UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, D.C.
20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __)

Filed by the registrant x

Registrant
Filed by a partyParty other than the registrant ¨
Registrant

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨           Preliminary proxy statement
¨Confidential, for useUse of the Commission onlyOnly (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
xDefinitive proxy statementProxy Statement
¨Definitive additional materialsAdditional Materials
¨Soliciting materialMaterial under Rule 14a-12§240.14a-12
BANYAN RAIL SERVICES INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
________________________

Broad Street Realty, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)


Payment of filing feeFiling Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x
No fee required.
¨           Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)           Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________
(2)           Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________
(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined.)

(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5)Total Fee Paid:

¨
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨           Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
Rules 14a6(i)(l) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)           Amount previously paid:
0-11

(2)           Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3)           Filing party:

img212646762_0.jpg 

(4)           Date filed:

, 2023



May 26, 2010

Dear Fellow Stockholder:


Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2010 annual meeting2023 Annual Meeting of stockholdersStockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Banyan Rail ServicesBroad Street Realty, Inc., which will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2010, starting, , 2023, at 11:00 A.M. local time at 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.


As more fully describedEastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held in the attached notice of annual meeting and the accompanying proxy statement, the principal businessa virtual-only format via live webcast.

The matters expected to be addressedacted upon at the meeting isare described in detail in the electionaccompanying Notice of directors,Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.

The Proxy Statement, the approvalNotice of our 2010 Stock Option and Award PlanAnnual Meeting of Stockholders and the ratification of2022 Annual Report to Stockholders/Form 10-K are available at http://www.edocumentview.com/BRST and may also be accessed through our independent auditor for 2010.  In addition, our management will report on our results and will be available to respond to your questions.


website at www.broadstreetrealty.com under the “Investor Relations” section.

Your vote is important to us.  Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please return the enclosed proxy cardimportant. Please cast your vote as soon as possible over the internet, by telephone, or by completing and returning the proxy card to ensure that your shares are represented. Your vote by written proxy will ensure your representation at the meeting.  You may chooseAnnual Meeting regardless of whether or not you attend virtually. Returning the proxy does not deprive you of your right to attend the Annual Meeting virtually and to vote in personyour shares at the annual meeting even if you have returned a proxy card.


meeting.

On behalf of the directorsour Board of Directors and management of Banyan, I would like toour employees, we thank you for your continued interest in and support and confidence andof our company. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.


Sincerely,


Gary O. Marino
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer

on , 2023.

Sincerely,

Michael Z. Jacoby

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



BANYAN RAIL SERVICES INC.
2255 Glades Road

img212646762_0.jpg 

Broad Street Realty, Inc.

7250 Woodmont Ave

Suite 342-W

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Notice Of Annual Meeting Of Stockholders
350

Bethesda, MD, 20814

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On July 1, 2010


Toon , 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Stockholders of Banyan Rail Services Inc.:


The2023 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Banyan Rail ServicesBroad Street Realty, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”) will be held in a virtual only format at www.meetnow.global/M5C9YPP,

on Thursday, July 1, 2010,, , 2023, at 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, beginning at 11:00 A.M. local time,Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

(1)
to elect the seven director nominees named in the Proxy Statement to serve as directors for one-year terms until the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify;

(2)
to ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023;
1.To elect four directors to serve for a one year term until the next annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
(3)
To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the form attached as Annex A to the Proxy Statement;

(4)
To consider and vote on a non-binding, advisory basis, upon separate proposals to approve the following amendments to the current Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Existing Charter”):
2.To approve our 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan;
(A)
To increase the Company’s total number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock from 51,000,000 shares to 301,000,000 shares, which would consist of (i) increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares and (ii) maintaining the number of authorized shares of preferred stock at 1,000,000 shares.

(B)
To make certain changes to the voting rights of common stockholders included in the Existing Charter, including clarifying common stockholders voting rights on matters related solely to preferred stockholders, clarifying that there is no right to cumulate votes on behalf of any nominee for election to the Board of Directors and updating stockholder approval rights relating to certain matters.
3.To ratify the appointment of Daszkal Bolton LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010; and
(C)
To provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the U.S. federal district courts, as applicable, are the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions.

(D)
To include certain provisions related to a potential future election by the Company to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including provisions giving the Board of Directors the authority to make such election and stock ownership limitations and transfer restrictions necessary to comply with requirements for qualification as a REIT.
4.To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.
(E)
To (i) provide that any amendment or other modification of certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter would require the approval of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon, (ii) require that, for stockholder-amendments to the bylaws, two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon must approve the amendment and (iii) remove the requirement for the approval of holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present to amend the charter or bylaws in a way that reduces the priority of payment or amount payable to holders of shares of common stock upon liquidation or that would diminish or eliminate any voting rights of common stockholders.


(F)
To make certain other changes that the Board of Directors deems appropriate to modernize the charter and conform the charter to customary provisions of charters of public companies.

(5)
to approve, in an advisory (non-binding) vote, the compensation of our named executive officers;
These(6)
to determine, in an advisory (non-binding) vote, whether a stockholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years; and
(7)
to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Annual Meeting.

The Proxy Statement accompanying this notice describes each of these items of business are more fully described in detail. The Board of Directors has fixed the proxy statement accompanying this notice.


Onlyclose of business on , 2023as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2010,, 2023 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting.

All stockholders are cordially invitedAnnual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.

We will be hosting a virtual Annual Meeting of Stockholders live via webcast this year. To attend the Annual Meeting, virtually please visit the web portal located at www.meetnow.global/M5C9YPP and enter the control number found on the proxy card or voting instruction form. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please check the website at www.investors.broadstreetrealty.com, press releases and our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for any changes or updates one week prior to the meeting in person.  However,date. We encourage you to ensurevote your representationshares prior to the Annual Meeting.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote via the internet, by telephone, or complete, date, sign and promptly return the proxy card so that your shares may be represented at the meeting, please sign and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the postage prepaid envelope enclosed for your convenience.  Any stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person even if he or she has returned a proxy card.


meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,



C. Lawrence Rutstein
Vice President

Michael Z. Jacoby

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Bethesda, Maryland

, 2023


IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON , 2023.

This Notice of Administration and Secretary




BANYAN RAIL SERVICES INC.
PROXY STATEMENT

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting, of Stockholders to be Held on July 1, 2010:

ThisProxy Statement, proxy statementcard sample and our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 are available on our website at www.banyanrail.com.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors2022 Annual Report to be used at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Thursday, July 1, 2010, and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.

This proxy statement and the accompanying chairman’s letter, notice and proxy card, together with our annual report on

Stockholders/Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,2022 are being sentavailable at www.edocumentview.com/BRST.


Table of Contents

Page

About the Meeting

7

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

13

Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

16

Proposal 3: Approval and Adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter

18

Proposals 4A-4F: Approval of the Advisory Charter Proposals

21

Proposal 4A—Increase to Number of Authorized Shares

21

Proposal 4B—Certain Provisions Regarding Stockholder Voting Rights

21

Proposal 4C—Exclusive Forum for Certain Actions

22

Proposal 4D—Provisions Related to Potential REIT Election

23

Proposal 4E—Amendments to the Charter and Bylaws

26

Proposal 4F—Amendments for Modernization and Customary Provisions of Charters of Public Companies

27

Corporate Governance and Board Matters

29

Members of the Board of Directors

29

Corporate Governance Profile

30

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

30

Board Committees

30

Director Selection Process

32

Code of Ethics

33

Availability of Corporate Governance Materials

33

Independence of Directors

33

Board Leadership Structure

34

Board and Committee Meetings

34

Annual Meeting Attendance

34

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

34

Communications with the Board

34

Director Compensation

34

Executive Officers

36

Executive Compensation

37

Report of the Audit Committee

43

Principal Stockholders

44

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

46

Related Party Transaction Policy

46

Related Party Transactions

46

Proposal 5: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

51

Proposal 6: Advisory Vote on Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

52

Other Matters

53

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

53

Other Matters to Come Before the 2023 Annual Meeting

53

Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2024 Annual Meeting

53

Householding of Proxy Materials

53

Annex A

54


PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 29, 2023

Broad Street Realty, Inc.

7250 Woodmont Ave

Suite 350

Bethesda, MD, 20814

PROXY STATEMENT

ABOUT THE MEETING

Why am I receiving this Proxy Statement?

This Proxy Statement contains information related to the solicitation of proxies in connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), to be held in a virtual-only meeting format at www.meetnow.global/M5C9YPP, on , , 2023, at Eastern Time, for the purposes stated in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This solicitation is made by Broad Street Realty, Inc. on behalf of our Board of Directors (also referred to as the “Board” in this Proxy Statement). “We,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” refer to Broad Street Realty, Inc.

The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the proxy card sample and our 2022 Annual Report to Stockholders/Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 are available at www.edocumentview.com/BRST. You are encouraged to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

We will commence mailing our proxy materials to stockholders beginning on or about May 28, 2010.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q:When and where is the annual meeting?
A:, 2023. Our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2010, at 11:00 A.M. local time, at 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.

Q:What am I voting on?
A:
Proposal 1 – Election of four directors Paul S. Dennis, Gary O. Marino, Bennett Marks and Donald D. Redfearn,
Proposal 2 – To approve our 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan, and
Proposal 3 – To ratify the appointment of Daszkal Bolton LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.
If a proposal other than the listed proposals is presented at the annual meeting, your signed proxy card gives authoritymaterials are first being made available online on or about , 2023.

What am I being asked to C. Lawrence Rutstein or Diane T. Starzeevote on?

You are being asked to vote on any additional proposal.

the following proposals:


Q:Who is entitled to vote?
A:Our record date is May 6, 2010. Only holdersProposal 1 (Election of Directors): The election of our common stock as of the close of business on May 6, 2010 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting.  Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.

Q:How do I vote?
A:Sign and date each proxy card you receive and return it in the prepaid envelope.  You have the right to revoke your proxy any time before the meeting by:
·notifying our secretary,
·voting in person, or
·returning a later dated proxy.

3


If you return your signed proxy card, but do not indicate your voting preferences, Mr. Rutstein or Ms. Starzee will vote FOR the seven director nominees FORnamed in the Proxy Statement to serve as directors for one-year terms until the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify ;
Proposal 2 (Ratification of Cherry Bekaert): The ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP (“Cherry Bekaert”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023;
Proposal 3 (Amended and Restated Charter): A proposal to approve and adopt the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the form attached as Annex A to this Proxy Statement (the “Amended and Restated Charter”).
Proposals 4A-4F (Advisory Charter Proposals): The approval (on a non-binding, advisory basis) of separate proposals (collectively, the “Advisory Charter Proposals”) to approve the following amendments to the current Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Existing Charter”):
(A)
To increase the Company’s total number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock from 51,000,000 shares to 301,000,000 shares, which would consist of (i) increasing the

7


number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares and (ii) maintaining the number of authorized shares of preferred stock at 1,000,000 shares.
(B)
To make certain changes to the voting rights of common stockholders included in the Existing Charter, including clarifying common stockholders voting rights on matters related solely to preferred stockholders, clarifying that there is no right to cumulate votes on behalf of any nominee for election to the Board of Directors and updating stockholder approval rights relating to certain matters.
(C)
To provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”) and the U.S. federal district courts, as applicable, are the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions.
(D)
To include certain provisions related to a potential future election by the Company to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) for federal income tax purposes, including provisions giving the Board of Directors the authority to make such election and stock ownership limitations and transfer restrictions necessary to comply with requirements for qualification as a REIT.
(E)
To (i) provide that any amendment or other modification of certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter would require the approval of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon, (ii) require that, for stockholder-amendments to the bylaws, two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon must approve the amendment and (iii) remove the requirement for the approval of holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present to amend the charter or bylaws in a way that reduces the priority of payment or amount payable to holders of shares of common stock upon liquidation or that would diminish or eliminate any voting rights of common stockholders.
(F)
To make certain other changes that the Board of Directors deems appropriate to modernize the charter and conform the charter to customary provisions of charters of public companies.
Proposal 5 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation): The approval (on a non-binding, advisory basis) of the compensation of our 2010 Stock Optionnamed executive officers;
Proposal 6 (Advisory Vote on Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation): The determination (on a non-binding, advisory basis) of whether a stockholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years; and Award Plan
To transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponements of the Annual Meeting.

What are the Board's voting recommendations?

The Board recommends that you vote as follows:

Proposal 1 (Election of Directors): “FOR” each of the Board nominees for election as directors;
Proposal 2 (Ratification of Cherry Bekaert): “FOR” the ratification of Cherry Bekaert as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023;
Proposal 3 (Amended and FORRestated Charter): “FOR” the approval and adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter;
Proposals 4A-4F (Advisory Charter Proposals): “FOR” the approval of each of the Advisory Charter Proposals;

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Proposal 5 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation): “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers; and
Proposal 6 (Advisory Vote on Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation): “ONE YEAR” as the preferred frequency of holding a stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on , 2023, the record date for the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”), are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote at the meeting. Our common stock constitutes the only class of securities entitled to vote at the meeting.

What are the voting rights of stockholders?

Each share of our common stock outstanding on the Record Date entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter to be voted on.

No dissenters’ rights are provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Existing Charter or our amended and restated bylaws ("bylaws") with respect to any of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.

Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

All holders of our common stock at the close of business on the Record Date ( , 2023), or their duly appointed proxies, are authorized to attend the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who wish to participate in the Annual Meeting may attend by visiting the web portal located at www.meetnow.global/M5C9YPP and entering the control number found on the proxy card or voting instruction form.

What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

Many stockholders hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.

Stockholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Inc., you are considered the stockholder of record of those shares and the Notice is being sent directly to you by us.
Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name,” and the Notice is being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee, which is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker on how to vote your shares and are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting.

What will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting?

The presence at the Annual Meeting, virtually or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of our common stock outstanding on the Record Date ( , 2023) will constitute a quorum, permitting the stockholders to conduct business at the Annual Meeting. We will include abstentions and broker non-votes in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were shares of our common stock outstanding.

If a quorum is not present to transact business at the Annual Meeting or if we do not receive sufficient votes in favor of the proposals by the date of the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Annual Meeting to permit solicitation of additional proxies.

9


What are broker non-votes?

Broker non-votes occur when nominees, such as banks and brokers holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners, do not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owners before the Annual Meeting. If that happens, the nominees may vote those shares only on matters deemed “routine.” On non-routine matters, nominees cannot vote without instructions from the beneficial owner, resulting in a so-called “broker non-vote.”

Proposal 2 (Ratification of Cherry Bekaert) is the only proposal that is considered “routine.” If you are a beneficial owner and your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, the broker or other nominee is permitted to vote your shares on the ratification of the appointment of Daszkal Bolton LLPCherry Bekaert as our independent auditorregistered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, even if the broker or other nominee does not receive voting instructions from you.

Proposal 1 (Election of Directors), Proposal 3 (Amended and Restated Charter), Proposals 4A-4F (Advisory Charter Proposals), Proposal 5 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation) and Proposal 6 (Advisory Vote on Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation) are considered “non-routine” proposals. Consequently, if you do not give your broker or other nominee voting instructions, your broker or other nominee will not be able to vote on these proposals, and broker non-votes may exist with respect to the election of directors, the approval and adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter, the approval of the Advisory Charter Proposals, the advisory vote on executive compensation and the advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation.

How many votes are needed for the proposals to pass?

Proposal 1 (Election of Directors): The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required for the election of directors. For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum;
Proposal 2 (Ratification of Cherry Bekaert): The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. For purposes of the vote on the ratification of Cherry Bekaert as our independent registered public accounting firm, abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum;
Proposal 3 (Amended and Restated Charter): The affirmative vote of (i) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and (ii) two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present, virtually or by proxy, at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve and adopt the Amended and Restated Charter. For purposes of the approval and adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter, abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. For purposes of determining whether a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Charter, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal. For purposes of determining whether two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present, virtually or by proxy, approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Charter, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered present and will have no effect on the result of the vote;
Proposals 4A-4F (Advisory Charter Proposals): The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve each of the Advisory Charter Proposals. For purposes of the approval of the Advisory Charter Proposals, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. The approval (or lack of approval) of each of the Advisory Charter Proposals will have no effect on the adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter if the adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter is approved by the affirmative

10


vote of (i) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and (ii) two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present, virtually or by proxy;
Proposal 5 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation): The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. For purposes of the advisory vote on executive compensation, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum;
Proposal 6 (Advisory Vote on Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation): A plurality of the votes cast is required for our stockholders to recommend, on an advisory basis, a preferred frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation. For purposes of the advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.

Will any other matters be voted on?

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any matters that will come before the Annual Meeting other than those disclosed in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will vote the shares represented by the proxies on the other matters in the manner recommended by our Board, or, if no such recommendation is given, in the discretion of the proxy holders.

How do I vote?

If you are a registered stockholder, you may submit your proxy by U.S. mail, internet or telephone by following the instructions included with your proxy card. The deadline for submitting your proxy card by internet or telephone is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on , 2023, which is the day before the Annual Meeting date. The designated proxy will vote according to your instructions. You may also attend the Annual Meeting and vote at the meeting.

If you are a street name or beneficial stockholder because your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, your broker or nominee firm will provide you with the Notice. Follow the instructions on the Notice to access our proxy materials and vote by internet. If you receive these materials in paper form, the materials include a voting instruction card so that you can instruct your broker or nominee on how to vote your shares.

If you submit your proxy without specifying how you would like your shares voted, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations specified above under “What are the Board’s voting recommendations?” and in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders with respect to any other matters that may be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

If I plan to attend the Annual Meeting, should I still vote by proxy?

Yes. Voting in advance does not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting. If you send in your proxy card and also attend the Annual Meeting, you do not need to vote again at the Annual Meeting unless you want to change your vote. Beneficial owners who wish to vote at the Annual Meeting must request a legal proxy from the organization that holds their shares and submit it to our transfer agent, Computershare Inc., by email at legalproxy@computershare.com or by mail at Computershare Inc., Broad Street Realty, Inc. Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001, Providence, RI 02940-3001. The deadline to submit a legal proxy to our transfer agent is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on , 2023.

How are proxy card votes counted?

If the proxy card is properly signed and returned to us, and not subsequently revoked, it will be voted as directed by you. Unless contrary instructions are given, the persons designated as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote: “FOR” the election of all nominees for the Board named in this Proxy Statement; “FOR” the ratification of the

11


appointment of Cherry Bekaert as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010 on your behalf .


Q:Who will count the vote?
A:Representatives of Computershare, our transfer agent, will tabulate the votes.  Mr. Rutstein will be responsible for reviewing the vote count as election inspector.

Q:What shares are included on the proxy card and what does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
A:The number of shares printed on your proxy card(s) represents all your shares.  Receipt of more than one proxy card means that your shares are registered differently and are in more than one account.  Sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.  The number of shares printed on your proxy card(s) has been adjusted for our 1-for-10 reverse stock split effectuated on April 7, 2010.

Q:What constitutes a quorum?
A:As of the record date, 3,017,791 shares of our common stock were outstanding.  A majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, present or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum for adopting a proposal at the annual meeting.  If you submit a properly executed proxy card, you will be considered part of the quorum.  If you are present or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and you abstain, your abstention will have the same effect as a vote against the approval our 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan (Proposal 2).  “Broker non-votes” will not be part of the voting power present, but will be counted to determine whether or not a quorum is present.  A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker holding stock in “street name” indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter.

Q:Who can attend the annual meeting?
A:All stockholders as of the record date, May 6, 2010, can attend.

Q:What percentage of stock are the directors and officers entitled to vote at the annual meeting?
A:Together, they own 981,134 shares of our common stock, or 32.5% of the stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting.  (See page 20 for more details.)

Q:Who are our largest stockholders?
A:Paul S. Dennis, a director, beneficially owns 364,792 shares of our common stock, or 12.1%, as of the record date and Gary O. Marino, our chairman, president and chief executive officer, beneficially owns 212,728 shares of common stock, or 7.0% as of the record date.

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Q:When is a stockholder proposal due for our next annual meeting?
A:
In order to be considered at next year’s annual meeting, stockholder proposals must be submitted in writing by January 26, 2011, to C. Lawrence Rutstein, Vice President of Administration, Banyan Rail Services Inc., 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, and must be in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act).  (See page 22 for more details.)

Q:How do I communicate with the board of directors?
A:
Stockholders may send communications to our board to C. Lawrence Rutstein, Vice President of Administration, Banyan Rail Services Inc., 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.  (See page 22 for more details.)

Q:How do I nominate someone to be a director?
A:
A stockholder may recommend any person as a nominee for director by writing to our chief executive officer at Banyan Rail Services Inc., 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.  Recommendations for next year’s annual meeting must be received no earlier than April 2, 2011, and no later than May 2, 2011, and must be in accordance with the requirements of our nomination policy.  (See page 9 for more details.)

Q:Who pays for the solicitation expenses?
A:The expense of soliciting proxies, including the cost of preparing, printing and mailing the proxy materials, will be paid by us.  In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made personally, by telephone and by facsimile, and we may pay persons holding shares for others their expenses for sending proxy materials to their principals.  No solicitation will be made other than by our directors, officers and employees.

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At this annual meeting, four directors are to be elected to hold office until2023; “FOR” the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are duly electedapproval and qualified.  Nominees for election this year are Paul S. Dennis, Gary O. Marino, Bennett Marks and Donald D. Redfearn.  Each has consented to serve until the next annual meeting or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

If any director to be elected is unable to stand for re-election, the board may, by resolution, provide for a lesser number of directors or designate a substitute.  In the latter event, shares represented by proxies may be voted for a substitute director.  We need the affirmative voteadoption of the holdersAmended and Restated Charter; “FOR” the approval of a pluralityeach of the Advisory Charter Proposals; “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers; “ONE YEAR” as the preferred frequency with which stockholders are provided an advisory vote on executive compensation and as recommended by our Board with regard to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or, if no such recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

May I revoke my vote after I return my proxy card?

Yes. You may revoke a previously granted proxy and change your vote at any time before the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting by (i) filing with our Secretary a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date or (ii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in the virtual meeting portal.

Who pays the costs of soliciting proxies?

We will pay the costs of soliciting proxies, including preparation and mailing of the Notice, this Proxy Statement, the proxy card and the 2022 Annual Report to Stockholders/Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, coordination of the internet and telephone voting process and any additional information furnished to you by the Company. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of our common stock present or representedbeneficially owned by proxy at the annual meetingothers to elect directors.


The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR Mr. Dennis, Mr. Marino, Mr. Marks and Mr. Redfearn.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Name Age Position Director Since
Gary O. Marino 65 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer 2007
Bennett Marks 61 Director 2008
Paul S. Dennis 71 Director 2007
Donald D. Redfearn 58 Director 2010

Gary O. Marino joined our board in January 2007, was appointed chairman in January 2008 and president and chief executive officer in November 2008.  Mr. Marino has served as chairman, president and CEO of Patriot Rail Corp., an owner and operator of short line and regional railroads, since 2005, and formerly held the same positions at RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE: RRA), a company he founded in 1985, until his retirement in 2004.  From 1984 until 1993, Mr. Marino served as chairman, president and CEO of Boca Raton Capital Corporation, a publicly owned venture capital investment company.  Priorforward to that he spent more than ten years in commercial banking in New York as a senior loan officer and for more than five years was also president and CEO of two small business investment companies (SBICs), as well as president of a Florida-based commercial bank.  Mr. Marino received his B.A. degree from Colgate University and his M.B.A. from Fordham University.  From 1966 to 1969, he served as an officer of the United States Army Ordnance Corps.  He has also served on the board of directors of the American Association of Railroads. We believe Mr. Marino is well qualified to serve on the board due to his extensive knowledge of the railroad industry as well as his investment banking experience.

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Bennett Marks joined the board in November 2008 and served as our vice president and chief financial officer from November 2008 to May 2010.  Mr. Marks has been executive vice president and CFO of Patriot Rail Corp., an owner and operator of short line and regional railroads, since 2005.  Mr. Marks has served as EVP and CFO of six publicly-held and privately-owned companies in the transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, distribution and telecommunications industries. While CFO at RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE: RRA), he developed and implemented the financial framework of the company as revenues grew from $130 million to $450 million. Mr. Marks has more than twenty years of experience in public accounting, including ten years as an audit/client services partner with KPMG where he was an Associate SEC Reviewing Partner and the Administrative Partner in Charge of the West Palm Beach office.  A licensed CPA in Florida and New York, he has held leadership positions in a variety of community, charitable, and professional organizations. Mr. Marks received his degree in accounting from New York University. We believe Mr. Marks is well qualified to serve on the board due to his extensive finance and accounting knowledge as well as his experience in the railroad industry.

Paul S. Dennis joined the board in January 2007 and was appointed interim chief financial officer in February 2007 and interim chief executive officer in April 2008. Mr. Dennis stepped down as interim CEO and CFO in November 2008. Mr. Dennis has served as president and CEO of Associated Health Care Management Company, Inc. since 1977.  Health Care Management is a Cleveland, Ohio based company that managed eight nursing care facilities and four congregate living facilities.  The company has sold all but one of its facilities. Mr. Dennis has also been a director and officer with various companies and business ventures including gaming supply manufacturing and distribution, hardware distribution, pharmaceutical distribution and steel fabricating industries. He is a real estate developer, general contractor, owner and investor. We believe Mr. Dennis is highly qualified to serve on Banyan’s board due to his broad experience as an entrepreneur and CEO.

Donald D. Redfearn joined the board in January 2010.  Mr. Redfearn has been the owner of Redfearn Enterprises, LLC, a real estate holding company, since 2007.  From 2004 to 2007, he served as president of RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE: RRA), a railroad holding company, and from 1989 to 2004 he served as executive vice president of RailAmerica.  He also served as a director of RailAmerica since its inception in 1986 through 2007.  Mr. Redfearn received his B.A. degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami and graduated from the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.  Active in local charities, Mr. Redfearn is a member of the United Way Leadership Circle. We believe Mr. Redfearn is highly qualified to serve as a director due to his experience in the railroad industry.

Director Independence
Our board has determined that two of our four directors, Paul S. Dennis and Donald D. Redfearn, are “independent” as defined by NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).  Although we are not listed for trading on the NASDAQ stock market, we have selected the NASDAQ rules as an appropriate guideline for determining the independence of our board members.

7


Board Leadership Structure
The board does not have a policy as to whether the roles of our chairman and chief executive officer should be separate.  Instead, the board makes this determination based on what best serves Banyan’s needs at any given time.  Currently, Mr. Marino holds the positions of chairman and chief executive officer of Banyan and the board does not have a lead independent director.  We feel our current structure is appropriate at this time because we are in the early stages of our business and our board only has four members.  The board believes that effective board leadership is highly dependent on the experience, skills and personal interaction between persons in leadership roles.  Mr. Marino’s extensive knowledge, skills and experience provides vital leadership to Banyan and enables him to set our strategic direction, with significant input from our board, including our two independent directors.  As we continue to grow and develop our business and add additional directors as we intend, the board may decide to separate the positions of chairman and chief executive officer or choose a lead independent director in the future.

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
Although management is responsible for the day-to-day management of the risks that the company faces, our board has broad oversight responsibility for our risk management programs.  In this oversight role, the board takes steps to satisfy itself that the risk management processes and risk mitigation strategies designed and implemented by our management team are functioning and effective.  Our management team meets regularly to assess any significant or potentially significant operational, financial, legal, regulatory and other risks to the company.  Management, including our chief executive officer, who is also a board member, reports on significant or potentially significant risks identified by management for the full board’s consideration and evaluation.  In addition, our board consults with outside consultants, such as the company’s legal counsel or accountants, regarding various areas of potential risk and the steps management has taken to minimize these risks.

Attendance of Directors at Meetings
In 2009, the board of directors met six times and acted by written consent five times.

Directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of stockholders, either in person or by teleconference.  We did not hold an annual meeting last year because we were a shell company without operations prior to our acquisition of The Wood Energy Group.

Director Nominating Process
Our board of directors does not have a nominating committee.  Instead, the board believes it is in the best interests of the company to rely on the insight and expertise of all directors in the nominating process.

Our directors will recommend qualified candidates for director to the full board and nominees are subject to approval by a majority of our board members.  Nominees are not required to possess specific skills or qualifications; however, nominees are recommended and approved based on various criteria including relevant skills and experience, personal integrity and ability and willingness to devote their time and efforts to Banyan. Qualified nominees are considered without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. We do not use a third party to locate or evaluate potential candidates for director.

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The board of directors considers nominees recommended by stockholders according to the same criteria. A stockholder desiring to nominate a director for election must deliver a notice to our chief executive officer at our principal executive office.  Nominations for next year’s annual meeting must be received no earlier than April 2, 2011, and no later than May 2, 2011.  The notice must include as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as director:

·the name, age, business address and residence address of the person,
·the principal occupation or employment of the person,
·the written consent of the person to being named in the proxy as a nominee and to serving as a director,
·the class and number of our shares of stock beneficially owned by the person, and
·any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of director pursuant to Rule 14a under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

and as to the stockholder giving the notice:

·the name and record address of the stockholder, and
·the class and number of our shares beneficially owned by the stockholder.

beneficial owners. We may require any proposed nominee to furnish additional information reasonably required by us to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as our director.

Director Compensation
The following table summarizes information with respect to the compensation paid to our directors in 2009.  As an executive officer of Banyan, Gary Marino is included in our summary compensation table beginning on page 11 and, therefore, is not included in this table.
Name 
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
  
Option
Awards(1)
  
All Other
Compensation
  Total 
Paul S. Dennis    $25,000     $25,000 
Bennett Marks    $25,000     $25,000 
Harvey J. Polly(2)
            

(1)The fair value of stock options is determined as of the date of grant. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate compensation cost for stock option awards. Please see the table regarding the assumptions used in this calculation in Note 14, “Stock-Based Compensation” to the consolidated financial statements in our 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2010.
(2)Mr. Polly resigned as a director on February 1, 2010. Mr. Polly did not receive any stock options or other form of compensation in 2009.

9


Committees of the Board
We are still in the early stages of our business plan and our board currently has only four members. Because of the small size of our board, our directors have not yet designated audit, nominating or other committees. Instead, these responsibilities are handled by the entire board. Without an audit committee, we have not designated a director as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. Although we are pleased with the diverse skills and level of expertise that our directors possess, we intend to add additional directors as our operations grow. Our board plans to form appropriate committees at that time.

Code of Ethics
In March 2004, our board of directors unanimously adopted a code of conduct and ethics that applies to all of our officers, directors and employees, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and principal accounting officer. We will provide a copy of our code without charge upon written request to C. Lawrence Rutstein, Vice President of Administration, 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

NameAgePosition
Gary O. Marino65Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Larry Forman55Chief Financial Officer
C. Lawrence Rutstein65Vice President of Administration and Secretary
Greg Smith47President of Wood Energy
Andy C. Lewis41Vice President of Wood Energy

* Information for Mr. Marino can be found under “Board of Directors.”

Larry Forman joined us as chief financial officer on May 26, 2010.  Mr. Forman served as vice president and corporate controller of Gulfstream International Group, Inc., a publicly owned regional airline from January 2009 until May of 2010.  From August 2005 to December 2008 he served as vice president of finance for Dynalco Controls, a subsidiary of Crane Co., a $2.7 billion publicly traded company.  From 1982 through 2005 he served as CFO, COO and vice president of finance for several publicly traded and private companies in New York, Washington, D.C. and South Florida.  Mr. Forman was a senior auditor for Grant Thornton and Company from 1979 to 1982.  Mr. Forman is a certified public accountant and received his bachelor of science in accounting degree from Queens College in New York City.

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C. Lawrence Rutstein has served as our vice president of administration and secretary since 2008.  He also serves as vice president – contracts and administration for Patriot Rail Corp.  Mr. Rutstein has over 40 years of legal and business experience.  From 1968 through 1970, Mr. Rutstein practiced securities law and corporate banking for several major Philadelphia law firms.  In 1971 to 1972, he served as Assistant Attorney General and Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and later in 1972 became the first in-house counsel for Continental Bank.  In 1982, Mr. Rutstein founded Parker & Rutstein, a corporate law firm in Philadelphia.  In 1989, he led an IPO for Cedar Group, Inc., and served as its CEO until 1991.  From 1995 to 2006 Mr. Rutstein has served as a consultant to a number of public and private companies both in Philadelphia and south Florida and has served as an executive, director and entrepreneur with several of them.  Mr. Rutstein earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts and his law degree from Harvard Law School.

Greg Smith has served as president of our Wood Energy subsidiary since he founded the company in 2001.  Mr. Smith has been in the business of railroad tie reclamation and disposal since 1991.  He founded Wood Waste Energy and built it into the country’s largest railroad tie recovery service. Wood Waste Energy was the first company to produce railroad tie-derived fuel, with Mr. Smith developing a patented design for processing used ties.  He also developed an efficient system for crews to pick up rail ties behind railroad system gangs. He has worked as a contractor for many large railroads, namely BNSF (1997 to 2001); Union Pacific (1991 to present); Norfolk Southern (1994 to 2000); Illinois Central (1997 to 2001); and Kansas City Southern (1998 to 2001).  Mr. Smith sold Wood Waste Energy in 1999 and it remains the largest railroad tie recovery company in the U.S.  Mr. Smith is a graduate of the University of Kansas.

Andy C. Lewis has served as vice president of our Wood Energy subsidiary since 2001.  Mr. Lewis has been managing railroad tie pick-up crews since 1997, and has extensive experience in managing field crew employees, hi-rail boom trucks, tie-cranes, railcars and semi-tractor trailers.  He has worked with many of the Class I railroads over the past 12 years as a manager of Wood Waste Energy and as vice president of Wood Energy.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Officer Compensation Decisions
Mr. Marino, our chairman, president and chief executive officer, generally recommends the compensation for our executive officers and compensation is then approved by the full board, including our independent directors.  We do not have a compensation committee.  Our board believes a compensation committee is not necessary at this time because our board only has four members, no member of our board is paid a salary for serving as an officer, and executive officer compensation is approved by our full board.

Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the compensation paid by us to our chairman, president and chief executive officer and our other most highly compensated executive officers receiving more than $100,000 annually.

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Name and Principal Position Year 
Salary
($)
  
Bonus
($)
  
Option
Awards
($)
  
All Other
Compensation
($)
  
Total
($)
 
Gary O. Marino 2009           25,000   25,000 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer* 2008               
Greg Smith 2009  194,154            194,154 
President of Wood Energy 2008  313,000            313,000 
Andy C. Lewis 2009  194,154            194,154 
Vice President of Wood Energy 2008  283,222            283,222 


*Mr. Marino does not receive compensation for service as our chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “All other compensation” consists of option awards granted to Mr. Marino for service as a director.  Mr. Marino was appointed our chief executive officer in November 2008.  The fair value of stock options is determined as of the date of grant. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate compensation cost for stock option awards. Please see the table regarding the assumptions used in this calculation in Note 14, “Stock-Based Compensation” to our consolidated financial statements in our 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2010.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2009
The following table summarizes information with respect to the stock options held by the executive officers in our summary compensation table as of December 31, 2009.

Name 
Number of
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
  
Number of
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
  
Option
Exercise
Price
 
Option
Expiration
Date
 
Gary O. Marino  25,000     $3.50  06/01/2014
(1)
    25,000     $3.50  10/23/2010
(2)


(1)Options vested on June 1, 2009, the date of grant.
(2)Options vested on October 23, 2007, the date of grant.

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PROPOSAL 2 — APPROVAL OF OUR 2010 STOCK OPTION AND AWARD PLAN
Our board of directors has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, our 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan (the plan). The plan was adopted by our board of directors on May 21, 2010. The market price of our common stock as of the close of trading on the record date, May 6, 2010, was $3.50.
Our board believes that the plan is necessary because it enables us to attract, retain and motivate key employees, executive officers and directors and to align their interests with our stockholders. A summary of the basic features of the plan is set forth below. This summary is subject to the specific provisions contained in the full text of the plan attached as Annex A to this proxy statement.
Purpose. The purpose of the plan is to provide additional incentive to attract and retain qualified and competentreimburse persons who are key to the company, including our executive officers, key employees and directors and to encourage them to acquire a proprietary and vested interest in our growth and performance to generate increased incentive to contribute to our future success and prosperity, thus enhancing our value for the benefit of our stockholders.
Administration. The plan is administered by the board or a subcommittee of the board. Under the terms of the plan, the board has the authority to select the participants, make awards in amounts and form as the board may determine, impose restrictions, terms and conditions upon such awards as the board deems appropriate, interpret and administer the plan or any agreements under the plan, and establish such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it deems appropriate for the proper administration of the plan.
Eligibility. Any of our officers, employees or directors is eligible to receive awards under the plan. Awards under the plan are be made by the board or a subcommittee of the board.
Section 409A. Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the tax code) made important changes to the tax treatment of nonqualified deferred compensation. Awards held by participants that are subject to but fail to comply with Section 409A are subject to a penalty tax of 20% in addition to ordinary income tax, as well as to interest charges. In addition, the failure to comply with Section 409A may result in an acceleration of the timing of income inclusion with respect to awards for income tax purposes. Awards granted under the plan are intended to be exempt from the rule of Section 409A and will be administered accordingly. The board will administer any award resulting in a deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A consistent with the requirements of Section 409A to the maximum extent possible, as determined by the board.
Awards. All awards are evidenced by an award agreement between us and the individual participant that is approved by the board. In the discretion of the board, an eligible participant may receive awards from one or more of the categories described below, and more than one award may be granted to an eligible participant.
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Types of awards under the plan include:

·
Stock Options.  The board may grant incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock options.  An incentive stock option is intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the tax code.  A nonstatutory stock option is any other stock option granted by the board that is not specifically designated as an incentive stock option. The exercise price of stock options is determined by the board, but the exercise price cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock as of the close of business on the grant date.  The term of each stock option is determined by the board, but the term of an incentive stock option cannot exceed 10 years, or 5 years if granted to a 10% stockholder.  Options may be exercised in whole or in part, and the option price may be satisfied in cash or, if permitted by the board, by surrendering previously acquired shares of our common stock having a fair market value on the exercise date equal to the total option price or other consideration.

·
Restricted Shares.  Restricted shares are shares of our common stock granted to a participant, subject to such restrictions as the board deems appropriate, including restrictions on the sale or transfer of the shares and the requirement that the shares be forfeited upon termination of employment for any reason before the award vests.  Terms of the restricted shares that may be imposed by the board may include restrictions on the right to receive cash dividends and the right to vote the stock.  Except as specified in the restricted share award agreement, the holder of a restricted share award will have all the rights of a holder of our common stock.

Number of Awards.  The maximum numberrepresenting beneficial owners of shares of our common stock for which awardstheir costs of forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Original solicitation of proxies by internet and mail may be grantedsupplemented by telephone, facsimile or personal solicitation by our directors, officers or other regular employees.

You should rely only on the information provided in this Proxy Statement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. You should not assume that the information in this Proxy Statement is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Proxy Statement or, where information relates to another date set forth in this Proxy Statement, then as of that date.

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Proposal 1: Election of Directors

Our Board is currently comprised of eight directors, all of whom have terms expiring at the Annual Meeting. The seven nominees below have been nominated by our Board for election to serve as directors for one-year terms until the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Based on its review of the relationships between the director nominees and the Company, our Board has affirmatively determined that the following directors are “independent” directors under the plan may not exceed 300,000.  The limit onrules of the number of shares described in this paragraphSecurities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the numberOTCQX Best Market (the “OTCQX”): Messrs. Jeffrey H. Foster, Daniel J.W. Neal and Jeffery C. Walraven.

Vineet P. Bediand Donna Brandin, each of shares subjectwhom have terms expiring at the Annual Meeting, will not stand for re-election to any award under the plan are subject to proportional adjustment as determined by the board to reflect changes in our stock, such as stock dividends and stock splits.


Change of Control.  In order to preserve the participants’ rights, and unless otherwise provided in any option agreement, all stock options will become fully vested and exercisable if there isBoard. Our Board has approved a “change in control” of the company, as that term is definedreduction in the plan.

Federal Tax Consequences.  The following is a brief summary of the federal income tax consequences of the awards under the plan based on current provisions of the tax code.  The following is not intended to be complete and does not describe any state or local tax consequences.

Stock Options.  The grant of a stock option under the plan does not result in taxable income at the time of grant for the participant or us.

Nonstatutory Stock Option.  A participant generally recognizes taxable income, subject to income tax withholding, upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock option equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares purchased on the exercise date over the exercise price.  We are entitled to a corresponding deduction as a business expense in the year the participant recognizes income.
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Incentive Stock Option.  A participant does not recognize income, except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, upon exercise of an incentive stock option.  If the shares acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option are held for the longer of two years from the date the option was granted or one year from the date it was exercised, any gain or loss arising from a subsequent disposition of such shares is taxed as long-term capital gain or loss, and we are not entitled to any deduction.  If, however, such shares are disposed of within the above-described period, then in the year of such disposition, the participant recognizes taxable income equal to the lesser of:

·the amount realized upon such disposition, or

·the excess of the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price.

In either case, we are entitled to a corresponding deduction as a business expense.

Restricted Share Awards.  Generally, when a restricted share award vests and is no longer subject to forfeiture the fair market value of the shares received at the time of vesting is ordinary income to the participant and is allowed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes by us.

Amendments and Termination.  The board may amend, alter or discontinue the plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation can be made that would impair the rights of any participant under an award, without the participant’s approval.  In addition, no amendment, alteration or discontinuation of the plan can be made without the approvalsize of our stockholders that would:

·increase the number of shares reserved under the plan, or

·change the individuals eligible to participate in the plan.

The board may amend the terms of any award granted, but such amendment cannot impair the rights of a participant without the participant’s consent.  The board may also substitute new awards for previously granted awards, including previously granted options having higher option prices.

Term of the plan and effective date.  The planBoard from eight directors to seven directors, which will be effective following the Annual Meeting.

The Board knows of no reason why any nominee would be unable to serve as a director. If any nominee is unavailable for election or service, the Board may designate a substitute nominee and the persons designated as proxy holders on July 1, 2010, if approvedthe proxy card will vote for the substitute nominee recommended by the Board. Under these circumstances, the Board may also, as permitted by our stockholdersbylaws, decrease the size of the Board.

Nominees for Election for a One-Year Term Expiring at the 2024 Annual Meeting

The following table sets forth the name and age of each nominee for director, indicating all positions and offices with us currently held by the director.

Name

 

Age

 

 

Position(s)

 

Director Since

Michael Z. Jacoby

 

 

60

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

2019

Jeffrey H. Foster (1) (2)

 

 

60

 

 

Director

 

2019

Daniel J.W. Neal (2) (3)

 

 

65

 

 

Director

 

2019

Noah Shore (4)

 

 

50

 

 

Director

 

2022

Samuel M. Spiritos (1) (3)

 

 

61

 

 

Director

 

2019

Jeffery C. Walraven (5)

 

 

54

 

 

Director Nominee

 

N/A

Thomas M. Yockey (1) (3)

 

 

68

 

 

Director

 

2019

_____________________

(1) Member of the Compensation Committee of the Board.

(2) Member of the Audit Committee of the Board.

(3) Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.

(4) Designated as a director by CF Flyer PE Investor LLC (the “Fortress Member”), an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”), pursuant to the Governance Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2022 (the “Fortress Governance Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Fortress Member and Messrs. Jacoby and Yockey.

(5) Our Board has approved the assignment of Mr. Walraven to serve as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board, subject to his election to the Board at the Annual Meeting.

Set forth below are descriptions of the backgrounds and principal occupations of each of our directors, and the period during which he or she has served as a director.

Michael Z. Jacoby. Mr. Jacoby has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since December 2019. Mr. Jacoby co-founded Broad Street Realty, LLC ("BSR") in 2002 and served as Chief Executive Officer of BSR from 2002 to December 2019. Mr. Jacoby has more than 36 years of experience in the real estate industry and is an expert in large-scale leasing, acquisition, and development transactions. He has successfully completed commercial property transactions involving the acquisition, financing, development and leasing of more than 28 million square feet of properties throughout the United States. Prior to co-founding BSR, Mr. Jacoby co-founded Core Location LLC, a firm focused on the data center industry and his major roles included development, leasing, and capital partner relationships. During his time at Core Location, Mr. Jacoby was instrumental in the development of the 1.2 million square foot Lakeside Technology Center in Chicago, Illinois, the world's largest data center, the San Jose Technology Center in San Jose, California and the Metro Atlanta Technology Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to co-founding Core Location, Mr. Jacoby was senior vice president and manager of the Ezra Company.

13


He served as manager of the HQ office and on the Ezra Board of Directors. At Ezra, he specialized in advising and negotiating on behalf of technology companies throughout the United States. Mr. Jacoby holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington & Lee University. Based on his knowledge of the Company, its business and properties as a co-founder of BSR and his extensive experience in the real estate industry, we have determined that date.  The plan will terminateMr. Jacoby should serve as a director.

Jeffrey H. Foster. Mr. Foster has served as a director of the Company since December 2019. Since October 2021, he has served as Chief Financial Officer of Cloud Capital, a private equity fund focused on July 1, 2020, ten yearsacquiring data centers. Since 2018, he has served as an Adjunct Professor of Real Estate at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Mr. Foster served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of DuPont Fabros Technology (formerly NYSE: DFT), a public data center REIT, from 2013 until it was acquired in 2017. As Chief Financial Officer, he was responsible for obtaining financing through common and preferred equity, bonds and bank debt. He was also responsible for strategic planning, investor relations, and accounting. From 2007 to 2014, Mr. Foster served as Chief Accounting Officer of DFT. Mr. Foster played an integral role in DFT’s initial public offering in 2007 and its sale to Digital Realty Trust in 2017. Prior to his time at DFT, Mr. Foster served as the Chief Accounting Officer of Global Signal, the first publicly traded cell tower REIT. Mr. Foster began his career as a CPA at Arthur Anderson. Mr. Foster also serves on the board and chairs the audit committee of Pegasus Digital Mobility Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company focused on consummating a business combination in the digital mobility sector, and serves on the board of Vault Digital Infrastructure, LP, a data center company. Mr. Foster has a B.S. in Accounting from the dateUniversity of Florida and a Masters in Accountancy from the planUniversity of South Florida. Based on his experience as an executive officer of public REITs and his financial expertise, we have determined that Mr. Foster should serve as a director.

Daniel J.W. Neal. Mr. Neal has served as a director of the Company since December 2019. From 2006 to January 2023, Mr. Neal served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Kajeet, Inc. a privately held cloud software and wireless networking technologies company that he founded. Since January 2023, he has served as the Executive Chairman of Kajeet. Prior to founding Kajeet, Mr. Neal served as chief executive officer & vice chairman of VCampus Corporation (formerly NASDAQ: VCMP). Prior to VCampus, Mr. Neal was part of the team that built USinternetworking, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: USIX). USinternetworking had a successful initial public offering and secondary offering and was subsequently acquired by AT&T. Mr. Neal is approvedan inventor on 31 U.S. patents in the fields of wireless technology and software. Before entering the technology sector, Mr. Neal worked in real estate finance and in public sector real estate development. Mr. Neal was recruited by our stockholders. Awards outstandingthe Public Buildings Service of the U.S. General Services Administration to lead a large team of real estate facilities planners responsible for the analysis and programming of an 80 million square foot portfolio of owned and leased real estate in the national capital region. Mr. Neal also worked at a senior level in the Office of the Vice President to effect management improvements in Federal real estate financing, development and portfolio management. Mr. Neal holds an AB in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Based on his C-suite level management experience, including as a public company executive officer, we have determined that Mr. Neal should serve as a director.

Noah Shore. Mr. Shore is a Managing Director for the Fortress Credit Funds Business and is based in Los Angeles. Mr. Shore is head of the Real Estate Special Situations group and responsible for the West Coast Real Estate debt business. Mr. Shore has spent the last 26 years in his career focused on commercial real estate investment and development. Mr. Shore joined Fortress in 2007 and has originated direct loans, real estate and corporate securities, and real estate equity investments in most asset classes including office, hotel, retail, residential, and industrial. Prior to joining Fortress, Mr. Shore was a Vice President at The Taubman Company where he spent nine years working in all aspects of real estate acquisitions, leasing and development, focused on enhancing existing value, as well as unlocking and/or creating new value. Mr. Shore is a full member of the Urban Land Institute, a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and on the National Advisor Board of the Real Estate Center at the endUniversity of Colorado. Mr. Shore received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado Boulder. Pursuant to the Fortress Governance Agreement, Mr. Shore was designated as a director by the Fortress Member. Based on his real estate investment and development experience, we have determined that Mr. Shore should serve as a director.

Samuel M. Spiritos. Mr. Spiritos has served as a director of the ten years will be subject to their terms but no further award will be granted afterCompany since December 2019. Since 2013, Mr. Spiritos has served as the termination dateManaging Shareholder of Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A, a full-service Maryland law firm. Mr. Spiritos also currently serves as the Chair of the plan.


15
Shulman Rogers Hospitality Practice, where

14



he focuses on deal structuring, purchase and sale contracts, franchise agreements, management agreements, financings (representing creditors and owners), joint ventures, construction and development. Mr. Spiritos has over 30 years of experience advising clients in commercial real estate transactions involving all asset classes. Mr. Spiritos also represents both lenders and borrowers on commercial loan transactions, particularly acquisitions and development financings, asset-based lending, health care financings, construction and permanent loans, retail, office and hotel development and financings and workouts. Prior to his service as Managing Shareholder, Mr. Spiritos served as Chair of both the Shulman Rogers Real Estate Department and the Commercial Real Estate Transactions Practice Group. Mr. Spiritos serves as Chair of the Board of Best Buddies (Maryland, D.C. Metro area). Mr. Spiritos holds a BS from The Wharton School of Management of the University of Pennsylvania, a J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law and an M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Based on his leadership experience and in advising on commercial real estate transactions and financing transactions, we have determined that Mr. Spiritos should serve as a director.

Jeffery C. Walraven. Mr. Walraven has served as the Chief Operating Officer, a director and co-founder of Freehold Properties, Inc., a REIT that finances cannabis-related real estate, since its formation in May 2019. From January 2014 to May 2019, Mr. Walraven served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MedEquities Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly, NYSE: MRT), an internally managed healthcare REIT that was initially funded privately in July 2014, completed an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2016 and was subsequently sold to Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE: OHI) that closed in May 2019. From 2006 to 2013, Mr. Walraven held several positions with BDO USA, LLP, most recently as an assurance managing partner of the Memphis office, where his primary responsibilities included providing core and peripheral assurance services and business operational and tax consulting services. Mr. Walraven has over 20 years of public accounting experience, serving many public REIT clients since 1999. Mr. Walraven worked extensively with publicly-traded companies on all aspects of compliance with Securities Act (as defined below) and Exchange Act (as defined below) filings, including quarterly, annual and special reports, and compliance relating to acquisitions, dispositions and securities offerings. Mr. Walraven has had signing engagement partner responsibility for numerous public and private securities offering by REITs and other clients, including initial public offerings, secondary offerings and private placements. Mr. Walraven holds a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Management from Bob Jones University and a Masters of Professional Accountancy from Clemson University. Mr. Walraven was nominated to serve as a director because of his extensive experience with public real estate companies and his capital markets, accounting and finance experience.

Thomas M. Yockey. Mr. Yockey has served as a director of the Company since December 2019. Mr. Yockey co-founded BSR in 2002 with Mr. Jacoby and served as President of BSR from 2002 to December 2019. Mr. Yockey has successfully managed large complex technical teams and a full range of development activities including acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, zoning/entitlements, site planning, design, and engineering, permitting, contractor bidding/negotiation, base building construction, tenant improvements and legal matters. Prior to co-founding BSR, Mr. Yockey was Principal and Director of Development for Core Location, LLC, where he managed a national development program, focusing on projects that directly address the unique demands of mission critical telecommunications infrastructure and internet data center providers. His duties included managing the company's development/construction team in the delivery of 2,500,000 square feet of projects over a two-year period and participating as a key member of Core Location's acquisition and due diligence team. He directly managed the development of Core Location's two key projects in partnership with The Carlyle Group of Washington, D.C., including Lakeside Technology Center in Chicago, Illinois and San Jose Technology Center, San Jose, California. Mr. Yockey earned a Masters Degree from the Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan. Based on his knowledge of the Company, its business and properties as a co-founder of BSR and his extensive experience in the real estate industry, we have determined that Mr. Yockey should serve as a director.

Vote Required

and Recommendation

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our common stock present in person or represented by proxyall the votes cast at the annual meetingAnnual Meeting with respect to the matter is required to approvenecessary for the amendment and restatementelection of the plan. The enclosed proxy will be voted FORseven director nominees. For purposes of the vote on this proposal, unlessabstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the proxy holders are otherwise instructed.

result of the vote.

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES SET FORTH ABOVE.

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Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the approvalAudit Committee of our 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan.

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PROPOSAL 3 — RATIFICATION OF
DASZKAL BOLTONBoard, which is composed entirely of independent directors, has appointed Cherry Bekaert LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
On April 29, 2010, the board of directors approved the dismissal of Grant Thornton LLP("Cherry Bekaert") as our independent registered public accounting firm and the appointment of Daszkal Bolton LLP to serve as our registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. Although our bylaws do not require the selection of our independent auditor to be submitted to stockholders for approval, this selection is being presented to you for ratification at the annual meeting. A representative of Daszkal is expected to attend the annual meeting to answer appropriate questions and make a statement if he desires. Representatives of Grant Thornton will not attend the meeting.
We need the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting in order to ratify Daszkal as our independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. Although stockholder approval2023. After careful consideration of the matter and in recognition of the importance of this appointment is not required by law or binding on the board, the board believes that stockholders should be given the opportunitymatter to express their views. If our stockholders, do not ratify the appointmentBoard has determined that it is in the best interests of Daszkal asthe Company and our independent registered public accounting firm, the board will consider this vote in determining whether or notstockholders to continue the engagement of Daszkal.
The enclosed proxy will be voted FOR this proposal unless the proxy holders have otherwise instructed.
The board of directors recommends that you vote FORseek the ratification of Daszkal Bolton LLP asby our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.
Board of Directors Oversight of Audit Process
The firm of Grant Thornton LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm in 2009, was responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of our consolidated audited financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in 2009. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the board of directors reviewed and discussed our consolidated audited financial statements with management and Grant Thornton. The board also discussed with Grant Thornton the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114, as amended, “The Auditor’s Communication with Those Charged with Governance.”
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the board received from our independent auditors the written disclosures and the letter required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding our independent auditor’s communications with the board concerning independence and discussed with the auditors any relationships between the independent auditor and us that may impact their objectivity and independence. In considering the auditors’ independence, the board also considered whether the non-audit services performed by the auditors on our behalf, if any, were compatible with maintaining the independencestockholders of the auditors.
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In reliance upon (1) the board’s reviews and discussions with management and Grant Thornton, (2) management’s assessmentAudit Committee’s selection of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and (3) the receipt of an opinion from Grant Thornton, dated April 14, 2010, stating that the company’s 2009 financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the board determined that these audited financial statements be included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for filing with the SEC.
Gary O. Marino
Paul S. Dennis
Bennett marks
Donald D. Redfearn
Change in Our Independent Accounting Firm
On April 29, 2010, our board of directors approved the dismissal of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Concurrent with this action,A representative of Cherry Bekaert will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

On May 1, 2023 (the “Dismissal Date”), the Audit Committee of our board of directors appointed Daszkal BoltonBoard dismissed BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) as our newthe independent registered public accounting firm. Daszkal is located at 2401 NW Boca Raton Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.

Our financial statementsfirm for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were audited by Grant Thornton. Grant Thornton’sCompany, effective immediately. BDO’s reports on our financial statements as of and for the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion nor was itand were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
Duringprinciples, except that each of BDO’s reports on our financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20092022 and 20082021 contained an explanatory paragraph indicating that there was substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. In addition, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and through2021, as well as during the date of termination of Grant Thornton’s engagement as our independent registered public accounting firm,subsequent interim period preceding the Dismissal Date, there were no disagreements“disagreements” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and related instructions) between us and BDO with Grant Thornton onrespect to any matter ofrelating to accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure,procedures which, disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Grant Thornton,BDO, would have caused itBDO to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in its reports on the our financial statements forwith respect to such periods.
In connection with our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting for 2009, management identified

During the following material weaknesses in Banyan’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009:

Banyan acquired The Wood Energy Group, Inc. in September 2009. The company’s management began to integrate Wood Energy into Banyan, and enhance the internal controls structure and policies and procedures surrounding financial reporting. As of December 31, 2009, all of these enhancements had not been finalized, specifically the recording of deferred revenues and costs associated with projects in process and timely reconciliation of certain balance sheet accounts. Further, Banyan was in need of an additional resource to handle the increase in business activities, and resulting GAAP financial statement and SEC reporting requirements, as a result of the recent acquisition.
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Based upon their evaluation, and as a result of the material weaknesses discussed above, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer each concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2009. However, since the acquisition of Wood Energy was consummated in September 2009, we have made changes to the internal control procedures of Wood Energy to strengthen these controls and to remediate the material weaknesses discussed above. For example, among other things, we have (1) added a controller and an assistant to the president to the staff of Wood Energy, (2) increased the oversight provided by Banyan’s executives over Wood Energy’s operations and financial activities, and (3) instituted procedures to more accurately identify direct costs incurred for each of Wood Energy’s contracts. In addition, we recently hired Larry Forman to serve as our full-time chief financial officer, which will assist in the process of establishing effective internal controls over all processes. Management believes that our internal control over financial reporting has significantly improved.
As a result of the material weaknesses discussed above, Grant Thornton advised Banyan that not all internal controls necessary for Banyan to develop reliable financial statements were present at December 31, 2009. Banyan and Grant Thornton did not express any difference of opinion on this matter.
During thefiscal years ended December 31, 20092022 and 2008 and through2021, as well as during the date of termination of Grant Thornton’s engagement as our independent accountant, other than as disclosed above,subsequent interim period preceding the Dismissal Date, there were no events reportable under“reportable events” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
DuringS-K and the yearsrelated instructions), except for material weaknesses as disclosed under (i) “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures” of each of our (A) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20092022 and 2008(B) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and through(ii) “Item 4. Controls and Procedures” of each of our (A) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the dateperiod ended September 30, 2022, (B) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2022, (C) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022, (D) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2021, (E) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2021 and (F) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021.

We provided BDO a copy of terminationthe disclosure made in response to Item 4.01 of Grant Thornton’s engagementForm 8-K and requested that BDO provide a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not BDO agreed with the disclosure contained in such Form 8-K. The letter provided by BDO is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to our independent accountant, neither Banyan nor anyoneCurrent Report on Banyan’s behalf consultedForm 8-K filed with Daszkal,the SEC on May 3, 2023.

On May 1, 2023, we engaged Cherry Bekaert as our new independent registered public accounting firm appointedupon the approval of the Audit Committee of our Board. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the subsequent interim period through May 1, 2023, the effective date of our engagement of Cherry Bekaert, we did not consult with Cherry Bekaert regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee of our Board reviewed the independence of Cherry Bekaert and has concluded that Cherry Bekaert is independent.

Vote Required and Recommendation

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all the votes cast at the Annual Meeting with respect to the matter is necessary for the approval of the ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert as our independent registered public accounting firm. For purposes of the vote on April 28, 2010, regardingthis proposal, abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote. Even if the appointment of Cherry Bekaert as our independent registered public accounting firm is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, change that appointment at any time during the year should it determine such a change would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests. In the event

16


that the appointment of Cherry Bekaert is not ratified, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of another independent registered public accounting firm, but will not be required to appoint a different firm.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF CHERRY BEKAERTAS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023.

Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 have been audited by BDO, which served as our independent registered public accounting firm for these years.

The following summarizes the fees billed by BDO for services performed for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

$

1,192,445

 

 

$

936,929

 

Audit-Related Fees (2)

 

 

177,750

 

 

 

74,766

 

Total

 

$

1,370,195

 

 

$

1,011,695

 

(1)
Fees for services related to the audit of the Company’s financial statements and review of the Company’s unaudited interim financial statements
(2)
Fees for the audit of the combined statements of revenue and certain operating expenses of the properties that were acquired in 2022 and 2021

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee’s policy is to review and pre-approve, either (1)pursuant to the applicationCompany’s Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) or through a separate pre-approval by the Audit Committee, any engagement of accounting principlesthe Company’s independent auditor to provide any permitted non-audit service to the Company. Pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy, which the Audit Committee reviews and reassesses periodically, a list of specific services within certain categories of services, including audit, audit-related and tax services, are specifically pre-approved for the upcoming or current fiscal year, subject to an aggregate maximum annual fee payable by us for each category of pre-approved services. Any service that is not included in the approved list of services must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee. In addition, the Audit Committee may delegate authority to its chairperson to pre-approve engagements for the performance of audit and non-audit services. Additionally, all audit and permissible non-audit services in excess of the pre-approved fee level, whether or not included on the pre-approved list of services, must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has delegated authority to its chairperson to pre-approve engagements for the performance of audit and non-audit services, for which the estimated cost for such services shall not exceed $50,000 in the aggregate for any calendar year. The chairperson must report all pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting and provide a description of the terms of the engagement. The Audit Committee approved 100% of the audit-related fees for the year ended December 31, 2022.

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Proposal 3: Approval AND Adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter

Stockholders are being asked to approve and adopt the Amended and Restated Charter in the form attached hereto as Annex A, which, in the judgment of the Board, is appropriate to simplify and clarify many amendments to the Existing Charter over the last approximately 35 years and address the needs of the Company in the future. Over the years, many of the amendments superseded other amendments and made reading the Existing Charter difficult. Consolidating amendments to our Existing Charter, making the modifications discussed below and in Proposals 4A-4F and making certain other immaterial modifications will allow the Company’s stockholders to reference one document and better understand the Company’s overall corporate governance structure.

The following is a summary of the key changes between the Existing Charter and the Amended and Restated Charter. This summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the Amended and Restated Charter. All stockholders are encouraged to read the Amended and Restated Charter in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms:

Authorized Share Capital. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide for an increase to our total number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock from 51,000,000 shares to 301,000,000 shares, which would consist of (i) increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares and (ii) maintaining the number of authorized shares of preferred stock at 1,000,000 shares.
Stockholder Voting Rights. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide for certain changes to the voting rights of common stockholders included in the Existing Charter, including clarifying common stockholders voting rights on matters related solely to preferred stockholders and clarifying that there is no right to cumulate votes on behalf of any nominee for election to the Board. The Amended and Restated Charter would also clarify certain stockholder approval rights relating to mergers and other dispositions of the Company’s assets that are governed under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). See "Proposal 4B—Certain Provisions Regarding Stockholder Voting Rights” for a further description of these amendments.
Exclusive Forum for Certain Actions. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, the Court of Chancery would be the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions. Additionally, the Amended and Restated Charter would provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the U.S. federal district courts will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). See "Proposal 4C—Exclusive Forum for Certain Actions” for a further description of these amendments.
Provisions Related to Potential REIT Election. The Amended and Restated Charter would include certain provisions related to a potential future election by the Company to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including provisions giving our Board the authority to make such election and stock ownership limitations and transfer restrictions necessary to comply with requirements for qualification as a REIT. See "Proposal 4D—Provisions Related to Potential REIT Election” for a further description of these amendments.
Amendments to the Charter and Bylaws. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that any amendment or other modification of certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter would require the approval of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon. Additionally, for stockholder-amendments to the bylaws, the Amended and Restated Charter would require the approval of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon. Finally, the Amended and Restated Charter would eliminate the requirement for the approval of holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present to amend the charter or bylaws in a way that reduces the priority of payment or amount payable to holders of shares of common stock upon liquidation or that would diminish or eliminate any voting rights of common stockholders (the “Amendment Approval Rights”). See "Proposal 4E—Amendments to the Charter and Bylaws” for a further description of these amendments.

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Reasons for the Amendments:

The following is a summary of the reasons for the key changes reflected in the Amended and Restated Charter. For further details on the reasons for the key changes in the Amended and Restated Charter, see “Proposal 4: Approval of the Advisory Charter Proposals”:

Authorized Share Capital. Our Board believes an increase in authorized share capital will provide us with increased flexibility in meeting future corporate needs and requirements.
Stockholder Voting Rights. The Board believes that the clarification regarding the voting rights of common stockholders with respect to amendments relating solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock is appropriate to clarify common stockholders’ voting rights with respect to such provisions. The Board also believes it is appropriate to clarify that stockholders do not have a right to cumulate votes on behalf of any nominee for election to the Board since the Existing Charter does not affirmatively grant or deny such right (and the default rule under the DGCL is that stockholders do not have such right). Finally, the Board believes that removing the rights in the Existing Charter related to the approval of mergers and other dispositions of the Company’s assets is appropriate and in the best interest of the Company and the stockholders because such rights are covered in the DGCL.
Exclusive Forum for Certain Actions. The exclusive forum provisions are intended to avoid multiple lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions on related matters, thereby reducing inefficiencies, costs and uncertainty regarding outcomes when two or more similar cases proceed in different jurisdictions. Additionally, the background and experience of the Court of Chancery and the U.S. federal district courts place these courts in the best positions to resolve claims arising under the applicable bodies of law.
Provisions Related to Potential REIT Election. A REIT is an entity entitled to special and beneficial U.S. federal income tax treatment, provided it satisfies various requirements relating to its organization, its ownership, its distributions and the nature of its assets and income. Subject to a number of significant exceptions, a corporation that qualifies as a REIT generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its income and gains that it distributes to its stockholders, reducing its corporate level income taxes and substantially eliminating the “double taxation” of corporate income. Additionally, REITs often declare regular quarterly or monthly distributions to meet distribution requirements. Therefore, in the future, it may be in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders for the Company to make an election to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Board believes it is advisable for the Amended and Restated Charter to include provisions necessary to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT and giving our Board the authority to make an election to be taxed as a REIT.
Amendments to the Charter and Bylaws. The Board believes it is appropriate to adopt the two-thirds voting requirement for the amendment of certain key provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter to avoid arbitrary amendments to such key provisions and prevent a simple majority of stockholders from taking actions that may be harmful to other stockholders. Similarly, the Board believes that the two-thirds voting requirement for amendments to the bylaws will facilitate corporate governance stability and help protect minority stockholder interests. As to the Amendment Approval Rights, the Board believes that the removal of such rights would conform the Company’s charter to customary practices of other public companies and allow the Board more flexibility in adjusting corporate governance practices.

Vote Required and Recommendation

The affirmative vote of (i) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and (ii) two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present, virtually or by proxy, at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve and adopt the Amended and Restated Charter. For purposes of the approval and adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter, abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. For purposes of determining whether a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Charter, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal. For purposes of determining whether two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present, virtually or by proxy, approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Charter, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered present and will have no effect on the result of the vote.

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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CHARTER.

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ProposalS 4A-4F: Approval of the Advisory Charter Proposals

The information under each of Proposals 4A-4F below set forth a summary of the material differences between the Existing Charter and the Amended and Restated Charter, as well as the Board’s reasons for proposing each of these amendments to the Existing Charter. This summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the Amended and Restated Charter, which is attached hereto as Annex A. All stockholders are encouraged to read the proposed Amended and Restated Charter in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.

In accordance with SEC guidance, these proposals are being presented separately and will be voted upon on a non-binding, advisory basis. In the judgment of the Board, these provisions are appropriate to simplify and clarify many amendments to the Existing Charter over the last approximately 35 years and address the needs of the Company in the future. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding, advisory vote on these proposals, we intend to adopt the Amended and Restated Charter, assuming the approval and adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter pursuant to Proposal 3.

Proposal 4A—Increase to Number of Authorized Shares

Description of the Amendment

The Amended and Restated Charter would provide for an increase to our total number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock from 51,000,000 shares to 301,000,000 shares, which would consist of (i) increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares and (ii) maintaining the number of authorized shares of preferred stock at 1,000,000 shares.

Reasons for the Amendment

Our Board believes this amendment will provide us with increased flexibility in meeting future corporate needs and requirements by providing additional authorized shares of common stock, which will be available for issuance from time to time as determined by our Board for any proper corporate purpose, including equity financings, without the expense and delay associated with a special stockholders’ meeting, except where required by applicable rules, regulations and laws.

Proposal 4B—Certain Provisions Regarding Stockholder Voting Rights

Description of the Amendment

The Amended and Restated Charter would provide for certain changes to the voting rights of common stockholders included in the Existing Charter. The Amended and Restated Charter would clarify that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, common stockholders will have no voting rights with respect to any amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of preferred stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock if the holders of the affected series of preferred stock are entitled to vote on such amendment pursuant to the Amended and Restated Charter or the DGCL. Additionally, the Amended and Restated Charter would clarify that common stockholders do not have the right to cumulate votes on behalf of any nominee for election to the Board. The Existing Charter does not affirmatively provide for any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors.

The Amended and Restated Charter would also exclude certain stockholder approval rights relating to mergers and other dispositions of the Company’s assets, which are governed by the DGCL. The Existing Charter requires the approval of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock to (i) merge the Company into an entity or sell, convey and transfer the Company’s assets to an entity in exchange for shares or securities of such entity or other consideration and the assumption of the liabilities of the Company and (ii) terminate the Company and distribute such shares, securities, or other consideration ratably among the stockholders in redemption of their capital stock. The Existing Charter also requires that, following any such transaction, the stockholders would be the sole equity owners of the acquiring entity. Additionally, the Existing Charter requires the affirmative written consent or vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock to approve any transaction involving the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of 50% or more of the assets of the Company in a single transaction or series of related transactions other

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than as part of an orderly liquidation and termination. The Amended and Restated Charter would not include either of the foregoing provisions. Except for certain limited transactions specified transaction, either contemplatedin the DGCL, the DGCL requires the approval of a majority of the outstanding stock of a corporation (i) in order for the corporation to merge into or consolidate with another entity or (ii) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the corporation’s property and assets.

Reasons for the Amendment

The Board believes that the clarification regarding the voting rights of common stockholders with respect to amendments relating solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock is appropriate. The DGCL provides that a class of capital stock is entitled to vote as a class on a proposed amendment to a company’s certificate of incorporation that would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such class, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class or alter or change the powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of such class so as to affect them adversely. Moreover, the Existing Charter gives the Board authority to designate preferred stock and fix the voting rights for such preferred stock. The Board has exercised this authority in the past to clarify matters that require the approval of at least a majority of the applicable series of preferred stock. Specifically, the Board granted the Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), the right to approve (i) any issuances of any other class or series of capital stock on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) any amendment to the Existing Charter that would adversely affect the rights, powers, preferences or privileges of, or increase the authorized number of shares of, Series A Preferred Stock. Accordingly, this amendment to the Existing Charter clarifies the relationship between the voting rights of preferred stockholders as designated by the Board and the general voting rights of common stockholders.

The Board believes it is appropriate to clarify that stockholders do not have a right to cumulate votes on behalf of any nominee for election to the Board. As noted above, the Existing Charter does not affirmatively grant the right to cumulate votes in director elections, and the default rule under the DGCL is that stockholders do not have such right. Accordingly, this change would not alter the rights of stockholders and affirmatively addressing this matter in the Amended and Restated Charter would allow for stockholders to more easily determine rights and procedures for director elections.

Finally, the Board believes that it is appropriate to exclude from the Amended and Restated Charter certain stockholder approval rights relating to mergers and other dispositions of the Company’s assets because those matters are governed by the DGCL. Our stockholders will remain able to consider and approve any transactions that require stockholder approval under the DGCL.

Proposal 4C—Exclusive Forum for Certain Actions

Description of the Amendment

The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, the Court of Chancery would be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees or our stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Amended and Restated Charter or the bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that, if the Court of Chancery dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state court sitting in the State of Delaware. Additionally, the Amended and Restated Charter would provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the U.S. federal district courts will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

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Reasons for the Amendment

The exclusive forum provisions are intended to avoid multiple lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions on matters relating to the DGCL and the Securities Act, thereby reducing inefficiencies, costs and uncertainty regarding outcomes when two or more similar cases proceed in different jurisdictions. Additionally, the background and experience of the Court of Chancery and the U.S. federal district courts in resolving issues under the DGCL and the Securities Act, respectively, place these courts in the best positions to resolve claims arising under the applicable bodies of law. Accordingly, the Board believes the exclusive forum provisions are a prudent and proactive means for managing these types of potential litigation and to promote efficient and consistent resolutions in the event these types of litigation arise. Although some plaintiffs might prefer to litigate these matters in different jurisdictions, the Board believes that the benefits to us and our stockholders outweigh these concerns.

Proposal 4D—Provisions Related to Potential REIT Election

Description of the Amendment

The Amended and Restated Charter would include certain provisions related to a potential future election for the Company to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Board Authority

The Amended and Restated Charter would give the Board the authority to cause us to elect to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Following such election, the Board would also have the authority to revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election if the Board determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the Amended and Restated Charter, the Board also would have the authority to determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers described below is no longer required to facilitate our qualification as a REIT.

Springing Provisions

Because we do not intend to make an election to be taxed as REIT immediately following the filing of the Amended and Restated Charter, the Amended and Restated Charter would provide that restrictions and limitations on stock ownership and transfers and the stock ownership disclosure requirements, each described below, would not take effect until January 1st of the year after the first year for which we elect to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

Ownership Limitations and Transfer Restrictions

The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that, subject to the exceptions and the constructive ownership rules described in this proposal, no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in excess of (i) 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our capital stock or (ii) 9.8% in value or number (whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of any class of our common stock. We refer to these restrictions as the "ownership limits."

The applicable constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be treated as owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of any class or series our capital stock or less than 9.8% in value or number of the outstanding shares of any class of our common stock (including through the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, shares of any class or series of our capital stock) by an individual or entity could, because of constructive ownership, nevertheless cause a violation of the ownership limitations described in this proposal.

The Amended and Restated Charter would also provide that the Board or a committee thereof may, in its sole discretion, with respect to any person (i) exempt such person from the ownership limits and certain other REIT limits on ownership and transfer of our capital stock described in this proposal and (ii) establish a different limit on ownership

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for any such person. The Board or committee, however, may not exempt from the ownership limits any person whose ownership of our capital stock in violation of these limits would result in us failing to qualify as a REIT. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Charter, in order for a person to be considered by the Board or committee for exemption or a different limit on ownership, such person generally must make such representations and undertakings as the Board or committee may deem appropriate in order to conclude that such person's beneficial or constructive ownership of our capital stock will not cause us to lose our status as a REIT under the Code. As a condition of any waiver of ownership limits and certain other REIT limits on ownership and transfer of our capital stock, the Board or committee may require an opinion of counsel or a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service satisfactory to the Board or committee with respect to our qualification as a REIT and may impose such other conditions as the Board or committee deems appropriate in connection with the granting of the exemption or a different limit on ownership.

In connection with any waiver of the ownership limits or at any other time, the Amended and Restated Charter would permit the Board or a committee thereof, from time to time, to increase the ownership limits for one or more persons and decrease the ownership limits for all other persons, provided that the new ownership limits may not, after giving effect to such increase and under certain assumptions set forth in the Amended and Restated Charter, result in us being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interests are held during the last half of a taxable year). Reduced ownership limits will not apply to any person whose share ownership, is in excess of such decreased ownership limits until such time as such person's share ownership equals or falls below the decreased ownership limits, but any further acquisition of any of our capital stock resulting in such person's beneficial ownership or constructive ownership thereof creating an increased excess over the decreased ownership limits will be in violation of the decreased ownership limits.

The Amended and Restated Charter would further prohibit (i) any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would result in us being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interests are held during the last half of a taxable year); (ii) any person from transferring shares of our capital stock if such transfer would result in shares of our capital stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code); (iii) any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would cause us to beneficially or constructively own 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant; (iv) any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would result in us failing to qualify as a REIT; and (v) any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would result in us failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.

Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Charter, any person who acquires or attempts to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate the ownership limits or any of the other foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will be required to give notice to us immediately (or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, at least 15 days prior to such transaction) and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT.

In addition, the terms of the Amended and Restated Charter would provide that if there is any purported transfer of shares of our capital stock or other event or change of circumstances that would violate any of the restrictions described in this proposal, then the number of shares causing the violation will be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary, except that any transfer that results in the violation of the restriction relating to our capital stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be automatically void and of no force or effect. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the purported transfer or other event or change of circumstances that requires the transfer to the trust. The person that would have owned the shares if they had not been transferred to the trust is referred to herein as "the purported transferee." Any dividend paid to the purported transferee prior to the discovery by us that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described in this proposal must be repaid to the trustee upon demand. If the transfer to the trust as described in this proposal is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of any of the restrictions described in this proposal, then the transfer of the excess shares will be automatically void and of no force or effect.

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Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Charter, shares of our capital stock transferred to the trustee are deemed to be offered for sale to us or our designee at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the trust or, if the purported transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price at the time of such event, and (ii) the market price on the date we or our designee accepts such offer. We would have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of our capital stock held in the trust. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported transferee, except that the trustee may reduce the amount that is payable to the purported transferee by the amount of any dividends that we paid to the purported transferee prior to the discovery by us that the shares had been transferred to the trust and that are owed by the purported transferee to the trustee as described in this proposal. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the purported transferee shall be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary, and any ordinary dividends held by the trustee with respect to such stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity who could own the shares without violating the restrictions described in this proposal. Upon such a sale, the trustee must distribute to the purported transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the purported transferee for the shares or, if the purported transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust, and (ii) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee for the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount that is payable to the purported transferee by the amount of any dividends that we paid to the purported transferee before the discovery by us that the shares had been transferred to the trust and that are owed by the purported transferee to the trustee as described in this proposal. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the purported transferee will be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary, together with any dividends held by the trustee with respect to such stock. In addition, if prior to discovery by us that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a purported transferee, then such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and, to the extent that the purported transferee received an amount for or in respect of such shares that exceeds the amount that such purported transferee was entitled to receive as described in this proposal, such excess amount shall be paid to the trustee upon demand. The purported transferee has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

The trustee will be designated by us and must be unaffiliated with us and any purported transferee. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all distributions paid by us with respect to the shares and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares. Subject to Delaware law, the trustee will have the authority (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by the purported transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and (ii) to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.

In addition, if the Board or a committee thereof determines that a proposed or purported transfer would violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our capital stock set forth in the Amended and Restated Charter, the Board or a committee thereof may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such violation, including but not limited to, causing us to redeem shares of our capital stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.

These ownership limitations and transfer restrictions could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover or other transaction in which stockholders might receive a premium for their shares of our capital stock over the then prevailing market price or which stockholders might believe to be otherwise in their best interest.

Disclosure of Stock Ownership by Our Stockholders

Under the Amended and Restated Charter, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by law) in number or value of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our capital stock would be required to provide us written notice of certain information as provided in the Amended and Restated Charter. In addition, each beneficial owner or constructive owner of our capital stock and any person (including the stockholder of record) who holds shares of our capital stock for a beneficial owner or constructive

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owner will, upon demand, be required to provide us with such information as we may request in good faith in order to determine our qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance. If any person fails to provide the required information, the Board or a committee thereof may direct that all or a portion of such person’s shares be redeemed or transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary.

Reasons for the Amendment

In the future, the Board may consider making an election for us to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A REIT is an entity entitled to special and beneficial U.S. federal income tax treatment, provided it satisfies various requirements relating to its organization, its ownership, its distributions and the nature of its assets and income. Among other requirements, a REIT generally must derive most of its income from real estate loans and real property and its assets predominantly must consist of such loans and real property. The entity must make a special election under the Code to be taxed as a REIT.

Subject to a number of significant exceptions, a corporation that qualifies as a REIT generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its income and gains that it distributes to its stockholders, reducing its corporate level income taxes and substantially eliminating the “double taxation” of corporate income. The reduction of corporate level taxes can allow companies to increase the value of their common stock. Additionally, REITs are required to distribute annually at least 90% of their REIT taxable income. To comply with this requirement, REITs often declare regular quarterly or monthly distributions. Accordingly, there may be beneficial consequences to stockholders if we were to make an election to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

For us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, among other things, our capital stock would need to be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). Additionally, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer "individuals" (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as private foundations) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first taxable year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). In addition, a person actually or constructively owning 10% or more of the vote or value of the outstanding shares of our capital stock could lead to a level of affiliation between us and one or more of our tenants that could disqualify our revenues from the affiliated tenants and possibly jeopardize or otherwise adversely impact any qualification as a REIT.

In order to provide flexibility for any future REIT election, the Board believes it is advisable for the Amended and Restated Charter to include provisions giving the Board the authority to make such a REIT election and restricting the ownership and transfer of shares of our capital stock to ensure we could satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT and to otherwise protect us from the adverse consequences for REITs under the Code that would arise from a concentration of ownership among our stockholders. Including ownership limitations in a REIT's charter is the most effective mechanism to monitor compliance with the above-described provisions of the Code. In order to proceed with a future REIT election, we must be able to monitor compliance with these requirements effectively. Furthermore, if we elect to be subject to tax as a REIT, any other mechanism to monitor compliance may not be as effective to maintain our status as a REIT.

Proposal 4E—Amendments to the Charter and Bylaws

Description of the Amendment

The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that any alteration, amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with, the following provisions would require the approval of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon (voting together as one class): Article V (Amendments to the Bylaws), Article VII (Meetings of Stockholders), Article VIII (Limited Liability of Directors and Officers), Article IX (Indemnification), Article X (Exclusive Jurisdiction for Certain Actions),Article XII (REIT Transfer and Stock Ownership Restrictions) and Article XIII (Amendments to the Charter) (the “Charter Supermajority Voting Requirement”).

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The Amended and Restated Charter would also change the required approval for stockholders to amend the bylaws. The Existing Charter provides that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares may amend the bylaws. For stockholder-amendments to the bylaws, the Amended and Restated Charter would require the approval of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon (the “Bylaws Supermajority Voting Requirement”). The Board will continue to have the authority to amend the bylaws without stockholder approval.

Finally, the Existing Charter requires the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock present to amend the charter or bylaws in a way that reduces the priority of payment or amount payable to holders of shares of common stock upon liquidation or that would diminish or eliminate any voting rights of common stockholders (the “Amendment Approval Rights”). There is no similar restriction in the Amended and Restated Charter.

Reasons for the Amendment

The Board believes it is appropriate to adopt the Charter Supermajority Voting Requirement to protect key provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter. Amendments to provisions regarding bylaw amendments, stockholder meetings, the limited liability of directors and officers, indemnification and exclusive forum for certain actions could have a long-lasting effect on us, our corporate governance and our operations. Moreover, as noted above, transfer restrictions and ownership limitations are the most effective method for a REIT to ensure that it meets certain requirements under the Code. Accordingly, if we were to elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, amendments to the restrictions on transfers and stock ownership could undermine our ability to qualify as a REIT and thereby could have an adverse effect on us and our stockholders. The Charter Supermajority Voting Requirement would avoid arbitrary amendments to such key provisions and prevent a simple majority of stockholders from taking actions that may be harmful to other stockholders. Moreover, the Charter Supermajority Voting Requirement would not apply to the vast majority of matters on which our stockholders could vote. Accordingly, the Board believes it is reasonable and appropriate to ensure that a broad consensus of stockholders agree that amendments to such key provisions are prudent and in the best interests of us and our stockholders.

The Board also believes it is appropriate to adopt the Bylaws Supermajority Voting Requirement. Similar to the Charter Supermajority Voting Requirement, the Bylaw Supermajority Voting Requirement will facilitate corporate governance stability by requiring broad stockholder consensus to effect stockholder changes to the bylaws, and in the process help protect minority stockholder interests.

Finally, the Board believes it is appropriate to remove the Amendment Approval Rights. The Amendment Approval Rights were reflected in the Existing Charter as a result of their inclusion in our predecessor’s charter. Since the initial Mergers (as defined below), the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board, together with our management, have engaged in an ongoing review of the Company's corporate governance principles. The Board recognizes that the exclusion of approval rights of this type is consistent with charters of other public companies. In light of its review, the Board concluded that the elimination of the Amendment Approval Rights will allow the Board more flexibility in adjusting corporate governance practices.

Proposal 4F—Amendments for Modernization and Customary Provisions of Charters of Public Companies

The Board believes that the following amendments reflected in the Amended and Restated Charter are appropriate to modernize the charter and conform the charter to customary provisions of charters of public companies:

No Preemptive Rights. The Amended and Restated Charter would clarify that holders of common stock do not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for any shares of capital stock in the future.
Stockholder Actions. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that, generally, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of capital stock must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders. However, the Amended and Restated Charter would allow stockholders to take action through a written consent or written consents signed by holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting so long as such action was approved in advance by the Board and submitted by the Board to the stockholders for adoption.

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Director Elections, Board Vacancies and Removal of Directors. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that directors must be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting. Under the Amended and Restated Charter, any newly created directorships and vacancies on the Board will be filled only by a majority of the directors or by a sole remaining director. As to removal, the Amended and Restated Charter would provide that directors generally may be removed with or without cause by the holders of at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Limited Liability of Directors and Officers. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide that the limitation of liability set forth therein applies to officers as well as directors. Additionally, the Amended and Restated Charter would clarify that (i) to the extent the DGCL or any other Delaware law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, the liability of a director or officer will be limited to fullest extent then permitted by such law (except as otherwise excluded by the Amended and Restated Charter) and (ii) any amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter or any modification of law inconsistent with the existing provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter will not apply retrospectively to eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of a current or former director or officer.
Indemnification. The Amended and Restated Charter would provide for the indemnification of our employees and agents to the same extent as directors and officers. Similar to the limitation of liability discussed above, the indemnification provision in the Amended and Restated Charter would clarify that the amendment or repeal of the indemnification provision or the adoption of any inconsistent provisions in a future amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter would not have retrospective effect to eliminate or reduce indemnification for any matter occurring prior to such change.
Removal of Provisions Related to Net Operating Loss Carryforwards. The Amended and Restated Charter would exclude certain provisions in the Existing Charter restricting transfers and limiting ownership of our capital stock that would have the possibility of limiting our use of net operating loss carry forwards or built-in losses because we have determined that such provisions are no longer necessary.
Removal of Provisions Regarding Termination of the Company. The Amended and Restated Charter would not include provisions in the Existing Charter regarding the procedures for the termination of the Company (instead the termination of the Company would be governed by the DGCL’s detailed procedures regarding the dissolution of a corporation and the required approvals therefor).

Vote Required and Recommendation

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve each of the Advisory Charter Proposals. For purposes of the approval of the Advisory Charter Proposals, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.

In accordance with SEC guidance, these proposals are being presented separately and will be voted upon on a non-binding, advisory basis. In the judgment of the Board, these provisions are appropriate to simplify and clarify many amendments to the Existing Charter over the last approximately 35 years and address the needs of the Company in the future. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding, advisory vote on these proposals, we intend to adopt the Amended and Restated Charter, assuming the approval and adoption of the Amended and Restated Charter pursuant to Proposal 3.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR” EACH OF THE ADVISORY CHARTER PROPOSALS.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

Members of the Board of Directors

The following table sets forth the name and age of each of our current directors, indicating all positions and offices with us currently held by the director.

Name

 

Age

 

 

Position(s)

 

Director Since

Michael Z. Jacoby

 

 

60

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

2019

Vineet P. Bedi

 

 

40

 

 

Director

 

2019

Donna Brandin

 

 

66

 

 

Director

 

2022

Jeffrey H. Foster

 

 

60

 

 

Director

 

2019

Daniel J.W. Neal

 

 

65

 

 

Director

 

2019

Noah Shore

 

 

50

 

 

Director

 

2022

Samuel M. Spiritos

 

 

61

 

 

Director

 

2019

Thomas M. Yockey

 

 

68

 

 

Director

 

2019

Set forth below are descriptions of the backgrounds of Mr. Bedi and Ms. Brandin. The backgrounds of Messrs. Jacoby, Foster, Neal, Shore, Spiritos and Yockey are described above under “Proposal 1: Election of Directors.”

Vineet P. Bedi. Mr. Bedi has served as a director of the Company since May 2018. Mr. Bedi has nearly 20 years of experience in real estate investing, private equity, capital markets and public securities investing. Mr. Bedi currently serves as Chief Investment Officer for The W Group since January 2023. Mr. Bedi also currently serves as the Founder and Managing Partner of KRV Capital, LP since January 2016. Mr. Bedi currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at the NYU-Stern School of Business since September 2017. Previously, Mr. Bedi served as Chief Strategy Officer of Invesque Inc. (TSX: IVQ.U, IVQ) from February 2019 to May 2022. Prior, Mr. Bedi was the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Booth Park Capital Management, LLC, an alternative asset management firm investing in real estate related securities, from 2013 to 2015. Previously, Mr. Bedi served as a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Guggenheim Partners from 2012 to 2013, where he managed an opportunistic portfolio in the public REIT and private real estate markets. Prior to that, Mr. Bedi was a Principal and senior investment professional at High Rise Capital Management, LLC, a multi-billion dollar real estate securities fund investing in the public REIT and private real estate markets, from 2006 to 2011. Mr. Bedi began his career in the investment banking and proprietary trading groups at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and has held senior investment related positions with Carlson Capital, LP and Schonfeld Group Holdings. Mr. Bedi also serves as an advisor for various public and private real estate and real estate related entities. Mr. Bedi is a graduate of the NYU-Stern School of Business and is a CFA Charterholder.

Mr. Bedi is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

Donna Brandin. Ms. Brandin has served as a director of the Company since January 2022. Since January 2018, Ms. Brandin has served on the board of directors of Nuveen Global Cities REIT, Inc., a public, non-listed REIT as the chairperson of the Audit Committee. Since December 2021, Ms. Brandin also has served on the board of directors of CION Man Residential REIT Inc., a non-public REIT as the chair of the Audit Committee. From April 2008 to June 2018, she served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Lightstone Group. In addition, during this time period she served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of five public, non-listed REITs sponsored by the Lightstone Group. From October 2014 to June 2018, Ms. Brandin served as a director of Lightstone Enterprises Limited. From October 2019 to October 2021, Ms. Brandin served on the strategic advisory board of eRESI for a Prominent NYC Family Office, a company focused on launching investment products based on a technology efficient platform. From July 2019 to May 2021, Ms. Brandin served on the board of directors of Invesque Inc. (TSX: IVQ), a healthcare real estate company, where she served as chair of the Audit Committee. Prior to joining the Lightstone Group in April 2008, Ms. Brandin held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of US Power Generation from September 2007 through November 2007. From July 2004 to September 2007, Ms. Brandin was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR), the largest publicly traded multifamily REIT in the country. Ms. Brandin holds a B.S. in Business Administration: Accounting from Kutztown University and a Master’s degree in Finance from St.

29


Louis University. In 2021, Ms. Brandin completed the Corporate Directors Certificate Program at Harvard Business School of Executive Education.

Ms. Brandin is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

Corporate Governance Profile

We have structured our corporate governance in a manner we believe closely aligns our interests with those of our stockholders. Notable features of our corporate governance structure include the following:

our Board is not classified, with each of our directors subject to re-election annually;
of the eight persons who currently serve on our Board, our Board determined that four of our directors satisfy the standards for independence of the OTCQX and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act;
at least one of our directors qualifies as an “Audit Committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC;
we comply with the requirements of the OTCQX eligibility standards and our audit opinioncommittee is comprised solely of independent directors;
we do not have a stockholder rights plan; and
our Policy on Inside Information and Insider Trading prohibits our directors, officers and employees from (A) entering into any hedging or monetization transactions with respect to our securities, such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, (B) trading in call or put options involving our securities and other derivative securities, (C) engaging in short sales of our securities or (D) holding our securities in a margin account.

Our directors stay informed about our business by attending meetings of the Board and its committees and through supplemental reports and communications. Our independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions without the presence of our corporate officers or non-independent directors.

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

One of the key functions of our Board is informed oversight of our risk management process. Our Board administers this oversight function directly, with support from its three standing committees, the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee, each of which addresses risks specific to their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, in addition to oversight of the performance of our internal audit function. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.

Board Committees

Our Board has established three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The principal functions of each committee are described below. We comply with the eligibility requirements and other rules and regulations of the OTCQX, as amended or modified from time to time, and the Audit Committee is comprised solely of independent directors. Additionally, our Board may from time to time establish certain other committees to facilitate the management of our company.

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The table below provides membership information for each of the Board committees as of the date of this Proxy Statement:

Name

Audit Committee

Compensation Committee

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Michael Z. Jacoby

Vineet P. Bedi

X

X

Donna Brandin

Jeffrey H. Foster

X (Chair)

X

Daniel J.W. Neal

X

X

Noah Shore

Samuel M. Spiritos

X

X (Chair)

Thomas M. Yockey

X (Chair)

X

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Bedi, Neal and Foster. Mr. Foster, the chairman of our Audit Committee, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as that might be renderedterm is defined by the SEC. The Board has determined that each of the directors serving on Banyan’sour Audit Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the applicable rules of the SEC and the OTCQX eligibility standards. We adopted an Audit Committee charter, which details the principal functions of the Audit Committee, including oversight related to:

our accounting and financial reporting processes;
the integrity of our consolidated financial statements or (2) any matter that was either and financial reporting process;
our systems of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;
our compliance with financial, legal and regulatory requirements;
the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event under 304(a)(1)(iv) or (v), respectively, of Regulation S-K.
Independent Accounting Firm Fees
We paid Grant Thornton $282,000 in 2009 and $38,809 in 2008 for audit fees. Grant Thornton did not render any other services to Banyan during 2009 or 2008.
Becauseevaluation of the small sizequalifications, independence and performance of our board, independent registered public accounting firm;
the directors have not designatedperformance of our internal audit function; and
our overall risk profile.

The Audit Committee also is responsible for engaging an independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit committee. Instead, these responsibilities are handled by the entire board, which considers and pre-approves any audit or non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditors. Our board believes theengagement, approving professional services provided by Grant Thorntonthe independent registered public accounting firm, including all audit and non-audit services, reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, considering the range of audit and non-audit fees and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee also prepares the Audit Committee report required by SEC regulations to be included in our annual proxy statement.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Audit Committee met eight times, including telephonic meetings.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Foster, Spiritos and Yockey, with Mr. Yockey serving as the chair. The Board has determined that Mr. Foster is “independent” within the meaning of the applicable rules of the SEC and the OTCQX eligibility standards. We adopted a Compensation Committee charter, which details the principal functions of the Compensation Committee, including:

reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our chief executive officer’s compensation, evaluating our chief executive officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration of our chief executive officer based on such evaluation;

31


reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other officers;
reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements; and
to the extent required by applicable SEC rules, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Compensation Committee met four times, including telephonic meetings.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Messrs. Bedi, Neal, Spiritos and Yockey, with Mr. Spiritos serving as the chair. The Board has determined that Messrs. Bedi and Neal are “independent” within the meaning of the applicable rules of the SEC and the OTCQX eligibility standards. We adopted a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter, which details the principal functions of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, including:

identifying and recommending to the full Board qualified candidates for election as directors and recommending nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders;
developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance guidelines and implementing and monitoring such guidelines;
reviewing and making recommendations on matters involving the general operation of the Board, including board size and composition, and committee composition and structure;
annually facilitating the assessment of the Board’s performance as a whole and of the individual directors; and
overseeing the Board’s evaluation of management.

In identifying and recommending nominees for directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider, among other factors, diversity of relevant experience, expertise and background.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

Director Selection Process

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, the selection and recommendation to our Board of nominees for election as directors. In assessing candidates for election to our Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account such factors as it deems appropriate, including, among others, familiarity with our industry, broad experience in business, finance or administration, diversity of both background and experience, areas of expertise and other factors relative to the overall composition of the Board. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers whether a potential candidate for director has the time available, in light of other business and personal commitments, to perform the responsibilities required for effective service on the Board.

Applying the criteria described above, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates for Board membership suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as management and stockholders. After completing the identification and evaluation process described above, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends the nominees for election to the Board. Taking the Nominating and Corporate

32


Governance Committee’s recommendation into consideration, the Board then approves the nominees for directorship for stockholders to consider and vote upon at the annual stockholders’ meeting.

Stockholders wishing to recommend individuals for consideration as directors must provide written notice of the nomination to our Secretary, no later than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting. The stockholder’s notice must set forth as to each nominee all information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act if the candidate had been nominated by or on behalf of our Board. Recommendations by stockholders that are made in this manner will be evaluated in the same manner as other candidates. See “Other Matters—Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2024 Annual Meeting.”

Code of Ethics

The Board established the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, which applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer and controller, or persons performing similar functions. Among other matters, the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in our SEC reports and other public communications;
compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations;
prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to appropriate persons identified in the code; and
accountability for adherence to the code.

Any changes to the code, and any waivers granted by us with respect to the code, will be posted on our website.

Availability of Corporate Governance Materials

Stockholders may view our corporate governance materials, including the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers on our website at www.investors.broadstreetrealty.com under the Governance tab and these documents are available in print to any stockholder who sends a written request to such effect to Secretary, 7250 Woodmont Ave, Suite 350, Bethesda, MD, 20814.

Independence of Directors

OTCQX eligibility requirements require OTCQX-traded companies to have at least two independent Board members and an audit committee, with a majority of the members being independent. Under the OTCQX eligibility standards, no director of a company qualifies as “independent” unless the board of directors of the company affirmatively determines that the director does not have arelationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as a director.

The Board currently has eight directors, four of whom our Board affirmatively has determined, after broadly considering all relevant facts and circumstances, to be “independent” under the eligibility standards of the OTCQX and under applicable rules of the SEC. The Board affirmatively has determined that each of the following directors is independent under these standards: Messrs. Bedi, Foster and Neal and Ms. Brandin. The Board also affirmatively determined that, if elected as a director at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Walraven would qualify as an independent director under the eligibility standards of the OTCQX and under applicable rules of the SEC.

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Board Leadership Structure

Combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Positions

Mr. Jacoby serves as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Board has reviewed its current leadership structure and has determined that the use of the combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions, is currently the most appropriate and effective leadership structure for the Company. Mr. Jacoby has been involved in the real estate industry for more than 30 years. As the individual primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of business operations, he is best positioned to chair regular Board meetings as the directors discuss key business and strategic issues, which enables the Board to have direct access to information related to the day-to-day management of business operations.

No Lead Independent Director

We do not have a lead independent director. Given the limited number of executive officers, the Board has determined that a lead independent director is currently not necessary. Moreover, the Board believes, for the reasons set forth below, that our existing corporate governance practices achieve independent oversight and management accountability. We encourage our independent directors to freely voice their opinions, and our governance practices provide for strong independent leadership, independent discussion among directors and for independent evaluation of, and communication with, our executive officers. As discussed above, four of our directors are independent directors. Each director is an equal participant in decisions made by the full Board.

Board and Committee Meetings

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Board met 14 times, including telephonic meetings. Each director then serving attended at least 75% of the applicable Board meetings and committee meetings during this time.

Annual Meeting Attendance

Pursuant to the policy set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, each director is expected to attend the Annual Meeting. We did not hold an annual meeting of stockholders in 2022.

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, in order to promote open discussion among non-management directors, our non-management directors meet in executive sessions without management participation regularly. The non-management directors appoint one of the non-management directors to preside at such executive sessions.

Communications with the Board

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board by sending written correspondence to the “Audit Committee Chair” c/o the Secretary of Broad Street Realty, Inc., 7250 Woodmont Ave, Suite 350, Bethesda, MD, 20814, who will then directly forward such correspondence to the chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee chair will decide what action should be taken with respect to the communication, including whether such communication should be reported to the full Board.

Director Compensation

The Board has adopted a director compensation policy for non-employee directors, effective as of January 16, 2020. The policy provides for the compensation of non-employee directors with cash and equity compensation. Under the policy, each non-employee director will receive an annual board service retainer of $35,000 paid in cash and a grant of $50,000 in restricted shares of our common stock, which are expected to vest one year after the date of grant, subject to continued service on such date. The chairperson of our Audit Committee will receive an additional annual committee chair service retainer of $20,000. Other members of our Audit Committee, our Compensation Committee and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive additional annual cash retainers of $4,000 for each such committee of which they are a member. Each non-employee director may elect to receive up to 100% of his annual cash retainers in shares of our common stock. We also reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by non-employee directors in attending meetings of the Board or any committee thereof.

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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Compensation Committee determined to pay all retainers in shares of our common stock, which grants were made on January 3, 2022, along with the 2021 annual grant of common stock. The 2022 annual grant of common stock was made on January 3, 2023.

The following table provides information on the compensation of our directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, other than Mr. Jacoby, who received no separate compensation for his service as a director. For information on the compensation of Mr. Jacoby, please refer to “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table.”

Name

 

Fees Paid in Cash

 

 

Stock Awards (1)

 

 

Total

 

Vineet P. Bedi

 

$

43,000

 

 

$

74,076

 

 

$

117,076

 

Joseph Bencivenga (2)

 

 

1,192

 

 (3)

 

70,892

 

 

 

72,084

 

Donna Brandin

 

 

33,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,931

 

Jeffrey H. Foster

 

 

59,000

 

 (4)

 

86,822

 

 

 

145,822

 

Daniel J.W. Neal

 

 

43,000

 

 

 

74,076

 

 

 

117,076

 

Noah Shore (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samuel M. Spiritos

 

 

43,000

 

 (6)

 

74,076

 

 

 

117,076

 

Thomas M. Yockey

 

 

43,000

 

 

 

74,076

 

 

 

117,076

 

(1)
Represents the grant date fair value of awards of shares of common stock granted on January 3, 2022 under our Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which grants were in respect of each director’s 2021 annual grant of common stock and retainers.
(2)
Mr. Bencivenga resigned from the Board on January 11, 2022.
(3)
Includes $1,192 of annual cash retainers, which the director elected to receive in fully vested shares of common stock under the Plan in lieu of cash payments, in accordance with the director compensation policy described above.
(4)
Includes $14,750 of annual cash retainers, which the director elected to receive in fully vested shares of common stock under the Plan in lieu of cash payments, in accordance with the director compensation policy described above.
(5)
Pursuant to the Fortress Governance Agreement, Mr. Shore was designated as a director by the Fortress Member and does not receive any compensation for his service as director.
(6)
Includes $43,000 of annual cash retainers, which the director elected to receive in fully vested shares of common stock under the Plan in lieu of cash payments, in accordance with the director compensation policy described above.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers:

Name

Age

Position(s)

Michael Z. Jacoby

60

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Alexander Topchy

52

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Set forth below is a description of the background of Mr. Topchy. Mr. Jacoby’s background is described above under “Proposal 1: Election of Directors.”

Alexander Topchy. Mr. Topchy has served as the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company since December 2019. Mr. Topchy served as the chief financial officer of BSR from 2009 to December 2019. Prior to joining BSR, from 2003 to 2006, Mr. Topchy was Vice President of Finance at EastBanc, Inc., a real estate developer based in Washington, D.C., engaged in repositioning high-street retail properties and developing ground up luxury residential condominiums. While at EastBanc, Mr. Topchy coordinated with foreign financial partners, investors, and lenders, and performed financial feasibility studies for all of EastBanc’s investments. Prior to EastBanc, he worked as a Senior Financial Analyst at Core Location, LLC, performing financial analysis for development projects, including two major technology centers. Mr. Topchy began his career at The Clark Construction Group, where he gained experience in project management and contract negotiation. Mr. Topchy has an M.B.A. in Finance and International Business from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, and a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Washington, D.C., and has been a CFA Charterholder since 2004. Mr. Topchy previously served as Treasurer from 2017 to 2019 and as Director from 2016 to 2017 for the CFA Society Washington, D.C., Board of Directors.

36


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following provides compensation information pursuant to the scaled disclosure rules applicable to smaller reporting companies under SEC rules.

Our named executive officers (“NEOs”) for the year ended December 31, 2022 were Michael Z. Jacoby, our Chief Executive Officer, and Alexander Topchy, our Chief Financial Officer.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned with respect to the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 by our NEOs, which include our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. See “—Employment Agreements” below.

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

 

Stock
Awards
(1)

 

 

 

Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
(2)

 

 

All Other
Compensation
(3)

 

 

Total

 

Michael Z. Jacoby

 

2022

 

$

400,000

 

 

$

119,999

 

 (4)

 

$

395,000

 

 (5)

$

28,421

 

 

$

943,420

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

2021

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

3,307,559

 

 (6)

 

 

377,204

 

 

 

29,718

 

 

 

4,114,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander Topchy

 

2022

 

$

225,000

 

 

$

40,000

 

 (7)

 

$

111,000

 

 

$

29,095

 

 

$

405,095

 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

2021

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

1,020,349

 

 (8)

 

 

106,089

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

1,376,438

 

(1)
Represents the grant date fair value of awards of restricted shares of common stock and performance-based restricted stock units ("RSUs"), as computed under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
(2)
The amounts reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column reflect the amounts earned by and paid to Messrs. Jacoby and Topchy under the cash bonus plan approved by the Compensation Committee. For additional details, see the section titled “—Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End—Cash Bonuses” below.
(3)
The amounts for 2022 include (i) insurance premiums for family members (Mr. Jacoby—$9,171; Mr. Topchy—$16,895), (ii) $19,250 car allowance for Mr. Jacoby and (iii) $12,200 401(k) match for Mr. Topchy.
(4)
Consists of 54,545 restricted shares of common stock that were granted on April 1, 2022, which vest ratably on January 1, 2023, 2024 and 2025, subject to Mr. Jacoby's continued employment on such dates and the terms of his employment agreement.
(5)
Includes 254,839 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Jacoby in lieu of cash payment of 50% of his cash bonus pursuant to the cash bonus plan approved by the Compensation Committee.
(6)
Consists of (i) 43,605 restricted shares of common stock that were granted on October 1, 2021, which vest ratably on January 1, 2022, 2023 and 2024, subject to Mr. Jacoby's continued employment on such dates and the terms of his employment agreement, and (ii) a target number of 755,814 RSUs scheduled to vest, if at all, based on performance during a performance period ending December 31, 2025. This award value includes the value of RSUs granted to Mr. Jacoby based on target performance ($3,204,651). Assuming maximum performance, the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to Mr. Jacoby is $9,613,954.
(7)
Consists of 18,182 restricted shares of common stock that were granted on April 1, 2022, which vest ratably on January 1, 2023, 2024 and 2025, subject to Mr. Topchy's continued employment on such dates and the terms of his employment agreement.
(8)
Consists of (i) 14,535 restricted shares of common stock that were granted on October 1, 2021, which vest ratably on January 1, 2022, 2023 and 2024, subject to Mr. Topchy's continued employment on such dates and the terms of his employment agreement, and (ii) a target number of 232,558 RSUs scheduled to vest, if at all, based on performance during a performance period ending December 31, 2025. This award value includes the value of RSUs granted to Mr. Topchy based on target performance ($986,046). Assuming maximum performance, the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to Mr. Topchy is $2,958,138.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows all outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs at December 31, 2022.

Name

 

Number of Shares That Have Not Vested (#) (1)

 

 

Market Value of Shares That Have Not Vested ($) (2)

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares or Units That Have Not Vested (#) (3)

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Shares or Units That Have Not Vested ($) (2)

 

Michael Z. Jacoby

 

 

83,615

 

 

$

120,406

 

 

 

755,814

 

 

$

1,088,372

 

Alexander Topchy

 

 

27,872

 

 

$

40,136

 

 

 

232,558

 

 

$

334,884

 

(1)
Represents shares of time-vesting restricted shares of common stock, which vest ratably on January 1, 2023, 2024 and 2025, subject to the executive's continued employment on such dates and the terms of his employment agreement.
(2)
The market value is determined by multiplying the number of restricted shares or RSUs, as applicable, by $1.44, the closing trading price of common stock on the OTCQX on December 31, 2022, the last day of the fiscal year.
(3)
Represents RSUs that are scheduled to vest, if at all, based on performance during a performance period ending December 31, 2025, subject to the executive's continued employment on such date and the terms of his employment agreement. The number of RSUs assumes that threshold performance (50%) has been achieved. The actual number of RSUs that will vest at the end of the performance period ranges from 0% to 300%.

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

Restricted Shares of Common Stock and RSUs

In March 2022, upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee, the Board approved the following grants under the Plan, in each case with an effective grant date of April 1, 2022: 54,545 and 18,182 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock to Messrs. Jacoby and Topchy, respectively, which are scheduled to vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on January 1, 2023, subject to such executive’s continued service on such dates and the terms of such executive’s employment agreement and a restricted stock award agreement previously approved by the Board.

In September 2021, upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee, the Board approved the following grants under the Plan, in each case with an effective grant date of October 1, 2021: (i) 43,605 and 14,535 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock to Messrs. Jacoby and Topchy, respectively, which are scheduled to vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on January 1, 2022, subject to such executive’s continued service on such dates and the terms of such executive’s employment agreement and a restricted stock award agreement previously approved by the Board; and (ii) RSUs with a target number of RSUs of 755,814 and 232,558 to Messrs. Jacoby and Topchy, respectively. The grants of the RSUs were made pursuant to performance award of stock units agreements (each, an “RSU Award Agreement”).

Subject to the executive’s continued service on such date and certain exceptions set forth in the RSU Award Agreement, the RSUs will vest based on the Company’s Implied Equity Market Capitalization (as defined in the RSU Award Agreement) at the end of the performance period ending on December 31, 2024, according to the following schedule:

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Performance Level

Implied Equity Market Capitalization

% of "Target Award" that Vests

Threshold

$

118,000,000

50%

Target

$

200,000,000

100%

Stretch

$

300,000,000

200%

Outperform

$

400,000,000

300%

If, however, the maximum amount of the award is not earned as of December 31, 2024, the remaining RSUs may be earned based on the Company’s Implied Equity Market Capitalization as of December 31, 2025. To the extent performance is between any two designated amounts, the percentage of the target award earned will be determined using a straight-line linear interpolation between the two designated amounts.

Cash Bonuses

For 2022, the Compensation Committee approved a cash bonus plan for Messrs. Jacoby and Topchy, with the amount of each officer’s cash bonus dependent on the achievement of certain pre‑established goals determined by the Compensation Committee, including the Company’s 2022 revenue and general and administrative expense, as well as certain strategic and individual goals. The range of the 2022 cash bonuses were based on the following threshold, target and stretch amounts, as a percentage of each executive’s base salary: Mr. Jacoby – 75% (threshold), 100% (target) and 125% (stretch); and Mr. Topchy – 37.5% (threshold), 50% (target) and 62.5% (stretch). Based on the Compensation Committee’s review of the performance of Messrs. Jacoby and Topchy in relation to the pre-determined goals, on March 29, 2023, the Compensation Committee approved bonuses for Messrs. Jacoby and Topchy in the amounts of $395,000 and $111,000, respectively. Mr. Jacoby was granted 254,839 shares of common stock as a result of his election to receive common stock in lieu of cash payment of 50% of his bonus. Mr. Jacoby’s and Mr. Topchy’s bonuses were otherwise paid in cash. These amounts are reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.

Pay Versus Performance

As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information regarding the relationship between executive compensation and certain financial performance of the Company. The disclosure included in this section is prescribed by SEC rules and does not necessarily align with how the Company or the compensation committee view the link between the Company’s performance and its NEO pay.

The table below presents information on the compensation of our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and our other NEO in comparison to certain performance metrics for 2022 and 2021. The metrics are not those that the compensation committee uses when setting executive compensation. The use of the term “compensation actually paid” (“CAP”) is required by the SEC’s rules. Per SEC rules, CAP is calculated by adjusting the Summary Compensation Table total values for the applicable year as described in the footnotes to the table below:

Year

 

Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (1), (2)

 

 

Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (3)

 

 

Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO NEO (1), (2)

 

 

Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEO (4)

 

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Returns (5)

 

 

Company Net Loss for the Year (6)

 

2022

 

$

943,420

 

 

$

(1,528,209

)

 

$

405,095

 

 

$

(347,339

)

$

99.90

 

 

$

(16,273,000

)

2021

 

 

4,114,481

 

 

 

4,538,149

 

 

 

1,376,438

 

 

 

1,517,151

 

 

105.73

 

 

 

(10,744,000

)

(1)
In both 2022 and 2021, Michael Z. Jacoby, our Chief Executive Officer, was the Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”), and the only non-PEO NEO was Alexander Topchy, our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.
(2)
Reported pay based on total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table. Reported pay for 2022 and 2021 includes the grant date fair value of awards of restricted shares of common stock and RSUs, as computed under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
(3)
Represents the amount of “compensation actually paid” to the PEO, as computed in accordance with SEC rules and does not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid during the applicable year. In

39


accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to total compensation to determine the compensation actually paid:

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

$

943,420

 

 

$

4,114,481

 

Less: Value of stock awards reported in summary compensation table

 

 

(119,999

)

 

 

(3,307,559

)

Less: Value of non-equity incentive plan reported in summary compensation table

 

 

(395,000

)

 

 

(377,204

)

Plus: Year-end fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in the year

 

 

78,545

 

 

 

117,734

 

Plus: Year-over-year change in fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in prior periods

 

 

(2,016,861

)

 

 

3,990,698

 

Plus: Year-over-year change in fair value of equity awards granted in prior years that vested in the year

 

 

(18,314

)

 

 

 

Compensation Actually Paid to PEO

 

$

(1,528,209

)

 

$

4,538,149

 

(4)
Represents the amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEO, as computed in accordance with SEC rules and does not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid during the applicable year. In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to total compensation to determine the compensation actually paid:

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

$

405,095

 

 

$

1,376,438

 

Less: Value of stock awards reported in summary compensation table

 

 

(40,000

)

 

 

(1,020,349

)

Less: Value of non-equity incentive plan reported in summary compensation table

 

 

(111,000

)

 

 

(106,089

)

Plus: Year-end fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in the year

 

 

26,182

 

 

 

39,245

 

Plus: Year-over-year change in fair value of outstanding and unvested equity awards granted in prior periods

 

 

(621,511

)

 

 

1,227,906

 

Plus: Year-over-year change in fair value of equity awards granted in prior years that vested in the year

 

 

(6,105

)

 

 

 

Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEO's

 

$

(347,339

)

 

$

1,517,151

 

(5)
Cumulative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) is calculated by dividing (a) the sum of (i) the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period assuming dividend reinvestment (the Company has not declared a dividend during the prior two fiscal years), and (ii) the difference between the Company’s share price at the end of each fiscal year shown and the beginning of the measurement period by (b) the Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period. The beginning of the measurement period for each year in the table is December 31, 2020.
(6)
Represents the amount of net loss as reported in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year.

Relationship between CAP and Financial Measures

In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following description of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table on CAP and each of TSR and net loss. The compensation actually paid to our PEO and NEO during the periods presented are positively correlated.

As illustrated in the above table, for 2022, the Summary Compensation Table totals for our PEO and non-PEO NEO were $943,420 and $405,095, respectively, whereas the amounts actually paid to our PEO and non-PEO NEO based on CAP were $(1,528,209) and $(347,339), respectively. Our TSR and our PEO's and non-PEO NEO's CAP declined primarily due to a decrease in stock price in 2022 compared to 2021, which impacted the fair value of the unvested restricted stock and RSUs.

40


For 2021, the Summary Compensation Table totals for our PEO and non-PEO NEO were $4,114,481 and $1,376,438, respectively, whereas the amounts actually paid to our PEO and non-PEO NEO based on CAP were $4,538,149 and $1,517,151, respectively. During such period, the TSR of our common stock was $105.73, which reflected an increase of 5.7%.

In 2022, our net loss increased 51% compared to 2021 primarily due to (i) an increase in interest expense related to debt that was assumed or originated in connection with six properties that were acquired during 2022 and 2021 and additional net borrowings, (ii) a decrease in gain on extinguishment of debt and (iii) a net decrease in operating loss.

We generally do not utilize TSR and net loss in our executive compensation program.

Employment Agreements

On December 27, 2019, Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Topchy entered into employment agreements with the Company and Broad Street Operating Partnership, LP, the Company’s operating partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).

The employment agreements each had initial three-year terms with automatic one-year renewals thereafter, unless the executive or the Company provides timely notice of non-renewal to the other party. Mr. Jacoby’s employment agreement provides for a base salary of $400,000 per year and Mr. Topchy’s employment agreement provides for a base salary of $215,000 per year, both of which may be adjusted from time to time. Each employment agreement provides the executive with an annual bonus opportunity, which may be adjusted annually at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The executive will also be eligible to receive equity-based incentives, as determined by the Compensation Committee, or by the Board in the absence of a compensation committee, and participate in other compensatory and benefit plans generally available to all employees.

The employment agreements provide that, if the executive’s employment is terminated:

by the Company for “cause” (as defined in the employment agreements), by the executive without “good reason” (as defined in the employment agreements), as a result of a non-renewal of the employment term by the executive, or due to the executive’s death, then the executive will receive the following payments (the “Accrued Benefits”): (i) all accrued but unpaid wages through the termination date; (ii) all accrued but unused vacation through the termination date; and (iii) all approved, but unreimbursed, business expenses;
by the Company without “cause,” by the executive for “good reason,” or as a result of a non-renewal of the employment term by us, then the executive will receive (in addition to the Accrued Benefits): (i) any earned but unpaid bonus relating to the bonus year completed prior to the date of termination; (ii) COBRA continuation coverage premiums required for the coverage of the executive (and his eligible dependents) under the Company’s medical group health plan for a period of 18 months, or until the executive is employed by a third party that provides comparable coverage at no cost to the executive; and (iii) a separation payment payable in equal installments over a period of 12 months following the termination equal to the sum of three times (3x) for Mr. Jacoby, and two times (2x) for Mr. Topchy of their (A) then current base salary and (B) average annual bonus for the two completed annual bonus periods immediately preceding the termination (if the termination occurs before completion of two years, the bonus amount is based on the executive’s target bonus for any non-completed fiscal year, together, if applicable, with the annual bonus earned for any completed year, with partial year amounts annualized); or
due to the executive’s “disability” (as defined in the employment agreements), then the executive (or his estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be) will receive (in addition to the Accrued Benefits): (i) any earned but unpaid bonus relating to the bonus year completed prior to the date of termination and (ii) COBRA continuation coverage premiums required for the coverage of the executive (or his eligible dependents) under the Company’s medical group health plan, for a period of 18 months or until the executive is employed by a third party that provides comparable coverage at no cost to the executive.

Additionally, in the event of a change in control (as defined in the employment agreements), or if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause,” by the executive for “good reason” or as a result of a non-renewal of the employment term by us, all of the executive’s outstanding unvested equity-based awards will vest and become immediately exercisable and unrestricted.

41


The executive’s right to receive the severance payments and benefits described above is subject to his delivery and non-revocation of an effective general release of claims in favor of the Company and compliance with customary restrictive covenant provisions, including, relating to confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation, cooperation and nondisparagement.

42


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee is currently composed of Messrs. Bedi, Neal and Foster, with Mr. Foster serving as its chairperson. The members of the Audit Committee are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

One of the principal purposes of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in the oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s management team has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 with our management.

The Audit Committee also is responsible for assisting the Board of Directors in the oversight of the qualification, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards and the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC.

The Audit Committee has received both the written disclosures and the letter from BDO USA, LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BDO USA, LLP its independence. In addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services, and the fees charged for such non-audit services, by BDO USA, LLP are compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO USA, LLP from management and the Company.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements for 2022 be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted,

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Jeffrey H. Foster (Chairperson)

Vineet P. Bedi

Daniel J.W. Neal

The Audit Committee Report above does not constitute “soliciting material” and will not be deemed “filed” or incorporated by reference into any of our auditor’s independence.


19
filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act that might incorporate SEC filings by reference, in whole or in part, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in those filings.

43



PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS


The following table listssets forth the stockbeneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 24, 2023 for:

each person, or group of affiliated person, who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;
each of our named executive officers;
each of our directors and director nominees; and
all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

The percentage ownership information shown in the table below is based upon 33,135,490 shares of common stock and 5,560,296 units of limited partnership interest (“OP units”) in the Operating Partnership (not including OP units held by us) outstanding as of August 24, 2023.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In addition, these rules require that we include shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the vesting of restricted stock units and the exercise of stock options and warrants that are either immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of August 24, 2023. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options or warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.

The address for persons listed in the table is c/o Broad Street Realty, Inc., 7250 Woodmont Ave, Suite 350, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned

 

 

Percentage of All Shares

 

 

Number of OP Units Beneficially Owned

 

 

Percentage of All Shares and OP Units

 

Named executive officers and directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Z. Jacoby

 

 

3,238,943

 

(1)

 

9.8

%

 

 

1,090,104

 

 

 

11.2

%

Thomas M. Yockey

 

 

2,612,720

 

 

 

7.9

%

 

 

653,822

 

 

 

8.4

%

Vineet P. Bedi

 

 

66,570

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Donna Brandin

 

 

25,000

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Jeffrey H. Foster

 

 

132,521

 

 

*

 

 

 

33,810

 

 

*

 

Daniel J.W. Neal (2)

 

 

1,006,420

 

 

 

3.0

%

 

 

202,861

 

 

 

3.1

%

Noah Shore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samuel M. Spiritos

 

 

189,587

 

(3)

*

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Alexander Topchy

 

 

236,003

 

 

*

 

 

 

79,995

 

 

*

 

Jeffery C. Walraven

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All current executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons)

 

 

7,507,764

 

 

 

22.7

%

 

 

2,060,592

 

 

 

24.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than 5% Beneficial Owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CF Flyer Mezz Holdings LLC (4)

 

 

2,560,000

 

(5)

 

7.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%

(1)
Includes 11,900 shares held by Mr. Jacoby’s spouse, for which Mr. Jacoby disclaims beneficial ownership.

44


(2)
Includes 37,255 shares and 33,810 Class A common OP units (“Common OP units”) held by ABL, LLC, a limited liability company of which Mr. Neal is the managing member, and 29,554 shares held by an account for Mr. Neal's child, of which Mr. Neal is custodian.
(3)
Includes 13,827 shares held by SR BSV Spotswood LLC, a limited liability company of which Mr. Spiritos is the manager.
(4)
Beneficial ownership is as of December 20, 2022 as reflected in a statement on Schedule 13D/A filed by CF Flyer Mezz Holdings LLC (“CF Flyer Mezz”), FCOF V Expansion ULMA-C Investments LLC, FCOF V Expansion CDFG MA-C Investments LLC (Flyer Series), Fortress Credit Opportunities Fund V Expansion (G) L.P., Fortress Credit Opportunities V Advisors LLC, FCO Fund V GP LLC, Hybrid GP Holdings (Cayman) LLC, Hybrid GP Holdings LLC, FIG LLC, Fortress Operating Entity I LP, FIG Corp., Fortress Investment Group LLC (collectively, the “Current Fortress Beneficial Owners”), CF Flyer PE Investor LLC, CF Flyer PE Holdings LLC and FCOF V Expansion USTMA-C LLC. According to such Schedule 13D, the Current Fortress Beneficial Owners have shared voting power and shared dispositive power over the shares reported above. The principal business address of the Current Fortress Beneficial Owners is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 46th Floor, New York, New York 10105.
(5)
Reflects 2,560,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, subject to certain adjustments.

45


The Board has adopted a written related person transaction approval policy to further the goal of ensuring that any related person transaction is properly reviewed, approved by the Audit Committee and fully disclosed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. The policy applies to transactions or arrangements between the Company and any related person, including directors, director nominees, executive officers, greater than 5% stockholders and the immediate family members of each of these groups (the “Related Persons”). This policy, however, does not apply with respect to general conflicts between the interests of the Company and our employees, officers and directors, including issues relating to engaging in a competing business and receiving certain benefits from the Company, such as loans or guarantees of obligations, which are reported and handled in accordance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other procedures and guidelines implemented by the Company from time to time.

Under the policy, the Related Person is responsible for identifying and reporting to the Audit Committee any proposed related person transaction. In the event the Chief Executive Officer determines that it is impractical or undesirable to wait until an Audit Committee meeting can be convened in order to review a transaction with the Related Person, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee may act as an authorized subcommittee on behalf of the Audit Committee to review such transaction, so long as the Chairperson is a disinterested member with respect to such transaction. After considering all the facts and circumstances available to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee will approve, ratify or reject the transaction, in its discretion. All approved transactions with Related Persons are disclosed to the full Board.

The Mergers

As consideration in the mergers pursuant to which we acquired most our properties (the “Mergers”), as a result of their interests in the parties of such Mergers, (i) Mr. Jacoby received 2,533,650 shares of common stock and 993,018 Common OP units, (ii) Mr. Yockey received 2,533,650 shares of common stock and 556,736 Common OP units, (iii) Mr. Topchy received an aggregate of 137,345 shares of common stock and 62,658 Common OP units, (iv) Mr. Neal received, directly or indirectly, 878,170 shares of common stock and (v) Mr. Spiritos indirectly received 13,827 shares of common stock.

Purchase of BSR Interests

Prior to the completion of the initial Mergers in 2019, BSR agreed to purchase a percentage of Mr. Yockey's ownership interest in BSR for total consideration of $1.5 million. Approximately $1.0 million of this consideration was paid to Mr. Yockey in the first quarter of 2020 and the remaining $0.5 million was paid to Mr. Yockey in the second quarter of 2021.

Representation Warranty and Indemnification Agreement

Concurrently with the entry into the merger agreements for the Mergers, Messrs. Jacoby and Yockey entered into a representation, warranty and indemnification agreement with the Company and the Operating Partnership, pursuant to which they have agreed to indemnify the Company and the Operating Partnership for certain breaches of the representations and warranties of BSR, Broad Street Ventures, LLC and certain other parties to the merger agreements contained in the merger agreements for a period of one year following the closing of the Mergers, subject to certain exceptions and limitations.

Fortress Agreements

In November 2022, in connection with transactions pursuant to which the Fortress Member invested $80.0 million in a subsidiary (the “Eagles Sub-OP”) of the Operating Partnership in exchange for a preferred membership interest

46


(such interest, the “Fortress Preferred Interest” and such investment, the “Preferred Equity Investment”), we entered into a number of agreements with affiliates of Fortress.

Preferred Equity Investment

The Operating Partnership and the Eagles Sub-OP entered into a preferred equity investment agreement with the Fortress Member, pursuant to which the Fortress Member made the Preferred Equity Investment and the Operating Partnership and the Fortress Member entered into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Eagles Sub-OP (the “Eagles Sub-OP Operating Agreement”). See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Fortress Preferred Equity Investment” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for additional information regarding the Preferred Equity Investment and the Eagles Sub-OP Operating Agreement.

Fortress Governance Agreement

In connection with the Preferred Equity Investment, we entered into the Fortress Governance Agreement. Pursuant to the Fortress Governance Agreement, so long as (i) the Preferred Equity Investment is outstanding, in whole or in part, or (ii) the Fortress Member or its affiliates hold five percent (5%) or more of our issued and outstanding common stock (assuming all securities held by the Fortress Member or its affiliates that are convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock have been so converted or exchanged) (the “Governance Rights Period”), at each annual or special meeting of the stockholders, we must nominate, and use reasonable efforts to solicit proxies for, a person identified by the Fortress Member (the “Fortress Director”) to serve on the Board. During the Governance Rights Period, any vacancy in the Fortress Director’s seat on the Board must be filled by the Board with a new Fortress Director identified by the Fortress Member. Furthermore, Messrs. Jacoby and Yockey agreed to vote in favor of each Fortress Director nominated to serve on the Board.

In addition, upon the request of the Fortress Member, we must appoint the Fortress Director to each committee of the Board as the Fortress Member may request, subject to certain exceptions and applicable independence and other requirements of the SEC or any national securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which the common stock is traded or quoted.

In connection with the closing of the Preferred Equity Investment, the Board appointed Mr. Shore to serve as the initial Fortress Director. The Fortress Member has identified, and we have nominated, Mr. Shore as the Fortress Director to stand for election at the Annual Meeting.

During the Governance Rights Period, the Fortress Member is also entitled to designate an individual to attend meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, in each case as a non-voting observer and subject to certain exceptions.

Fortress Warrant

In connection with the Preferred Equity Investment, we issued a warrant to purchase common stock (the “Fortress Warrant”) to the Fortress Member. The Fortress Warrant was subsequently assigned to CF Flyer Mezz.

The Fortress Warrant provides CF Flyer Mezz the right to purchase 2,560,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The Fortress Warrant may be exercised on a cashless basis and will automatically be deemed exercised in full on a cashless basis upon the occurrence of an underwritten public offering by us meeting certain conditions (a “Qualified Public Offering”).

If at any time we grant, issue or sell any convertible securities or other rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to holders of shares of common stock, CF Flyer Mezz will be entitled to acquire, on the same terms as granted to holders of shares of common stock, the aggregate number of convertible securities or other rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property that CF Flyer Mezz would have otherwise been entitled to acquire had CF Flyer Mezz held the number of shares of common stock acquirable upon complete exercise of the Fortress Warrant on the record date for such grant by us.

47


In the event of a Reorganization Event (as defined in the Fortress Warrant), as a result of which the common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for stock, other securities, other property or assets, the right to receive shares of common stock upon exercise of the Fortress Warrant will be changed to a right to receive the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets that a holder of one share of common stock was entitled to receive in connection with such Reorganization Event.

Cash Flow Pledge

In connection with the Preferred Equity Investment, the Operating Partnership entered into a cash flow pledge agreement (the “Cash Flow Pledge”) in favor of the Fortress Member. Pursuant to the Cash Flow Pledge, the Operating Partnership pledged to the Eagles Sub-OP, and agreed to contribute to the Eagles Sub-OP, all distributions that the Operating Partnership receives from its subsidiaries that, directly or indirectly, own certain properties, after taking into account amounts payable by such entities on account of mortgages secured by such properties, until such properties are contributed to the Eagles Sub-OP.

Guaranty of Recourse Obligations

In connection with the Preferred Equity Investment, we entered into a guaranty of recourse obligations (the “Company Guaranty”) for the benefit of the Fortress Member. Pursuant to the Company Guaranty, we guaranteed certain obligations of our subsidiaries under the documents entered into in connection with the Preferred Equity Investment. In addition, Messrs. Jacoby and Yockey guaranteed the full payment of the redemption amount for the Fortress Preferred Interest in the event of a bankruptcy event of us or our subsidiaries without the consent of the Fortress Member or certain other events that interfere with the rights of the Fortress Member under the documents entered into in connection with the Preferred Equity Investment.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the Preferred Equity Investment, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Fortress Member. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we provided the Fortress Member with certain registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Fortress Preferred Interest and/or the Fortress Mezzanine Loan (as defined below) and the exercise of the Fortress Warrant, including, at any time after a Qualified Public Offering, up to three demand registrations and up to three underwritten offerings in any 12-month period, as well as certain piggyback rights. In addition, we and the Fortress Member agreed to certain lock-up restrictions in connection with any underwritten offerings.

Fortress Mezzanine Loan

In connection with the acquisition of the property known as Midtown Row, one of our subsidiaries and CF Flyer Mezz entered into a $15.0 million mezzanine loan (the "Fortress Mezzanine Loan") secured by 100% of the membership interests in the entity that owns Midtown Row. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Consolidated Indebtedness and Preferred Equity—Fortress Mezzanine Loan” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for additional information regarding the Fortress Mezzanine Loan.”

Receivables and Payables

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had $1.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in receivables due from related parties. The $1.2 million at December 31, 2022 relates to the Merger pursuant to which we acquired Lamar Station Plaza West, including the note receivable due from a related party. The $0.2 million at December 31, 2021 relates to receivables due from properties managed by us which were provided to the properties for working capital. Additionally, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had less than $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in payables due to properties managed by us related to amounts borrowed by us for working capital. On October 6, 2022, Lamar Station Plaza West, a property managed by us and acquired in November 2022, advanced us $1.1 million for deposits related to our financing in November 2022.

Approximately $0.4 million and$1.2million of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, was generated from related parties. Additionally, approximately $0.1 million of our accounts receivable, net balance at each of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was owed from related parties.

48


Management Fees

During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we provided management services for Lamar Station Plaza West, which was acquired during 2022 in the remaining Merger, and the property known as Cypress Point Shopping Center. We received a management fee ranging from 3.0% to 4.0% of such properties’ gross income. Messrs. Jacoby, Yockey and Topchy had interests in the entity that owned Lamar Station Plaza West. Messrs. Jacoby, Yockey, Topchy and Neal had interests in the entity that owned the Cypress Point property. In 2022, we terminated the merger agreement related to the Cypress Point property due to the performance of the property.

Midtown Row Acquisition

Messrs. Jacoby, Yockey, Topchy, Foster and Neal had indirect ownership interests in BBL Current Owner, LLC (“BBL Current”), which owned Midtown Row. Mr. Jacoby also served as the chief executive officer and a director of BBL Current. On November 23, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Midtown Row and paid $118.7 million in cash and the Operating Partnership issued 448,180 Common OP units and 1,842,917 Series A preferred OP units. As consideration in the acquisition of Midtown Row, as a result of their direct or indirect interests in BBL Current, (i) Mr. Jacoby received 97,086 Common OP units, (ii) Mr. Neal indirectly received 202,861 Common OP units, (iii) Mr. Foster received 33,810 Common OP units, (iv) Mr. Yockey received 97,086 Common OP units and (v) Mr. Topchy received 17,337 Common OP units. We served as the development manager for Midtown Row and serve as the property manager and the leasing broker for the retail portion of Midtown Row.

Guarantees

Messrs. Jacoby and Yockey have guaranteed our subsidiaries’ obligations under (i) the Eagles Sub-OP Operating Agreement, (ii) the loan agreement (the “Basis Loan Agreement”) by and between six of our subsidiaries, as borrowers, and Big Real Estate Finance I, LLC, as lender, a subsidiary of a real estate fund managed by Basis Management Group, LLC (“Basis”) and (iii) the mortgage loan secured by Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center. Our subsidiaries’ obligations under an amended and restated operating agreement (the “Basis Sub-OP Operating Agreement”) by and between the Operating Partnership and Big BSP Investments, LLC, a subsidiary of a real estate fund managed by Basis, were guaranteed by Messrs. Jacoby and Yockey. We have agreed to indemnify Mr. Yockey for any losses he incurs as a result of his guarantee of the Basis Loan Agreement, the Basis Sub-OP Operating Agreement, and the Brookhill mortgage loan. Mr. Jacoby is also a guarantor under the mortgage loan agreement related to Cromwell Field Shopping Center. In connection with the transactions related to the Preferred Equity Investment, we redeemed the preferred interests under the Basis Sub-OP Operating Agreement. For more information about the Eagles Sub-OP Operating Agreement, the Preferred Equity Investment and the Basis Loan Agreement, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Consolidated Indebtedness and Preferred Equity” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Tax Protection Agreements

On December 27, 2019, pursuant to the merger agreements for the Mergers, the Company and the Operating Partnership entered into tax protection agreements (the “Initial Tax Protection Agreements”) with each of the prior investors in BSV Colonial Investor LLC, BSV Lamonticello Investors LLC and BSV Patrick Street Member LLC, including Messrs. Jacoby, Yockey and Topchy, in connection with their receipt of Common OP units in certain of the Mergers closed on December 27, 2019. On April 4, 2023, pursuant to the applicable merger agreement, the Company and the Operating Partnership entered into a tax protection agreement (together with the Initial Tax Protection Agreements, the “Tax Protection Agreements”), with each of the prior investors in BSV Lamont Investors LLC, including Messrs. Jacoby, Yockey and Topchy, in connection with their receipt of Common OP units in the Merger whereby we acquired Lamar Station Plaza West. Pursuant to the Tax Protection Agreements, until the seventh anniversary of the completion of the applicable Merger, the Company and the Operating Partnership may be required to indemnify the other parties thereto for their tax liabilities related to built-in gain that exists with respect to the properties known as Midtown Colonial, Midtown Lamonticello, Vista Shops at Golden Mile and Lamar Station Plaza West (the “Protected Properties”). Furthermore, until the seventh anniversary of the completion of the applicable Merger, the Company and the Operating Partnership will be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid any event, including a sale of the Protected Properties, that triggers built-in gain to the other parties to the Tax Protection Agreements, subject to certain exceptions, including like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code.

49


Consulting Agreement

We had engaged Timbergate Ventures, LLC, an entity wholly owned by Mr. Yockey, as a consultant for a two-year term beginning upon the completion of the Mergers on December 27, 2019. Pursuant to this arrangement, we paid Timbergate Ventures, LLC a consulting fee of $200,000 during 2021. This agreement expired on December 26, 2021.

Shulman Rogers LLP Legal Fees

Mr. Spiritos is the managing partner of Shulman Rogers LLP, which represents us in certain real estate matters, including with matters related to the Mergers. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we paid $355,279 and $545,305, respectively, in legal fees to Shulman Rogers LLP.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The Existing Charter and our bylaws provide for (and the Amended and Restated Charter would provide for) certain indemnification rights for our directors and officers, and we entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our executive officers and directors, providing for procedures for indemnification and advancement by us of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits or proceedings arising from their service to us or, at our request, service to other entities, as officers or directors, or in certain other capacities, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.

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PROPOSAL 5: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Section 14A of the Exchange Act enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules.

Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract and retain executive talent and to align the interests of our NEOs with the interests of the Company and our stockholders by providing market competitive compensation that is closely tied to short-term and long-term performance goals set by our Compensation Committee. The compensation of our NEOs is comprised of a mix of base salary, restricted shares of common stock, RSUs and cash bonuses. Please read the “Executive Compensation” section beginning on page 37, which includes tabular disclosure regarding the compensation of our NEOs and the accompanying narrative disclosure set forth in this Proxy Statement for additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about the fiscal year 2022 compensation of our NEOs.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our NEO compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, our Board is asking our stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”

Vote Required and Recommendation

The vote on the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in this Proxy Statement is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board. Our Board and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the NEO compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns. As disclosed in “Proposal 6: Advisory Vote on Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation,” we have recommended that our stockholders should cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs on an annual basis. Unless this policy changes, the next advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs will be at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the NEOs, as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of May 26, 2010.


Name and Address(1)
 Common
Stock
  
Stock
Options(2)
  
Preferred
Stock(3)
  Total  
Percentage(4)
 
Gary O. Marino(5)
Patriot Equity, LLC
2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W
Boca Raton, FL 33431
  212,728   56,250   50,000   318,978   10.2%
Paul S. Dennis(6)
16330 Vintage Oaks Lane,
Delray Beach, FL 33484
  364,792   56,250   200,000   621,042   19.0%
Bennett Marks
Patriot Rail, LLC
2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W
Boca Raton, FL 33431
  31,135   56,250      87,385   2.8%
Donald D. Redfearn(7)
4629 Gleneagles Drive
Boynton Beach, FL 334316
  1,000   6,250   25,000   32,250   1.1%
Greg Smith(8)
100 Chesterfield Business Pkwy
Suite 200
Chesterfield, MO 63005
  166,667      100,000   266,667   8.6%
Andy C. Lewis(9)
100 Chesterfield Business Pkwy
Suite 200
Chesterfield, MO 63005
  166,667      100,000   266,667   8.6%
All directors, and executive officers as a group (8 individuals)  981,134   190,625   500,000   1,671,759   45.1%
the SEC, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosures.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

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(1)Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power over the shares of stock owned.
(2)Shares of common stock the beneficial owners have the right to acquire through stock options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days.
(3)Shares of common stock into which shares of series A preferred stock held by the beneficial owner are currently convertible.
(4)Assumes the exercise of options and conversion of series A preferred stock into common stock by that beneficial owner, but no others.
(5)All shares of common stock and preferred stock are held by Patriot Equity, LLC, a limited liability company of which Mr. Marino is sole member.
(6)297,042 shares of common stock and all shares of preferred stock are owned by Paul S. Dennis, Trustee under the Paul S. Dennis Trust Agreement dated August 9, 1983, as modified.
(7)Shares of preferred stock held by Redfearn Enterprises LLC.
(8)All shares of common stock and preferred stock are held by the Stephanie G. Smith Trust u/a dated December 20, 1995, as amended, Stephanie G. Smith and Greg Smith, Trustees.
(9)All shares of common stock and preferred stock are held by the Andy C. Lewis and Michelle D. Lewis Revocable Trust.
20

Proposal 6: Advisory Vote on Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Section 14A of the Exchange Act requires that we must provide our stockholders with an opportunity to indicate how frequently we should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs. In this Proposal 6, our Board is asking stockholders to cast a non-binding, advisory vote indicating whether they would prefer an advisory vote on executive compensation, such as that set forth in Proposal 5, once every one, two, or three years.

Vote Required and Recommendation

Our Board has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every year is the most appropriate alternative for the Company, and therefore our Board recommends that you vote for a one-year interval for the advisory vote on executive compensation. The Board believes that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation facilitates input from our stockholders on our compensation policies and practices that are disclosed in this Proxy Statement. We recognize that our stockholders may have differing views on the appropriate frequency for an advisory vote on executive compensation.

The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options (holding the advisory vote on executive compensation every one, two or three years, or abstain from voting) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board.

The option of one year, two years, or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be considered the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that is preferred by our stockholders. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on our Board or the Company in any way, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option preferred by our stockholders.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE OPTION OF “ONE YEAR” AS THE PREFERRED FREQUENCY WITH WHICH STOCKHOLDERS ARE PROVIDED AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

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OTHER MATTERS

Delinquent Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Reports

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that our directors and executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our common stock, to make filingsequity securities, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by the SEC reporting their ownership of our common stock and to furnish us with copies of these filings. all Forms 3, 4 and 5 that they file.

Based solely on our review of the copies of reports furnishedsuch forms, and/or on written representations from the reporting persons that they were not required to us,file a Form 5 for the fiscal year, we believe that all Section 16(a)these filing requirements were metsatisfied by the reporting persons during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, except for one Form 4 reporting one transaction. Mr. Jacoby was inadvertently late in 2009. Copiesfiling a Form 4, reporting one transaction, related to the purchase of these filingscommon stock on November 30, 2022.

Other Matters to Come Before the 2023 Annual Meeting

No other matters are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
Our directors received a total of 200,000 options, or 50,000 options each, as compensation for serving on our board in 2007 and 2008. 12,500 of these options were subsequently cancelled upon a board member’s resignation from the board. In 2008, a newly appointed director and officer received 12,500 options in connection with joining the board and 12,500 options for serving as an officer. In 2009, 87,500 options were issued, 25,000 to each of three directors and 12,500 to a member of senior management. We have not issued any other options, warrants or rights in 2009. Our directors and a former director exercised a total of 75,000 options in 2009. Our equity plans are summarized in the following table.
Plan category 
Number of
securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options
  
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options
  
Number of
securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the first
column)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders         
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  225,000  $3.20    
Total  225,000  $3.20    

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Banyan has entered into an agreement with Patriot Rail Corp. for office space and administrative services at our Boca Raton, Florida headquarters. Our chairman, president and chief executive officer, Gary O. Marino, our director and former chief financial officer, Bennett Marks, and our vice president of administration, C. Lawrence Rutstein, are officers and significant stockholders of Patriot Rail. Banyan pays Patriot Rail $5,000 a month for these services and the term of the agreement is month to month. We believe that Banyan would not be able to obtain these services from an unrelated third party on terms equivalent to those offered by Patriot Rail. We did not engage in any other transaction with related parties in 2009.
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On-going and future transactions with related parties will be:

·on terms at least as favorable as those that we could obtain from unrelated parties,
·for bona fide business purposes, and
·approved by a majority of disinterested and non-employee directors.

Related Person Transaction Policy
Our entire board of directors is responsible for reviewing and approving or ratifying all material transactions between us and any related person. Any transaction must be approved by a majority of disinterested directors. To identify these transactions, we require our directors and officers to complete an annual questionnaire identifying any transactions with us in which the officer or director or their immediate family members have an interest. When the board reviews, approves or ratifies transactions with related persons, any director associated with the transaction must abstain from voting and is not present while discussions and deliberations are held. In approving these transactions, the board considers whether the transactions are on terms at least as favorable as terms we could have obtained from unrelated parties and for bona fide business purposes. The board believes that the agreement described above meets this criteria. Our related party transaction policy is in writing and has been approved by our board.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A stockholder intending to present a proposal, to be included in our proxy statement or otherwise,presented for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders must deliver a notice, in accordance withaction at the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, to our chief executive officer at our principal executive office no laterAnnual Meeting other than January 26, 2011. The notice mustas set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting:

·a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting,
·the name and record address of the stockholder proposing such business,
·the number of shares of our common stock that are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and
·any material interest of the stockholder in such business.

Our board of directors also provides a process for our stockholders to send communications to our board. Stockholders may mail any communications to our vice president of administration at 2255 Glades Road, Suite-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431. Our vice president of administration will review all communications and forward to the board of directors all communications other than solicitations for products or services or trivial or obscene items. Mail addressed to a particular director or committee of the board will be forwarded to that director or committee. All other communications will be forwarded to our chairman for the review of the entire board.

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OTHER MATTERS

Our board of directors is not aware of any other matters to be submitted to the annual meeting.in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters properly come before the annual meeting, it is the intention ofhowever, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will vote all proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement as recommended by our Board, or, if no such recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2024 Annual Meeting

Any stockholder proposal pursuant to voteRule 14a-8 of the shares they representrules promulgated under the Exchange Act to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders must be received at our principal executive offices no later than , 2024, and any stockholder proposal received after this date shall be considered untimely.

In addition, any stockholder who wishes to propose a nominee to the Board must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than , 2024. If the 2024 Annual Meeting changes by more than 30 calendar days from the date of the Annual Meeting, such notice must instead be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting or the 10th calendar day following public announcement by us of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting. In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act.

Householding of Proxy Materials

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as banks and brokers) to satisfy the boarddelivery requirements for notices of directors may recommend.


You are urgedannual meetings, proxy statements and annual reports with respect to signtwo or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and return your proxy card promptly to make certain your sharescost savings for companies. This year, a single notice of the annual meeting of stockholders, or copy of the Proxy Statement and annual report, will be voteddelivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from one or more of the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your bank or broker that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your bank or broker, and direct your written request to Broad Street Realty, Inc. at 7250 Woodmont Ave, Suite 350, Bethesda, MD, 20814, Attention: Secretary, or contact our Secretary at (301) 828-1200. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the annual meeting.  For your convenience, a return envelope is enclosed requiring no additional postage if mailed in the United States.

Proxy Statement at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their bank or broker.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

C. Lawrence Rutstein
Vice President of Administration and Secretary
23


Annex A

Banyan Rail Services Inc.
2010 Stock Option And Award Plan
(_____________, 2010)

1. Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this Banyan Rail Services Inc. 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan is to advance the interests of Banyan Rail Services Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), by providing additional incentive to attract and retain qualified and competent persons who are key to the Company, including key employees, Officers and Directors, and upon whose efforts and judgment the success of the Company is largely dependent, by encouraging such persons to own stock in the Company.
(b) Section 409A. This Plan and any Awards granted hereunder are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and administered in a manner consistent with those intentions.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
(a) “Award” shall mean, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Non-Statutory Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options or Restricted Shares.
(b) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors,

Michael Z. Jacoby

Chief Executive Officer

Bethesda, MD

, 2023

53


ANNEX A

PROPOSED AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BROAD STREET REALTY, INC.

The present name of the Company.

(c) “Cause” hascorporation is Broad Street Realty, Inc. This corporation was incorporated under the meaning set forth in Section 10(a)(i).
(d)     “Changename “VMS Hotel Investment Fund” by the filing of Control” shall meanits original certificate of incorporation with the date on which any oneSecretary of State of the following occurs:
(i)State of Delaware on March 12, 1987. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the restated certificate of incorporation of this corporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 26, 1987, as amended, and was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and by the stockholders in accordance with Section 212 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

The restated certificate of incorporation of this corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

Section 1.1Name. The name of the Corporation is Broad Street Realty, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

Section 2.1 Address. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; and the name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

Section 3.1 Purpose. The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any one person,lawful act or more than one person actingactivity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a group (as determinedreal estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under Section 409A), acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the dateSections 856 through 860 of the most recent acquisition by that person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company;

(ii) a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board before the date of that appointment or election;
(iii) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as determined under Section 409A), acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by that person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company; or

A-1


(iv) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as determined under Section 409A), acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by that person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company before such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, “gross fair market value” means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, without regard to any liabilities associated with those assets.

(e) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f) “Committee” shall meanamended, or any successor statute (the “Code”).

ARTICLE IV

Section 4.1Capitalization. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the compensation committee appointed by the Board pursuantCorporation is authorized to Section 15 hereof or, if not appointed, the full Board.


(g) “Common Stock” shall mean the Company’s Common Stock,issue is 301,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

(h) “Controlled Entity”share (“Common Stock”) and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”). The number of authorized shares of any of the Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the requisite vote of the holders of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of the Common Stock voting separately as a class shall mean any trust, partnership, limited liability company or other entity inbe required therefor.

Section 4.2Common Stock.

(A) Voting Rights.

(1) Each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which such person that receives Non-Statutory Stock Options or Restricted Shares under this Plan acts as trustee, managing partner, managing member or otherwise controls; stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) (as the same may


be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Restated Certificate”) that relates solely to the terms of any one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Restated Certificate or pursuant to the DGCL.

(2) Except as otherwise required in this Restated Certificate or by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters (or, if any holders of any series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, as a single class with such holders of such Preferred Stock).

(3) No holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to cumulate votes on behalf of any candidate for a directorship. No holder of Common Stock will have any preemptive right to subscribe for any shares of capital stock issued in the future.

(B) Dividends and Distributions. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and other distributions in cash, stock of any corporation or property of the Corporation, such dividends and other distributions may be declared and paid ratably on the Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in its discretion shall determine.

(C) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of all outstanding shares of Common Stock or any holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder.

Section 4.3Preferred Stock.

(A) The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions, at any time and from time to time, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix, without further stockholder approval, the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series and to cause to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of designation with respect thereto. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

(B) Except as otherwise required by law, holders of a series of Preferred Stock, as such, shall be entitled only to such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Restated Certificate.

Section 4.4 Series A Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the authority conferred by this Article IV upon the Board, the Board created a series of 20,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Preferred Stock by filing a Certificate of Designations of the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”) on February 1, 2010, and the powers (including voting powers), designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the Corporation’s Series A Preferred Stock are set forth in Exhibit A hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

ARTICLE V

Section 5.1 Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized to make, amend, alter, change, add to or repeal the Bylaws without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the law of the State of Delaware or this Restated Certificate. The


stockholders shall have the concurrent power to amend the Bylaws; provided that, in addition to any greater or additional vote of stockholders required by this Restated Certificate, the Bylaws or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to make, amend, alter, change, add to or repeal any provision of the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI

Section 6.1Board of Directors.

(A) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. Subject to Section 6.1(G) below, the total number of directors constituting the Board shall be fixed exclusively by the Board.

(B) At each annual meeting of stockholders, all directors (other than those directors who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other series) shall be elected for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Nothing in this Restated Certificate shall preclude a director from serving consecutive terms. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

(C) Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate applicable thereto.

(D) Any or all of the directors (other than the directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, as the case may be) may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

(E) Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, any newly created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause) shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

(F) The Board, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, shall have the authority to cause the Corporation to elect to be subject to tax as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Following any such Non-Statutoryelection, if the Board determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Board, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. In addition, the Board, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, shall have and may exercise, on behalf of the Corporation, without limitation, the power to determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article XII of this Restated Certificate is no longer required to facilitate the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

(G) During any period when the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock Optionshave the special right to elect additional directors, upon commencement and for the duration of such period during which such right continues: (i) the total number of directors constituting the Board shall automatically be increased by such specified number of additional directors, and the holders of such series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or Restricted Shares receivedfixed pursuant to this Restated Certificate; and (ii) each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to this Restated Certificate, whichever occurs earlier, subject to such director’s earlier death,


resignation, disqualification or removal. Except as otherwise provided by this Restated Certificate, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having the special right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to this Restated Certificate, the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such series, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall automatically terminate, and any such director shall thereupon cease to be qualified as, and shall cease to be, a director, and the total number of directors comprising the total number of directors constituting the Board shall automatically be reduced accordingly.

ARTICLE VII

Section 7.1 Meeting of Stockholders.

(A) Any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of stock of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders; provided, however, that an action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of stock of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if (i) a consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were presented and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the DGCL and (ii) such action shall have been approved in advance by the Board (acting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors) and submitted by the Board to the stockholders for adoption thereby, acting by consent in lieu of a meeting thereof.

(B) Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the Board.

(C) An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.

(D) Advance notice of stockholder nominations for election of directors and other business to be brought by stockholders before a meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner provided by the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII

Section 8.1Limited Liability of Directors and Officers. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, a director or officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer except for liability (i) for a breach of a director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which a director or officer derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL or any other law of the State of Delaware is amended after approval by the stockholders of this PlanArticle VIII to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or such other law as so amended (other than as noted above in clauses (i)-(iv)). Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Article VIII, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any modification of law shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of a current or former director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.

ARTICLE IX

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation shall have the power to indemnify and advance expenses to, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or


proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate is awardedor was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, any predecessor of the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation. Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Article IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article IX in respect of any matter occurring, or any actionor proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article IX, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

ARTICLE X

Section 10.1Exclusive Jurisdiction for Certain Actions. Except as provided in Section 10.2, unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a spouseclaim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer of the Corporation arising pursuant to any divorce proceeding,provision of the DGCL or this Restated Certificate or the Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided that if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state court sitting in the State of Delaware.

Section 10.2 Exclusive Jurisdiction for Actions Arising Under the Securities Act. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Section 10.3 Application. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in the shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article X.

Section 10.4 Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Article X is intended to benefit and may be enforced by the Corporation, its officers and directors, the underwriters to any offering giving rise to any complaint, and any other professional or entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying such offering.

ARTICLE XI

Section 11.1Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Restated Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

ARTICLE XII

Section 12.1 Definitions. For the purpose of this Article XII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:


Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof in accordance with Section 12.2.8 of this Restated Certificate. The value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof, which determination shall be final and conclusive for all purposes hereof. For the purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Capital Stock by any Person, shares of Capital Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or constructively held by such Person, but not shares of Capital Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities of the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be terminated and forfeited notwithstanding any vesting provisionsoutstanding prior to conversion, exchange or other terms herein orexercise.

Beneficial Ownership. The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the agreement evidencing such Non-Statutoryshares of Capital Stock Options or Restricted Shares.


(i) “Director” shall mean a member of the Board.

(j) “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.

(k) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows (in order of applicability):  (i) if on the Grant Date or other determination date the Share is listed on an established national or regional stock exchange, is admitted to quotation on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. or is publicly traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be the closing price of the Share on that exchange or in that market (if there is more than one such exchange or market the Committee shall determine the appropriate exchange or market) on the Grant Date or such other determination date (or if there is no such reported closing price, the Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked prices or between the high and low sale prices on that trading day) or, (ii) if no sale of Shares is reported for that trading day, on the next preceding day on which any sale has been reported.  If the Share is not listed on such an exchange, quoted on such system or traded on such a market, Fair Market Value shall be the value of the Share as determined by the determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee in good faith in a manner consistent with Section 409A.

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(l) “Grant Date” means, with respect to an Award, the date such Award is granted to a Participant.  The Grant Date of an Award shall not be earlier than the date the Award is approved by the Committee.

(m) “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

(n) “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a Director who: (i) is not an officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) does not (A) receive compensation,held directly or indirectly from the Company or any Subsidiary for services rendered as(including by a consultant or in any other capacity other than as a Director, except for an amountnominee), and shall include interests that does not exceed the dollar amount for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a)treated as owned through the application of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. Section 229.404(a), or (B) possess an interest in any transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. Section 229.404(a); and (iii) is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. Section 229.404(a).

(o) “Non-Statutory Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

(p) “Officer” shall mean the Company’s chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer (or, if there is no such accounting officer, the controller), any vice president of the Company in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a policy-making function, or any other person who performs similar policy-making functions for the Company. Officers of Subsidiaries shall be deemed Officers of the Company if they perform such policy-making functions for the Company. As used in this paragraph, the phrase “policy-making function” does not include policy-making functions that are not significant.

(q) “Option” shall mean any Incentive Stock Option or Non-Statutory Stock Option granted under this Plan.

(r) “Option Agreement” shall mean the agreement entered into between the Company and the Participant who is to receive Options at the time of any Option grant.

(s) “Optionee” shall mean a person to whom an Option is granted under this Plan or any person who succeeds to the rights of such person under Section 13 hereof.

(t) “Participant” shall mean either a person to whom Restricted Shares are granted under this Plan, an Optionee or any person who succeeds to the rights of either such person under this Plan by reason of the death of such person.
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(u) “Plan” shall mean this 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan of the Company.
(v) “Restricted Shares” shall mean Shares granted or sold pursuant to Section 11 of this Plan as to which neither the substantial risk of forfeiture nor the prohibition on transfers referred to in such Section 11 has expired.

(w) “Restricted Share Agreement” shall mean the agreement entered into between the Company and the Participant who is to receive Restricted Shares at the time of any Restricted Share grant.

(x) “Section 409A” means Section 409A544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3)(A) of the U.S. DepartmentCode, including, without limitation, the number of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder.

(y) “Securities Exchange Act” shall meanshares of Capital Stock that such Person is deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(z) “Share(s)amended (the “Exchange Act”) or that is attributed to such Person pursuant to Section 318 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Business Day. The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock. The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock (including Series A Preferred Stock).

Charitable Beneficiary. The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 12.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Charitable Trust. The term “Charitable Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 12.3.1.

Common Stock Ownership Limit. The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of any class of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof in accordance with Section 12.2.8 of this Restated Certificate. The number and value of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof, which determination shall be final and conclusive for all purposes hereof. For purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Common Stock by any Person, shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or constructively held by such Person, but not shares of Common Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities of the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise.

Constructive Ownership. The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder. The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a sharePerson for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this Restated Certificate or by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof pursuant to Section 12.2.7.


Excepted Holder Limit. The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by this Restated Certificate or by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof pursuant to Section 12.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.2.8, the percentage limit established for an Excepted Holder by this Restated Certificate or by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof pursuant to Section 12.2.7.

Initial Date. The term “Initial Date” shall mean January 1st of the year after the first year for which the Corporation elects to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purpose.

Market Price. The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price (as defined in this paragraph) for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last reported sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange (as defined in this Section 12.1) or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined by the Board or such committee.

National Securities Exchange. The term “National Securities Exchange” shall mean a securities exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act.

Person. The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a “group,” as that term is used for purposes of Rule 13d-5(b) or promulgated under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

Prohibited Owner. The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer (as defined in this Section 12.1) (or other event), any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 12.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of the provisions of Section 12.2.1(A), and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares of Capital Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date. The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board determines pursuant to Section 6.1(F) of this Restated Certificate that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

TRS. The term “TRS” shall mean a taxable REIT subsidiary (as defined in Section 856(l) of the Code) of the Corporation.

Transfer. The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, whether directly or indirectly and whether by merger, consolidation, de-merger, division, conversion, redomestication, or otherwise, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire or change such Person’s percentage of Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends or other distributions on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option or right to purchase or acquire (or any disposition of any option or


right to purchase or acquire) any Capital Stock, (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any suchconversion or exchange right, and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

Trustee. The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person, unaffiliated with both the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.

Section 12.2 Capital Stock.

Section 12.2.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date or as otherwise set forth below, and subject to Section 12.4:

(A) Basic Restrictions.

(1) Except as provided in Section 12.2.7 hereof, no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, and no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit. No Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(2) Except as provided in Section 12.2.7 hereof, no Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT.

(3) Except as provided in Section 12.2.7 hereof, any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Capital Stock.

(4) Except as provided in Section 12.2.7 hereof, no Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership would cause the Corporation to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant (other than a TRS) of the Corporation’s real property within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code.

(5) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership would otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code, including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” (as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code) that operates a “qualified lodging facility” or “qualified health care property” (as defined in Section 856(e)(6)(D)(i) of the Code), on behalf of a TRS failing to qualify as such.

(6) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock could result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.

(B) Transfer in Trust/Transfer Void Ab Initio. If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (or other event) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 12.2.1(A)(1), (2), (4), (5) or (6),


(1) then that number of shares of the Common Stock.


(aa) “Subsidiary”Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 12.2.1(A)(1), (2), (4), (5) or (6) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall meanbe automatically transferred to a “subsidiary corporation”Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as defineddescribed in Section 424(f)12.3, effective as of the Code.

3. Available Shares.close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer (or other event), and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock; or

(2) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this Section 12.2.1(B) would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 12.2.1(A)(1), (2), (4), (5) or (6), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 12.2.1(A)(1), (2), (4), (5) or (6) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

Section 12.2.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof shall at any time determine that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of, or is otherwise inconsistent with, Section 12.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of or in a manner inconsistent with Section 12.2.1 (whether or not any violation is intended), the Board or a duly empowered committee thereof, or other designees if permitted by the DGCL, shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Capital Stock (which shares are and shall be deemed to be redeemable at the option of the Corporation for such consideration as may be determined by the Board or a duly empowered committee thereof), refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that, except with respect to any shares redeemed by the Corporation, any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 12.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board or a duly empowered committee thereof, or other designee if permitted by the DGCL.

Section 12.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate or be inconsistent with Section 12.2.1(A) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.2.1(B) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 12.2.4 Owners Required to Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(A) Every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating (1) the name and address of such owner, (2) the number of shares of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and Constructively Owned and (3) a description of the manner in which such shares are held and owned. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and

(B) Each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.


If any Person fails to provide the information required by Sections 12.2.4(A) or (B) in accordance with the provisions thereof, the Board or a duly empowered committee thereof may direct that all or a portion of such Person’s shares of Capital Stock be Transferred to a Charitable Trust or redeemed, in each case on the terms provided herein.

Section 12.2.5 Remedies Not Limited. Nothing contained in this Section 12.2 shall limit the authority of the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to, subject to Section 6.1(F) of this Restated Certificate, protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT, including, without limitation, ordering a redemption of some or all of the shares of Capital Stock owned by any Person for such consideration as may be determined by the Board or such committee.

Section 12.2.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article XII, including any definition contained in Section 12.1 of this Article XII, the Board or any duly empowered committee of the Board shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Article XII with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it at such time. In the event Section 12.2 or 12.3 requires an action by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof and this Restated Certificate fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board or such committee shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 12.1, 12.2 or 12.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof (which the Board or such committee may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Sections 12.2.1 and 12.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 12.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.

Section 12.2.7 Exceptions.

(A)The CompanyBoard or any duly empowered committee thereof, in its sole discretion, may grantexempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the restrictions contained in Section 12.2.1(A)(1), (2) or (4), as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if the Board or such committee obtains such representations, covenants and undertakings as the Board or such committee may deem appropriate in order to Participantsconclude that granting the exemption and/or establishing or increasing theExcepted Holder Limit, as the case may be, will not cause the Corporation to lose its status as a REIT.

(B)Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 12.2.7(A), the Board or any duly empowered committee thereof may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board or such committee in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure that granting the exception will not cause the Corporation to lose its status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board or such committee may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(C)Subject to Section 12.2.1(A)(2),(4),(5) and (6), an underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser that participates in a public offering, a private placement or other private offering of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering, private placement or immediate resale of such Capital Stock, and provided that the restrictions contained in Section 12.2.1(A) will not be violated following the distribution by such underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser of such shares of Capital Stock.

Section 12.2.8 Change in Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, Common Stock Ownership Limit and Excepted Holder Limits.


(A)The Board or a duly empowered committee thereof may from time to time increase or decrease the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or the Common Stock Ownership Limit; provided, however, that a decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership of Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit, but until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock falls below such decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit, any further acquisition of Capital Stock will be in violation of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer individuals (taking into account all Excepted Holders) to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

(B)The Board or any duly empowered committee thereof may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an aggregateExcepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of upsuch Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to 300,000 Restrictedthe terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the then-existing Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or Common Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable.

Section 12.2.9Legend. Each certificate, if any, representing shares of Capital Stock (or, in the case of any uncertificated shares, notice to the holders thereof under Section 151(f) of the DGCL) shall bear a legend summarizing the restrictions on ownership and transfer contained herein.

Section 12.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust.

Section 12.3.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 12.2.1(B) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Charitable Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 12.2.1(B). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 12.3.6.

Section 12.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Capital Stock held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or Shares exercisable under Options from Sharesother distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Company’s treasuryCharitable Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Capital Stock.

Section 12.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid to a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid with respect to such shares of Capital Stock by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividends or other distributions so paid over to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Delaware law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (1) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (2) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XII,


until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

Section 12.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within 20 days of receiving notice from authorized and unissued Shares. If any Option granted under this Planthe Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable Trust to one or morePersons, designated by the Trustee, none of whose ownership of the shares will violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 12.2.1(A). Upon such sale or sales, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate expire, or be canceled or surrenderedand the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as to any Shares,provided in this Section 12.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if any Restricted Shares are forfeitedthe Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by the holder thereof, new OptionsTrustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or Restricted Sharesother disposition of the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Trustee may thereafter be granted covering such Shares.


4. Option Grants. An Option granted hereunderreduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.3.3 of this Article XII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option as determinedimmediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary, together with any distributions thereon. If, prior to the discovery by the Committee atCorporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the time of grant ofTrustee, such Option and shall clearly state whether it is an Incentive Stock Option orshares are sold by a Non-Statutory Stock Option. All Incentive Stock OptionsProhibited Owner, then (1) such shares shall be granted within ten years from the date this Plan is adopted by the Board or the date this Plan is approved by the stockholdersdeemed to have been sold on behalf of the Company, whichever is later.

5. Dollar Limitation. Options otherwise qualifying as Incentive Stock Options hereunder will not be treated as Incentive Stock OptionsCharitable Trust and (2) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined atProhibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the time the Option is granted) of the Shares, with respectamount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to which Options meeting the requirements of Codereceive pursuant to this Section 422(b) are exercisable for the first time by any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Subsidiary), exceeds $100,000.
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6. Conditions for Grant of Options.

(a) Each Option12.3.4, such excess shall be evidenced by a written agreement that may contain any term deemed necessary or desirable bypaid to the Committee, provided such terms are not inconsistent with this Plan or any applicable law. OptioneesTrustee upon demand.

Section 12.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be those persons selected bydeemed to have been offered for sale to the Committee from the class of all Directors, Officers and regular employees of the CompanyCorporation, or its Subsidiaries. Any person who files with the Committee, indesignee, at a form satisfactoryprice per share equal to the Committee, a written waiverlesser of eligibility to receive any Option under this Plan shall not be eligible to receive any Option under this Plan for(1) the duration ofprice paid per share in the transaction that resulted in such waiver.


(b) In granting Options to Directors, Officers and employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Committee shall take into consideration the contribution the person has madetransfer to the successCharitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Company or its Subsidiaries and such other factors as the Committee shall determine. The Committee shall also have the authority to consult with and receive recommendations from Officers and other personnel of the Company and its Subsidiaries with regard to these matters. The Committee may from time to time in granting Options to Directors, Officers and employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries under this Plan prescribe such other terms and conditions concerning such Options as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, (i) prescribing the date or dates on which the Option becomes exercisable, (ii) providing that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of years, or upon the attainment of stated goals or both, or (iii) relating an Option to the continued employment of the Optionee for a specified period of time, provided that such terms and conditions are not more favorable to an Optionee than those expressly permitted herein.

(c) The Options granted to employees under this Plan shall be in addition to regular salaries, pension, life insurance or other benefits related to their employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries. Neither this Plan nor any Option granted under this Plan shall confer upon any person any right to employment or continuance of employment by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

7. Option Price. The Committee shall establish, at the time any Option is granted, the price per Share for which the Shares covered by the Option may be purchased; provided, however, that in no event shall such Option price be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date on which the Option is granted; provided, further, that with respect to an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant whoPrice at the time of such devise or gift) and (2) the grant owns (after applying the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting stock of the Company or of any parent corporation (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or Subsidiary, the Option price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option on the date such Option is granted.

8. Exercise of Options. An Option shall be deemed exercised when (i) the Company has received written notice of such exercise in accordance with the terms of the Option, (ii) full payment of the aggregate Option price of the Shares as to which the Option is exercised has been made, and (iii) arrangements that are satisfactory to the Committee in its sole discretion have been made for the Optionee’s payment to the Company of an amount that is sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal or state tax withholding requirements relating to exercise of the Option, if any. Unless further limited by the Committee in any Option, the Option price of any Shares purchased shall be paid in cash, by certified or official bank check, by money order, with Shares or by a combination of the above; provided further, however, that the Committee in its sole discretion may accept a personal check in full or partial payment of any Shares. If the exercise price is paid in whole or in part with Shares, the value of the Shares surrendered shall be their Fair Market ValuePrice on the date the Option is exercised. No paymentCorporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.3.3 of this Article XII. The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the exercise price under thisCharitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 812.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner, and any dividends or other distributions held by the Trustee shall be made if such formpaid to the Charitable Beneficiary.

Section 12.3.6 Designation of payment constitutes a deferral of compensation withinCharitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the meaning of Section 409ATrustee, the Corporation shall designate one or otherwise causes the Optionmore nonprofit organizations to be subject to the requirementsCharitable Beneficiary of Section 409A.  No Optionee shall be deemed to be a holderthe interest in the Charitable Trust such that (1) the shares of any Shares subject to an Option unless and until a stock certificate or certificates for such Shares are issued to such person(s) underCapital Stock held in the terms of this Plan. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions or other rights for whichCharitable Trust would not violate the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued, except as expressly providedrestrictions set forth in Section 12 hereof.


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9. Exercisability12.2.1(A) in the hands of Options. Any Option shall become exercisablesuch Charitable Beneficiary and (2) each such organization must be described in such amounts, at such intervals and upon such terms as the Committee shall provide in such Option, except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.

(a) The expiration date of an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, but in no event shall (i) an Option be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the Grant Date501(c)(3) of the Option or (ii) an Incentive Stock Option grantedCode and contributions to a Participant, who at the timeeach such organization must be eligible for deduction under one of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the grant owns (after applyingCode. Neither the attribution rules of Section 424(d)failure of the Code) more than 10%Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the total combined voting stock ofCorporation to appoint the Company or of any parent corporation (as definedTrustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 424(e) of the Code) or Subsidiary, be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date of the Incentive Stock Option.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in any Option, each outstanding Option12.2.1(B)(1) shall become immediately fully exercisable upon any Change in Control.

(c) The Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the date on which any Option may be exercised and may accelerate the vesting of any Shares subject to any Option or previously acquired by the exercise of any Option; provided, however, that anymake such acceleration of the exercisability of the Option or the vesting of any Shares is subject to the limitations of Section 409A and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any acceleration of the exercisability of the Option or the vesting of any Shares under this Section 9(c) shall comply with Section 409A.

(d) If the Committee provides that any Option is exercisable only in installments, the Committee may at any time waive such installment exercise provisions, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Committee may determine; provided, however, that any such waiver of installment exercise provisions of the Option is subject to the limitations of Section 409A and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any waiver of installment exercise provisions of the Option under this Section 9(d) shall comply with Section 409A.

(e) With respect to any extensions that were not included in the original terms of the Option but were provided by the Committee after the Grant Date, if at the time of any such extension, the exercise price per Share of the Option is less than the Fair Market Value of a Share, the extension shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, be limited to the earlier of (a) the maximum term of the Option as set by its original terms or (b) ten (10) years from the Grant Date.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any extension of the term of an Option under this Section 9(e) shall comply with Section 409A to the extent applicable.

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(f) With respect to any postponements that were not included in the original terms of the Option but were provided by the Committee after the Grant Date, if at the time of any such postponement, the exercise price per Share of the Option is less than the Fair Market Value of a Share, the postponement shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, be limited to the earlier of (a) the maximum term of the Option as set by its original terms or (b) ten (10) years from the Grant Date.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any postponement of the term of an Option under this Section 9(f) shall comply with Section 409A to the extent applicable.

(g) The Company may toll the expiration of an Option while the participant cannot exercise the Option because such an exercise would jeopardize the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern;transfer ineffective, provided that the period during whichCorporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

Section 12.4 National Securities Exchange Transactions. Nothing in this Article XII shall preclude the Option may be exercised is not extended by more than thirty (30) days after the exercise of the Option (a) would no longer violate an applicable Federal, state, local, or foreign law or (b) would first no longer jeopardize the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any tolling of the expiration of an Option under this Section 9(g) shall comply with Section 409A to the extent applicable.


10. Termination of Option Period.

(a) The unexercised portionsettlement of any Optiontransaction entered into through the facilities of a National Securities Exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall automatically and without notice terminate and become null and void atnot negate the timeeffect of the earliest to occur of the following:

(i) three months after the date on which the Optionee’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by reason of (A) Cause, which, solely for purposesprovision of this Plan, shall mean the termination of the Optionee’s employment by reason of the Optionee’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, (B)Article XII, and any transferee in such a mental or physical disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee, or (C) death;

(ii) immediately upon the termination of the Optionee’s employment for Cause;

(iii) one year after the date on which the Optionee’s employment is terminated by reason of a mental or physical disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee; or

(iv) (A) one year after the date of termination of the Optionee’s employment by reason of death of the Optionee, or (B) three months after the date on which the Optionee dies if the Optionee dies during the one year period specified in Section 10(a)(iii) hereof.

(b) The Committee in its sole discretion may, by giving written notice (a “cancellation notice”), cancel, effective upon the date of the consummation of any corporate transaction described in Section 2(d)(iv) hereof, any Option that remains unexercised on such date. Such cancellation notice shall be given a reasonable period of time prior to the proposed date of such cancellation and may be given either before or after approval of such corporate transaction.

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11. Restricted Shares. The Committee may also authorize the grant or sale to Directors, Officers and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries of Restricted Shares. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the requirements, containedprovisions and limitations set forth in this Article XII.

Section 12.5 Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the following provisions:


(a) Each such grantprovisions of this Article XII.


Section 12.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or sale shall constitute an immediate transferfailure on the part of the ownershipCorporation or the Board in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of Shares to the Participant in considerationany right of the performance of services, entitling such Participant to voting, dividend and other ownership rights, but subject toCorporation or the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in the Restricted Share Agreement.


(b) In granting Restricted Share awards to Directors, Officers and employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Committee shall take into consideration the contribution the person has made to the success of the Company or its Subsidiaries and such other factors as the Committee shall determine. The Committee shall also have the authority to consult with and receive recommendations from Officers and other personnel of the Company and its Subsidiaries with regard to these matters. The Committee may from time to time in granting Restricted Share awards to Directors, Officers and employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries under this Plan prescribe such other terms and conditions concerning such grants as it deems appropriate.

(c) Each Restricted Share grant or sale may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by the Participant that is less than Fair Market Value per Share at the date of grant.

(d) Each such grant or sale shall be subject to a Restricted Share Agreement, which shall provide that the Restricted Shares covered by such grant or sale shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code for a period of not less than one (1) year to be determined by the Committee at the date of grant, and any grant or sale may provide for the earlier termination of such period in the event of a Change in Control, retirement, or death or disability of the Participant or other similar transaction or event as approved by the Committee.

(e) Each Restricted Share Agreement shall provide that during the period for which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to continue, and any other period prescribed by law, the transferability of the Restricted Shares shall be prohibited or restricted in the manner and to the extent prescribed by the Committee or law,Board, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

Section 12.7 Severability. If any provision of this Article XII or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

ARTICLE XIII

Section 13.1Amendments. Except as may be expressly provided in this Restated Certificate, the Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate, and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, officers, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XIII. In addition to any greater or additional vote of stockholders required by this Restated Certificate or applicable law, any alteration, amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with, Article V, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX, Article X, Article XII or this Article XIII of this Restated Certificate shall require for its approval the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) in voting power of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as one class.

* * * * * * *


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by the undersigned authorized officer as of this day of , 2023.

BROAD STREET REALTY, INC.

By:

Name:

Michael Z. Jacoby

Title:

Chief Executive Officer


Exhibit A

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

OF

BROAD STREET REALTY, INC.

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

Pursuant to the authority conferred on the Board of Directors of the Corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended and restated from time to time, the Board of Directors duly adopted the following resolution by unanimous written consent:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of redeemable preferred stock of the Corporation is hereby created, of which the powers, designations, preferences and other rights, qualifications and restrictions, shall be as follows:

1. Designation and Rank. There shall be a series of convertible preferred stock of the Corporation that is hereby designated as “Series A Preferred Stock,”which shall consist of 20,000 shares, having a par value of $0.01 per share. The issuance price of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be $100 per share (the “Issuance Price”). The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank senior to the Common Stock and to any other capital stock of the Corporation as to dividends and distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. Any capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Certificate of Incorporation.

2. Dividends.

(a) The holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, out of funds legally available for that purpose, cumulative, non-compounded cash dividends on each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock at the rate of 10.0% of the Issuance Price per annum (“Series A Preferred Dividends”), which shall begin to accrue on January 1, 2010. The Series A Preferred Dividends shall be payable semiannually to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, on June 30 and December 31 of each year, that shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding (each, a “Payment Date”) beginning June 30, 2010; provided that due and unpaid Series A Preferred Dividends may be declared and paid on any date declared by the Board of Directors.

(b) Any Series A Preferred Dividends due and unpaid on any Payment Date, whether or not declared by the Board of Directors, shall accrue with any other due and unpaid Series A Preferred Dividends, regardless of whether there are profits, surplus or other funds of the Corporation legally available for payment of dividends. Unpaid Series A Preferred Dividends for any period less than a full semiannual period shall accrue on a day-to-day basis and shall be computed on the basis of a 365-day year.

(c) If, on any Payment Date, Series A Preferred Dividends are not fully paid to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, and funds legally available are insufficient to permit payment in full in cash to all such holders of the preferential amounts to which they are then entitled, then the entire amount legally available for payment of Series A Preferred Dividends shall be distributed among the holders of Series A Preferred Stock ratably in proportion to the full amount to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled, and the remainder shall cumulate as provided in Section 2(b).

(d) For as long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Board of Directors shall not declare or pay any dividend whatsoever on any Common Stock, whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise, nor shall the Board of Directors make any distribution on any Common Stock, unless all Series A Preferred Dividends for all previous Payment Dates have been paid in full.


3. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, sale, merger, consolidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (each, a “Liquidation Event”), before any distribution of assets shall be made to the holders of Common Stock, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders (the “Available Assets”) an amount equal to the Issuance Price plus all Series A Preferred Dividends, accrued and unpaid on such shares up to the date of grant (which restrictions may include, without limitation, prohibitions on transfer,distribution of the Available Assets (such amount being referred to as the “Liquidation Preference”). The amount deemed distributed for purposes of determining a Liquidation Preference shall be the cash or the fair market value of the property, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the Company or provisions subjecting the Restricted Shares to a continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee).


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(f) Any grant or sale of Restricted Shares may require that any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon during the period of such restrictions be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional Restricted Shares, which may be subjectsecurities distributed to the same restrictionsholders of Series A Preferred Stock as determined in good faith by the underlying award. Any Restricted Shares issued as dividends with respectBoard of Directors. If, upon a Liquidation Event, the Available Assets are insufficient to unvested Restricted Shares shall vest onpay a Liquidation Preference to the same date(s) asholders of Series A Preferred Stock in full, then the portion of the Restricted Shares to which they relate.

12.  Adjustment of Shares.

(a) If at any time while this Plan is in effect or unexercised Options are outstanding, thereAvailable Assets shall be any increase or decreasedistributed ratably among the holders of Series A Preferred Stock in the number of issued and outstanding Shares through the declaration of a stock dividend or through any recapitalization resulting in a stock split-up, combination or exchange of Shares, then and in such event:

(i) appropriate adjustment shall be made in the maximum number of Shares available for grantproportion to Participants under this Plan, so that the same percentage of the Company’s issued and outstanding Shares shall continue to be subject to being so granted; and

(ii) subject to any requirements or limitations under Section 409A, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the number of Shares and the exercise price per Share thereof then subject to any outstanding Option, so that the same percentage of the Company’s issued and outstanding Shares shall remain subject to purchase at the same aggregate exercise price; provided that, after any such adjustment, the aggregate exercise price of the Option shall not be less than the aggregate exercise price before such adjustment.

(b) Subject to the specific terms of any Option, the Committee may change the terms of Options outstanding under this Plan, with respect to the Option price or the number of Shares subject to the Options, or both, when, in the Committee’s sole discretion, such adjustments become appropriate by reason of any corporate transaction described in Section 2(d)(iv) hereof.

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Companytheir respective ownership of shares of its capital stockSeries A Preferred Stock.

(b) Upon full payment of anya Liquidation Preference, the remaining Available Assets shall be distributed among all of the holders of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, pro rata, regardless of class, or securities convertible intoand in proportion to their respective ownership of shares of capital stock in the Corporation assuming conversion in full of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock.

(c) For purposes of this Section 3, a Liquidation Event shall be deemed to occur upon: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), other than any of the stockholders of the Corporation as of the date hereof (collectively, the “Initial Stockholders”), or persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with any Initial Stockholder, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or (iii) the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation or corporations or other entity in which the Corporation is not the survivor (except any such corporation or entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation) and the Initial Stockholders hold less than 50% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the survivor.

(d) The Corporation shall give prior written notice of any impending Liquidation Event to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock no later than five days after approval of such Liquidation Event by the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter (each, a “LiquidationNotice”). Each Liquidation Notice shall describe, in reasonable detail, the terms and conditions of the impending Liquidation Event, and the Corporation shall thereafter give the holders of Series A Preferred Stock prompt notice of any changes thereto. A Liquidation Event shall not occur or close earlier than five days after the Corporation has properly submitted a Liquidation Notice or earlier than five days after the Corporation has given proper notice of any changes thereto.

(e) In the event the Corporation fails to comply with this Section 3, the Corporation shall either cause the closing of the Liquidation Event to be postponed until the requirements of this Section 3 are satisfied, or cancel such Liquidation Event, in which event all of the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be unaffected.

4. Voting. Except as otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have the right to vote on or consent to any matters to be voted on by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that neither the Board of Directors nor the Corporation shall, without the prior written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock present in person or by proxy at a meeting of stockholders, consenting or voting, as the case may be, separately as a class:

(a) authorize or issue any other class eitheror series of capital stock on parity with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock;


(b) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, this Certificate of Designation or the By-Laws of the Corporation that adversely affects the rights, powers, preferences or privileges of, or increases the authorized number of shares of, Series A Preferred Stock.

5. Conversion.

(a) Discretionary Conversion.

(i) Shares of Series A Preferred Stock, excluding accrued Series A Preferred Dividends, which will be paid as described above, may, in connection with direct salethe sole discretion of the Holder of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock (a “Holder,” and collectively the “Holders”) and by written notice to the Corporation, be converted into shares of Common Stock, at the Conversion Price (as defined below) in whole or upon the exercisein part at any time.

(ii) The “Conversion Price” will be $0.20 per share of rights or warrantsCommon Stock, subject to subscribe therefor, or uponadjustments as set forth in Section 5(c) below.

(b) Other Conversion Terms.

(i) As soon as practicable following any conversion of shares or obligations of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company convertible into such shares or other securities,Corporation shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respectissue to Holder a certificate, issued in the name of Holder, for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion (the “Conversion Shares”); providedthat the Corporation may withhold delivery of such stock certificate until such time as Holder delivers the certificate(s) representing the shares of Series a Preferred Stock to be converted for cancellation (or, in lieu thereof, an executed and notarized affidavit of lost stock certificate in form and substance acceptable to the Corporation). Upon receipt by the Corporation of the Series A Preferred Stock certificate at its office, in proper form for conversion, Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall then be closed or exercise pricethat certificates representing such shares of SharesCommon Stock shall not then subjectbe actually delivered to outstanding Options granted under this Plan.


(d)Holder. The shares of Common Stock shall be “restricted securities” as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

(ii) The Corporation shall not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation, or through any sale, capital reorganization or reclassification of the Common Stock, issuance or sale of securities, transfer of assets, dissolution or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of Holder against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the existenceCorporation (A) shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock , and (B) shall not take any action that results in any adjustment to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series A Preferred Stock such that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable after the action upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock would exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock then authorized by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and available for the purpose of issuance upon such conversion.

(iii) No fractional shares shall be issued on the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. As to any fraction of a share that a Holder would otherwise be entitled to receive upon conversion, the Corporation shall at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Conversion Price or round up to the next whole share.


(c) Certain Adjustments.

(i) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding: (A) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock on shares of Common Stock; (B) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares; (C) combines (including by way of a reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares; or (D) issues, in the event of a reclassification of shares of the Common Stock, any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, then the Conversion Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section shall become effectively immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification.

(ii) Reorganizations. If any capital reorganization of the Corporation shall be affected in such a way that the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock, adequate provision shall be made, prior to and as a condition of such reorganization whereby the Holders shall have the right to receive, upon the terms and conditions specified herein and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock otherwise receivable upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, such securities or assets as may be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for the number of outstanding Options granted under this Planshares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares otherwise receivable by the Holders had such reorganization not taken place. In any such case, appropriate provision shall not affect in any mannerbe made with respect to the right or powerrights and interests of the CompanyHolders so that the provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be applicable with respect to make, authorizeany securities or consummate (i)assets thereafter deliverable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock.

(iii) Notice to Holder. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to this Section 5(c), the Corporation shall promptly deliver to each Holder a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

6. Piggyback Registration Rights. The Corporation shall notify each Holder in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act for purposes of a public offering of securities of the Corporation (including, but not limited to, registration statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the Corporation, but excluding registration statements relating to employee benefit plans or all adjustments, recapitalizations,with respect to corporate reorganizations or other changes in the Company’s capital structure or its business; (ii) any merger or consolidationtransactions under Rule 145 of the Company; (iii)Securities Act) and will afford each Holder an opportunity to include in such registration statement all or part of its Conversion Shares. If any issue by the Company of debt securities, or preferred or preference stock that would rank above the Shares subjectHolder desires to outstanding Options; (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (v)include in any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, assignment or other disposition ofsuch registration statement all or any part of the assets or businessConversion Shares, it shall, within fifteen (15) days after the above-described notice from the Corporation, so notify the Corporation in writing. Such notice shall state the intended method of disposition of the Company;Conversion Shares by Holder. If a Holder decides not to include all of its Conversion Shares in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Corporation, Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Conversion Shares in any subsequent registration statement or (vi)registration statements as may be filed by the Corporation with respect to offerings of its securities. In the event any other corporate actregistration pursuant to this Section 6 shall be, in whole or proceeding, whetherin part, an underwritten public offering of a similar character or otherwise.


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(e)the Common Stock, the number of Conversion Shares to be included in such an underwriting may be reduced by the managing underwriter if and to the extent that the Corporation and the underwriter shall reasonably be of the opinion that such inclusion would adversely affect the marketing of the securities to be sold by the Corporation therein; provided, however, that the Corporation shall notify each Holder in writing of any such reduction. Standard mutual indemnification terms and conditions shall apply in respect of any such registration statement. The Corporation shall bear the costs and expenses of such registration and each Holder shall bear the costs and expenses, including brokerage commissions and underwriter’s discounts in respect of the resale of its Conversion Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing no adjustment shall be made under 12(a) and no amendment, modificationprovision, the Corporation may withdraw or changedelay or suffer a delay of any registration statement referred to herein without thereby incurring any liability to any Holder.


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BROAD STREET VOTE Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Online Go to www.investorvote.com/BRST or scan the QR code — login details are located in the termsshaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.investorvote.com/BRST Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. 2023 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 recommend a vote FOR all the nominees listed, FOR Proposals 2 – 5 and for 1 YEAR on 1. Election of Directors: 01 - Jeffrey H. Foster 04 - Noah Shore 07 - Thomas M. Yockey For Against Abstain 02 - Michael Z. Jacoby 05 - Samuel M. Spiritos For Against Abstain 03 - Daniel J.W. Neal 06 - Jeffery C. Walraven For Against Abstain 2. Ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. For Against Abstain 3. Approval and adoption of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Charter”) to implement the amendments described in Proposal 4, among other amendments. For Against Abstain 4. Advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the following amendments to the Company’s current Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Existing Charter”): See Proposals 4A - 4F on back For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 4A. 4B. 4C. 4D. 4E. 4F. 5. Advisory (non-binding) vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. 6. Advisory (non-binding) vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation. 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Abstain 1 U P X 03VEKF


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4A. To increase the Company's total number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock from 51,000,000 shares to 301,000,000 shares, which would consist of (i) increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares and (ii) maintaining the number of authorized shares of preferred stock at 1,000,000 shares. 4B. To make certain changes to the voting rights of common stockholders included in the Existing Charter, including clarifying common stockholders voting rights on matters related solely to preferred stockholders, clarifying that there is no right to cumulate votes on behalf of any Option shall be made under Section 12(b) which will result in an Award becoming subjectnominee for election to the termsBoard of Directors and conditionsupdating stockholder approval rights relating to certain matters. 4C. To provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of Section 409A or otherwise constitute an impermissible acceleration, unless agreed upon byalternative forum, the CommitteeCourt of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the Participant.


13. Transferability of OptionsU.S. federal district courts, as applicable, are the sole and Restricted Shares.

(a) No Incentive Stock Option shall be transferableexclusive forum for certain actions. 4D. To include certain provisions related to a potential future election by the Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable during the Optionee’s lifetime only by the Optionee.

(b) A person that receives Non-Statutory Stock Options under this Plan or such person’s beneficiary shall have the power or right to sell, exchange, pledge, transfer, assign or otherwise encumber or dispose of such person’s or beneficiary’s Non-Statutory Stock Options received under this Plan only as follows: (i) to the spouse or any children or grandchildren of such person that receives Non-Statutory Stock Options under this Plan; (ii) as a charitable contribution or gift to or for the use of any person or entity described in Section 170(c) of the Code; (iii) to any Controlled Entity; or (iv) by will or the laws of intestate succession.

(c) Restricted Shares may be transferred only as set forth in the applicable Restricted Share Agreement.

14. Issuance of Shares. As a condition of any sale or issuance of Shares upon exercise of any Option or Restricted Share award grant, the Committee may require such agreements or undertakings (in an Option Agreement or Restricted Share Agreement), if any, as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to assure compliance with any such federal or state securities or other law or regulation including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) a representation and warranty by the Participant to the Company, at the time any Option is exercised or Restricted Share granted, that he is acquiring the Shares to be issued to him for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such Shares; and

(b) a representation, warranty and/or agreement by the Participant to the Company to be bound by any legends that are, intaxed as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including provisions giving the opinionBoard of Directors the Committee or counselauthority to the Company,make such election and stock ownership limitations and transfer restrictions necessary or appropriate to comply with therequirements for qualification as a REIT. 4E. To (i) provide that any amendment or other modification of certain provisions of any securities law deemed by the Committee or counselAmended and Restated Charter would require the approval of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon, (ii) require that, for stockholder-amendments to the Company to be applicable to the issuancebylaws, two-thirds of the Sharesshares entitled to vote thereon must approve the amendment and are endorsed upon(iii) remove the Share certificates.
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15. Administrationrequirement for the approval of holders of two-thirds of the Plan.

(a) This Plan shall be administered byoutstanding shares of common stock present to amend the Committee, which shall consistcharter or bylaws in a way that reduces the priority of not less than two Directors. The Committee shall have allpayment or amount payable to holders of the powersshares of common stock upon liquidation or that would diminish or eliminate any voting rights of common stockholders. 4F. To make certain other changes that the Board with respectof Directors deems appropriate to this Plan; providedmodernize the charter and conform the charter to customary provisions of charters of public companies. The 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Broad Street Realty, Inc. will be held on [ ] at [ ] ET, virtually via the internet at www.meetnow.global/M5C9YPP. To access the virtual meeting, you must have the information that if any member of the Committee is not a Non-Employee Director, then the Board shall approve any Option or Restricted Share that the Committee proposes to grant hereunder. The Board may change the membership of the Committee at any time and fill any vacancy occurringprinted in the membership ofshaded bar located on the Committee by appointment.

(b) The Committee, from time to time, may adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the purposesreverse side of this Plan. The Committee’s determinationsform. Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.investorvote.com/BRST IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Broad Street Realty, Inc. 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting — [ ] Michael Z. Jacoby and its interpretation and construction of any provision of this Plan shall be final and conclusive.

(c) Any and all decisions or determinations of the Committee shall be made either (i) by a majority vote of the members of the Committee at a meeting or (ii) without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the members of the Committee.

16. Interpretation.

(a) The Plan shall be administered and interpreted so that all Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan will qualify as Incentive Stock Options under Section 422 of the Code and related treasury regulations. If any provision of this Plan should be held invalid for the granting of Incentive Stock Options or illegal for any reason, such determination shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but instead this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had never been included in this Plan.

(b) This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

(c) Headings contained in this Plan are for convenience only and shall in no manner be construed as part of this Plan.

(d) Any reference to the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall be a reference to such other gender as is appropriate.

17. Amendment and Discontinuation of the Plan.

(a) Either the Board or the Committee may from time to time amend this Plan or any Award; provided, however, that, except to the extent provided in Section 12, no such amendment may, without approval by the stockholders of the Company, (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under this Plan, (ii) materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under this Plan, or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in this Plan; and provided further, that except to the extent provided in Section 10, no amendment or suspension of this Plan or any Option issued hereunder shall substantially impair any Option previously granted to any Optionee without the consent of such Optionee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification of this Plan or any Award shall be made under this Section 17 which will result in the any Award becoming subject to the terms and conditions of Section 409A or otherwise constitute an impermissible acceleration, unless agreed upon by the Committee and the Participant.

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(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of this Plan which govern the exercise price per Share under each such Option, when and under what circumstances such Option will be granted and the period within which each such Option may be exercised, shall not be amended more than once every six months (even with stockholder approval) other than to conform to changes to (i) the Code or the rules promulgated thereunder, (ii) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules promulgated thereunder, or (iii) rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

18. Effective Date and Termination Date. The Plan shall be effective on ______________, 2010 when it is approved by the stockholders of the Company (the “Effective Date”). No award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after ____________, 2020 but any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.

19. Section 409a.  The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, without triggering the imposition of any tax penalty thereunder.  To the extent necessary or advisable, the Board may amend the Plan or any Award to delete any conflicting provisions and to add any such other provisions as are required to fully comply with the applicable provisions of Section 409A applicable to the Plan.  The Committee shall comply with Section 409A in establishing the rules and procedures applicable to the Plan.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or any Award to the contrary, if all or any portion of the payments and/or benefits under this Plan or any Award are determined to be “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A and the Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)), as determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 409A, as of the date of the Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)), and the delayed payment or distribution of all or any portion of such amounts to which the Participant is entitled under this Plan and/or any Award is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such portion deferred under this Section 19 shall be paid or distributed to the Participant in a lump sum on the earlier of (a) the date that is six (6) months following termination of the Participant’s employment, (b) a date that is no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the Participant’s death or (c) the earliest date as is permitted under Section 409A.  For purposes of clarity, the six (6) month delay shall not apply in the case of severance pay contemplated by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) to the extent of the limits set forth therein.  Any remaining payments due under this Plan and any Award shall be paid as otherwise provided therein.

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PROXYBANYAN RAIL SERVICES INC.PROXY
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
July 1, 2010
2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
11:00 a.m.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints C. Lawrence Rutstein and Diane T. Starzee,Alexander Topchy, or either one of them, acting singlyeach with fullthe power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the proxy or proxiesshares of the undersigned, to attendwith all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Banyan Rail ServicesBroad Street Realty, Inc., to be held on July 1, 2010,[ ] or at 2255 Glades Road, Suite 342-W, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, beginning at 11:00 a.m. local time, and any adjournments, and to vote all shares of stock that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present in the manner indicated below, and on any other matters properly brought before the Annual Meetingpostponement or any adjournments thereof, all as set forth in the May 26, 2010 Proxy Statement.  The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, of Banyan Rail Services Inc.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CHOICE LIKE THIS x IN BLUE OR BLACK INK.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed.

1. Election of Directors:Paul S. Dennis, Gary O. Marino, Bennett Marks and Donald D. Redfearn

¨ Mark here to vote FOR all nominees
¨ Mark here to WITHHOLD from all nominees

¨
 For all EXCEPT – To withhold authority to vote for any nominee(s), write the name(s) of such nominee(s) below.

2.  To approve our 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan

¨ Mark here to vote FOR the plan
¨ Mark here to vote AGAINST the plan


3.To ratify the appointment of Daszkal Bolton LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010

¨ Mark here to vote FOR ratification of auditors
¨ Mark here to vote AGAINST ratification of auditors

(Signature should be exactly as name or names appear onadjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy.  If stock is held jointly each holder should sign.  If signature is by attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title.)
Dated:_________________________________, 2010
__________________________________________  
Signature  

Signature if held jointly
I plan to attend the meeting:  Yes ¨ No ¨

This proxy will be voted FOR all nominees,by the stockholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR the 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan and FOR the ratificationelection of the auditors unless otherwise indicated,Board of Directors, FOR items 2-5 and infor 1 YEAR on item 6. In their discretion, the discretion of the proxies on allProxies are authorized to vote upon such other mattersbusiness as may properly broughtcome before the meeting.

meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. C Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below.