UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 

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Preliminary Proxy Statement
  
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Definitive Proxy Statement
  
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Cryomass Technologies Inc
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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CRYOMASS TECHNOLOGIES INC

 

November 30, 2021May 4, 2022

 

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I cordially invite you to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Cryomass Technologies Inc, a Nevada corporation, to be held at its offices located at 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204, on January 10,June 20, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time and concurrently by electronic means of communications as provided in subsequent notices (the “Annual Meeting”). The matters to be considered by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting are described in detail in the accompanying materials.

 

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials to certain of our stockholders over the Internet under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. On or about November 30, 2021,May 4, 2022, we will mail (i) to certain of our stockholders, our proxy statement, a proxy card, and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2020,2021, and (ii) to other stockholders, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which will indicate how to access our proxy materials on the Internet. We believe that providing our proxy materials over the Internet will expedite stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the costs associated with our Annual Meeting, and conserve natural resources.

 

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN OR WHETHER YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. Unlike most public companies, no large brokerage houses or affiliated groups of stockholders own substantial blocks of our shares. As a result, in order to achieve a quorum and to avoid delays and additional costs, we need substantial stockholder voting participation by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting. Let me urge you to vote as soon as possible. You may vote by authorizing a proxy over the Internet, by telephone or, if you received printed proxy materials, by completing, signing, and returning your proxy card in the envelope provided.

 

 Sincerely,
  
 Dr. Delon Human
 Chairman of the Board of Directors
 For the Board of Directors of Cryomass Technologies Inc

 

 

 

 

CRYOMASS TECHNOLOGIES INC

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 10,JUNE 20, 2022

 

To the Stockholders of Cryomass Technologies Inc:

 

The annual meeting of stockholders of Cryomass Technologies Inc, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), will be held at its offices located at 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204, on January 10,June 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time and concurrently by electronic means of communications as provided in subsequent notices (the “Annual Meeting”). The matters to be considered by stockholders at the Annual Meeting, which are described in detail in the accompanying materials, are:

 

(i)a proposal to elect fourfive directors to serve until the next 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

 

(ii)a proposal to ratify the appointment of BF Borgers, CPA PC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021;

(iii)a proposal to approve and adopt ratify the 2022 Stock Incentive Plan;

(iv)a proposal to grant the Board of Directors the discretionary authority to amend the Company’s articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split Proposal”) of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”); and

 

(vi)any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on November 22, 2021April 29, 2022 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting. It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting regardless of the size of your holdings.

 

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials to certain of our stockholders over the Internet under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. On or about November 30, 2021,May 4, 2022, we will mail (i) to certain of our stockholders, our proxy statement, a proxy card, and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 20202021 and (ii) to other stockholders, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which will indicate how to access our proxy materials on the Internet. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will also contain instructions on how each of those stockholders can receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, including the proxy statement, our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2020,2021, and a proxy card or voting instruction card.  We believe that this process will expedite stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the costs associated with our Annual Meeting, and conserve natural resources.

 

You may vote by authorizing a proxy over the Internet, by telephone or, if you received printed proxy materials, by completing, signing, and returning your proxy card in the envelope provided. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE AUTHORIZE YOUR PROXY BY ONE OF THESE THREE METHODS. If you are the record holder of your shares and you attend the meeting, you may withdraw your proxy and vote in person, if you so choose. If you have any questions regarding the proxy materials and the proposals to be considered by stockholders at the Annual Meeting, you can call (303) 416-7208.

 

 By Order of the Board of Directors,
  
 Patricia Kovacevic
 General Counsel and Secretary
  
November 30, 2021May 4, 2022 

 

 

 

 

CRYOMASS TECHNOLOGIES INC

 

1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 10,JUNE 20, 2022

 

This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and the accompanying proxy card and notice of annual meeting are provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Cryomass Technologies Inc, a Nevada corporation, for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on January 10,June 20, 2022, and any postponements or adjournments thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). “We,” “our,” “us,” and “the Company” each refers to Cryomass Technologies Inc.

 

The mailing address of our executive offices is 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204. This Proxy Statement, the attached proxy card, our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 20202021 (the “2020“2021 Annual Report”), and a copy of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting Notice”), or the notice of internet availability of proxy materials (the “Internet Availability Notice”), as applicable, will be mailed to holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, on or about November 30, 2021.May 4, 2022.  When we refer to our common stock in this Proxy Statement, we are referring to all classes of our common stock unless the context otherwise requires.

 

A proxy may confer discretionary authority to vote with respect to any matter presented at the Annual Meeting. As of the date hereof, management has no knowledge of any business that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, and which would be required to be set forth in this Proxy Statement or the related proxy card other than the matters set forth in the Annual Meeting Notice. If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting for consideration, it is intended that the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting thereunder will vote in accordance with their discretion on any such matter.

 

Your vote is very important.  For this reason, the Board of Directors is requesting that you permit your common stock to be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting by the persons named on the proxy card.  To ensure that your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting, authorize your proxy by telephone, through the Internet, or by completing, signing, dating, and returning the proxy card provided with the printed proxy materials. If you are a stockholder of record as of November 22, 2021,April 29, 2022, you may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote despite having previously authorized your proxy by any of these methods. Any proxy may be revoked in the manner described below at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting.  Stockholders must bring proof of current ownership of our common stock to be admitted to and attend the Annual Meeting.

 

For shares held through a broker or other nominee, the broker or nominee is not permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to certain of the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.  If specific instructions are not provided, the stockholder’s shares will not be voted on those matters. Shares represented by such broker “non-votes” will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.

 

Date, Time, and Place for the Annual Meeting

 

The Annual Meeting will be held on January 10,June 20, 2022, at the Company’s offices located at 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time and concurrently by electronic means of communications as provided in subsequent notices. Directions to the Annual Meeting can be obtained by calling Investor Relations at (303) 416-7208.

 

 

 

 

Matters to be Considered at the Annual Meeting

 

At the Annual Meeting, holders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on November 22, 2021April 29, 2022 will be asked to consider and vote upon:

 

(i)a proposal to elect fourfive directors to serve until the next 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

 

(ii)

a proposal to ratify the appointment of BF Borgers, CPA PC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021;

2022;

 

(iii)a proposal to approve and adopt the 2022 Stock Incentive Plan

(iv)a proposal to grant the Board of Directors the discretionary authority to amend the Company’s articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split Proposal”) of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”); and

 

(v)(iv)any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

  

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be held on January 10,June 20, 2022. This Proxy Statement, the proxy card, and our 20202021 Annual Report are available online at www.transhare.com.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 Page
  
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING1
  
BOARD OF DIRECTORS4
  
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS5
  
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE7
  
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS10
  
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS11
  
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT1321
  
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS1422
  
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE1523
  
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES1624
  
PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF BF BORGERS, CPA PC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM1725
  

PROPOSAL NO. 3: RATIFY 2022 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

18
PROPOSAL NO. 4: APPROVE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT26
  
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2021 ANNUAL MEETING33
  
OTHER MATTERS33
  
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION33

 

i

 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

 

What is the date of the Annual Meeting and where will it be held?

 

The Annual Meeting will be held on January 10,June 20, 2022 at the Company’s offices located at 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204 at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time and concurrently by electronic means of communications as provided in subsequent notices .notices.

 

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 22, 2021April 29, 2022 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on November 22, 2021April 29, 2022 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

How many shares of common stock are outstanding?

 

As of the close of business on November 22, 2021,April 29, 2022, there were approximately 196,650,634200,235,331 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

How many votes do I have?

 

You are entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock that you held as of the record date.

 

What will I be voting on at the Annual Meeting?

 

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to vote on:

 

a proposal to elect fourfive directors to serve until the next 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

 

a proposal to ratify the appointment of BF Borgers, CPA PC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021;

 

a proposal to authorize and adopt the 2022 Stock Incentive Plan; and

a proposal to grant the Board of Directors the discretionary authority to amend the Company’s articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split Proposal”) of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote on each proposal?

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote:

 

FOR the election of the nominees to our Board of Directors;

 

FOR the ratification of the appointment of BF Borgers, CPA PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021;2022;

 

FOR the proposed 2022 Stock Incentive Plan; and

FOR the Reverse Split Proposal.

 


What is the quorum requirement for the Annual Meeting?

 

At all meetings of stockholders, pursuant to the bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy duly authorized, of the holder or holders of not less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders during that meeting to leave less than a quorum. All action taken by the holders of a simple majority of the votes cast, excluding abstentions, at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be valid and binding upon the Company; provided, however, that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

 

How can I vote?

 

You can vote in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. If you hold your shares of our common stock in your own name as a holder of record, you have the following four options for submitting your vote by proxy:

 

1.if you received printed proxy materials, by signing, dating, and mailing the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided;

 

2.via the internet at www.transhare.com, as provided in the proxy card, the Internet Availability Notice, and in this Proxy Statement;

 

 3.by faxing the proxy card to 1-727-269-5616 as provided in the proxy card, the Internet Availability Notice and in this Proxy Statement.

 

 4.by emailing Anna Kotlova at akotlova@bizsolaconsulting.com as provided in the proxy card, Internet Availability Notice and in this Proxy Statement.

 

For those stockholders with Internet access, we encourage you to vote via the internet, since this method of voting is quick, convenient, and cost-efficient. When you vote via the internet or by telephone prior to the Annual Meeting date, your vote is recorded immediately and there is no risk that postal delays will cause your vote to arrive late and, therefore, not be counted.

 

If your shares of our common stock are held on your behalf by a broker, bank, or other nominee, you will receive instructions from them that you must follow to have your shares voted at the Annual Meeting.

 

How will proxies be voted?

 

Shares represented by valid proxies will be voted as specified on the proxy unless it is properly revoked prior thereto. If no specification is made on the proxy as to any one or more of the proposals, the shares of our common stock represented by the proxy will be voted as follows:

 

FOR the election of the nominees to our Board of Directors;

 

FOR the ratification of the appointment of BF Borgers, CPA PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020;2022;

  

FOR the authorization and adoption of the proposed 2022 Stock Incentive Plan;

FOR the Reverse Split Proposal;

 

in the discretion of the proxy holder on any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other matter to be raised at the Annual Meeting.

 


How can I change my vote or revoke a proxy?

 

If you hold shares of our common stock in your own name as a holder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the date and time of the Annual Meeting through any of the following methods:

 

send written notice of revocation, prior to the Annual Meeting, to our Chairman of the Board, Dr. Delon Human, at 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204;

 

properly sign, date, and mail a new proxy card to our Secretary;

 

dial the toll-free number provided in the proxy card, the Internet Availability Notice, and in this Proxy Statement and authorize your proxy again;

 

log onto the Internet site provided in the proxy card, the Internet Availability Notice, and in this Proxy Statement and authorize your proxy again; or

attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person.

 

Please note that merely attending the Annual Meeting, without further action, will not revoke your proxy. If shares of our common stock are held on your behalf by a broker, bank, or other nominee, you must contact them to receive instructions as to how you may revoke your proxy.

 

Who is soliciting my proxy, and who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited by and on behalf of our Board of Directors. The expense of preparing, printing, and mailing this Proxy Statement and the proxies solicited hereby will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by officers and directors, without additional remuneration, by personal interview, telephone, or otherwise. the Company will also request brokerage firms, nominees, custodians, and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record as of the close of business on the record date and will provide reimbursement for the cost of forwarding the material.

 

The Company has engaged Transhare Corporation to solicit proxies for the Annual Meeting. The services to be performed by Broadridge will include consultation pertaining to the planning and organization of the solicitation, as well as assisting the Company in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

Where can I find the voting results after the Annual Meeting?

 

Transhare Corporation, our independent tabulating agent, will count the votes and act as the Inspector of Election. We will publish the voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) within four business days after the Annual Meeting. We keep all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations confidential as a matter of practice. We permit only our Inspector of Election, Transhare Corporation, to examine these documents.

 

Where can I find the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K?

 

A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,2021, as filed with the Commission on March 30, 2021,28, 2022, will be included in the 20202021 Annual Report that will be delivered, or made available on the Internet as provided in the Internet Availability Notice, to stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and is available without charge to stockholders upon written request to: Cryomass Technologies Inc, 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204, Attention: Investor Relations. You can also find an electronic version of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202021 on our website at https://cryomass.com/investors/.

 

3

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Our Board of Directors consists of fourfive directors, threefour of whom are independent directors, as determined by our Board of Directors. Our charter and bylaws provide that a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase, or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number of directors shall never be less than three nor more than 15. The foregoing is the exclusive means of fixing the number of directors.

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Delon Human, Messrs. Mario Gobbo, and Mark Radke, and Simon Langelier, are independent within the meaning of the applicable requirements set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the applicable Commission rules.

 

OTCQB Standards define Independent director as “a Person other than an Executive Officer or employee of the Company or any other Person having a relationship which, in the opinion of the Company’s board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as a director. The following persons shall not be considered independent: (A) a director who is, or at any time during the past three years was, employed by the Company; (B) a director who accepted or has a Family member who accepted any compensation from the Company in excess of $120,000 during any fiscal year within the three years preceding the determination of independence, other than compensation for board or board committee service; compensation paid to a Family Member who is an employee (other than an executive officer) of the Company; or benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan, or nondiscretionary compensation; or (C) A director who is the Family Member of a Person who is, or at any time during the past three years was, employed by the Company as an executive officer”.

 

4

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board of Directors has recommended that Dr. Delon Human and Messrs. Mark Radke, Mario Gobbo, and Christian Noel be elected to serve on the Board of Directors, each until the next annual meeting of stockholders during 2022 and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. If, prior to the Annual Meeting, any nominee should become unavailable to serve, the shares of voting securities represented by a properly executed and returned proxy will be voted for such additional person as shall be designated by the Board of Directors, unless the Board of Directors determines to reduce the number of directors in accordance with the Company’s charter and bylaws.

 

Set forth below is certain information about our directors, including their respective position, biographical information, and the experience, qualifications, attributes, and/or skills that led the Board of Directors to determine that the person should serve as our director. For information regarding each director’s beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock, see the “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” section, and the notes thereto, included in this Proxy Statement.

 

Dr. Delon Human

President of the Board of Directors

  

 

Dr. Delon Human, M.B.Ch.B., M.Prax.Med, MFGP, DCH, MBA serves as President of the Board of Directors of Cryomass Technologies Inc.

 

He is an experienced global business leader, published author and health & technology consultant. He serves as President of Health Diplomats, a specialized health, technology and nutrition consulting group, operating worldwide. Health Diplomats clients include Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Nestlé, McDonald’s, Nicoventures, BAT, ABInBev, foundations such as the IKEA Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, PepsiCo Foundation; governments such as Ireland, South Africa, Kuwait and Taiwan and NGOs such as the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA).

 

From 2016 to 2020, he served as Director (Vice-Chairman) of the Board of Pharmacielo, a biopharmaceutical health & wellness company, from its early phase, to its listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. From August 2019, he has also served on the board of RedwoodGreen Corporation (now called Cryomass Technologies Inc.), from December 2019 as Chairman of the Board. This company is listed on the USA OTCQB stock exchange. In addition, he serves on the board of the Fio Corporation, a big data and medical diagnostics company.

 

He has acted as adviser to three WHO Directors-General and to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. Up to 2014 he served as Secretary-General and Special Envoy to WHO / UN of the International Food and Beverage Alliance, a group of leading food and non-alcoholic beverage companies with a global presence (including Unilever, Nestlé, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Ferrero, Mars, General Mills, Mondeléz and the Bel Group). He serves on the Board of Directors / Advisory Boards of selected health, wellness and medical diagnostics companies.

 

Up to 2005, Dr. Human served as secretary general of the World Medical Association (WMA), the global representative body for physicians. He was instrumental in the establishment of the World Health Professions Alliance, an alliance of the global representative bodies of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and physical therapists. During 2006 he was elected to serve as the secretary-general of the Africa Medical Association (AfMA). He is a fellow of the Russian and Romanian Academies of Medical Sciences. He is a published author, international lecturer and health care consultant specializing in global health strategy, corporate and product transformation, harm reduction, access to healthcare and health communication. He authored the book “Wise Nicotine” in 2009, in which the preferred future for tobacco harm reduction and the emergence of next generation nicotine products was described. Editor of the book “Caring Physicians of the World”, a project in collaboration with Pfizer Inc.

 

He was a clinician for two decades, part of the pediatric endocrinology research and diabetes unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital and was involved in the establishment of several medical centers, a hospital and emergency clinic in South Africa.

 

Dr. Human qualified as a physician in South Africa and completed his postgraduate studies in family medicine and child health in South Africa and Oxford, England. His business studies (MBA) were completed at the Edinburgh Business School.

 


Mario Gobbo

Director 

Mario Gobbo has 35 years of banking and corporate finance experience in healthcare and energy. His expertise encompasses venture capital and private equity as well as investment banking and strategic advisory services. Mr. Gobbo currently serves as acting CFOChief Business Officer of Xcovery, a cancer basedcancer-based biotech company and onis Chairman of the Supervisory Board and is Chair of Cinkarna Celje, a fine chemicals for paints (titanium dioxide) company based in Celje, Slovenia. Until recently, he was on the board of Zavarovalnica Triglav, the largest Slovene insurance company spearheading healthcare insurance in Central Europe and was Chairman of the Board and is Chair of the Audit Committee of Helix BioPharma, a Toronto-listed biotech company developing interesting novel complex biomolecules to combat various cancers. As an executive director, he was also on the board of Lazard Brothers, London.

 

While Managing Director for Health Care Capital Markets and Advisory with Natixis Bleichroeder in New York, from 2006 to 2009, he secured transactions for the bank’s M&A and equity capital markets pharmaceuticals and life sciences group. He obtained mandates for several IPOs and follow-on transactions on NASDAQ, as well as advisory assignments for health care and medical devices companies. When with the International Finance Corporation, a World Bank Group institution dealing with private sector investments, the team he led completed several highly successful equity and loan investments in biotech and generic pharmaceutical companies and funds in India, Latin America, China and Central Europe. From 1993 to 2001, he wasWhen with Lazard in London where he created and managed their Central and Eastern European operations, including Turkey. Mr. Gobbo advised on M&A, fundraising and privatization efforts for several key firms in the region.

 

Mario Gobbo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organic Chemistry from Harvard College, a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado and an MBA, a Master of Business Economics and a PhD (Management) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.



  

Mark Radke

Director

  

Mark Radke is a lawyer with a distinguished career in the area of financial services, specializing in federal securities regulation. As the Chief of Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Chairman Harvey Pitt, he was responsible for that agency’s rulemaking in response to the Sarbanes Oxley Act. In private practice, as partner at several multinational law firms, he has represented corporations, brokerage and accounting firms, hedge funds and individuals on corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory issues involving not only the SEC but other federal and state regulators.

 

He was active in advising clients on legislative initiatives that lead to the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, and in subsequent efforts to extend, implement or amend various components of that and other federal securities legislation.

 

As an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, he has taught classes in aspects of securities regulation since 1999. He holds a B.A., University of Washington, J.D., University of Baltimore, LI.M., Securities Regulation, Georgetown University Law Center.

Simon Langelier

Director

Simon Langelier is currently a director of Imperial Brands PLC, a British multinational company with a comprehensive portfolio of traditional and non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products. 

Previously, in his 30-year career with Philip Morris International, Simon Langelier served in several senior positions, including President Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, President Eastern Asia and President of Next Generation Products & Adjacent Businesses. He was also Managing Director in numerous countries in Europe and Colombia.

Mr. Langelier is currently an Honorary Professorial Fellow at Lancaster University in the U.K, a member of the Dean’s Council of that university’s Management School and a BSc Management Sciences graduate from the same institution.

 

Christian Noël

Director and Chief Executive Officer

  

 

Christian Noël is a trusted investor and business strategist, who has held senior positions in financial and investment organizations in Montreal, Canada, for the last 21 years. During his career, he has acquired extensive experience in risk management, tax planning, investment banking, and financial strategy design and execution.

 

In 2005 he joined Richardson GMP as Vice-President and Partner. Richardson GMP is a non-bank organization that specializes in portfolio management for high-net-worth individuals and families.

 

In 2014 Christian was admitted as a portfolio manager of GVC Ltd, a boutique wealth management firm based in Montreal, and was subsequently named Partner. At GVC, he developed a deep understanding of the nascent cannabis industry, building a team to analyze investment opportunities in all facets of the cannabis value chain, thereby providing clients with a superior range of services.

 

ChristianChristian’s expertise spans many different industries and has performed numerous due diligence activities over the last 20 years. He specializes in small and mid-cap companies as well as sophisticated alternative investment strategies. Christian is fluent in English and French and possesses a vast network of relationships in North American, European, and other regional capital markets.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE

ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS IDENTIFIED ABOVE.

 


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

We separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors because we currently believe that the different roles can best be filled by different people who have different experiences and perspectives. Christian Noel, as our Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for the execution of our business strategy and day-to-day operations. One of our independent directors, Dr. Delon Human, serves as Chairman of our Board of Directors, and, in such capacity, is responsible for presiding over our Board of Directors in its identification and execution of our operational and investment objectives, and oversight of our management team. We believe that Dr. Delon’s experience and background make him highly qualified to lead our Board of Directors in the fulfillment of its duties.

 

Oversight of Risk Management

 

Our Board of Directors, either directly or through designated committees, including the Audit Committee, discussed further below, oversees our risk management through its involvement in our financing, financial reporting, and compliance activities. Further, our management team provides our Board of Directors and our Audit Committee with periodic updates that comprehensively address areas of our business that may pose significant risks to us.

 

We emphasize the importance of professional business conduct and ethics through our corporate governance initiatives. Our Board of Directors consists of a majority of independent directors. Our Audit Committee consists solely of independent directors.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all employees including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and promote: (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and in our other public communications; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and (v) accountability for adherence to the code. Our Code of Ethics is available on our website at [www.cryomass.com].www.cryomass.com.  

 

Board and Committee Meetings

 

The Board of Directors currently consists of fourfive directors, threefour of whom the Board of Directors has determined are independent within the meaning of the rules of the OTCQB, which the Company has adopted as its definition of independence in the Audit Committee Charter. The Board of Directors held four regularly-scheduled meetings during the 2021 fiscal year, and two special meetings during the 2021 fiscal year. Each of the directors attended all meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which they served during the 2021 fiscal year. The Board of Directors does not have a formal policy governing director attendance at its annual meeting of stockholders.

 

The standing committees of the Board of Directors are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each of which was formed in 2019.  

 

Audit Committee. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee (i) the integrity of our financial statements and disclosures, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditing firm (the “External Auditor”), (iv) the performance of our External Auditors, (v) our internal control systems, and (vi) our procedures for monitoring compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. 

 

The Audit Committee held four formal meetings during fiscal year 2021. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Gobbo (Chair) and Radke.

 


The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the independence standards set forth in Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the independence standards set forth in the rules of the OTCQB. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Gobbo qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Exchange Act. 

 

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter that is reviewed annually. Under the charter, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. 

 

Our Audit Committee meets on a regular basis, at least quarterly and more frequently as necessary. Our Audit Committee’s primary function is to assist our Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial information to be provided to stockholders and others, reviewing our system of internal controls, which management has established, overseeing the audit and financial reporting process, including the preapproval of services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, and overseeing certain areas of risk management.

  

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews the compensation strategy of the Company and consults with the Chief Executive Officer, as needed, regarding the role of our compensation strategy in achieving our objectives and performance goals and the long-term interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility for approving the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to our other executive officers. The term “executive officer” has the same meaning specified for the term “officer” in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act. 

 

Our Chief Executive Officer sets the compensation of anyone whose compensation is not set by the Board and reports to the Board regarding the basis for any such compensation if requested by it. 

 

The Compensation Committee may retain compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisors as the Board deems appropriate to assist it in discharging its duties.

 

The Compensation Committee held one formal meeting during fiscal year 2021. The members of the Compensation Committee are Dr. Human (Chair), and Messrs. Gobbo and Noël.Mr. Langelier.

 

The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter that is reviewed annually.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and recommends to the Board individuals qualified to be nominated for election to the Board and recommends to the Board the members and Chairperson for each Board committee.

 

In addition to stockholders’ general nominating rights provided in our Bylaws, stockholders may recommend director candidates for consideration by the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders if the recommendations are sent to the Board in accordance with the procedures in the bylaws.  All director nominations submitted by stockholders to the Board for its consideration must include all of the required information set forth in our Bylaws. 

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not hold any meetings during the fiscal year 2021. The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Radke (Chair) and Dr. Human.Mr. Langelier.

 

Director Qualifications. In selecting nominees for director, without regard to the source of the recommendation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that each director nominee should be evaluated based on his or her individual merits, taking into account the needs of the Company and the composition of the Board. Members of the Board should have the highest professional and personal ethics, consistent with our values and standards and Code of Ethics. At a minimum, a nominee must possess integrity, skill, leadership ability, financial sophistication, and capacity to help guide us. Nominees should be committed to enhancing stockholder value and should have sufficient time to carry out their duties and to provide insight and practical wisdom based on their experiences. Their service on other boards of public companies should be limited to a number that permits them, given their individual circumstances, to responsibly perform all director duties. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and the requirements of any exchange upon which our common stock is listed or to which it may apply in the foreseeable future. 

 


Evaluation of Director Nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will typically employ a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through current directors, stockholders, or other companies or persons. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not evaluate director candidates recommended by stockholders differently than director candidates recommended by other sources. Director candidates may be evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and may be considered at any point during the year. 

 

We do not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, but the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee strives to nominate directors with a variety of complementary skills so that, as a group, the Board will possess the appropriate talent, skills, and expertise to oversee our businesses. In evaluating director nominations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience, and capability on the Board. In connection with this evaluation, the Audit and Executive Oversight Committee will make a determination of whether to interview a prospective nominee based upon the Board’s level of interest. If warranted, one or more members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and others as appropriate, will interview prospective nominees in person or by telephone. After completing this evaluation and any appropriate interviews, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend the director nominees after consideration of all its directors’ input. The director nominees are then selected by a majority of the independent directors on the Board, meeting in executive session and considering the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendations. 

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not formally meet during fiscal year 2021. The members of the CompensationNominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Radke (Chair) and Gobbo.Langelier.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets the independence standards set forth in Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the independence standards set forth in the New York Stock Exchange.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter that is reviewed annually.

 

Stockholder and Interested Party Communications with Directors

 

We provide the opportunity for our stockholders and other interested parties to communicate with any member, or all members, of our Board of Directors by mail. To communicate with our Board of Directors, correspondence should be addressed to our Board of Directors or any one or more individual directors or group or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent to the following address:

 

The Board of Directors of Cryomass Technologies Inc

c/o Dr. Delon Human, Chairman of the Board

1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204

 

All communications received as described above will be opened by our Secretary for the sole purpose of determining whether the contents constitute a communication to our directors. Any contents that are not in the nature of advertising, promotions of a product or service, or patently offensive material will be forwarded promptly to the director or directors to whom it is addressed. In the case of communications to our Board of Directors or to any group of directors, our Secretary will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each addressee.

9

 

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table shows the names and ages of our current executive officers and the positions held by each individual. A description of the business experience of each individual follows the table. All officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

 

Name Position Age
Christian Noël  Chief Executive Officer 45
Philip Mullin  Chief Financial Officer 68
Patricia Kovacevic  General Counsel, Corporate Secretary 51

 

Christian Noël, Chief Executive Officer

 

Christian Noël is a trusted investor and business strategist, who has held senior positions in financial and investment organizations in Montreal, Canada, for the last 21 years. During his career, he has acquired extensive experience in risk management, tax planning, investment banking, and financial strategy design and execution.

 

In 2005 he joined Richardson GMP as Vice-President and Partner. Richardson GMP is a non-bank organization that specializes in portfolio management for high-net-worth individuals and families.

 

In 2014 Christian was admitted as a portfolio manager of GVC Ltd, a boutique wealth management firm based in Montreal, and was subsequently named Partner. At GVC, he developed a deep understanding of the nascent cannabis industry, building a team to analyze investment opportunities in all facets of the cannabis value chain, thereby providing clients with a superior range of services.

 

Christian expertise spans many different industries and has performed numerous due diligence activities over the last 20 years. He specializes in small and mid-cap companies as well as sophisticated alternative investment strategies. Christian is fluent in English and French and possesses a vast network of relationships in North American, European, and other regional capital markets.

 

Philip Mullin, Chief Financial Officer  

 

Philip Mullin has 30 years’ experience as CFO, COO, and in consulting and turnarounds for businesses with revenues of less than $100 million, and has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since June, 2019. Mr. Mullin was previously managing director of Somerset Associates LLC, a CFO, accounting, tax and financial consulting company, and served until recently on the board of CanaQuest Medical Corp.company. Since 2009, he has operated primarily in consulting and interim CFO roles in multiple sectors including fintech, blockchain, drones, recycling, medical marijuana, and electrical power generation. From 2003-09, Mr. Mullin was a partner of Tatum Partners, a human capital firm engaged in providing CFO services. Within Tatum, Mr. Mullin served in numerous leadership roles: from 2006-09, as CFO of Zi Corporation, a leading software development company specializing in mobile phones, which was sold in April 2009 to Nuance Communications; from 2003-06, as interim CFO of Homax Products, Vice President Finance of Yakima Products, and as a consultant in several engagements in industrial construction, manufacturing and air transportation. From 2001-03, he served as turnaround consultant to companies in the telecom sector during the critical post-9/11 timeframe; from 1995-2001, he was engaged in various C-level capacities in a public entity that was restructured and eventually became International DisplayWorks, a manufacturer of LCD displays based in Rocklin, California with operations in Shenzhen, China, which was later sold to Flextronics.

 

Mr. Mullin began his career in banking in 1982 after completing his MBA from University of Western Ontario Richard Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario, Canada and BA in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. 

 

Patricia Kovacevic, General Counsel & Secretary

 

An experienced legal and compliance department leader, Patricia I. Kovacevic’s career comprises leading senior legal and regulatory positions with FDA-regulated multinationals, including Philip Morris International and Lorillard, as well as partner roles with large law firms.

 

Her expertise includes corporate law, compliance, M&A, US and global food, drug, nicotine and consumer goods regulation, cannabis/CBD regulation, external affairs and the legal framework applicable to marketing, media communications, investigations, FCPA, trade sanctions, privacy, intellectual property, product development and launch. She also led cross-disciplinary teams engaged in scientific research efforts. She has served on various trade association bodies and conference advisory boards. Ms. Kovacevic authored several articles on nicotine regulation, government intervention in pricing, co-authored an academic treatise, “The Regulation of E-Cigarettes” and is often invited as a keynote speaker or panelist before global conferences and government agencies public hearings.

 

Patricia Kovacevic is an attorney admitted to practice in New York, before the U.S. Tax Court, before the U.S. Court of International Trade and before the Supreme Court of the United States. She holds a Juris Doctor (doctor of law) degree from Columbia Law School in New York and completed the Harvard Business School “Corporate Leader” executive education program. Ms. Kovacevic speaks several languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, Romanian and Croatian.

 


COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Director Compensation

 

The general policy of the Board is that compensation for independent directors should be a fair mix between cash and equity-based compensation. Additionally, the Company reimburses directors for reasonable expenses incurred during the course of their performance. There are no long-term incentive or medical reimbursement plans. the Company does not pay directors, who are part of management, for Board service in addition to their regular employee compensation. The Board determines the amount of director compensation. The board may appoint a compensation committee to take on this role.

 

The following table provides information regarding compensation paid to the Company’s directors (other than a director who was a named executive officer) during the year ended December 31, 2020:2021:

 

Name Fees earned ($)  Share-based awards ($)  Option-based awards ($)  Total
 ($)
  Fees
earned
($)
  Share-
based
awards
($)
  Option-based
awards
($)
  Total
($)
 
Dr. Delon Human $67,454  $82,559  $238,085  $388,098  $84,546  $-  $          -  $84,546 
Mario Gobbo  45,500   82,559   -   128,059   40,000   -   -   40,000 
Mark Radke  45,500   82,559   -   128,059   40,000   -   -   40,000 
John Scharffenberger  19,957   95,000   -   114,957 
Steven Hilton  14,016   -   -   14,016 
Carlos Hernández  15,543   7,182   -   22,725   6,556   -   -   6,556 
Gary Artmont  15,543   7,182   -   22,725   7,667   32,254   -   39,921 

 

2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

 

The Company adopted its 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), which provides for the issuance of stock options, stock grants and RSUs to employees, directors and consultants. The primary purpose of the 2019 Plan is to enhance the ability to attract, motivate, and retain the services of qualified employees, officers and directors. Any RSUs or stock options granted under the 2019 Plan will be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2020,2021, the total stock compensation expense was $1,440,284$2,653,271 and consisted of $734,752$1,685,066 related to RSUs $150,000 related to a separation agreement, and $555,532$968,205 related to stock options. Expenses for stock-based compensation is included on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in general and administrative expense. No cash was used to settle equity instruments granted under share-based payment arrangements.

2022 Stock Incentive Plan Awardsplan

The following table provides information regarding the incentive plan awards for each director (other than a director who was a named executive officer) outstanding as of December 31, 2020:

  Option-based Awards Share-based Awards
Name Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) Option exercise price ($)  Value of unexercised in-the-money options as at December 31, 2020  Number of shares or units of shares that have not vested Market or payout value of share awards that have not vested 
Dr. Delon Human 1,500,000  0.16   62,400  -  - 
Mario Gobbo  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
Mark Radke  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
John Scharffenberger  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
Steven Hilton  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
Carlos Hernández  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
Gary Artmont  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 


Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, all compensation paid, distributed or earned for services, including salary and bonus amounts, rendered in all capacities by the Company’s named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The information contained below represents compensation earned by the Company’s officers for their work related to the Company:

Name and Position Year  Salary ($)  Share-based awards ($)  Option-based awards ($)  Total compensation ($) 
Christopher Hansen, Chief Executive Officer  2020   155,500
   201,040   -  356,540
 
   2019   90,000  -   -  90,000 
Michael Saxon, Chief Executive Officer  2020   456,800   -   -   456,800 
   2019   -   -   -   - 
Philip Mullin, Chief Financial Officer  2020   240,000
   82,550   317,450   640,000
 
   2019   142,500   -   -   142,500 
Cindy Lee Kelly, Chief Financial Officer  2020   -   -   -   - 
   2019   14,000   -   -   14,000 
Patricia Kovacevic, General Counsel & Head of  2020   159,600   17,800   -   177,400 
External Affairs  2019   -   -   -   - 

Incentive Plan Awards

The following table provides information regarding the incentive plan awards for each named executive officer outstanding as of December 31, 2020:

  Option-based Awards Share-based Awards
Name and Position Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) Option exercise price ($)  Value of unexercised in-the-money options as at December 31, 2020  Number of shares or units of shares that have not vested Market or payout value of share awards that have not vested 
Christopher Hansen, Chief Executive Officer  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
Michael Saxon, Chief Executive Officer  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
Philip Mullin, Chief Financial Officer 2,000,000  0.16   78,000  -  - 
Cindy Lee Kelly, Chief Financial Officer  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 
Patricia Kovacevic, General Counsel & Head of External Affairs  N/A   N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A 

The following table provides information regarding the value vested or earned on incentive plan awards during the year ended December 31, 2020:

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year

Name and Position Option-based awards - Value vested during the year(1)
($)
  Share-based awards - Value vested during the year
($)
 
Christopher Hansen, Chief Executive Officer   N/A   201,040 
Michael Saxon, Chief Executive Officer   N/A   N/A 
Philip Mullin, Chief Financial Officer  317,450   82,550 
Cindy Lee Kelly, Chief Financial Officer   N/A   N/A 
Patricia Kovacevic, General Counsel & Head of External Affairs   N/A   17,800 

Re-pricing of Options

We did not re-price any options previously granted to our executive officers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

12

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table shows, as of November 22, 2021, the amount of each class of our common stock beneficially owned (unless otherwise indicated) by (i) any person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of such class, (ii) our directors, (iii) our executive officers, and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
  Percentage of Class (2) 
Alexander Massa  47,205,000(3)  21.4 
9318-2582 Quebec Inc
8000 boul Langelier #407
Montreal, Quebec H1P 3K2
  12,550,000(4)  6.2 
Cryocann USA Corp
2230 S Fairview St
Santa Ana, CA 92704
  10,000,000   5.1 
Christian Noël  8,020,000(5)  4.1 
Delon Human  3,020,000(6)  1.5 
Philip Mullin  2,021,999(7)  1.0 
Patricia Kovacevic  1,000,000(8)  0.5 
Mario Gobbo  0   0.0 
Mark Radke  0   0.0 
All directors and officers as a group (6 persons)  14,061,999   6.9 

(1)Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is c/o the Company, 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204.

(2)Based on 196,650,634 shares outstanding.

(3)Alexander Massa has voting and investment control over 22,500,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 22,500,00 shares held by CRYM Co-Invest, LP, 602,500 shares and 500,000 exercisable warrants to purchase shares held by Ham Senior Inc., and 602,500 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 500,000 shares held by Hungry Asset Monster Inc. The address for CRYM Co-Invest, LP is One World Trade Center, Suite 83G, New York, NY 10007 and the address for Ham Senior Inc. and Hungry Asset Monster Inc. is 50 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.

(4)Patrick Varin has voting and investment control over 6,275,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 6,275,000 shares held by 9318-2582 Quebec Inc.

(5)Mr. Noël is beneficial owner of 760,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 760,000 shares held by Trichome Capital Inc. and exercisable warrants to purchase 250,000 shares.

(6)Dr. Human is the beneficial holder of fully-vested stock options to purchase 1,500,000 shares, exercisable at $0.16 per share, expiring in 2030, and is the beneficial owner of 760,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 760,000 shares held by Health Diplomats Pte Ltd.

(7)Mr. Mullin is the beneficial holder of fully-vested stock options to purchase 2,000,000 shares, exercisable at $0.16 per share, expiring in 2030.

(8)Ms. Kovacevic is the beneficial holder of fully-vested stock options to purchase 1,000,000 shares, exercisable at $0.29 per share, expiring in 2031.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, our officers, and certain beneficial owners, or, collectively, reporting persons, to file reports of the Company holdings and transactions in our shares of common stock with the Commission. To our knowledge, based solely on review of copies of such reports, as of the date of filing, all of such reporting persons complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them.

13

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

John Knapp 

As of March 30, 2020, John Knapp (“Knapp”) owned 9.5% of the shares and is a former board director of the Company. Knapp is the sole owner of Critical Mass Industries Inc. (“CMI”), which effective July 15, 2019, sold all of its assets except marijuana licenses, inventory and accounts receivable to the Company. Pursuant to the CMI transaction, the Company entered into a series of agreements which permit CMI to use the assets in the conduct of its business, as well as provide CMI with additional expertise, including administrative and human resource functions. Also, in conjunction with the CMI transaction, the Company assumed a note payable owing to Knapp. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the outstanding balance of the notes payable, related party was $458,599 and 307,450, respectively. The note was subsequently paid by issuing 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In 2019, CMI was sued by a former consultant. The Company has been incurring legal fees on CMI’s behalf to defend against this lawsuit. As of December 31, 2019, Knapp, as the owner of CMI, or CMI itself owed the Company $27,420.65 for legal fees paid on their behalf. Effective February 25, 2020, Knapp resigned as a director of Andina Gold, at which time 200,000 Restricted Stock Units were deemed to have vested and were converted into 200,000 common shares. Refer to Note 2 for additional details on the relationship of CMI as a VIE.  

Christian Noel

Effective April 1, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Christian Noel (“Noel”) to become our Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement provided for, among other things, the grant of 6,000,000 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) vesting immediately upon commencement of employment. Upon vesting of the RSUs, the RSUs were converted to 6,000,000 shares of restricted stock. On August 19, 2021, Noel loaned C$300,000 to the Company as a temporary bridge loan while we completed a capital raise that was commencing at that time. The loan, including principal and interest in the amount of C$342,524.7 was repaid on October 27, 2021. The proceeds of the loan were used to cover normal operating costs such as payroll of the Company. On November 11, 2021, Noel subscribed for $202,000 of private placement Units on identical terms to other participants in the capital raise, which resulted in the issuance of 1,010,000 shares of restricted common stock and the grant of warrants to purchase an additional 1,010,000 shares of restricted common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share for two years from the date of his investment.

14

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

In accordance with, and to the extent permitted by the rules of the Commission, the information contained in the following Report of the Audit Committee shall not be incorporated by reference into any of Cryomass Technologies Inc’s future filings made under the Exchange Act, and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.

Roles and Responsibilities. The Audit Committee is comprised of two independent directors and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to be an informed and effective overseer of our financial accounting and reporting processes, as well as to hire, compensate, and evaluate the independent registered public accounting firm. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial controls, for preparing the financial statements, and for the public reporting process. BF Borgers, CPA PC, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021, is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

Required Disclosures and Discussions. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with BF Borgers, CPA PC the matters required to be discussed by AS 1301, “Communication with Audit Committees,” as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from BF Borgers, CPA PC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BF Borgers, CPA PC its independence.

Audit Committee Recommendation. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2020 for filing with the Commission.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Mario Gobbo, Chairman
Mark Radke

15

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by us for the audit and other services provided for the fiscal periods shown.

Haynie & Company:            

Audit and Non-Audit Fees 2020  2019 
Audit fees $5,000  $46,193 
Audit-related fees  -   - 
Tax fees  -   - 
All other fees  -   - 
Total $5,000  $46,193 

Marcum:                

Audit and Non-Audit Fees  2020   2019 
Audit fees $77,086  $331,101 
Audit-related fees  -   - 
Tax fees  -   - 
All other fees  -   - 
Total $77,086  $331,101 

Borgers:                

Audit and Non-Audit Fees  2020   2019 
Audit fees $566,200  $266,000 
Audit-related fees  -   - 
Tax fees  -   - 
All other fees  -   - 
Total $566,200  $266,000 

All fees were determined to be “Audit Fees.” Audit Fees are fees incurred for the audits of the consolidated financial statements, consultation on audit-related matters, and required review of Commission filings. This category also includes review of, and consents for, filings with the Commission related to our public offerings.

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has considered all services provided by Haynie & Company, Marcum LLP, and BF Borgers, CPA PC to us and concluded that this involvement is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for appointing our independent registered public accounting firm and approving the terms of the independent registered public accounting firm’s services. The Audit Committee charter imposes a duty on the Audit Committee to pre-approve all auditing services performed for us by our independent registered public accounting firm, as well as all permitted non-audit services. The Audit Committee may, in its discretion, delegate to one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve any audit or non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, provided any such approval is presented to and approved by the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All fees for services provided by Haynie & Company, Marcum LLP, and BF Borgers, CPA PC in 2020 and 2019 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF BF BORGERS, CPA PC AS OUR INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

BF Borgers, CPA PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, served as the independent registered public accounting firm for us and our subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The Audit Committee has appointed BF Borgers, CPA PC to be our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 and has further directed that the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm be submitted for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

Representatives of BF Borgers, CPA PC will be present at the Annual Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of BF Borgers, CPA PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the result of the ratification of BF Borgers, CPA PC.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BF BORGERS, CPA PC AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021.

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PROPOSAL NO. 3 — THE 2022 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL

 

General

 

The board of directors of the Company have adopted the 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (Incentive Plan), subject to the approval of the Incentive Planratified by the Company’s stockholders.stockholders at the January 10, 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals to perform services, to provide incentive compensation for such individuals in a form that is linked to the growth and profitability of the Company and increases in stockholder value, and to provide opportunities for equity participation that align the interests of recipients with those of its stockholders.

 

The Incentive Plan will permit the board of directors of the Company, or a committee or subcommittee thereof, to grant to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries non-statutory and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (RSUs), deferred stock units, performance awards, non-employee director awards, and other stock-based awards. Subject to adjustment, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock to be authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan is 15.3%15.2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

Our board of directors is recommending that our stockholders approve the material terms of theThe Incentive Plan as described below. The summary is qualified in its entiretywas approved by reference to the specific languagea majority vote of the Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached asAnnex 1.shareholders on January 10, 2022.

 

Summary of the Incentive Plan

 

The following is a summary of the principal features of the Incentive Plan. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Incentive Plan, which is set forth inAnnex 1.included as Exhibit 10.6 to the Form S-1 filed on February 14, 2022.

Purpose

 

The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals to perform services, to provide incentive compensation for such individuals in a form that is linked to the growth and profitability of the Company and increases in stockholder value, and to provide opportunities for equity participation that align the interests of recipients with those of its stockholders.


Administration

 

The board of directors of the Company will administer the Incentive Plan. The board has the authority under the Incentive Plan to delegate plan administration to a committee of the board or a subcommittee thereof. The board of directors of the Company or the committee of the board to which administration of the Incentive Plan has been delegated is referred to as the Committee. Subject to certain limitations, the Committee will have broad authority under the terms of the Incentive Plan to take certain actions under the plan.

 

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company such administrative duties or powers, as it may deem advisable. The Committee may authorize one or more directors or officers of the Company to designate employees, other than officers, non-employee directors, or 10% stockholders of the Company, to receive awards under the Incentive Plan and determine the size of any such awards, subject to certain limitations.

No Re-pricing

 

The Committee may not, without prior approval of the the Company stockholders, effect any re-pricing of any previously granted “underwater” option or SAR by: (i) amending or modifying the terms of the option or SAR to lower the exercise price or grant price; (ii) canceling the underwater option or SAR in exchange for (A) cash; (B) replacement options or SARs having a lower exercise price or grant price; or (C) other awards; or (iii) repurchasing the underwater options or SARs and granting new awards under the Incentive Plan. An option or SAR will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the fair market value of Common Stock is less than the exercise price of the option or the grant price of the SAR.

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Stock Subject to the Incentive Plan

 

Subject to adjustment (as described below), the maximum number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan is 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully-diluted basis.30,000,000 shares.

 

Shares that are issued under the Incentive Plan or that are subject to outstanding awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares remaining available for issuance under the Incentive Plan only to the extent they are used; provided, however, that the full number of shares subject to a stock-settled SAR or other stock-based award will be counted against the shares authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan, regardless of the number of shares actually issued upon settlement of such SAR or other stock-based award. Any shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on awards issued under the Incentive Plan, any shares withheld to pay the exercise price or grant price of awards under the Incentive Plan and any shares not issued or delivered as a result of the “net exercise” of an outstanding option or settlement of a SAR in shares will not be counted against the shares authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan and will be available again for grant under the Incentive Plan. Shares subject to awards settled in cash will again be available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the Incentive Plan. Any shares related to awards granted under the Incentive Plan that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of the shares will be available again for grant under the Incentive Plan. Any shares repurchased by the Company on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an award will not increase the number of shares available for future grant of awards. To the extent permitted by applicable law, shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or a subsidiary or otherwise will not be counted against shares available for issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan. The shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.


Adjustments

 

In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a spin off) or other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of Common Stock, the Committee will make the appropriate adjustment or substitution. These adjustments or substitutions may be to the number and kind of securities and property that may be available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. In order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants, the Committee may also adjust the number, kind, and exercise price or grant price of securities or other property subject to outstanding awards.

Eligible Participants

 

Awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. A “consultant” for purposes of the Incentive Plan is one who renders services to the Company or its subsidiaries that are not in connection with the offer and sale of its securities in a capital raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for its securities.

Types of Awards

 

The Incentive Plan will permit the Company to grant non-statutory and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, performance awards, non-employee director awards and other stock-based awards. Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other type of award.

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Stock Options. Stock options entitle the holder to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a specified price, which is called the exercise price, subject to the terms and conditions of the stock option grant. The Incentive Plan permits the grant of both non-statutoryand incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted solely to eligible employees of the Company or its subsidiary. Each stock option granted under the Incentive Plan must be evidenced by an award agreement that specifies the exercise price, the term, the number of shares underlying the stock option, the vesting and any other conditions. The exercise price of each stock option granted under the Incentive Plan must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as of the date the award is granted to a participant. Fair market value under the plan means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the closing sale price of Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market, on the grant date. The Committee will fix the terms and conditions of each stock option, subject to certain restrictions, such as a ten-year maximum term.

Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right, or SAR, is a right granted to receive payment of cash, stock or a combination of both, equal to the excess of the fair market value of shares of Common Stock on the exercise date over the grant price of such shares. Each SAR granted must be evidenced by an award agreement that specifies the grant price, the term, and such other provisions as the Committee may determine. The grant price of a SAR must be at least 100% of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant. The Committee will fix the term of each SAR, but SARs granted under the Incentive Plan will not be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the SAR is granted.

Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units. Restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, or RSUs, and/or deferred stock units may be granted under the Incentive Plan. A restricted stock award is an award of Common Stock that is subject to restrictions on transfer and risk of forfeiture upon certain events, typically including termination of service. RSUs or deferred stock units are similar to restricted stock awards except that no shares are actually awarded to the participant on the grant date. Deferred stock units permit the holder to receive shares of Common Stock or the equivalent value in cash or other property at a future time as determined by the Committee. The Committee will determine, and set forth in an award agreement, the period of restriction, the number of shares of restricted stock awards or the number of RSUs or deferred stock units granted, the time of payment for deferred stock units and other such conditions or restrictions.

Performance Awards. Performance awards, in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other awards or a combination of both, may be granted under the Incentive Plan in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine. The Committee shall determine, and set forth in an award agreement, the amount of cash and/or number of shares or other awards, the performance goals, the performance periods and other terms and conditions. The extent to which the participant achieves his or her performance goals during the applicable performance period will determine the amount of cash and/or number of shares or other awards earned by the participant.


Non-Employee Director Awards. The Committee at any time and from time to time may approve resolutions providing for the automatic grant to non-employee directors of non-statutory stock options or SARs. The Committee may also at any time and from time-to-time grant on a discretionary basis to non-employee directors non-statutory stock options or SARs. In either case, any such awards may be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem, and may be granted pursuant to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion consistent with the provisions of the Incentive Plan. The Committee may permit non-employee directors to elect to receive all or any portion of their annual retainers, meeting fees or other fees in restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock units or other stock-based awards in lieu of cash. Under the Incentive Plan the sum of any cash compensation, or other compensation, and the value (determined as of the grant date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of awards granted to a non-employee director as compensation for services as a non-employee director during any fiscal year of the Company may not exceed $250,000 (increased to $350,000 with respect to any director serving as Chairman of the Board or Lead Independent Director or in the fiscal year of a director’s initial service as a director).

Other Stock-Based AwardsAwards. Consistent with the terms of the plan, other stock-based awards may be granted to participants in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine.

Dividend Equivalents. With the exception of stock options, SARs and unvested performance awards, awards under the Incentive Plan may, in the Committee’s discretion, earn dividend equivalents with respect to the cash or stock dividends or other distributions that would have been paid on the shares of Common Stock covered by such award had such shares been issued and outstanding on the dividend payment date. However, no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid on unvested awards. Such dividend equivalents will be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as determined by the Committee.

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Termination of Employment or Other Service

 

The Incentive Plan provides for certain default rules in the event of a termination of a participant’s employment or other service. These default rules may be modified in an award agreement or an individual agreement between the Company and a participant. If a participant’s employment or other service with the Company is terminated for cause, then all outstanding awards held by such participant will be terminated and forfeited. In the event a participant’s employment or other service with the Company is terminated by reason of death, disability or retirement, then:

 

All outstanding stock options (excluding non-employee director options in the case of retirement) and SARs held by the participant will, to the extent exercisable, remain exercisable for a period of one year after such termination, but not later than the date the stock options or SARs expire;

 

All outstanding stock options and SARs that are not exercisable and all outstanding restricted stock will be terminated and forfeited; and

 

All outstanding unvested RSUs, performance awards and other stock-based awards held by the participant will terminate and be forfeited. However, with respect to any awards that vest based on the achievement of performance goals, if a participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any subsidiary is terminated prior to the end of the performance period of such award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the performance period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause shares to be delivered or payment made with respect to the participant’s award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire performance period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable performance period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on the number of months or years that the participant was employed or performed services during the performance period.

 


In the event a participant’s employment or other service with the Company is terminated by reason other than for cause, death, disability or retirement, then:

 

All outstanding stock options (including non-employee director options) and SARs held by the participant that then are exercisable will remain exercisable for three months after the date of such termination, but will not be exercisable later than the date the stock options or SARs expire;

 

All outstanding restricted stock will be terminated and forfeited; and

 

All outstanding unvested RSUs, performance awards and other stock-based awards will be terminated and forfeited. However, with respect to any awards that vest based on the achievement of performance goals, if a participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any subsidiary is terminated prior to the end of the performance period of such award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the performance period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause shares to be delivered or payment made with respect to the participant’s award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire performance period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable performance period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on the number of months or years that the participant was employed or performed services during the performance period.

Modification of Rights upon Termination

 

Upon a participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company or any subsidiary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the grant date, including following such termination) cause stock options or SARs (or any part thereof) held by such participant as of the effective date of such 

termination to terminate, become or continue to become exercisable or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service, and restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock units, performance awards, non-employee director awards and other stock-based awards held by such participant as of the effective date of such termination to terminate, vest or become free of restrictions and conditions to payment, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no stock option or SAR may remain exercisable beyond its expiration date any such action by the Committee adversely affecting any outstanding award will not be effective without the consent of the affected participant, except to the extent the Committee is authorized by the Incentive Plan to take such action.

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Forfeiture and Recoupment

 

If a participant is determined by the Committee to have taken any action while providing services to the Company or within one year after termination of such services, that would constitute “cause” or an “adverse action,” as such terms are defined in the Incentive Plan, all rights of the participant under the Incentive Plan and any agreements evidencing an award then held by the participant will terminate and be forfeited. The Committee has the authority to rescind the exercise, vesting, issuance or payment in respect of any awards of the participant that were exercised, vested, issued or paid, and require the participant to pay to the Company, within 10 days of receipt of notice, any amount received or the amount gained as a result of any such rescinded exercise, vesting, issuance or payment. the Company may defer the exercise of any stock option or SAR for up to six months after receipt of notice of exercise in order for the Board to determine whether “cause” or “adverse action” exists. theThe Company is entitled to withhold and deduct future wages or make other arrangements to collect any amount due.

 

In addition, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will reimburse the Company for the amount of any award received by such individual under the Incentive Plan during the 12 month period following the first public issuance or filing with the SEC, as the case may be, of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement. theThe Company also may seek to recover any award made as required by the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or any other clawback, forfeiture or recoupment provision required by applicable law or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which Common Stock is then listed or traded or any policy adopted by the Company.


Effect of Change in Control

 

Generally, a change in control will mean:

 

The acquisition, other than from the Company, by any individual, entity or group of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock;

 

The consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with respect to which all or substantially all of the individuals or entities who were the beneficial owners of Common Stock immediately prior to the transaction do not, following the transaction, beneficially own more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock and voting securities of the corporation resulting from the transaction; or

 

A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

Subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement or an individual agreement between the Company and a participant, upon a change in control, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine whether some or all outstanding options and SARs shall become exercisable in full or in part, whether the restriction period and performance period applicable to some or all outstanding restricted stock awards and RSUs shall lapse in full or in part and whether the performance measures applicable to some or all outstanding awards shall be deemed to be satisfied. The Committee may further require that shares of stock of the corporation resulting from such a change in control, or a parent corporation thereof, be substituted for some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding award and that any outstanding awards, in whole or in part, be surrendered to the Company by the holder, to be immediately cancelled by the Company, in exchange for a cash payment, shares of capital stock of the corporation resulting from or succeeding the Company or a combination of both cash and such shares of stock.

Term, Termination and Amendment

 

Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Incentive Plan will terminate at midnight on the day before the ten year anniversary of its effective date. No award will be granted after termination of the Incentive Plan, but awards outstanding upon termination of the Incentive Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan.

 


Subject to certain exceptions, the Board has the authority to suspend or terminate the Incentive Plan or terminate any outstanding award agreement and the Board has the authority to amend the Incentive Plan or amend or modify the terms of any outstanding award at any time and from time to time. No amendments to the Incentive Plan will be effective without approval of the Company’ stockholders if: (a) stockholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, the rules of the primary stock exchange on which Common Stock is then traded, applicable U.S. state and federal laws or regulations and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where awards are, or will be, granted under the Incentive Plan; or (b) such amendment would: (i) materially increase benefits accruing to participants; (ii) modify the re-pricing provisions of the Incentive Plan; (iii) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under the Incentive Plan; (iv) increase any limitation set forth in the Incentive Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued or the aggregate value of awards which may be made, in respect of any type of award to any single participant during any specified period; (v) modify the eligibility requirements for participants in the Incentive Plan; or (vi) reduce the minimum exercise price or grant price as set forth in the Incentive Plan. No termination, suspension or amendment of the Incentive Plan or an award agreement shall adversely affect any award previously granted under the Incentive Plan without the written consent of the participant holding such award.

 

Federal Income Tax Information

 

The following is a general summary, as of the date of this prospectus/proxy statement, of the federal income tax consequences to participants and the Company of transactions under the Incentive Plan. This summary is intended for the information of stockholders considering how to vote at the Annual Meeting and not as tax guidance to participants in the Incentive Plan, as the consequences may vary with the types of grants made, the identity of the participant and the method of payment or settlement. The summary does not address the effects of other federal taxes or taxes imposed under state, local or foreign tax laws. Participants are encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of participation in the Incentive Plan.


Tax Consequences of Awards

Incentive Stock Options. With respect to incentive stock options, generally, the participant is not taxed, and the Company is not entitled to a deduction, on either the grant or the exercise of an incentive stock option so long as the requirements of Section 422 of the Code continue to be met. If the participant meets the employment requirements and does not dispose of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option until at least one year after date of the exercise of the stock option and at least two years after the date the stock option was granted, gain or loss realized on sale of the shares will be treated as long-termcapital gain or loss. If the shares of Common Stock are disposed of before those periods expire, which is called a disqualifying disposition, the participant will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess, if any, of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) if the disposition is a taxable sale or exchange, the amount of gain realized. Upon a disqualifying disposition, the Company will generally be entitled, in the same tax year, to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Non-StatutoryStock Options. The grant of a stock option that does not qualify for treatment as an incentive stock option, which is generally referred to as a non-statutory stock option, is generally not a taxable event for the participant. Upon exercise of the stock option, the participant will generally be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of Common Stock acquired upon exercise (determined as of the date of exercise) over the exercise price of the stock option, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in an equal amount in the same tax year, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code. At the time of a subsequent sale or disposition of shares obtained upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, any gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, which will be either a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the shares have been held.

SARs. The grant of an SAR will not cause the participant to recognize ordinary income or entitle the Company to a deduction for federal income tax purposes. Upon the exercise of an SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the amount of the cash or the value of shares payable to the participant (before reduction for any withholding taxes), and the Company will receive a corresponding deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code.

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Restricted Stock, RSUs, Deferred Stock Units and Other Stock-Based AwardsAwards. The federal income tax consequences with respect to restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock units, performance shares and performance stock units, and other stock unit and stock-based awards depend on the facts and circumstances of each award, including, in particular, the nature of any restrictions imposed with respect to the awards. In general, if an award of stock granted to the participant is subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” (e.g., the award is conditioned upon the future performance of substantial services by the participant) and is nontransferable, a taxable event occurs when the risk of forfeiture ceases or the awards become transferable, whichever first occurs. At such time, the participant will recognize ordinary income to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the stock on such date over the participant’s cost for such stock (if any), and the same amount is deductible by the Company, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code. Under certain circumstances, the participant, by making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, can accelerate federal income tax recognition with respect to an award of stock that is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability restrictions, in which event the ordinary income amount and the Company’ deduction, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code, will be measured and timed as of the grant date of the award. If the stock award granted to the participant is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or transferability restrictions, the participant will recognize ordinary income with respect to the award to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the stock at the time of grant over the participant’s cost, if any, and the same amount is deductible by us, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code. If a stock unit award or other stock-based award is granted but no stock is actually issued to the participant at the time the award is granted, the participant will recognize ordinary income at the time the participant receives the stock free of any substantial risk of forfeiture (or receives cash in lieu of such stock) and the amount of such income will be equal to the fair market value of the stock at such time over the participant’s cost, if any, and the same amount is then deductible by the Company, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code.


Withholding Obligations

 

theThe Company is entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the participant, to make other arrangements for the collection of, or to require the participant to pay to the Company, an amount necessary for it to satisfy the participant’s federal, state or local tax withholding obligations with respect to awards granted under the Incentive Plan. Withholding for taxes may be calculated based on the maximum applicable tax rate for the participant’s jurisdiction or such other rate that will not trigger a negative accounting impact on the Company. The Committee may permit a participant to satisfy a tax withholding obligation by withholding shares of Common Stock underlying an award, tendering previously acquired shares, delivery of a broker exercise notice or a combination of these methods.

Code Section 409A

 

A participant may be subject to a 20% penalty tax, in addition to ordinary income tax, at the time a grant becomes vested, plus an interest penalty tax, if the grant constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and the requirements of Section 409A of the Code are not satisfied.

Code Section 162(m)

 

Pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code, the annual compensation paid to an individual who is a “covered employee” is not deductible by the Company to the extent it exceeds $1 million. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act, signed into law on December 22, 2017, amended Section 162(m), effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, (i) to expand the definition of a “covered employee” to include any person who was the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer at any time during the year and the three most highly compensated officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer) who were employed at any time during the year whether or not the compensation is reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in the proxy statement for the Company’ Annual Meeting; (ii) to treat any individual who is considered a covered employee at any time during a tax year beginning after December 31, 2106 as remaining a covered employee permanently; and (iii) to eliminate the performance-based compensation exception to the $1 million deduction limit.

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Excise Tax on Parachute Payments

 

Unless otherwise provided in a separate agreement between a participant and the Company, if, with respect to a participant, the acceleration of the vesting of an award or the payment of cash in exchange for all or part of an award, together with any other payments that such participant has the right to receive from the Company, would constitute a “parachute payment” then the payments to such participant will be reduced to the largest amount as will result in no portion of such payments being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code. Such reduction, however, will only be made if the aggregate amount of the payments after such reduction exceeds the difference between the amount of such payments absent such reduction minus the aggregate amount of the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code attributable to any such excess parachute payments. If such provisions are applicable and if an employee will be subject to a 20% excise tax on any “excess parachute payment” pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code, the Company will be denied a deduction with respect to such excess parachute payment pursuant to Section 280G of the Code.

 

New Plan Benefits

 

It is not presently possible to determine the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to participants under the Incentive Plan or would have been received by or allocated to participants for the last completed fiscal year if the Incentive Plan had then been in effect because awards under the Incentive Plan will be made at the discretion of the Committee.

 


Vote Required for Approval

 

The approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal requiresreceived the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast by the stockholders represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Annual Meeting.Meeting of Stockholders held on January 10, 2022. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining whether this proposal has been approved.

  

Incentive Plan Awards

The following table provides information regarding the incentive plan awards for each director (other than a director who was a named executive officer) outstanding as of December 31, 2021:

Outstanding Share Awards and Options Awards

  Option-based Awards  Share-based Awards 
Name Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#)  Option
exercise
price
($)
  Value of unexercised in-the-money options as at
December 31,
2021
  Number of shares or units of shares that have not vested  Market or payout value of share awards that have not vested 
Dr. Delon Human  1,500,000   0.16   62,400   400,000   108,000 
Mario Gobbo  N/A   N/A   N/A   400,000   108,000 
Mark Radke  N/A   N/A   N/A   400,000   108,000 


Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, all compensation paid, distributed or earned for services, including salary and bonus amounts, rendered in all capacities by the Company’s named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The information contained below represents compensation earned by the Company’s officers for their work related to the Company:

Name and Position Year  Salary
($)
  Share-
based
awards
($)
  Option-
based
awards
($)
  Total
compensation
($)
 
Christian Noel, Chief Executive Officer  2021   240,000   981,000   -   1,221,000 
   2020   -   -   -   - 
                     
Christopher Hansen, Chief Executive Officer  2021   75,000   70,000   -   145,000 
   2020   155,500   201,040   -   356,540 
                     
Michael Saxon, Chief Executive Officer  2021   -   -   -   - 
   2020   456,800   -   -   456,800 
                     
Philip Mullin, Chief Financial Officer  2021   264,000   54,000   -   318,000 
   2020   240,000   82,559   317,447   640,006 
                     
Patricia Kovacevic, General Counsel &  2021   230,083   13,500   258,003   501,586 
Head of External Affairs  2020   159,600   17,800   -   177,400 

Incentive Plan Awards

The following table provides information regarding the incentive plan awards for each named executive officer outstanding as of December 31, 2021:

Outstanding Share Awards and Option Awards as of December 31, 2021

  Option-based Awards(1)  Share-based Awards 
Name and Position Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
  Option
exercise
price
($)
  Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options as at
December 31,
2021
  Number of
shares or
units of
shares that
have not
vested
  Market or
payout
value of
share
awards that
have not
vested
 
Christian Noel, Chief Executive Officer  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A 
Christopher Hansen, Chief Executive Officer  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A 
Philip Mullin, Chief Financial Officer  2,000,000   0.16   220,000   -   - 
Patricia Kovacevic, General Counsel & Head of External Affairs  1,000,000   0.29   -   -   - 

The following table provides information regarding the value vested or earned on incentive plan awards during the year ended December 31, 2021:

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year

Name and PositionOption-based
awards -
Value vested
during the
year
($)
Share-based
awards -
Value vested
during the
year
($)
Christian Noel, Chief Executive OfficerN/A900,000
Christopher Hansen, Chief Executive OfficerN/A70,000
Philip Mullin, Chief Financial OfficerN/AN/A
Patricia Kovacevic, General Counsel & Head of External Affairs258,003N/A

Re-pricing of Options

We did not re-price any options previously granted to our executive officers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

20

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table shows, as of April 29, 2022, the amount of each class of our common stock beneficially owned (unless otherwise indicated) by (i) any person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of such class, (ii) our directors, (iii) our executive officers, and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) Amount
and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
  Percentage
of Class (2)
 
Alexander Massa  47,205,000(3)  23.6 
9318-2582 Quebec Inc  12,550,000(4)  6.3 
8000 boul Langelier #407        
Montreal, Quebec HIP 3K2        
Steve Cimini  12,500,000(9)  6.2 
Christian Noël  8,505,529(5)  4.2 
Delon Human  3,420,000(6)  1.7 
Philip Mullin  2,621,999(7)  1.3 
Patricia Kovacevic  1,250,000(8)  0.6 
Mario Gobbo  400,000   0.2 
Mark Radke  400,000   0.2 
Simon Langelier  400,000   0.2 
All directors and officers as a group (7 persons)  16,997,528   8.5 

(1)Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is c/o the Company, 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204.

(2)Based on 200,172,831 shares outstanding.

(3)Alexander Massa has voting and investment control over 22,500,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 22,500,00 shares held by CRYM Co-Invest, LP, 602,500 shares and 500,000 exercisable warrants to purchase shares held by Ham Senior Inc., and 602,500 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 500,000 shares held by Hungry Asset Monster Inc. The address for CRYM Co-Invest, LP is One World Trade Center, Suite 83G, New York, NY 10007 and the address for Ham Senior Inc. and Hungry Asset Monster Inc. is 50 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.

(4)Patrick Varin has voting and investment control over 6,275,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 6,275,000 shares held by 9318-2582 Quebec Inc.

(5)Mr. Noël is beneficial owner of 760,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 760,000 shares held by Trichome Capital Inc. and exercisable warrants to purchase 250,000 shares.  
(6)Dr. Human is the beneficial holder of fully-vested stock options to purchase 1,500,000 shares, exercisable at $0.16 per share, expiring in 2030, and is the beneficial owner of 760,000 shares and exercisable warrants to purchase 760,000 shares held by Health Diplomats Pte Ltd.  
(7)Mr. Mullin is the beneficial holder of fully-vested stock options to purchase 2,000,000 shares, exercisable at $0.16 per share, expiring in 2030.

(8)Ms. Kovacevic is the beneficial holder of fully-vested stock options to purchase 1,000,000 shares, exercisable at $0.29 per share, expiring in 2031.

(9)Mr. Cimini has dispositive control of 10,000,000 common shares held by Cryocann USA Crop, warrants exercisable at $0.40 per share to purchase 250,000 shares, expiring in 2024, and stock options exercisable at $0.18 per share to purchase 2,000,000 shares, expiring in 2031.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, our officers, and certain beneficial owners, or, collectively, reporting persons, to file reports of the Company holdings and transactions in our shares of common stock with the Commission. To our knowledge, based solely on review of copies of such reports, as of the date of filing, all of such reporting persons complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them.

21

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Christian Noel

Effective April 1, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Christian Noel (“Noel”) to become our Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement provided for, among other things, the grant of 6,000,000 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) vesting immediately upon commencement of employment. Upon vesting of the RSUs, the RSUs were converted to 6,000,000 shares of restricted stock. On August 19, 2021, Noel loaned C$300,000 to the Company as a temporary bridge loan while we completed a capital raise that was commencing at that time. The loan, including principal and interest in the amount of C$342,524.7 was repaid on October 27, 2021. The proceeds of the loan were used to cover normal operating costs such as payroll of the Company. On November 11, 2021, Noel subscribed for $202,000 of private placement Units on identical terms to other participants in the capital raise, which resulted in the issuance of 1,010,000 shares of restricted common stock and the grant of warrants to purchase an additional 1,010,000 shares of restricted common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share for two years from the date of his investment. On January 12, 2022, Mr. Noel was granted an additional 300,000 immediately vesting RSU’s as a performance bonus for work in 2021, plus 185,529 immediately vesting RSU’s as a fee for serving as a director in 2022.

22

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

In accordance with, and to the extent permitted by the rules of the Commission, the information contained in the following Report of the Audit Committee shall not be incorporated by reference into any of Cryomass Technologies Inc’s future filings made under the Exchange Act, and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.

Roles and Responsibilities. The Audit Committee is comprised of two independent directors and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to be an informed and effective overseer of our financial accounting and reporting processes, as well as to hire, compensate, and evaluate the independent registered public accounting firm. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial controls, for preparing the financial statements, and for the public reporting process. BF Borgers, CPA PC, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021, is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

Required Disclosures and Discussions. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with BF Borgers, CPA PC the matters required to be discussed by AS 1301, “Communication with Audit Committees,” as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from BF Borgers, CPA PC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BF Borgers, CPA PC its independence.

Audit Committee Recommendation. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021 for filing with the Commission.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Mario Gobbo, Chairman
Mark Radke

23

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by us for the audit and other services provided for the fiscal periods shown.

The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by us for the audit and other services provided for the fiscal periods shown.

  2021  2020 
Haynie & Company:      
Audit and Non-Audit Fees      
Audit fees $-  $5,000 
Audit-related fees  -   - 
Tax fees  -   - 
All other fees  -   - 
Total $-  $5,000 
         
Marcum:        
Audit and Non-Audit Fees        
Audit fees $-  $77,086 
Audit-related fees  -   - 
Tax fees  -   - 
All other fees  -   - 
Total $-  $77,086 
         
Borgers:        
Audit and Non-Audit Fees        
Audit fees $274,000  $566,200 
Audit-related fees  54,000   - 
Tax fees  -   - 
All other fees  -   - 
Total $328,000  $566,200 

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Board pre-approved 100% of the audit, audit-related and tax services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the Company’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employee was 0%.

24

PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF BF BORGERS, CPA PC AS OUR INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

BF Borgers, CPA PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, served as the independent registered public accounting firm for us and our subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The Audit Committee has appointed BF Borgers, CPA PC to be our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 and has further directed that the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm be submitted for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

Representatives of BF Borgers, CPA PC will be present at the Annual Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of BF Borgers, CPA PC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the result of the ratification of BF Borgers, CPA PC.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR STOCKHOLDERSA VOTE “FOR” APPROVALTHE RATIFICATION OF THE INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL.APPOINTMENT OF BF BORGERS, CPA PC AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022.

 

25

 

 

PROPOSAL NO.4:NO. 3: APPROVAL OF GRANT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT TO THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK

 

We are seeking shareholder approval to grant the Board discretionary authority to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, such split to combine a whole number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock in a range of not less than three (3)five (5) shares and not more than ten (10)twenty (20) shares, into one share of Common Stock at any time prior to March 31, 2022June 20, 2023 (the “Reverse Split Proposal”).

 

The amendments will not change the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or the relative voting power of our shareholders. Because the number of authorized shares will not be reduced, the number of authorized but unissued shares of our Common Stock will materially increase and will be available for reissuance by the Company. The reverse stock split, if effected, would affect all of our holders of Common Stock uniformly.

The Board unanimously approved, and recommended seeking shareholder approval of this Reverse Split Proposal, on November 9, 2021.

 

Even if the shareholders approve the Reverse Split Proposal, we reserve the right not to effect any reverse stock split if the Board does not deem it to be in the best interests of our shareholders. The Board believes that granting this discretion provides the Board with maximum flexibility to act in the best interests of our shareholders. If this Reverse Split Proposal is approved by the shareholders, the Board will have the authority, in its sole discretion, without further action by the shareholders, to effect a reverse stock split. No further action on the part of the stockholders will be required to abandon the Reverse Split.

 

The Board’s decision as to whether and when to effect the reverse stock split will be based on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions, existing and expected trading prices for our Common Stock, actual or forecasted results of operations, and the likely effect of such results on the market price of our Common Stock.

 

Following a reverse stock split, the number of our outstanding shares of Common Stock will be significantly reduced. A reverse stock split will also affect our outstanding stock options and shares of Common Stock issued under the Company’s 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and [listlist the agreements with price adjustments].adjustments. Under the LTIP and such agreements, the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise or grant must be appropriately adjusted and appropriate adjustments must be made to the purchase price per share to reflect the reverse stock split.

 

The reverse stock split is not being proposed in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate our shares of Common Stock or obtain control of the Company, nor is it a plan by management to recommend a series of similar actions to our Board or our shareholders. We do not believe that our officers or directors have interests in this proposal that are different from or greater than those of any other of our stockholders.

 

There are certain risks associated with a reverse stock split, and we cannot accurately predict or assure the reverse stock split will produce or maintain the desired results (for more information on the risks see the section below entitled “Certain Risks Associated with a Reverse Stock Split”). However, our Board believes that the benefits to the Company and our shareholders outweigh the risks and recommends that you vote in favor of granting the Board the discretionary authority to effect a reverse stock split.

 

Effects of the Reverse Split on Outstanding Options and Warrants to Purchase Common Stock


If the Reverse Split is effected, all outstanding options and warrants entitling their holders to purchase shares of our common stock will be proportionately reduced in the same ratio as the reduction in the number of shares of outstanding common stock, except that any fractional shares resulting from such reduction will be rounded down to the nearest whole share to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. Correspondingly, the per share exercise price of such options and warrants will be increased in direct proportion to the Reverse Split ratio, so that the aggregate dollar amount payable for the purchase of the shares subject to the options will remain unchanged.

 

Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

 

The primary purpose for effecting the reverse stock split, should the Board of Directors choose to effect one, would be to increase the per share price of our Common Stock. The Board of Directors believes that, should the appropriate circumstances arise, effecting the reverse stock split would, among other things, help us to:

 

Meet certain listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market or other national securities exchange on which we may desire to “uplist” our Common Stock in the future;

 

Appeal to a broader range of investors to generate greater investor interest in the Company; and

 

Improve the market perception of our Common Stock.

 

Meet Listing Requirements - Our Common Stock is listed on the OTC QB. As of today, among other reasons, the Company does not meet the listing requirements of a national securities exchange (the “Exchange Listing Requirements”) because of its per share trading price. The NASDAQ Capital Market requires a minimum closing price of $4.00 for 30 consecutive trading days while the NYSE American requires a minimum closing price of $3.00 for the same period. These are not the only listing requirements that we do not meet and there can be no assurance that we will meet all of such requirements at any time in the future, or that the Board will authorize applying for NASDAQ or NYSE listing, however, the Reverse Split Proposal will provide the Company with flexibility to apply if the other requirements are met. We have not made any application to list on any national securities exchange and there can be no assurance that the Board will authorize the application or that any future application will be successful.

 

Appeal to a Broader Range of Investors to Generate Greater Investor Interest in the Company - An increase in our stock price may make our Common Stock more attractive to investors. Brokerage firms may be reluctant to recommend lower-priced securities to their clients. Many institutional investors have policies prohibiting them from holding lower-priced stocks in their portfolios, which reduces the number of potential purchasers of our Common Stock. Investment funds may also be reluctant to invest in lower-priced stocks. Investors may also be dissuaded from purchasing lower-priced stocks because the brokerage commissions, as a percentage of the total transaction, tend to be higher for such stocks. Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide coverage of lower-priced stocks. Giving the Board of Directors the ability to effect a reverse stock split, and thereby increase the price of our Common Stock, would give the Board the ability to address these issues if it is deemed necessary.

 

Improve the Market Perception of Our Common Stock - We believe that the market perception that we are a “penny stock” has been a contributing factor in the low price of our Common Stock. Our Board of Directors unanimously approved the discretionary authority to effect a reverse stock split as one potential means of increasing the share price of our Common Stock to improve the market perception of our Common Stock. Lower-priced stocks have a perception in the investment community as being risky and speculative, which may negatively impact not only the price of our Common Stock, but also our market liquidity. We believe that we may be particularly sensitive to this type of negative public perception. However, the market price of our Common Stock is dependent upon our performance and other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. If our stockholders approve the Reverse Split Proposal, the Reverse Split will be effected, if at all, only upon a determination by the Board of Directors that the Reverse Split is in the best interests of stockholders at that time.


Certain Risks Associated with a Reverse Stock Split

 

Even if a reverse stock split is effected, some or all of the expected benefits discussed above may not be realized or maintained. The market price of our Common Stock will continue to be based, in part, on our performance and other factors unrelated to the number of shares outstanding.

 

The reverse stock split will reduce the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock without reducing the number of shares of available but unissued Common Stock, which will also have the effect of increasing the number of authorized but unissued shares. The issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock may have a dilutive effect on the ownership of existing shareholders.

 

Principal Effects of a Reverse Stock Split

 

If our shareholders approve this Reverse Split Proposal and the Board of Directors elects to effect a reverse stock split, our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock would decrease at the rate provided in the Board resolution authorizing it. The reverse stock split would be effected simultaneously for all of our Common Stock, and the exchange ratio would be the same for all shares of Common Stock. The reverse stock split would affect all of our shareholders uniformly and would not affect any shareholder’s percentage ownership interests in the Company, except to the extent that it results in a shareholder receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares. The reverse stock split would not affect the relative voting or other rights that accompany the shares of our Common Stock, except to the extent that it results in a shareholder receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares. Common Stock issued pursuant to the reverse stock split would remain fully paid and non-assessable. The reverse stock split would not affect our securities law reporting and disclosure obligations, and we would continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We have no current plans to take the Company private. Accordingly, a reverse stock split is not related to a strategy to do so.

 

In addition to the change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, a reverse stock split would have the following effects:

 

Increase the Per Share Price of our Common Stock - By effectively condensing a number of pre-split shares into one share of Common Stock, the per share price of a post-split share is generally greater than the per share price of a pre-split share. The amount of the initial increase in per share price and the duration of such increase, however, is uncertain.

 

Increase in the Number of Shares of Common Stock Available for Future Issuance - By reducing the number of shares outstanding without reducing the number of shares of available but unissued Common Stock, a reverse stock split will increase the number of authorized but unissued shares. The Board believes the increase is appropriate for use to fund future operations of the Company. Although the Company does not have any pending acquisitions for which shares are expected to be used, the Company may also use authorized shares in connection with the financing of future acquisitions.

 

Although a reverse stock split would not have any dilutive effect on our shareholders, a reverse stock split without a reduction in the number of shares authorized for issuance would reduce the proportion of shares owned by our shareholders relative to the number of shares authorized for issuance, giving our Board an effective increase in the authorized shares available for issuance, in its discretion. Our Board from time to time may deem it to be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to enter into transactions and other ventures that may include the issuance of shares of our Common Stock. If our Board authorizes the issuance of additional shares subsequent to the reverse stock split described above, the dilution to the ownership interest of our existing shareholders may be greater than would occur had the reverse stock split not been effected. Many stock issuances not involving equity compensation do not require shareholder approval, and our Board generally seeks approval of our shareholders in connection with a proposed issuance only if required at that time.


Require Adjustment to Currently Outstanding Securities Exercisable or Convertible into Shares of our Common Stock - A reverse stock split would effect a reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of our outstanding stock options and RSUs and [Convertible Notes]Convertible Notes in proportion to the reverse stock split ratio. Additionally, the exercise price of outstanding options and conversion price of our Convertible Notes would increase, likewise in proportion to the reverse stock split ratio.

 

Require Adjustment to the Number of Shares of Common Stock Available for Future Issuance Under our LTIP - In connection with any reverse split, our Board would also make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares available for future issuance under the foregoing plan so as to avoid the effect of increasing the number of authorized but unissued shares available for future issuance under such plans.

 

In addition, a reverse stock split may result in some shareholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock, which may be more difficult to sell and may cause those holders to incur greater brokerage commissions and other costs upon sale.

 

Authorized Shares of Common Stock

 

The Reverse Stock Split Proposal will not change the number of authorized shares of Common Stock but will increase the number of authorized shares available for future issuance for corporate needs such as equity financing, retirement of outstanding indebtedness, stock splits and stock dividends, employee benefit plans, or other corporate purposes as may be deemed by the Board to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders

 

We believe that the current amount of authorized Common Stock will make a sufficient number of shares available, should the Company decide to use its shares for one or more of such previously mentioned purposes or otherwise. The current capital will provide the Board with the ability to issue additional shares of stock without further vote of the shareholders of the Company, except as provided under Nevada corporate law or under the rules of any national securities exchange on which shares of stock of the Company are then listed.

 

Procedure for Effecting Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Stock Certificates

 

If the Reverse Split Proposal is approved by our shareholders, our Board, in its sole discretion, will determine whether such an action is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders, taking into consideration the factors discussed above. If our Board believes that a reverse stock split is in our best interests and the best interest of our shareholders, our Board will then implement the reverse stock split.

 

We would then file a certificate of amendment to our Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State of Nevada at such time as our Board of Directors had determined as the appropriate effective time for the reverse stock split to effect the reverse split. The certificate of amendment would add a new provision providing that holders of our Common Stock immediately prior to the filing of the amendment will receive one share of Common Stock for each number of shares selected by the Board. Upon the filing of the certificate of amendment, and without any further action on the part of the Company or our shareholders, the issued shares of Common Stock held by shareholders of record as of the effective date of the reverse stock split would be converted into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock calculated in accordance with the reverse stock split ratio of not less than one-for-three (1:3) or not more than one-for-ten (1:10), as selected by our Board and set forth in the certificate of amendment.

 

For example, if a shareholder presently holds 100 shares of our Common Stock, he or she would hold 33 shares of Common Stock following a one-for-three reverse stock split, or 10 shares of Common Stock following a one-for-thirteen reverse stock split, in each case with an additional amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares as described below under “-Fractional Shares.” Beginning on the effective date of the split, each certificate representing pre-split shares would be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-split shares.

 

As soon as practicable after the effective date of the reverse stock split, shareholders would be notified that the reverse stock split had been effected.


Effect on Beneficial Holders (i.e., Shareholders Who Hold in “Street Name”)

 

Upon the reverse stock split, we intend to treat Common Stock held by shareholders in “street name,” through a bank, broker or other nominee, in the same manner as shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names. Banks, brokers or other nominees will be instructed to effect the reverse stock split for their customers holding Common Stock in “street name.” However, these banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures than registered shareholders for processing the reverse stock split. If you hold shares of Common Stock with a bank, broker or other nominee and have any questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your bank, broker or other nominee.

 

Effect on Registered “Book-Entry” Holders (i.e., Shareholders That are Registered on the Transfer Agent’s Books and Records but do not Hold Certificates)

 

Some of our registered holders of Common Stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with our transfer agent, Computershare. These shareholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of Common Stock. They are, however, provided with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts. If a shareholder holds registered shares in book-entry form with our transfer agent, no action needs to be taken to receive post-reverse stock split shares or fractional shares, if applicable. If a shareholder is entitled to post-reverse stock split shares, a transaction statement will automatically be sent to the shareholder’s address of record indicating the number of shares (including fractional shares) of Common Stock held following the reverse stock split.

 

Effect on Certificated Shares

 

Upon the reverse stock split our transfer agent will act as our exchange agent and assist holders of Common Stock in implementing the exchange of their certificates.

 

Commencing on the effective date of a reverse stock split, shareholders holding shares in certificated form will be sent a transmittal letter by our transfer agent. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how a shareholder should surrender his or her certificates representing Common Stock (“Old Certificates”) to the transfer agent in exchange for certificates representing the appropriate number of whole post-reverse stock split Common Stock, as applicable (“New Certificates”). No New Certificates will be issued to a shareholder until that shareholder has surrendered all Old Certificates, together with a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, to the transfer agent. No shareholder will be required to pay a transfer or other fee to exchange Old Certificates. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how you may obtain New Certificates if your Old Certificates have been lost. If you have lost your certificates, you will have to pay any surety premium and the service fee required by our transfer agent.

 

Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding Old Certificates held by shareholders to be canceled and only to represent the number of whole shares to which these shareholders are entitled.

 

Any Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of shares, will automatically be exchanged for New Certificates.

 

Shareholders should not destroy any stock certificates and should not submit any certificates until requested to do so by the transfer agent. Shortly after the reverse stock split the transfer agent will provide registered shareholders with instructions and a letter of transmittal for converting Old Certificates into New Certificates. Shareholders are encouraged to promptly surrender Old Certificates to the transfer agent (acting as exchange agent in connection with the reverse stock split) in order to avoid having shares become subject to escheat laws.

 

Fractional Shares

 

No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Shareholders of record who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares will be entitled to an amount in cash (without interest or deduction) equal to the fraction of one share to which such shareholder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the product of: (i) the average of the closing prices of our common stock on the OTC QB or other principal market of our common stock, as applicable, for  the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the effective date of the reverse stock split and (ii) the reverse split factor chosen by the Board. Except for the right to receive the cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, shareholders will not have any voting, dividend or other rights with respect to the fractional shares they would otherwise be entitled to receive.


Shareholders should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various jurisdictions where shareholders may reside, where we are domiciled, and where the funds will be deposited, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after the effective date of the reverse stock split may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction, unless correspondence has been received by us or the exchange agent concerning ownership of such funds within the time permitted in such jurisdiction. Thereafter, shareholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds will have to seek to obtain them directly from the state to which they were paid.

 

Accounting Matters

 

The par value of our Common Stock would remain unchanged at $0.001 per share, if a reverse stock split is effected.

 

the Company’s shareholders’ equity in its consolidated balance sheet would not change in total. However, the Company’s stated capital (i.e., $0.001 par value times the number of shares issued and outstanding), would be proportionately reduced based on the reduction in shares of Common Stock outstanding. Additional paid in capital would be increased by an equal amount, which would result in no overall change to the balance of shareholders’ equity.

 

Additionally, net income or loss per share for all periods would increase proportionately as a result of a reverse stock split since there would be a lower number of shares outstanding. We do not anticipate that any other material accounting consequences would arise as a result of a reverse stock split.

 

A reduction in stated capital will, under Nevada law, create a corresponding increase in paid-in surplus (i.e., the excess of net assets over stated capital), and the Company may make distributions, such as the payment of dividends, up to the amount of its surplus provided that the distribution does not cause it to become insolvent, and subject to the limitations of its debt financing agreements.

 

Potential Anti-Takeover Effect

 

Even though a potential reverse stock split would result in an increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares, which could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect (for example, by permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of the Board or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of us with another company), the Reverse Split Proposal is not being proposed in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate shares of our Common Stock or obtain control of us, nor is it part of a plan by management to recommend a series of similar amendments to our Board and our shareholders.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Our shareholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to a reverse stock split, and we will not independently provide shareholders with any such right.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences of a Reverse Stock Split

 

The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split to the Company and to shareholders that hold shares of Common Stock as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion is based upon provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, and U.S. administrative rulings and court decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and differing interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split to vary substantially from the consequences summarized below.

 

This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to shareholders in light of their particular circumstances or to shareholders who may be subject to special tax treatment under the Code, including, without limitation, dealers in securities, commodities or foreign currency, persons who are treated as non−U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain former citizens or long−term residents of the United States, insurance companies, tax−exempt organizations, banks, financial institutions, small business investment companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, retirement plans, persons that are partnerships or other pass−through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, traders that mark−to−market their securities, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons who hold their shares of Common Stock as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion or other risk reduction transaction, or who acquired their shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of compensatory stock options, the vesting of previously restricted shares of stock or otherwise as compensation. If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner thereof will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding shares of the Company’s common stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the reverse stock split.


the Company has not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding the federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split. The state and local tax consequences of the reverse split may vary as to each shareholder, depending on the jurisdiction in which such shareholder resides. This discussion should not be considered as tax or investment advice, and the tax consequences of the reverse stock split may not be the same for all shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors to know their individual federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences.

 

Tax Consequences to the Company. We believe that the reverse stock split will constitute a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, we should not recognize taxable income, gain or loss in connection with the reverse stock split. In addition, we do not expect the reverse stock split to affect our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards.

 

Tax Consequences to Shareholders. Shareholders should not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the reverse stock split, except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock (which fractional share will be treated as received and then exchanged for cash). Each shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the Common Stock received in the reverse stock split, including any fractional share treated as received and then exchanged for cash, should equal the shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the Common Stock exchanged in the reverse stock split. In addition, each shareholder’s holding period for the Common Stock it receives in the reverse stock split should include the shareholder’s holding period for the Common Stock exchanged in the reverse stock split.

 

In general, a shareholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to the reverse stock split should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a fractional share pursuant to the reverse stock split and then as having received cash in exchange for the fractional share and should generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the shareholder’s tax basis allocable to the fractional share. Any capital gain or loss will generally be long term capital gain or loss if the shareholder’s holding period in the fractional share is greater than one year as of the effective date of the reverse stock split. Special rules may apply to cause all or a portion of the cash received in lieu of a fractional share to be treated as dividend income with respect to certain shareholders who own more than a minimal amount of common stock (generally more than 1%) or who exercise some control over the affairs of the Company. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax effects to them of receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares based on their particular circumstances.

 

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers

 

Our directors and executive officers have no substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this Reverse Split Proposal except to the extent of their ownership of shares of our Common Stock.

 

Reservation of Right to Abandon Reverse Stock Split

 

We reserve the right to abandon a reverse stock split without further action by our shareholders at any time before the effectiveness of the filing with the Secretary of the State of Nevada of the certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, even if the authority to effect a reverse stock split has been approved by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting. By voting in favor of a reverse stock split, you are expressly also authorizing the Board to delay, not to proceed with, and abandon, a reverse stock split if it should so decide, in its sole discretion, that such action is in the best interests of the shareholders.

 

Vote Required

 

The holders of a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person, represented by proxy or by means of remote communication, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes at the Annual Meeting.

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock is required for approval of the Reverse Split Proposal. 

 

Shares represented by limited proxies will be treated as represented at the meeting only as to such matter or matters for which authority is granted in the limited proxy. Shares represented by proxies returned by brokers where the brokers’ discretionary authority is limited by stock exchange rules will be treated as represented at the Annual Meeting only as to such matter or matters voted by the proxies.

 


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE REVERSE SPLIT PROPSAL

 

32

ADVANCE NOTICE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
FOR THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING

 

Proposals received from stockholders are given careful consideration by us in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Stockholder proposals are eligible for consideration for inclusion in our proxy statement within a reasonable time before we begin to print our proxy materials. Any proposal should be directed to the attention of our Secretary at 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204.

 

In addition, our current bylaws require that, in order for proposals of stockholders to be considered timely and eligible for consideration at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, such proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements of the bylaws, not later than 5:00 p.m., Mountain Time, on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders is first made by the Company.

 

For additional requirements, a stockholder may refer to our bylaws, a copy of which may be obtained from our Secretary. If we do not receive timely notice pursuant to our bylaws, the proposal or nomination may be excluded from consideration at the meeting.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted on such matters in accordance with the discretion of the persons named as proxies therein, or their substitutes, present and acting at the meeting.

 

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in this Proxy Statement, and, if given or made, such information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized. The delivery of this Proxy Statement shall not, under any circumstances, imply that there has not been any change in the information set forth herein since the date of the Proxy Statement.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly, and special reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Commission at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may read and copy any reports, statements, or other information we file at the Commission’s public reference rooms in Washington, D.C. and New York, New York. Please call the Commission at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our Commission filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and on the website maintained by the Commission at www.sec.gov. Such information will also be furnished upon written request to Cryomass Technologies Inc, 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204, Attention: Investor Relations and can also be accessed through our website at https://cryomass.com/investors/.

 

The Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two 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 provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. We and some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or us that they or we will be householding materials 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, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would prefer to receive a single copy, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or us if you hold registered shares, and we will promptly provide a separate copy. You can notify us by delivering an oral or written request to Cryomass Technologies Inc, 1001 Bannock Street, Suite 612, Denver, CO 80204, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (303) 416-7208.

 

YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO VOTE ON THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, THE RATIFICATION OF BF BORGERS, CPA PC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021, THE RATIFICATION OF THE 2022 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AND THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2021. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN SUCH DATE, AND NEITHER THE MAILING OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS NOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES DESCRIBED HEREIN WILL CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY.


PROXY CARD

 

Cryomass Technologies Inc

 

PROXY FOR 20212022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

January 10,June 20, 2022

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR

THE PROPOSAL AND NOMINEES.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Nominees:

Christian Noël

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST

☐ ABSTAIN

Dr. Delon Human

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST

ABSTAIN

Mario Gobbo

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST

☐ ABSTAIN

Mark Radke

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST

☐ ABSTAIN

Simon Langelier

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST

☐ ABSTAIN

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF BF BORGERS, CPA PC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST

☐ ABSTAIN

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3: AUTHORIZATION AND ADOPTION OF THE 2022REVERSE STOCK INCENTIVE PLANSPLIT

 

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST☐ ABSTAIN

PROPOSAL NO. 4: REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

☐ FOR☐ AGAINST☐ ABSTAIN

 

This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the management of Cryomass Technologies Inc. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted FOR the proposals described above.

 

TO VOTE ONLINE: www.transhare.com click on Vote Your Proxy

Enter Your Control Number:

 

TO VOTE BY EMAIL: Anna Kotlova at akotlova@bizsolaconsulting.com

 

TO VOTE BY FAX: Please fax this proxy card to 1.727. 269.5616

 

TO VOTE BY MAIL: Please sign, date and mail to

Anna Kotlova

Transhare Corporation

Bayside Center 1

17755 US Highway 19 N

Suite 140

Clearwater FL 33764

 

IMPORTANT: Please date this Proxy and sign exactly as your name or names appear hereon. If shares are held jointly, both owners must sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians and others signing in a representative capacity should give their full titles.

 

Signature of Shareholder 
  
 
  
Signature of Joint Shareholder 
  
 
Dated:   

 

ANNEX 1

 

CRYOMASS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2022 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.Purpose of Plan1
   
2.Definitions1
   
3.Plan Administration6
   
4.Shares Available for Issuance8
   
5.Participation9
   
6.Options9
   
7.Stock Appreciation Rights11
   
8.Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units12
   
9.Performance Awards14
   
10.Non-Employee Director Awards15
   
11.Other Stock-Based Awards15
   
12.Dividend Equivalents16
   
13.Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service16
   
14.Payment of Withholding Taxes19
   
15.Change in Control19
   
16.Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability21
   
17.Securities Law and Other Restrictions22
   
18.Deferred Compensation; Compliance with Section 409A23
   
19.Amendment, Modification and Termination24
   
20.Substituted Awards24
   
21.Effective Date and Duration of this Plan25
   
22.Miscellaneous25

A-i

CRYOMASS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
2022 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Purpose of Plan.

The purpose of the Cryomass Technologies Inc. 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (this “Plan”) is to advance the interests of Cryomass Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals to perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries, providing incentive compensation for such individuals that is linked to the growth and profitability of the Company and increases in stockholder value and aligning the interests of such individuals with the interests of its stockholders through opportunities for equity participation in the Company.

Definitions.

The following terms will have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly otherwise requires. Terms defined elsewhere in this Plan will have the same meaning throughout this Plan.

Adverse Action” means any action or conduct by a Participant that the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to be injurious, detrimental, prejudicial or adverse to the interests of the Company or any Subsidiary, including: (a) disclosing confidential information of the Company or any Subsidiary to any person not authorized by the Company or Subsidiary to receive it, (b) engaging, directly or indirectly, in any commercial activity that in the judgment of the Committee competes with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or (c) interfering with the relationships of the Company or any Subsidiary and their respective employees, independent contractors, customers, prospective customers and vendors.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person where “control” will have the meaning given such term under Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Applicable Law” means any applicable law, including without limitation, (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (c) rules of any securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed, quoted or traded.

Award” means, individually or collectively, an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Deferred Stock Unit, Performance Award, Non-Employee Director Award, or Other Stock-Based Award, in each case granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to this Plan.

Award Agreement” means either: (a) a written or electronic (as provided in Section 22.7) agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under this Plan, including any amendment or modification thereof, or (b) a written or electronic (as provided in Section 22.7) statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such an Award, including any amendment or modification thereof.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Broker Exercise Notice” means a written notice pursuant to which a Participant, upon exercise of an Option, irrevocably instructs a broker or dealer to sell a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to pay all or a portion of the exercise price of the Option or any related withholding tax obligations and remit such sums to the Company and directs the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise directly to such broker or dealer or its nominee.


Cause” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, (a) “Cause” as defined in any employment, consulting, severance or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (an “Individual Agreement”), or (b) if there is no such Individual Agreement or if it does not define Cause: (i) dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or deliberate injury or attempted injury, in each case related to the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) any unlawful or criminal activity of a serious nature; (iii) any intentional and deliberate breach of a duty or duties that, individually or in the aggregate, are material in relation to the Participant’s overall duties; (iv) any material breach by a Participant of any employment, service, confidentiality, non-compete or non-solicitation agreement entered into with the Company or any Subsidiary; or (v) before a Change in Control, such other events as will be determined by the Committee. Before a Change in Control, the Committee will, unless otherwise provided in an Individual Agreement, have the sole discretion to determine whether “Cause” exists with respect to subclauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above, and its determination will be final.

Change in Control” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or any Individual Agreement, and except as provided in Section 18, an event described in Section 15.1 of this Plan.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be deemed to include a reference to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or amended section of the Code.

Committee” means the Board or, if the Board so delegates, the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, or any other committee delegated authority by the Board to administer this Plan. If the Board determines appropriate, such committee may be comprised solely of directors designated by the Board to administer this Plan who are (a) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and (b) “independent directors” within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE American (or other applicable exchange or market on which the Common Stock may be traded or quoted). The members of the Committee will be appointed from time to time by and will serve at the discretion of the Board. Any action duly taken by the Committee will be valid and effective, whether or not the members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements of membership provided herein.

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, or the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which such Common Stock may be changed in accordance with Section 4.4 of this Plan.

Company” means Cryomass Technologies Inc., Inc., a Nevada corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in Section 22.5 of this Plan.

Consultant” means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to the Company or any Subsidiary that: (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction and (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

Deferred Stock Unit means a right granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan to receive shares of Common Stock (or the equivalent value in cash or other property if the Committee so provides) at a future time as determined by the Committee, or as determined by the Participant within guidelines established by the Committee in the case of voluntary deferral elections.

Director” means a member of the Board.


Disability” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant who is a party to an Individual Agreement, which agreement contains a definition of “disability” or “permanent disability” (or words of like import) for purposes of termination of employment thereunder by the Company, “disability” or “permanent disability” as defined in the most recent of such agreements; or in all other cases, means the disability of the Participant such as would entitle the Participant to receive disability income benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan of the Company or Subsidiary then covering the Participant or, if no such plan exists or is applicable to the Participant, the permanent and total disability of the Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

Dividend Equivalents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(l) of this Plan.

Effective Date” means January 1, 2022 or such later date as this Plan is initially approved by the Company’s stockholders.

Eligible Recipients” means all Employees, all Non-Employee Directors and all Consultants.

Employee” means any individual performing services for the Company or a Subsidiary and designated as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary on the payroll records thereof. An Employee will not include any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company or Subsidiary as an independent contractor, a consultant, or any employee of an employment, consulting or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company or Subsidiary, without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as a common-law employee of the Company or Subsidiary during such period. An individual will not cease to be an Employee in the case of: (a) any leave of absence approved by the Company, or (b) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company or any Subsidiaries. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable, is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave, any Incentive Stock Option held by a Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Non-Statutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a Director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Exchange Act herein will be deemed to include a reference to any applicable rules and regulations thereunder and any successor or amended section of the Exchange Act.

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to the Common Stock, as of any date a price that is based on the opening, closing, actual, high, low, or average selling prices of a share of Common Stock as reported on the NYSE American or other established stock exchange (or exchanges) or if the Common Stock is not so listed, admitted to unlisted trading privileges or reported on any national exchange, then as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, OTC Markets or other comparable quotation service, on the applicable date, the preceding trading day, the next succeeding trading day, or an average of trading days that is within thirty (30) days before or after the applicable valuation date, as determined by the Committee in its discretion, provided that with respect to establishing the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee shall irrevocably commit to grant such Award prior to the period during which the Fair Market Value is determined. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to the closing sale price of the Common Stock as of the immediately preceding trading date at the end of the regular trading session, as reported by the NYSE American or any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed (or, if no shares were traded on such date, as of the next preceding date on which there was such a trade) or if the Common Stock is not so listed, admitted to unlisted trading privileges or reported on any national exchange, the closing sale price as of the immediately preceding trading date at the end of the regular trading session, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, OTC Markets or other comparable quotation service (or, if no shares were traded or quoted on such date, as of the next preceding date on which there was such a trade or quote). In the event the Common Stock is not publicly traded at the time a determination of its value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of Fair Market Value shall be made by the Committee in such manner as it deems appropriate and in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, and consistent with the definition of “fair market value” under Section 409A of the Code. If determined by the Committee, such determination will be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, including the Company, the stockholders of the Company, the Participants and their respective successors-in-interest. No member of the Committee will be liable for any determination regarding the fair market value of the Common Stock that is made in good faith.


Grant Date” means the date an Award is granted to a Participant pursuant to this Plan and as determined pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan.

Incentive Stock Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Employee pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan that is designated as and intended to meet the requirements of an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

Individual Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 of this Plan.

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

Non-Employee Director Award” means any Award granted, whether singly, in combination, or in tandem, to an Eligible Recipient who is a Non-Employee Director, pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions and limitations as the Board or Committee may establish in accordance with this Plan, including any Non-Employee Director Option.

Non-Employee Director Option” means a Non-Statutory Stock Option granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 10 of this Plan.

Non-Statutory Stock Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan that is not intended to meet the requirements of or does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option, including a Non-Employee Director Option.

Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award, denominated in Shares, not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan, granted pursuant to Section 11 of this Plan.

Participant” means an Eligible Recipient who receives one or more Awards under this Plan.

Performance Award” means a right granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 9 of this Plan to receive an amount of cash, number of shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both, contingent upon and the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent of the achievement of one or more Performance Goals during a specified Performance Period or the achievement of other objectives during a specified period.


Performance Goals” mean with respect to any applicable Award, one or more targets, goals or levels of attainment required to be achieved during the specified Performance Period, as set forth in the related Award Agreement.

Performance Period” means the period of time, as determined by the Committee, during which the Performance Goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout or vesting with respect to an Award.

Period of Restriction” means the period when a Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (based on the passage of time, the achievement of Performance Goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), as provided in Section 8 of this Plan.

Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or any other entity of whatever nature.

Plan” means the Cryomass Technologies Inc. 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time.

Plan Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.

Previously Acquired Shares” means shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the Participant or, with respect to any Award, that are to be issued to the Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award.

Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan that is subject to the restrictions on transferability and the risk of forfeiture imposed by the provisions of such Section 8.

Restricted Stock Unit” means an award denominated in shares of Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan.

Retirement,” means, unless otherwise defined in the Award Agreement or in an Individual Agreement between the Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, “Retirement” as defined from time to time for purposes of this Plan by the Committee or by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, if not so defined, means voluntary termination of employment or service by the Participant on or after the date the Participant reaches age fifty-five (55) with the present intention to leave the Company’s industry or to leave the general workforce.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Securities Act herein will be deemed to include a reference to any applicable rules and regulations thereunder and any successor or amended section of the Securities Act.

Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 7 of this Plan to receive a payment from the Company upon exercise, in the form of shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination of both, equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of one or more shares of Common Stock and the grant price of such shares under the terms of such Stock Appreciation Right.

Stock-Based Award” means any Award, denominated in Shares, made pursuant to this Plan, including Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards.


Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, an interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

Tax Date” means the date any withholding or employment related tax obligation arises under the Code or any Applicable Law for a Participant with respect to an Award.

Tax Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 22.8 of this Plan.

Plan Administration.

The Committee. The Plan will be administered by the Committee. The Committee will act by majority approval of the members at a meeting or by unanimous written consent, and a majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a quorum. The Committee may exercise its duties, power and authority under this Plan in its sole discretion without the consent of any Participant or other party, unless this Plan specifically provides otherwise. The Committee will not be obligated to treat Participants or Eligible Recipients uniformly, and determinations made under this Plan may be made by the Committee selectively among Participants or Eligible Recipients, whether or not such Participants and Eligible Recipients are similarly situated. Each determination, interpretation or other action made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Plan will be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, and no member of the Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award granted under this Plan.

Authority of the Committee. In accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee will have full and exclusive discretionary power and authority to take such actions as it deems necessary and advisable with respect to the administration of this Plan, including the following:

To designate the Eligible Recipients to be selected as Participants;

To determine the nature, extent and terms of the Awards to be made to each Participant, including the amount of cash or number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each Award, any exercise price or grant price, the manner in which Awards will vest, become exercisable, settled or paid out and whether Awards will be granted in tandem with other Awards, and the form of Award Agreement, if any, evidencing such Award;

To determine the time or times when Awards will be granted;

To determine the duration of each Award;

To determine the terms, restrictions and other conditions to which the grant of an Award or the payment or vesting of Awards may be subject;

To construe and interpret this Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration and in so doing, to correct any defect, omission, or inconsistency in this Plan or in an Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make this Plan fully effective;

To determine Fair Market Value in accordance with Section 2.23 of this Plan;

To amend this Plan or any Award Agreement, as provided in this Plan;


To adopt subplans or special provisions applicable to Awards regulated by the laws of a jurisdiction other than, and outside of, the United States, which except as otherwise provided in this Plan, such subplans or special provisions may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan;

To authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any Award Agreement or any other instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Committee;

To determine whether Awards will be settled in shares of Common Stock, cash or in any combination thereof;

To determine whether Awards will be adjusted for dividend equivalents, with “Dividend Equivalents” meaning a credit, made at the discretion of the Committee, to the account of a Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one share of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock represented by an Award held by such Participant, subject to Section 12 of this Plan and any other provision of this Plan, and which Dividend Equivalents may be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Awards to which they attach and may be settled in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, or in any combination of both; and

To impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any shares of Common Stock, including restrictions under an insider trading policy, stock ownership guidelines, restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers and other restrictions designed to increase equity ownership by Participants or otherwise align the interests of Participants with the Company’s stockholders.

Delegation. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company or any Subsidiary or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any individuals to whom it has delegated duties or powers as aforesaid may employ one or more individuals to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such individuals may have under this Plan. The Committee may, by resolution, authorize one or more directors of the Company or one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as can the Committee: (a) designate Eligible Recipients to be recipients of Awards pursuant to this Plan; and (b) determine the size of any such Awards; provided, however, that (x) the Committee will not delegate such responsibilities to any such director(s) or officer(s) for any Awards granted to an Eligible Recipient: (i) who is a Non-Employee Director or who is subject to the reporting and liability provisions of Section 16 under the Exchange Act, or (ii) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further; that any delegation of administrative authority will only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under Applicable Law; (y) the resolution providing such authorization will set forth the type of Awards and total number of each type of Awards such director(s) or officer(s) may grant; and (z) such director(s) or officer(s) will report periodically to the Committee regarding the nature and scope of the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated. At all times, the delegate appointed under this Section 3.3 will serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee.


No Re-pricing. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Committee may not, without prior approval of the Company’s stockholders, seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted, “underwater” Option or Stock Appreciation Right by: (a) amending or modifying the terms of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right to lower the exercise price or grant price; (b) canceling the underwater Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for (i) cash; (ii) replacement Options or Stock Appreciation Rights having a lower exercise price or grant price; or (iii) other Awards; or (c) repurchasing the underwater Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and granting new Awards under this Plan. For purposes of this Section 3.4, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock is less than the exercise price of the Option or grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right.

Shares Available for Issuance.

Maximum Number of Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4 of this Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under this Plan will be 30,000,000 shares.

Limits on Incentive Stock Options and Non-Employee Director Awards. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4 of this Plan,

(a) the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options under this Plan may not exceed 30,000,000 shares; and

the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock granted as an Award to any Non-Employee Director in any one Plan Year will be 100,000 shares; provided that such limit will not apply to any election of a Non-Employee Director to receive shares of Common Stock in lieu of all or a portion of any annual Board, committee, chair or other retainer, or any meeting fees otherwise payable in cash.

Accounting for Awards. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under this Plan or that are subject to outstanding Awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under this Plan only to the extent they are used; provided, however, that the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Stock-Based Award will be counted against the shares authorized for issuance under this Plan, regardless of the number of shares actually issued upon settlement of such Stock Appreciation Right or other Stock-Based Award. Furthermore, any shares of Common Stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on Awards issued under this Plan, any shares of Common Stock withheld to pay the exercise price or grant price of Awards under this Plan and any shares of Common Stock not issued or delivered as a result of the “net exercise” of an outstanding Option pursuant to Section 6.5 or settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right in shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 7.6 will be counted against the shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under this Plan and will not be available again for grant under this Plan. Shares of Common Stock subject to Awards settled in cash will again be available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan. Any shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Company on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an Award will not increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for future grant of Awards. Any shares of Common Stock related to Awards granted under this Plan that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of the shares of Common Stock, will be available again for grant under this Plan. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, shares of Common Stock issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to Section 20 of this Plan or otherwise will not be counted against shares of Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to this Plan. The shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.


Adjustments to Shares and Awards.

In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a spin off) or any other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of Common Stock the Company, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) will make appropriate adjustment or substitutions (which determination will be conclusive) as to: (i) the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) available for issuance or payment under this Plan, including the sub-limits set forth in Section 4.2 of this Plan, and (ii) in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants, the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price of outstanding Awards; provided, however, that this Section 4.4 will not limit the authority of the Committee to take action pursuant to Section 15 of this Plan in the event of a Change in Control. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments and/or substitutions, if any, will be final, conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.

Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, without affecting the number of shares of Common Stock reserved or available hereunder, the limits in Section 4.2 of this Plan, the Committee may authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under this Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, subject to compliance with the rules under Sections 422, 424 and 409A of the Code, as and where applicable.

Participation.

Participants in this Plan will be those Eligible Recipients who, in the judgment of the Committee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Eligible Recipients may be granted from time to time one or more Awards, singly or in combination or in tandem with other Awards, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Awards will be deemed to be granted as of the date specified in the grant resolution of the Committee, which date will be the Grant Date of any related Award Agreement with the Participant.

Options.

Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Options under this Plan, and such Options will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Incentive Stock Options may be granted solely to eligible Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary. The Committee may designate whether an Option is to be considered an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option. To the extent that any Incentive Stock Option (or portion thereof) granted under this Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Incentive Stock Option (or portion thereof) will continue to be outstanding for purposes of this Plan but will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. Options may be granted to an Eligible Recipient for services provided to a Subsidiary only if, with respect to such Eligible Recipient, the underlying shares of Common Stock constitute “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii) promulgated under the Code.


Award Agreement. Each Option grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price of the Option, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which an Option will become vested and exercisable, and such other provisions as the Committee will determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan. The Award Agreement also will specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option.

Exercise Price. The per share price to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of an Option granted pursuant to this Section 6 will be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of the Option grant; provided, however, that such price will not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date (one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company).

Exercisability and Duration. An Option will become exercisable at such times and in such installments and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant, including (a) the achievement of one or more of the Performance Goals; or that (b) the Participant remain in the continuous employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period; provided, however, that no Option may be exercisable after ten (10) years from the Grant Date (five (5) years from the Grant Date in the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Participant who owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of an Option that is exercisable in accordance with its terms is prevented by the provisions of Section 17 of this Plan, the Option will remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, but in any event no later than the expiration date of such Option.

Payment of Exercise Price.

The total purchase price of the shares of Common Stock to be purchased upon exercise of an Option will be paid entirely in cash (including check, bank draft or money order); provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, may allow such payments to be made, in whole or in part, by (i) tender of a Broker Exercise Notice; (ii) by tender, either by actual delivery or attestation as to ownership, of Previously Acquired Shares; (iii) a “net exercise” of the Option (as further described in paragraph (b), below); (iv) by a combination of such methods; or (v) any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act will be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under this Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

In the case of a “net exercise” of an Option, the Company will not require a payment of the exercise price of the Option from the Participant but will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise by the largest number of whole shares that has a Fair Market Value on the exercise date that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares exercised under this method. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under an Option (and will therefore not thereafter be exercisable) following the exercise of such Option to the extent of (i) shares used to pay the exercise price of an Option under the “net exercise,” (ii) shares actually delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise and (iii) any shares withheld for purposes of tax withholding pursuant to Section 14 of this Plan.


For purposes of such payment, Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued at their Fair Market Value on the exercise date of the Option.

Manner of Exercise. An Option may be exercised by a Participant in whole or in part from time to time, subject to the conditions contained in this Plan and in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, by delivery in person, by facsimile or electronic transmission or through the mail of written notice of exercise to the Company at its principal executive office (or to the Company’s designee as may be established from time to time by the Company and communicated to Participants) and by paying in full the total exercise price for the shares of Common Stock to be purchased in accordance with Section 6.5 of this Plan.

Stock Appreciation Rights.

Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Stock Appreciation Rights under this Plan, and such Stock Appreciation Rights will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to an Eligible Recipient for services provided to a Subsidiary only if, with respect to such Eligible Recipient, the underlying shares of Common Stock constitute “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii) promulgated under the Code.

Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, and such other provisions as the Committee will determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

Grant Price. The grant price of a Stock Appreciation Right will be determined by the Committee, in its discretion, at the Grant Date; provided, however, that such price may not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date.

Exercisability and Duration. A Stock Appreciation Right will become exercisable at such times and in such installments as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right may be exercisable after ten (10) years from its Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right that is exercisable in accordance with its terms is prevented by the provisions of Section 17 of this Plan, the Stock Appreciation Right will remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, but in any event no later than the expiration date of such Stock Appreciation Right.

Manner of Exercise. A Stock Appreciation Right will be exercised by giving notice in the same manner as for Options, as set forth in Section 6.6 of this Plan, subject to any other terms and conditions consistent with the other provisions of this Plan as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Settlement. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

The excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the per share grant price; by


The number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

Form of Payment. Payment, if any, with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right settled in accordance with Section 7.6 of this Plan will be made in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as the Committee determines.

Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.

Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units under this Plan, and such Awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Restricted Stock Units will be similar to Restricted Stock Awards except that no shares of Common Stock are actually awarded to the Participant on the Grant Date of the Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units will be denominated in shares of Common Stock but paid in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine, and as provided in the Award Agreement.

Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the type of Award, the period(s) of restriction, the number of shares of restricted Common Stock, or the number of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units granted, and such other provisions as the Committee will determine that are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

Conditions and Restrictions. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Committee will impose such conditions or restrictions on a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units granted pursuant to this Plan as it may deem advisable including a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific Performance Goals, time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the Performance Goals, time-based restrictions, restrictions under Applicable Laws or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the shares of Common Stock by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units.

Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by Applicable Law, as determined by the Committee, Participants holding a Restricted Stock Award granted hereunder will be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Award during the Period of Restriction. A Participant will have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units granted hereunder.

Dividend Rights.

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by Applicable Law, as determined by the Committee, Participants holding a Restricted Stock Award granted hereunder will have the same dividend rights as the Company’s other stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing any such dividends as to a Restricted Stock Award that is subject to vesting requirements will be subject to forfeiture and termination to the same extent as the Restricted Stock Award to which such dividends relate and the Award Agreement may require that any cash dividends be reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award and subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which the dividends were paid. In no event will dividends with respect to Restricted Stock Awards that are subject to vesting be paid or distributed until the vesting provisions of such Restricted Stock Award lapse.


Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by Applicable Law, as determined by the Committee, prior to settlement or forfeiture, any Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Unit awarded under this Plan may, at the Committee’s discretion, carry with it a right to Dividend Equivalents. Such right entitles the Participant to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one share of Common Stock while the Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend Equivalents may be converted into additional Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units and may (and will, to the extent required below) be made subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units to which they attach. Settlement of Dividend Equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of both. Dividend Equivalents as to Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units will be subject to forfeiture and termination to the same extent as the corresponding Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units as to which the Dividend Equivalents relate. In no event will Participants holding Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units be entitled to receive any Dividend Equivalents on such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units until the vesting provisions of such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units lapse.

Enforcement of Restrictions. To enforce the restrictions referred to in this Section 8, the Committee may place a legend on the stock certificates representing Restricted Stock Awards referring to such restrictions and may require the Participant, until the restrictions have lapsed, to keep the stock certificates, together with duly endorsed stock powers, in the custody of the Company or its transfer agent, or to maintain evidence of stock ownership, together with duly endorsed stock powers, in a certificateless book entry stock account with the Company’s transfer agent. Alternatively, Restricted Stock Awards may be held in non-certificated form pursuant to such terms and conditions as the Company may establish with its registrar and transfer agent or any third-party administrator designated by the Company to hold Restricted Stock Awards on behalf of Participants.

Lapse of Restrictions; Settlement. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, including without limitation this Section 8 and 16.4 of this Plan, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award will become freely transferable by the Participant after all conditions and restrictions applicable to such shares have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding obligations). Upon the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Restricted Stock Unit will be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement, (a) in cash, based upon the Fair Market Value of the vested underlying shares of Common Stock, (b) in shares of Common Stock or (c) a combination thereof, as provided in the Award Agreement, except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer income that may be attributable to a Restricted Stock Unit under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement.

Section 83(b) Election for Restricted Stock Award. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant must file, within thirty (30) days following the Grant Date of the Restricted Stock Award, a copy of such election with the Company and with the Internal Revenue Service, in accordance with the regulations under Section 83 of the Code. The Committee may provide in the Award Agreement that the Restricted Stock Award is conditioned upon the Participant’s making or refraining from making an election with respect to the award under Section 83(b) of the Code.


Performance Awards.

Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Performance Awards under this Plan, and such Awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including the achievement of one or more Performance Goals.

Award Agreement. Each Performance Award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the amount of cash, shares of Common Stock, other Awards, or combination of both to be received by the Participant upon payout of the Performance Award, any Performance Goals upon which the Performance Award is subject, any Performance Period during which any Performance Goals must be achieved and such other provisions as the Committee will determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

Vesting. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, to the vesting of such Performance Awards as it deems appropriate, including the achievement of one or more of the Performance Goals.

Earning of Performance Award Payment. Subject to the terms of this Plan and the Award Agreement, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Awards will be entitled to receive payout on the value and number of Performance Awards earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals have been achieved and such other restrictions or conditions imposed on the vesting and payout of the Performance Awards has been satisfied.

Form and Timing of Performance Award Payment. Subject to the terms of this Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Awards will be entitled to receive payment on the value and number of Performance Awards earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals have been achieved. Payment of earned Performance Awards will be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Awards in the form of cash, in shares of Common Stock or other Awards (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the earned Performance Awards at the close of the applicable Performance Period. Payment of any Performance Award will be made as soon as practicable after the Committee has determined the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved and not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month immediately following the later of the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Performance Period ends and any additional vesting restrictions are satisfied or the end of the calendar year in which the Performance Period ends and any additional vesting restrictions are satisfied, except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer payment that may be attributable to a Performance Award under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form and time of payment of Performance Awards will be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the Performance Award. Any shares of Common Stock or other Awards issued in payment of earned Performance Awards may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, including that the Participant remain in the continuous employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period.

Evaluation of Performance. The Committee may provide in any such Award Agreement including Performance Goals that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the following events that occurs during a Performance Period: (a) items related to a change in accounting principles; (b) items relating to financing activities; (c) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (d) other non-operating items; (e) items related to acquisitions; (f) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (g) items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business; (h) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under applicable accounting standards; (i) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the Performance Period; (j) any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (k) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments; (l) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (m) items that are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going business activities; (n) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (o) items relating to changes in tax laws; (p) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (q) items relating to asset impairment charges; (r) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; (s) foreign exchange gains and losses; or (t) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting principles or business conditions.


Adjustment of Performance Goals, Performance Periods or other Vesting Criteria. The Committee may amend or modify the vesting criteria (including any Performance Goals or Performance Periods) of any outstanding Awards based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any Subsidiary or division, business unit or other sub-unit thereof) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including the events described in Sections 9.6 or 4.4(a) of this Plan) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent unintended dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, will be final, conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.

Dividend Rights. Participants holding Performance Awards granted under this Plan will not receive any cash dividends or Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on shares of Common Stock that are subject to such Performance Awards during the period between the date that such Performance Awards are granted and the date such Performance Awards are settled.

Non-Employee Director Awards.

Automatic and Non-Discretionary Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, the Committee at any time and from time to time may approve resolutions providing for the automatic grant to Non-Employee Directors of Non-Employee Director Awards granted under this Plan and may grant to Non-Employee Directors such discretionary Non-Employee Director Awards on such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement.

Deferral of Award Payment; Election to Receive Award in Lieu of Retainers. The Committee may permit Non-Employee Directors the opportunity to defer the payment of an Award pursuant to such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe from time to time. In addition, the Committee may permit Non-Employee Directors to elect to receive, pursuant to the procedures established by the Board or a committee of the Board, all or any portion of their annual retainers, meeting fees, or other fees in Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units or other Stock-Based Awards as contemplated by this Plan in lieu of cash.

Other Stock-Based Awards.

Other Stock-Based Awards. Subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Committee may grant Other Stock-Based Awards to Eligible Recipients not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares of Common Stock) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee will determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of Common Stock to Participants as a bonus or in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under this Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of Common Stock, and may include Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions other than the United States.


Value of Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Other Stock-Based Award will be expressed in terms of shares of Common Stock or units based on shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may establish Performance Goals in its discretion for any Other Stock-Based Award. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish Performance Goals for any such Awards, the number or value of Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the Performance Goals are met.

Payment of Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to an Other Stock-Based Award will be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or shares of Common Stock for any Other Stock-Based Award, as the Committee determines, except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer payment that may be attributable to an Other Stock-Based Award under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement.

Dividend Equivalents.

Subject to the provisions of this Plan and any Award Agreement, any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on shares of Common Stock that are subject to any Award (including any Award that has been deferred), to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award is exercised, vests, settles, is paid or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such Dividend Equivalents will be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) will be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock or otherwise reinvested. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not grant Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on shares of Common Stock that are subject to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or unvested Performance Awards; and further, no dividend or Dividend Equivalents will be paid out with respect to any unvested Awards.

Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service.

Termination Due to Cause. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in an Award Agreement or the terms of an Individual Agreement between the Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or a plan or policy of the Company applicable to the Participant specifically provides otherwise, and subject to Sections 13.4 and 13.5 of this Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated for Cause:

All outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will be immediately terminated and forfeited;

All outstanding but unvested Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; and

All other outstanding Awards to the extent not vested will be immediately terminated and forfeited.


Termination Due to Death, Disability or Retirement. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in an Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or the terms of an Individual Agreement or a plan or policy of the Company applicable to the Participant specifically provides otherwise, and subject to Sections 13.4, 13.5 and 15 of this Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of death or Disability of a Participant, or in the case of a Participant that is an Employee, Retirement:

All outstanding Options (excluding Non-Employee Director Options in the case of Retirement) and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination or Retirement will, to the extent exercisable as of the date of such termination or Retirement, remain exercisable for a period of one (1) year after the date of such termination or Retirement (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option or Stock Appreciation Right) and Options and Stock Appreciation Rights not exercisable as of the date of such termination or Retirement will be terminated and forfeited;

All outstanding unvested Restricted Stock Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination or Retirement will be terminated and forfeited; and

All outstanding unvested Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination or Retirement will be terminated and forfeited; provided, however, that with respect to any such Awards the vesting of which is based on the achievement of Performance Goals, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, is terminated prior to the end of the Performance Period of such Award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the Performance Period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause shares of Common Stock to be delivered or payment made (except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer income that may be attributable to such Award under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement) with respect to the Participant’s Award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire Performance Period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable Performance Period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on the number of months or years that the Participant was employed or performed services during the Performance Period. The Committee will consider the provisions of Section 13.5 of this Plan and will have the discretion to consider any other fact or circumstance in making its decision as to whether to deliver such shares of Common Stock or other payment, including whether the Participant again becomes employed.

Termination for Reasons Other than Death, Disability or Retirement. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in an Award Agreement or the terms of an Individual Agreement between the Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or a plan or policy of the Company applicable to the Participant specifically provides otherwise, and subject to Sections 13.4, 13.5 and 15 of this Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason other than for Cause or death or Disability of a Participant, or in the case of a Participant that is an Employee, Retirement:

All outstanding Options (including Non-Employee Director Options) and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will, to the extent exercisable as of such termination, remain exercisable for a period of three (3) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option or Stock Appreciation Right) and Options and Stock Appreciation Rights not exercisable as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited. If the Participant dies within the three (3) month period referred to in the preceding sentence, the Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by those entitled to do so under the Participant’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution within a period of one (1) year following the Participant’s death (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option or Stock Appreciation Right).


All outstanding unvested Restricted Stock Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will be terminated and forfeited;

All outstanding unvested Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; provided, however, that with respect to any such Awards the vesting of which is based on the achievement of Performance Goals, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to the end of the Performance Period of such Award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the Performance Period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause Shares to be delivered or payment made (except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer income that may be attributable to such Award under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement) with respect to the Participant’s Award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire Performance Period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable Performance Period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on the number of months or years that the Participant was employed or performed services during the Performance Period.

Modification of Rights upon Termination. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 13, upon a Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the Grant Date, including following such termination) cause Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (or any part thereof) held by such Participant as of the effective date of such termination to terminate, become or continue to become exercisable or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service, and Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Awards, Non-Employee Director Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards held by such Participant as of the effective date of such termination to terminate, vest or become free of restrictions and conditions to payment, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee; provided, however, that (a) no Option or Stock Appreciation Right may remain exercisable beyond its expiration date; and (b) any such action by the Committee adversely affecting any outstanding Award will not be effective without the consent of the affected Participant (subject to the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Section 4.4, 13.5, 15 or 19 of this Plan).

Additional Forfeiture Events.

Effect of Actions Constituting Cause or Adverse Action. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary and in addition to the other rights of the Committee under this Plan, including this Section 13.5, if a Participant is determined by the Committee, acting in its sole discretion, to have taken any action that would constitute Cause or an Adverse Action during or within one (1) year after the termination of employment or other service with the Company or a Subsidiary, irrespective of whether such action or the Committee’s determination occurs before or after termination of such Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary and irrespective of whether or not the Participant was terminated as a result of such Cause or Adverse Action, (i) all rights of the Participant under this Plan and any Award Agreements evidencing an Award then held by the Participant will terminate and be forfeited without notice of any kind, and (ii) the Committee in its sole discretion will have the authority to rescind the exercise, vesting or issuance of, or payment in respect of, any Awards of the Participant that were exercised, vested or issued, or as to which such payment was made, and to require the Participant to pay to the Company, within ten (10) days of receipt from the Company of notice of such rescission, any amount received or the amount of any gain realized as a result of such rescinded exercise, vesting, issuance or payment (including any dividends paid or other distributions made with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to any Award). The Company may defer the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right for a period of up to six (6) months after receipt of the Participant’s written notice of exercise or the issuance of share certificates upon the vesting of any Award for a period of up to six (6) months after the date of such vesting in order for the Committee to make any determination as to the existence of Cause or an Adverse Action. The Company will be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the Participant from the Company or a Subsidiary) or make other arrangements for the collection of all amounts necessary to satisfy such payment obligations. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an applicable Award Agreement, this Section 13.5(a) will not apply to any Participant following a Change in Control.


Forfeiture or Clawback of Awards Under Applicable Law and Company Policy. If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any Participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will reimburse the Company for the amount of any Award received by such individual under this Plan during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be, of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement. The Company also may seek to recover any Award made as required by the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or any other clawback, forfeiture or recoupment provision required by Applicable Law or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which the shares of Common Stock are then listed or traded. In addition, all Awards under this Plan will be subject to forfeiture or other penalties pursuant to any clawback or forfeiture policy of the Company, as in effect from time to time, and such forfeiture and/or penalty conditions or provisions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

Payment of Withholding Taxes.

General Rules. The Company is entitled to (a) withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the Participant from the Company or a Subsidiary), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all amounts the Company reasonably determines are necessary to satisfy any and all federal, foreign, state and local withholding and employment related tax requirements attributable to an Award, including the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of, or payment of dividends with respect to, an Award or a disqualifying disposition of stock received upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Award. When withholding shares of Common Stock for taxes is effected under this Plan, it will be withheld only up to an amount based on the maximum statutory tax rates in the Participant’s applicable tax jurisdiction or such other rate that will not trigger a negative accounting impact on the Company.

Special Rules. The Committee may, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, any withholding or employment related tax obligation described in Section 14.1 of this Plan by withholding shares of Common Stock underlying an Award, by electing to tender, or by attestation as to ownership of, Previously Acquired Shares, by delivery of a Broker Exercise Notice or a combination of such methods. For purposes of satisfying a Participant’s withholding or employment-related tax obligation, shares of Common Stock withheld by the Company or Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued at their Fair Market Value on the Tax Date.

Change in Control.

Definition of Change in Control. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or Individual Agreement between the Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, a “Change in Control” will mean the occurrence of any of the following:

The acquisition, other than from the Company, by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of either the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, but excluding, for this purpose, any such acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any entity with respect to which, following such acquisition, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then outstanding equity of such entity and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting equity of such entity entitled to vote generally in the election of all or substantially all of the members of such entity’s governing body is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Common Stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such acquisition, of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be; or

The consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company, in each case, with respect to which all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the Common Stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation; or

a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.


Effect of Change in Control. Subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or an Individual Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee (as constituted prior to such Change in Control) may, in its discretion:

require that shares of stock of the corporation resulting from such Change in Control, or a parent corporation thereof, be substituted for some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding Award, with an appropriate and equitable adjustment to such Award as shall be determined by the Board in accordance with Section 4.4;

provide that (i) some or all outstanding Options shall become exercisable in full or in part, either immediately or upon a subsequent termination of employment, (ii) the restrictions or vesting applicable to some or all outstanding Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units shall lapse in full or in part, either immediately or upon a subsequent termination of employment, (iii) the Performance Period applicable to some or all outstanding Awards shall lapse in full or in part, and/or (iv) the Performance Goals applicable to some or all outstanding Awards shall be deemed to be satisfied at the target or any other level; and/or

require outstanding Awards, in whole or in part, to be surrendered to the Company by the holder, and to be immediately cancelled by the Company, and to provide for the holder to receive (A) a cash payment in an amount determined pursuant to Section 15.3 below; (B) shares of capital stock of the corporation resulting from or succeeding to the business of the Company pursuant to such Change in Control, or a parent corporation thereof, having a fair market value not less than the amount determined under clause (A) above; or (C) a combination of the payment of cash pursuant to clause (A) above and the issuance of shares pursuant to clause (B) above.

Alternative Treatment of Incentive Awards. In connection with a Change in Control, the Committee in its sole discretion, either in an Award Agreement at the time of grant of an Award or at any time after the grant of such an Award, in lieu of providing a substitute award to a Participant pursuant to Section 15.2(a), may determine that any or all outstanding Awards granted under the Plan, whether or not exercisable or vested, as the case may be, will be canceled and terminated and that in connection with such cancellation and termination the holder of such Award will receive for each share of Common Stock subject to such Award a cash payment (or the delivery of shares of stock, other securities or a combination of cash, stock and securities with a fair market value (as determined by the Committee in good faith) equivalent to such cash payment) equal to the difference, if any, between the consideration received by stockholders of the Company in respect of a share of Common Stock in connection with such Change in Control and the purchase price per share, if any, under the Award, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award (or in which such Award is denominated); provided, however, that if such product is zero ($0) or less or to the extent that the Award is not then exercisable, the Award may be canceled and terminated without payment therefor. If any portion of the consideration pursuant to a Change in Control may be received by holders of shares of Common Stock on a contingent or delayed basis, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine the fair market value per share of such consideration as of the time of the Change in Control on the basis of the Committee’s good faith estimate of the present value of the probable future payment of such consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Award that immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Change in Control are subject to no further restrictions pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement (other than pursuant to the securities laws) will be deemed to be outstanding shares of Common Stock and receive the same consideration as other outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control.


Limitation on Change in Control Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15 to the contrary, if, with respect to a Participant, the acceleration of the vesting of an Award or the payment of cash in exchange for all or part of a Stock-Based Award (which acceleration or payment could be deemed a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), together with any other “payments” that such Participant has the right to receive from the Company or any corporation that is a member of an “affiliated group” (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to Section 1504(b) of the Code) of which the Company is a member, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the “payments” to such Participant pursuant to Section 15.2 or Section 15.3 of this Plan will be reduced (or acceleration of vesting eliminated) to the largest amount as will result in no portion of such “payments” being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; provided, however, that such reduction will be made only if the aggregate amount of the payments after such reduction exceeds the difference between (a) the amount of such payments absent such reduction minus (b) the aggregate amount of the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code attributable to any such excess parachute payments; and provided, further that such payments will be reduced (or acceleration of vesting eliminated) by first eliminating vesting of Options with an exercise price above the then Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock that have a positive value for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, followed by reducing or eliminating payments or benefits pro rata among Awards that are deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and, if a further reduction is necessary, by reducing or eliminating payments or benefits pro rata among Awards that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if a Participant is subject to a separate agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary that expressly addresses the potential application of Section 280G or 4999 of the Code, then this Section 15.4 will not apply and any “payments” to a Participant pursuant to Section 15 of this Plan will be treated as “payments” arising under such separate agreement; provided, however, such separate agreement may not modify the time or form of payment under any Award that constitutes deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code if the modification would cause such Award to become subject to the adverse tax consequences specified in Section 409A of the Code.

Exceptions. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15 to the contrary, individual Award Agreements or Individual Agreements between a Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates may contain provisions with respect to vesting, payment or treatment of Awards upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, and the terms of any such Award Agreement or Individual Agreement will govern to the extent of any inconsistency with the terms of this Section 15. The Committee will not be obligated to treat all Awards subject to this Section 15 in the same manner. The timing of any payment under this Section 15 may be governed by any election to defer receipt of a payment made under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement.

Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability.

Employment. Nothing in this Plan or an Award Agreement will interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of any Eligible Recipient or Participant at any time, nor confer upon any Eligible Recipient or Participant any right to continue employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary.

No Rights to Awards. No Participant or Eligible Recipient will have any claim to be granted any Award under this Plan.

Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, a Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to shares of Common Stock covered by any Stock-Based Award unless and until the Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock and then subject to any restrictions or limitations as provided herein or in the Award Agreement.


Restrictions on Transfer.

Except pursuant to testamentary will or the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly permitted by subsections (b) and (c) below, no right or interest of any Participant in an Award prior to the exercise (in the case of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) or vesting, issuance or settlement of such Award will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien, during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise.

A Participant will be entitled to designate a beneficiary to receive an Award upon such Participant’s death, and in the event of such Participant’s death, payment of any amounts due under this Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 13 of this Plan) may be made by, such beneficiary. If a deceased Participant has failed to designate a beneficiary, or if a beneficiary designated by the Participant fails to survive the Participant, payment of any amounts due under this Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 13 of this Plan) may be made by, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs and legatees. If a deceased Participant has designated a beneficiary and such beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before complete payment of all amounts due under this Plan or exercise of all exercisable Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, then such payments will be made to, and the exercise of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be made by, the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of the beneficiary.

Upon a Participant’s request, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a transfer of all or a portion of a Non-Statutory Stock Option, other than for value, to such Participant’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, any person sharing such Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which any of the foregoing have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interests, a foundation in which any of the foregoing (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests. Any permitted transferee will remain subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to the Participant prior to the transfer. A permitted transfer may be conditioned upon such requirements as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine, including execution or delivery of appropriate acknowledgements, opinion of counsel, or other documents by the transferee.

The Committee may impose such restrictions on any shares of Common Stock acquired by a Participant under this Plan as it may deem advisable, including minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which the Common Stock is then listed or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such shares or the Company’s insider trading policy.

Non-Exclusivity of this Plan. Nothing contained in this Plan is intended to modify or rescind any previously approved compensation plans or programs of the Company or create any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such additional or other compensation arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or desirable.

Securities Law and Other Restrictions.

Restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award Agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under this Plan, and a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such shares a registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of a state or foreign jurisdiction or an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit from any other U.S. or foreign regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the parties involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing shares of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company in order to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.


Market Stand-Off Agreement. Except as otherwise approved by the Committee, the holder of any shares of Common Stock acquired in connection with the grant, exercise or vesting of an Incentive Award may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale of, any Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by such holder (other than those included in the registration) during the one hundred eighty (180) day period following the effective date of the initial registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request in order to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation) and during the ninety (90) day period following the effective date of any subsequent registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request in order to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation); provided, however, that such restrictions with respect to any subsequent registration shall terminate two (2) years after the effective date of the Company’s initial registration statement filed under the Securities Act. The foregoing provisions will not apply to the sale of any securities to an underwriter pursuant to an underwriting agreement and shall only be applicable to such holder if all then current executive officers and directors of the Company enter into similar agreements. The provisions hereof shall not apply to a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans on Form S 1 or Form S 8 or Rule 145 transactions on Form S 4, or similar forms that may be promulgated in the future. The Company may impose stop transfer instructions with respect to the securities subject to the provisions hereof until the end of the applicable periods. The underwriters in connection with any public offering subject to the foregoing provisions are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 17.2 and will have the right to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto. By accepting an Incentive Award under the Plan, each Participant agrees to enter into an appropriate lock-up agreement with any such underwriters containing provisions similar in all material respects with the terms of this Section 17.2.

Deferred Compensation; Compliance with Section 409A.

It is intended that all Awards issued under this Plan be in a form and administered in a manner that will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, or the requirements of an exception to Section 409A of the Code, and the Award Agreements and this Plan will be construed and administered in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to such intent. The Committee is authorized to adopt rules or regulations deemed necessary or appropriate to qualify for an exception from or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. With respect to an Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A: (a) if any amount is payable under such Award upon a termination of service, a termination of service will be treated as having occurred only at such time the Participant has experienced a Separation from Service; (b) if any amount is payable under such Award upon a Disability, a Disability will be treated as having occurred only at such time the Participant has experienced a “disability” as such term is defined for purposes of Code Section 409A; (c) if any amount is payable under such Award on account of the occurrence of a Change in Control, a Change in Control will be treated as having occurred only at such time a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” as such terms are defined for purposes of Code Section 409A, (d) if any amount becomes payable under such Award on account of a Participant’s Separation from Service at such time as the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then no payment will be made, except as permitted under Code Section 409A, prior to the first business day after the earlier of (i) the date that is six months after the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service or (ii) the Participant’s death, and (e) no amendment to or payment under such Award will be made except and only to the extent permitted under Code Section 409A.


Amendment, Modification and Termination.

Generally. Subject to other subsections of this Section 19 and Section 3.4 of this Plan, the Board at any time may suspend or terminate this Plan (or any portion thereof) or terminate any outstanding Award Agreement and the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may amend this Plan or amend or modify the terms of an outstanding Award. The Committee’s power and authority to amend or modify the terms of an outstanding Award includes the authority to modify the number of shares of Common Stock or other terms and conditions of an Award, extend the term of an Award, accept the surrender of any outstanding Award or, to the extent not previously exercised or vested, authorize the grant of new Awards in substitution for surrendered Awards; provided, however that the amended or modified terms are permitted by this Plan as then in effect and that any Participant adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented to such amendment or modification.

Stockholder Approval. No amendments to this Plan will be effective without approval of the Company’s stockholders if: (a) stockholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, the rules of the primary stock exchange or stock market on which the Common Stock is then traded, applicable state corporate laws or regulations, applicable federal laws or regulations, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under this Plan; or (b) such amendment would: (i) modify Section 3.4 of this Plan; (ii) materially increase benefits accruing to Participants; (iii) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under this Plan; (iv) increase any limitation set forth in this Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued or the aggregate value of Awards which may be made, in respect of any type of Award to any single Participant during any specified period; (v) modify the eligibility requirements for Participants in this Plan; or (vi) reduce the minimum exercise price or grant price as set forth in Sections 6.3 and 7.3 of this Plan.

Awards Previously Granted. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no termination, suspension or amendment of this Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Award without the consent of the affected Participant; provided, however, that this sentence will not impair the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Sections 4.4, 9.7, 13, 15, 18 or 19.4 of this Plan.

Amendments to Conform to Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may amend this Plan or an Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming this Plan or an Award Agreement to any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature, and to the administrative regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder. By accepting an Award under this Plan, a Participant agrees to any amendment made pursuant to this Section 19.4 to any Award granted under this Plan without further consideration or action.

Substituted Awards.

The Committee may grant Awards under this Plan in substitution for stock and stock-based awards held by employees of another entity who become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as a result of a merger or consolidation of the former employing entity with the Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the former employing corporation. The Committee may direct that the substitute Awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.


Effective Date and Duration of this Plan.

This Plan is effective as of the Effective Date. This Plan will terminate at midnight on the day before the ten (10) year anniversary of the Effective Date, and may be terminated prior to such time by Board action. No Award will be granted after termination of this Plan, but Awards outstanding upon termination of this Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.

Miscellaneous.

Usage. In this Plan, except where otherwise indicated by clear contrary intention, (a) any masculine term used herein also will include the feminine, (b) the plural will include the singular, and the singular will include the plural, (c) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term, and (d) “or” is used in the inclusive sense of “and/or”.

Relationship to Other Benefits. Neither Awards made under this Plan nor shares of Common Stock or cash paid pursuant to such Awards under this Plan will be included as “compensation” for purposes of computing the benefits payable to any Participant under any pension, retirement (qualified or non-qualified), savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare, or benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary unless provided otherwise in such plan.

Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued or delivered under this Plan or any Award. The Committee will determine whether cash, other Awards or other property will be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether such fractional shares of Common Stock or any rights thereto will be forfeited or otherwise eliminated by rounding up or down.

Governing Law. Except to the extent expressly provided herein or in connection with other matters of corporate governance and authority (all of which will be governed by the laws of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation), the validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of this Plan and any rules, regulations and actions relating to this Plan will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdictions.

Successors. All obligations of the Company under this Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.

Construction. Wherever possible, each provision of this Plan and any Award Agreement will be interpreted so that it is valid under the Applicable Law. If any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement is to any extent invalid under the Applicable Law, that provision will still be effective to the extent it remains valid. The remainder of this Plan and the Award Agreement also will continue to be valid, and the entire Plan and Award Agreement will continue to be valid in other jurisdictions.

Delivery and Execution of Electronic Documents. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Company may: (a) deliver by email or other electronic means (including posting on a Web site maintained by the Company or by a third party under contract with the Company) all documents relating to this Plan or any Award hereunder (including prospectuses required by the Securities and Exchange Commission) and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including annual reports and proxy statements), and (b) permit Participants to use electronic, internet or other non-paper means to execute applicable Plan documents (including Award Agreements) and take other actions under this Plan in a manner prescribed by the Committee.


No Representations or Warranties Regarding Tax Effect. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Board, and the Committee neither represent nor warrant the tax treatment under any federal, state, local, or foreign laws and regulations thereunder (individually and collectively referred to as the “Tax Laws”) of any Award granted or any amounts paid to any Participant under this Plan including, but not limited to, when and to what extent such Awards or amounts may be subject to tax, penalties, and interest under the Tax Laws.

Unfunded Plan. Participants will have no right, title or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Company or its Subsidiaries may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under this Plan. Nothing contained in this Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal representative, or any other individual. To the extent that any individual acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Subsidiary under this Plan, such right will be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company or the Subsidiary, as the case may be. All payments to be made hereunder will be paid from the general funds of the Company or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, and no special or separate fund will be established and no segregation of assets will be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in this Plan.

Indemnification. Subject to any limitations and requirements of Nevada law, each individual who is or will have been a member of the Board, or a Committee appointed by the Board, or an officer or Employee of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Section 3.3 of this Plan, will be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under this Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she will give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his/her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification will not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individuals may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or pursuant to any agreement with the Company, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

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