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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

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COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
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COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
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LOGO

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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_cogent-bw.jpg]
To Our Fellow Stockholders:

        I was honored

Both the Company and the Board adapted very rapidly to be elected by my fellow independent directors as Cogent'sa new Lead Independent Directorreality of operating remotely in February 2020. Oura constantly changing environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Board, has focusedour immediate concerns were the health and safety of our employees and the continued seamless operation of our business. We discussed both issues regularly with management and are pleased with the steps taken to protect our employees and to keep expanding Cogent’s business during this time.
The Board’s primary goals in 2020 were a greater focus on a numbercorporate governance, oversight of key governancethe Company’s commitment to addressing environmental and social responsibility initiatives sinceconcerns and continued alignment of compensation with the 2019 Annual Meeting,Company’s performance and I would likestockholders’ interests. We are pleased to takereport to you the following progress in the Company’s efforts in these areas:
Corporate Governance:
•
The Board is committed to a momentdiverse Board that includes a variety of knowledge, experience and skills and that reflects the gender and ethnic diversity of our workforce.
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Environment and Social Stewardship:
•
The Company has embarked on an effort to provide youreport the energy intensity of its operations of its network equipment. The Company has consistently implemented network technology that reduces power usage per byte of network traffic carried. Over the last five years, while network traffic increased 33% per year, estimated network power draw only increased 11% per year, resulting in an estimated 16% annual reduction in energy usage per unit of traffic volume.
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•
Last year, the Company contracted for the installation of a solar power array at its Pasadena data center and sales office, the site that is the Company’s largest consumer of power.
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The Company created a new Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability section on its website that includes expanded information on its efforts. The Company is committed to increasing our transparency in this area.
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At the direction of the Board, the Company required all employees to complete training for unconscious bias and diversity and mandated additional training in these areas for all managers.
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The Board continued its oversight over the hiring, training and retention of employees, in particular, our sales employees. The Board focuses on the performance of our sales employees as a key metric to understand the Company’s performance and its ability to increase sales and revenue.
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•
The Board reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to hiring and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
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Pay for Performance:
•
Our number one executive compensation priority is to align compensation with an update.

Company performance.Increased     In 2021, all of our Chief Executive Officer’s cash compensation will be performance-based. Over 95% of our CEO’s target direct compensation for 2021 is in the form of long-term equity awards, and a majority of this equity compensation is performance-based. In response to shareholder feedback, in 2020 we changed the performance metrics on which our Chief Executive Officer vests in his performance-based equity grant to include growth in revenue and cash flow as well as total shareholder return. These are metrics directly influenced by his performance. Over 70% of senior management compensation is in the form of long-term equity awards, and 20% of this equity compensation is performance-based.

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1
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Stockholder Outreach and Engagement:

        Since the 2019 Annual Meeting, the Board prioritized stockholder outreach, and

As we reached out to many of our largest stockholdersdid in the fall oflate 2019 and winter of 2020. Members of the Board met with or spoke to non-affiliated stockholders representing approximately 38% of our outstanding shares. In most cases, the Board met with the investment stewardship departments of such stockholders.

        The Board also spoke to third party advisors to solicit advice on best corporate governance practices. Representatives fromearly 2020, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met withof the CouncilBoard reached out to a number of Institutional Investorsour largest stockholders and Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS").

        In addition, during 2019, management attended over 20 investor conferencesthird-party advisors in December 2020 and conducted nearly 370January 2021. We continue to find our meetings with our stockholders to be productive and other interested investors, matching its pace from 2018.

        During these conversations, we received feedback regarding board composition,have taken a number of concrete steps, some of which are outlined above, in response to specific stockholder requests in the importanceareas of appointing a lead independent director, corporate governance principles, pay for performancecompensation and environmental and social issues.

        These concernsreporting.

Throughout the year, we were shared withreminded of the critical importance of the Internet and discussed byof the full Board. The steps taken byservice Cogent provides. Whether for work or for school, to celebrate successes or to mourn losses, the Board in responseInternet allowed us to share these concerns include:

Board Refreshment and Board Diversity:

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee started a processexperiences together even as we needed to refresh the Board following the 2019 Annual Meeting to lower the average tenure on the Board and bring diversityremain apart. We are proud of Cogent’s increasing importance to the Board.

        In November 2019,Internet, and we are personally grateful to our many employees who worked tirelessly to ensure the Board appointed Sheryl Kennedy and Carolyn Katz to serve as directors. The Board appointed Ms. Kennedy to serve on the Audit Committee and appointed Ms. Katz to serve on the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Kennedy and Ms. Katz both bring a wealthuninterrupted performance of knowledge, skills and experience to the Board, and the Board is confident that they will be excellent additions.

        Also in November 2019, two long-serving members of the Board, Richard Liebhaber and Timothy Weingarten, stepped down from the Board. The Board thanks Messrs. Liebhaber and Weingarten for their many years of valuable service.

        Following these additions and departures from our Board, our average director tenure decreased from 12.75 years as of November 2019 to 8.91 years today. The average tenure for our independent directors decreased from 11.75 years to 7 years over the same time frame.

Lead Independent Director:

        In February 2020, the Board created the position of Lead Independent Director to provide leadership of the Board independent of management and to serve as a point of contact for our stockholders. The Lead Independent Director shall, among other things, have the authority to call meetings of the independent directors, approve Board meeting schedules and agendas, and periodically evaluate the Board of Directors, individual directors (including the Chairman)network and the quality and

timeliness of information provided by management to the Board. The creation of this role formalizes our already vigorous oversight by the independent directors and brings to stockholders clarity and assurance of continuity.

Pay for Performance:

        We listened carefully to the commentsservices provided to us during our meetings with key stockholders, the Council of Institutional Investors and ISS. Based on the feedback received, we modified the structure of the 2020 compensation of our Chief Executive Officer.

        Our number one priority is to align CEO and executive officer compensation with Company performance and investors' interests. Our CEO cash bonus was and will still be 100% subject to the Company meeting specific growth and profitability targets.

        In addition, beginning this year, the Compensation Committee changed performance targets for the performance shares of our CEO's long term incentive share grant. For the grant awarded in 2020, two thirds (2/3) of the performance-based shares will vest based on the achievement of goals tied to the rates of growth in the Company's revenue and cash flow from operations, with the targets for each set above the rates of growth for the relevant index.

Environmental and Social Stewardship:

        During 2020, the Board intends to sharpen its oversight of the Company's commitment to addressing environmental and social concerns. Using the standards issued by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board as a starting point, the Board will work with management during 2020 to identify or develop relevant metrics on which the Company and stockholders can gauge our progress in these areas.

customers.

The Board amended the charters of the Audit and Compensation Committees to include oversight of these areas. In addition, the charter of the Audit Committee now includes a clear mandate to monitor the Company's data privacy and data security.

        The Board is also cognizant of the fact that hiring, training and retaining talent is critical in the long-term success of the Company. In 2019, the Board completed a review of the hiring and training procedures of the Company. The Board is also very supportive of the CEO's efforts and investments in boosting employee morale and in communicating the Company's sense of purpose.

        While much has been done already in respect of matters raised in these consultations, the Board will continue to consider further steps to take in these areas in order to best achieve stockholder interests in good governance and corporate and social responsibility.

Corporate Governance Guidelines:

        In February 2020, the Board adopted a set of corporate governance guidelines, which may be found on the Company's website under the tab "About Cogent; Investor Relations; Corporate Governance" atwww.cogentco.com. The Board believes these guidelines enunciate clear standards of corporate governance in addition to providing greater Board transparency and accountability to our stockholders.

        The Board isremains intensely focused on itsour obligations to you, our stockholders, and to our wider set of stakeholders. The Board firmly believesWe believe that continued transparency with respect to both the process and substance of itsour actions is critical to our oversight responsibilities. Integral to this transparency is the Board's commitment to strengthening its communications with stockholders. In 2020, the Board will maintain its proactive outreach to stockholders andAs always, we invite and welcome your input on any issues of concern.

On behalf of the Board, Iwe thank you for your support and look forward to seeing youyour attendance at the Annual Meeting.

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[MISSING IMAGE: sg_dave-schaeffer.jpg]
Dave Schaeffer
Chairman
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[MISSING IMAGE: sg_marc-montagner.jpg]
Marc Montagner
Lead Independent Director
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March 12, 2021

GRAPHIC2


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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_cogent-bw.jpg]
Marc Montagner
Lead Independent Director

LOGO

To Our Fellow Stockholders:

        I founded Cogent in 1999 with a simple purpose: to provide high quality, high capacity bandwidth at the lowest prices to businesses around the world.

        Since 1999, Cogent has pursued this purpose with diligence, vigor and respect for obligations to all of its stakeholders. Cogent has consistently placed primary importance on growing our business for the benefit of our stockholders, while also recognizing its obligations to our other stakeholders. Accordingly, we have worked to return capital to our equity and debt holders, to honor our customer commitments through the provision of exemplary service, to develop and provide career opportunities to our workforce and to retain our technical talent through continuous, hands-on training and education. Each year, I announce five goals for the coming year to focus the Cogent team on meeting these overall objectives.

        Twenty years since its founding, Cogent now provides a critical service to many of the world's leading companies, Internet providers, and content and application creators and stimulates innovation and development by new and emerging companies through our provision of low cost, high quality Internet service.

        I am pleased that the independent directors have elected Marc Montagner to serve as our Lead Independent Director. I look forward to working with him in this new role and believe it will enhance our governance priorities by facilitating more structured feedback from our independent directors to management and to me and by providing an additional channel for stockholders to interact with Cogent and our Board.

        Thank you for your continued investment in Cogent.

Sincerely,

GRAPHIC

Dave Schaeffer
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

LOGO

To Our Fellow Stockholders:

        As the Chair of the Compensation Committee of the Board, I join Marc and Dave in thanking you for your continued support of Cogent. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the executive compensation for Cogent. In executing this responsibility, we have sought to ensure that our executive officers are fairly compensated and that their interests are linked to those of our stockholders. In furtherance of these goals, we receive the input of an independent compensation advisor, consider the compensation programs of companies similar to Cogent, and, beginning this past year, solicit the opinions of many of our largest stockholders. We combine this information with our own experience and knowledge of the industry to reach independent decisions that we believe fulfill our mandate.

        The Committee believes in pay for performance and has adopted individualized performance metrics for each executive officer. For our Chief Revenue Officer, the Committee has tied a portion of his compensation to Cogent's monthly sales revenue. For our other executive officers, the Committee believes customer satisfaction serves as a proxy for the overall quality of our service and network. Lastly, for the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee has determined that the targets should relate to Cogent's operational performance and efficiency, its allocation of capital and its performance relative to its peers and competitors.

        We also recognize that stockholders have increased concerns regarding another important Cogent stakeholder: our employees. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee is looking at the broader issues of employee retention and management. We are cognizant that Cogent experiences high turnover within our sales department, attributable quite often to performance, and are aware of the need to address this turnover by improving performance through additional training for both our sales representatives and their managers. On the operations side, while we see substantially less turnover, the Committee is equally focused on retaining our technically skilled employees. For all Cogent employees, the Committee intends to focus on employee morale, employee understanding of Cogent's purpose and values and the alignment of employee incentives to this purpose.

        As always, we invite your feedback on these and other issues of concern.

Sincerely,

GRAPHIC

D. Blake Bath
Chair, Compensation Committee

LOGO

2450 N Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 295-4200

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2020
APRIL 28, 2021

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"“Company”), will be held on May 6, 2020,April 28, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Company's offices*Company’s offices at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, for the following purposes:

1.

To elect seven directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors have been elected or appointed.
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2.

2.
To vote on the ratification of the appointment by the Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.2021.
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To approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan, including an increase in the number of shares available for issuance thereunder by 1.2 million shares.
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4.
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To hold an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.
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5.

4.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

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The foregoing matters are described in more detail in the enclosed Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors has fixed March 9, 20201, 2021 as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The Company'sCompany’s Proxy Statement is attached hereto. Financial and other information about the Company is contained in the enclosed 20192020 Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

2020.

You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Your participation in these matters is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the enclosed envelope. If you choose to attend the meeting you may then vote in person if you so desire, even though you may have executed and returned the proxy. Any stockholder who executes such a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by delivering written notice of revocation to the Company, Attention: Ried Zulager; by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Company; or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_riedzulager-bw.jpg]
Ried Zulager, Secretary
Washington, D.C.
March 12, 2021

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By Order of the Board of Directors,



GRAPHIC

Ried Zulager,Secretary

Washington, D.C.
March 16, 2020

*
We intend to hold our annual meeting in person. However, as part of our precautions regarding the coronavirus or COVID-19, we are planning for the possibility that the annual meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication. In the event the annual meeting will be held solely by remote communication, we will announce the decision to do so in advance, and details on how to participate will be issued by press release, posted on our website, and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the annual meeting.

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COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Stockholder Meeting to Be Held at 9:00 a.m., May 6, 2020
April 28, 2021

The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders (Form 10-K) are available at: http:https://www.cogentco.com/en/about-cogent/investor-relations/reports.

The materials available at the website are the proxy statement and annual report to stockholders (Form 10-K).

The annual stockholder meeting of the stockholders of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. ("Cogent"(“Cogent” or the "Company"“Company”) will be held at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 6, 2020April 28, 2021 at Cogent'sCogent’s offices at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. The matters to be covered are noted below:

1.

Election of directors;

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2.

Ratification of appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020;2021;

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3.

To approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan including an increase in the number of shares available for issuance thereunder by 1.2 million shares;
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4.
Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation; and
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5.

4.
Other matters as may properly come before the meeting.

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The Board of Directors of Cogent recommends voting FOR the election of each director nominee named in Proposal 1—1 — Election of Directors, FOR Proposal 2—2 — Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Registered Public Accountants for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2020,2021, FOR Proposal 3 — Approval of an Amendment and Restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan, and FOR Proposal 3—4 — Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation.

You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Your participation in these matters is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the enclosed envelope. If you choose to attend the meeting you may then vote in person if you so desire, even though you may have executed and returned the proxy. Any stockholder who executes such a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by delivering written notice of revocation to the Company, Attention: Ried Zulager; by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Company; or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_cogent-bw.jpg]

LOGO

2450 N Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 295-4200

PROXY STATEMENT

The Board of Directors (the "Board"“Board”) of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (referred to herein as the "Company," "Cogent," "we," "us,"“Company,” “Cogent,” “we,” “us,” or "our"“our”), a Delaware corporation, is soliciting your proxy on the proxy card enclosed with this Proxy Statement. Your proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"“Annual Meeting”) to be held in person on May 6, 2020,April 28, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Company'sCompany’s offices at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card and the 20192020 Annual Report to Stockholders are first being mailed to stockholders on or about March 16, 2020.

12, 2021.


VOTING SECURITIES

Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares

Only stockholders of record on the books of the Company as of 5:00 p.m., March 9, 20201, 2021 (the "Record Date"“Record Date”), will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, the outstanding voting securities of the Company consisted of 47,209,69547,578,368 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the Inspector of Elections with the assistance of the Company'sCompany’s transfer agent. The Inspector will also determine whether or not a quorum is present. In general, our bylaws (the "Bylaws"“Bylaws”) provide that a quorum consists of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, the holders of which are present in person or represented by proxy. Broker non-votes (which occur when a brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner on a non-routine matter, as defined under applicable rules and as discussed in greater detail below) and abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

Except in very limited circumstances, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares having voting power present in person or represented by proxy at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present is required under the Bylaws for approval of proposals presented to stockholders.

Proxies

The shares represented by the proxies received, properly dated and executed and not revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholders. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by:

•

delivering written notice of revocation to the Company, Attention: Ried Zulager;
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•

•
delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Company; or
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•

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attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

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Any proxy that is returned using the form of proxy enclosed and whichthat is not marked as to a particular item will be voted "FOR"“FOR” the election of each director nominee, "FOR"“FOR” the ratification of the appointment by the Audit Committee of the Board (the "Audit Committee"“Audit Committee”) of Ernst &


Young LLP as independent registered public accountants, “FOR” the approval of an amendment and "FOR"restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan, and “FOR” the non-binding approval of the compensation of the named executive officers.


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Proposals 1, 3 and 34 are matters considered non-routine under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee cannot vote on these non-routine matters without specific voting instructions, and therefore there may be broker non-votes on these proposals.

Proposal 2 is a matter considered routine under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters without specific voting instructions, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected to exist in connection with Proposal 2.

Broker non-votes will not be deemed to have voting power and thus will have no effect on voting. However, abstentions will be treated as present and having voting power, and accordingly will have the effect of a negative vote for purposes of determining the approval of Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 3.

4.

The Company believes that the tabulation procedures to be followed by the Inspector are consistent with the general statutory requirements in Delaware concerning voting of shares and determination of a quorum.

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition, the Company may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by certain of the Company'sCompany’s directors, officers and regular employees, without additional compensation, personally or by telephone or e-mail.


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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Seven directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Nominees for election to the Board shall be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

In the event any nominee is unable or unwilling to serve as a nominee, the proxies may be voted for the balance of those nominees named and for any substitute nominee designated by the present Board or the proxy holders to fill such vacancy, or for the balance of those nominees named without nomination of a substitute. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the persons named will be unable or unwilling to serve as a nominee or as a director if elected.

Set forth below is certain additional information concerning the seven directors of the Company nominated to be elected at the Annual Meeting:

Dave Schaeffer, age 63,64, founded our Company in August 1999 and is our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Schaeffer was the founder of Pathnet, Inc., a broadband telecommunications provider, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 1995 until 1997 and as Chairman from 1997 until 1999. Mr. Schaeffer has been a director since 1999. Mr. Schaeffer serves as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"(“CEO”) because he is the founder of the Company and has successfully led the Company and the Board since the Company was founded. For this reason he has been nominated to continue serving on the Board. Since 2014, Mr. Schaeffer has been a director of CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR), a publicly traded Israeli company.

Steven D. Brooks, age 68, has served on our Board since October 2003. Mr. Brooks is a private investor. He was Managing Partner of BCP Capital Management from 1999 to 2009. From 1997 until 1999, Mr. Brooks headed the technology industry mergers and acquisition practice at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Previously, Mr. Brooks held a variety of positions in the investment banking and private equity fields, including: Head of Global Technology Banking at Union Bank of Switzerland, Managing Partner of Corporate Finance at Robertson Stephens, founder and Managing Partner of West Coast technology investment banking at Alex Brown & Sons, and Principal at Rainwater, Inc., a private equity firm in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Brooks has been nominated to continue serving on the Board because of his extensive experience with firms such as Cogent and with public market activities of such companies. Having been involved with the Company since its early days he also brings extensive historical perspective to the Board.

D. Blake Bath, age 57, has served on our Board since November 2006. He is currently a private investor and engaged in philanthropic concerns. He is a board member and Treasurer of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation in Washington, D.C., and on the boards of the Loyola Marymount University Seaver College of Engineering and the University of Michigan's Chemical Engineering Advisory Board. He is also a board member and the treasurer of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Educational Foundation. From 2006 to 2016 he was the Chief Executive Officer of Bay Bridge Capital Management, LLC, an investment firm in Bethesda, MD. From 1996 until 2006, Mr. Bath was Managing Director at Lehman Brothers and, as a senior equity research analyst for Lehman Brothers, was Lehman's lead analyst covering wireline and wireless telecommunications services. Prior to joining Lehman Brothers he was the primary telecommunications analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein from 1992 to 1996. From 1989 to 1992 he was an analyst in the Strategic Planning and Corporate Finance organizations at MCI Communications. Mr. Bath has been nominated to continue serving on the Board because of his wide experience with the telecommunications industry which allows him to contribute a broad perspective to discussions about the Company's future activities and its place in the current competitive landscape.


Marc Montagner, age 58,59, has served on our Board since April 2010. He is currently2010 and has served as our Lead Independent Director since February 2020. Mr. Montagner served as Chief Financial Officer at Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EIGI), which position he has held since September of 2015.from 2015 to 2021. He was previously Chief Financial Officer at LightSquared from 2012 until August 2015. Previously, he had been Executive Vice President of Strategy, Development and Distribution at LightSquared. On May 14, 2012, LightSquared filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Prior to joining LightSquared in February of 2009, Mr. Montagner was Managing Director and Co-Head of the Global Telecom, Media and Technology Merger and Acquisition Group at Banc of America Securities. Until August of 2006, he was Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and M&A with the Sprint Nextel Corporation. Prior to this, Mr. Montagner had the same responsibilities with Nextel Communications. Prior to 2002, Mr. Montagner was a Managing Director in the Media and Telecom Group at Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mr. Montagner worked for France Télécom in New York where he was Head of Corporate Development for North America. Mr. Montagner has been nominated to continue serving on the Board due to his extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, specifically with respect to operational, financial and strategic matters.

D. Blake Bath, age 58, has served on our Board since November 2006. He is currently a private investor and engaged in philanthropic concerns. He is a board member and Treasurer of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation in Washington, D.C., and on the boards of the Loyola Marymount University Seaver College of Engineering and the University of Michigan’s Chemical Engineering Advisory Board. From 2006 to 2016 he was the Chief Executive Officer of Bay Bridge Capital Management, LLC, an investment firm in Bethesda, MD. From 1996 until 2006, Mr. Bath was Managing Director at Lehman Brothers and, as a senior equity research analyst for Lehman Brothers, was Lehman’s lead analyst covering wireline and wireless telecommunications services. Prior to joining Lehman Brothers he was the primary telecommunications analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein from 1992 to 1996. From 1989 to 1992 he was an analyst in the Strategic Planning and Corporate Finance organizations at MCI Communications. Mr. Bath has been nominated to continue serving on the Board because of his wide experience with the telecommunications industry which allows him to contribute a broad perspective to discussions about the Company’s future activities and its place in the current competitive landscape.
Steven D. Brooks, age 69, has served on our Board since October 2003. Mr. Brooks is a private investor. He was Managing Partner of BCP Capital Management from 1999 to 2009. From 1997 until 1999, Mr. Brooks

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headed the technology industry mergers and acquisition practice at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Previously, Mr. Brooks held a variety of positions in the investment banking and private equity fields, including: Head of Global Technology Banking at Union Bank of Switzerland, Managing Partner of Corporate Finance at Robertson Stephens, founder and Managing Partner of West Coast technology investment banking at Alex Brown & Sons, and Principal at Rainwater, Inc., a private equity firm in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Brooks has been nominated to continue serving on the Board because of his extensive experience with firms such as Cogent and with public market activities of such companies. Having been involved with the Company since its early days he also brings extensive historical perspective to the Board.
Lewis H. Ferguson III, age 75,76, has served on our Board since October 2018. From 2011 to 2018 he served two terms as a board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"(“PCAOB”), the oversight body for auditors of U.S. public companies. Mr. Ferguson served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators, the international coordinating body of more than 50 independent audit regulators throughout the world, from 2012 to 2015. Mr. Ferguson also served as the first general counsel of the PCAOB from 2004 to 2007. Prior to his service at the PCAOB, Mr. Ferguson was a partner at the law firm of Williams & Connolly, LLP from 1979 to 1993 and 1998 to 2003, and at the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP ("(“Gibson Dunn"Dunn”) from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Ferguson has at various times served on the boards of seven companies, two public and five private. The two public companies were Wright Medical Technologies (1994 to 1997) and Cogent Communications Group, Inc., a predecessor of the Company (2007 to 2009). Mr. Ferguson has been nominated to continue serving on the Board due to his extensive experience with audit matters, corporate finance, and corporate governance.

Carolyn Katz, age 57,58, has served on our Board since November 2019. Ms. Katz has served on the boards of several public and private companies since 2000. She has been a director of Vonage Holdings Corp (NYSE: VG) since 2014, where she is a member of the Audit and Compensation committees. From 2004 to 2017 she was also a director of American Tower Corporation, a provider of international communications infrastructure, where she was a member of the Audit committee. From 2002 to 2015 she was a director of NII Holdings, a multinational cellular telecommunications company, where she served as lead director, chair of the Audit committee and was a member of the Finance and Corporate Governance and Nominating committees. From 2000 to 2004 she was a director of Universal Access, serving on the Audit Committee. From 2000 to 2001 Ms. Katz served as a principal of Providence Equity Partners Inc., a private investment firm specializing in equity investments in telecommunications and media companies. From June 1984 to April 2000, she worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co., ending her tenure there as a managing director and co-head of Emerging Communications. She is a graduate of Princeton University. Ms. Katz has been nominated to continue serving on the Board due to her extensive experience in the technology and communications sectors, particularly in the areas of corporate finance and development as well as international expansion.

Sheryl Kennedy, age 65,66, has served on our Board since November 2019. She is also Vice ChairMs. Kennedy serves on the board of directors of Private Debt Partners, Inc., serving on the Canadian Public Accountability BoardAudit, Finance and Risk Committee and a Director of the CLS Group Holdings AG, and CLS Bank International Board of Directors, serving on the Audit and Finance, and the Nominating and Governance, Committees.and the Chairs Committees and also as Chair of the board of its subsidiary, CLS UK Intermediate Holdings Ltd. Ms. Kennedy served as non-executive Chair of Promontory Financial Group Canada, an IBM Company, during the course of 2019, and previously was CEO of Promontory Canada from 2009 through 2018. From 1994 to 2008 she was Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada and


chaired the Markets Committee at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland from 2003 to 2006. She also served as Senior Advisor for International Strategy for Scotiabank in 2006. Prior to her time with the Bank of Canada, Ms. Kennedy worked in the Canadian federal Department of Finance and served as Finance Counsellor at the Canadian Embassy in Paris, France. Ms. Kennedy serves on the University of Waterloo Board of Governors chairing both its Pension Investment Committee and its AuditResponsible Investing Advisory Group and Risk andserving as a member of its Finance and Investment Committees,Committee, is a Trustee of the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod Pension Plan and Chair of its Asset Mix Committee and is Vice Chair of the Mothers Matter Centre. She is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and Harvard University. Ms. Kennedy has been nominated to continue serving on the Board due to her experience in the oversight of public company auditing, risk management, financial system management, regulation and corporate responsibility and sustainability, together with her international experience.


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Listed below are certain areas of knowledge, skills and experience that we consider important for our directors in light of our current business strategy and structure. The table below includes the primary skills and experience of each director nominee that led our Board to conclude that he or she is qualified to serve on our Board. This high-level summary is not intended to be an exhaustive list of each director nominee’s skills or contribution to the Board, and the type and degree of knowledge, skills and experience listed below may very among the nominees.
​​Board​​​Schaeffer​​​Montagner​​​Bath​​​Brooks​​​Ferguson​​​Katz​​​Kennedy​​
​​Knowledge, Skills and Experience​​
​​Public Company Board Experience​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​
​​Financial​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​
​​Risk Management​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​x​​​x​​​x​​
​​Accounting​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​x​​​​​​​x​​
​​Corporate Governance/Ethics​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​
​​Legal/Regulatory​​​x​​​​​​​​​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​x​​
​​HR/Compensation​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​x​​
​​Executive Experience​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​x​​
​​Operations​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​Strategic Planning/Oversight​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​x​​​x​​
​​Technology​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​x​​​​​​
​​Mergers and Acquisitions​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​
​​Telecom/Internet Industry​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​x​​​​​​​x​​​​​​
​​Academia/Education​​​x​​​​​​​x​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​x​​
Two of our nominees (29% of the Board) self-identify as women.
As of March 1, 2021, the average tenure of our Board was 9.9 years and the average tenure of our independent directors was 8.0 years.
Unless marked otherwise, proxies received will be voted "FOR"“FOR” the election of each of the nominees named above.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors:

The Board recommends a vote "FOR"“FOR” the election of all nominees named above.


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PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.2021. Services provided to the Company and its subsidiaries by Ernst & Young LLP in fiscal years 20182019 and 20192020 are described under "Relationship“Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accountants—Accountants — Fees and Services of Ernst & Young LLP,"” below.

We are asking our stockholders to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accountants. Although ratification is not required by the Bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice.

Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be available by telephone at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be required for ratification. The Board recommends that stockholders vote "FOR"“FOR” ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2020.2021. Unless marked otherwise, proxies received will be voted "FOR"“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2020.

2021.

In the event stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the appointment may be reconsidered by the Audit Committee and the Board. The Company believes that neither the Audit Committee nor the Board is obliged to make any such reconsideration under Delaware law, the rules of the stock exchange on which the Company is listed, or the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"(“SEC”) that frame certain specific obligations of the members of all public company audit committees with respect to the selection of independent registered public accountants. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.


Recommendation of the Board of Directors:

The Board recommends a vote "FOR"“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2020.

2021.


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PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE COMPANY’S 2017
INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
The Board of Directors has approved, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan, which includes an increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2017 Incentive Award Plan by 1.2 million (1,200,000) shares, the removal of certain provisions that are no longer applicable due to amendments to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and an extension of the term of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan by 10 years. As of February 28, 2021, only 90,084 shares remained available for issuance under the 2017 Incentive Award Plan. As noted in the Compensation Discussion & Analysis section below, we use equity compensation as an integral part of our compensation program by linking the personal interests of our employees and directors to the Company’s success. Without this share increase the Company will be limited in its ability to attract, motivate and retain talented employees and non-employee directors, align employee and stockholder interests, link employee compensation with company performance and maintain a culture based on employee stock ownership.
Burn Rate
The “burn rate” at which the Company has awarded stock and options to employees, including the named executive officers, in the last three years is set out below. The “burn rate” is the sum of stock and option awards granted divided by the number of weighted average common shares used in our basic earnings per share calculation. Share numbers provided in the table below are in thousands.
​​​2020​​2019​​2018​​TOTAL​​AVERAGE​
Options granted​​​​73​​​​​69​​​​​78​​​​​220​​​​​73​​
Shares granted​​​​476​​​​​474​​​​​496​​​​​1,446​​​​​482​​
TOTAL​​​​549​​​​​543​​​​​574​​​​​1,666​​​​​555​​
Weighted average shares – basic EPS​​​​45,948​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Burn rate – 1 year​​​​1.19%​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Burn rate – 3 year average​​​​1.21%​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve the amendment and restatement of 2017 Incentive Award Plan, which includes an increase to the number of shares available for issuance under the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan. If this Proposal 3 is not approved by our stockholders, the 1,200,000 shares will not be added to those that remain available for issuance under the plan.
The principal features of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan are summarized below. The summary below is qualified by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan, which is included as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
Key Features of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan
•
No liberal share recycling.   The Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan does not permit the recycling of shares used to satisfy the exercise price of options or used to satisfy tax withholding.
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•
Minimum vesting requirements.   Stock awards (non-options or stock appreciation rights) that vest on the basis of time are not permitted, other than in the event of death, disability, retirement or change in control, to vest earlier than the following schedule: (a) no vesting prior to the first anniversary of the date of grant, (b) no more than 1∕3 vested on the first anniversary of the date of grant, (c) no more than 2∕3 vested on the second anniversary of the date of grant, and (d) full vesting may not occur prior to the third anniversary of the date of grant. All other awards are prohibited from vesting earlier than the first anniversary of the date of grant. Up to 5% of the available shares under the plan may be issued without regard to these vesting conditions.
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•
Stockholder approval is required for repricing.   The Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan prohibits the repricing of outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights and the cancellation of any outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights that have an exercise or strike price greater than the then-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other stock awards without prior stockholder approval.
​
•
Stockholder approval is required for additional shares.   The Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan does not contain an “evergreen” provision. Stockholder approval is required for the addition of shares to the plan.
​
•
No liberal change of control definition.   The change of control definition in the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan is not a “liberal” definition, meaning that no awards are triggered based solely on the signing of a transaction. An actual change of control transaction must occur in order for the change of control provisions of the plan to be triggered.
​
•
No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights.   All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan must have an exercise or strike price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is granted.
​
•
Material amendments require stockholder approval.   The Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan requires stockholder approval for any material changes.
​
•
Annual limit on individual awards.   The Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan limits awards to any single participant in any one year to 750,000 shares and $10,000,000 in cash-based awards.
​
•
Annual limit on non-employee director awards.   The sum of the value of stock-based awards and cash-based awards paid to a non-employee director may not exceed $500,000 (indexed for inflation from the inception of the plan in 2017) in any one year. For 2020, the limit as adjusted for inflation was $521,219.
​
•
Dividend equivalents may only be paid upon vesting of the underlying award.   The Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan permits dividend equivalents to be accrued on unvested stock awards but such dividend equivalents are only payable upon vesting and are forfeited if the underlying award fails to vest.
​
•
Term.   The Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan will expire by its terms upon the tenth anniversary of its approval by stockholders (i.e., April 28, 2031).
​
Summary of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan
General.   The purpose of the plan is to promote the success of the business and enhance the Company’s value by linking the personal interests of employees, consultants and non-employee directors to its success and by providing these individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance. The plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance-based awards, deferred stock, stock payments and other stock-based awards (collectively, the “Awards”).
Shares Subject to the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan.   When adopted, the 2017 Incentive Award Plan originally provided for the issuance of up to 1,200,000 shares. In 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment increasing the number of shares available for issuance by an additional 1,200,000 shares. As of February 28, 2021, only 90,084 shares remained available for issuance. If the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan is approved by stockholders, 1,200,000 shares will be added to the plan, for a total of 3,600,000 shares. In addition, shares granted under prior plans that are forfeited, lapse unexercised or fail to vest will be available for issuance. As of February 28, 2021, there were approximately 170,974 shares that could be acquired by the exercise of incentive stock options and 1,528,665 unvested restricted shares that remain outstanding under our plans that potentially could be added to the number of available shares under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan, if such incentive stock options or restricted shares were forfeited or lapsed.

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On March 1, 2021, the closing price of a share of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $60.32.
Administration.   Our Compensation Committee (the “Administrator”) administers the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan. The Administrator is authorized to determine the individuals who will receive Awards (the “participants”), the terms and conditions of such Awards, the types of Awards to be granted, the number of shares to be subject to each Award, the price of the Awards granted, payment terms and payment methods applicable to each Award. The Administrator is also authorized to establish, adopt or revise rules relating to the administration of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan. The Administrator may delegate its authority to grant or amend Awards with respect to participants other than senior executive officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or the officers to whom the authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated.
Eligibility.   Awards may be granted to individuals who are then employees, consultants or non-employee directors of our company or one of our subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. As of February 28, 2021, we had 1,062 employees and seven directors, six of whom were non-employee directors, who are eligible for grants under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan.
Awards.   Each Award is set forth in a separate award agreement with the person receiving the Award. The award agreement indicates the type, terms and conditions of the Award.
•
Nonqualified Stock Options.   Nonqualified stock options provide for the right to purchase shares of our common stock at a specified price, which may not be less than the market price of our common stock on the date of grant of the option. Nonqualified stock options may be granted for any term specified in the applicable Award agreement that does not exceed ten years and usually become exercisable in one or more installments after the grant date, subject to vesting conditions which may include continued employment or service with us, satisfaction of performance targets and/or other conditions. The option exercise price may be paid in: (i) cash; (ii) shares of our common stock held for a minimum period of time as may be established by the Administrator; (iii) a broker assisted cash-less exercise; (iv) other property acceptable to the Administrator; or (v) any combination of the above.
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•
Incentive Stock Options.   Incentive stock options are designed in a manner intended to comply with the provisions of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, and are subject to specified restrictions contained in the Internal Revenue Code. Incentive stock options have an exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share on the date of grant (or if granted to certain individuals who own or are deemed to own at least 10% of the total combined voting power of all of our classes of stock (“10% stockholders”), then such exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant). Only employees are eligible to receive incentive stock options, and incentive stock options may not have a term of more than ten years (or five years in the case of incentive stock options granted to 10% stockholders). Vesting conditions may apply to incentive stock options as determined by the Administrator and may include continued employment with us, satisfaction of performance targets and/or other conditions.
​
•
Restricted Stock.   Restricted stock may be granted to any eligible individual and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the Administrator. Typically, restricted stock may be forfeited for no consideration or repurchased by us if the conditions or restrictions on vesting are not met, and may not be sold or otherwise transferred to third parties until restrictions are removed or expire. Recipients of restricted stock, unlike recipients of options, may have voting rights and may receive dividends, if any; however, any such dividends will not be paid until the restrictions lapse. To date, the grant agreements for awards of restricted stock to our CEO provide that he is entitled to vote his restricted shares and that he will be entitled to receive dividends on his restricted shares, but that such dividends will be held by the Company, without interest thereon, and paid out only at such time as the restricted shares vest.
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•
Restricted Stock Units.   Restricted stock units may be awarded to any eligible individual, typically without payment of consideration or for a nominal purchase price, but typically subject to vesting conditions including continued employment or pre-established performance targets. Shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units are not issued until the restricted stock units have vested.
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Recipients of restricted stock units will have no voting or dividend rights with respect to the underlying shares prior to the time when the shares are issued.
•
Stock Appreciation Rights.   Stock appreciation rights typically will provide for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of our common stock over the base price of the stock appreciation rights. Similar to nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights typically become exercisable in one or more installments after the grant date, subject to vesting conditions, which may include continued employment or service with us, satisfaction of performance targets and/or other conditions. The Administrator may elect to pay stock appreciation rights in cash, in common stock or in a combination of both.
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•
Dividend Equivalents.   Dividend equivalents represent the value of the dividends, if any, per share paid by us, calculated with reference to the number of shares covered by an Award. Dividend equivalents may be settled in cash or common stock and at such times as determined by the Administrator, subject to certain restrictions set forth in the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan. Dividend equivalents may only be paid upon the vesting of the underlying award.
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•
Performance Awards.   Performance awards are denominated in cash or shares of our common stock and are linked to satisfaction of performance targets established by the Administrator, which may consist of, but are not limited to, the following goals: net earnings or losses (either before or after one or more of the following: (i) interest, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization and (v) non-cash equity-based compensation expense), gross or net sales or revenue or sales or revenue growth, net income (either before or after taxes), adjusted net income, operating earnings or profit (either before or after taxes), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on assets, return on capital (or invested capital) and cost of capital, return on stockholders’ equity, total stockholder return, return on sales, gross or net profit or operating margin, costs, reductions in costs and cost control measures, expenses, working capital, earnings or loss per share, adjusted earnings or loss per share, price per share or dividends per share (or appreciation in and/or maintenance of such price or dividends), regulatory achievements or compliance (including, without limitation, regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product), implementation or completion of critical projects, market share, economic value, productivity, expense margins, operating efficiency and customer satisfaction, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices.
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•
Stock Payments.   Participants may receive stock payments in the manner determined by the Administrator from time to time. Such Awards may be based upon the achievement of specific performance targets determined by the Administrator on the date the stock payment is made or anytime thereafter.
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•
Deferred Stock.   Deferred stock typically is awarded without payment of consideration and is subject to vesting conditions, including satisfaction of performance targets. Like restricted stock, deferred stock may not be sold, or otherwise transferred until the vesting conditions are removed or expire. Unlike restricted stock, deferred stock is not actually issued until the deferred stock award has vested. Recipients of deferred stock also will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time when the vesting conditions are met and the deferred stock is delivered.
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•
Other Awards.   Other performance share awards, performance stock unit awards and stock-based awards may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan. The right to vest in these awards generally will be based upon achievement of specific performance targets and these awards may generally be paid in cash or in common stock or in a combination of both.
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Limitations on Terms of Grants.   Absent approval of the stockholders, no option or stock appreciation right may be amended to reduce the per share exercise price of shares subject to such option or stock appreciation right below the per share exercise price as of the date the option or stock appreciation right is granted, and except as permitted by the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan with respect to changes in capital structure, no option or stock appreciation right may be granted in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of an option or stock appreciation right having a higher per share exercise price, nor may an option or stock appreciation right be exchanged for restricted stock. Restricted

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Stock and restricted stock units that do not vest on the basis of meeting performance targets shall not vest at a rate that would cause the following vesting schedule to be exceeded: no vesting prior to the first anniversary of the grant; no more than 1∕3 vested on the first anniversary of the grant; no more than 2∕3 vested on the second anniversary of the grant; and full vesting not occurring prior to the end of the third year. All other Awards shall not vest prior to the first anniversary of the date the Award is granted. In addition, no individual participant may receive Awards under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan in excess of 750,000 shares or $10,000,000 in cash-based awards during any calendar year, and no non-employee director may receive Awards under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan in excess of $500,000 in total value (cash plus grant date fair value of equity awards), as adjusted for inflation from 2017, in any one calendar year. For 2020, the limit, as adjusted, was $521,219. However, up to 5% of the shares available under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan may be granted without regard to these vesting limitations.
Certain Transactions.   In the event of certain transactions and events affecting our common stock or the share price of our common stock, such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, recapitalizations, consolidations and other corporate transactions, or changes in applicable law, the Administrator has broad discretion to make proportionate adjustments to reflect changes with respect to: (i) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards, (ii) the aggregate number and type of shares subject to the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan and (iii) the grant and exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards granted pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan to prevent the dilution or enlargement of intended benefits and/or facilitate such transactions or events or give effect to such changes in applicable law. In the event of a change in control where the acquirer does not assume or replace Awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan, such Awards will be subject to accelerated vesting so that 100% of such Awards will become vested and exercisable or payable and all forfeiture restrictions will lapse, as applicable. Award agreements may also provide for accelerated vesting or payment, as applicable, upon certain events.
Awards Not Transferable.   Generally, the Awards may not be assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed other than by will or by laws of descent and distribution. The Administrator may allow Awards other than incentive stock options to be transferred for estate or tax planning purposes to members of the holder’s family, charitable institutions or trusts for the benefit of family members.
Amendment and Termination of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan.   The Administrator may terminate, amend or modify the plan. However, stockholder approval of any amendment to the plan will be obtained (i) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, (ii) for any amendment to the plan that increases the number of shares available under the plan (other than any adjustment as provided by the plan with respect to changes in capital structure), or (iii) for any amendment to the plan that permits the Administrator to extend the exercise period of an option or stock appreciation right beyond ten years from the date of grant. Absent approval of the stockholders, no option or stock appreciation right may be amended to reduce the per share exercise price of shares subject to such option or stock appreciation right below the per share exercise price as of the date the option or stock appreciation right is granted, and except as permitted by the plan with respect to changes in capital structure, no option or stock appreciation right may be granted in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of an option or stock appreciation right having a higher per share exercise price, nor may an option or stock appreciation right be exchanged for restricted stock. If not terminated earlier by the Administrator, the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan will expire on April 28, 2031.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.   The tax consequences of the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan under current federal law are summarized in the following discussion. This discussion is limited to the general tax principles applicable to the plan, and is intended for general information only. Non-U.S., state, and local income taxes are not discussed. Tax laws are complex and subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances and from locality to locality. The tax information summarized is not tax advice.
Nonqualified Stock Options.   For federal income tax purposes, an optionee generally will not recognize taxable income at the time a non-qualified stock option is granted under the plan. The optionee will recognize ordinary income, and the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction, upon the exercise of a

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non-qualified stock option. The amount of income recognized (and the amount generally deductible by the Company) generally will be equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the aggregate exercise price paid for the shares, regardless of whether the exercise price is paid in cash, shares or other property. An optionee’s basis for the stock for purposes of determining his or her gain or loss upon a subsequent disposition of the shares generally will be the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise of the non-qualified stock option, and any subsequent gain or loss will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss.
Incentive Stock Options.   An optionee generally will not recognize taxable income either at the time an incentive stock option is granted or when it is exercised. However, the amount by which the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise exceeds the exercise price will be an “item of tax preference” to the optionee for purposes of alternative minimum tax. Generally, upon the sale or other taxable disposition of the shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option, the optionee will recognize taxable income. If shares acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option are held for the longer of two years from the date of grant or one year from the date of exercise, the gain or loss (in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value on the date of sale and the exercise price) upon disposition will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss, and the company will not be entitled to any deduction. If this holding period is not met and the stock is sold for a gain, then the difference between the option price and the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise will be taxed as ordinary income and any gain over that will be eligible for long- or short-term capital gain treatment. If the holding period is not met and the shares are disposed of for less than the fair market value on the date of exercise, then the amount of ordinary income is limited to the excess, if any, of the amount realized over the exercise price paid. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction in the amount of any ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
Stock Appreciation Rights.   No taxable income is generally recognized upon the receipt of a stock appreciation right. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, the cash or the fair market value of the shares received generally will be taxable as ordinary income in the year of such exercise. The Company generally will be entitled to a compensation deduction for the same amount which the recipient recognizes as ordinary income.
Restricted Stock.   A participant to whom restricted stock is issued generally will not recognize taxable income upon such issuance and the Company generally will not then be entitled to a deduction, unless an election is made by the participant under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, when restrictions on shares of restricted stock lapse, such that the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income and the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction for an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date such restrictions lapse over the purchase price thereof. If an election is made under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, then the participant generally will recognize ordinary income on the date of issuance equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares on that date over the purchase price therefor and the Company will be entitled to a deduction for the same amount.
Restricted Stock Unit.   A participant will generally not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a restricted stock unit. However, when the shares are delivered to the participant, the value of such shares at that time will be taxable to the participant as ordinary income. Generally, the Company will be entitled to a deduction for an amount equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant.
Deferred Stock.   A participant will generally not recognize taxable income upon the grant of deferred stock. However, when the shares are delivered to the participant, the value of such shares at that time will be taxable to the participant as ordinary income. Generally, the Company will be entitled to a deduction for an amount equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant.
Stock Payments.   A participant will recognize taxable ordinary income on the fair market value of the stock delivered as payment of bonuses or other compensation under the Plan, and, generally, the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.
Performance Awards.   A participant who has been granted a performance award (either performance unit or stock) generally will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction at that time. When an award is paid, whether in cash or shares, the Participant generally will recognize ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.

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New Plan Benefits
As of February 28, 2021, we had 1,062 employees and seven directors, of whom six are non-employee directors, who are eligible to receive awards under the 2017 Incentive Award Plan. The number of Awards that an employee may receive under the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan is in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and no final determination has been made as to the type or amount of awards that will be granted in the future to specific individuals. However it is expected that awards made in 2021 will be very similar to the awards made in 2020 and described in the tables in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and director compensation sections of this proxy statement. No estimate of awards in subsequent years can be provided.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan
The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2020 about our common stock that may be issued under our 2017 Incentive Award Plan:
Plan Category​​
Number of Securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
​​
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
​​
Number of Securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
​
​​​(a)​​(b)​​(c)​
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders​​​​566,890​​​​$54.15​​​​​407,010​​
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders​​​​0​​​​​0​​​​​—​​
Total​​​​566,890​​​​$54.15​​​​​407,010​​
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan.

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PROPOSAL NO. 4
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"“Exchange Act”), we are asking stockholders to approve the following non-binding advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED that the compensation paid to the Company'sCompany’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and accompanying narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be required for approval.

Because the vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. The Board values our stockholders'stockholders’ opinions and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the advisory vote when considering future executive compensation decisions. The Board has adopted a policy of providing for annual advisory votes from stockholders to approve named executive officer compensation. The next such vote will occur at the 20212022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

In 2019,2020, our stockholders approved the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers. The vote on this was as follows: FOR: 24,140,81035,341,769 shares; AGAINST: 17,113,8175,581,792 shares; ABSTAIN: 27,47389,076 shares; and 2,564,6543,069,076 broker non-votes.

During 20192020 and early 2020,2021, independent members of our Board of Directors met with non-affiliated stockholders holding approximately 20% of our outstanding shares, and management of the Company attended over 25 investor conferences and conducted over 500 meetings with stockholders and other interested investors. These efforts followed on our more expansive stockholder outreach efforts in 2019 during which members of our Board of Directors met with non-affiliated stockholders holding approximately 38% of our outstanding shares, and management of the Company attended over 20 investor conferences and conducted approximately 370 meetings with stockholders and other interested investors.shares. During these meetings, no stockholders expressed concerns regarding the levels of our executive compensation. A
In 2019, a number of stockholders did express a preference to use metrics tied directly to the Company'sCompany’s financial performance to determine whether the CEO'sCEO’s performance-based equity award is earned. Accordingly, in 2020, the Compensation Committee adjusted the performance metrics on which our CEO’s performance-based component of the CEO's equity award granted in 2020 vests in 2024 to better reflect the contributions of theour CEO to the Company'sour performance. In 2020, our stockholders did not express any further concerns, so no adjustments were made.
Our Board of Directors continues to believe that our CEO'sCEO’s compensation arrangements are reasonable and appropriate in light of the following factors:

•

Our CEO, Mr. Schaeffer, founded the Company and has successfully led us for more than 20 years. He is intimately involved in the financial, operational and technical aspects of our business; his knowledge of the Company and its marketplace is uniquely valuable;
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•

•
Our executive compensation program seeks to align executive officers'officers’ interest to those of our stockholders by allocating a substantial portion of their target total direct compensation to the value of our common stock. Our program encourages long-term thinking by structuring equity awards with multi-year performance periods and/or vesting provisions;
​
•

•
In 2019,2020, our CEO'sCEO’s entire target direct compensation was 'at risk"“at risk”. All of our CEO'sCEO’s cash compensation was performance-based. performance-based and was not payable until 2021.
​
•
Over 95% of our CEO'sCEO’s target direct compensation in 2019 is2020 was in the form of equity awards, all of which are earned or vest no sooner than 30 months from the grant date and a majority of this equity compensation is performance-based;
​
•
    •
    In response to stockholder feedback, for 2020, the Compensation Committee adjusted the vesting in 2024 of our CEO’s 2020 performance-based equity award for our CEO such that one-third (1/3) of his performance-based shares vest(1∕3) vests based on
    ​

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the Company'sCompany’s growth rate in revenue, one-third (1/3) of his performance-based shares vest(1∕3) vests based on the Company'sCompany’s growth rate in cash flow from operating activities and one-third (1/3) of his performance-based shares vest(1∕3) vests based on our total stockholder return;return, with each portion subject to a cap;
•

•
The performance-based share targets for the Company'sCompany’s growth rate in revenue and growth rate in cash flow from operating activities are set at 1.5 and 2.0 times, respectively, of the growth rates for the same metrics for the companies comprising the NASDAQ Telecommunications IndexIndex; and
​
•
The performance-based shares vest for each target (revenue growth, cash flow from operating activities growth and total stockholder return) only if the Company’s performance for that metric is positive. If the Company’s performance against the target is less than zero, then there is no vesting with respect to that target.
​
•

•
The increase in value of our CEO'sCEO’s long-term incentive compensation over the past several years has been entirely due to the increase in the value of the Company'sCompany’s common stock; the Board believes this underscores the essential alignment of executive compensation with increases in value of our common stock.

​
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, reward, and retain highly talented executives to achieve our corporate goals and to align the interests of our executive officers with the long-term interests of our stockholders. It aims to be transparent to our stockholders by being simple to understand and to link the compensation of our executive officers to our performance. It reflects the size, scope, and success of our business, as well as the responsibilities of our executive officers.

Our Board of Directors urges stockholders to carefully read the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis"Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, which describes in more detail our executive compensation philosophy, policies, and practices, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and the accompanying narrative discussion.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors:

Our Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR"“FOR” the resolution set forth above thereby approving the compensation of the named executive officers as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Summary Compensation Table and related tables, and the accompanying narrative discussion as set forth in this Proxy Statement.


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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

Board Composition

Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven (7) directors: six (6) independent directors and Dave Schaeffer, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"(“CEO”).

Mr. Schaeffer serves as CEO and Chairman of the Board. He is the founder of the Company and owns approximately 9.7%10.0% of the Company'sCompany’s stock. His dual role was established more than 20 years ago when he founded the Company. The Board regularly considers and evaluates this structure. The Board believes that the Company continues to be best served by a chairman who is involved with the Company on a full-time basis and possesses deep knowledge of its finances and operations.

The Board'sBoard’s role in the Company is to provide general oversight of strategy and operations and to oversee the hiring, performance review, compensation review and termination, as applicable, of the executive officers of the Company. As part of its oversight of operations, it reviews the performance of the Company and the risks involved in the operations of the Company. The Board and the Audit Committee receive regular reports on the status of the Company'sCompany’s internal controls and each has reviewed key operational risks. The Board'sBoard’s risk oversight role is not affected by its leadership structure as all directors, other than Mr. Schaeffer, are independent directors and therefore have no conflict that might discourage critical review.

Lead Independent Director

In February 2020, the Board created the Lead Independent Director position, and the independent directors of the Board elected Marc Montagner to serve as the Company'sCompany’s Lead Independent Director. During his tenure asThe Board believes that having a memberstrong Lead Independent Director provides balance in the Company’s leadership structure and is in the best interests of the Board, Mr. Montagner has consistently demonstrated integrity, thoughtful leadership, financial acumenCompany and deep knowledge of our business and industry. When coupled with Mr. Montagner's performance leading the Board's stockholder outreach efforts, the independent directors determined that Mr. Montagner would be the ideal candidate to serve as the Company's first Lead Independent Director.

its stockholders.

In addition to the responsibilities of all directors, our Lead Independent Director'sDirector’s other duties, which are set forth in the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Governance Guidelines (found on the Company'sCompany’s website under the tab "About“About Cogent; Investor Relations; Corporate Governance"Governance” atwww.cogentco.com.) and which the Board continues to evaluate through engagement with our stockholders, are:

•

presiding over all meetings of the Board at which the Chair of the Board is not present, including any executive sessions of the Independent Directors;
​
•

•
approving Board meeting schedules and agendas; and
​
•

•
acting as the liaison between the Independent Directors and the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board.

​
In addition, the Lead Independent Director is expected to:

•

serve as a lead point of contact for stockholders, independent from management;
​
•

•
call and preside at separate meetings of the Independent Directors, as appropriate;
​
•

•
ensure that the Independent Directors have adequate opportunities to meet and discuss issues in executive session without non-Independent Directors or management present;
​
•

•
communicate feedback from executive sessions to the Company'sCompany’s senior management and Chair of the Board;
​
•
    •
    communicate to management, as appropriate, the results of private discussions among Independent Directors;
    ​
    •

    •
advise the Chair as to the quality, quantity and timeliness of the information submitted by management that is necessary or appropriate for the Independent Directors to effectively and responsibly perform their duties;
​
•

•
recommend to the Board of Directors and the Committees of the Board the retention of advisers and consultants who report directly to the Board of Directors;
​

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•

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respond directly to stockholder and other stakeholder questions and comments that are directed to the Lead Independent Director or to the Independent Directors as a group, with such consultation with the Chair and other directors as the Lead Independent Director may deem appropriate;
​
•

•
ensure Chief Executive Officer development and succession planning;
​
•

•
assist the Board and management in implementing and assuring compliance with the Company'sCompany’s governance principles; and
​
•

•
perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time delegate.

​
Stockholder Outreach

We are strongly committed to stockholder engagement and believe that regular communication with our stockholders is important to our long-term success. During the last year, we contactedactively engaged with non-affiliated stockholders representing more than 50%holding approximately 20% of our outstanding shares (not including Mr. Schaeffer, who owns approximately 9.7% of the Company's stock) andshares. These efforts built upon our extensive stockholder outreach efforts in 2019, during which we actively engaged with non-affiliated stockholders holding approximately 38% of our outstanding shares. In most cases, we met with members of the investment stewardship departments of these stockholders. These efforts built upon
During our prior efforts to increase the Board's availability to our stockholders, which included listing director contact information on our website and holding an analyst day in 2018 at which the entire Board was present.

        As part of this outreach effort,meetings, we heard from our stockholders that they were concerned withdesired greater disclosure and transparency regarding environmental and social responsibility concerns, including quantitative disclosures regarding such topics as the lackamount of diversity onpower used by the Board. The Board and/or managementbusiness, employee demographics, gender pay equity and human capital development. Stockholders also spoke with third party advocacy groupsrequested that had contacted the Company add these disclosures to express this same concern. These concerns were shared with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the entire Board. The Board took immediate and substantial steps to address these concerns, tasking the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to identify potential candidates for the Board.

        Based upon clear stockholder desire for greater Board diversity, and through the recruiting initiative of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in November 2019, the Board appointed Carolyn Katz and Sheryl Kennedy to the Board following the resignations of Mr. Richard Liebhaber and Mr. Timothy Weingarten. We believe that Ms. Katz and Ms. Kennedy bring outstanding skills and add needed breadth of perspective to the Board. Today, our average director tenure for all directors is 8.91 years and 7 years for our independent directors down from 12.75 and 11.75 years, respectively, priorCompany website. In direct response to these changes.


        Since 2018,requests, we have increased the Board has undertaken significant steps to address stockholder concerns as follows:

What we heard from stockholdersBoard response to this feedback

•

Need for increased communications between the Board and stockholders

•

Conducted an extensive stockholder outreach program in 2019-2020

•

Held an analyst day for all stockholders in 2018 at which the entire Board was present

•

Published contact information for all directors on the Company website

•

Need for increased diversity on the Board

•

Appointed Carolyn Katz and Sheryl Kennedy to the Board in November 2019

•

Elect a Lead Independent Director

•

Elected Marc Montagner as Cogent's Lead Independent Director in February 2020

•

Need for published corporate governance standards

•

Adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines in February 2020

•

Failure of Steven Brooks to receive a majority of stockholder support in 2019

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Members of the Board met with our largest stockholders to discern the meaning behind the negative votes

•

Acted upon the clear feedback that the negative votes were a signal of dissatisfaction with the lack of diversity on the board and not a statement on Mr. Brooks' qualifications or fitness to serve on the Board

•

Align to a greater degree the vesting of the performance-based portion of the Chief Executive Officer's long-term equity award to the Company's financial performance

•

Adjusted the metrics used to measure performance so that two-thirds (2/3) of our CEO's performance-based shares vest in equal portions based upon growth rates in our revenues and cash flow from operating activities, respectively, and the degree to which these growth rates outperform the growth rates for the Nasdaq Telecommunications Index

amounts and scope of our disclosures on environmental and social issues in this proxy statement and on our website. We value our stockholders'stockholders’ interest in the Company and their views concerning best corporate governance practices and will continue to actively seek their input.

Stockholder Returns
The Board has consistently sought to provide returns to our stockholders. As a result of the combination of our operating performance and increased access to capital, the Company has returned $894.8 million to stockholders in the form of cash dividends and repurchases of shares of common stock since our initial registered public offering in June 2005.
We initiated dividends on our common stock in September 2012. Since that time we have grown our quarterly dividend 7.6 times the original amount and have increased our dividend sequentially in each of the last 34 quarters. Over the past five years our dividend has grown at a compounded annual rate of 16.0%.
We have repurchased shares of our common stock during times of stock market volatility. Since initiating our stock repurchase program, we have repurchased 10.4 million shares of common stock for $239.5 million resulting in an average purchase price of $23.01 per share. Based upon those purchase dates and prices paid and assuming we sold those shares at the closing price of the Company’s stock on March 1, 2021, we would have created a 13.1% annual return on those purchases including the benefit of the dividends forgone on those shares.
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

The Board recognizes the Company'sCompany’s obligation as a global citizen to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner. The Board has determined that the management and oversight of key non-financial risks and opportunities, such as workforce development, environmental sustainability and ethics, are critical responsibilities of the Board. UsingIn recognition of the importance of these issues, in February 2021, the Board created the position of Chief Risk Officer and appointed John Chang, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer, to serve in this role.
We believe the ubiquitous availability of inexpensive, high-speed Internet is a prime contributor to the achievement of a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education; industry, innovation and infrastructure; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and

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production and climate action. In 2020, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we transported approximately 222 exabytes of traffic on our network (1 Exabyte equals 1 x 1018 bytes, or approximately the equivalent of 3000 times the combined content of the United States Library of Congress), which we believe allowed people around the world to work and attend school remotely and to remain in touch with loved ones. We believe we can continue to improve the efficiency of our network performance from both a power consumption and emissions standpoint.
Acting upon feedback received from our stockholders, the Company has added a new section regarding corporate responsibility and sustainability to our website, which can be found at www.cogentco.com/en/about-cogent/corporate-responsibility. This section includes a summary of our performance against the telecommunication services standards issued by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.
​​​​GOVERNANCE​
​Corporate Governance​​
•
Six of the seven members of our Board are independent. All members of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent.
​
•
In February 2020, the Board created the position of Lead Independent Director and appointed Marc Montagner to serve in this role.
​
•
During 2020, we met with over 500 stockholders and potential investors.
​
•
Our quarterly earnings conference calls are open to all participants and our quarterly earnings releases can be found at www.cogentco.com/en/about-cogent/investor-relations/financials.
​
•
Our Governance QualityScore from Institutional Shareholder Services improved from an 8 on January 1, 2020 to a 2 on February 1, 2021, (1 indicates the highest level of governance quality and lowest level of governance risk).
​
​
​​​​SOCIAL​
​Diversity and Inclusion​​
•
In 2020, our Board amended the charter of the Compensation Committee to include oversight of the Company’s human capital management.
​
•
We have a formal policy that prohibits discrimination based on protected classifications and requires all employees to treat all individuals with respect and fairness. Our policy also outlines formal reporting and complaint procedures.
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In 2020 we mandated diversity and inclusion training for all of our employees. We required all employees to complete online training in unconscious bias, and mandated that managers complete additional training in inclusivity and allyship.
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​

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​2020 Workforce Demographics​​
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212366d1-pc_overallbw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212366d1-pc_2020hiresbw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212366d1-pc_selfbw.jpg]
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[MISSING IMAGE: tm212366d1-pc_self2020bw.jpg]
​
​Employee Training and Retention​​
•
We recognize the importance of retaining our sales personnel, and we continually strive to improve the performance of our sales personnel to reduce turnover.
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•
As part of our commitment to professional development, we established a sales training and enablement department that provides both online and in person training. Our 12 Regional Learning Managers are located around the world and are available for intensive, in-person group training as well as individual training with sales representatives who may need extra assistance. In 2020, our average ratio of sales representatives with less than 12 months tenure to Regional Learning Managers was 23 to 1.
​
•
Two additional senior members of our sales training staff are dedicated exclusively to training our sales management team
​
•
Our sales representatives each receive:
​
•
Four weeks of live, interactive training during their first month of employment;
​
•
A self-paced online curriculum led by their manager during the first six months that includes cash bonuses for successful completion;
​
•
Access to online-on-demand training modules; and
​
•
Opportunities to obtain certifications in specialized services.
​
•
During 2020, we conducted:
​
•
5,177 hours of sales representative training, both in individual and group setting, either live or virtually;
​
•
1,040 hours of management training, either live or virtually; and
​
•
26 certifications were earned by 26 different employees.
​
•
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we averaged 5.0% monthly churn in our sales force. For non-sales employees, we averaged approximately 0.8% monthly churn for the year ended December 31, 2020.
​
​

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​​​​
•
We seek to provide career transition and advancement opportunities for our employees so that they can find a position at Cogent that best fits their skills, ambitions and professional development. To that end, approximately 7% of employees at Cogent changed positions in 2020 and, in the last five years, approximately 46% of employees at Cogent have changed positions at least once during their tenure with us.
​
​
​Employee Engagement and Compensation​​
•
Our Chief Executive Officer conducts biweekly town hall meetings to discuss company initiatives and performance and respond to employee questions, which may be submitted anonymously.
​
•
Members of our executive team take turns hosting biweekly, online town hall chats to answer questions from employees.
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We offer a comprehensive compensation program that includes market-competitive pay, healthcare benefits, retirement savings plans including partial 401(k) match, and paid time off and parental leave.
​
•
Where permitted by law, we provide equity incentives in the form of stock options or grants of restricted stock to all our employees.
​
•
At the beginning of 2020, all employees with at least one full year of tenure received a 2% cost of living increase, 18.7% received a one-time cash bonus and 14.2% received a merit-based salary or salary rate increase. Our sales employees are able to earn bonuses and salary rate increases during the year based on their performance.
​
​
​Open Internet​​
•
We support an open Internet and net neutrality and since 2013 we have spent over $14 million advocating for net neutrality. A copy of the Company’s position on net neutrality can be found at www.cogentco.com/en/about-cogent/corporate-responsibility/our-network.
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The Company believes it is inappropriate to support specific political parties or political candidates, and, as such, has never made a political contribution to a political party or individual in its history.
​
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​Data Privacy and Security​​
•
As we only serve business customers, we do not collect or maintain any consumer information. We have deliberately minimized the amount of personal data we collect. The information we may collect about the employees of our customers is limited to business contact information, and we store and transmit this information in accordance with applicable regulations.
​
•
We do not sell or transfer the business contact information we have collected to any third parties for commercial purposes unrelated to the provision of our services.
​
•
As an internet service provider, we only provide transmission services and do not store or process any of the information our customers send using our service.
​
•
Our network equipment is provided by a single vendor, Cisco Systems, with whom we work closely to identify and solve problems. We maintain both physical and logical access controls on our network equipment.
​
•
Oversight of our data privacy and security efforts is included in the charter of the Audit Committee of our Board.
​
​

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​

​Network Resiliency​​
•
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we successfully implemented our business continuity efforts as we transitioned our entire workforce to a remote work posture while maintaining our network performance.
​
•
Additional information regarding the design, operation and performance of our network can be found at www.cogentco.com/en/about-cogent/corporate-responsibility/our-network.
​
​
ENVIRONMENT
In 2020, the Company initiated an effort to understand its electricity usage and sources in order to understand its energy efficiency and carbon footprint. We have elected to lease rather than purchase the vast majority of our real estate assets. This strategy reduces the capital intensity of our operations and enhances our flexibility to grow or reduce the footprint of our operations based upon demand. As a guidepost,result of this strategy, we rely in most cases on the Board will work with managementlandlord or facility operator to provide qualitative disclosurearrange for the delivery of electricity to power our operations. Virtually all of this electricity is Scope 2 in nature in that is it is produced remotely and delivered through the electric grid infrastructure. Because of these arrangements, in most cases, we do not generate power on our own nor do we have the ability to arrange the sourcing of that electricity. Back-up power supplies are also usually arranged by the same third party thereby limiting our ability to determine the appropriate quantitative metricssourcing of that electricity.
In order to establish, if any, so thatdrive energy savings and reduce our carbon footprint, Cogent has developed a comprehensive, bottoms-up measurement of the Boardpower required by our network operations. We believe this detailed measurement will enable us to identify efficiencies in order to reduce usage, lower our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and stockholders can evaluatemanage our overall consumption of energy. The following table outlines the Company's progress in these areas.


        Asdifferent parts and locations of the Company’s network, whether the Company is an Internet service provider,controls the Board is particularly focused on the areaspower profile of data privacy, data securitythat portion, and the open Internet.

    •
    Data Privacy.  The Board has monitored the Company's compliance with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union. To date,any specific actions that the Company has not suffered any monetary lossestaken with respect to electricity usage and sourcing in these areas.
​Facility​​Scale​​
Under
Cogent
Control
​​Notes​
​Network Equipment​​90,000+ pieces of equipment​​Yes​​
Working in conjunction with our equipment suppliers, we have developed detailed specifications of the amount of electrical power typically used by each piece of equipment on our network. Combining this data with our daily network inventory records allows us to estimate the total energy consumed by our network equipment. Locational data combined with carbon factor information allow us to estimate the GHG emissions created by our network activity. Network traffic records enable us to calculate the total traffic volume carried across the network in the same time period. Using this information, we determine the energy efficiency of our network, using the ratio of estimated power used to total network traffic and the ratio of estimated GHG emissions to total network traffic.
We use these ratios as they account for the growth in traffic on our network and demonstrate the energy efficiency of our network equipment. Over the last five years, while network traffic increased 33% per year,
​

26
​

​Facility​​Scale​​
Under
Cogent
Control
​​Notes​
​​​​​​​​​​estimated network power draw only increased 11% per year, resulting in an estimated 16% annual reduction in energy usage per unit of traffic volume. We have also reduced the amount of carbon emitted per Byte of traffic delivered by an estimated 20% per year over the same period. Additional information on this can be found at www.cogentco.com/about-cogent/​corporate-responsibility/our-environment.​
​Total Network Locations​​4000+​​​​​​​
​Multi-tenant Office Buildings​​1,780+ buildings (968+ million square feet of office space)​​No​​Of the 1,792 multi-tenant office buildings directly connected to our network: 89 are LEED Platinum, 467 are LEED Gold, 152 are LEED Silver and 47 are LEED certified. LEED certified buildings meet a series of environmental standards that insure that the design, footprint and operations of a building take into account methods that can increase efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.​
​Carrier-Neutral Data Centers (“CNDC”)​​1,250+ data centers in approximately 1,000 distinct buildings​​No​​We do not control the physical infrastructure or power sourcing of these locations. A substantial number of the operators of these locations have implemented plans to improve the energy efficiency of their operations and to utilize renewable sources of energy. In 2021, we intend to collect specific data on GHG emissions and sustainability strategies in each carrier neutral data center we utilize. We will categorize and measure the improvement in efficiency and GHG emissions in our carrier neutral data center portfolio and hope to work with these operators to understand and support their sustainability strategies​
​Cogent-Owned Data Centers​​54 data centers with 606,000 square feet of floor space​​No​​Electrical use in Cogent-owned data centers is driven both by our power requirements and the power demands of our customers. Virtually all of our data centers source electricity that is arranged and billed by our landlords. We believe that the vast majority of this electricity is Scope 2 in nature in that it is sourced from remote power facilities and delivered to our facilities through the electric grid. In 2020, we consumed approximately 55.3 mm kWh in these facilities and we estimate that this electricity produced 13,852 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent​

27
​

​Facility​​Scale​​
Under
Cogent
Control
​​Notes​
​​​​​​​​​​
(“mt CO2e”) on a location basis and 12,324 mt CO2e on a market basis. Location based emissions measure the amount of GHG produced based upon the location of the electric generation. We began to purchase and source renewable energy on a virtual basis in 2019 where applicable through the purchase of Renewable Electricity Certificates (“RECs”) designed to offset GHG emissions on a virtual basis. In 2020, we reduced our GHG emissions by approximately 1,528 mt CO2e as a result of purchasing RECs.
In order to increase the amount of electricity we obtain from renewable sources, in December 2020, we entered into an agreement to install a 1 megawatt solar array at our Pasadena data center and sales office, which is our single largest consumer of electrical power. Once the array is fully operational, we estimate that the solar array will produce approximately 2.0 mm kWh of electricity per year and will reduce the amount of carbon we produce by approximately 185 mt CO2e per year.
We are evaluating our 53 other data centers for potential conversion to renewable sources; however, as many of our data centers are leased we may not have the ability to install solar arrays at these facilities or the term of the lease may not be long enough to match the typical useful life of a solar installation which can be over 20 years.
​
​Cogent Office Locations​​46​​No​​Electricity in our office locations is generally provided from an associated Cogent data center or network site or from the landlord and included in our office lease.​
​Other Network Sites​​approx. 950​​No​​We are a tenant at these locations where we locate our network equipment. As such, we are obligated to use the power supplied by our landlord. As noted above, we have sought to decrease the energy intensity of our operations by deploying increasingly efficient network technology in these locations.​
Oversight of legal proceedings associated with customer privacy.

•
Data Security.  To sharpen its focus, the Board expanded the charter for the Audit Committee to include the Company's data securityour environmental reporting and data privacy efforts. The Company has not suffered any data breaches.

•
Open Internet.  The Companysustainability efforts is a supporter of the open Internet and net neutrality. A copy of the Company's position on net neutrality can be found at https://cogentco.com/en/net-neutrality.

        Additional areas of focus for the Board include the Company's use of powerincluded in its operations and its ability to hire, train and retain our skilled technical employees. The Board amended the charter of the CompensationAudit Committee to include explicitly the periodic review of the Company's human capital management. During 2020, the Board will explore what additional steps it can take to formalize its efforts in these areas.

our Board.


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​

Board Operations and Committee Structure

The Board of Directors met fiveseven times during 20192020 and took notwo actions by written consent. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board for which he or she could have attended. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the committees of the Board of which he or she was a member. The independent directors met 4four times. All of the directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders. During 2019,2020, the Board had a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

We established our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (the "Nominating“Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee"Committee”) in April 2005. At the beginning of 2019, the members of this committee were Steven Brooks and Marc Montagner, each of whom are independent members of our Board. In May 2019, the Board appointed Lewis Ferguson, also an independent member of our Board, to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and named Mr. Brooks the Chair. In August 2019, the Board named Mr. Montagner the Chair. Beginning in November 2019, theThe members of the committee wereare Marc Montagner (Chair), Lewis Ferguson and Carolyn Katz, each of whom are independent members of our Board.

The charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may be found on the Company'sCompany’s website under the tab "About“About Cogent; Investor Relations; Corporate Governance"Governance” atwww.cogentco.com. Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee'sCommittee’s tasks include assisting the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, recommending to the Board director nominees to fill vacancies in the membership of the Board as they occur and, prior to each annual meeting of stockholders, recommending director nominees for election at such meeting.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has prioritized increasing the diversity of the Board.Board, which includes gender and/or racial diversity. It does not have precise measures for the optimal range and type of diversity desirable. Instead, it and the Board seek candidates with a broad range of experience and perspective. Board candidates are considered based upon various criteria, such as skills, knowledge, perspective, broad business judgment and leadership, relevant specific industry or regulatory affairs knowledge, business creativity and vision, experience, integrity and any other factors appropriate in the context of an


assessment of the committee'scommittee’s understood needs of the Board at that time. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers whether an individual satisfies criteria for independence as may be required by applicable regulations. Further, the Company seeks highly qualified directors who have sufficient time to attend to their substantial duties and responsibilities to the Company.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the sole authority to retain, compensate, and terminate any search firm or firms to be used in connection with the identification, assessment, and/or engagement of directors and director candidates. No such firm has been retained by the Company in the past.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers proposed nominees whose names are submitted to it by stockholders; however, it does not have a formal process for that consideration. The Company has not to date adopted a formal process because it believes that the informal consideration process has been adequate. The committee intends to review periodically whether a more formal policy should be adopted. Any stockholder wishing to suggest a name for committee consideration should comply with the provisions of the Company'sCompany’s Bylaws, including, without limitation, sending the name of the nominee and related personal information to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in care of our Secretary, at least three months before the next annual meeting to ensure meaningful consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. See "Stockholder Proposals"“Stockholder Proposals” for Bylaw requirements for nominations.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee had threetwo formal meetings in 2019.

    2020.

Compensation Committee

        At the beginning of 2019, the Compensation Committee of the Board consisted of all of the independent directors. In May 2019, we reduced the size of the Compensation Committee and appointed D. Blake Bath (Chair), Richard Liebhaber and Timothy Weingarten to this committee. In November 2019, following the resignations of Messrs. Liebhaber and Weingarten, the Board appointed Mr. Brooks (Chair), Mr. Bath and Ms. Katz to this committee, each of whom is independent as the term "independence" is defined in the applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In February 2020, Mr. Bath was reappointed Chair.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the compensation for our executive officers and administering our compensation programs. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for overseeing the Company'sCompany’s human capital management.

The members of the Compensation Committee are Blake Bath (Chair), Steven Brooks and Carolyn Katz.

The Compensation Committee had three formal meetings in 2019.2020. Cash compensation and equity compensation awards for all of our executive officers of the Company were considered during these

29
​

meetings, and Mr. Schaeffer was absent from any discussions concerning his compensation. The charter of the Compensation Committee is available under the tab "About“About Cogent; Investor Relations; Corporate Governance"Governance” atwww.cogentco.com.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. Until February 2019, theThe members of this committee were Messrs. Liebhaber (Chairman)the Audit Committee are Lewis Ferguson (Chair), Bath andMarc Montagner and beginning in February 2019, the members of this committee were Mr. Ferguson (Chairman), Mr. Liebhaber and Mr. Montagner, each of whom is independent as the term "independence" is defined in the applicable listing standards of Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In November 2019, Ms. Kennedy, also an independent director, replaced Mr. Liebhaber on this committee.Sheryl Kennedy. The Board has determined that each of Messrs.Mr. Ferguson,


Mr. Montagner and Ms. Kennedy qualifies as aan “audit committee financial expert,expert”, as that term is defined in the Exchange Act. The responsibilities of thisthe Audit Committee include:

•

the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accountants;
​
•

•
reviewing with our independent registered public accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement;
​
•

•
pre-approving professional services provided by our independent registered public accountants;
​
•

•
reviewing our critical accounting policies, our Annual and Quarterly reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and our earnings releases;
​
•

•
reviewing the independence of our independent registered public accountants, including the types and amounts of non-audit services and fees provided by our independent registered public accountants;
​
•

•
considering the impact on the Company of changing the independent registered public accountants;
​
•

•
reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls and overseeing our ethics program; and
​
•

•
reviewing our data security and data privacy programs.

programs; and

​
•
overseeing management of environmental and sustainability risks.
​
The Audit Committee met four times during 2019.2020. In addition, the Chair of the Audit Committee conducted regular calls with the lead partner of our independent registered public accountant. The charter of the Audit Committee may be found under the tab "About“About Cogent; Investor Relations; Corporate Governance"Governance” atwww.cogentco.com.


30
​

Audit Committee Report

To the Board of Directors:

We have reviewed and discussed with management the Company'sCompany’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019.

2020.

We have discussed with the independent registered public accountants, Ernst & Young LLP, the matters required to be discussed with us by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, including those required by the Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended.

We have received and reviewed the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their independence, including the written disclosures and letter required by Rule 3526 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements referred to above be included in the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors caused the Form 10-K to be so filed.

Audit Committee:
Lewis Ferguson
Sheryl Kennedy
Marc Montagner
Audit Committee:
Lewis Ferguson
Sheryl Kennedy
Marc Montagner

The material in this report is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed"“filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"“Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall the material in this section be deemed to be "soliciting material"“soliciting material” or incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Stockholder Communication with Board Members

To facilitate direct and unfiltered stockholder communication with our directors, the Company provides direct contact information for each director on the Company'sCompany’s public website. The Company believes that this approach has served it well, especially given the very substantial percentage of its stock held by institutional investors. InBuilding on its efforts from 2019, the Board increasedcontinued its stockholder engagement efforts by reaching outin 2020. The Board elected to do so on more limited basis in 2020 in light of the Company's largest stockholders. Membersextensive effort made in 2019. Independent members of the Board met with non-affiliated stockholders holding approximately 38%20% of our outstanding shares. During many of these meetings, we asked specifically about any concerns or issues with the Company'sCompany’s compensation practices. The
Following our outreach efforts in both 2019 and 2020, the Board took specific, concrete actions in response to expressed stockholder concerns. Following our 2019 meetings, the Board increased the gender diversity among directors, created the position of Lead Independent Director and adjusted the long-term performance-based equity compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to include metrics based on Company performance. Following our 2020 meetings, the Company expanded its efforts in environmental and social responsibility reporting, including reporting on the Company’s power consumption, diversity of its workforce and data privacy and security. As evidenced by its responsiveness to stockholder feedback, the Board believes these efforts to be highly productive and intends to conductcontinue such calls and meetings on a regular basis in the future. an annual basis.
In view of the SEC disclosure requirements relating to this issue, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider development of more specific procedures. Until any other procedures are developed and posted on the Company'sCompany’s corporate website atwww.cogentco.com, any communications to the Board may be sent directly to the directors or sent to the Company in care of our Secretary.


31
​

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its directors, officers and employees. Each of the executive officers is regularly required to certify compliance with the code of ethics. Management of the Company regularly addresses topics and questions related to business ethics and emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior during its employee engagement efforts. This code of ethics may be found on the Company'sCompany’s website under the tab "About“About Cogent; Investor Relations; Corporate Governance"Governance” atwww.cogentco.com. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements regarding an amendment to or waiver from a provision of the code of ethics by posting such information on its website.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines that establish a framework within which our directors and management can effectively pursue the Company'sCompany’s objectives for the benefit of our stockholders. The Board believes that establishing these guidelines enhances its ability to foster sustainable growth and create value for our stockholders. The corporate governance guidelines may be found on the Company'sCompany’s website under the tab "About“About Cogent; Investor Relations; Corporate Governance"Governance” atwww.cogentco.com.

Board Member Attendance at Annual Meetings

The Company encourages all of its directors to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. AllDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the directors attended the 20192020 Annual Meeting.Meeting virtually. The Company generally holds a Board meeting coincident with the Annual Meeting to minimize director travel obligations and facilitate their attendance at the Annual Meeting.

Director Independence

Nasdaq Marketplace Rules require that a majority of the Board be independent. No director qualifies as independent unless the Board determines that the director has no direct or indirect relationship with the Company that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in


carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In assessing the independence of its members, the Board examined the commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships of each member. The Board'sBoard’s inquiry extended to both direct and indirect relationships with the Company. Based upon both detailed written submissions by its members and discussions regarding the facts and circumstances pertaining to each member, considered in the context of applicable Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, the Board has determined that all of the directors nominated for election, other than Mr. Schaeffer, are independent.


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​

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES

Set forth below is certain information concerning the executive officers and significant employees of the Company. Biographical information on Mr. Schaeffer is included under "Proposal 1—“Proposal 1 — Election of Directors."

”

Thaddeus G. Weed,Sean Wallace, age 58,59, joined us in 2000 and servedMay 2020 as Vice President and Controller until May 2004 when he became our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. From 1997Mr. Wallace has over 30 years of experience in finance, telecom banking and other public company management positions. Prior to 1999,joining the Company, Mr. Weed served as Senior Vice PresidentWallace was an investor and operator of industrial real estate projects from 2015. He was also, from 2008 to 2015, a senior manager at Standard Chartered Bank where he led their Corporate Finance and TreasurerWholesale Origination efforts on a global basis. He also worked at Transaction Network Services, Inc.J.P. Morgan from 1998 to 2007 where Mr. Weed undertook a broad rangehis roles included being Co-Head of financial management responsibilities. From 1987 to 1997, Mr. Weed was employed at Arthur Andersen LLP where he servedtheir Investment Banking efforts in the Asia Pacific region as Senior Audit Manager.well as leading their North American Telecom Banking efforts.

R. Brad Kummer, age 71,72, joined us in 2000 and serves as Vice President of Optical Transport Engineering and Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Kummer spent the 25 years prior to joining us at Lucent Technologies (formerly Bell Laboratories), where he served in a variety of research and development and business development roles relating to optical fibers and systems. In his most recent work at Lucent, he was responsible for optical fiber systems engineering for long haul and metropolitan dense wavelength division multiplexing systems.

Timothy G. O'Neill,O’Neill, age 64,65, joined us in 2001 and serves as the Vice President of Field Engineering, Construction and Network Operations. He is responsible for network operation, construction and maintenance. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. O'NeillO’Neill was employed at @Link Networks, Inc. where he served as Chief Network Officer. While at @Link Networks, Inc., Mr. O'NeillO’Neill was responsible for engineering, implementing and operating a network for Internet access and VPN services.

Bryant Hird "Guy"“Guy” Banks, age 55,56, joined us in 2000 and serves as Vice President of Real Estate. Prior to joining us, Mr. Banks held positions with various affiliates of Security Capital Group Incorporated, including the positions of Vice President of Land Acquisition and Vice President of Development for CWS Communities Trust.

Henry W. Kilmer, age 51,52, joined us in 2011 and serves as Vice President of IP Engineering. Prior to joining us, Mr. Kilmer held positions with UUNET (now Verizon), Sprint, Digex/Intermedia and Metromedia Fiber Networks/Abovenet (now Zayo) where he was Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations. Most recently, Mr. Kilmer was President of Terrapin Communications, Inc., a small consulting firm that focused on network consulting and technical strategy development for companies like GPX, Airband, and Switch and Data (now part of Equinix).

James Bubeck, age 53,54, joined us in 2000 and was appointed as our Chief Revenue Officer and Vice President of Global Sales in October 2015. Prior to being appointed our Chief Revenue Officer and Vice President of Global Sales, Mr. Bubeck served in various capacities in the sales organization of Cogent, most recently, from 2007 to 2015, as Vice President of Central Region Sales, based in Chicago. From 1996 to 2000 he was a sales manager for MCI'sMCI’s internet network business, which was subsequently divested to Cable and Wireless due to the merger of MCI and Worldcom.

John B. Chang, age 48,49, joined us in 2005 and was appointed Chief Legal Officer in May 2019. Prior to being appointed Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Chang served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel until May 2019 when he became our Chief Legal Officer.Counsel. Prior to joining us, Mr. Chang held legal positions with StarBand Communications, Inc. and Teligent, Inc. and was in private practice with O'MelvenyO’Melveny & Myers LLP.


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​


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the compensation program for our Principal Executive Officer, the individuals who served as our Principal Financial Officer during 2020, and the next three most highly compensated Executive Officers of the Company during 20192020 (the "Named“Named Executive Officers"Officers”). During 2019,2020, these individuals were:

•

Dave Schaeffer, our Founder and Chief Executive Officer (our "CEO"“CEO”);
​
•

•
Thaddeus G. Weed,
Sean Wallace, our Chief Financial Officer (our "CFO"“CFO”);
​
•

•
R. Brad Kummer, our Vice President of Optical Transport and Engineering and our Chief Technology Officer;
​
•

•
Timothy G. O'Neill,O’Neill, our Vice President of Field Engineering, Construction, and Network Operations;
​
•

•
James Bubeck, our Chief Revenue Officer and Vice President of Global Sales; and
​
•

•
Robert N. Beury, Cogent's
Thaddeus G. Weed, our former Chief LegalFinancial Officer (Mr. Beury left the CompanyWeed transitioned to a new role of Senior Vice President — Audit & Operations in June 2019 but would have been a Named Executive Officer if he remained employed).

May 2020); and

​
•
Jean Michel Slagmuylder, our CFO Europe, who also served as our Acting CFO from March 17, 2020 to May 11, 2020.
​
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of our executive compensation program during 2019.2020. It also provides an overview of our executive compensation philosophy and objectives. Finally, it analyzes how and why we arrived at the specific compensation decisions for our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, for 2019,2020, including the key factors that the Compensation Committee considered in determining their compensation.

Executive Summary

20192020 Executive Compensation Highlights

The Compensation Committee and the Board took the following key actions with respect tosummarizes the compensation of thefor our Named Executive Officers for 2019:

    2020:
•

Base Salaries—Salaries — With the exception of our CEO, who receives no annual base salary, increased their annual base salaries by 2.0% in common with all employees.
​
•

•
Annual Incentive Compensation for CEO—CEO — Based on achievement of 5.0%4.0% of revenue growth and 7.3%7.7% of adjusted EBITDA growth for 2019,2020, made an annual incentive award in the amount of $173,969$229,145 to our CEO;CEO. The annual incentive award was paid in 2021. The targets for the annual incentive compensation were 10% revenue growth and 15% adjusted EBITDA growth and the annual incentive compensation of $229,145 was 45.8% of the target annual incentive compensation of $500,000.
​
•

•
Sales Commissions for Chief Revenue Officer—Based on achievement of 72%91% of his aggregate revenue targets for 2019,2020, made monthly commission payments totaling $105,750$133,898 to Mr. Bubeck;
​
•

•
Long-Term Incentive Compensation—Compensation — Granted in 2020 long-term incentive compensation opportunities in the form of time-based restricted stock awards, which vest in 2022,2023, and performance-based restricted stock awards, which vest in 2024 for our CEO and in 2023 for our other Named Executive Officers and are to be earned based on our performance over a multi-year performance period through the end of 2022;2023:
​
•

•
Our CEO received a time-based restricted stock award of 84,000 shares and a performance-based restricted stock award of up84,000 shares. In response to 105,000stockholder feedback, the metrics for the performance-based grant reflect with one-third (1∕3) of his performance-based shares vesting based on the Company’s growth rate in revenue, one-third (1∕3) of his performance-based shares vesting based on the Company’s growth rate in cash flow from operating activities and one-third (1∕3) of his performance-based shares vesting based on our total stockholder return, with each portion of the performance-based equity award subject to a cap of 35,000 shares and no shares earned if performance with respect to a target is less than zero.
​

34
​

•
•

Our Named Executive Officers received time-based restricted stock awards ranging from 9,600 to 19,400 shares and performance-based restricted stock awards ranging from up to 2,400 to 4,850 shares.
​
•
Performance Grants for Chief Executive Officer —
​
•
Based on our performance, the CEO’s performance-based restricted stock award granted in 2016 vested on March 1, 2020 as to 17,392 shares. The terms of the 2016 performance-based restricted stock award provided that up to 25,000 shares vest ratably based on the Company achieving 15% revenue growth for the full year 2019 as compared to 2018 and up to 25,000 shares vest ratably based on the Company achieving 20% EBITDA, as adjusted, growth for the full year 2019 as compared to 2018. The Company achieved 5.0% revenue growth and 7.3% EBITDA, as adjusted, growth for 2019. As a result of achieving 33.3% of the revenue growth target and 36.3% of the EBITDA, as adjusted, growth target, the performance shares vested as to 8,320 shares for the revenue growth metric and 9,072 shares for the EBITDA, as adjusted, metric.
​
•
Based on our performance, the CEO’s performance-based restricted stock award granted in 2017 vested on January 1, 2021 as to 89,049 shares. The terms of the 2017 performance-based restricted stock award provided that the number of shares to be awarded was determined by multiplying the ratio of the Company’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) from April 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 to the TSR of the Nasdaq National Telecommunications Index (“NTI”) for the same period by the 84,000 target shares, subject to a cap of 105,000 shares. The TSR for each of the Company and the NTI during that period was approximately 62.85% and 53.62%, respectively.
​
•

•
Performance Grants for Executive Officers—Evaluated the performance—basedperformance-based restricted stock awards granted to our executive officers in 2016,2017, including the Named Executive Officers (other

      than our CEO), and determined that the performance goal for such awards had been met by the Company, resulting in each of our executive officers earning 100% of such performance-based restricted stock awards.

awards.

​
2021 Executive Compensation Update
In February 2021, consistent with its approach in 2020, the Compensation Committee and the Board granted long-term incentive compensation opportunities in the form of time-based restricted stock awards, which vest in 2024, and performance-based restricted stock awards, which are to be earned based on our performance through the end of 2024.
For 2021, our CEO received a time-based restricted stock award of 84,000 shares that begin vesting in 2024 and a performance-based restricted stock award of 84,000 shares that may vest on April 1, 2025 and is to be earned based on our performance through the end of 2024, with one-third (1∕3) vesting based on the Company’s growth rate in revenue, one-third (1∕3) vesting based on the Company’s growth rate in cash flow from operating activities and one-third (1∕3) vesting based on our total stockholder return, with each portion subject to a cap of 35,000 shares and no shares earned for that target if performance less than zero.
Each of our Named Executive Officers (except for Mr. Slagmuylder) received a time-based restricted stock award of 9,600 shares and a performance-based restricted stock award of 2,400.
In addition, with respect to our CEO’s Annual Cash Incentive Compensation opportunity for 2021, which remains the CEO’s only direct cash compensation and is payable in 2022, the Compensation Committee reduced his targets to 5% revenue growth and 10% adjusted EBITDA growth from the 2020 targets of 10% revenue growth and 15% adjusted EBITDA growth in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and, in particular, in the impact of the pandemic and accompanying government restrictions on the demand for commercial office space in central business districts. Our largest customer base is located in these buildings, and the Company has been impacted as these customers are electing not to return to their office space either on a temporary or even permanent basis or slowing the pace of opening new offices.

35
​

Pay-for-Performance Discussion

We view our executive compensation practices as an avenue to communicate our goals and standards of conduct and as a means to reward our executive officers for their achievements. We believe our executive compensation program is reasonable, competitive, and appropriately balances the goals of attracting, motivating, rewarding, and retaining our executive officers and, therefore, that it promotes stability in our leadership.

The Board has established a unifying principle for our executive compensation program: linking the interests of our executive officers to the interests of our stockholders. The Board believes that this alignment of interests incentivizes our executive officers to act in the best interests of the Company.

To ensure our executive officers'officers’ interests are aligned with those of our stockholders and to motivate and reward individual initiative and effort, a substantial portion of our executives'executives’ annual compensation takes the form of equity awards and is, therefore, "at-risk."“at-risk.” Over 95% of our CEO'sCEO’s annual target direct compensation consists of equity awards. For our other executive officers, including the other Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Slagmuylder), over 60%70% of their annual target direct compensation is delivered in the form of equity awards.

In 2019,2020, our CEO'sCEO’s entire cash compensation consisted of his annual incentive compensation opportunity, which is performance-based and at-risk. The majority of our CEO'sCEO’s restricted stock award is performance-based, meaning that a majority of our CEO'sCEO’s target total direct compensation for 2019 is2020 was performance-based.

Our compensation program focuses upon long-term growth in stockholder value. Restricted stock awards granted to our executives do not vest until three years after the grant date, and, in the case of performance-based restricted stock awards, the performance targets are based on long-term measurements.

To date, the Board has granted equity awards based on a fixed number of shares rather than awards based on a specific dollar value. To ensure that we remain faithful to our compensation philosophy, the Board regularly evaluates the relationship between the reported values of the equity awards granted to our executive officers, the amount of compensation realizable (and, ultimately, realized) from such awards in subsequent years, and our total stockholder return over this period. The Board will continue to review both the size of awards and whether awards should be tied to a specific dollar amount; however, as part of this evaluation the Board will acknowledge that increases in the realized value from the awards are necessarily tied to increases in stockholder value and thus these increases are consistent with the goal of our executive compensation program.

As the most direct way to tie our CEO'sCEO’s incentives to total stockholder returns, the Board has structured his compensation almost completely as long-term equity awards. Thus, our CEO sees his primary responsibility as the creation of long-term stockholder value.

In response to stockholder concerns, in 2020, the Board restructured the metrics for our CEO’s performance-based equity award to align a greater portion to metrics that he directly influences, revenue and cash flow. Accordingly, for his 2020 grant, one-third (1/3) of his performance-based shares were tied to the Company’s growth rate in revenue, one-third (1/3) to the Company’s growth rate in cash flow from operating activities and one-third (1/3) to our total stockholder return, with performance measured through 2023 and the number of shares to be earned with respect to each metric subject to a cap. The targets for the Company’s growth rate in revenue and growth rate in cash flow from operating activities are set at 1.5 and 2.0 times, respectively, of the growth rates for the same metrics for companies comprising the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index, and no shares are earned for any target if the growth rates for that target are less than zero or the Company’s total stockholder return is less than zero.
We believe that our focused emphasis on the use of long-term incentive compensation as the key element of our executive officers'officers’ target total direct compensation opportunities has enabled us to maintain a strong alignment of our executive officers'officers’ and stockholders'stockholders’ interests and has resulted in the above-market performance of our common stock as illustrated below.


36
​

The graph below compares Cogent Communications Holdings'Holdings’ cumulative 5-Year total stockholder return on common stock with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our common stock and in each index (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from December 31, 201412/31/2015 to December 31, 2019.

12/31/2020.


COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Cogent Communications Holdings, the S&P 500 Index
and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212366d1-lc_comparbw.jpg]
​
*

GRAPHIC

*
$100 invested on 12/31/1415 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscaldividends.Fiscal year ending December 31.

    Copyright© 2020

​
Copyright© 2021 Standard & Poor's, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved.

​​​12/15​​12/16​​12/17​​12/18​​12/19​​12/20​
Cogent Communications Holdings​​​​100.00​​​​​124.10​​​​​141.85​​​​​147.82​​​​​224.53​​​​​212.68​​
S&P 500​​​​100.00​​​​​111.96​​​​​136.40​​​​​130.42​​​​​171.49​​​​​203.04​​
NASDAQ Telecommunications​​​​100.00​​​​​112.56​​​​​135.96​​​​​125.10​​​​​158.73​​​​​192.30​​

 
 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/19 

Cogent Communications Holdings

  100.00  102.53  127.23  145.44  151.55  230.20 

S&P 500

  100.00  101.38  113.51  138.29  132.23  173.86 

NASDAQ Telecommunications

  100.00  97.52  102.36  127.62  127.16  142.60 
37
​

The graph below compares Cogent Communications Holdings'Holdings’ cumulative total stockholder return on common stock with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 Index, the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index, AT&T, Verizon and CenturyLink. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our common stock and in each other company or index (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from July 1, 7/1/2005 to December 31, 2019.12/31/2020. The Company'sCompany’s initial registered public offering occurred in June 2005.


COMPARISON OF 1415 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212366d1-lc_totalbw.jpg]
​
*

GRAPHIC

*
$100 invested on 7/1/05 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.

    Copyright© 2020

​
Copyright© 2021 Standard & Poor's, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved.

 
 7/05 12/05 12/06 12/07 12/08 12/09 12/10 12/11 12/12 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/19 

Cogent Communications Holdings

  100.00  86.73  256.24  374.57  103.16  155.77  223.38  266.82  361.34  660.58  597.60  612.70  760.36  869.14  905.69  1375.67 

S&P 500

  100.00  101.98  118.08  124.57  78.48  99.25  114.20  116.61  135.28  179.09  203.61  206.42  231.11  281.57  269.22  353.99 

NASDAQ Telecommunications

  100.00  94.13  125.12  137.07  81.70  107.46  117.90  113.85  116.36  160.78  160.63  157.01  164.24  204.82  204.31  229.50 

AT&T Inc

  100.00  105.17  161.09  194.24  139.83  146.56  163.62  178.36  209.59  230.03  231.53  250.81  325.76  312.91  243.32  354.31 

Centurylink Inc

  100.00  95.73  126.86  121.16  85.32  123.81  170.87  148.43  168.06  145.93  192.17  131.09  134.00  104.73  106.71  101.07 

Verizon Communications Inc

  100.00  89.29  120.19  146.86  120.40  125.03  153.85  181.89  205.87  244.24  242.87  251.64  303.77  315.97  351.52  400.26 
​​​7/05​​12/05​​12/06​​12/07​​12/08​​12/09​​12/10​​12/11​​12/12​
Cogent Communications Holdings​​​​100.00​​​​​86.73​​​​​256.24​​​​​374.57​​​​​103.16​​​​​155.77​​​​​223.38​​​​​266.82​​​​​361.34​​
S&P 500​​​​100.00​​​​​101.98​​​​​118.08​​​​​124.57​​​​​78.48​​​​​99.25​​​​​114.20​​​​​116.61​​​​​135.28​​
NASDAQ Telecommunications​​​​100.00​​​​​93.03​​​​​126.92​​​​​132.53​​​​​80.84​​​​​103.54​​​​​114.73​​​​​115.77​​​​​129.98​​
AT&T Inc​​​​100.00​​​​​105.17​​​​​161.09​​​​​194.24​​​​​139.83​​​​​146.56​​​​​163.62​​​​​178.36​​​​​209.59​​
Centurylink Inc​​​​100.00​​​​​95.73​​​​​126.86​​​​​121.16​​​​​85.32​​​​​123.81​​​​​170.87​​​​​148.43​​​​​168.06​​
Verizon Communications Inc​​​​100.00​​​​​89.29​​​​​120.19​​​​​146.86​​​​​120.40​​​​​125.03​​​​​153.85​​​​​181.89​​​​​205.87​​
​​​12/13​​12/14​​12/15​​12/16​​12/17​​12/18​​12/19​​12/20​
Cogent Communications Holdings​​​​660.58​​​​​597.60​​​​​612.70​​​​​760.36​​​​​869.14​​​​​905.69​​​​​1375.67​​​​​1303.08​​
S&P 500​​​​179.09​​​​​203.61​​​​​206.42​​​​​231.11​​​​​281.57​​​​​269.22​​​​​353.99​​​​​419.12​​
NASDAQ Telecommunications​​​​184.70​​​​​190.58​​​​​187.12​​​​​205.66​​​​​246.75​​​​​227.12​​​​​287.28​​​​​344.10​​
AT&T Inc​​​​230.03​​​​​231.53​​​​​250.81​​​​​325.76​​​​​312.91​​​​​243.32​​​​​354.31​​​​​278.54​​
Centurylink Inc​​​​145.93​​​​​192.17​​​​​131.09​​​​​134.00​​​​​104.73​​​​​106.71​​​​​101.07​​​​​81.77​​
Verizon Communications Inc​​​​244.24​​​​​242.87​​​​​251.64​​​​​303.77​​​​​315.97​​​​​351.52​​​​​400.26​​​​​399.79​​


201938
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2020 Stockholder Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation

At our 20192020 Annual Meeting our stockholders approved the advisory vote on our named executive officer compensation, or "Say-on-Pay,"“Say-on-Pay,” with approximately 58%80% support. DuringIn February 2020, in response to feedback received during our stockholder outreach efforts in 2019, the Compensation Committee adjusted the performance-based component of the CEO’s equity award as describeddiscussed above to include metrics that better reflect the contributions of the CEO to our performance. Following this adjustment, during 2020, members of the Board communicatedmet with non-affiliatedunaffiliated stockholders holdingrepresenting approximately 38%20% of our outstanding shares. Our management attended over 20 investor conferences and conducted approximately 370 meetings with stockholders and other interested investors. During these meetings, no stockholders expressed concerns regarding the levels of our executive compensation but did express a preference for metrics related directly toor expressed any dissatisfaction with the Company's financial performance to determine whether


the CEO's performance-based equity grant is earned. Based on these discussions, in 2020 the Compensation Committee adjusted the performance-based componentstructure of the CEO'sCEO’s equity award to include metrics that better reflect the contributions of the CEO to the Company's performance.

award.

As demonstrated by our continuing, active outreach to our stockholders, we value their opinions on executive compensation, as expressed not only in their Say-on-Pay votes but in our dialogues throughout the year.

Executive Compensation Policies and Practices

We endeavor to maintain sound executive compensation policies and practices, including compensation-related corporate governance standards, consistent with our executive compensation philosophy. During 2019,2020, we maintained the following executive compensation policies and practices, including those thatboth policies and practices we have implemented to drive performance and policies and practices that either prohibit or minimize behaviors that we do not believe serve our stockholders'stockholders’ long-term interests:

What We Do

•

We maintain an Independent Compensation Committee.Committee.   The Compensation Committee consists solely of independent directors who establish our compensation practices.
​
•

•
We retain an Independent Compensation Advisor.Advisor.   The Compensation Committee has engaged its own compensation consultant to provide information, analysis, and other advice on executive compensation independent of management.
​
•

•
We conduct an annual Executive Compensation Review.Review.   At least once each year, the Board conducts a review of our compensation strategy.
​
•

•
Compensation At-Risk.At-Risk.   Our executive compensation program is designed so that the majority of our executive officers'officers’ compensation is at risk based on corporate performance, and because it is equity-based, aligned to the interests of our stockholders.
​
•

•
We Evaluate Compensation-related Risk.Risk.   The Board considers our compensation-related risk profile to ensure that our compensation-related risks do not create inappropriate or excessive risk and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
​
•

•
Multi-year Vesting Requirements.Requirements.   Both to retain and to focus our executives on long-term performance, all of our equity awards must be earned over at least a three-year period.
​
•

•
Compensation Recovery ("Clawback"(“Clawback”) Policy.Policy.   We have adopted a compensation recovery ("clawback"(“clawback”) policy that enables the Board to recover incentive compensation from our CEO and our other executive officers in the event of an accounting restatement resulting from misconduct.
​
•

•
Stock Ownership Policy.Policy.   We have adopted a stock ownership policy for our CEO and the members of the Board under which they must accumulate and maintain, consistent with the terms of the guidelines, shares of our common stock.
​
•

•
We Conduct an Annual Stockholder Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation.Compensation.   We conduct an annual stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers. The Board considers the results of this advisory vote during the course of its deliberations and also separately seeks to engage on executive compensation matters with our stockholders.
​

39
​

What We Do Not Do

•

No Guaranteed Bonuses.Bonuses.   We do not provide guaranteed bonuses to our executive officers. Only our CEO and Chief Revenue Officer are eligible to receive annual cash incentive awards, which are entirely performance-based. Our other executive officers are not eligible for cash bonuses.
​
•

•
No Defined Benefit Retirement Plans.Plans.   We do not currently offer, nor do we have plans to offer, defined benefit pension plans or any non-qualified deferred compensation plans or arrangements to our executive officers other than the plans and arrangements that are available to all employees. Our executive officers are eligible to participate in our Section 401(k) retirement plan on the same basis as our other employees.
​
•

•
No Hedging or Pledging.Pledging.   We prohibit our employees, including our executive officers, and the members of the Board from hedging our securities and from pledging our securities on a non-recourse basis.
​
•

•
No Tax Payments on Perquisites.Perquisites.   We do not provide any tax reimbursement payments (including "gross-ups"“gross-ups”) on any perquisites or other personal benefits.
​
•

•
No Excise Tax Payments on Future Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements.Arrangements.   We do not provide any excise tax reimbursement payments (including "gross-ups"“gross-ups”) on payments or benefits contingent upon a change in control of the Company.
​
•

•
No Special Welfare or Health Benefits.Benefits.   We do not provide our executive officers with any welfare or health benefit programs, other than participation in our broad-based employee programs, such as medical, dental and vision benefits, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and basic life insurance coverage.
​
•

•
No Stock Option Re-pricing.Re-pricing.   We do not permit options to purchase shares of our common stock to be re-priced to a lower exercise price without the approval of our stockholders.

​
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Program Design

Compensation Philosophy

Our philosophy is to compensate all of our employees, including our executive officers, in a manner that reflects the competitive value of their skills and experience in the marketplace, to pay our sales force and sales management substantial cash commissions based upon revenue generated, and to tie the compensation of our executive officers to the value of our common stock through the grant of restricted stock awards that vest or are earned over multi-year periods.

We believe that the success of our philosophy is demonstrated by our record of revenue growth and increased profitability, our stable and capable leadership, and the appreciation of our common stock.

Program Design

We keep the compensation program for our executive officers simple in the belief that a program consisting of a limited number of easily understood elements results in greater transparency to our stockholders.

We have maintained a consistent design of the compensation for our executive officers, which we believe makes it easier for year to year comparisons. We believe the long tenure of our executive officers speaks to the soundness of our compensation approach.

To this end, we structure the annual compensation of our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, using only two principal elements: base salary and long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards. In addition, the two executive officers who are most directly responsible for driving our revenue growth—growth — our CEO and Chief Revenue Officer—Officer — are also eligible to receive


annual cash incentive awards based on our performance against pre-established financial objectives. In the case of our CEO, this annual cash incentive award is in lieu of his base salary.


40
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Executive Compensation Program Governance and Process

Role of the Compensation Committee

The current members of the Compensation Committee are all independent directors. In 2019,2020, the Compensation Committee had overall responsibility for our compensation and benefits policies generally, overseeing and evaluating the compensation plans, policies, and programs applicable to our CEO as well as our other executive officers, determining and overseeing the process of evaluating our CEO'sCEO’s performance, and overseeing the preparation, review and approval of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

The Board'sBoard’s practice of developing and maintaining compensation arrangements that are competitive includes a balance between retaining the best possible talent and maintaining a reasonable and responsible cost structure.

When selecting and setting the amount of each compensation element, the Board considers the following factors:

•

our performance against the financial and operational objectives established by the Board;
​
•

•
each individual executive officer'sofficer’s skills, experience, and qualifications relative to other similarly situated executives in the competitive market;
​
•

•
the scope of each executive officer'sofficer’s role compared to other similarly situated executives in the competitive market;
​
•

•
the performance of each individual executive officer, based on a subjective assessment of his or her contributions to our overall performance, ability to lead his or her business unit or function, and work as part of a team, all of which reflect our core values;
​
•

•
compensation parity among our executive officers; and
​
•

•
our financial performance, including profitability and return of capital to stockholders, relative to our peers.

​
These factors provide the framework for compensation decision-making and final decisions regarding the compensation opportunity for each executive officer. No single factor is determinative in setting pay levels, nor was the impact of any single factor on the determination of pay levels quantifiable.

Role of Management

In discharging its responsibilities, the Board works with members of our management, including our CEO. Management assistsprovides the Board by providing information on Companyour and individualeach individual’s performance, market data, and management'sits perspective and recommendations on compensation matters. The Board solicits and reviews our CEO'sthese recommendations and proposals with respect to adjustments to annual cash compensation, long-term incentive compensation opportunities, program structures, and other compensation-related matters for our executive officers.matters. The Board reviews and discusses these recommendations and proposals with our CEO and uses them as one factor in determining and approving the compensation for our executive officers. Our CEO does not participate in Board discussions regarding his own compensation.


Role of Compensation Consultant

        In May 2016, the

The Compensation Committee has engaged Compensia, a national compensation consulting firm, to serve as its compensation advisor. During 2019,2020, Compensia provided the following services:

•

assisted with the development of a compensation peer group, provided competitive market data based on the compensation peer group for our executive officer positions and evaluated the compensation we pay our executive officers relative to both our performance and how the companies in our compensation peer group compensate their executives;
​
•

•
reviewed and analyzed the base salary levels and annual and long-term incentive compensation of our executive officers; and
​

41
​

•

•
reviewed our executive compensation disclosure, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

​
In 2019,2020, Compensia provided no services to us other than the consulting services to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has reviewed the objectivity and independence of the advice it received from Compensia and determined that Compensia is independent and that its work did not raise any conflicts of interest.

Competitive Positioning

Compensia developed and recommended a compensation peer group to be used as a reference for understanding the market for executive talent when making compensation decisions for our executive officers. Compensia determined our compensation peer group by focusing on U.S.-based, publicly traded companies in the following technology industry sectors: telecommunications, Internet, and software. Compensia then selected companies that were similar to us relative to our size, using the following criteria:

•

similar revenue size—~0.5xsize — ~0.5x to ~2.0x our last four fiscal quarter revenue of approximately $524$549 million (~$262275 million to $1.05$1.1 billion); and
​
•

•
similar market capitalization—~0.3xcapitalization — ~0.3x to ~3.0x our market capitalization of $3.03$2.7 billion (~$909795 million to $9.1$7.9 billion).

​
The Committee took into consideration Compensia'sCompensia’s recommended peer group of 16 communications and technology companies for purposes of comparing our executive compensation levels and practices against the competitive market. The companies comprising this compensation peer group were as follows:

​8x8​​InterDigital​
8x8​InterDigital
Acacia Communications​​Iridium Communications​
​ATN International​​NIC​
​Bottomline Technologies​​QuinStreet​
​CarGurus​​Shenandoah Telecommunications​
​Cornerstone OnDemand​​Stamps.com​
​FireEye​​Switch​
​GCI Liberty​​Vonage Holdings​

For 2021 compensation, GCI Liberty was removed from our peer group as they exceed our market capitalization criteria. Cloudera was added as a replacement. The Committee intends to review our compensation peer group at least annually and make adjustments to its composition, as necessary, taking into account changes in both our business and the businesses of the companies in the compensation peer group.


The Committee does not believe that it is appropriate to make compensation decisions, whether regarding base salaries or long-term incentive compensation, based upon any type of benchmarking. The Committee does believe that information regarding the compensation practices at other companies is useful in at least two respects. First, the Committee recognizes that our compensation policies and practices must be competitive in the marketplace. Second, this information is useful in assessing the reasonableness of individual executive compensation elements and of our overall executive compensation packages. The information provided by the peer group analysis is only one of several factors that the Committee considers, however, in making its compensation decisions. The Committee also considers, among other factors, the relative responsibilities and talents of our executive officers, the ability to replace their particular skillsets and institutional knowledge and the financial performance of the Company relative to its peers, including revenue growth, profitability and the return of capital to stockholders.

Individual Compensation Elements

For 2019,2020, our executive compensation program consisted of the following two principal elements:


42
​

•

base salary (except for our CEO, whose base salary was replaced with an annual cash incentive compensation opportunity in 2015); and
​
•

•
long-term incentive compensation in the form of time-based restricted stock awards and performance-based restricted stock awards.

​
In addition, we provide an annual cash incentive compensation opportunity to our CEO and a sales commission opportunity to Mr. Bubeck, our Chief Revenue Officer. We did not provide any other executive officers with an annual cash incentive award opportunity in 2019.

2020.

Base Salary

Base salary represents the fixed portion of the compensation of our executive officers and is an important element of compensation intended to attract and retain highly talented individuals.

Generally, we establish the initial base salaries of our executive officers through arm's-lengtharm’s-length negotiation at the time we hire the individual executive officer, taking into account his or her position, qualifications, experience, prior salary level, and the base salaries of our other executive officers. Thereafter, the Board reviews the base salaries of our executive officers from time to time and makes adjustments to base salaries as it determines to be necessary or appropriate.

It is the general policy of the Board to provide our executive officers with the same general salary increase granted to all employees each year. Consistent with this policy, in 2019,2020, our executive officers including the Named Executive Officers (other than our CEO), received the same 2% base salary increase as our other employees.

        Our

Since 2015 our CEO has not received aany base salary for several years and, accordingly, did not receive a base salary in 2019.

salary.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Except for our CEO and our Chief Revenue Officer, an annual incentive compensation award in the form of a cash bonus has not been a part of our executive compensation program. This policy continued in effect in 2019.

    2020.

Annual Cash Incentive Opportunity for Our CEO

As in 2018,2019, our CEO was eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award based on our ability to improve our financial performance year over year as measured by two equally weighted metrics:


increases in revenue and increases in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("(“adjusted EBITDA"EBITDA”) (as defined in the Company'sCompany’s earnings releases).

For purposes of his 20192020 incentive compensation opportunity, our CEO was eligible to receive a cash award in the amount of $250,000 if our revenue growth for the year equaled or exceeded by 15%10% our prior year revenue and, separately, an additional cash award in the amount of $250,000 if our adjusted EBITDA growth for the year equaled or exceeded by 20%15% our prior year adjusted EBITDA. If the growth of these performance metrics was less than the target level specified, he would receive a proportionally smaller amount. If the performance measure is zero or negative the bonus for that performance shall be zero.

Our revenue grew 5.0%4.0% from 20182019 to 20192020 and our adjusted EBITDA grew 7.3%7.7% from 20182019 to 2019.2020. Based on the framework the Board had established for determining his annual cash incentive award, this resulted in a cash award in the amount of $83,200$100,470 for the revenue metric and a cash award in the amount of $90,769$128,675 for the adjusted EBITDA metric, or an aggregate annual cash incentive award in the amount of $173,969.

    $229,145. The Board did not adjust for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the framework for our CEO’s annual cash incentive award in 2020.

Incentive Compensation Opportunity for Chief Revenue Officer

        In addition, due

Due to the importance of his position in driving revenue and, therefore, stockholder value, Mr. Bubeck was eligible to receive monthly commissions based our revenue for each month of 2019.2020. Since revenue growth is critical to our success, the Board believes that it is important to directly link a significant portion of Mr. Bubeck'sBubeck’s target total direct compensation to achieving our monthly revenue targets. Together with his

43
​

performance-based restricted stock award, Mr. Bubeck'sBubeck’s sales commission opportunity is a second compensation element focused on the Company'sCompany’s customer acquisition and satisfaction, a structure the Company also believes is important for ourits Chief Revenue Officer.

At the beginning of 2019,2020, monthly revenue growth targets were established for Mr. Bubeck for the year and his target commission for the year was set at $146,880. Mr. Bubeck'sBubeck’s commissions were paid monthly and determined each month by measuring our actual net new revenue for each month, measured both company-wide and on a regional basis, against the preestablished revenue growth targets for that month, with the resulting percentage multiplied by his target commissions for each category for the month. Mr. Bubeck’s revenue growth targets for 2020 were not adjusted for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019,light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand from our corporate customers, the Company lowered a component of Mr. Bubeck’s monthly revenue growth targets by 10% for 2021. In 2020, approximately one-third of Mr. Bubeck'sBubeck’s target total cash compensation was tied to the achievement of these monthly revenue targets.

For 2019,2020, Mr. Bubeck achieved 72%91% of his aggregate revenue target for the year. Accordingly, he received $105,750$133,898 of his target commission of $146,880 based on his monthly performance against his targets.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

We believe that the strongest alignment of executive and stockholder interests arises from their common ownership of our equity securities. Accordingly, the Board allocates the largest portion of our executive officer'sofficer’s target total direct compensation to long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards. The Board believes that equity awards focus our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, on increasing stockholder value over the long-term, provides a meaningful reward for appreciation in our stock price and long-term value creation, and motivates them to remain employed with us.

Over the last several years, the long-term incentive compensation opportunities of our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, have been delivered in the form of restricted stock awards.awards that vest no earlier than 30 months from that grant date. As noted above, these awards have represented approximately 95% of our CEO'sCEO’s target total


direct compensation, and, on average, over 60%70% of the target total direct compensation of our other executive officers.

As with their other compensation elements, the Board determines the amount of long-term incentive compensation for our executive officers as part of its annual compensation review and, after taking into consideration the competitive market environment, the recommendations of our CEO (except with respect to his own equity award), the proportion of our total shares of common stock outstanding used for annual employee long-term incentive compensation awards (our "burn rate"“burn rate”), and the other factors described above.

In May 2019,2020, the Board granted a combination of time-based restricted stock awards and performance-based restricted stock awards to our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers. The equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officers for 20192020 were as follows:

Named Officer​​
Time Based
Restricted Stock
(# shares)
​​
Time Based
Restricted Stock
(grant date
fair value)
​​
Performance Based
Restricted Stock
(# shares)
​​
Performance Based
Restricted Stock
(grant date
fair value)
​​
Aggregate
Grant Date
Fair Value
​
Dave Schaeffer​​​​84,000​​​​​6,450,360​​​​​105,000​​​​​7,335,300​​​​$13,785,660​​
Sean Wallace​​​​12,000​​​​​913,320​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​$913,320​​
Timothy O’Neill​​​​9,600​​​​​737,184​​​​​2,400​​​​​184,296​​​​$921,480​​
James Bubeck​​​​9,600​​​​​737,184​​​​​2,400​​​​​184,296​​​​$921,480​​
Brad Kummer​​​​9,600​​​​​737,184​​​​​2,400​​​​​184,296​​​​$921,480​​
Thaddeus Weed​​​​19,400​​​​​1,489,726​​​​​4,850​​​​​372,432​​​​$1,862,158​​
Jean-Michel Slagmuylder​​​​1,000​​​​​78,160​​​​​—​​​���​—​​​​$78,160​​
Named Officer
 Time Based
Restricted Stock
(# shares)		 Time Based
Restricted Stock
(grant date
fair value)		 Performance Based
Restricted Stock
(# shares)		 Performance Based
Restricted Stock
(grant date
fair value)		 Aggregate
Grant Date
Fair Value		 

Dave Schaeffer

  84,000 $4,636,800  105,000 $4,707,150 $9,343,950 

Thaddeus Weed

  19,400 $1,070,880  4,850 $267,720 $1,338,600 

Robert Beury

  5,000 $276,000  — $— $276,000 

Timothy O'Neill

  9,600 $529,920  2,400 $132,480 $662,400 

James Bubeck

  9,600 $529,920  2,400 $132,480 $662,400 

Brad Kummer

  9,600 $529,920  2,400 $132,480 $662,400 

The number of shares subject to performance-based restricted stock awards represents the maximum number of shares that may be earned. Stock was valued based on the(i) a closing price of $55.20$76.79 per share on


44
​

the grant date of February 14, 2020 for Messrs. O’Neill, Bubeck, Kummer and Weed, (ii) a closing price of $76.11 per share on the grant date of May 11, 2020 for Mr. Wallace, (iii) a closing price of $78.16 per share on the grant date of June 1, 20192020 for Mr. Slagmuylder, and (iv) a closing price of $76.79 per share on the grant date of February 14, 2020 for Mr. Schaeffer other than with respect to his except for performance grantperformance-based award of 105,000up to 35,000 shares to Mr. Schaefferbased upon market conditions which was valued via an appraised value of $44.83$56.00 per share since they are based upon market conditions.

share.

Equity Awards Granted to Our CEO

Time-Based Restricted Stock Award.   The shares of our common stock subject to theOur CEO’s time-based restricted stock award granted to our CEO vestvests in equal monthly increments of 7,000 shares each commencing on January 1, 20222023 and ending on December 1, 2022.2023.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award.   TheOur CEO’s performance-based shares of our common stock subject to the performance-based restricted stock award granted to our CEO are to be earned (if at all)vest on April 1, 2024 as follows: one-third (1∕3) based on our absolutegrowth rate in revenue, one-third (1∕3) based on our growth rate in cash flow from operating activities and one-third (1∕3) based on our total stockholder return ("TSR"(“TSR”), all as measured over a performance period commencing on April 1, 20192020 and ending on December 31, 2022. In2023.
•
If our revenue growth rate for the eventperformance period is positive, then the number of shares that will vest with respect to the award will be determined by dividing (i) the Company’s actual revenue growth rate, by (ii) the product of (x) the percentage growth in the revenue for the companies comprising the Nasdaq Telecommunications Index (“NTI”) for the performance period against the revenue of the companies comprising the NTI at the end of the performance period and (y) 1.5, and then multiplying the resulting fraction by 28,000 (one-third of the target number of shares), provided, however no more than 35,000 shares will vest based on the revenue growth metric. Revenue growth rate for the Company and the NTI are calculated using organic growth only, excluding any impact of any merger, acquisition or business combination. If our revenue growth rate for the performance period is zero or negative, then no shares vest based on that metric.
​
•
If our cash flow from operating activities growth rate for the performance period is positive, then the number of shares that vest will be determined by dividing (i) our actual cash flow from operating activities growth rate, by (ii) the product of (x) the percentage growth in cash flow from operating activities for the companies comprising the NTI for the performance period against the revenue of the companies comprising the NTI at the end of the performance period and (y) 2.0, and then multiplying the resulting fraction by 28,000 (one-third of the target number of shares), provided, however that no more than 35,000 shares will vest based on the growth in cash flow metric. Cash flow from operating activities growth rate for the Company and the NTI are calculated using organic growth only, excluding any impact of any merger, acquisition or business combination. If our cash flow from operating activities growth rate for the performance period is zero or negative, then no shares will vest based on the growth in cash flow metric.
​
•
If our TSR for the performance period is positive, then the number of shares of our common stock earned with respect to the awardthat vest will be determined by dividing our TSR by the TSR of the Nasdaq Telecommunications Index (the "NTI")NTI for the performance period and multiplying that percentage by 84,000 (the28,000 (one-third the target number of shares subject to the performance-based restricted stock award)shares); provided, however, thatno more than 35,000 shares will vest based on the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be earned pursuant to the performance-based restricted stock award may not exceed 105,000 shares.TSR metric. If our TSR for the performance period is zero or negative, then no shares of our common stock will be earned. Any shares of our common stock subject tovest based on the performance-based restricted stock award that are not earned at the end of the performance period will be forfeited and canceled.TSR metric. For purposes of the performance-based restricted stock award, our "TSR"“TSR” is to be calculated by comparing an amount invested in the CompanyCogent to the same amount invested in the NTI at the beginning of the performance period with all dividends reinvested during the performance.performance period. In calculating our TSR, the average market price of our common stock for the 20 trading days prior to the measurement date will beis used.
​
•


Any shares that do not vest based on satisfaction of the performance targets at the end of the performance period are forfeited and canceled.
​
In addition, our CEO'sCEO’s restricted stock awards made in 20192020 are eligible for accelerated vesting as follows:

•

Death or disability—disability — Upon a termination of employment due to death or disability, all of the unvested time-based restricted stock and 84,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock will vest.
​

45
​

•

•
Retirement—
Retirement — Upon a termination of employment due to retirement, all of the unvested time-based restricted stock and, upon expiration of the performance period, the actual number of shares of our common stock earnedthat will vest is based on our actual performance for the performance period based will vest.period.
​
•

•
Termination of employment—employment — In the event that our CEO'sCEO’s employment is terminated entitling him to severance under the terms of his employment agreement either prior to or more than six months after a change in control of the Company, then the number of shares of restricted stock award that he would have vested in had he remained employed during the severance period (which will be determined based on the number of months used to calculate severance under his employment agreement) will vest and, upon expiration of the performance period, the actual number of shares of our common stock earnedthat will vest is based on our actual performance for the performance period, but prorated based on the number of days elapsed from the beginning of the performance period through the last day of his applicable severance period, will vest.period.
​
•

•
Change in control—control — Immediately prior to a change in control of the Company, the performance period for the performance-based restricted stock award will end and the number of shares of suchhis performance based stock that he earns will be determinedvest based on our TSRactual performance against the performance metrics through such date provided he remains employed with us through January 1, 2022; provided, however, that he will be considered to have earned such number of shares2023. However if during the six months following the change in control, of the Company, his employment is terminated without cause or he terminates his employment for good reason, a "double trigger".

“double trigger,” then he will vest in those shares.

​
Equity Awards Granted to Other Named Executive Officers

Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards.   The time-basedTime-based restricted stock granted in 20192020 to the other Named Executive Officers vests in equal quarterly increments of shares each on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, 2022.2023.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards.   The performance-basedPerformance-based restricted stock granted to the other Named Executive Officers are to be earnedvests (if at all) on December 1, 2022,2023, based on the attainment of customer satisfaction goals over the period of April 1, 20192020 to November 1, 20222023 as determined and evaluated by the Board.

In addition, the restricted stock awards granted to the other Named Executive Officers are eligible for accelerated vesting as follows:

•

Death, disability, retirement, or change in control—control — Upon a termination of employment due to death, disability, or retirement and upon a change in control of the Company (even if not accompanied by a termination of employment), all of the unvested shares of time-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock will vest.vests.
​
•

•
Other termination of employment—employment — In the event of a termination of employment entitling the Named Executive Officer to severance under the terms of his employment agreement, he will vest in the number of shares of time-based restricted stock that he would have vested in had he remained employed during thehis severance period (which will be determined based(based on the number of months used to calculate severance under his employment agreement) will vest,, and, upon expiration of the performance period, he will vest in the performance-based stock will vest based on actual

      performance for the performance period prorated based on the number of days elapsed from the beginning of the performance period through the last day of his applicable severance period.

​
In the event of a termination of employment other than as provided in the foregoing paragraphs, the Named Executive Officer will forfeit any unvested time-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock.

In 2019,2020, in connection with its review of the performance-based restricted stock awards given to our executive officers (other than our CEO) in 2016,2017, the Board evaluated the attainment of the customer satisfaction performance goal established for such awards. With the assistance of our CEO, the Board reviewed the Company'sCompany’s Net Promoter Score, which measures the willingness of the Company'sCompany’s customers to recommend our services to others. We believe this is a useful measure of our customer'scustomer’s overall satisfaction with our service. Net Promoter Scores range from –100-100 to 100. For 2019,2020, the Company'sCompany’s Net Promoter Score was 64,65, which is outstanding for an internet service provider. In addition, an independent vendor, Atlantic ACM, published its own estimate of customer satisfaction and ranked us with the second highest score in the telecommunications industry. Our CEO explained that the two metrics, taken together,score indicated that the Company has achieved unusually high customer satisfaction levels, particularly within our

46
​

industry. Accordingly, the Board determined that the customer satisfaction performance goals had been met and that our executive officers had earned 100% of their restricted stock awards.

Welfare and Health Benefits

We have established a tax-qualified Section 401(k) retirement plan for all of our employees in the United States, including our executive officers. Currently, we match contributions made to the plan by our employees up to 2.0% of their compensation. We intend for the plan to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"“Code”) so that contributions by employees to the plan, and income earned on plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the plan.

In addition, we provide other benefits to our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, on the same basis as all of our full-time employees. These benefits include medical, dental and vision benefits (paid for on a shared based by the employee and the Company), medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and basic life insurance coverage. For employees outside of the United States, we provide benefits consistent with local laws and competitive with local markets.

We design our employee benefits programs to be affordable and competitive in relation to the market, as well as compliant with applicable laws and practices. We adjust our employee benefits programs as needed based upon regular monitoring of applicable laws and practices and the competitive market.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

Perquisites or other personal benefits are not a component of our executive compensation program. Accordingly, we do not provide perquisites or other personal benefits to our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers.

In the future, we may provide perquisites or other personal benefits in limited circumstances. All future practices with respect to perquisites or other personal benefits will be approved and subject to periodic review by the Board.


Employment Agreements

We have entered into written employment agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Bubeck).

Each of these employment agreements provides for "at will"“at will” employment. These agreements also set forth the rights and responsibilities of each party and protect both parties'parties’ interests in the event of a termination of employment by providing the Named Executive Officer with the opportunity to receive certain post-employment payments and benefits in the event of certain terminations of employment, including following a change in control of the Company. Finally, these employment agreements prohibit the Named Executive Officer from engaging, directly or indirectly, in competition with us or disclosing our confidential information or business practices. These post-employment compensation arrangements are described in more detail in the discussion entitled "Post-Employment Compensation"“Post-Employment Compensation” below.

For information on the specific terms and conditions of the employment agreements of the Named Executive Officers, see the discussion of "Employment“Employment Agreements and Potential Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements"Arrangements” in this Proxy Statement.

Post-Employment Compensation

We believe that having in place reasonable and competitive post-employment compensation arrangements are essential to attracting and retaining highly qualified executive officers. Our post-employment compensation arrangements are designed to provide reasonable compensation to executive officers who leave the Company under certain circumstances to facilitate their transition to new employment.

In determining payment and benefit levels under the various circumstances that triggertriggering the post-employment compensation provisions of our Named Executive Officers'Officers’ employment agreements, the Board

47
​

Compensation Committee has drawn a distinction between voluntary terminations of employment and terminations of employment for cause, and terminations of employment without cause or as a result of a change in control of the Company. Payment in the latter circumstances has been deemed appropriate in light of the benefits to us described above, as well as the likelihood that the Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s departure is due, at least in part, to circumstances not within his or her control. In contrast, we believe that payments are not appropriate in the event of a termination of employment for cause or a voluntary resignation.

In addition, the written agreements for the equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officers contain provisions covering a change in control of the Company. We believe that these arrangements are designed to align the interests of management and stockholders when considering the long-term future for the Company. The primary purpose of these arrangements is to keep our most senior executive officers focused on pursuing all corporate transaction activity that is in the best interests of our stockholders. Specifically, these agreements provide that:

•

the unvested restricted stock awards granted to the Named Executive Officers (other than our CEO) vest in full upon a change in control of the Company; and
​
•

•
in the case of our CEO the vesting of suchhis awards will accelerate only if, in the event of a change in control of the Company, there is also a subsequent involuntary loss of employment by him (a so-called "double-trigger"“double-trigger” arrangement). All of our CEO's unvested restricted stock awards are now subject to this provision.

​
The written agreements for the equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officers also provide for accelerated vesting upon their death, disability, or retirement.

We have no arrangements with the Named Executive Officers providing for excise tax payments (or "gross-ups"“gross-ups”) relating to a change in control of the Company.


For information on the post-employment compensation arrangements for the Named Executive Officers, as well as an estimate of the potential payments and benefits payable under these arrangements as of the end of 2019,2020, see "Employment“Employment Agreements and Potential Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements"Arrangements” in this Proxy Statement.

Other Compensation Policies and Practices

Stock Ownership Policy

We have adopted a stock ownership policy for our CEO and the members of the Board to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders. This policy provides that:

•

our CEO is required to own that number of shares of our common stock with a market value equal to ten times his annual cash compensation or $3 million, whichever is greater; and
​
•

•
the members of the Board are required to own that number of shares of our common stock with a market value equal to twice the valuenumber of shares granted in their annual equity awards.

​
New members of the Board are required to reach the required ownership threshold within a specified period of time once they join the Board.

As of December 31, 2019,2020, except as noted below, each of the individuals subject to our stock ownership policy satisfied his or her stock ownership requirement. Mr. Ferguson joined the board in October 2018 and Ms. Katz and Ms. Kennedy joined the Board in November 2019, and each is currently accumulating shares of our common stock to meet the ownership requirement.

Compensation Recovery ("Clawback"(“Clawback”) Policy

To further align the interests of our executive officers and stockholders and promote good governance practices, we have adopted a compensation recovery ("clawback"(“clawback”) policy providing that, in the event of a financial restatement resulting from misconduct, the Board will seek repayment of all cash-based incentive compensation or performance-based equity awards erroneously paid or granted to our CEO and certain executive officers based on the original financial statements if the amount paid or awarded would have been lower had they been based on the restated financial statements.


48
​

Hedging, Derivatives, and Pledging Policies

Our Hedging and Derivatives Policy prohibits our employees, including our executive officers, and the members of the Board from hedging our securities and from entering into a derivative contract involving our securities (except for ownership of options to purchase shares of our common stock granted in connection with employment). Among the investment vehicles that are subject to this prohibition are:

•

puts, calls, and futures contracts involving our securities whether covered or not;
​
•

•
swaps involving our securities;
​
•

•
forward contracts involving our securities;
​
•

•
shorting our securities; and
​
•

•
pledging our securities to secure a non-recourse loan.

​
Tax and Accounting Considerations

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Due to the changes in the tax laws which went into effect in 2017, the Company generally will not be able to deduct compensation paid to any of its Named Executive Officers in excess of $1 million. While the Compensation Committee has historically considered ways to maintain tax deductibility of the compensation for our Named Executive Officers, it is likely that the Company will pay compensation which will not be deductible under the Internal Revenue Code.


Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

We follow the Financial Accounting Standard Board'sBoard’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 ("(“FASB ASC Topic 718"718”) for our stock-based compensation awards. FASB ASC Topic 718 requires us to measure the compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and members of the Board, including restricted stock awards, based on the grant date "fair value"“fair value” of these awards. This calculation is performed for accounting purposes and reported in the executive compensation tables required by the federal securities laws, even though the recipient of the awards may never realize any value from their awards.


20192020 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation paid or incurred on our behalf to our PrincipalChief Executive Officer, our Principal Financial Officer,principal financial officers, and each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of 2019,2020 (our “Named Executive Officers”), whose annual compensation equaled or exceeded $100,000 for the three years ended December 31, 2019,2020, December 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017.2018. Mr. Beury would have been a Named Executive Officer but leftSlagmuylder’s compensation was converted from Euros to U.S. Dollars using the Company in June of 2019.

annual average exchange rate for the year.
Name​​Principal Position​​Year​​Salary​​Bonus​​
GRANT DATE
VALUE
Stock Awards(a)
​​
Non Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(c)
​​
All other
Compensation(b)
​​TOTAL​
Dave Schaeffer​​CEO​​​​2020​​​​​$0​​​​​$0​​​​​$13,785,660(d)​​​​$229,145​​​​​$5,705​​​​​$14,020,510​​​
​​​​​​​​2019​​​​​$0​​​​​$0​​​​​$9,343,950(e)​​​​$173,969​​​​​$5,600​​​​​$9,523,519​​​
​​​​​​​​2018​​​​​$0​​​​​$0​​​​​$7,410,900(f)​​​​$274,448​​​​​$5,500​​​​​$7,690,848​​​
Sean Wallace​​CFO​​​​2020​​​​​$233,333​​​​​$0​​​​​$913,320(g)​​​​​​​​​​​$0​​​​​$1,146,653​​​
Timothy O’Neill​​VP​​​​2020​​​​​$311,595​​​​​$0​​​​​$921,480(h)​​​​​​​​​​​$5,705​​​​​$1,238,780​​​
​​​​​​​​2019​​​​​$305,485​​​​​$0​​​​​$662,400(i)​​​​​​​​​​​$5,600​​​​​$973,485​​​
​​​​​​​​2018​​​​​$299,495​​​​​$0​​​​​$539,400(j)​​​​​​​​​​​$5,500​​​​​$844,395​​​
James Bubeck​​Chief Revenue Officer​​​​2020​​​​​$238,481​​​​​$0​​​​​$921,480(h)​​​​$133,898​​​​​$5,705​​​​​$1,299,564​​​
​​​​​​​​2019​​​​​$233,805​​​​​$0​​​​​$662,400(i)​​​​$105,750​​​​​$5,600​​​​​$1,007,555​​​
​​​​​​​​2018​​​​​$229,221​​​​​$0​​​​​$539,400(j)​​​​$98,548​​​​​$5,500​​​​​$872,669​​​
Name
​Principal
Position		​Year​Salary​Bonus​GRANT
DATE VALUE
Stock Awards(a)		​Non Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(c)		​All other
Compensation(b)		​TOTAL​

Dave Schaeffer

​CEO​2019​$0​​$0​​​$9,343,950(h)​​$173,969​​​$5,600​​$9,523,519​

​ ​2018​$0​​$0​​​$7,410,900(d)​​$274,448​​​$5,500​​$7,690,848​

​ ​2017​$0​​$0​​​$7,168,350(g)​​$263,337​​​$5,400​​$7,437,087​

Thaddeus Weed

​

CFO

​
2019		​
$
316,197		​
​
$
0		​​
​
$
1,338,600
(j)
​		​ ​​
​
$
5,600		​​
$
1,660,397		​

​ ​2018​$309,997​​$0​​​$1,090,038(e)​​ ​​​$5,500​​$1,405,535​

​ ​2017​$303,919​​$0​​​$1,050,631(i)​​ ​​​$5,400​​$1,359,950​

Robert Beury

​

Chief Legal Officer

​
2019		​
$
311,551		​
​
$
0		​​
​
$
276,000
(l)
​		​ ​​
​
$
4,107		​​
$
320,658		​

​ ​2018​$305,442​​$0​​​$539,400(f)​​ ​​​$5,500​​$850,342​

​ ​2017​$299,453​​$0​​​$519,900(k)​​ ​​​$5,400​​$824,753​

Timothy O'Neill

​

VP

​
2019		​
$
305,485		​
​
$
0		​​
​
$
662,400
(m)
​		​ ​​
​
$
5,600		​​
$
973,485		​

​ ​2018​$299,495​​$0​​​$539,400(f)​​ ​​​$5,500​​$844,395​

​ ​2017​$293,623​​$0​​​$519,900(k)​​ ​​​$5,400​​$818,923​

James Bubeck

​

Chief Revenue Officer

​
2019		​
$
233,805		​
​
$
0		​​
​
$
662,400
(m)
​
​
$
105,750		​​
​
$
5,600		​​
$
1,007,555		​

​ ​2018​$229,221​​$0​​​$539,400(f)​​$98,548​​​$5,500​​$872,669​

​ ​2017​$224,726​​$0​​​$519,900(k)​​$98,158​​​$5,400​​$848,184​

Brad Kummer

​

Chief Technology Officer

​
2019		​
$
286,182		​
​
$
0		​​
​
$
662,400
(m)
​		​ ​​
​
$
5,308		​​
$
953,890		​

​ ​2018​$280,570​​$0​​​$539,400(f)​​ ​​​$4,905​​$824,875​

​ ​2017​$275,069​​$0​​​$519,900(k)​​ ​​​$4,900​​$799,869​

49
​

Name​​Principal Position​​Year​​Salary​​Bonus​​
GRANT DATE
VALUE
Stock Awards(a)
​​
Non Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(c)
​​
All other
Compensation(b)
​​TOTAL​
Brad Kummer​​Chief Technology Officer​​​​2020​​​​​$291,905​​​​​$0​​​​​$921,480(h)​​​​​​​$5,705​​​​​$1,219,090​​​
​​​​​​​​2019​​​​​$286,182​​​​​$0​​​​​$662,400(i)​​​​​​​$5,308​​​​​$953,890​​​
​​​​​​​​2018​​​​​$280,570​​​​​$0​​​​​$539,400(j)​​​​​​​$4,905​​​​​$824,875​​​
Thaddeus Weed​​Sr VP Audit & Operations​​​​2020​​​​​$322,521​​​​​$0​​​​​$1,862,158(k)​​​​​​​$5,705​​​​​$2,190,384​​​
​​​​​​​​2019​​​​​$316,197​​​​​$0​​​​​$1,338,600(l)​​​​​​​$5,600​​​​​$1,660,397​​​
​​​​​​​​2018​​​​​$309,997​​​​​$0​​​​​$1,090,038(m)​​​​​​​$5,500​​​​​$1,405,535​​​
Jean-Michel Slagmuylder​​CFO Cogent Europe​​​​2020​​​​​$313,580​​​​​$0​​​​​$78,160(n)​​​​​​​$0​​​​​$391,740​​​
​​​​​​​​2019​​​​​$301,907​​​​​$0​​​​​$58,500(o)​​​​​​​$0​​​​​$360,407​​​
​​​​​​​​2018​​​​​$314,611​​​​​$0​​​​​$47,850(p)​​​​​​​$0​​​​​$362,461​​​
​
(a)

Amounts represent the grant date fair value of stock awards computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 718. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in determining these values, see Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020.
​
(b)

(b)
Consists of employer matching amounts contributed to the Company'sCompany’s 401(k) defined contribution plan.
​
(c)

(c)
Consists of cash compensation earned for performance against financial targets. See text above for a description of the criteria.
​
(d)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 189,000 shares made on February 14, 2020 of which 154,000 shares were valued at $76.79 per share and 35,000 shares were valued via an appraised value at $56.00 per share since they are based upon market conditions. Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2024 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2023.
​
(e)
(d)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 189,000 shares made on May 1, 2019 of which 84,000 shares were valued at $55.20 per share and 105,000 shares were valued via an appraised value at $44.83 per share since they are based upon market conditions. Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2022.
​
(f)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 189,000 shares made on February 21, 2018 of which 84,000 shares were valued at $44.95 per share and 105,000 shares were valued via an appraised value at $34.62 per share since they are based upon market conditions. Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2021.
​
(g)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on May 11, 2020 valued at $76.11 per share of which 3,000 shares vest on June 1, 2021 and 750 shares quarterly beginning on September 1, 2021 to June 1, 2024.
​
(h)
(e)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on February 14, 2020 valued at $76.79 per share of which 2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2023 to December 1, 2023.
​
(i)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share of which 2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.
​
(j)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on February 21, 2018 valued at $44.95 per share of which 2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021.
​

50
​

(k)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 24,250 shares made on February 14, 2020 valued at $76.79 per share of which 4,850 shares vest on December 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 4,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2023 to December 1, 2023.
​
(l)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 24,250 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share of which 4,850 shares vest on December 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 4,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.
​
(m)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 24,250 shares made on February 21, 2018 valued at $44.95 per share of which 4,850 shares vest on December 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 4,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021.
​
(n)

(f)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,0001,000 shares made on February 21, 2018June 1, 2020 valued at $44.95$78.16 per share of which 2,400500 shares vest on DecemberMay 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above2023 and 2,400500 shares vest quarterly beginning on MarchNovember 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021.2023.
​
(o)

(g)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 189,0001,000 shares made on May 3, 2017June 1, 2019 valued at $58.50 per share of which 84,000 shares were valued at $43.33 per share and 105,000 shares were valued via an appraised value at $33.61 per share since they are based upon market conditions. Up to

    105,000500 shares vest on JanuaryMay 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above2022 and 84,000500 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2020.

(h)
on November 1, 2022.
​
(p)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 189,0001,000 shares made on May 1, 2019 of which 84,000 shares were2018 valued at $55.20 per share and 105,000 shares were valued via an appraised value at $44.83 per share since they are based upon market conditions. Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2022.

(i)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 24,250 shares made on May 3, 2017 valued at $43.33$47.85 per share of which 4,250500 shares vest on December 1, 2020 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 5,000 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2020 to December 1, 2020.

(j)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 24,250 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share of which 4,8502021 and 500 shares vest on DecemberNovember 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 4,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.

(k)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on May 3, 2017 valued at $43.33 per share of which 2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2021.
​
2020 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2020 to December 1, 2020.

(l)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 5,000 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share which vest 1,250 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.

(m)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share of which 2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.


2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table provides information with regard to the grants of plan-based awards to each Named Executive Officer during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

2020.

Mr. Schaeffer'sSchaeffer’s performance-based cash bonus is based on the growth of the Company'sCompany’s revenue and EBITDA, as adjusted. If the revenue growth equals or exceeds 15%10%, he will receive $250,000, and, separately, if EBITDA, as adjusted, growth equals or exceeds 20%15%, he will receivedreceive $250,000. If the growth of the performance measures is less than the amount specified, he would receive a proportionally lesser amount. For example, if revenue growth equaled 7.5%5.0% and EBITDA growth equaled 15%12%, he would be paid 50% of $250,000 or $125,000 of the revenue growth bonus and 75%80% of $250,000 or $187,500$200,000 of the EBITDA growth bonus.

Mr. Bubeck'sBubeck’s commission is based on sales as measured by revenue growth, measured both on a company-widecompany wide basis and as the sum of regional performance with the company-widecompany wide revenue growth target commission constituting approximately 84% of the total target commission. If the revenue growth generated by the sales organization for a particular month is 100% of each of Mr. Bubeck'sBubeck’s revenue targets, he will receive 100% of $12,240 for that month. If the percentage is more or less than 100% then he would receivereceives a proportionally greater or lesser amount, subject to a 50% floor on the company-widecompany wide revenue growth and 100% ceiling on the regional revenue growth. For example, if revenue were at 40% of each of his targets for the month, then he would be paid 50% of target commissions for the company-widecompany wide revenue growth and 40% of the target commissions for the regional revenue growth, for a total of $5,920 for the month. If revenues were 200% of each of his revenue growth targets, he would receive 200% of the target commissions for the company-widecompany wide revenue growth


and 100% of the target commissions for the regional revenue growth for a total of $22,480 for the month.

 
  
  
 Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards		 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units		  
 
 
  
  
 Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards(a)		 
Name
 Grant
Date		 NOTES Threshold
($)		 Target
($)		 Maximum
($)		 

Dave Schaeffer

  5/1/2019 (b)(e)  — $500,000 $500,000  189,000 $9,343,950 

Thaddeus Weed

  5/1/2019 (c)          24,250 $1,338,600 

Robert Beury

  5/1/2019 (g)          5,000 $276,000 

Timothy O'Neill

  5/1/2019 (d)          12,000 $662,400 

James Bubeck

  5/1/2019 (d)(f)  — $146,880 unlimited  12,000 $662,400 

Brad Kummer

  5/1/2019 (d)          12,000 $662,400 

51

​

​​​​​​​​​​​​
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
​​
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
​​
All Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or Units
​​
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and Option
Awards(a)
​
Name​​Grant Date​​NOTES​​
Threshold
($)
​​
Target
($)
​​
Maximum
($)
​​
Threshold
(#)
​​
Target
(#)
​​
Maximum
(#)
​
Dave Schaeffer​​​​2/14/2020​​​(b) (c)​​​​—​​​​$500,000​​​​$500,000​​​​​—​​​​​84,000​​​​​105,000​​​​​84,000​​​​$13,785,660​​
Sean Wallace​​​​5/11/2020​​​(d)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​12,000​​​​$913,320​​
Timothy O’Neill​​​​2/14/2020​​​(e)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2,400​​​​​2,400​​​​​9,600​​​​$921,480​​
James Bubeck​​​​2/14/2020​​​(e) (f)​​​​—​​​​$146,880​​​​​unlimited​​​​​​​​​​​2,400​​​​​2,400​​​​​9,600​​​​$921,480​​
Brad Kummer​​​​2/14/2020​​​(e)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2,400​​​​​2,400​​​​​9,600​​​​$921,480​​
Thaddeus Weed​​​​2/14/2020​​​(g)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​4,850​​​​​4,850​​​​​19,400​​​​$1,862,158​​
Jean-Michel
Slagmuylder
​​​​6/1/2020​​​(h)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1,000​​​​$78,160​​
​
FOOTNOTES(a)

(a)

Except as otherwise noted, amounts represent the grant date fair value of stock awards computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 718. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in determining these values, see Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
​
(b)

(b)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 189,000 shares made on May 1, 2019February 14, 2020 of which 84,000154,000 shares were valued at $55.20$76.79 per share and 105,00035,000 shares were valued via an appraised value at $44.83$56.00 per share since they are based upon market conditions. Up to 105,000 shares vest on April 1, 2024 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2023.
​
(c)
Mr. Schaeffer’s annual cash award is based on achieving revenue and EBITDA, as adjusted, targets as described in the text above.
​
(d)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on May 11, 2020 valued at $76.11 per share of which 3,000 shares vest on June 1, 2021 and 750 shares quarterly beginning on September 1, 2021 to June 1, 2024.
​
(e)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on February 14, 2020 valued at $76.79 per share of which 2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2023 to December 1, 2023.
​
(f)
While in theory Mr. Bubeck’s commission is unlimited it is in practice limited by the Company’s ability to accept and install service for new customers. The performance measures of this annual commission are described in the text above.
​
(g)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 24,250 shares made on February 14, 2020 valued at $76.79 per share of which 4,850 shares vest on December 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 4,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2023 to December 1, 2023.
​
(h)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 1,000 shares made on June 1, 2020 valued at $78.16 per share of which 500 shares vest on May 1, 2023 and 500 shares vest on November 1, 2023.
​

52
​

2020 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table
The following table shows the information regarding the stock options and stock awards held by our Named Executive Officers on December 31, 2020.
​​​​​​​​​OPTION AWARDS​​STOCK AWARDS​
Name​​​​​​​​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable (#)
​​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Un-exercised
Options
Unexercisable (#)
​​
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
​​
Option
Expiration
Date
​​
Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)
​​
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested ($)(a)
​​
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested (#)
​​
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout
Value of Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other Rights That
Have Not
Vested ($)(a)
​
Dave Schaeffer​​​​(b)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​105,000​​​​$6,286,350​​
​​​​​(c)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​84,000​​​​$5,029,080​​​​​105,000​​​​$6,286,350​​
​​​​​(d)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​84,000​​​​$5,029,080​​​​​105,000​​​​$6,286,350​​
​​​​​(e)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​84,000​​​​$5,029,080​​​​​105,000​​​​$6,286,350​​
Sean Wallace​​​​(f)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​12,000​​​​$718,440​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
James Bubeck​​​​(g)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
​​​​​(h)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
​​​​​(i)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
Timothy O’Neill​​​​(g)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
​​​​​(h)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
​​​​​(i)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
Brad Kummer​​​​(g)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
​​​​​(h)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
​​​​​(i)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​9,600​​​​$574,752​​​​​2,400​​​​$143,688​​
Thaddeus Weed​​​​(j)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​19,400​​​​$1,161,478​​​​​4,850​​​​$290,370​​
​​​​​(k)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​19,400​​​​$1,161,478​​​​​4,850​​​​$290,370​​
​​​​​(l)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​19,400​​​​$1,161,478​​​​​4,850​​​​$290,370​​
Jean-Michel Slagmuylder​​​​(m)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1,000​​​​$59,870​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​(n)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1,000​​​​$59,870​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​(o)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1,000​​​​$59,870​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
(a)
Valued using the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2020 — $59.87
​
(b)
Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above. Of these shares 89,049 shares vested on January 1, 2021.
​
(c)
Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2021.
​
(d)
Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2022.
​
(e)

(c)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 24,250 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share of which 4,850
Up to 105,000 shares vest on DecemberJanuary 1, 20222024 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 4,85084,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2023.
​
(f)
3,000 shares vest on June 1, 2021 and 750 shares quarterly beginning on September 1, 2021 to June 1, 2024.
​
(g)
2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 20222021 to December 1, 2022.2021.
​
(h)

(d)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 12,000 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share of which
2,400 shares vest on December 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.

(e)
Mr. Schaeffer's annual cash award is based on achieving revenue and EBITDA, as adjusted, targets as described in the text above.

(f)
While in theory Mr. Bubeck's commission is unlimited it is in practice limited by the Company's ability to accept and install service for new customers. The performance measures of this annual commission are described in the text above.

(g)
Consist of a restricted stock award of 5,000 shares made on May 1, 2019 valued at $55.20 per share which vest 1,250 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.
​
(i)


2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table

        The following table shows the information regarding the stock options and stock awards held by our Named Executive Officers on December 31, 2019.

 
  
 OPTION AWARDS STOCK AWARDS 
Name
  
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)		 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Un-exercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)		 Option
Exercise
Price
($)		 Option
Expiration
Date		 Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)		 Market Value
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($)(a)		 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)		 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)(i)		 

Dave Schaeffer

 (b)             50,000 $3,290,500       

 (c)             189,000 $12,438,090       

 (d)             189,000 $12,438,090       

 (e)             189,000 $12,438,090       

Thaddeus Weed

 

(f)

             
24,250		 
$
1,595,893		       

 (g)             24,250 $1,595,893       

 (h)             24,250 $1,595,893       

James Bubeck

 

(j)

             
12,000		 
$
789,720		       

 (k)             12,000 $789,720       

 (i)             12,000 $789,720       
                           

Timothy O'Neill

 

(j)

             
12,000		 
$
789,720		       

 (k)             12,000 $789,720       

 (i)             12,000 $789,720       

Brad Kummer

 

(j)

             
12,000		 
$
789,720		       

 (k)             12,000 $789,720       

 (i)             12,000 $789,720       

FOOTNOTES

(a)
Valued using the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2019—$65.81

(b)
50,0002,400 shares vest on March 1, 2020 subject to certain performance conditions.

(c)
Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2020.

(d)
Up to 105,000 shares vest on January 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2021.

(e)
Up to 105,000 shares vest on JanuaryDecember 1, 2023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 84,000 shares vest monthly at 7,000 per month in 2022.

(f)
4,850 shares vest on December 1, 2020 subject to certain performance conditions and 4,8502,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 20202023 to December 1, 2020.2023.
​

53
(g)
​

(j)
4,850 shares vest on December 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions and 4,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021.
​
(k)

(h)
4,850 shares vest on December 1, 2022 subject to certain performance conditions and 4,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022.
​
(l)

(i)
2,400
4,850 shares vest on December 1, 20222023 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,4004,850 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 20222023 to December 1, 2022.2023.
​
(m)

(j)
2,400
500 shares vest on DecemberMay 1, 2020 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above2021 and 2,400 shares vest quarterly beginning on March 1, 2020 to December 1, 2020.

(k)
2,400500 shares vest on DecemberNovember 1, 2021 subject to certain performance conditions as described in the text above and 2,4002021.
​
(n)
500 shares vest quarterly beginning on MarchMay 1, 2021 to December2022 and 500 shares vest on November 1, 2021.2022.
​
(o)

500 shares vest on May 1, 2023 and 500 shares vest on November 1, 2023.
​

20192020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table shows information regarding option exercises by our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2020, and the value of stock awards at the time of vesting for stock awards that vested during the year.

​​​Option Awards​​Stock Awards​
Name​​
Number
of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
​​
Value
Realized
On Exercise
​​
Number
of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
​​
Value
Realized
On Vesting
​
Dave Schaeffer​​​​​​​​​​101,392​​​​$7,332,070​​
Sean Wallace​​​​​​​​​​0​​​​​0​​
Timothy O’Neill​​​​​​​​​​12,000​​​​$805,440​​
James Bubeck​​​​​​​​​​12,000​​​​$805,440​​
Brad Kummer​​​​​​​​​​12,000​​​​$805,440​​
Thaddeus Weed​​​​​​​​​​24,250​​​​$1,627,660​​
Jean-Michel Slagmuylder​​​​​​​​​​1,000​​​​$68,060​​
 
 Option Awards  
 Stock Awards  
 
Name
 Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise		 Value
Realized
On Exercise		 Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting		 Value
Realized
On Vesting		 

Dave Schaeffer

        120,000 $6,696,900 

Thaddeus Weed

        24,250 $1,436,343 

Robert Beury

        41,000 $2,300,304 

Timothy O'Neill

        12,000 $713,136 

James Bubeck

        13,250 $779,579 

Brad Kummer

        12,000 $713,136 


Employment Agreements and Potential Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements

Dave Schaeffer Employment Agreement.   Mr. Schaeffer has an employment agreement that provides for his services as our Chief Executive Officer. He also receives all of our standard employee benefits. If he is terminateddischarged without cause or resigns for "good“good reason,"” he is entitled to a lump sum amount equal to his annual salary at the time and continuation of his benefits for one year (subject to the same employee contribution for benefits as when he was employed). Under the terms of the restricted stock awards that have been granted to him in the event of death, disability, or retirement, 100% of his then-unvested restricted stock awards will vest immediately. For restricted stock grants made in or after 2017 vesting accelerates upon a change in control only if he is terminateddischarged after a change in control (a "double trigger"“double trigger” arrangement). In the event of a change in control, the total dollar value of the restricted stock that immediately vests will not exceed three times his annual compensation. Had his employment been terminated without cause or had he resigned for "good reason"“good reason” on December 31, 2019,2020, he would have received no cash payment because he is not currently receiving a salary. He would have continued to vest in his restricted stock awards during his one-year severance period and would have vested in certain other awards after the end of that severance period. "Good reason"“Good reason” for resignation includes removal from his position as CEO or failure to elect him as chairman of the Board of Directors. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.

Sean Wallace Employment Agreement.   Mr. Wallace’s employment agreement provides that in the event his employment with us is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason he is entitled to six months’ base salary and continuation of benefits for six months (subject to the same employee contribution for benefits as when he was employed). Under the terms of the grants of restricted stock he is also entitled to continued vesting of his restricted stock during his severance period. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control the vesting of his restricted stock accelerates so that he will be 100%

54
​

vested. In the event of a change in control resulting in his termination without cause or resignation for good reason, 100% of his then-restricted stock will vest immediately and he will receive his severance payment as a lump sum. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.
Timothy G. O’Neill Employment Agreement.   Mr. O’Neill’s employment agreement provides that in the event his employment with us is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason he is entitled to six months’ base salary and continuation of benefits for six months (subject to the same employee contribution for benefits as when he was employed). Under the terms of the grants of restricted stock he is also entitled to continued vesting of his restricted stock during his severance period. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control the vesting of his restricted stock accelerates so that he will be 100% vested. In the event of a change in control resulting in his termination without cause or resignation for good reason, 100% of his then-restricted stock will vest immediately and he will receive his severance payment as a lump sum. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.
James Bubeck.   Mr. Bubeck does not have an employment agreement with us that provides for severance. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control, the vesting of his restricted stock accelerates so that he will be 100% vested; provided that, in the event of a change in control, the total dollar value of the restricted stock that immediately vests shall not exceed three times his annual compensation. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.
R. Brad Kummer Employment Agreement.   Mr. Kummer’s employment agreement provides that in the event his employment with us is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason he is entitled to one month’s salary and continuation of benefits for six months (subject to the same employee contribution for benefits as when he was employed). Under the terms of the grants of restricted stock he is also entitled to continued vesting of his restricted stock during his severance period. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control the vesting of his restricted stock accelerates so that he will be 100% vested. In the event of a change in control resulting in his termination without cause or resignation for good reason, 100% of his then-restricted stock will vest immediately and he will receive his severance payment as a lump sum. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.
Thaddeus G. Weed Employment Agreement.   Mr. Weed has anWeed’s employment agreement under which he serves as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Inprovides that in the event that his employment with us is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, he is entitled to twelve months of base salary and continuation of benefits for twelve months (subject to the same employee contribution for benefits as when he was employed). Under the terms of the grants of restricted stock he is also entitled to continued vesting of his restricted stock during his severance period. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control, he becomes fully vested in his restricted stock; provided that, in the event of a change in control, the total dollar value of the restricted stock that immediately vests shall not exceed three times his annual compensation. In the event of a change in control resulting in his termination without cause or resignation for good reason, 100% of his then-restricted stock will vest immediately and he will receive his severance payment as a lump sum. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.

        Timothy G. O'NeillJean-Michel Slagmuylder Employment Agreement.   Mr. O'Neill'sSlagmuylder’s employment agreement provides that in the event his employment may be terminated by him with ustwo months’ notice or by the Company with three months’ notice. If the Company’s termination of his employment is terminated without cause, or he resigns for good reason heMr. Slagmuylder is entitled to six months' basethree months’ salary, and continuation of benefits for six months (subject to be paid at the same employee contribution for benefits as when he was employed). Under the termsend of the grants ofthree month termination period.


restricted stock he is also entitled to continued vesting of his restricted stock during his severance period. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control the vesting of his restricted stock accelerates so that he will be 100% vested; provided that, in the event of a change in control, the total dollar value of the restricted stock that immediately vests shall not exceed three times his annual compensation. In the event of a change in control resulting in his termination without cause or resignation for good reason, 100% of his then-restricted stock will vest immediately and he will receive his severance payment as a lump sum. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.

        James Bubeck.55    Mr. Bubeck does not have an employment agreement with us that provides for severance. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control, the vesting of his restricted stock accelerates so that he will be 100% vested; provided that, in the event of a change in control, the total dollar value of the restricted stock that immediately vests shall not exceed three times his annual compensation. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.

        R. Brad Kummer Employment Agreement.    Mr. Kummer's employment agreement provides that in the event his employment with us is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason he is entitled to one month's salary and continuation of benefits for six months (subject to the same employee contribution for benefits as when he was employed). Under the terms of the grants of restricted stock he is also entitled to continued vesting of his restricted stock during his severance period. In the event of death, disability, retirement, or a change in control the vesting of his restricted stock accelerates so that he will be 100% vested; provided that, in the event of a change in control, the total dollar value of the restricted stock that immediately vests shall not exceed three times his annual compensation. In the event of a change in control resulting in his termination without cause or resignation for good reason, 100% of his then-restricted stock will vest immediately and he will receive his severance payment as a lump sum. The value of his post-employment compensation is shown in the table below.


​

The table below shows the estimated payments that would have been received by each Named Executive Officer in the event of termination without cause, change in control, and termination without


cause upon a change in control as of December 31, 2019.2020. For purposes of this disclosure, our common stock has been valued at the closing market price on December 31, 2019,2020, which was $65.81.

$59.87.
​​​​​​
Termination
without
cause(a)
​​
Change of
control(b)
​​
Termination
without cause
upon a change
of control(c)
​
Dave Schaeffer​​Cash​​​$—​​​​$—​​​​$—​​
​​​Stock vesting​​​$16,094,743​​​​$14,550,033​​​​$30,354,675​​
​​​Total​​​$16,094,743​​​​$14,550,033​​​​$30,354,675​​
Sean Wallace​​Cash​​​$175,000​​​​$—​​​​$175,000​​
​​​Stock vesting​​​$179,610​​​​$718,440​​​​$718,440​​
​​​Total​​​$354,610​​​​$718,440​​​​$893,440​​
Timothy O’Neill​​Cash​​​$155,798​​​​$—​​​​$155,798​​
​​​Stock vesting​​​$507,507​​​​$2,155,320​​​​$2,155,320​​
​​​Total​​​$663,305​​​​$2,155,320​​​​$2,311,118​​
James Bubeck​​Cash​​​$—​​​​$—​​​​$—​​
​​​Stock vesting​​​$180,448​​​​$2,155,320​​​​$2,155,320​​
​​​Total​​​$180,448​​​​$2,155,320​​​​$2,155,320​​
Brad Kummer​​Cash​​​$24,325​​​​$—​​​​$24,325​​
​​​Stock vesting​​​$113,573​​​​$2,155,320​​​​$2,155,320​​
​​​Total​​​$137,898​​​​$2,155,320​​​​$2,179,645​​
Thaddeus Weed​​Cash​​​$322,521​​​​$—​​​​$322,521​​
​​​Stock vesting​​​$1,816,396​​​​$4,355,543​​​​$4,355,543​​
​​​Total​​​$2,138,917​​​​$4,355,543​​​​$4,678,064​​
Jean-Michel Slagmuylder​​Cash​​​$78,395​​​​$—​​​​$78,395​​
​​​Stock vesting​​​$—​​​​$—​​​​$—​​
​​​Total​​​$78,395​​​​$—​​​​$78,395​​
​
 
  
 Termination
without cause		 Change of
control(a)		 Termination
without cause
upon a change of
control		 

Dave Schaeffer

 Cash $— $— $— 

 Stock vesting $20,739,232 $20,730,150 $37,314,270 

 Total $20,739,232 $20,730,150 $37,314,270 

Thaddeus Weed

 

Cash

 
$
316,197		 
$
—		 
$
316,197		 

 Stock vesting $1,996,873 $4,787,678 $4,787,678 

 Total $2,313,070 $4,787,678 $5,103,875 

Tim O'Neill

 

Cash

 
$
152,743		    
$
152,743		 

 Stock vesting $557,937 $2,369,160 $2,369,160 

 Total $710,680 $2,369,160 $2,521,903 

James Bubeck

 

Cash

 
$		    
$		 

 Stock vesting $198,220 $2,369,160 $2,369,160 

 Total $198,220 $2,369,160 $2,369,160 

Brad Kummer

 

Cash

 
$
23,849		 
$
—		 
$
23,849		 

 Stock vesting $205,656 $2,369,160 $2,369,160 

 Total $229,505 $2,369,160 $2,393,009 
(a)
(a)
For Mr. Schaeffer, these figures assume that the target number of performance shares are earned. These figures in previous proxy statements assumed that the maximum number of performance shares are earned.
​
(b)
For Mr. Schaeffer, these figures assume that he remains employed through the applicable target datesdate and that the target number of performance shares are earned. These figures in previous proxy statements assumed that the maximum number of performance shares are earned.

​
(c)
For Mr. Schaeffer, these figures assume that the termination occurs within six months of the occurrence of the change of control
​
CEO Pay Ratio

For 2019,2020, the annual total compensation of our median employee calculated in the same manner as our CEO'sCEO’s as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above was $80,000. The annual total compensation of the CEO was $9,524,450.$84,266. The ratio of the two was 119:165:1. Our median employee was determined as of December 31, 20192020 by calculating the total compensation of each employee other than the CEO and determining the median. Total compensation includes salary, commissions, and the grant date value of stock awards made in 2019.2020. Compensation of employees outside the U.S. was converted to U.S. dollars using 2019average exchange rates.

rates for 2020.

56


​


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The non-employee members of our Board of Directors were compensated in 20192020 as follows for their services:

•

7,000 shares of our common stock issued in increments of 1,750 shares per quarter;
​
•

•
$1,000 per in-person Board meeting; and
​
•

•
Reimbursement of travel expenses.

​
The following table shows the amounts earned or paid in 2019.

2020


20192020 Director Compensation Table

​​​
Fees
Earned
in Cash
​​
Stock
Awards(a)
​​TOTAL​
Marc Montagner​​​$—​​​​$506,485​​​​$506,485​​
Blake Bath​​​$1,000​​​​$506,485​​​​$507,485​​
Steven Brooks​​​$—​​​​$506,485​​​​$506,485​​
Lewis Ferguson​​​$—​​​​$506,485​​​​$506,485​​
Carolyn Katz​​​$1,000​​​​$506,485​​​​$507,485​​
Sheryl Kennedy​​​$1,000​​​​$506,485​​​​$507,485​​
 
 Fees Earned
in Cash		 Stock Awards(a) TOTAL 

Blake Bath

 $2,000 $372,068 $374,068 

Steven Brooks

 $3,000 $372,068 $375,068 

Richard Liebhaber(b)

 $2,000 $372,068 $374,068 

Marc Montagner

 $4,000 $372,068 $376,068 

Timothy Weingarten(b)

 $2,000 $372,068 $374,068 

Lewis Ferguson

 $4,000 $372,068 $376,068 

Carolyn Katz(c)

 $1,000 $100,905 $101,905 

Sheryl Kennedy(c)

 $1,000 $100,905 $101,905 

The compensation of David Schaeffer, who is a director and our Chief Executive Officer is disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, above, and is therefore not shown in the Director Compensation table. He does not receive compensation for serving as a director.

​
(a)

Amounts represent the grant date fair value of stock awards computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 718. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in determining these values, see Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

(b)
Mr. Liebhaber and Mr. Weingarten resigned from the Board of Directors in November 2019.

(c)
Ms. Katz and Ms. Kennedy were appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2019.

​

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee of the Board is responsible for determining compensation for the Company'sCompany’s executive officers, and administering the 2017 Incentive Award Plan (and if approved by stockholders at this meeting the Amended and Restated 2017 Incentive Award Plan) and the 2004 Incentive Award Plan (although no new grants are issued under the 2004that plan), the Company'sCompany’s management bonus plan and other compensation programs. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation, Discussion and Analysis with management and based on that review and discussion, recommended to our Board of Directors its inclusion in this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Committee:
​
Compensation Committee:
Blake Bath​​Steven Brooks​​Carolyn Katz​

The material in this report is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed"“filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"“Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall the material in this section be deemed to be "soliciting material"“soliciting material” or incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other


document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.


RISK ASSESSMENT IN COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

The Board and the Compensation Committee have reviewed and considered all of our compensation policies and practices and does not believe that our compensation policies and practices create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.


57
​

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During 2019:

    2020, Blake Bath (Chair), Steven Brooks and Carolyn Katz served on our Compensation Committee.
During 2020:
•

none of the members of the Compensation Committee was an officer (or former officer) or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
​
•

•
none of the members of the Compensation Committee entered into (or agreed to enter into) any transaction or series of transactions with the Company or any of its subsidiaries in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000;
​
•

•
none of the Company'sCompany’s executive officers served on the compensation committee (or another board committee with similar functions) of any entity where one of that entity'sentity’s executive officers served on the Company'sCompany’s Compensation Committee;
​
•

•
none of the Company'sCompany’s executive officers was a director of another entity where one of that entity'sentity’s executive officers served on the Company'sCompany’s Compensation Committee; and
​
•

•
none of the Company'sCompany’s executive officers served on the compensation committee (or another board committee with similar functions) of another entity where one of that entity'sentity’s executive officers served as a director on the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors.

​

58
​

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table provides summary information regarding beneficial ownership of our outstanding capital stock, based on information available to the Company as of February 28, 2020,2021, for:

•

each person or group who beneficially owns more than 5% of our capital stock on a fully diluted basis;
​
•

•
each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table;
​
•

•
each of our directors and nominees to become a director; and
​
•

•
all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

​
Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to applicable community property laws, each person identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by them. The information has been compiled by the Company from reports filed with the SEC and other information available to the Company. Shares of common stock that will vest or are subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within the period 60 days after February 28, 2020,2021, are deemed outstanding for calculating the percentage of outstanding shares of the person holding these options, but are not deemed outstanding for calculating the percentage of any other person.


Unless otherwise noted, the address for each director and executive officer is c/o Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc., 2450 N Street, NW, 4th4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037. The shares of stock to which this table applies are shares of common stock. The Company has no other class of stock.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner​​Amount Owned​​Percent of Class​
BlackRock, Inc.(1)
55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
​​​​6,486,585​​​​​13.6%​​
The Vanguard Group, Inc.(2)
100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355
​​​​4,630,490​​​​​9.7%​​
Renaissance Technologies LLC(3)
800 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
​​​​2,697,156​​​​​5.7%​​
Dave Schaeffer(4)​​​​4,738,781​​​​​10.0%​​
Steven Brooks(5)​​​​35,750​​​​​*​​
Blake Bath(5)​​​​22,925​​​​​*​​
Marc Montagner(5)​​​​54,500​​​​​*​​
Lewis Ferguson(5)​​​​12,950​​​​​*​​
Carolyn Katz(5)​​​​12,250​​​​​*​​
Sheryl Kennedy(5)​​​​8,250​​​​​*​​
Thaddeus Weed(6)​​​​99,400​​​​​*​​
Brad Kummer(6)​​​​64,800​​​​​*​​
Timothy O’Neill(6)​​​​50,800​​​​​*​​
James Bubeck(6)​​​​54,142​​​​​*​​
Sean Wallace(6)​​​​24,000​​​​​*​​
Jean-Michel Slagmuylder(6)​​​​7,141​​​​​*​​
Directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)(7)​​​​5,275,781​​​​​11.1%​​
​
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
 Amount Owned Percent of Class 

BlackRock, Inc.(1)

  6,884,595  14.58%

55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

       

Renaissance Technologies LLC(2)

  
3,588,366		  
7.60
%

800 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022

       

The Vanguard Group, Inc.(3)

  
4,710,530		  
9.97
%

100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355

       

Directors and Officers:

  
 		  
 		 

Dave Schaeffer(4)

  4,598,340  9.74%

Steven Brooks(5)

  28,750  * 

Blake Bath(5)

  21,425  * 

Marc Montagner(5)

  52,500  * 

Lewis Ferguson(5)

  9,110  * 

Carolyn Katz(5)

  5,250  * 

Sheryl Kennedy(5)

  5,250  * 

Thaddeus Weed(6)

  97,100    

Brad Kummer(6)

  57,600  * 

Timothy O'Neill(6)

  48,952    

James Bubeck(6)

  51,742  * 

Directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)(7)

  
5,056,719		  
10.71
%
*
*
Denotes less than 1% ownership.
​
(1)

(1)
BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power over 6,719,0516,431,078 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power over 6,884,5956,486,585 shares of our common stock. BlackRock, Inc. reports on behalf of the following
​

59
​

subsidiaries: BlackRock Life Limited, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited and BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd. The information herein regarding this stockholder is derived from such stockholder'sstockholder’s Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 4, 2020.January 26, 2021.
(2)

(2)
Renaissance Technologies LLC reports
The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole votingdispositive power over 3,500,2874,497,851 shares of our common stock, sole dispositiveshared voting power over 3,584,65598,378 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power over 3,711132,639 shares of our common stock. Vanguard Group, Inc. reports on behalf of the following subsidiaries: Vanguard Asset Management, Limited; Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company; Vanguard Global Advisors, LLC; Vanguard Group (Ireland) Limited; Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd; Vanguard Investments Canada Inc.; Vanguard Investments Hong Kong Limited and Vanguard Investments UK, Limited. The information herein regarding this stockholder is derived from such stockholder’s Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2021.
​
(3)
Renaissance Technologies LLC has sole voting power over 2,644,769 shares of our common stock, and sole dispositive power over 2,697,156 shares of our common stock on behalf of both Renaissance Technologies LLC and Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation. Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation owns the majority of shares of Renaissance Technologies LLC and therefore beneficially owns the same shares. The information herein regarding this stockholder is derived from such stockholder'sstockholder’s Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2020.

(3)
The Vanguard Group, Inc. reports sole voting power over 89,226 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power over 4,615,860 shares of our common stock, shared voting power over 11,025 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power over 94,670 shares of our common stock. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company ("VFTC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 83,645 shares of our common stock outstanding as a result of serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts. Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. ("VIA"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 16,606 shares of our common stock outstanding as a result of its serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings. The information herein regarding this stockholder is derived from such stockholder's Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020.
11, 2021.
​
(4)
(4)
Includes 4,598,3404,738,781 shares of common stock. Includes 792,000742,000 shares of restricted stock that may be voted but remain subject to certain vesting provisions. Of the shares owned, 3,630,6193,821,060 shares remain pledged as security for full recourse loans.
​
(5)

(5)
As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares owned in the table for Mr. Brooks, 1,750 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares owned in the table for Mr. Bath, 1,750 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares owned in the table for Mr. Montagner, 1,750 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares owned in the table for Mr. Ferguson, 1,750 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares owned in the table for Ms. Katz, 1,750 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares owned in the table for Ms. Kennedy, 1,750 shares are not yet vested.
​
(6)

(6)
Consists of common stock (not all of which is vested). Also includes performance shares with voting rights, granted in years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 20202021 respectively. The grant of 2017 performance shares was disclosed in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 3, 2017. These performance shares will vest in years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2023,2024, respectively. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares ownedshown in the table for Mr. Weed, 97,00084,750 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares ownedshown in the table for Mr. Kummer, 48,000 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares ownedshown in the table for Mr. O'Neill,O’Neill, 48,000 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares ownedshown in the table for Mr. Bubeck, 48,000 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2021, of the shares shown in the table for Mr. Wallace, 24,000 shares are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2021, of the shares shown in the table for Mr. Slagmuylder, 3,000 shares are not yet vested
​
(7)

(7)
Consists of Dave Schaeffer, Steven Brooks, D. Blake Bath, Marc Montagner, Lewis Ferguson, Carolyn Katz, Sheryl Kennedy, James Bubeck, Thaddeus Weed, R. Brad Kummer, Timothy O'Neill,O’Neill, Henry Kilmer, John Chang, Sean Wallace and John Chang.Jean-Michel Slagmuylder. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares ownedincluded in the table for Mr. Kilmer, 48,000 shares of Company'sCompany’s common stock are not yet vested. As of February 28, 2020,2021, of the shares ownedincluded in the table for Mr. Chang, 31,60039,860 shares of Company'sCompany’s common stock are not yet vested.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

        The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2019 about our common stock that may be issued under our stockholder approved equity compensation plan:


Equity Compensation Plan Information

​

Plan Category
 Number of Securities to
be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights		 Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights		 Number of Securities
remaining available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in column
(a))		 
 
 (a)
 (b)
 (c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  1,019,589 $46.27  862,923 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  0  0  — 

Total

  1,019,589 $46.27  862,923 
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Employment Agreements

We have employment agreements with most of our named executive officers as described in "Employment“Employment Agreements and Potential Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements."

”

Our Headquarters Lease

In February 2020, the Company'sCompany’s Audit Committee reviewed and approved an extension of the Company'sCompany’s lease agreement for its headquarters building from May 2020 to May 2025. No other terms of the lease were amended. The Company originally entered into a lease agreement for its headquarters building with Sodium LLC, whose owner is the Company'sCompany’s Chief Executive Officer, Dave Schaeffer, in 2015. The Company moved into the headquarters building in May 2015. The fixed annual rent for the headquarters building is $1.0 million per year plus an allocation of taxes and utilities. The extension of the lease term is for five years and is cancelable at no cost by the Company upon 60 days'days’ notice. The Company'sCompany’s Audit Committee reviewed and approved the lease as a related party transaction. We believe that the lease is on the terms at least as favorable to us as could have been obtained from an unaffiliated third party. The Company paid $1.7 million in 2019,2020, $1.7 million in 2018,2019, and $1.6$1.7 million in 20172018 for rent and related costs (including taxes and utilities) for this lease.

Mr. Montagner iswas a Named Executive Officer of a Customer

        In August of 2015,

Mr. Montagner, the Lead Independent Director of the Company and a member of our Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, becameserved as the Chief Financial Officer at Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EIGI). from August 2015 to February 2021. Endurance International was a customer of Cogent prior to August of 2015. The total amount paid to Cogent by Endurance International and its subsidiaries in 20192020 was $180,428.$151,920. The services provided to Endurance International are standard services that the Company provides to other customers. The Board has concluded that Mr. Montagner doesdid not have a material interest in these transactions and that he remainsremained an independent director.

Approval of Related Party Transactions

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing, approving or ratifying any transaction in which the Company and any of our directors, director nominees, executive officers, 5% stockholders and their immediate family members are participants and in which such persons have a direct or indirect material interest as provided under SEC rules. The company does not have a written policy for reviewing these transactions. However, in the course of reviewing potential related person transactions, the Audit Committee considers the nature of the related person'sperson’s interest in the transaction; the presence of standard prices, rates or charges or terms otherwise consistent with arm'sarm’s length dealings with unrelated third parties; the materiality of the transaction to each party; the reasons for the Company entering into the transaction with the related person; the potential effect of the transaction on the status of a director as an independent, outside or disinterested director or committee member; and any other factors the Audit Committee may deem relevant. In the case of the headquarters lease described above the Audit Committee reviewed information on comparable leases in making its determination to approve the lease.


DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company'sCompany’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company'sCompany’s stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they


file. Based solely on our review of the copies of these reports and written representations we received from our directors and executive officers, we believe that all filings required to be made by these persons during 20192020 were made on a timely basis except for a Form 4 filed on May 23, 2019June 16, 2020 with respect to the acquisitionsale on April 1, 2019June 11, 2020 of 1,750 shares by Lewis Ferguson.

Sheryl Kennedy.


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​

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Audit Committee reappointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.2021. In making this appointment, the Audit Committee considered whether the audit and non-audit services Ernst & Young LLP provides are compatible with maintaining the independence of our outside auditors. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that sets forth the manner in which the Audit Committee will review and approve all services to be provided by Ernst & Young LLP before the firm is retained.

Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will not be present at the Annual Meeting but are expected to be available by telephone to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.

Fees and Services of Ernst & Young LLP

The following table summarizes fees billed to us by Ernst & Young LLP for fiscal years 20182019 and 2019;2020; all services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee:


(in thousands)

Service​​2019​​2020​
Audit Fees(1)​​​$1,857​​​​$1,912​​
Audit-Related Fees​​​$—​​​​$—​​
Tax Fees(2)​​​$31​​​​$90​​
All Other Fees​​​$—​​​​$—​​
TOTAL​​​$1,888​​​​$2,002​​
​
Service
 2018 2019 

Audit Fees(1)

 $1,883 $1,857 

Audit-Related Fees

 $— $— 

Tax Fees(2)

 $59 $31 

All Other Fees

 $— $— 
​​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​

TOTAL

 $1,942 $1,888 
​​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​
​​​​​​​​
​​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​
(1)
(1)
Fees for audit services include fees associated with the annual audit, the review of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, professional services associated with the Company'sCompany’s issuance of debt, and statutory audits (in jurisdictions where required).
​
(2)

(2)
Tax fees include professional services related to tax compliance and tax planning.

​
All services performed by Ernst & Young LLP were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with its pre-approval policy. The policy describes the audit, audit-related, tax and other services permitted to be performed by the independent registered public accountants, subject to the Audit Committee'sCommittee’s prior approval of the services and fees. On an annual basis, the Audit Committee will review and provide pre-approval for certain types of services that may be provided by the independent registered public accountants without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee. If a type of service to be provided has not received pre-approval during this annual process, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require separate pre-approval by the Audit Committee.



STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholders who wish to submit a proposal to be included in the Proxy Statement for the 20212022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may do so by following the procedures in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion, a stockholder must submit their proposal by November 16, 202012 , 2021 to Ried Zulager, Secretary, Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc., 2450 N Street NW, 4th4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037. The proposal must comply with the SEC'sSEC’s proxy rules.

Additionally, the Company'sCompany’s Bylaws provide that stockholders desiring to nominate a director or bring any other business before the stockholders at an annual meeting must notify the Secretary of the Company thereof in writing during the period 120 to 90 days before the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year'syear’s annual meeting or, if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered during the period 120 to 90 days before such annual meeting or 10 days following the day on which public announcement

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of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. These stockholder notices must set forth certain information specified in the Bylaws. For information about the required information, see "Annual“Annual Meeting of Stockholders"Stockholders” in the Meetings of Stockholders section of the Bylaws.


OTHER MATTERS

The Board knows of no other business that will be presented to the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgments of the persons voting the proxies.

It is important that the proxies be returned promptly and that your shares are represented. Stockholders are urged to sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope.

A copy of the Company's 2019Company’s 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders accompanies this Proxy Statement.The Company has filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 20192020 (the "Form 10-K"“Form 10-K”) with the SEC. Stockholders may obtain, free of charge, a copy of the Form 10-K by writing to Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc., 2450 N Street, NW, 4th4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037, Attn: Investor Relations. Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the Form 10-K by accessing the Company'sCompany’s website atwww.cogentco.com under the tab "About“About Cogent; Investor Relations; Reports."”

Householding of Proxies

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for annual reports and proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single annual report and/or proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as "householding,"“householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. We and some brokers household annual reports and proxy materials, delivering a single annual report and/or proxy materials to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders.

The Company will promptly deliver, upon written or oral request by such stockholder, a separate copy of the annual report and proxy statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. To request individual copies for each stockholder in your household, please contact our Investor Relations department by e-mail at investor.relations@cogentco.com, by mail to Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc., 2450 N Street, NW, 4th4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037, Attn: Investor Relations, or by phone at 202-295-4274. To ask


that only one set of the documents be mailed to your household, please contact your bank, broker or other nominee or, if you are a stockholder of record, please call our transfer agent, Computershare Shareholder Services, at 800-368-5948+1-800-368-5948 toll free from within the United States and Canada or +1-79781-575-4223 outside the United States and Canada,+1-781-575-4223 toll free International, or by mail to Cogent Communications, c/o Computershare, Investor Services, POP.O. Box 505000, Louisville, KY 40233-5000.40233-5000, United States. The transfer agent also has the following website: www.computershare.com/investor.

By Order of the Board of Directors
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_riedzulager-bw.jpg]
Ried Zulager, Secretary
Washington, D.C.
March 12, 2021

By Order of the Board of Directors
63


GRAPHIC

Ried Zulager, Secretary

Washington, D.C.

​

March
Appendix A
AMENDED AND RESTATED COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
2017 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
ARTICLE 1.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Amended and Restated Cogent Communications 2017 Incentive Award Plan (as it may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) by linking the individual interests of the members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants to those of Company stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to Company stockholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent.
ARTICLE 2.
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1   “Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article 12. With reference to the duties of the Committee under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 12.6, or as to which the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.
2.2   “Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.
2.3   “Applicable Law” shall mean any applicable law, including without limitation: (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.
2.4   “Award” shall mean an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, an Other Stock or Cash Based Award or a Dividend Equivalent award, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.
2.5   “Award Agreement” shall mean any written notice, agreement, terms and conditions, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the Plan.
2.6   “Award Limit” shall mean with respect to Awards that shall be payable in Shares or in cash, as the case may be, the respective limit set forth in Section 3.2.
2.7   “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.8   “Change in Control” shall mean and includes each of the following

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(a)   A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” ​(as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) any acquisition which complies with Sections 2.8(b)(i), 2.8(b)(ii) or 2.8(b)(iii); or (iv) in respect of an Award held by a particular Holder, any acquisition by the Holder or any group of persons including the Holder (or any entity controlled by the Holder or any group of persons including the Holder); or
(b)   The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
(i)   which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
(ii)   after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 2.8(b)(ii) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; and
(iii)   after which at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Successor Entity were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such transaction; or
(c)   The date which is 10 business days prior to the completion of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or any portion of an Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b) or (c) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.
2.9   “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.

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2.10   “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board described in Article 12 hereof.
2.11   “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.
2.12   “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.
2.13   “Consultant” shall mean any consultant or adviser engaged to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.
2.14   RESERVED.
2.15   “Director” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.
2.16   “Director Limit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.
2.17   “Disability” means the Participant qualifies to receive long-term disability payments under the Company’s long-term disability insurance program, as it may be amended from time to time.
2.18   “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 10.2.
2.19   “DRO” shall mean a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.
2.20   “Effective Date” shall mean the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.
2.21   “Eligible Individual” shall mean any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.
2.22   “Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) of the Company or of any Subsidiary.
2.23   “Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per-share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.
2.24   “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2.25   “Expiration Date” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 13.1(c).
2.26   “Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows:
(a)   If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Capital Market, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(b)   If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

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(c)   If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.
2.27   “Full Value Award” shall mean any Award that is settled in Shares other than: (a) an Option, (b) a Stock Appreciation Right or (c) any other Award for which the Holder pays the intrinsic value existing as of the date of grant (whether directly or by forgoing a right to receive a payment from the Company or any Subsidiary).
2.28   “Greater Than 10% Stockholder” shall mean an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) or parent corporation thereof (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code).
2.29   “Holder” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award.
2.30   “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.31   “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.
2.32   “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that 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.
2.33   “Option” shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 6. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
2.34   “Option Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.
2.35   “Organizational Documents” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other similar organizational documents relating to the creation and governance of the Company, and (b) the Committee’s charter or other similar organizational documentation relating to the creation and governance of the Committee.
2.36   “Other Stock or Cash Based Award” shall mean a cash payment, cash bonus award, stock payment, stock bonus award, performance award or incentive award that is paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, awarded under Section 10.1, which may include, without limitation, deferred stock, deferred stock units, performance awards, retainers, committee fees, and meeting-based fees.
2.37   RESERVED.
2.38   “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator selects for an Award for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Performance Period,:
(a)   The Performance Criteria that may be used to establish Performance Goals may consist of, but are not limited to the following: (i) net earnings or losses (either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation, (D) amortization and (E) non-cash equity-based compensation expense); (ii) gross or net sales or revenue or sales or revenue growth; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) adjusted net income; (v) operating earnings or profit (either before or after taxes); (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow); (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on capital (or invested capital) and cost of capital; (ix) return on stockholders’ equity; (x) total stockholder return; (xi) return on sales; (xii) gross or net profit or operating margin; (xiii) costs, reductions in costs and cost control measures; (xiv) expenses; (xv) working capital; (xvi) earnings or loss per share; (xvii) adjusted earnings or loss per share; (xviii) price per share or dividends per share (or appreciation in and/or maintenance of such price or dividends); (xix) regulatory achievements or compliance (including, without limitation, regulatory body approval for

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commercialization of a product); (xx) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xxi) market share; (xxii) economic value, (xxiii) productivity, (xxiv) expense margins, (xxv) operating efficiency and (xxvi) customer satisfaction, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices.
(b)   The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that one or more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to one or more of the Performance Goals. Such adjustments may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in Applicable Accounting Standards; (ii) items relating to financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items related to acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (vii) items related to the sale or disposition of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under Applicable Accounting Standards; (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the Performance Period; (x) any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going business activities; (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws; (xvi) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges; (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; (xix) items attributable to expenses incurred in connection with a reduction in force or early retirement initiative; (xx) items relating to foreign exchange or currency transactions and/or fluctuations; or (xxi) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in Applicable Law, Applicable Accounting Standards or business conditions.
2.39   “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, one or more goals established in writing by the Administrator for the Performance Period based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or an individual. The achievement of each Performance Goal shall be determined, to the extent applicable, with reference to Applicable Accounting Standards.
2.40   “Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Holder’s right to, vesting of, and/or the payment in respect of, an Award.
2.41   “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Holder, any “family member” of the Holder, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act (or any successor form thereto), or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account Applicable Law.
2.42   “Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.
2.43   “Prior Plans” shall mean the Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. 2004 Incentive Award Plan, as amended by the Board of Directors through April 17, 2014, as such plan may be amended from time to time.
2.44   “Program” shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.
2.45   “Restricted Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under Article 8 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture or repurchase.
2.46   “Restricted Stock Units” shall mean the right to receive Shares awarded under Article 9.

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2.47   “Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including, without limitation, any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date.
2.48   “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.49   “Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock.
2.50   “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean an Award entitling the Holder (or other person entitled to exercise pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion thereof (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of such Award from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of such Award by the number of Shares with respect to which such Award shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose.
2.51   “SAR Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.
2.52   “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
2.53   “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock, in any case, upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
2.54   “Termination of Service” shall mean:
(a)   As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Holder as a Consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(b)   As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Holder who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(c)   As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Holder and the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.
The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of any Program, Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then-applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section. For purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relations shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the

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Subsidiary employing or contracting with such Holder ceases to remain an Subsidiary following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).
ARTICLE 3.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
3.1   Number of Shares.
(a)   Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.1(b) and Section 13.2, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is (i) 3,600,000 Shares plus (ii) any Shares subject to awards under the Prior Plan which after the Effective Date are forfeited or lapse unexercised or are settled in cash or are not issued under the Prior Plan; provided, that, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13.2, no more than a total of 3,600,000 shares shall be authorized for grant as Incentive Stock Options. After the Effective Date, no awards may be granted under any Prior Plan, however, any awards under any Prior Plan that are outstanding as of the Effective Date shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of such Prior Plan.
(b)   If (i) any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited or expire or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), or (ii) after May 3, 2017 any Shares subject to an award under any Prior Plan are forfeited or expire or an award under any Prior Plan is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Shares subject to such Award or award under the Prior Plan shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for Awards under the Plan, in accordance with Section 3.1(d) below. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under Section 3.1(a) and shall not be available for future grants of Awards: (i) Shares tendered by a Holder or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option; (ii) Shares tendered by the Holder or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; (iii) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right on exercise thereof; and (iv) Shares purchased on the open market by the Company with the cash proceeds received from the exercise of Options. Any Shares repurchased by the Company under Section 8.4 at the same price paid by the Holder so that such Shares are returned to the Company shall again be available for Awards. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
(c)   Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available Shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.
3.2   Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards.   Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 13.2, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 750,000 and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash to any one person during any calendar year with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $10,000,000.

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3.3   Award Vesting Limitations.   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, but subject to this Section 3.3 and Section 13.2 of the Plan, Awards granted under the Plan shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date the Award is granted; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% of the shares of Common Stock available pursuant to Section 3.1(a) may be granted to any one or more Eligible Individuals without respect to such minimum vesting provisions; and provided, further, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Full Value Awards (other than those that vest based on achievement of performance targets) shall vest at a rate that would not exceed the following vesting schedule: (a) no vesting prior to the first anniversary of the date of grant, (b) no more than 1∕3 vested on the first anniversary of the date of grant, (c) no more than 2∕3 vested on the second anniversary of the date of grant and (d) full vesting not occurring prior to the end of the third anniversary of the date of grant. Nothing in this Section 3.3 shall preclude the Administrator from taking action, in its sole discretion, to accelerate the vesting of any Award in connection with or following a Holder’s death, disability, retirement or the consummation of a Change in Control.
ARTICLE 4.
GRANTING OF AWARDS
4.1   Participation.   The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom an Award shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. No Eligible Individual or other Person shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Holders or any other persons uniformly. Participation by each Holder in the Plan shall be voluntary and nothing in the Plan or any Program shall be construed as mandating that any Eligible Individual or other Person shall participate in the Plan.
4.2   Award Agreement.   Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such Award as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion (consistent with the requirements of the Plan and any applicable Program). Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
4.3   Limitations Applicable to Section 16 2020

Persons.   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
4.4   At-Will Service.   Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Holder any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Director or Consultant for, the Company or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Holder at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Holder and the Company or any Subsidiary.
4.5   Foreign Holders.   Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or applicable Program to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange or other Applicable Law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with Applicable Law (including, without limitation, applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any foreign securities exchange); (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable; provided, however,

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that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitation contained in Section 3.1, the Award Limit or the Director Limit; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any foreign securities exchange.
4.6   Non-Employee Director Awards.   Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan, the sum of the grant date fair value of equity-based Awards and the amount of any cash-based Awards granted or fees otherwise payable to a Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall not exceed $500,000 (which amount will be increased (or decreased) cumulative each year by the annual inflation rate as reported by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers) (the “Director Limit”).
ARTICLE 5.
RESERVED
ARTICLE 6.
GRANTING OF OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.1   Granting of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals.   The Administrator is authorized to grant Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.
6.2   Qualification of Incentive Stock Options.   The Administrator may grant Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company, any of the Company’s present or future “parent corporations” or “subsidiary corporations” as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, respectively, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code. No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Stockholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” ​(within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Holder during any calendar year under the Plan, and all other plans of the Company and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (as defined in Section 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively), exceeds $100,000, the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the fair market value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. Any interpretations and rules under the Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall have any liability to a Holder, or any other Person, (a) if an Option (or any part thereof) which is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or (b) for any action or omission by the Company or the Administrator that causes an Option not to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, including without limitation, the conversion of an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option or the grant of an Option intended as an Incentive Stock Option that fails to satisfy the requirements under the Code applicable to an Incentive Stock Option.
6.3   Option and Stock Appreciation Right Exercise Price.   The exercise price per Share subject to each Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, such price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that

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the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 424 and 409A of the Code.
6.4   Option and SAR Term.   The term of each Option (the “Option Term”) and the term of each Stock Appreciation Right (the “SAR Term”) shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Option Term or SAR Term, as applicable, shall not be more than (a) ten (10) years from the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted to an Eligible Individual (other than a Greater Than 10% Stockholder), or (b) five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder or the first sentence of this Section 6.4 and without limiting the Company’s rights under Section 11.7, the Administrator may extend the Option Term of any outstanding Option or the SAR Term of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, and may extend the time period during which vested Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised, in connection with any Termination of Service of the Holder or otherwise, and may amend, subject to Section 11.7 and 13.1, any other term or condition of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right relating to such Termination of Service of the Holder or otherwise.
6.5   Option and SAR Vesting.   The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right vests in the Holder shall be set by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, subject to Section 3.3. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, the applicable Program or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (a) no portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right which is unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable and (b) the portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall automatically expire thirty (30) days following such Termination of Service.
6.6   Substitution of Stock Appreciation Rights.   The Administrator may provide in the applicable Program or Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to substitute a Stock Appreciation Right for such Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option; provided that such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable with respect to the same number of Shares for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable, and shall also have the same exercise price, vesting schedule and remaining term as the substituted Option.
ARTICLE 7.
EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
7.1   Exercise and Payment.   An exercisable Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part. However, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional Shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, a partial exercise must be with respect to a minimum number of Shares. Payment of the amounts payable with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Article 7 shall be in cash, Shares (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised), or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.
7.2   Manner of Exercise.   All or a portion of an exercisable Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, the stock plan administrator of the Company or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:
(a)   A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed or otherwise acknowledge electronically by the Holder or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right or such portion thereof;
(b)   Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with Applicable Law.

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(c)   In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 11.3 by any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and
(d)   Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes for the Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by the Administrator in accordance with Sections 11.1 and 11.2.
7.3   Notification Regarding Disposition.   The Holder shall give the Company prompt written or electronic notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option which occurs within (a) two years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) such Option to such Holder, or (b) one year after the date of transfer of such Shares to such Holder. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Holder in such disposition or other transfer.
ARTICLE 8.
AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK
8.1   Award of Restricted Stock.   The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan or any applicable Program, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate. The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value, if any, of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by Applicable Law.
8.2   Rights as Stockholders.   Subject to Section 8.4, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Holder shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said Shares, subject to the restrictions in the Plan, any applicable Program and/or the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares to the extent such dividends and other distributions have a record date that is on or after the date on which the Holder to whom such Restricted Stock are granted becomes the record holder of such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the Shares may be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 8.3. In addition, with respect to a share of Restricted Stock subject to vesting conditions, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall be paid out to the Holder only if, when and to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share of Restricted Stock vests.
8.3   Restrictions.   All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide in the applicable Program or Award Agreement, subject to Section 3.3. By action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Stock by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the applicable Program or Award Agreement.
8.4   Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock.   Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, if no price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration on the date of such Termination of Service. If a price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Holder the unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Holder for such Restricted Stock or such other

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amount as may be specified in the applicable Program or Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided by Section 3.3, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that upon certain events, including, without limitation, a Change in Control, the Holder’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service or any other event, the Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall not lapse, such Restricted Stock shall vest and cease to be forfeitable and, if applicable, the Company shall cease to have a right of repurchase.
8.5   Section 83(b) Election.   If a Holder makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Holder would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Holder shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE 9.
AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
9.1   Grant of Restricted Stock Units.   The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator.
9.2   Term.   Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of a Restricted Stock Unit award shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
9.3   Purchase Price.   The Administrator shall specify the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the Holder to the Company with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit award; provided, however, that value of the consideration shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.
9.4   Vesting of Restricted Stock Units.   At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, vesting based upon the Holder’s duration of service to the Company or any Subsidiary, one or more Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance or other specific criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator, subject to Section 3.3.
9.5   Maturity and Payment.   At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units, which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Holder (if permitted by the applicable Award Agreement); provided that, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, and subject to compliance with Section 409A, in no event shall the maturity date relating to each Restricted Stock Unit occur following the later of (a) the 15th day of the third month following the end of calendar year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests; or (b) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests. On the maturity date, the Company shall, in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement and subject to Section 11.4(f), transfer to the Holder one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited, or in the sole discretion of the Administrator, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the maturity date or a combination of cash and Common Stock as determined by the Administrator.
9.6   Payment upon Termination of Service.   An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall only be payable while the Holder is an Employee, a Consultant or a member of the Board, as applicable; provided, however, that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide (in an Award Agreement or otherwise) that a Restricted Stock Unit award may be paid subsequent to a Termination of Service in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Holder’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service.

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ARTICLE 10.
AWARD OF OTHER STOCK OR CASH BASED AWARDS AND DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
10.1   Other Stock or Cash Based Awards.   The Administrator is authorized to grant Other Stock or Cash Based Awards, including awards entitling a Holder to receive Shares or cash to be delivered immediately or in the future, to any Eligible Individual. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any applicable Program, the Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock or Cash Based Award, including the term of the Award, any exercise or purchase price, performance goals, including the Performance Criteria, transfer restrictions, vesting conditions and other terms and conditions applicable thereto, which shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, subject to Section 3.3. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator, and may be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan, as stand-alone payments, as a part of a bonus, deferred bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, and/or as payment in lieu of compensation to which an Eligible Individual is otherwise entitled.
10.2   Dividend Equivalents.   Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator, either alone or in tandem with another Award, based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date the Dividend Equivalents are granted to a Holder and the date such Dividend Equivalents terminate or expire, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such restrictions and limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, Dividend Equivalents shall be paid out to the Holder only if, when and to the extent that such Awards vest. The value of dividends and other distributions payable with respect to Awards that do not vest shall be forfeited.
ARTICLE 11.
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF AWARDS
11.1   Payment.   The Administrator shall determine the method or methods by which payments by any Holder with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (a) cash or check, (b) Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award) or Shares held for such minimum period of time as may be established by the Administrator, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Holder has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, (d) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion, or (e) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Holder who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
11.2   Tax Withholding.   The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Holder to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Holder’s FICA, employment tax or other social security contribution obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Holder arising as a result of the Plan or any Award. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement, allow a Holder to satisfy such obligations by any payment means described in Section 11.1 hereof, including without limitation, by allowing such Holder to have the Company or any Subsidiary withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be no greater than the number

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of Shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum statutory withholding rates in such Holder’s applicable jurisdiction for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.
11.3   Transferability of Awards.
(a)   Except as otherwise provided in Sections 11.3(b) and 11.3(c):
(i)   No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than (A) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (B) subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;
(ii)   No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for or otherwise subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of the Holder or the Holder’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 11.3(a)(i); and
(iii)   During the lifetime of the Holder, only the Holder may exercise any exercisable portion of an Award granted to such Holder under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of the Holder, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by the Holder’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Holder’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.
(b)   Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Holder or a Permitted Transferee of such Holder to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is intended to become a Nonqualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Holder, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than (A) to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Holder or (B) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Holder (other than the ability to further transfer the Award to any Person other than another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Holder); and (iii) the Holder (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the receiving Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under Applicable Law and (C) evidence the transfer. In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Holder to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and other Applicable Law, the Holder is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.
(c)   Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), a Holder may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Holder and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Holder’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan

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and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Holder and any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Holder is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Holder’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as the Holder’s beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Holder’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Holder’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Holder, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Holder’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Holder at any time; provided that the change or revocation is delivered in writing to the Administrator prior to the Holder’s death.
11.4   Conditions to Issuance of Shares.
(a)   The Administrator shall determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Holders. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with Applicable Law and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Holder make such reasonable covenants, agreements and representations as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law.
(b)   All share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares (including, without limitation, restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock).
(c)   The Administrator shall have the right to require any Holder to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(d)   No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.
(e)   The Company, in its sole discretion, may (i) retain physical possession of any stock certificate evidencing Shares until any restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and/or (ii) require that the stock certificates evidencing such Shares be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Holder deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to such Shares.
(f)   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by Applicable Law, the Company shall not deliver to any Holder certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
11.5   Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions.   All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a Holder upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award and any payments of a portion of an incentive-based bonus pool allocated to a Holder) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, whether or not such claw-back policy was in place at the time of grant of an Award, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.

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11.6   Prohibition on Repricing.   Subject to Section 13.2, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (a) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its price per Share, or (b) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares.
11.7   Amendment of Awards.   Subject to Applicable Law, the Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or settlement, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option. The Holder’s consent to such action shall be required unless (a) the Administrator determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Holder, or (b) the change is otherwise permitted under the Plan (including, without limitation, under Section 13.2 or 13.10).
11.8   Data Privacy.   As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Holder explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 11.8 by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Subsidiaries for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Holder’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries may hold certain personal information about a Holder, including but not limited to, the Holder’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), any shares of stock held in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, details of all Awards, in each case, for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of a Holder’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries may each further transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company and its Subsidiaries in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. These recipients may be located in the Holder’s country, or elsewhere, and the Holder’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. Through acceptance of an Award, each Holder authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Holder’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Holder may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Holder will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Holder’s participation in the Plan. A Holder may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Holder, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Holder, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Holder or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Holder’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s discretion, the Holder may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Holder refuses or withdraws his or her consents as described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Holders may contact their local human resources representative.
ARTICLE 12.
ADMINISTRATION
12.1   Administrator.   The Committee shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein). To the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act then the Committee shall take all action with respect to such Awards, and the individuals taking such action shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, each of whom is intended to qualify as both a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule. Additionally, to the extent required by Applicable Law, each of the individuals constituting the Committee shall be an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 12.1 or the Organizational

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Documents. Except as may otherwise be provided in the Organizational Documents or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, (a) appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment, (b) Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board and (c) vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and, with respect to such Awards, the terms “Administrator” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (ii) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 12.6.
12.2   Duties and Powers of Administrator.   It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan, all Programs and Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and any Program as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not materially and adversely affected by such amendment, unless the consent of the Holder is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 11.5 or Section 13.10. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee in its capacity as the Administrator under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.
12.3   Action by the Administrator.   Unless otherwise established by the Board, set forth in any Organizational Documents or as required by Applicable Law, a majority of the Administrator shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Administrator in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Administrator. Each member of the Administrator is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
12.4   Authority of Administrator.   Subject to the Organizational Documents, any specific designation in the Plan and Applicable Law, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:
(a)   Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;
(b)   Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual (including, without limitation, any Awards granted in tandem with another Award granted pursuant to the Plan);
(c)   Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;
(d)   Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, purchase price, any Performance Criteria or performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and claw-back and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines; provided, however, that the Administrator shall not have the authority to accelerate the vesting of any Award other than for death, Disability or upon the consummation of a Change in Control; and provided, further, that the Administrator shall not have the authority to accelerate the vesting or waive the forfeiture of any Performance-Based Awards;
(e)   Determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

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(f)   Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Holder;
(g)   Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
(h)   Establish, adopt, or revise any Programs, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;
(i)   Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement; and
(j)   Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.
12.5   Decisions Binding.   The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all Persons.
12.6   Delegation of Authority.   The Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 12; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under any Organizational Documents and Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable Organizational Documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 12.6 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority.
ARTICLE 13.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
13.1   Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.
(a)   Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.1(b), the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board; provided that, except as provided in Section 11.5 and Section 13.10, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Holder, materially and adversely affect any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.
(b)   Notwithstanding Section 13.1(a), the Board may not, except as provided in Section 13.2, take any of the following actions without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after such action: (i) increase the limit imposed in Section 3.1 on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan or the Award Limit, (ii) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan or take any action prohibited under Section 11.6, or (iii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award in violation of Section 11.6.
(c)   No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event may any Award be granted under the Plan after April 28, 2031 (the “Expiration Date”). Any Awards that are outstanding on the Expiration Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan, the applicable Program and the applicable Award Agreement.

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13.2   Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.
(a)   In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to: (i) the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit); (ii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (iv) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.
(b)   In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 13.2(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards:
(i)   To provide for the termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property with a value equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 13.2 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment);
(ii)   To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;
(iii)   To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares of the Company’s stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future;
(iv)   To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement;
(v)   To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; and/or
(vi)   To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.
(c)   In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 13.2(a) and 13.2(b):
(i)   The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted (and the adjustments provided

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under this Section 13.2(c)(i) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Holder and the Company); and/or
(ii)   The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitation in Section 3.1 on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit).
(d)   The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.
(e)   Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, no adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent it would (i) cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, (ii) result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, or (iii) cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A.
(f)   The existence of the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and/or the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
13.3   Approval of Plan by Stockholders.   The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval; provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse and no Shares shall be issued pursuant thereto prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders; and provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve (12) month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void. If the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders, (i) it will not become effective, (ii) no Awards shall be granted thereunder, and (iii) the Amended 2004 Plan will continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. Upon the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders, any awards outstanding under the Amended 2004 Plan as of the date of such approval shall remain outstanding and, if applicable, exercisable pursuant to the terms of such individual grants.
13.4   No Stockholders Rights.   Except as otherwise provided herein or in an applicable Program or Award Agreement, a Holder shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Holder becomes the record owner of such Shares.
13.5   Paperless Administration.   In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Holder may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
13.6   Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans.   The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

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13.7   Compliance with Laws.   The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law (including but not limited to state, federal and foreign securities law and margin requirements), and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to effect compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.
13.8   Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act.   The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.
13.9   Governing Law.   The Plan and any Programs and Award Agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.
13.10   Section 409A.   To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Plan, the Program pursuant to which such Award is granted and the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A. In that regard, to the extent any Award under the Plan or any other compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to Section 409A, and such Award or other amount is payable on account of a Participant’s Termination of Service (or any similarly defined term), then (a) such Award or amount shall only be paid to the extent such Termination of Service qualifies as a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and (b) if such Award or amount is payable to a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A then to the extent required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such Award or other compensatory payment shall not be payable prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service, or (ii) the date of the Participant’s death. To the extent applicable, the Plan, the Program and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may (but is not obligated to), without a Holder’s consent, adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (A) exempt the Award from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under Section 409A. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to the tax treatment of any Award under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company shall have no obligation under this Section 13.10 or otherwise to take any action (whether or not described herein) to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and shall have no liability to any Holder or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute non-compliant, “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to the imposition of taxes, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A.
13.11   Unfunded Status of Awards.   The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Holder pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Holder any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

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13.12   Indemnification.   To the extent permitted under Applicable Law and the Organizational Documents, each member of the Administrator shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives 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 of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Organizational Documents, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
13.13   Relationship to other Benefits.   No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
13.14   Expenses.   The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

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C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 ENDORSEMENT    LINE        SACKPACK       Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. qAnnual Meeting Proxy Card IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q +A. Proposals — THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “A FOR” ALL PROPOSALS. 1. PROPOSAL - Election of Directors: 01 - Dave Schaeffer 02 - D. Blake Bath 03 - Steven D. Brooks For Withhold ForAgainst Abstain1 U P X 04 - Lewis H. Ferguson, III 05 - Carolyn Katz 06 - Sheryl Kennedy 07 - Marc Montagner 2. PROPOSAL - To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. 012021. 3. PROPOSAL - Dave Schaeffer 02 - D. Blake Bath 3.To approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan including an increase in the number of shares available for issuance thereunder by 1.2 million shares. 4. PROPOSAL - Non-binding advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. 03 - Steven D. Brooks 4.5. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. 04 - Lewis H. Ferguson, III 05 - Carolyn Katz 06 - Sheryl Kennedy 07 - Marc MontagnerB Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.   +/  /2021 C 1234567890 J N T 1 U P X 4 5 6 9 2 3 2 037QAA MMMMMMMMM B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below0 4 MR A Proposals — THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDSSAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A VOTE “FOR” ALL PROPOSALS. Annual Meeting Proxy Card

SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE A ND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

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IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2020.APRIL 28, 2021. THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS (FORM 10-K) ARE AVAILABLE AT: http:https://www.cogentco.com/en/about-cogent/investor-relations/reports q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. qENVELOPE.REVOCABLE PROXY — COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2020APRIL 28, 2021 AT 9:00 A.M. The undersigned holder of common stock, par value $0.001, of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby appoints John B. Chang, Ried Zulager and Jana Kaidy, or any of them, as proxies for the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote as specified in this proxy all common stock of the Company that the undersigned stockholder would be entitled to vote if present in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on May 6, 2020April 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the Company’s offices at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, and at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. The undersigned stockholder hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore executed for such matters. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the election of each director nominee named in Proposal 1, “FOR” Proposals 2, 3 and 34 and in the discretion of the proxies as to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The undersigned stockholder may revoke this proxy at any time before it is voted by delivering to the Secretary of the Company either a written revocation of the proxy or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement in which the proposals are fully explained. The Board of Directors of Cogent recommends voting FOR the election of each director nominee named in Proposal 1 — 1—Election of Directors, FOR Proposal 2 — 2—Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Independent Registered Public Accountants for the fiscal year endingFiscal Year Ending December 31, 2020,2021, FOR Proposal 3— Approval of an Amendment and Restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan including an Increase in the Number of Shares Available for Issuance thereunder by 1.2 Million Shares, and FOR Proposal 3 — 4—Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation. You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Your participation in these matters is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the enclosed envelope. If you choose to attend the meeting you may then vote in person if you so desire, even though you may have executed and returned thisthe proxy. Any stockholder of record who executes such a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by delivering written notice of revocation to the Company, Attention: Ried Zulager; by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Company; or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Stockholders whoC Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. Meeting Attendance Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. Annual Meeting Proxy Card IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. A. Proposals — THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “A FOR” ALL PROPOSALS. 1. PROPOSAL - Election of Directors: 01 - Dave Schaeffer 02 - D. Blake Bath 03 - Steven D. Brooks For Withhold 1 U P X 04 - Lewis H. Ferguson, III 05 - Carolyn Katz 06 - Sheryl Kennedy 07 - Marc Montagner 2. PROPOSAL - To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. For Against Abstain 3. PROPOSAL - To approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan including an increase in the number of shares available for issuance thereunder by 1.2 million shares. 4. PROPOSAL - Non-binding advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. 5. In their discretion, the proxies are not of recordauthorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below When shares are held by joint tenants, both should vote through their holder of record.sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.   /  /20211 U P X 4 9 2 3 0 4
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IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 28, 2021. THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS (FORM 10-K) ARE AVAILABLE AT: https://www.cogentco.com/en/about-cogent/investor-relations/reports IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. REVOCABLE PROXY — COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.



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2450 N Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 295-4200
NOTICE THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2020
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. Important Notice Regarding the AvailabilityAPRIL 28, 2021 AT 9:00 A.M. The undersigned holder of Proxy Materialscommon stock, par value $0.001, of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby appoints John B. Chang, Ried Zulager and Jana Kaidy, or any of them, as proxies for the Stockholderundersigned, each with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote as specified in this proxy all common stock of the Company that the undersigned stockholder would be entitled to vote if present in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to Be Heldbe held on April 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., May 6, 2020
local time, at the Company’s offices at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 295-4200
VOTING SECURITIES
PROPOSAL NO.and at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. The undersigned stockholder hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore executed for such matters. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the election of each director nominee named in Proposal 1, ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
PROPOSAL NO.“FOR” Proposals 2, RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ERNST3 and 4 and in the discretion of the proxies as to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The undersigned stockholder may revoke this proxy at any time before it is voted by delivering to the Secretary of the Company either a written revocation of the proxy or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement in which the proposals are fully explained. The Board of Directors of Cogent recommends voting FOR the election of each director nominee named in Proposal 1—Election of Directors, FOR Proposal 2—Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & YOUNGYoung LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
PROPOSAL NO. 3 ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN* Among Cogent Communications Holdings,as Independent Registered Public Accountants for the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index
COMPARISON OF 14 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
2019 Summary Compensation Table
2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table
2019 Option ExercisesEnding December 31, 2021, FOR Proposal 3— Approval of an Amendment and Stock Vested Table
Employment AgreementsRestatement of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Award Plan including an Increase in the Number of Shares Available for Issuance thereunder by 1.2 Million Shares, and Potential Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements
CEO Pay Ratio
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
2019 Director Compensation Table
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
RISK ASSESSMENT IN COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Equity Compensation Plan Information
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
(FOR Proposal 4—Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation. You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in thousands)person. Your participation in these matters is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the enclosed envelope. If you choose to attend the meeting you may then vote in person if you so desire, even though you may have executed and returned the proxy. Any stockholder who executes such a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by delivering written notice of revocation to the Company, Attention: Ried Zulager; by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Company; or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
OTHER MATTERS