant status had terminated until such time as his or her employment with the Company or an Affiliate, or his or her Director status, as applicable, shall terminate, in which case his or her Award shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.
6.4 Termination of Service for Cause. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI or elsewhere in the Plan to the contrary, and unless a Holder’s Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise, in the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for Cause, all of such Holder’s then outstanding Awards shall expire immediately and be forfeited in their entirety upon such Termination of Service.
ARTICLE
VII
OPTIONS
7.1 Option Period. The term of each Option shall be as specified in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that except as set forth in Section 7.3, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant.
7.2 Limitations on Exercise of Option. An Option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such times as specified in the Option Agreement.
7.3 Special Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the respective Incentive Stock Option is granted) of Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year under all plans of the Company and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code) which provide for the grant of Incentive Stock Options exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (or such other individual limit as may be in effect under the Code on the date of grant), the portion of such Incentive Stock Options that exceeds such threshold shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations and other administrative pronouncements, which of a Holder’s Options, which were intended by the Committee to be Incentive Stock Options when granted to the Holder, will not constitute Incentive Stock Options because of such limitation, and shall notify the Holder of such determination as soon as practicable after such determination. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Employee if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, such Employee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, unless (i) at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted the Option price is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted more than ten (10) years from the earlier of the Effective Date or date on which the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. The designation by the Committee of an Option as an Incentive Stock Option shall not guarantee the Holder that the Option will satisfy the applicable requirements for “incentive stock option” status under Section 422 of the Code.
7.4 Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with the other provisions of the Plan as the Committee from time to time shall approve, including, but not limited to, provisions intended to qualify an Option as an Incentive Stock Option. An Option Agreement may provide for the payment of the Option price, in whole or in part, by the delivery of a number of Shares (plus cash if necessary) that have been owned by the Holder for at least six (6) months and having a Fair Market Value equal to such Option price, or such other forms or methods as the Committee may determine from time to time, in each case, subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Committee. Each Option Agreement shall, solely to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4, as applicable, specify the effect of Termination of Service on the exercisability of the Option. Moreover, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement may provide for a “cashless exercise” of the Option, in whole or in part, by (a) establishing procedures whereby the Holder, by a properly-executed written notice, directs (i) an immediate market sale or margin loan as to all or a part of Shares to which he is entitled to receive upon exercise of the Option, pursuant to an extension of credit by the Company to the Holder of the Option price, (ii) the delivery of the Shares from the Company directly to a brokerage firm and (iii) the delivery of the Option price from sale or margin loan proceeds from the brokerage firm directly to the Company, or (b) reducing the number of Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option by the number of such Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the Option price (or portion thereof to be so paid) as of the date of the Option’s exercise. An Option Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Options, including but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability imposed as a result of a payment made upon a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Option Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Option Agreements need not be identical.
7.5 Option Price and Payment. The price at which an Share may be purchased upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such Option price (i) shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date such Option is granted (or 110% of Fair Market Value for an Incentive Stock Option held by Ten Percent Stockholder, as provided in Section 7.3), and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XV. The Option or portion thereof may be exercised by delivery of an irrevocable notice of exercise to the Company. The Option price for the Option or portion thereof shall be paid in full in the manner prescribed by the Committee as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement, which manner, with the consent of the Committee, may include the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option. Separate share certificates shall be issued by the Company for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option.
7.6 Stockholder Rights and Privileges. The Holder of an Option shall be entitled to all the privileges and rights of a stockholder of the Company solely with respect to such Shares as have been purchased under the Option and for which share certificates have been registered in the Holder’s name.
7.7 Options and Rights in Substitution for Stock or Options Granted by Other Corporations. Options may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for stock options held by individuals employed by entities who become Employees, Directors or Consultants as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing entity with the Company or any Affiliate, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of the assets of the employing entity, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of stock or shares of the employing entity with the result that such employing entity becomes an Affiliate.
7.8 Prohibition Against Re-Pricing. Except to the extent (i) approved in advance by holders of a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) as a result of any Change of Control or any adjustment as provided in Article XV, the Committee shall not have the power or authority to reduce, whether through amendment or otherwise, the exercise price under any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or to grant any new Award or make any payment of cash in substitution for or upon the cancellation of Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted.
ARTICLE
VIII
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
8.1 Award. A Restricted Stock Award shall constitute an Award of Shares to the Holder as of the date of the Award which are subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as defined under Section 83 of the Code during the specified Restriction Period. At the time a Restricted Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. The Restriction Period applicable to a particular Restricted Stock Award shall not be changed except as permitted by Section 8.2.
8.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article VIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Company shall cause the Shares to be issued in the name of Holder, either by book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates evidencing the Shares, which Shares or certificates shall be held by the Company or the stock transfer agent or brokerage service selected by the Company to provide services for the Plan. The Shares shall be restricted from transfer and shall be subject to an appropriate stop-transfer order, and if any certificate is issued, such certificate shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to the Shares. After any Shares vest, the Company shall deliver the vested Shares, in book-entry or certificated form in the Company’s sole discretion, registered in the name of Holder or his or her legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, less any Shares withheld to pay withholding taxes. If provided for under the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Holder shall have the right to vote Shares subject thereto and to enjoy all other stockholder rights, including the entitlement to receive dividends on the Shares during the Restriction Period. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the Restriction Period. Such additional terms, conditions or restrictions shall, to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4, as applicable, be set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement made in conjunction with the Award. Such Restricted Stock Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Awards, including but not limited to accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability imposed as a result of a payment made in connection with a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Restricted Stock Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Agreements need not be identical. All Shares delivered to a Holder as part of a Restricted Stock Award shall be delivered and reported by the Company or the Affiliate, as applicable, to the Holder at the time of vesting.
8.3 Payment for Restricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
ARTICLE
IX
UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
9.1 Award. Shares may be awarded (or sold) to Employees, Directors or Consultants under the Plan which are not subject to Restrictions of any kind, in consideration for past services rendered thereby to the Company or an Affiliate or for other valid consideration.
9.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article IX, the Company and the Holder shall enter into an Unrestricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated hereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.
9.3 Payment for Unrestricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
ARTICLE
X
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS
10.1 Award. A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified Restriction Period. At the time a Restricted Stock Unit Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. A Restricted Stock Unit shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares prior to the time the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 10.3.
10.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article X, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall set forth the individual service-based vesting requirement which the Holder would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to distribution pursuant to Section 10.3 and the number of Units awarded to the Holder. Such conditions shall be sufficient to constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as such term is defined under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Unit Awards in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable vesting period. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Unit Agreements need not be identical.
10.3 Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Restricted Stock Unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of an Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and as set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, for each Restricted Stock Unit subject to such Restricted Stock Unit Award, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the Restricted Stock Unit first becomes vested (i.e., no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture”).
ARTICLE
XI
PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS
11.1 Award. A Performance Unit Award shall constitute an Award under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Company (and/or Affiliate) Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder. At the time a Performance Unit Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals. Each Performance Unit Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Unit Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares.
11.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XI, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Unit Agreement the Performance Period, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to payment pursuant to Section 11.3, the number of Units awarded to the Holder and the dollar value or formula assigned to each such Unit. Such payment shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Unit Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Unit Agreements need not be identical.
11.3 Payments. The Holder of a Performance Unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the dollar value assigned to such Unit under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement if the Holder and/or the Company satisfy (or partially satisfy, if applicable under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement) the Performance Goals set forth in such Performance Unit Agreement. If necessary to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m), if applicable, the achievement of such Performance Goals shall be certified in writing by the Committee prior to any payment. All payments shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.
ARTICLE
XII
PERFORMANCE STOCK AWARDS
12.1 Award. A Performance Stock Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified Performance Period subject to achievement of specified Performance Goals. At the time a Performance Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria. Each Performance Stock Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Stock Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares unless and until the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 11.3.
12.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Stock Agreement the Performance Period, selected Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to the receipt of Shares pursuant to such Holder’s Performance Stock Award and the number of Shares subject to such Performance Stock Award. Such distribution shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. If such Performance Goals are achieved, the distribution of Shares (or the payment of cash, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee), shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such goals and objectives relate. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of the Holder’s Termination of Service prior to the expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Stock Agreements need not be identical.
12.3 Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Performance Stock Award shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, for each Performance Stock Award subject to such Performance Stock Agreement, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. If necessary to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m), if applicable, the achievement of such Performance Goals shall be certified in writing by the Committee prior to any payment. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.
ARTICLE
XIII
DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
13.1 Award. A Distribution Equivalent Right shall entitle the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the specified period of the Award.
13.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the Holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at Fair Market Value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional Shares or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives. Such receipt shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code and, if such Award becomes vested, the distribution of such cash or Shares shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Holder’s interest in the Award vests. Distribution Equivalent Rights Awards may be settled in cash or in Shares, as set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement. A Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may, but need not be, awarded in tandem with another Award (other than an Option or a SAR), whereby, if so awarded, such Distribution Equivalent Rights Award shall expire, terminate or be forfeited by the Holder, as applicable, under the same conditions as under such other Award.
13.3 Interest Equivalents. The Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement for a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may provide for the crediting of interest on a Distribution Rights Award to be settled in cash at a future date (but in no event later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which such interest is credited and vested), at a rate set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement, on the amount of cash payable thereunder.
ARTICLE
XIV
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
14.1 Award. A Stock Appreciation Right shall constitute a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.
14.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIV, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Stock Appreciation Right Agreement the terms and conditions of the Stock Appreciation Right, including (i) the base value (the “Base Value”) for the Stock Appreciation Right, which shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) the number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right, (iii) the period during which the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant, and (iv) any other special rules and/or requirements which the Committee imposes upon the Stock Appreciation Right. Upon the exercise of some or all of the portion of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Holder shall receive a payment from the Company, in cash or in the form of Shares having an equivalent Fair Market Value or in a combination of both, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, equal to the product of:
(a) The excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date of exercise, over (ii) the Base Value, multiplied by,
(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
14.3 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. If the Committee grants a Stock Appreciation Right which is intended to be a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be granted at the same time as the related Option, and the following special rules shall apply:
(a) The Base Value shall be equal to or greater than the per Share exercise price under the related Option;
(b) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for all or part of the Shares which are subject to the related Option, but solely upon the surrender by the Holder of the Holder’s right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the related Option, an equivalent portion of the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled);
(c) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall expire no later than the date of the expiration of the related Option;
(d) The value of the payment with respect to the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the per Share exercise price under the related Option and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option at the time the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, multiplied by the number of the Shares with respect to which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised; and
(e) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised solely when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option exceeds the per Share exercise price under the related Option.
ARTICLE
XV
RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION
15.1 Adjustments to Shares. The shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan are Shares as presently constituted; provided, however, that if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the Holder of Shares underlying an Award theretofore granted, the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of the Shares or the payment of an Share dividend on Shares without receipt of consideration by the Company, the number of Shares with respect to which such Award may thereafter be exercised or satisfied, as applicable, (i) in the event of an increase in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately increased, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately reduced, and (ii) in the event of a reduction in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately reduced, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately increased. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Article XV, any adjustment made with respect to an Award (x) which is an Incentive Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan to be other than an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, and (y) which is a Non-qualified Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan to become subject to Section 409A of the Code.
15.2 Recapitalization. If the Company recapitalizes or otherwise changes its capital structure, thereafter upon any exercise or satisfaction, as applicable, of a previously granted Award, the Holder shall be entitled to receive (or entitled to purchase, if applicable) under such Award, in lieu of the number of Shares then covered by such Award, the number and class of shares and securities to which the Holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to such recapitalization, the Holder had been the holder of record of the number of Shares then covered by such Award.
15.3 Other Events. In the event of changes to the outstanding Shares by reason of an extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, split-up, spin-off, exchange or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any Award and not otherwise provided for under this Article XV, any outstanding Awards and any Award Agreements evidencing such Awards shall be adjusted by the Board in its discretion in such manner as the Board shall deem equitable or appropriate taking into consideration the applicable accounting and tax consequences, as to the number and price of Shares or other consideration subject to such Awards. In the event of any adjustment pursuant to Sections 15.1, 15.2 or this Section 15.3, the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan pursuant to Section 5.1 (and the Code Section 162(m) limit set forth therein) may be appropriately adjusted by the Board, the determination of which shall be conclusive. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Holder or a person who has an outstanding Award. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Holder or a person who has an outstanding Award.
15.4 Change of Control. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, at the time an Award is made or at any time prior to, coincident with or after the time of a Change of Control, cause any Award either (i) to be canceled in consideration of a payment in cash or other consideration in amount per share equal to the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per Share in the Change of Control over the per Share exercise, base or purchase price of such Award, which may be paid immediately or over the vesting schedule of the Award; (ii) to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefore, by the surviving corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such surviving corporation following such Change of Control; (iii) accelerate any time periods, or waive any other conditions, relating to the vesting, exercise, payment or distribution of an Award so that any Award to a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control may be vested, exercised, paid or distributed in full on or before a date fixed by the Committee; (iv) to be purchased from a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control, upon the Holder’s request, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise, payment or distribution of such rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable; or (v) terminate any then outstanding Award or make any other adjustment to the Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect such transaction or change. The number of Shares subject to any Award shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
15.5 Powers Not Affected. The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or of the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change of the Company’s capital structure or business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Shares or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
15.6 No Adjustment for Certain Awards. Except as hereinabove expressly provided, the issuance by the Company of shares of any class or securities convertible into shares of any class, for cash, property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect previously granted Awards, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to the number of Shares subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per Share, if applicable.
ARTICLE
XVI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
The Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to this Article XVI, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board (except as to Awards outstanding on that date). The Board in its discretion may terminate the Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which Awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Holder. The Board shall have the right to alter or amend the Plan or any part hereof from time to time; provided, however, that without the approval by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum representing a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is present in person or by proxy, no amendment or modification of the Plan may (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to Holders, (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in Article XV, materially increase the number of Shares subject to the Plan or the individual Award Agreements specified in Article V, (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, or (iv) amend, modify or suspend Section 7.7 (re-pricing prohibitions) or this Article XVI. In addition, no change in any Award theretofore granted may be made which would materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to such Award without the consent of the Holder (unless such change is required in order to cause the benefits under the Plan to qualify as “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or to exempt the Plan or any Award from Section 409A of the Code).
ARTICLE
XVII
MISCELLANEOUS
17.1 No Right to Award. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Company nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give an Employee, Director or Consultant any right to an Award except as may be evidenced by an Award Agreement duly executed on behalf of the Company, and then solely to the extent and on the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.
17.2 No Rights Conferred. Nothing contained in the Plan shall (i) confer upon any Employee any right with respect to continuation of employment with the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of an Employee at any time, (iii) confer upon any Director any right with respect to continuation of such Director’s membership on the Board, (iv) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Director’s membership on the Board at any time, (v) confer upon any Consultant any right with respect to continuation of his or her consulting engagement with the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Consultant’s consulting engagement with the Company or an Affiliate at any time.
17.3 Other Laws; No Fractional Shares; Withholding. The Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any provision of the Plan to recognize the exercise of any Award or to otherwise sell or issue Shares in violation of any laws, rules or regulations, and any postponement of the exercise or settlement of any Award under this provision shall not extend the term of such Award. Neither the Company nor its directors or officers shall have any obligation or liability to a Holder with respect to any Award (or Shares issuable thereunder) (i) that shall lapse because of such postponement, or (ii) for any failure to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, rules or regulations, including but not limited to any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of this Code. No fractional Shares shall be delivered, nor shall any cash in lieu of fractional Shares be paid. The Company shall have the right to deduct in cash (whether under this Plan or otherwise) in connection with all Awards any taxes required by law to be withheld and to require any payments required to enable it to satisfy its withholding obligations. In the case of any Award satisfied in the form of Shares, no Shares shall be issued unless and until arrangements satisfactory to the Company shall have been made to satisfy any tax withholding obligations applicable with respect to such Award. Subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may impose, the Company shall have the right to retain, or the Committee may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may establish from time to time, permit Holders to elect to tender, Shares (including Shares issuable in respect of an Award) to satisfy, in whole or in part, the amount required to be withheld.
17.4 No Restriction on Corporate Action. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any Affiliate from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No Employee, Director, Consultant, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any Affiliate as a result of any such action.
17.5 Restrictions on Transfer. No Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement and no rights or interests herein or therein, shall or may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a Holder except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) where permitted under applicable tax rules, by gift to any Family Member of the Holder, subject to compliance with applicable laws. An Award may be exercisable during the lifetime of the Holder only by such Holder or by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative unless it has been transferred by gift to a Family Member of the Holder, in which case it shall be exercisable solely by such transferee. Notwithstanding any such transfer, the Holder shall continue to be subject to the withholding requirements provided for under Section 17.3 hereof.
17.6 Beneficiary Designations. Each Holder may, from time to time, name a beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be contingent or successive beneficiaries) for purposes of receiving any amount which is payable in connection with an Award under the Plan upon or subsequent to the Holder’s death. Each such beneficiary designation shall serve to revoke all prior beneficiary designations, be in a form prescribed by the Company and be effective solely when filed by the Holder in writing with the Company during the Holder’s lifetime. In the absence of any such written beneficiary designation, for purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s beneficiary shall be the Holder’s estate.
17.7 Rule 16b-3. It is intended that the Plan and any Award made to a person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall meet all of the requirements of Rule 16b-3. If any provision of the Plan or of any such Award would disqualify the Plan or such Award under, or would otherwise not comply with the requirements of, Rule 16b-3, such provision or Award shall be construed or deemed to have been amended as necessary to conform to the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
17.8 Section 162(m). The following conditions shall apply if it is intended that the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code be satisfied such that Awards under the Plan which are made to Holders who are “covered employees” (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) shall constitute “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code: Any Performance Goal(s) applicable to Qualified Performance-Based Awards shall be objective, shall be established not later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of any applicable Performance Period (or at such other date as may be required or permitted for “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code) and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, including the requirement that the outcome of the Performance Goal or Goals be substantially uncertain (as defined in the regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code) at the time established. The Performance Criteria to be utilized under the Plan to establish Performance Goals shall consist of objective tests based on one or more of the following: earnings or earnings per share, cash flow or cash flow per share, operating cash flow or operating cash flow per share revenue growth, product revenue growth, financial return ratios (such as return on equity, return on investment and/or return on assets), share price performance, stockholder return, equity and/or value, operating income, operating margins, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, earnings, pre- or post-tax income, economic value added (or an equivalent metric), profit returns and margins, credit quality, sales growth, market share, working capital levels, comparisons with various share market indices, year-end cash, debt reduction, assets under management, operating efficiencies, strategic partnerships or transactions (including co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements), and/or financing and other capital raising transaction. Performance criteria may be established on a Company-wide basis or with respect to one or more Company business units or divisions or subsidiaries; and either in absolute terms, relative to the performance of one or more similarly situated companies, or relative to the performance of an index covering a peer group of companies. When establishing Performance Goals for the applicable Performance Period, the Committee may exclude any or all “extraordinary items” as determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles including, without limitation, the charges or costs associated with restructurings of the Company, discontinued operations, other unusual or non-recurring items, and the cumulative effects of accounting changes, and as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the Company’s financial statements or management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contained in the Company’s most recent annual report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act. Holders who are “covered employees” (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) shall be eligible to receive payment under a Qualified Performance-Based Award which is subject to achievement of a Performance Goal or Goals only if the applicable Performance Goal or Goals are achieved within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee. If any provision of the Plan would disqualify the Plan or would not otherwise permit the Plan to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code as so intended, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the requirements or provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee may postpone the exercising of Awards, the issuance or delivery of Shares under any Award or any action permitted under the Plan to prevent the Company or any subsidiary from being denied a federal income tax deduction, provided that such deferral satisfies the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(4)(i), the maximum aggregate amount that may be paid in cash during any calendar year to any one person (measured from the date of any payment) with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $500,000.
17.9 Clawback Policy. Notwithstanding any contained herein or in any incentive “performance based” Awards under the Plan shall be subject to reduction, forfeiture or repayment by reason of a correction or restatement of the Company’s financial information if and to the extent such reduction or repayment is required by any applicable law.
17.10 Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee shall have no authority to issue an Award under the Plan with terms and/or conditions which would cause such Award to constitute non-qualified “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code unless such Award shall be structured to be exempt from or comply with all requirements of Code Section 409A. The Plan and all Award Agreements are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or to be exempt therefrom) and shall be so interpreted and construed and no amount shall be paid or distributed from the Plan unless and until such payment complies with all requirements of Code Section 409A. It is the intent of the Company that the provisions of this Agreement and all other plans and programs sponsored by the Company be interpreted to comply in all respects with Code Section 409A, however, the Company shall have no liability to the Holder, or any successor or beneficiary thereof, in the event taxes, penalties or excise taxes may ultimately be determined to be applicable to any payment or benefit received by the Holder or any successor or beneficiary thereof.
17.11 Indemnification. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred thereby in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which such person may be made a party or may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid thereby in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid thereby in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against such person; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive and shall be independent of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise.
17.12 Other Benefit Plans. No Award, payment or amount received hereunder shall be taken into account in computing an Employee’s salary or compensation for the purposes of determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate, unless such other plan specifically provides for the inclusion of such Award, payment or amount received. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company to establish other plans or to pay compensation to its employees, in cash or property, in a manner which is not expressly authorized under the Plan.
17.13 Limits of Liability. Any liability of the Company with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon the contractual obligations created under the Plan and the Award Agreement. None of the Company, any member of the Board nor any member of the Committee shall have any liability to any party for any action taken or not taken, in good faith, in connection with or under the Plan.
17.14 Governing Law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
17.15 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.
17.16 No Funding. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of funds or assets to ensure the payment of any Award. Prior to receipt of Shares or a cash distribution pursuant to the terms of an Award, such Award shall represent an unfunded unsecured contractual obligation of the Company and the Holder shall have no greater claim to the Shares underlying such Award or any other assets of the Company or Affiliate than any other unsecured general creditor.
17.17 Headings. Headings used throughout the Plan are for convenience only and shall not be given legal significance.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC.
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER [●], 2023
Barrett Mooney and Nicole Fernandez-McGovern, and each of them, each with full power of substitution, hereby are authorized to vote as specified below or, with respect to any matter not set forth below, as a majority of those or their substitutes present and acting at the meeting shall determine, all of the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote, if personally present, at the special meeting of shareholders and any adjournment thereof. Unless otherwise specified, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
Approve a reverse stock split of the Common Stock in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares, with the final ratio to be determined by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”);
| ☐ | FOR | ☐ | AGAINST | ☐ | ABSTAIN |
PROPOSAL NO. 2
Approve an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Inventive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan to [ ] shares after the Reverse Split; and
| ☐ | FOR | ☐ | AGAINST | ☐ | ABSTAIN |
PROPOSAL NO. 3
Approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the Proposals.
| ☐ | FOR | ☐ | AGAINST | ☐ | ABSTAIN |
Please sign exactly as your name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants, each should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate officer, or partner, please give full title as such.
| Date ________________, 2023 | ||
| Signature | ||
| Signature if held jointly |
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
The Special Meeting of the shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), will be held on November [●], 2023, at 11:00 a.m., local time, 700 NW 1st Avenue, Ste. 1200, Miami, Florida 33136-4118.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting: The Proxy Statement is available at https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023.
| THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROXY FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF AGEAGLE AERIAL SYSTEMS INC. AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. Special Meeting of Shareholders November [●], 2023 at 11:00 AM Local Time This proxy is solicited by the Board Of Directors Barrett Mooney and Nicole Fernandez-McGovern, and each of them, each with full power of substitution, hereby are authorized to vote as specified below or, with respect to any matter not set forth below, as a majority of those or their substitutes present and acting at the meeting shall determine, all of the shares of capital stock of the Company. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote, if personally present, at the special meeting of shareholders and any adjournment thereof. Unless otherwise specified, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR 1, 2 and 3. Continued and to be signed on reverse side |
AgEagle
Aerial Systems Inc.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November [●], 2023
700 NW 1st Avenue, Ste. 1200, Miami, Florida 33136-4118 at 11:00 am local time
 |
This
communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage
you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. The Proxy Statement is available at https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023. If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed below on or before [●], 2023, to facilitate timely delivery. Unless requested, you will not receive a paper or e-mail copy. Important information regarding the Internet availability of the Company’s proxy materials, instructions for accessing your proxy materials and voting online, and instructions for requesting paper or e-mail copies of your proxy materials are provided on the reverse side of this Notice. |
SHAREHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTE IN PERSON.
To the Shareholders of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of Shareholders of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. will be held on November [●], 2023 at 11:00 a.m. local time at 700 NW 1st Avenue, Ste. 1200, Miami, Florida 33136-4118 for the following purposes.
PROPOSAL NO. 1 – To approve authorizing the Board, at its discretion, to file an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, to authorize a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock with a ratio in the range between and including 1-for-10 shares and 1-for-20 shares (the “Reverse Split Proposal”);
PROPOSAL NO. 2 – To approve an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Inventive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan to [ ] shares after the Reverse Split; and
PROPOSAL NO. 3 - To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the Proposals.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” Proposals 1, 2 and 3.
The Securities and Exchange Commission rules permit us to make our proxy materials available to our shareholders via the Internet.
Material for this Special Meeting and future meetings may be requested by one of the following methods:
 |
To view your proxy materials online, go to https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023. Have the 11 digit control number available when you access the website and follow the instructions. |
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Toll-free [●] |
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[●] * If requesting material by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the company name and your 11 digit control number (located below) in the subject line. No other requests, instructions or other inquiries should be included with your e-mail requesting material. |
You must use the 11 digit control number located in the box below.
| CONTROL NO. | ||
AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc.
The Proxy Statement is available for you to review at: https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023
ACCESSING YOUR PROXY MATERIALS ONLINE
Have this notice available when you request a paper copy of the proxy materials or to vote your proxy electronically. You must reference your control number to vote by Internet or request a paper copy of the proxy materials.
You May Vote Your Proxy When You View The Material On The Internet. You Will Be Asked To Follow The Prompts To Vote Your Shares.
Your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card.
REQUESTING A PAPER COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS
By
telephone please call 1-800-579-1639
or
By logging onto https://web.viewproxy.com/uavs/2023
or
By email at: UAVS@AllianceAdvisors.com
Please include the company name and your control number in the subject line.