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

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒


Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

☒         Preliminary Proxy Statement

         Confidential, for Use of the SEC Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☐         Definitive Proxy Statement

☐         Definitive Additional Materials

☐         Soliciting Material Pursuant to 14a-12 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the SEC Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to 14a-12

 

WRAP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 


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

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒         No fee required.

☐         Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

☐         Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a‑6(i)(1) and 0‑11. 

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a‑6(i)(1) and 0‑11.

 


 

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Wrap Technologies, Inc.


1817 W 4th Street


Tempe, Arizona 85281


(800) 583-2652

 

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on June 28,
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

 

Dear Stockholders of Wrap Technologies, Inc.:

 

It is our pleasure to invite you to the 2023 Annual Meetinga special meeting of Stockholdersstockholders (the “AnnualSpecial Meeting”) of Wrap Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The AnnualSpecial Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 28,September 19, 2023 at 9:00 A.M., Pacific Time in a virtual meeting format only. There will be no physical location for stockholders to attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting. Stockholders will be able to listen, vote, and submit questions, regardless of their physical location, via the internet by registering at a live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WRAP2023.WRAP2023SM. If you plan to participate in the virtual AnnualSpecial Meeting, please see the “Instructions forAbout the Special MeetingHow Can I Access the Virtual Annual MeetingSpecial Meeting?” section in the attached proxy statement for the AnnualSpecial Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”). The purpose of the AnnualSpecial Meeting is to vote on the following:

 

 

1.

A proposal to elect seven directorsauthorize, for purposes of complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the issuance of shares of our common stock underlying shares of convertible preferred stock and warrants issued by us pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 29, 2023, by and among the Company and the investors named therein and the Engagement Agreement between the Company and Katalyst Securities LLC , in an amount equal to or in excess of 20% of our Boardcommon stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of Directors, each to serve until our next annual meetingsuch convertible preferred stock and warrants (including upon the operation of  stockholders, or until their respective successor is duly electedanti-dilution provisions contained in such convertible preferred stock and qualified;warrants) (the “Issuance Proposal”);

 

 

2.

A proposal to approve onthe sale of convertible preferred stock and warrants, and any shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof, to a non-binding advisory basis,director of the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers;Company, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) (the “Director Participation Proposal”);

 

 

3.

A proposal to conduct an advisoryadjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote to indicate how frequently stockholders believe we should conduct a non-binding advisory vote onof proxies in the compensationevent that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of our Named Executive Officers;the Issuance Proposal or the Director Participation Proposal; and

 

 

4.

to ratify the appointment of Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2023; and

5.

to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the AnnualSpecial Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

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The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. Other detailed information about us and our operations, including our audited financial statements, are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”), a copy of which is enclosed. This Notice and the Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are also available online at: www.proxyvote.com. You will also have the opportunity to hear what has happened in our business in the past year and to ask questions.

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials primarily over the Internet, pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. We strongly encourage you to sign up for electronic delivery of our future annual reports and proxy materials in order to conserve natural resources and help us save costs in producing and distributing these materials. For more information, please see “Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials and Annual Reportwww.proxyvote.com” on page 1 of the Proxy Statement.. The proxy materials are also available from our proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, toll-free at 1-800+1 (800) 662-5200 or email at WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com.WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com. The Proxy Statement and this Notice are expected to be first sent or given to stockholders on or about                    , 2023.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 5,August 9, 2023 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Stockholders of record present via live webcast at the AnnualSpecial Meeting or who have submitted a valid proxy via the Internet, by telephone or by mail will be deemed to be present, to vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting.


 

Your vote is very important to us. Please act as soon as possible to vote your shares, even if you plan to participate in the virtual AnnualSpecial Meeting. Regardless of whether you plan to virtually attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting, please read the Proxy Statement and vote your shares by Internet, telephone or e-mail as promptly as possible. Please refer to the “Instructions for the Virtual AnnualAbout the Special Meeting How Do I Vote My Shares?” section of the Proxy Statement for instructions on submitting your vote. Voting promptly will save us additional expense in further soliciting proxies and will ensure that your shares are represented at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. If you have any questions or need assistance voting, please contact the Company’s proxy solicitor toll-free at 1-800+1 (800) 662-5200 or email at WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com.WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/ Wayne Walker

Wayne Walker

Scot Cohen

/s/

Kevin Mullins

Kevin Mullins

Chairman of the Board

Chief Executive Officer

  

Tempe, Arizona

May 19,
                       , 2023

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

 

ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING VIASPECIAL MEETINGVIA LIVE WEBCAST. HOWEVER, TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE BY INTERNET, TELEPHONE OR MAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. RETURNING YOUR PROXY WILL HELP US ASSURE THAT A QUORUM WILL BE PRESENT AT THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING AND AVOID THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF DUPLICATE PROXY SOLICITATIONS. EVEN IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE VIA LIVE WEBCAST IF YOU ATTEND THE VIRTUAL ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE RECORD HOLDER A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME. 

 

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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGTO BE HELD ONJUNE 28, 2023: THE ANNUAL REPORT AND PROXY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM.SEPTEMBER19, 2023:

THE PROXY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM.

 

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wrap20230509_def14aimg002.jpgTABLE OF CONTENTS

Proxy Statement

1

About the Special Meeting

2

Proposal No. 1 — The Issuance Proposal

10

Proposal No. 2 — The Director Participation Proposal

19

Proposal No. 3 — The Adjournment Proposal

22

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders’ Matters

23

Where You Can Find More Information

24

Stockholder Proposals for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

25

Householding of Proxy Materials

26

Other Matters

27

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Wrap Technologies, Inc.


1817 W 4th Street


Tempe, Arizona 85281


(800) 583-2652

 

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Proxy Statement to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “Wrap” refer to Wrap Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as a whole. In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “stockholders” are to the holders of our voting securities, which consist of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), entitled to vote at the special meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Special Meeting”).

 

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Wrap Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for use at the Company’s 2023 Annualour Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on June 28,September 19, 2023 at 9:00 A.M., Pacific Time, via virtual meeting by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WRAP2023WRAP2023SM and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Instructionsthereof, and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Virtual AnnualSpecial Meeting

A virtual meeting format offers of Stockholders (the “Notice”). Stockholders will not be able to attend the same participation opportunities as those opportunities available toSpecial Meeting in person; however, stockholders at in-person meetings. Stockholdersof record will be able to listen,participate, vote electronically and submit questions. To participate inquestions during the Annual Meetinglive webcast you must register www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WRAP2023 by 11:59 P.M., Pacific Time, on June 27, 2023 using your desktop or mobile device.

The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 A.M., Pacific Time, on June 28, 2023. We encourage you to access the virtual meeting website prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. You should allow ample time to ensure your ability to access the AnnualSpecial Meeting.

 

We will holdThis Proxy Statement summarizes information about the proposals to be considered at the Special Meeting and other information you may find useful in determining how to vote. The proxy card is a means by which you actually authorize the proxies to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. Hard copies of this Proxy Statement, along with the Notice and a proxy card, are being mailed to our question-and-answer session with management immediately following the conclusionstockholders of record as of the Annual Meeting. You may submit a question in advanceclose of business on August 9, 2023, beginning on or about                    , 2023. See “About the AnnualSpecial Meeting during the registration process by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WRAP2023. You may also submit a question at any time during the Annual Meeting by typing the questions into the questions box” beginning on the screen once the virtual meeting starts. The Chairman of the Annual Meeting has broad authority to conduct the meeting in an orderly manner.page 2 for more information.

 

Technicians will beOur executive offices are located at, and our mailing address is, Wrap Technologies, Inc., 1817 W 4th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER19, 2023:

Our official Notice and Proxy Statement are available at www.proxyvote.com.

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ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING

What is a proxy?

A proxy is another person that you legally designate to assist you if you experience technical difficulties accessing the virtual meeting website.vote your stock. If you encounter any difficulties accessingdesignate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document is also called a “proxy” or a “proxy card.” If you are a “street name” holder, you must obtain a proxy from your broker or nominee in order to vote your shares in person at the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call 844-986-0822 for assistance.Special Meeting.

 

Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials and Annual ReportWhat is a proxy statement?

 

We have elected to provide access to this year’sA proxy materials primarily over the Internet understatement is a document that regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission (the “SEC”) “noticerequire that we give to you when we ask you to sign a proxy card to vote your stock at the Special Meeting.

What is the purpose of the Special Meeting?

At the Special Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice, which include the following:

1.

A proposal to authorize, for purposes of complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the issuance of shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) underlying shares of convertible preferred stock and warrants issued by us pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 29, 2023, by and among the Company and the investors named therein (the “Purchase Agreement”) and the Engagement Agreement between the Company and Katalyst Securities LLC, in an amount equal to or in excess of 20% of our Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of such convertible preferred stock and warrants (including upon the operation of  anti-dilution provisions contained in such convertible preferred stock and warrants) (the “Issuance Proposal”);

2.

A proposal to approve the sale of convertible preferred stock and warrants, and any shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof, to a director of the Company, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) (the “Director Participation Proposal”); and

3.

A proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the Issuance Proposal or the Director Participation Proposal.

What is the record date and access” rules. We intendwhat does it mean?

The record date to mail a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) on or about May 19, 2023 to each of ourdetermine the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting which will contain instructions for accessing this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (“Annual Report”) and voting instructions. The Notice will also include instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of your proxy materials.

This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report can also be accessed free of charge online as of May 19, 2023 at: www.proxyvote.com. The proxy materials are also available from our proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC (“Morrow Sodali”), toll-free at 1 800-662-5200 via email at WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com.

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Voting

The specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at our Annual Meeting are each described in this Proxy Statement. Only holders of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock’’), as ofis the close of business on May 5,August 9, 2023 (the “Record Date”). On the Record Date,                shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of the Record Date.

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How can I access the virtual Special Meeting?

A virtual meeting format offers the same participation opportunities as those opportunities available to stockholders at in-person meetings. Stockholders will be able to listen, vote, and submit questions. To participate in the Special Meeting webcast, you must register by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WRAP2023SM by 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on September 18, 2023 using your desktop or mobile device.

The Special Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 A.M., Pacific Time, on September 19, 2023. We encourage you to access the virtual meeting website prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the Special Meeting. You should allow ample time to ensure your ability to access the Special Meeting.

How can I ask questions during the virtual Special Meeting?

We will hold our question-and-answer session with management immediately following the conclusion of the Special Meeting. You may submit a question in advance of the Special Meeting during the registration process by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WRAP2023SM. You may also submit a question at any time during the Special Meeting by typing the questions into the questions box on the screen once the virtual Special Meeting starts. The Chairman of the Special Meeting has broad authority to conduct the meeting in an orderly manner.

What if I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the Special Meeting?

Technicians will be available to assist you if you experience technical difficulties accessing the virtual meeting website. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call 844-986-0822 for assistance.

What are the voting rights of the stockholders at the Special Meeting?

The specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at the Special Meeting are each described in this Proxy Statement. Only holders of our Common Stock as of the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 41,663,868                        shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of the Record Date.Date; provided, however, that any holder of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock issued in respect thereof on the Issuance Proposal, and provided further that no director who participated in the Offering (as defined below) will be entitled to vote on the Director Participation Proposal. If you have any questions or need assistance voting, please contact the Company’sour proxy solicitor Morrow Sodali LLC (“Morrow Sodali”) toll-free at 1 800+1 (800) 662-5200 or email at WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com.WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com.

 

QuorumCertain stockholders, who beneficially held approximately       % of our outstanding Common Stock as of the Record Date, are party to a voting agreement pursuant to which, among other things, each such stockholder agreed, solely in their capacity as a stockholder, to vote all of their shares of Common Stock in favor of the approval of the Issuance Proposal and against any actions that could adversely affect our ability to perform our obligations under the Purchase Agreement.

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What constitutes a quorum for the Special Meeting?

 

In order for any business to be conducted at the AnnualSpecial Meeting, a quorum must be present. The presence at the AnnualSpecial Meeting either in attendance virtually or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote, willrepresented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum forat the transaction of business.Special Meeting. If you submit a properly executed proxy, regardless of whether you abstain from voting on one or more matters, your shares will be counted as present at the AnnualSpecial Meeting for the purpose of establishing a quorum. Shares that constituteIf you hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your bank, broker non-votesor other nominee how to vote, your broker will alsobe unable to vote your shares on any proposal being presented at the Special Meeting, and your shares will not be counted as present at the AnnualSpecial Meeting for the purpose of establishing a quorum. If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time of the AnnualSpecial Meeting, the Chairman of the AnnualSpecial Meeting may adjourn the AnnualSpecial Meeting until a quorum is present. The time and place of the adjourned AnnualSpecial Meeting will be announced at the time the adjournment is taken, and no other notice will be given. An adjournment will have no effect on the business that may be conducted at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. 

 

Required Vote for ApprovalWhat votes are required to approve each proposal?

 

Proposal No.1: Election of Directors. Directors are elected by a plurality vote. This means that the seven director nominees who receive the greatest number of affirmative votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the shares present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote, will be elected (the “Election of DirectorsIssuance Proposal.”). Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of the directors. 

 

Proposal No. 2:Approval, on a Non-Binding Advisory Basis, of the Compensation Paid to our Named Executive Officers. This proposal calls for a non-binding, advisory vote regarding the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (“Say-on-Pay”). Accordingly, there is no “required vote” that would constitute approval of this proposal. However, our Board, including the Compensation Committee of the Board, values the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the result of the vote when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation policies and practices. The affirmative “FOR” vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, excluding abstentions, is required to approve this non-binding, advisory proposal.

Proposal No. 3: Advisory Vote to Approve the Frequency of Non-Binding Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation. This proposal provides a choice among three frequency periods (every one, two or three years) for future advisory Say-on-Pay proposals (“Say-on-Frequency”). The frequency period that receives the most votes will be deemed to be the recommendation of our stockholders. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on our Board of Directors or management, we may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders to hold a Say-on-Pay proposals more or less frequently than the frequency period selected by our stockholders. Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted for “THREE YEARS.”

Proposal No. 4: Ratification of Appointment of Auditors.The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting securities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, at the AnnualSpecial Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter,Issuance Proposal is necessary to ratifyapprove such proposal; provided, however, that any holder of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock issued in respect thereof on the appointmentIssuance Proposal.

Proposal No.2: the Director Participation Proposal.

The affirmative vote of Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 (the “holders of a majority of the voting securities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote on the Director Participation Proposal is necessary to approve such proposal; provided, however, that no director who participated in the Offering (as defined herein) will be entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock issued to such director in respect of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock on the Director Participation Proposal.

Ratification Proposal No.”). 3: the Adjournment Proposal.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting securities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote on the Adjournment Proposal is necessary to approve such proposal.

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How are abstentions treated?

Proposal No.1: the Issuance Proposal.

A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN”ABSTAIN will not be voted, although it will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of the RatificationIssuance Proposal Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a vote against the Issuance Proposal. If you hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, your broker will be unable to vote your shares on the Issuance Proposal, and your shares will not be included in the determination of the number of shares present at the Special Meeting for determining a quorum and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with respect to the Issuance Proposal.

Proposal No.2: the Director Participation Proposal.

A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” will not be voted, although it will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of the Director Participation Proposal. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a vote against the RatificationDirector Participation Proposal. AIf you hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your bank, broker or other nominee will generally have discretionary authorityhow to vote, your broker will be unable to vote your shares on the RatificationDirector Participation Proposal, because it is consideredand your shares will not be included in the determination of the number of shares present at the Special Meeting for determining a routine matter,quorum and therefore we do not expect broker non-votes with respect to the Ratification Proposal. However, any broker non-votes received will have no effect on the outcome of the Ratificationvote with respect to the Director Participation Proposal.

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Proposal No. 5: Vote upon such other matters as may properly come before3: the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.Adjournment Proposal.

 

Broker Non-VotesA properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” will not be voted, although it will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of the Adjournment Proposal. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a vote against the Adjournment Proposal. If you hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, your broker will be unable to vote your shares on the Adjournment Proposal, and your shares will not be included in the determination of the number of shares present at the Special Meeting for determining a quorum and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with respect to the Adjournment Proposal.

What is a broker non-vote?

 

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee (typically a broker or bank) holding shares for a beneficial owner (typically referred to as shares being held in “street name”) submits a proxy for the AnnualSpecial Meeting but does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares with respect to that proposal.

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How are broker non-votes treated?

 

Brokers and other nominees may vote on “routine” proposals on behalf of beneficial owners who have not furnished voting instructions, subject to the rules applicable to broker nominees concerning transmission of proxy materials to beneficial owners, and subject to any proxy voting policies and procedures of those firms. The ratificationEach of the independent registered public accountants, for example, is a routine proposal. Brokers and other nominees may not vote on “non-routine” proposals unless they have received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. The election of directorsbeing presented at this Special Meeting is considered a “non-routine” proposal. This means that brokers and other firms must obtain voting instructions from the beneficial owner to vote on any of these matters; otherwise, they will not be able to cast a vote for such “non-routine” proposals. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, please follow their voting instructions so you can instruct your broker on how to vote your shares.

 

Voting and Revocation of ProxiesHow do I vote my shares?

 

If you are a record holder, you may vote your shares at the Special Meeting as follows:

You may submit your proxy on the Internet or by phone. Stockholders may vote via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com or by phone (as per instructions on the proxy card), 24 hours per day and seven days per week. You will need the control number included on your proxy card. Votes submitted via the Internet or phone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 18, 2023.

You may submit your proxy by mail. Stockholders may vote by signing and dating the proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed prepaid and addressed envelope. If you mark your choices on the card, your shares will be voted as you instruct.

You may vote during the Special Meeting. Instructions on how to vote while participating in the Special Meeting via live webcast are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WRAP2023SM.

The proxy is fairly simple to complete, with specific instructions on the electronic ballot, telephone or card. By completing and submitting your proxy, is properly returnedyou will direct the designated person (known as a “proxy”) to the Company, the shares represented thereby will be votedvote your stock at the AnnualSpecial Meeting in accordance with your instructions. The Board has appointed each of Chris DeAlmeida and Kevin Mullins to serve as the proxy for the Special Meeting.

Your proxy will be valid only if you complete and return it before the Special Meeting. If you properly complete and transmit your proxy but do not provide voting instructions specified thereon. with respect to a proposal, then the designated proxies will vote your shares “FOR” for the Issuance Proposal and the Director Participation Proposal. We do not anticipate that any other matters will come before the Special Meeting, but if any other matters properly come before the meeting, then the designated proxies will vote your shares in accordance with applicable law and their judgment.

If you hold your shares in “street name,” your bank, broker or other nominee should provide to you a request for voting instructions along with the Company’s proxy solicitation materials. By completing the voting instruction card, you may direct your nominee how to vote your shares. If you partially complete the voting instruction but fail to complete one or more of the voting instructions, then your nominee may be unable to vote your shares with respect to the proposal as to which you provided no voting instructions. See “What is a broker non-vote?” Alternatively, if you want to vote your shares during the Special Meeting, you must contact your nominee directly in order to obtain a proxy issued to you by your nominee holder. Note that a broker letter that identifies you as a stockholder is not the same as a nominee-issued proxy.

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What if I do not specify how I want my shares voted?

If you return your proxy without specifying how the shares represented thereby are to be voted, the proxy will be voted (i) FOR the election ofIssuance Proposal, (ii) “FOR the seven director nominees named in this Proxy Statement, (ii) Director Participation Proposal, (iii) “FOR the approval of the compensation paid to our executive officers, (iii) FOR the frequency of non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation to be held every “THREE YEARS”Adjournment Proposal, and (iv)FOR ratification of the appointment of Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. as our independent auditors for the current fiscal year, and (v) at the discretion of the proxy holders on any other matter that may properly come before the AnnualSpecial Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Can I change my vote?

 

You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before the AnnualSpecial Meeting by (i) filing, with our Corporate Secretary at our executive offices, located at 1817 W 4th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281, a notice of revocation or another signed proxy with a later date, or (ii) by voting online at the virtual AnnualSpecial Meeting. Attendance at the virtual AnnualSpecial Meeting by itself will not revoke a proxy. Shares can be voted at the AnnualSpecial Meeting only if the holder is present or represented by proxy. If you are a stockholder whose shares are not registered in your own name, you will need additional documentation from your broker or record holder to vote personally at the AnnualSpecial Meeting.

 

No Appraisal RightsWho counts the votes?

All votes will be tabulated by Daniel Ramsey, the inspector of election appointed for the Special Meeting.

Do I have any dissenters or appraisal rights with respect to any of the matters to be voted on at the Special Meeting?

 

The stockholders of the Company have no dissenter’s or appraisal rights in connection with any of the proposals described herein.

 

SolicitationWhat are the solicitation expenses and who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?

 

We will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of the Notice, as well as the preparation and posting of this Proxy Statement the Annual Report and any additional solicitation materials furnished to stockholders. Copies of any solicitation materials will be furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in their names that are beneficially owned by others so that they may forward this solicitation material to such beneficial owners. In addition, we may reimburse such persons for their costs in forwarding the solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. The original solicitation of proxies may be supplemented by a solicitation by telephone, e-mail or other means by our directors, officers or employees. No additional compensation will be paid to these individuals for any such services. Except as described above, we do not presently intend to solicit proxies other than by e-mail, telephone and mail.

 

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We

Is this Proxy Statement the only way that proxies are being solicited?

No. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mail, telephone, officers and employees of the Company, we have also retained Morrow Sodali to assist it in the solicitation of proxies for the AnnualSpecial Meeting. Morrow Sodali will solicit proxies our behalf from individuals, brokers, bank nominees and other institutional holders in the same manner described above. Morrow Sodali will receive a fee of $35,000,$20,000, plus approved and reasonable out of pocket expenses, for its services for the solicitation of the proxies for our AnnualSpecial Meeting. We have also agreed to indemnify Morrow Sodali against certain claims.

What is householding and how does it affect me?

With respect to eligible stockholders who share a single address, we may send only one copy of the proxy materials to that address unless we receive instructions to the contrary from any stockholder at that address. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, if a stockholder of record residing at such address wishes to receive a separate proxy materials in the future, he or she may contact Wrap Technologies, Inc., by sending a request to Morrow Sodali at 333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower, Stamford, CT 06902, or contacting them at +1 (800) 662-5200. Eligible stockholders of record receiving multiple copies of our proxy materials can request householding by contacting us in the same manner. Stockholders who own shares through a bank, broker or other intermediary can request householding by contacting the intermediary or by contacting the Company at the above address or phone number.

We hereby undertake to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a copy of the proxy materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was delivered. Requests should be directed to the address or phone number set forth above.

Where can I find voting results?

We expect to publish the voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we expect to file with the SEC within four business days after the Special Meeting.

Who can help answer my questions?

The information provided above in this “question and answer” format is for your convenience only and is merely a summary of the information contained in this Proxy Statement. We urge you to carefully read this entire Proxy Statement, including the documents we refer to in this Proxy Statement. If you have further questions, you mayor need additional materials, please feel free to contact the Company’sour proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, at:

 

Morrow Sodali LLC
470 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
Telephone: +1 (800) 662-5200
(banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400)
Toll-free at 1 800+1 (800) 662-5200
WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com

 

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8

 

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1

THE ISSUANCE PROPOSAL

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORSBackground and Description of Proposal

 

GeneralFinancing Transaction

 

Our Bylaws provideOn June 29, 2023, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with certain directors of the Company and certain accredited and institutional investors (collectively, the “Investors”), pursuant to which we sold to the Investors in a registered direct offering (the “Offering”) (i) an aggregate of 10,000 shares (the “Preferred Shares”) of our newly-designated Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, with par value $0.0001 per share and a stated value of $1,000 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), convertible into shares of our Common Stock, and (ii) warrants (the “InvestorWarrants”) to acquire up to an aggregate of 6,896,553 shares of Common Stock (the “InvestorWarrant Shares”). We engaged Katalyst Securities LLC (the “Placement Agent”) as our exclusive placement agent in connection with the Offering and, pursuant to an Engagement Agreement, dated June 29, 2023, between us and the Placement Agent (the “Engagement Agreement”), we issued to the Placement Agent or its designees warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 551,725 shares of Common Stock (the “Placement Agent Warrant Shares”) at an exercise price of $1.45 per share. The Preferred Shares are convertible into shares of Common Stock (the “Conversion Shares”) at the election of the holder at any time at an initial conversion price of $1.45 (the “Conversion Price”), which is subject to customary adjustments for stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications and the like, and subject to price-based adjustment in the event of any issuances of Common Stock, or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, at a price below the then-applicable Conversion Price (subject to certain exceptions). The holders of the Preferred Shares are entitled to dividends payable in cash or, at the election of the Company, in shares of Common Stock (“Dividend Shares”), or in a combination of cash and Dividend Shares, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations of the Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”). The Investor Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants are referred to collectively herein as the “Warrants,” and the Investor Warrant Shares and the Placement Agent Warrant Shares are referred to collectively herein as the “Warrant Shares.” The Dividend Shares, the Conversion Shares, and the Warrant Shares are referred to collectively herein as the “Common Shares.”

The Preferred Shares, the Warrants, and the Common Shares were issued pursuant to a registration statement on Form S‑3 (Registration No. 333‑260612), declared effective by the SEC on November 12, 2021, and a prospectus supplement, dated June 29, 2023, filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

In connection with the Offering, we agreed to seek the approval of our stockholders for the issuance of (i) Dividend Shares upon payment of dividends in respect of the Preferred Shares, (ii) Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, or (iii) Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants, as applicable, including any additional shares of Common Stock issuable as Dividend Shares, Conversion Shares, or Warrant Shares as a result of the anti-dilution adjustments discussed herein.

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Reasons for the Financing Transaction

As of March 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents were approximately $9.5 million. In June 2023, our Board determined that it was necessary to raise additional funds for general corporate purposes.

We believe that the Offering, which yielded gross proceeds of $10 million, was necessary in light of our cash and funding requirements at the time. We also believe that the anti-dilution protections contained in the Certificate of Designations and the Warrants were reasonable in light of market conditions and the size and type of the Offering and that we would not have been able to complete the sale of the Preferred Shares and Warrants unless such anti-dilution provisions were offered. In addition, at the time of the Offering, our Board considered numerous alternatives to the transaction, none of which proved to be feasible or, in the opinion of our Board, would have resulted in aggregate terms equivalent to, or more favorable than, the terms obtained in the Offering.

Purchase Agreement

The Preferred Shares and Investor Warrants were issued on July 6, 2023 (the “Closing Date”) pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the Engagement Agreement. The Purchase Agreement provided for the sale of the Preferred Shares and the Warrants on the Closing Date for gross proceeds of approximately $10 million.

The Purchase Agreement obligates us to indemnify the Investors and various related parties for certain losses including those resulting from (i) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by us, (ii) any breach of any obligation of ours, and (iii) certain claims by third parties.

The Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties of us and the Investors that are typical for transactions of this type. In addition, the Purchase Agreement contains customary covenants on our part that are typical for transactions of this type as well as the following additional covenants: (i) until the earlier of (x) such date that no Warrants remain outstanding and (y) two years from the Closing Date, we agreed not to enter into any variable rate transactions; (ii) until the 18 months anniversary of the Closing Date, we agreed not to issue any share of Common Stock or convertible security at a purchase price or conversion price, as applicable, below the applicable Conversion Price until an aggregate of eighty percent (80%) of the Preferred Shares have been converted into shares of Common Stock, subject to certain exceptions; (iii) we agreed to offer to the Investors who purchased securities in the Offering for aggregate consideration equal to or in excess of $1 million until two years from the Closing Date, the opportunity to participate in any subsequent securities offerings by us; and (iv) we agreed to hold a stockholder meeting no later than October 1, 2023, at which we would use our best efforts to solicit our stockholders’ affirmative vote for approval of our issuance of the maximum number of Common Shares issuable upon the payment of dividends in respect of the Preferred Shares, the conversion of the Preferred Shares, and the exercise of the Warrants, each in accordance with applicable law and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market. This Issuance Proposal is intended to fulfill this last covenant.

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Engagement Agreement

The Placement Agent Warrants were issued on the date of the Closing pursuant to the terms of the Engagement Agreement. The Engagement Agreement provided for the issuance of the Placement Agent Warrants to the Placement Agent or its designees as compensation for the Placement Agent’s services in connection with the Offering.

Voting Agreement

Certain stockholders, who beneficially held approximately       % of our outstanding Common Stock as of the Record Date, are party to a voting agreement pursuant to which, among other things, each such stockholder agreed, solely in their capacity as a stockholder, to vote all of their shares of Common Stock in favor of the approval of the Issuance Proposal and against any actions that could adversely affect our ability to perform our obligations under the Purchase Agreement. The voting agreement also places certain restrictions on the transfer of the shares of Common Stock held by the signatories thereto.

Preferred Shares

The terms of the Preferred Shares are as set forth in a Certificate of Designations, which was filed with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware on July 3, 2023. The Certificate of Designations was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Preferred Shares are convertible into shares of Common Stock at the option of the respective holders at any time at the Conversion Price. The initial Conversion Price, subject to adjustment as set forth in the Certificate of Designations, is $1.45 per share. The Conversion Price is subject to customary adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications and the like. The Conversion Price is also subject to “full ratchet” price-based adjustment in the event of any issuances of Common Stock, or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, at a price below the then-applicable Conversion Price (subject to certain exceptions).

The holders of the Preferred Shares are entitled to dividends of 8% per annum, compounded monthly, which are payable in cash or, at our election, shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations. If we elect to pay any dividends in shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price used to calculate the number of directorsshares issuable will equal to the lower of (i) the then applicable Conversion Price and (ii) 85% of the arithmetic average of the three (3) lowest closing prices of the Common Stock during the twenty (20) consecutive trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the dividend payment date, provided that constitutesuch price shall not be lower than the entire Boardlower of Directors (the “Board(x) 0.2828 (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar events ) shall be fixedand (y) 20% of the “Minimum Price” (as defined in Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635) on the date the stockholders approve this Issuance Proposal (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar events) or, in any case, such lower amount as permitted, from time to time, by resolution adoptedthe Nasdaq Stock Market. Upon conversion or redemption, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock are also entitled to receive a dividend make-whole payment.

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The Certificate of Designations includes certain Triggering Events (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), including, among other things, the failure by us to pay any amounts due to the holders of the Preferred Shares when due. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Triggering Event, Preferred Shares will accrue dividends at the rate of 20% per annum.

If on any day after the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock (i) the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $4.35 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar events) for 20 consecutive trading days (the “Mandatory Conversion Measuring Period”), (ii) the daily dollar trading volume of the Common Stock has exceeded $2 million per trading day during the same period, and (iii) certain equity conditions described in the Certificate of Designations are satisfied, then we will have the right to deliver written notice (“Mandatory Conversion Notice”) of the Mandatory Conversion (as defined below) to all holders setting forth (x) the date on which Mandatory Conversion shall occur (which date shall be the second trading day following the date on which holders received Mandatory Conversion Notice) and (y) the aggregate number of Preferred Stock which we elect to be subject to such Mandatory Conversion from the holder, and, on such Mandatory Conversion Date, we shall convert all or any portion of each holder’s shares of Preferred Stock into Conversion Shares at the then effective Conversion Price (the “Mandatory Conversion”). If any of the Equity Conditions shall cease to be satisfied at any time during Mandatory Conversion Measuring Period, then, at the option of the holder of Preferred Stock, the Mandatory Conversion shall be deemed withdrawn and void ab initio.

At any time beginning 18 months after the closing of the Offering, provided that certain equity conditions described in the Certificate of Designations are satisfied, we have the right to redeem in cash all or some of the Preferred Shares outstanding at such time at a redemption price equal to the product of (x) 125% multiplied by (y) the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) of the Preferred Shares being redeemed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, our ability to settle conversions and make dividend make-whole payments using shares of Common Stock is subject to certain limitations set forth in the Certificate of Designations, including a limit on the number of shares that may be issued until the time, if any, that our stockholders have approved the issuance of more than 19.9% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules (the “Nasdaq Stockholder Approval”). We agreed to seek Nasdaq Stockholder Approval of these matters at a meeting to be held no later than October 1, 2023. The Special Meeting is being held and this Issuance Proposal is being submitted to our stockholders in order to obtain the Nasdaq Stockholder Approval. Further, the Certificate of Designations contains certain beneficial ownership limitations after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of, or as part of any dividend make-whole payment under, the Certificate of Designations.

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We are subject to certain affirmative and negative covenants regarding the incurrence of indebtedness, the existence of liens, the repayment of indebtedness, the payment of cash in respect of dividends (other than dividends pursuant to the Certificate of Designations), distributions or redemptions, and the transfer of assets, among other matters.

Warrants

The Warrants will become exercisable after the date that is six months from the date of issuance (except that any Warrant issued to one of our directors may not be exercised prior to date that is the later of (x) the date on which we receive Nasdaq Stockholder Approval and (y) the date that is six months from the date of issuance) at an initial exercise price of $1.45 per share (the “Exercise Price”) and expire five years from the date of issuance. The Exercise Price is subject to customary adjustments for stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications and the like, and subject to price-based adjustment, on a “full ratchet” basis, in the event of any issuances of Common Stock, or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, at a price below the then-applicable Exercise Price but not less than the lower of (i) $0.2828 and (ii) 20% of the “Minimum Price” (as defined in Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635) on the date the stockholders approve this Issuance Proposal (subject to certain exceptions). The Warrants may be exercised for cash, provided that, if there is no effective registration statement available registering the exercise of the Warrants, the Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis.

As long as 85% of the Preferred Stock is outstanding, if there is a reconstitution of our board of directors of whereby three or more members of such board of directors resign or are replaced (a “Board Reconstitution”), we shall, at the holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the Board Reconstitution, purchase the Warrant from the holder by paying to the holder an amount of cash equal to the Board Reconstitution Black Scholes Value (as defined in the Warrant) of the remaining unexercised portion of the Warrant on the date of the Board Reconstitution; provided, however, that a change in the composition of our board of directors shall not constitute a “Board Reconstitution”, so long as continuing directors constitute at least a majority of our board of directors. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, a “continuing director” shall mean any member of our board of directors (a) who is a member of that board of directors on the closing date, (b) who was nominated for election by the board of directors a majority of whom were directors on the closing date or (c) whose election or nomination for election was approved by one or more of such directors.

Effect of Issuance of Securities

The potential issuance of the Common Shares, including any Common Shares issued pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions contained in the Certificate of Designations and the Warrants, would result in an increase in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, and our stockholders would incur dilution of their percentage ownership to the extent that the holders thereof convert their Preferred Shares or exercise their Warrants or to the extent that additional Common Shares are issued pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the Certificate of Designations or the Warrants. Because of potential adjustments to the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and exercise of the Warrants, the exact magnitude of the dilutive effect of the Preferred Shares and Warrants cannot be conclusively determined. However, the dilutive effect may be material to our current stockholders.

13

Reasons for Nasdaq Stockholder Approval

Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(d) requires us to obtain Nasdaq Stockholder Approval prior to a transaction, other than a public offering, involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by the Company of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock), which equals 20% or more of the Common Stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding immediately prior to the issuance at a price that is less than the lower of: (i) the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement in connection with such transaction or (ii) the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price of the Common Stock (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of such binding agreement. In the case of the Offering, the 20% threshold is determined based on the shares of our Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the execution of the Purchase Agreement, which was signed on June 29, 2023.

Immediately prior to the execution the Purchase Agreement, we had 41,935,676 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Therefore, the potential issuance of 14,344,831 shares of our Common Stock (consisting of 6,896,553 Conversion Shares (assuming issuance at the initial Conversion Price), 6,896,553 Investor Warrant Shares, and 551,725 Placement Agent Warrant Shares) would have constituted approximately 34% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the Offering. In addition, if a holders of the Preferred Shares elect to convert their Preferred Shares, the effective Conversion Price may be significantly lower than the initial Conversion Price, resulting in the issuance of a greater number of shares of Common Stock than would be issuable at the initial Conversion Price. Further, if we elect to pay each monthly dividend payment in the form of Dividend Shares, we will issue shares of Common Stock in addition to those into which the Preferred Shares are initially convertible, and the effective Dividend Conversion Price may be significantly lower than the initial Conversion Price, resulting in the issuance of a greater number of shares of Common Stock than would be issuable at the initial Conversion Price. We are seeking Nasdaq Stockholder Approval under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) for the sale, issuance or potential issuance by us of shares of our Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our Common Stock) in excess of 8,387,135 shares, which is 20% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation, as a result of the anti-dilution provisions of the Certificate of Designations or the Warrants, since such provisions may reduce the per share conversion price or exercise price, as the case may be, and result in the issuance of shares at less than the greater of market price or book value per share.

14

We intend to make the dividend payments due to holders of the Preferred Shares in the form of Dividend Shares to the extent allowed under the Certificate of Designations and applicable law, in order to preserve our cash resources. Because the effective Dividend Conversion Price used to determine the number of Dividend Shares issuable depends in part on the market price of our Common Stock at the time that a Dividend payment is due, we cannot predict how many Dividend Shares we will be required to issue in connection with such Dividend payments. In addition, we generally have no control over whether the holders of Preferred Shares convert their Preferred Shares (other than pursuant to the mandatory exercise feature of the Preferred Shares) or whether the Warrant holders exercise their Warrants. For these reasons, we are unable to accurately forecast or predict with any certainty the total amount of Common Shares that may be issued to the holders of the Preferred Shares or Warrants. Under certain circumstances, however, it is possible, that we may have to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock to the Preferred Share and Warrant holders under the terms of the Certificate of Designations and the Warrants, respectively. Therefore, we are seeking Nasdaq Stockholder Approval under this proposal to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, if necessary, to the Preferred Share and Warrant holders under the Certificate of Designations and the Warrants, respectively.

Nasdaq Stockholder Approval of this Issuance Proposal is also one of the conditions for us to receive up to an additional approximately $10.8 million upon the exercise of the Warrants, if exercised for cash. Loss of these potential funds could jeopardize our ability to execute our business plan.

Any transaction requiring approval by our stockholders under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) would likely result in a significant increase in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding, and, as a result, would likely lead to our current stockholders owning a smaller percentage of our outstanding shares of Common Stock.

Future issuances of securities in connection with the Offering, if any, may cause a significant reduction in the percentage interests of our current stockholders in voting power, any liquidation value, our book and market value, and any future earnings. Further, the issuance or resale of Common Shares issued to the Preferred Share and Warrant holders could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. In addition to the foregoing, the increase in the number of issued shares of Common Stock in connection with the Offering may have an incidental anti-takeover effect in that additional shares could be used to dilute the stock ownership of parties seeking to obtain control of us. The increased number of issued shares could discourage the possibility of, or render more difficult, certain mergers, tender offers, proxy contests or other change of control or ownership transactions.

Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, we are not permitted (without risk of delisting) to undertake a transaction that could result in a change in control of us without seeking and obtaining separate stockholder approval. We are not required to obtain stockholder approval for the Offering under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(b) because the Preferred Share and Warrant holders have agreed that, for so long as they hold any shares of our Common Stock, neither they nor any of their affiliates will acquire shares of our Common Stock which result in them and their affiliates, collectively, beneficially owning or controlling more than 4.99% (which percentage can be increased to 9.99% upon the holder’s election) of the total outstanding shares of our Common Stock.

15

Potential Consequences if the Issuance Proposal is Not Approved

After extensive efforts to raise capital on more favorable terms, we believed that the Offering was the only viable financing alternative available to us at the time. If our stockholders do not approve this proposal, we will not be able to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock to the Preferred Share and Warrant holders in connection with the Offering. As a result, we may be unable to make the dividend payments due to the holders of the Preferred Shares in shares of our Common Stock or issue sufficient shares upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or exercise of the Warrants. If we are unable to make such payments in shares of our Common Stock, we will have to satisfy such payment obligations by means of cash dividend or redemption payments to the holders of the Preferred Shares. If we do not have sufficient cash resources to make these payments, we may need to delay, reduce or eliminate certain research and development programs or other operations, sell some or all of our assets, or merge with another entity.

Interests of Certain Persons

When you consider our Board’s recommendation to vote in favor of this proposal, you should be aware that our directors and executive officers and existing stockholders may have interests that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of other of our stockholders. In particular, Scot Cohen (“Mr. Cohen”), one of our directors and the owner of more than 5% of our voting securities, and V4 Global LLC (“V4”), an entity over which Mr. Cohen exercises control and whose securities are beneficially owned by Mr. Cohen, participated in the Offering. Mr. Cohen may by unable to convert all of the Preferred Shares and exercise all of the Warrants issued to him in connection with the Offering if this proposal is not approved by our stockholders. Mr. Cohen will not, by virtue of the issuance of the Common Shares to which he is entitled upon the payment of dividends in respect of the Preferred Shares, the conversion of the Preferred Shares, and the exercise of the Warrants at the initial Conversion Price and Exercise Price, as applicable, acquire rights to a majority of the entire Board, but that in no event shall the number be less than three. A director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term of that director and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified. Our Board currently consists of eight directors. Ms. Kimberly Sentovich has notified the Company that she will not stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting, and will retire from the Board at that time. Mr. Sentovich has been a Directorvoting power of the Company, since April 2021, and will continuebased on the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as a Director until her term ends immediately prior toof the Annual Meeting. Following Ms. Sentovich's retirement andRecord Date. For further information about Mr. Cohen’s participation in the ElectionOffering, see the section titled “Proposal No.2” below, the relevant portions of Directors at the Annual Meeting, the Board will consist of seven directors, each of whom have been nominatedwhich are incorporated herein by our Nominating and Governance Committee for re-election at the Annual Meeting.reference.

Further Information

 

The seven director nominees for election at the Annual Meeting consist of Messrs. Wayne Walker, Kevin Mullins, Scot Cohen, Michael Parris, Kevin Sherman, Bruce Bernstein and Marc Savas.

Each director nominee, if elected at the Annual Meeting, will hold office for a one-year term until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successor is duly elected, unless prior thereto the director resigns, or the director’s office becomes vacant by reason of death or other cause. If any such person is unable or unwilling to serve as a director nominee at the dateterms of the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof,Purchase Agreement, the proxies may be voted for a substitute director nominee, designated byCertificate of Designations and the proxy holders and subjectWarrants are only briefly summarized above. For further information, please refer to the rules for shareholder director nominations set forth informs of the Bylaws, or byPurchase Agreement, the present Board to fill such vacancy, or for the balanceCertificate of those director nominees named without nomination of a substitute,Designations, and the Board may be reduced accordingly.Warrants, which were filed with the SEC as exhibits to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 30, 2023, and are incorporated herein by reference. The Board has no reasondiscussion herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to believe that any of such director nominees will be unwilling or unable to serve if elected as a director.  the filed documents.

 

Vote Required

 

The election of directors requiresIf a quorum is present and voting, the affirmative vote of a pluralitymajority of the voting sharessecurities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote duringon the Annual Meeting. The six nominees receivingIssuance Proposal is required to ratify such proposal. An abstention will have the highest numbereffect of affirmative votes will be elected. Abstentionsa vote against the Issuance Proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election ofvote with respect to the directors.Issuance Proposal.

 

Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR”FOR the electionIssuance Proposal.

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Board of Directors Recommendation

The Board recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the Issuance Proposal.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

THE DIRECTOR PARTICIPATION PROPOSAL

Background and Description of Proposal

The stockholders of the Company are being asked to approve, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), the issuance of Preferred Shares and Warrants, as well as Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants, in each case to a director nominees listed above.of the Company.

Description of the Offering

On June 29, 2023, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with the Investors, including Mr. Cohen, a director of the Company, and V4, an entity over which Mr. Cohen exercises control and whose securities are beneficially owned by Mr. Cohen (the “Affiliated Offering”), pursuant to which we issued to Mr. Cohen and V4 an aggregate of 3,000 Preferred Shares and Investor Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,068,966 Investor Warrant Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,000,000.70 (excluding the proceeds we may receive from the exercise of the warrants issued in the Affiliated Offering) (the “Affiliated Proceeds”). For further information about the Affiliated Offering, see the section titled “Proposal No.1” above, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Certificate of Designation provides that Preferred Shares held by a holder who serves as a director, officer or is an employee of the Company shall only be convertible into shares of Common Stock following receipt of the Nasdaq Stockholder Approval. Similarly, any Warrant issued to one of our directors may not be exercised prior to date that is the later of (x) the date on which we receive Nasdaq Stockholder Approval and (y) the date that is six months from the date of issuance).

Use of Proceeds

We expect to use the proceeds from the from the sale of the Affiliated Offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Reasons for the Financing Transaction

See the section titled “Proposal No.1Reasons for the Financing Transaction” above, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

18

Reasons for Stockholder Approval

Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) deems the issuance of common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, to a Nasdaq-listed company’s officers, directors, employees or consultants at a price less than the market value of such stock, calculated as the closing bid price for such shares on the trading day immediately prior to entry into the signing of a binding agreement to issue such common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, as equity compensation requiring stockholder approval unless the issuance is part of a public offering. Because (i) the Purchase Agreement and related transaction documents provided for the sale and issuance of Preferred Shares and Investor Warrants to Mr. Cohen, who is a director of the Company, and V4, an entity over which Mr. Cohen exercises control and whose securities are beneficially owned by Mr. Cohen, (ii) the Offering was not a public offering, and (iii) under certain circumstances, the effective per-share price of the Preferred Shares and Warrants sold to Mr. Cohen and V4 may be less than the closing bid price of our Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the trading day immediately prior to the date of the Purchase Agreement, stockholder approval is required pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) for such issuances to Mr. Cohen and V4.

When you consider our Board’ recommendation to vote in favor of the Director Participation Proposal, you should be aware that certain of our directors and executive officers and existing stockholders may have interests that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of other stockholders. In particular, if stockholder approval is obtained with respect to the Director Participation Proposal, Mr. Cohen and V4 will purchase securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and be entitled to received securities pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations and the Warrants, including the anti-dilution provisions contained therein, at an effective per-share price that may be below the closing bid price of our Common Stock on the day prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement.

Potential Adverse Effects; Dilution and Impact of the Offering on Existing Stockholders

The potential issuance of the Common Shares, including any Common Shares issued pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions contained in the Certificate of Designations and Warrants, in the Affiliated Offering will have a dilutive effect on current stockholders in that the percentage ownership of the Company held by such current stockholders will decline as a result of the issuance of such Common Shares. This means also that current stockholders will own a smaller interest in the Company as a result of such issuances and will therefore have less ability to influence significant corporate decisions requiring stockholder approval. The potential issuance of the Common Shares, including any Common Shares issued pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions contained in the Certificate of Designations and Warrants, in the Affiliated Offering could also have a dilutive effect on book value per share and any future earnings per share. Dilution of equity interests could also cause prevailing market prices for our Common Stock to decline. For further information, see the section titled “Proposal No.1Effect of Issuance of Securities” above, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Potential Consequences if the Director Participation Proposal is Not Approved

After extensive efforts to raise capital on more favorable terms, we believed that Mr. Cohen and V4’s participation in the Offering necessary to raising the amount of capital that we deemed necessary to sustain our business. If our stockholders do not approve this proposal, we will redeem the securities issued to Mr. Cohen and V4 and refund the aggregate gross proceeds received from Mr. Cohen and V4 in connection their participation in the Offering.

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Interests of Certain Persons

When you consider our Board’s recommendation to vote in favor of this proposal, you should be aware that our directors and executive officers and existing stockholders may have interests that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of other of our stockholders. In particular, Mr. Cohen is a member of our Board and Mr. Cohen will not be able to convert his Preferred Shares (or those issued to V4) or exercise his Warrants (or those issued to V4) unless the Company approves this proposal.

Vote Required

If a quorum is present and voting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting securities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote on the Director Participation Proposal is required to ratify such proposal. An abstention will have the effect of a vote against the Director Participation Proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with respect to the Director Participation Proposal.

Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the Director Participation Proposal.

 

Board of Directors Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the election of Messrs. Walker, Mullins, Cohen, Parris, Sherman, Bernstein and Savas.Director Participation Proposal.

Director Nominees

The following section sets forth certain information regarding the nominees for election as directors of the Company. There are no family relationships between any of the director nominees and the Company’s executive officers.

Name

Age

Positions

Independent

Director Since

Wayne Walker

64

Chairman of the Board

X

November 2018

Kevin Mullins

54

Chief Executive Officer and Director

April 2023

Scot Cohen

53

Director

November 2017

Michael Parris

63

Director

X

November 2017

Kevin Sherman

52

Director

X

April 2021

Bruce T. Bernstein

59

Director

X

April 2023

Marc Savas

55

Director

X

April 2023

 

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Wayne WalkerPROPOSAL NO. 3 was appointed as a director of the Company in November 2018, as Lead Independent Director from January 2021 to June 2021, and as Chairman of the Board in January 2022. Mr. Walker has more than 30 years of experience in corporate law, governance and corporate restructuring, including 15 years at the DuPont Company in the Securities and Bankruptcy Group, where he worked in the Corporate Secretary’s office and served as Senior Counsel. In 2003, Mr. Walker founded Walker Nell Partners, Inc. (“Walker Nell”), an international business consulting firm providing corporate governance and restructuring, fiduciary services, litigation support, and other services to client corporations and law firms, where he continues to serve as President. Mr. Walker currently serves on the board of directors of Petro Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTPI), AYRO, Inc. (NASDAQ: AYRO), AMMO, Inc. (NASDAQ: POWW), and Pharmacyte Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: PMBC). He is the former Vice President of the Board of Education of the City of Philadelphia, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of National Philanthropic Trust, a public charity that holds over $11.0 billion of assets under management, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity International, a global non-profit, non-governmental housing organization. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Loyola University New Orleans and a Juris Doctorate from Catholic University of America. He also studied finance for non-financial managers at the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.

THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

 

The Board believes that Mr. Walker’s substantial knowledgeBackground and more than 30 yearsDescription of experience in corporate governance, restructuring and corporate litigation enhances the Board’s corporate governance and related experience.

Kevin Mullins began serving as the Company’s President on April 18, 2022, as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on April 14, 2023, and as a director of the Company on April 21, 2023. Prior to being appointed as the Company’s President, Mr. Mullins served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Intrensic, LLC since 2015, which provides digital evidence and video management software solutions for law enforcement agencies. Mr. Mullins has also served on the board of directors of SaferMobility, LLC since 2013, a provider of a campus security solution that delivers personal safety through an easy-to-use smartphone application that connects directly to your security or law enforcement teams. Mr. Mullins received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Virginia’s College at Wise, Virginia, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Board believes Mr. Mullins knowledge in the security and law enforcement market, together with his experience with the Company since his appointment as President, provides valuable insight and experience as a member of the Board.

Scot Cohen cofounded the Company with Messrs. James Barnes and Elwood Norris in March 2016, and currently serves as a director of the Company. Mr. Cohen served as Executive Chairman of the Company from July 2017 until June 2021. Prior to July 2017, he served as a Manager until the Company’s incorporation in March 2017 at which time he was appointed as the Company’s Corporate Secretary until January 2018. Mr. Cohen has over 20 years of experience in institutional asset management, wealth management, and capital markets. He currently manages several operating partnerships that actively invest in the energy sector in addition to maintaining an active investment portfolio in various public companies, early-stage private companies, hedge funds and alternative assets including real estate. Some of these include serving as principal of the Iroquois Capital Opportunity Fund, a closed end private equity fund he founded in 2010 which focuses on investments in North American oil and gas assets; as the Manager of V3 Capital, LLC, an investor in public and private companies that he founded in 2015, and was the co-founder of Iroquois Capital Investment Group, LLC. Mr. Cohen currently sits on the board of directors of Charlie’s Holding, Inc., and serves as Executive Chair of the Board of Petro River Oil Corp. since 2012. Mr. Cohen earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University.

The Board believes Mr. Cohen’s success with multiple private investment firms, his extensive contacts within the investment community and financial expertise strengthens the Company’s efforts to raise capital to fund the continued implementation of its business plan.  

Michael Parris was appointed as a director of the Company in November 2017. Mr. Parris has been a partner at Perry Rogers Partners Inc. (“Perry Rogers”), a sports management firm, since 1996, where he primarily oversees the SHAQ Brand and other strategic alliances. His role at Perry Rogers encompasses business development, worldwide brand management, marketing and public relations. Prior to joining Perry Rogers, Mr. Parris had a successful career in law enforcement with the Newark Police Department in Newark, New Jersey, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. During his career in law enforcement, he worked and commanded several specialized units, including Homicide, Robbery, and Internal Affairs. Mr. Parris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

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The Board believes that given his background in law enforcement and worldwide marketing and brand experience, Mr. Parris’ broad experience and insights into the markets served by the Company benefits the Board and the Company.

Kevin Sherman was appointed as a director of the Company in April 2021. Mr. Sherman currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Beverages, Inc. (“Tractor”).  Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sherman served as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Revenue Officer, positions he held since 2018. Mr. Sherman has served as a member of the board of directors of Tractor since 2015. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Sherman served as a member of the board of directors, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chief Marketing Officer of True Drinks, Inc. Mr. Sherman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Gordon College and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Loyola Marymount University.   

The Board believes that Mr. Sherman's extensive experience in marketing products, building brands and driving revenue growth enhances the Board's experience and makes him a valuable member of the Board and as a resource for the management team.

Bruce Bernstein was appointed as a director of the Company in April 2023. Mr. Bernstein has over thirty-five years of experience in the securities industry, primarily as senior portfolio manager for two alternative finance funds as well as in trading and structuring of arbitrage strategies. Mr. Bernstein has served as President of Rockmore Capital, LLC since 2006, the manager of a direct investment and lending fund with peak assets under management of $140 million. Previously, he served as Co-President of Omicron Capital, LP, an investment firm based in New York, which he joined in 2001. Omicron Capital focused on direct investing and lending to public small cap companies and had peak assets under management of $260 million. Prior to joining Omicron Capital, Mr. Bernstein was with Fortis Investments Inc., where he was Senior Vice President in the bank’s Global Securities Arbitrage business unit, specializing in equity structured products and equity arbitrage and then President in charge of the bank’s proprietary investment business in the United States. Prior to Fortis, Mr. Bernstein was Director in the Equity Derivatives Group at Nomura Securities International specializing in cross-border tax arbitrage, domestic equity arbitrage and structured equity swaps. Mr. Bernstein started his career at Kidder Peabody, where he rose to the level of Assistant Treasurer. Mr. Bernstein serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Xwell, Inc. (Formerly XpresSpa Holdings, Inc.) the leading airport spa company in the world, based in New York, serves as a Director for Neurotrope since November 14, 2016 and, Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Bernstein holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from City University of New York (Baruch).

The Board believes that Mr. Bernstein’s experience in finance, audit, capital markets and in advising public companies provides significant benefit to the Company and as a member of the Board.

Marc Savas was appointed as a director of the Company in April 2023. Mr. Savas has over thirty-five years of experience in accelerating revenue for companies, and is skilled in developing and guiding leadership teams, executing tactical, strategic and technical plans, and brings a comprehensive understanding of organizational efficiency. Mr. Savas currently serves as President of Vector97, a privately held waste hauling and recycling consulting firm, since February 2012. He has overseen Vector97 from a startup company through engineering its sale to SIB in June of 2022. Mr. Savas remains President of Vector97 and has joined the SIB leadership team. He currently serves as a Director of SRAX since October 2015. Previously, he founded Unfair Advantage, Inc. and Living Full Blast, Inc., a management and efficiency consulting firm serving the Venture Capital and Legal vertical markets serving as Chief Executive officer until January 2012. Mr. Savas has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Motivational, Inc., a charitable organization, from July 2020 to present, and as a member of the Board of Directors of RMP, a charitable organization, from December 2022 to present. Mr. Savas holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northern Arizona University of Flagstaff Arizona, and completed the Executive Development Program of the Marshall School of Business of the University of Southern California.

The Board believes that Mr. Savas’ experience in organizational efficiency and effectiveness, together with his extensive knowledge in finance, scalability and implementing successful business strategies, makes him a valuable member of the Board.

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Board Diversity

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board (the “NGC”) reviews the requisite skills and characteristics of Board members as well as the composition of the Board as a whole when recommending nominees for the Board. Diversity is one of the factors the NGC considers in identifying nominees for director. The NGC has no predefined minimum criteria for selecting director nominees, although it believes that all directors should share qualities such as business experience, excellent decision-making ability, good judgment, personal integrity and outstanding reputation. In any given search, the NGC may also define particular characteristics for candidates to balance the overall skills and characteristics of the Company’s Board and its perceived needs. However, during any search, the NGC reserves the right to modify its stated search criteria for exceptional candidates.

The tables below provide certain highlights of the composition of our Board members and nominees as of the dates indicated. Each of the categories listed in the below table has the meaning as it is used in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f) We comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(f), which requires Nasdaq-listed companies to have at least two diverse directors. Each of the categories listed in the table below has the meaning as it is used in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(f).

Board Diversity Matrix

(As of May 19, 2023)

Total Number of Directors

7

 

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Gender Identity

    

Directors

1

6

Demographic Background

    

African American or Black

2

Alaskan Native or Native American

Asian

Hispanic or Latinx

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

1

3

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

LGBTQ+

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

 

1*

  

* Did not disclose with respect to LGBTQ+ background.

Board Diversity Matrix

(As of April 25, 2022)

Total Number of Directors

6

 

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Gender Identity

    

Directors

1

5

Demographic Background

    

African American or Black

2

Alaskan Native or Native American

Asian

Hispanic or Latinx

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

1

3

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

LGBTQ+

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

1*

* Did not disclose with respect to LGBTQ+ background.

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Director Nominations

The Board nominates directors for election at each annual meeting of stockholders, appoints new directors to fill vacancies when they arise, and has the responsibility to identify, evaluate and recruit qualified director candidates to the Board for such nomination or appointment.

The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies director nominees by first considering those current members of the Board who are willing to continue service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue service are considered for re-election, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board with that of obtaining a new perspective. After being nominated by the Nominating and Governance Committee, director nominees are selected by a majority of the members of the Board. Although the Company does not have a formal diversity policy, in considering the suitability of director nominees, both the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board consider such factors as they deem appropriate to develop a Board that is diverse in nature and comprised of experienced and seasoned advisors. Factors considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board include judgment, knowledge, skill, diversity, integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, including experience in law enforcement, the use of force product industry, intellectual property, business, corporate governance, marketing, finance, administration or public service, the relevance of a candidate’s experience to our needs and experience of other Board members, experience with accounting rules and practices, the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by new members, and the extent to which a candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees of the Board.

A stockholder who wishes to suggest a prospective director nominee for the Board may notify the Corporate Secretary of the Company in writing with any supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate. Director nominees suggested by stockholders are considered in the same way as director nominees recommended by other sources. 

Director IndependenceProposal

 

Our Board has reviewedapproved a proposal to adjourn the independenceSpecial Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of our directors based onproxies in the listing standardsevent that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). Based on this review,Issuance Proposal or the BoardDirector Participation Proposal.

The approval of Directors determined that Messrs. Walker, Sherman, Parris, Bernstein, Savas and Ms. Sentovich are independent, as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2)each of the Nasdaq rules. In making this determination, our Board consideredIssuance Proposal and the relationships that each of these non-employee directors has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence. 

Board Meetings

Directors hold office untilDirector Participation Proposal requires the next annual meeting of the stockholders or until their successors have been elected or appointed and duly qualified. Vacancies on the Board that are created by the retirement, resignation or removal of a director may be filled by theaffirmative vote of thea majority of the remaining members ofvoting securities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, at the Board, withSpecial Meeting and entitled to vote on such new director serving the remainder of the term or until his/her successor shall be elected and qualified.

proposal. The Board is elected by and is accountable to our stockholders. The Board establishes Company policy and provides strategic direction, oversight, and control. The Board met ten times duringbelieves that if the year ended December 31, 2022, and all incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and of the committees on which each of the directors served. The Board also acted by unanimous written consent three times during the year ended December 31, 2022.

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Committees of the Board of Directors

Our Board currently has three standing committees which consist of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Our Board has adopted written charters for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, copies of which are publicly available on our website at https://ir.wrap.com/ under the “Governance” tab. Our Board may establish other committees from time to time as it deems necessary or appropriate. The chart below reflects the standing committees of our Board and the composition of each committee as of the date of this Proxy Statement:

Committees

Director Name

Audit

Compensation

Nominating and

Governance

Kevin Mullins

Scot Cohen

Michael Parris

X

X

X

Kevin Sherman

X

CC

X

Wayne Walker

X

Kimberly Sentovich

CC

CC

Bruce Bernstein

X

Marc Savas

X

CC Committee Chair

X Member

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists our Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations in matters involving our accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions by approving the services performed by our independent accountants and reviewing their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee also oversees the audit efforts of our independent accountants and takes those actions as it deems necessary to satisfy that the accountants are independent of management. The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Michael Parris, Bruce Bernstein, Kevin Sherman and Kimberly Sentovich, with Ms. Sentovich serving as Chair, each of whom is a non-management member of our Board that we believe meets the criteria for independence under the applicable Nasdaq rules and SEC rules and regulations. Ms. Sentovich is also our designated Audit Committee financial expert, as defined under SEC rules. We believe that the composition of our Audit Committee meets the criteria for independence under the applicable Nasdaq rules and SEC rules and regulations, and the functioning of our Audit Committee complies with the applicable Nasdaq rules and SEC rules and regulations.

The Audit Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2022, with all members of the Audit Committee in attendance. The Audit Committee met with our Chief Financial Officer and with our independent registered public accounting firm and evaluated the responses by the Chief Financial Officer, both to the facts presented and to the judgments made by our independent registered public accounting firm. 

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee determines our general compensation policies and the compensation provided to our directors and officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and determines bonuses for our officers and other employees. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews and determines equity-based compensation for our directors, officers, employees and consultants and administers the 2017 Plan. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Michael Parris, Marc Savas, Kevin Sherman and Wayne Walker, with Kevin Sherman serving as Chair, each of whom is a non-management member of our Board that we believe meets the criteria for independence under the applicable Nasdaq rules and SEC rules and regulations. We believe that the composition of our Compensation Committee meets the criteria for independence under the applicable Nasdaq rules and SEC rules and regulations, and the functioning of our Compensation Committee complies with the applicable Nasdaq rules and SEC rules and regulations.

The Compensation Committee met informally numerous times during the year ended December 31, 2022, and all action recommended or taken with respect to executive compensation was subsequently presented to and approved by the full Board, with all members of the Compensation Committee in attendance. The Compensation also acted by Unanimous Written Consent three times during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to our Board regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our Board. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance guidelines and reporting and making recommendations to the full Board concerning corporate governance matters. The Nominating and Governance Committee currently consists of Ms. Kimberly Sentovich and Messrs. Michael Parris and Kevin Sherman, with Kimberly Sentovich serving as Chair.

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The Nominating and Governance Committee held two meetings during the year ended December 31, 2022, with all members of the Nominating and Governance Committee in attendance.

Board Role in Risk Assessment

Management, in consultation with outside professionals, as applicable, identifies risks associated with the Company’s operations, strategies and financial statements. Risk assessment will also be performed through periodic reportsvotes received by the Audit Committee from management, counsel and the Company’s independent registered public accountants relating to risk assessment and management. Audit Committee members meet privately in executive sessions with representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accountants. The Board also provides risk oversight through its periodic reviews of the financial and operational performance of the Company.

Board Leadership Structure

Wayne Walker serves as the Chair of the Board as an independent director. Our Board believes the Company is best served by having an independent Chair of the Board of Directors and it will review and consider the continued appropriateness of this structure at least annually.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company will indemnify its directors and officers against expenses and liabilities they incur to defend, settle, or satisfy any civil or criminal action brought against them on account of their being or having been Company directors or officers unless, in any such action, they are adjudged to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) applicable to all of our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. We will provide any person, without charge, a copy of our Code upon written request to Investor Relations, Wrap Technologies, Inc., at 1817 W 4th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281. A copy of the Code is publicly available by visiting our website at www.wrap.com.

Stockholder Communications

If you wish to communicate with the Board, you may send your communication in writing to:

Wrap Technologies, Inc.

1817 W 4th Street

Tempe, Arizona 85281

Attn: Corporate Secretary

You must include your name and address in the written communication and indicate whether you are a stockholder of the Company. Our Corporate Secretary will review any communication received from a stockholder, and all material and appropriate communications from stockholders will be forwarded to the appropriate director or directors or committee of the Board based on the subject matter.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) requires our officers, directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors, and greater-than-ten-percent stockholders are also required by the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

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Based solely on a review of copies of such reports furnished to our Company and representation that no other reports were required during the year ended December 31, 2022, we believe that all persons subject to the reporting requirements pursuant to Section 16(a) filed the required reports on a timely basis with the SEC, other than the below:

one late Form 4 filed by L.W. Varner Jr, the Company’s former Interim Chief Executive Officer;

one late Form 4 filed by TJ Kennedy, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer;

one late Form 4 filed by Kevin Mullins;

one late Form 4 filed by Glenn Hickman, the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer; and

one late Form 4 filed by Chris DeAlmeida.

PROPOSAL NO. 2

NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

General

We are providing our stockholders with the opportunity to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. This Say-on-Pay proposal is required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act), which added Section 14A to the Exchange Act.

Our executive compensation program is designed to attract key employees and to retain, motivate and reward our executive officers for their performance and contribution to our long-term success. Under these programs, our executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of corporate and individual performance objectives, and our executive officers’ incentives are aligned with stockholder value creation. These goals may include the achievement of specific financial or business development goals. Also, when possible and appropriate taking into account the Company’s financial condition and other related facts and circumstances, the Compensation Committee seeks to set performance goals that reach across all business areas and include achievements in finance/business development and corporate development.

The “Executive Compensation” section beginning on page 13 below describes, in detail, our executive compensation programs and the decisions made by our Board’s Compensation Committee with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022either proposal is less than said majority and 2021. Although we have no formal policy for a specific allocation between current and long-term compensation, or cash and non-cash compensation, when possible and appropriate consideringis therefore insufficient to approve such proposal, then it may be in the Company’s financial condition and other related facts and circumstances, webest interests of the stockholders to adjourn the Special Meeting to enable the Board to continue to seek to implementobtain a pay mix forsufficient number of additional votes to approve the Issuance Proposal or the Director Participation Proposal, as applicable.

In the Adjournment Proposal, we are asking stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board to vote in favor of adjourning or postponing the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If our officers withstockholders approve this proposal, we could adjourn or postpone the Special Meeting, and any adjourned session of the Special Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the Issuance Proposal or the Director Participation Proposal, as applicable.

Additionally, approval of the Adjournment Proposal could mean that, in the event we receive proxies indicating that a relatively equal balancemajority of both, providingvotes represented by the outstanding stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be against the Issuance Proposal or the Director Participation Proposal, we could adjourn or postpone the Special Meeting without a competitive salary with a significant portionvote on the Issuance Proposal or the Director Participation Proposal and use the additional time to solicit the holders of compensation awarded on both corporate and personal performance.those shares to change their vote in favor of the Issuance Proposal or the Director Participation Proposal, as applicable.

 

Vote Required

 

As an advisoryIf a quorum is present and voting, the affirmative vote the outcome of this proposal is not binding. The outcome of this Say-on-Pay proposal does not overrule any prior or future decision by the Company or the Board, including decisions made by the Compensation Committee, create or imply any change to the fiduciary dutiesa majority of the Companyvoting securities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy, at the Board, or create or imply any additional fiduciary duties for the Company or the Board. However, the Compensation Committee values the opinions expressed by our stockholders in theirSpecial Meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal andthe Adjournment Proposal is required to approve such proposal. An abstention will considerhave the outcomeeffect of a vote against the vote when making future compensation decisions for Named Executive Officers.Adjournment Proposal.

 

Board of Directors Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the following advisory resolution:Adjournment Proposal.

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the Annual Meeting pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby approved.

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PROPOSAL NO. 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE NON-BINDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ADVISORY VOTES

General

In Proposal No. 2, we are providing our stockholders the opportunity to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. In this Proposal No. 3, we are asking our stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote regarding the frequency of future executive compensation advisory votes. Stockholders may vote for a frequency of every one, two, or three years, or may abstain.

The Board will take into consideration the outcome of this vote in determining the frequency of future Say-on-Pay proposals. However, because this vote is advisory and non-binding, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold the required Say-on-Pay vote more or less frequently, but no less frequently than once every three years, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. In the future, we will propose an advisory vote on the frequency of the Say-on-Pay Vote at least once every six calendar years as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.

After careful consideration, the Board believes that a Say-on-Pay vote should be held every three years, and therefore our Board recommends that you vote for a frequency of THREE YEARS for future Say-on-Pay proposals. The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options (holding the vote once every year, every two years or every three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board.

Vote Required and Recommendation

On this non-binding matter, a stockholder may vote to set the frequency of the Say-on-Pay votes to occur every year, every two years, or every three years, or the stockholder may vote to abstain. The choice among those four choices that receives the highest number of votes will be deemed the choice of the stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the Say-on-Pay vote.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote to hold advisory Say-on-Pay votes on executive compensation THREE YEARS.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Officers

Our executive officers are appointed by the Board and serve at the discretion of the Board, subject to the terms of any employment agreements they may have with the Company. The following is a brief description of the present and past business experience of each of the Company’s current executive officers.

Name

Age

Positions

Kevin Mullins

54

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Chris DeAlmeida

45

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

Kevin Mullins’ present and past business experience is set forth in the preceding section under the heading “Director Nominees” on page 4.

Chris DeAlmeida began serving as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on July 25, 2022, and was appointed Secretary on April 21, 2023. Mr. DeAlmeidais an accomplished senior financial executive, with experience in financial management and analysis, financial reporting, investor relations, and mergers and acquisitions activity. Prior to his appointment, Mr. DeAlmeida was Chief Financial Officer of Encore Dredging Partners since January 2020, and acted as a consulting partner at BCH Group since 2018. Additional roles include Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer at Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ORN) from 2012 to 2018, Vice President Accounting and Finance at Orion Group Holdings, Inc. from 2007 to 2012 and Investor Relations at Continental Airlines, Inc. (NYSE:UAL) from 2005 to 2007. Prior to Continental, Mr. DeAlmeida held various progressing roles in accounting and finance with BMC Software, Inc. and Moody Review. Mr. DeAlmeida holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

There are no arrangements or understandings between our Company and any other person pursuant to which he was or is to be selected as a director, executive officer or nominee.

 

-13-

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation awarded to or earned by the current and former executive officers listed below during the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021. We have opted to comply with the reduced executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies,” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which require compensation disclosure for only our principal executive officers, the two most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive officer and up to two additional executive officers during the year. Throughout this document, the six officers below are referred to as our “Named Executive Officers or “NEOs”.

Name and Principal Position

Year

 

Salary

  

Bonus

  

Stock

Awards(1)

  

Option

Awards(2)

  

All Other

Compensation(3)

  

Total

 
                          

Kevin Mullins (4)

Chief Executive Officer and Director

2022

 

$

200,000

 ��

$

-

  

$

506,250

  

$

1,721,691

  

$

-

  

$

2,427,941

 
                          

Chris DeAlmeida (5)

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

2022

 

$

103,125

  

$

-

  

$

227,500

  

$

318,500

  

$

-

  

$

649,125

 
                          

TJ Kennedy (6)

Former Chief Executive Officer and Director

2022

 

$

276,667

  

$

50,000

  

$

742,982

  

$

2,293,879

  

$

-

  

$

3,363,528

 
                          

Glenn Hickman (7)

2022

 

$

225,000

  

$

25,000

  

$

106,500

  

$

-

  

$

-

  

$

356,500

 

Former Chief Operating Officer

2021

 

$

112,500

  

$

25,000

  

$

165,000

  

$

183,164

  

$

41,918

  

$

527,582

 
                          

LW Varner, Jr. (8)

Former Interim Chief Executive Officer

2022

 

$

-

  

$

-

  

$

50,000

  

$

-

  

$

150,000

  

$

200,000

 
                          

Thomas P. Smith (9)

2022

 

$

33,333

  

$

100,000

  

$

-

  

$

-

  

$

300,000

  

$

433,333

 

Former Chief Executive Officer and President

2021

 

$

400,000

  

$

100,000

  

$

-

  

$

994,043

  

$

-

  

$

1,494,043

 

(1)

Amounts reported in this column do not reflect the amounts actually received by our named executive officers. Instead, these amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted to the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 718 (“ASC 718”). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in the notes to our financial statements included in our Annual Report. As required by SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Specifically, the number in the table above includes:

for Mr. Mullins, RSU granted in April 2022, as part of an Inducement grant in connection with begin named President.;

for Mr. DeAlmeida, RSUs granted in July 2022, in connection with being named Chief Financial Officer;

for Mr. Kennedy, $725,000 for RSUs granted in April, in connection with being named Chief Executive Officer and $17,982 for RSUs granted for Board responsibilities from January 1, 2022 through April 17, 2022;

for Mr. Hickman, RSUs granted March 2022 and March 2021 for continued service; and

for Mr. Varner, RSUs granted February 19, 2022 in connection with being named Interim Chief Executive Officer.

(2)

Amounts reported in this column do not reflect the amounts actually received by our named executive officers. Instead, these amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of each stock option granted to the named executive officers during each fiscal year, as computed in accordance with ASC 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in the notes to our financial statements included in our Annual Report. As required by SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Our named executive officers will only realize compensation to the extent the trading price of our Common Stock is greater than the exercise price of such stock options. Specifically, the number in the table above includes:

for Mr. Mullins, $856,193 for options granted in April 2022 and $865,498 for Performance Options granted in April. 2022 in connection with begin named President.;

for Mr. DeAlmeida, options granted in July 2022, in connection with being named Chief Financial Officer;

for Mr. Kennedy, $1,141,589 for options granted in April 2022 and $1,152,290 for Performance Options granted in April 2022 in connection with being named Chief Executive Officer;

for Mr. Hickman, options granted in March 2021 for continued service; and

for. Mr. Smith, options granted in connection with his Separation Agreement in January 2022 and options granted in March 2021.

-14-

(3)

Amounts reported in this column represent other compensation paid to executive officers. Amounts for Mr. Hickman include $41,918 for his consulting agreement in 2021. For Mr. Varner, the amount reflects the consulting payments made to his consulting firm, LWV Consulting, LLC. For his services as Interim Chief Executive Officer during 2022. Amounts for Mr. Smith represent the severance payments made per his Separation Agreement.

(4)

Kevin Mullins was appointed as the Company’s President on April 18, 2022, as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on April 14, 2023, and was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors on April 21 2023.

(5)

Chris DeAlmeida was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective July 25, 2022, and was appointed Secretary on April 21, 2023.

(6)

TJ Kennedy served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from April 18, 2022, to April 14, 2023.

(7)

Glenn Hickmann served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer from July 2021 to April 17, 2023. He was paid $41,918 for consulting services in 2021 prior to becoming an employee, and this amount is included as Other Compensation in the table above.

(8)

LW Varner, Jr. served as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer from January 24, 2022, until his resignation effective April 18, 2022. LW Varner was paid as a consultant through LWV Consulting, LLC. And was not an employee of the Company.

(9)

Mr. Smith served as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer from October 2020 through March 2021, and as Chief Executive Officer from March 2021 through January 2022.

Employment Arrangements

Thomas Smith. Mr. Smith and the Company were parties to an At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement, dated September 9, 2020 (the “Smith Agreement”). Under the terms of the Smith Agreement, Mr. Smith’s employment by the Company was at-will and was for no specified period. The Smith Agreement also provided for the payment to Mr. Smith of $150,000 in consideration for Mr. Smith’s agreement to, among other covenants, not to compete with the Company following his termination of employment with the Company for a period of 12 months, or solicit customers, employees or others. The $150,000 required to be paid to Mr. Smith under the terms of the Smith Agreement was paid to Mr. Smith in September 2020.

Effective January 24, 2022, Mr. Smith resigned as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a director of the Company (the “Resignation Date”), pursuant to a separation agreement entered into by the Company and Mr. Smith on the Resignation Date (the “Separation Agreement”). Under the terms of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Smith is entitled to (i) a one-time bonus payment of $100,000 for the achievement of certain business objectives in 2021, (ii) severance in an amount equal to nine months of his base salary paid in installments over a period of nine months following the Resignation Date, (iii) continued vesting of equity-based awards granted pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Plan and outstanding as of the Resignation Date through and until December 31, 2022, (iv) an extension of the time period during which Mr. Smith may exercise outstanding vested stock options through the first anniversary of the Resignation Date (or, if earlier, through the original expiration date of the applicable stock option), and (v) reimbursement for the Company portion of any healthcare premiums provided to Mr. Smith and any covered dependents under COBRA through December 31, 2022, subject to Mr. Smith’s election of coverage under COBRA. As part of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Smith has entered into a general release of claims in favor of the Company, affirmed his obligations to abide by restrictive covenants, and agreed to a mutual non-disparagement covenant with the Company.

LW Varner, Jr. Effective on the date of Mr. Smith’s resignation, January 24, 2022, the Company announced the appointment of LW Varner, Jr., 71, as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Varner served as Interim Chief Executive Officer under the terms of a Consulting Agreement dated January 24, 2022, by and between the Company and LWV Consulting, LLC (the “Interim CEOConsulting Agreement”), pursuant to which LWV Consulting, LLC engaged Mr. Varner to provide consulting services for a term of four weeks (the “InitialTerm”), which term automatically renewed for two additional consecutive four-week periods (each additional four-week period being a “RenewalTerm”), unless notice of non-renewal was delivered by either LWV Consulting, LLC or the Company to the other party. The Interim CEO Consulting Agreement provided that LWV Consulting or Mr. Varner was entitled to receive: (i) a weekly consulting cash fee of $15,000 during the Initial Term, pro-rated for any partial week; and (ii) an equity-based award for each full week completed during the Initial CEO Term in a form determined at the Board’s discretion with a value as of the grant date equal to $5,000. During any Renewal Term, Mr. Varner was entitled to receive (1) a weekly consulting cash fee of $11,250 during the Renewal Term, pro-rated for any partial week; and (2) an equity-based award for each full week completed during the Renewal Term in a form determined at the Board’s discretion with a value as of the grant date equal to $3,750, which Renewal Term amounts remained subject to change upon certain conditions as provided by the Interim CEO Consulting Agreement. The Interim CEO Consulting Agreement terminated pursuant to its terms on April 18, 2022.

-15-

 

TJ Kennedy. On April 13, 2022, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Kennedy (the “Kennedy Employment Agreement”) for Mr. Kennedy to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective April 18, 2022. 

Effective April 13, 2023 (the “Resignation Date”), TJ Kennedy resigned as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant to a separation agreement entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Kennedy (the “Separation Agreement”). Under the terms of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Kennedy is entitled to (i) a one-time payment of $115,625 for the achievement of certain business objectives in 2022; (ii) severance in an amount equal to six months of his base salary paid in installments over a period of six months following the Resignation Date; (iii) the issuance of 122,670 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), in connection with the continued vesting of certain equity-based awards previously granted to Mr. Kennedy; (iv) the immediate vesting of nonqualified options to purchase 158,554 shares of Common Stock, (v) an extension of the time period during which Mr. Kennedy may exercise outstanding vested stock options through the first anniversary of the Resignation Date (or, if earlier, through the original expiration date of the applicable stock option); and (vi) reimbursement for the Company portion of any healthcare premiums provided to Mr. Kennedy and any covered dependents under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended (“COBRA”), for a period of 12 months following the Resignation Date, subject to Mr. Kennedy’s election of coverage under COBRA.  As part of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Kennedy has entered into a general release of claims in favor of the Company and affirmed his obligations to abide by restrictive covenants.

Kevin Mullins. On April 13, 2022, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Mullins (the “Mullins Employment Agreement”) for Mr. Mullins to serve as the Company’s President, effective April 18, 2022. Mr. Mullins was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on April 14, 2023 and was appointed as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors on April 21, 2023.

Pursuant to the Mullins Employment Agreement, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms therein, Mr. Mullins will serve as the Company’s President for a term of two years from the effective date of his appointment. On the second anniversary of such effective date of appointment (if Mr. Mullins’s employment has not been earlier terminated or a written notice of non-renewal has not been provided in the time provided to do so), and on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, the Mullins Employment Agreement will automatically renew and extend for a period of 12 months, unless otherwise terminated in accordance with its terms. As compensation for Mr. Mullins’s services to the Company, the Mullins Employment Agreement entitles Mr. Mullins to the following cash payments: (i) an annualized base salary of $300,000 (the “Mullins Base Salary”) and (ii) eligibility for a discretionary cash bonus, with a target amount initial set at 75% of the Mullins Base Salary, but with the final amount to be determined at the sole discretion of the Board.

In addition, and subject to Board approval within ten business days following the Commence Date, Mr. Mullins will be granted the following equity awards, which will be awarded as an inducement for Mr. Mullins appointment as the Company’s President in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) (the “Inducement Awards”). The Inducement Awards consist of:

175,173 RSUs computed as a grant date fair value of $506,250, which will vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first through third anniversaries of the Commencement Date, subject to Mr. Mullins’s continued employment through each of the vesting dates. Vesting of the RSUs will accelerate upon the occurrence of certain conditions, as more specifically set forth in the Mullins Employment Agreement;

A nonqualified option (the “Mullins Option”) to purchase up to 356,747 shares of Common Stock computed at a grant date fair market value of $506,250, at an exercise price of $2.89 per share. The Mullins Option will vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first through third anniversaries of the effective date of Mr. Mullins’s employment, subject to Mr. Mullins’s continued employment through each of the vesting dates. Vesting of the Mullins Option will accelerate upon certain events, as more specifically set forth in the Mullins Employment Agreement; and

-16-

A nonqualified option (the “Mullins Performance Option”) to purchase up to 692,398 shares of Common Stock equal to 1.69% of the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Commencement Date, at an exercise price of $2.89 per share. The Mullins Performance Option will vest, subject to Mr. Mullins’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date, as follows: (i) 1/3rd of the Mullins Performance Option will vest on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $250 million for each trading day during three consecutive months, (ii) 1/3rd of the Mullins Performance Option will vest on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $500 million for each trading day during three consecutive months, and (iii) the remaining 1/3rd of the Mullins Performance Option will vest on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $1 billion for each trading day during three consecutive months.

In the event Mr. Mullins’ employment is terminated by either party for any reason, Mr. Mullins will be entitled to: (i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary earned during his employment with the Company and applicable to all pay periods prior to the termination date; (ii) any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred, so long as Mr. Mullins makes any reimbursement request within 30 days following termination; and (iii) any employee benefits to which Mr. Mullins may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans or programs which Mr. Mullins participates as of the date of termination of Mr. Mullins’ employment.

If Mr. Mullins’ employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined below), or by Mr. Mullins for Good Reason (as defined below), or upon the end of the initial two-year term or a subsequent renewal term as the result of the Company’s issuance of a notice of non-renewal, then, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Mullins Employment Agreement (including the execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims), Mr. Mullins will be entitled to: (i) severance payments in a total amount equal to 12 months’ worth of the Mullins Base Salary; (ii) any earned but unpaid annual bonus in respect of any completed year that has ended prior to the date of termination; and (iii) receive reimbursement, for a period of up to 12 months, for a portion of the premiums that Mr. Mullins elects to pay for continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plans.

For purposes of the Mullins Employment Agreement: (i) “Good Reason” is defined as (A) a material diminution in either the Base Salary, or Mullins Base Salary, as applicable, not in connection with an Across-the-Company Reduction (as defined in the Employment Agreements), (B) a material diminution in the authority, duties, and responsibilities of either Mr. Kennedy or Mr. Mullins as Chief Executive Officer and President, respectively (collectively, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Mullins are referred to herein as the “Officers”) , or (C) a material breach by the Company of any of its obligations under the respective Officer’s Employment Agreement, which shall include the failure of the Board to approve either Officer’s equity-based compensation; and (ii) “Cause” is defined as (T) either Officer’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between such Officer and the Company, including such Officer’s material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement; (U) an Officer’s material breach of any policy or code of conduct established by the Company and applicable to such Officer that has been previously disclosed or made available to such officer; (V) an Officer’s violation of any law applicable to the workplace (including any law regarding anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, or anti-retaliation); (W) an Officer’s breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement; (X) the willful misconduct or gross negligence of an Officer which is, or reasonably could be expected to be, materially injurious to the Company; (Y) the commission by an Officer of, or conviction or indictment of an Officer for, or plea of nolo contendere by an Officer to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude or that could otherwise be injurious to the Company (including by being harmful to the Company’s reputation); or (Z) an Officer’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability (as defined in each respective Employment Agreement), to perform an Officer’s obligations pursuant to the respective Employment Agreement or to follow any lawful directive from the Board; provided, however, that if an Officer’s actions or omissions as set forth in this (T), (U), or (Z), are of such a nature that the Board (sitting without such Officer, if applicable) determines that they are curable by such Officer, such actions or omissions must remain uncured ten days after the Board first provided such Officer written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

On March 31, 2017, the Company adopted, and the stockholders approved, the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”). The Plan reserved 2.0 million shares of our Common Stock for issuance as one of four types of equity incentive awards: (i) stock options, (ii) shares of Common Stock, (iii) restricted stock awards, and (iv) restricted stock units. The Plan permits the qualification of awards under the plan as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

-17-

Stockholders ratified an increase to the shares authorized under the plan of an additional 2,100,000 shares in May 2019, an additional 1,900,000 shares in June 2020, an additional 1,500,000 shares in June 2021, and an additional 1,500,000 shares in May 2022, for a total of 9,000,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Plan as of the date of this Report. At December 31, 2022, there were 1,556,291 shares of Common Stock available for grant under the Plan.

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2022, with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance, aggregated as follows: 

Plan Category

 

Number of

securities to

be issued

upon exercise

of

outstanding

options and

rights

  

Weighted-

average

exercise price

of outstanding

options and

rights

  

Number of

securities

remaining

available for

future

issuance

under equity

compensation

plans

(excluding

securities

reflected in

column (a))

 
  

(a)

  

(b)

  

(c)

 
             

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  

5,491,399

  

$

4.55

   

1,556,291

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  

-

   

-

   

-

 

Total

  

5,491,399

  

$

4.55

   

1,556,291

 

Awards Granted Under the 2017 Plan

Because grants under the 2017 Plan are subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee, awards under the 2017 Plan that may be made in the future are not determinable. Future exercise prices for options granted under the 2017 Plan are also not determinable because they will be based upon the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant.

-18-

The following table discloses all awards granted to the persons or groups specified below under the current version of the 2017 Plan during our most recently completed fiscal year ended December 31, 2022:

Name and Position

Grant Date

 

All Other

Stock

Awards:

Number of

Shares of

Stock or

Units (#)

  

All Other

Option

Awards:

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Options (#)

  

Exercise

Price of

Option

Awards

($/Share) (1)

  

Grant

Date Fair

Value of

Stock and

Option

Awards

($) (2)

 

Executive Officers

                 
                  

Kevin Mullins, Chief Executive Officer and Director

4/19/2022

      

356,747

  

$

2.89

  

$

506.250

 
 

4/19/2022

  

175,173

      

$

2.89

  

$

506,250

 
 

4/19/2022

      

230,799

  

$

2.89

  

$

300,039

 
 

4/19/2022

      

230,799

  

$

2.89

  

$

205,411

 
 

4/19/2022

      

230,800

  

$

2.89

  

$

360,048

 
                  

Chris DeAlmeida, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary

7/25/2022

  

125,000

      

$

1.82

  

$

227,500

 
 

7/25/2022

      

175,000

  

$

1.82

  

$

318,500

 
                  

Former Executive Officers

                 
                  

TJ Kennedy, Former Chief Executive Officer

4/19/2022

      

475,662

  

$

2.89

  

$

675,000

 
 

4/19/2022

  

17,301

      

$

2.89

  

$

50,000

 
 

4/19/2022

  

233,564

      

$

2.89

  

$

675,000

 
 

4/19/2022

      

307,277

  

$

2.89

  

$

479,352

 
 

4/19/2022

      

307,277

  

$

2.89

  

$

273,477

 
 

4/19/2022

      

307,278

  

$

2.89

  

$

399,461

 
 

6/30/2022

  

1,536

      

$

1.86

  

$

2,857

 
 

11/16/2022

  

5,602

      

$

2.70

  

$

15,125

 
                  

Glenn Hickman, Former Chief Operating Officer

3/2/2022

  

50,000

      

$

2.13

  

$

106,500

 
                  

LW Varner, Jr., Former Interim Chief Executive Officer

2/19/2022

  

21,186

      

$

2.36

  

$

49,999

 
                  

Others

                 
                  

Non-Employee Directors

11/16/2022

  

28,010

      

$

2.70

  

$

75,627

 
 

11/16/2022

  

40,660

      

$

1.86

  

$

75,628

 
 

11/16/2022

  

44,225

      

$

1.71

  

$

75,625

 
                  

Employees and Consultants (excluding executive officers)

Various

      

253,000

  

$2.55 to $3.93

  

$

814,030

 
 

Various

  

198,129

      

$1.69 to $3.93

  

$

418,076

 

(1)

Each option was granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the grant date which was equal to the closing price of a share of our Common Stock, as reported by Nasdaq on the date of grant.

(2)

The amounts reported do not reflect the amounts actually received by the parties. Instead, these amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of all options and stock awards granted during fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as computed in accordance with ASC 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in the notes to our financial statements included in our Annual Report. As required by SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.

Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company has granted a total of 371,850 awards, as follows: On January 3, 2023, the Company granted a total 36,142 RSUs to various non-executive employees at a fair value grant price of $1.71 per share that vests 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The Company also issued a total 44,750 RSUs which vest over the first 12 months to directors in conjunction with services performed during the fourth quarter 2022 at a fair value grant price of $2.06 per share. On April 6, 2023, the Company granted a total 105,415 RSUs to various non-executive employees at a fair value grant price of $1.62 per share that vest immediately as part of employees’ 2022 bonus compensation.  On April 6, 2023, the Company granted a total 44,816 RSUs to Mr. Kennedy at a fair value grant price of $1.52 per share that vest immediately as part of Mr. Kennedy’s Separation Agreement.  On April 21, 2023, the Company granted a total 64,655 RSUs to Mr. Mullins at a fair value grant price of $1.16 per share that vest immediately as part of Mr. Mullins 2022 bonus compensation. On April 21, 2023, the Company granted a total 24,695 RSUs to Mr. DeAlmeida at a fair value grant price of $1.16 per share that vest immediately as part of Mr. DeAlmeida’s 2022 bonus compensation.  

-19-

Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2022

The following table provides information regarding each unexercised stock option to purchase our Common Stock and unvested shares underlying RSUs held by our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2022.

 

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name

Grant Date

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Unexercisable

 

Option

Exercise

Price

Option

Expiration

Date

 

Number

of

Shares

of

Stock

That

Have

Not

Vested

(#)

 

Market

Value

of Shares of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested ($)

(1)

 

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number

of Unearned

Shares,

Units or Other

Rights

That Have Not

Vested (#)

 

Equity Incentive

Plan

Awards: Market

or Payout

Value of

Unearned

Shares,

Units or Other

Rights

That Have Not

Vested ($)

               

TJ Kennedy

4/19/2022

-

921,832

(2)

$2.89

4/19/2032

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4/19/2022

-

-

 

-

-

 

250,865

(3)

$423,962

 

-

 

-

 

4/19/2022

-

475,662

(4)

$2.89

4/19/2032

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4/23/2021

26,250

3,750

(5)

$5.23

4/23/2031

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

               

Kevin Mullins

4/19/2022

-

692,398

(6)

$2.89

4/19/2032

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4/19/2022

-

-

 

-

-

 

175,173

(7)

$296,042

 

-

 

-

 

4/19/2022

-

356,747

(8)

$2.89

4/19/2032

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

               

Chris DeAlmeida

7/25/2022

-

175,000

(9)

$1.82

7/25/2032

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

7/25/2022

-

-

 

-

-

 

125,000

(10)

$211,250

 

-

 

-

               

Glenn Hickman

3/2/2022

-

-

 

-

-

 

50,000

(11)

$196,500

 

-

 

-

 

3/23/2021

33,055

36,945

(12)

$5.50

3/23/2031

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

3/23/2021

-

-

 

-

-

 

20,000

(13)

$78,600

 

-

 

-

               

Thomas Smith

3/8/2021

233,333

-

(14)

$5.22

1/24/2023

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4/1/2020

45,913

-

(14)

$4.26

1/24/2023

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

3/18/2019

1,000,000

-

(14)

$5.41

1/24/2023

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

(1)

The market value is computed based on the closing market price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2022 of $1.69 per share.

(2)

As part of Mr. Kennedy’s Employment Agreement dated April 13, 2022, a nonqualified option to purchase 2.25% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are issued and outstanding as of the Commencement Date, which will have an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Equity Plan) on the grant date, under the Equity Plan and which and will have terms and conditions substantially similar to those set forth in the Equity Plan and this Agreement (the “Performance Option”). The Performance Option will vest, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date, (x) with respect to 1/3rd of the award on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $250 million for each trading day during three consecutive months, (y) with respect to 1/3rd of the award on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $500 million for each trading day during three consecutive months, and (z) with respect to the remaining 1/3rd of the award on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $1 billion for each trading day during three consecutive months. The Performance Option will otherwise have terms and conditions as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) consistent with the Equity Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is a Corporate Transaction and the market capitalization of the Company implied by the applicable purchase price meets a threshold set forth in this subsection (iii), the three month period shall be disregarded and, with effect as of the consummation of such Corporate Transaction, the option shall (1) vest to the extent the market capitalization of the Company implied by the applicable purchase price meets or exceeds a threshold set forth in this Subsection (iii).and (2) be forfeited to the extent the market capitalization of the Company implied by the applicable purchase price does not meet or exceed a threshold set forth in Subsection (iii).

-20-

Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, following his resignation on April 13, 2023, 122,670 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were issued to Mr. Kennedy in connection with the continued vesting of certain previously issued equity-based awards, and nonqualified options to purchase 158,554 shares of Common Stock were immediately vested and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first anniversary of the Resignation Date (or, if earlier, through the original expiration date of the applicable stock option).

(3)

As part of Mr. Kennedy’s Employment Agreement dated April 13, 2022, an award of restricted stock units, under the Equity Plan and which will have terms and conditions set forth in the Equity Plan and this Agreement, with a grant date fair value equal to $675,000, which will (x) vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first through third anniversaries of the Commencement Date of grant, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date, (y) vest (to the extent then unvested) upon the later of (I) Executive’s satisfaction of the Release Condition following a Qualifying Termination and (II) the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the Equity Plan), in each case, during the Change in Control Protection Period (as defined below), and (z) otherwise have terms and conditions as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) consistent with the Equity Plan (the “RSU Award”). No portion of the RSU Award will be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock prior to the 18-month anniversary of the Commencement Date, and thereafter any vested portion of the RSU Award will be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock during the one-year period following each such vesting date, but in all events in compliance with, or exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A (as defined below)). For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control Protection Period” shall mean (1) the period beginning on the execution date of definitive documentation, the consummation of which would result in a Corporate Transaction and concluding on the date that is 18 months following the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (in all events subject to the consummation of the Corporate Transaction); and (2) solely to the extent the party or parties with which the Corporate Transaction is consummated requests or otherwise causes the Company to effect the Qualifying Termination, the period beginning on the date that is six months prior to the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (and in all events subject to the consummation of the Corporate Transaction).

Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, following his resignation on April 13, 2023, 122,670 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were issued to Mr. Kennedy in connection with the continued vesting of certain previously issued equity-based awards, and nonqualified options to purchase 158,554 shares of Common Stock were immediately vested and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first anniversary of the Resignation Date (or, if earlier, through the original expiration date of the applicable stock option).

(4)

As part of Mr. Kennedy’s Employment Agreement dated April 13, 2022, a nonqualified option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, under the Equity Plan and which will have terms and conditions set forth in the Equity Plan and this Agreement, with a grant date fair value equal to $675,000 and an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Equity Plan) on the grant date (the “Option Award”). The Option Award will (x) vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first through third anniversaries of the Commencement Date, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date, (y) upon the later of (I) Executive’s satisfaction of the Release Condition following a Qualifying Termination and (II) the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the Equity Plan), in each case, during the Change in Control Protection Period (as defined below), and (z) otherwise have terms and conditions as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) consistent with the Equity Plan.

Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, following his resignation on April 13, 2023, 122,670 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were issued to Mr. Kennedy in connection with the continued vesting of certain previously issued equity-based awards, and nonqualified options to purchase 158,554 shares of Common Stock were immediately vested and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first anniversary of the Resignation Date (or, if earlier, through the original expiration date of the applicable stock option).

(5)

Mr. Kennedy received stock compensation for his service on the Board of Directors from January 1, 2022 through April 17, 2022.

-21-

(6)

As part of Mr. Mullins’ Employment Agreement dated April 13, 2022, he received a nonqualified option to purchase 1.69% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are issued and outstanding as of the Commencement Date, which will have an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Equity Plan) on the grant date, under the Equity Plan and which and will have terms and conditions substantially similar to those set forth in the Equity Plan and this Agreement (the “Performance Option”). The Performance Option will vest, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date, (x) with respect to 1/3rd of the award on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $250 million for each trading day during three consecutive months, (y) with respect to 1/3rd of the award on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $500 million for each trading day during three consecutive months, and (z) with respect to the remaining 1/3rd of the award on the date on which the Company’s market capitalization meets or exceeds $1 billion for each trading day during three consecutive months. The Performance Option will otherwise have terms and conditions as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) consistent with the Equity Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is a Corporate Transaction and the market capitalization of the Company implied by the applicable purchase price meets a threshold set forth in this subsection (iii), the three month period shall be disregarded and, with effect as of the consummation of such Corporate Transaction, the option shall (1) vest to the extent the market capitalization of the Company implied by the applicable purchase price meets or exceeds a threshold set forth in this Subsection (iii).and (2) be forfeited to the extent the market capitalization of the Company implied by the applicable purchase price does not meet or exceed a threshold set forth in Subsection (iii).

(7)

As part of Mr. Mullins’ Employment Agreement dated April 13, 2022, an RSU Award under the Equity Plan and which will have terms and conditions set forth in the Equity Plan and this Agreement, with a grant date fair value equal to $506,250, which will (x) vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first through third anniversaries of the Commencement Date of grant, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date, (y) vest (to the extent then unvested) upon the later of (I) Executive’s satisfaction of the Release Condition following a Qualifying Termination and (II) the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the Equity Plan), in each case, during the Change in Control Protection Period (as defined below), and (z) otherwise have terms and conditions as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) consistent with the Equity Plan. No portion of the RSU Award will be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock prior to the 18-month anniversary of the Commencement Date, and thereafter any vested portion of the RSU Award will be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock during the one-year period following each such vesting date, but in all events in compliance with, or exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A (as defined below)). For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control Protection Period” shall mean (1) the period beginning on the execution date of definitive documentation, the consummation of which would result in a Corporate Transaction and concluding on the date that is 18 months following the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (in all events subject to the consummation of the Corporate Transaction); and (2) solely to the extent the party or parties with which the Corporate Transaction is consummated requests or otherwise causes the Company to effect the Qualifying Termination, the period beginning on the date that is six months prior to the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (and in all events subject to the consummation of the Corporate Transaction).

(8)

As part of Mr. Mullins’ Employment Agreement dated April 13, 2022, an Option Award to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, under the Company’s Equity Plan and which will have terms and conditions set forth in the Equity Plan and this Agreement, with a grant date fair value equal to $506,250 and an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Equity Plan) on the grant date. The Option Award will (x) vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first through third anniversaries of the Commencement Date, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date, (y) upon the later of (I) Executive’s satisfaction of the Release Condition following a Qualifying Termination and (II) the consummation of a Corporate Transaction (as defined in the Equity Plan), in each case, during the Change in Control Protection Period (as defined below), and (z) otherwise have terms and conditions as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) consistent with the Equity Plan.

(9)

As part of Mr. DeAlmeida’s offer letter dated July 13, 2022, he was granted 125,000 shares of restricted stock units which will vest in one third increments annually beginning July 25, 2023, subject to continued service.

(10)

As part of Mr. DeAlmeida’s offer letter dated July 13, 2022, he was granted an option to purchase 175,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant (the “Option”), which Option shall vest one-third after the first anniversary of the grant date, and one-third on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to continued service.

-22-

(11)

One third of the stock options vest on March 2, 2023, with the balance vesting ratably every six months beginning September 2, 2023, over the next two years thereafter.

(12)

One third of the stock options vest on July 1, 2022, with the balance vesting ratably each month beginning August 1, 2022, over the next two years thereafter.

(13)

A total of 30,000 RSUs were held by Mr. Hickman on the date of his appointment as Chief Operating Officer, with one-third, or 10,000 shares, vesting on July 1, 2022, and the balance vesting ratably every six months over the two-year period thereafter, subject to continued service. Mr. Hickman’s employment with the Company terminated on April 17, 2023. As a result of his termination, all unvested RSUs held by Mr. Hickman terminated.

(14)

As part of Mr. Smith’s severance agreement effective January 24, 2022, these options continue to vest in accordance with their terms of one-third at one year from grant with the balance ratably over the following 24 months, however, any options not vesting by December 31, 2022, were forfeited. Accordingly, 12,245 shares of April 1, 2020, options exercisable at $4.26 were forfeited and 166,667 shares of the March 8, 2021 options exercisable at $5.22 were forfeited. During the year ended December 31, 2021, Mr. Smith exercised options on 52,035 shares at $4.26 per share.

Potential Payments Upon Death, Disability, Retirement or Termination

The table below summarizes the benefits payable to each named executive with an employment agreement in the various termination scenarios. No benefits are payable if an executive voluntarily terminates employment without good reason, or employment is terminated by us for cause. In all cases, the executive has the right to exercise vested stock options. Equity awards for which vesting has not occurred will be forfeited according to the provisions of the applicable Long-Term Incentive Plan. The tables below assume that the terminations took place on and with salaries in effect on December 31, 2022.

Kevin Mullins

 

Death or Disability

  

Retirement

  

Involuntary

termination without

cause or for good

reason, not during a

protection period

 

Severance

 $-  $-  $300,000 

Annual Incentive*

 $-  $-  $150,000 

Total

 $-  $-  $450,000 

Chris DeAlmeida

 

Death or Disability

  

Retirement

  

Involuntary

termination without

cause or for good

reason, not during a

protection period

 

Severance

 $-  $-  $137,500 

Annual Incentive*

 $-  $-  $137,500 

Total

 $-  $-  $275,000 

*Bonus must be earned (as determined by the Board) but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of any completed Bonus Year that has ended prior to the Termination Date, which shall be paid at the same time annual bonuses are paid to senior executives of the Company, but in all events no later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the Termination Date occurs.

Compensation Risks Assessment

As required by rules adopted by the SEC, management has assessed our compensation policies and practices with respect to all employees to determine whether risks arising from those policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. In doing so, management considered various features and elements of the compensation policies and practices that discourage excessive or unnecessary risk taking. As a result of the assessment, we have determined that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have material adverse effects.

-23-

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

The following table presents certain information regarding compensation paid to the Company’s Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and other Named Executive Officers (“OtherNEOs” or “Non-PEOs”), and certain measures of financial performance, for the two years ended December 31, 2022. The amounts shown below are calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The compensation committee believes that 2022 compensation decisions for the PEO and Non-PEOs are reflective of the firm’s overall operating, strategic, financial and stock price performance and thus aligned with shareholders.

Pay Versus Performance Table

Year

 

Summary

Compensation

Table

Total for

PEO #1(1)

  

Compensation

Actually

Paid to

PEO#1(4)

  

Summary

Compensation

Table

Total for

PEO #2(2)

  

Compensation

Actually

Paid to

PEO#2(4)

  

Summary

Compensation

Table

Total for

PEO #3(3)

  

Compensation

Actually

Paid to

PEO#3(4)

  

Average

Summary

Compensation

Total for Non-

PEO Named

Executive

Officers(5)

  

Average

Compensation

Actually Paid

to Non-PEO

Named

Executive

Officers(6)

  

Value of

Initial

$100

Investment

based on Total

Shareholder

Return

  

Net Loss

($)(in

thousands)

 
                                         

2022

 $3,363,528  $1,640,240  $200,000  $200,492  $433,333  $380,505  $930,329  $416,491  $43.00  $(17,514)

2021

 $-  $-  $-  $-  $1,494,043  $2,402,859  $401,291  $329,331  $81.37  $(18,584)

(1)

TJ Kennedy (PEO #1) served as our PEO from April 18, 2022 to April 14, 2023.

(2)

LW Varner, Jr. (PEO #2) served as our PEO from January 24, 2022 to April 18, 2022.

(3)

Thomas P. Smith (PEO #3) served as our PEO for the year ended December 31, 2021, and from January 1, 2022 to January 24, 2022.

(4)

For each of the PEOs in the table above, the following amounts were added and deducted to the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) amount to determine the compensation actually paid as determined in accordance with SEC regulations.

PEO #1

Adjustments to Determine Compensation Actually Paid

 

2022

  

2021

 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Stock Awards” column in the SCT

 $(742,982

)

 $- 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT

  (2,293,879

)

  - 

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain unvested as of year-end

  1,377,622   - 

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain vested as of year-end

  14,266   - 

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to current year-end of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were outstanding and unvested as of year-end

  (61,373

)

  - 

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted prior to year-end that vested during year

  (16,943

)

  - 

Deduction of Fair Value of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were forfeited during year

  -   - 

Increase based upon Incremental Fair Value of Awards modified during year

  -   - 

Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid during year prior to vesting date of award.

  -   - 

Total Adjustments

 $(1,723,288

)

 $- 

PEO #2

Adjustments to Determine Compensation Actually Paid

 

2022

  

2021

 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Stock Awards” column in the SCT

 $(50,000

)

 $- 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT

  -   - 

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain unvested as of year-end

  -   - 

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain vested as of year-end

  50,492   - 

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to current year-end of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were outstanding and unvested as of year-end

  -   - 

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted prior to year-end that vested during year

  -   - 

Deduction of Fair Value of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were forfeited during year

  -   - 

Increase based upon Incremental Fair Value of Awards modified during year

  -   - 

Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid during year prior to vesting date of award.

  -   - 

Total Adjustments

 $492  $- 

-24-

PEO #3

Adjustments to Determine Compensation Actually Paid

 

2022

  

2021

 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Stock Awards” column in the SCT

 $-  $- 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT

  -   (994,043

)

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain unvested as of year-end

  -   1,624,000 

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain vested as of year-end

  -   - 

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to current year-end of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were outstanding and unvested as of year-end

  -   (77,135

)

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted prior to year-end that vested during year

  (3,005

)

  355,994 

Deduction of Fair Value of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were forfeited during year

  (49,824

)

  - 

Increase based upon Incremental Fair Value of Awards modified during year

      - 

Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid during year prior to vesting date of award.

  -   - 

Total Adjustments

 $(52,828

)

 $908,816 

(5)

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Kevin Mullins, Chris DeAlmeida, Glenn Hickman, and James Barnes were our other Named Executive Officers. For the year ended December 31, 2021, James Barnes and Glenn Hickman were our other Named Executive Officers.

(6)

For our other Named Executive Officers, the follow amounts were added and deducted to the Summary Compensation Table amount to determine the compensation actually paid as determined in accordance with SEC regulations.

Adjustments to Determine Compensation Actually Paid

 

2022

  

2021

 

Deduction for amount reported under the “Stock Awards” column in the SCT

 $(236,688

)

 $(107,500

)

Deduction for amount reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT

  (510,048

)

  (91,582

)

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain unvested as of year-end

  217,957   - 

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain vested as of year-end

  24,250   - 
Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to current year-end of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were outstanding and unvested as of year-end  (1,662

)

  102,130 

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted prior to year-end that vested during year

  (7,649

)

  24,991 

Deduction of Fair Value of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were forfeited during year

  -   - 

Increase based upon Incremental Fair Value of Awards modified during year

  -   - 

Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid during year prior to vesting date of award.

  -   - 

Total Adjustments

 $(513,838

)

 $(71,960

)

-25-

Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table

We generally seek to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore do not specifically align our performance measures with “compensation actually paid” ​(as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table.

PEO

From 2021 to 2022, compensation actually paid to the PEO decreased by $ 181,623 or 8%. Over the same period, the Company’s TSR decreased by 65%. Net Loss for the full year 2022 increased slightly due to continued strong demand and reductions in operating expenses. During 2022, the Company achieved significant milestones as the Company embarked on a transformative journey guided by its new strategic roadmap, which included an overhaul of the senior leadership team and the launch of the next generation of the Company’s innovative policing technologies. Key factors that drove the changes in compensation actually paid to the PEO were changes in the management team which led to significant changes in compensation structure including the use of a consulting interim Chief Executive Officer during 2022.

Other NEOs

From 2021 to 2022, compensation paid to the other NEOs increased by $87,160 or 26%. Over the same period, the Company’s TSR decreased by 65%. During 2022, the Company achieved significant milestones as the Company embarked on a transformative journey guided by its new strategic roadmap, which included an overhaul of the senior leadership team and the launch of the next generation of the Company’s innovative policing technologies. Key factors that drove the increase in pay during this period were changes in management as well as adding the position of President to the other NEOs.

Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income (Loss)

Our Company has not historically looked to net income (loss) as a performance measure for our executive compensation program. In 2021 and 2022, our net income (loss) largely remained the same, but the compensation actually paid for our PEO decreased slightly and non-PEO NEOs increased slightly between 2021 and 2022 as a result of significant management changes in 2022.

Compensation Actually Paid and Cumulative TSR

We do utilize several performance measures to align executive compensation with the Company’s performance, but the recent trend has not used financial performance measures such as TSR. See the preceding discussion of the performance measures we use with respect to executive compensation in this section of the Proxy Statement. For example, as described in more detail above, part of the compensation our NEOs are eligible to receive consists of annual performance-based cash bonuses and equity awards that are designed to provide appropriate incentives to our executives to achieve defined annual corporate goals.

All information provided above under the Pay Versus Performance heading will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of our Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

-26-

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each person who served as a director during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, other than a director who also served as an executive officer:

  

Fees

             
  

Earned

  

Stock

  

Option

     
  

or Paid in

  

Awards

  

Awards

     

Name (1)

 

Cash ($) (2)

  

($) (3)

  

($) (4)

  

Total ($)

 

Scot Cohen

 $60,500  $60,500  $-  $121,000 

Wayne R. Walker

 $70,500  $60,500  $-  $131,000 

Michael Parris

 $60,500  $60,500  $-  $121,000 

Kimberly Sentovich

 $70,500  $60,500  $-  $131,000 

Kevin Sherman

 $70,500  $60,500  $-  $131,000 

(1)

Bruce Bernstein and Marc Savas were appointed as directors of the Company in April 2023, subsequent to December 31, 2022, and therefore are not included in the table above.

(2)

Each non-employee director was paid $15,125 per quarter during the year ended December 31, 2022, which was paid on a quarterly basis in arrears, for their services on the Board. Each independent director that chaired a standing committee of the Board was paid an additional annual cash payment of $10,000, pro-rated for the period served in 2022.

(3)

In accordance with the Amended Board Plan, as defined below, on November 16, 2022, Messrs. Parris, Sherman, Cohen, Walker and Ms. Sentovich each received a total 22,579 shares of Common Stock for their services provided in the first quarter, second quarter and third quarter 2022. The number of shares was calculated based on the amount due Messrs. Parris, Sherman, Cohen, Walker and Ms. Sentovich at the end of each quarter, divided by the closing price of the stock on such date. Additionally, on March 6, 2023, Messrs. Parris, Sherman, Cohen, Walker and Ms. Sentovich each received 8,950 shares of Common Stock for services provided in the fourth quarter 2022.

(4)

As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying outstanding options held by our non-employee directors were as follows: Mr. Cohen, 250,000 shares; Mr. Parris, 50,000 shares; Ms. Sentovich, 30,000 shares; Mr. Sherman, 30,000 shares; and Mr. Walker, 35,000 shares.

Additional Director Compensation Information

On April 1, 2021, the Board approved a new director compensation plan payable to all non-employee independent directors (“Amended Board Plan”). As revised, under the terms of the Amended Board Plan, non-employee independent directors receive $121,000 annually effective January 1, 2021, payable one-half in cash and one-half in restricted stock units to be settled in shares of the Company’s Common Stock, with 30% vesting immediately, and the remaining 70% vesting in monthly installments throughout the remainder of the year following the date of grant. In addition, each independent director that chairs a standing committee of the Board will receive an additional annual cash payment of $10,000, and any independent director serving as lead independent director of the Board will receive additional annual cash compensation of $25,000. In lieu of director compensation, the Executive Chairman, if any, is to be paid $121,000 annually, effective January 1, 2021, in addition to the grant of an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock with 30% vesting immediately and the remaining 70% vesting in equal monthly installments over the twelve months from the date of grant.

In addition to annual compensation paid to each member of the Board, each new director appointed to the Board shall receive an initial grant of options to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of grant, which options shall expire, if not previously exercised, ten years from the date of grant, and shall vest as follows: (i) 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and (ii) the remaining 50% in four equal quarterly installments over the following year.

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Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company appointed two additional independent directors to the Board, Messrs. Bernstein and Salvas.  In connection with their appointment, the Company granted to each of Messrs. Bernstein and Salvas options to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.34 per share, which options expire ten years after the date of their grant and vest (i) 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and (ii) the remaining 50% in four equal quarterly installments over the following year.

PROPOSAL NO. 4

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF

ROSENBERG RICH BAKER BERMAN, P.A. TO SERVE AS OUR

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR

Upon recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, the Board appointed Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. (“RRBB”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023, and recommends that the stockholders ratify such appointment.

The Board may terminate the appointment of RRBB as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm without the approval of the Company’s stockholders whenever the Board deems such termination necessary or appropriate.

Representatives of RRBB will be in attendance during the Annual Meeting or available telephonically and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

Audit Fees

The following table presents fees billed by RRBB for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

  

2022

  

2021

 

Audit fees (1)

 $109,200  $74,000 

Audit related fees (2)

  3,897   10,000 

Tax fees (3)

      - 

All other fees (4)

      - 

Total

 $113,097  $84,000 

(1)

Audit fees include fees and expenses for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our financial statements for those years, reviews of the interim financial statements that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

(2)

Audit related fees consist of fees billed for assurance related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit fees”. Included in audit related fees are fees and expenses related to reviews of registration statements and SEC filings other than annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

(3)

Tax fees include the aggregate fees billed during the fiscal year indicated for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. No such fees were billed by RRBB for 2022 or 2021.

(4)

All other fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported above. No such fees were billed by RRBB for 2022 or 2021.

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Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

All audit and non-audit services are pre-approved by the Audit Committee and were pre-approved by the full Board prior to the formation of the Audit Committee in November 2018, which considers, among other things, the possible effect of the performance of such services on the registered public accounting firm’s independence. The Audit Committee pre-approves the annual engagement of the principal independent registered public accounting firm, including the performance of the annual audit and quarterly reviews for the subsequent fiscal year, and pre-approves specific engagements for tax services performed by such firm. The Audit Committee has also established pre-approval policies and procedures for certain enumerated audit and audit related services performed pursuant to the annual engagement agreement, including such firm’s attendance at and participation at Audit Committee and Board meetings; services of such firm associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings, such as comfort letters and consents; such firm’s assistance in responding to any SEC comment letters; and consultations with such firm as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies. The Audit Committee is informed of each service performed pursuant to its pre-approval policies and procedures.

The Audit Committee has considered the role of RRBB in providing services to us for the year ended December 31, 2022, and has concluded that such services are acceptable with such firm’s independence.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure. 

Auditor Independence

Our Audit Committee and our full Board considered that the work done for us in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, by RRBB was performed while maintaining the independence of RRBB.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Date: February 27, 2023

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A., our independent registered public accounting firm, the audited consolidated financial statements in the Wrap Technologies, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. also provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has discussed with the registered public accounting firm their independence from our Company.

Based on its discussions with management and the registered public accounting firm, and its review of the representations and information provided by management and the registered public accounting firm, including as set forth above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kimberly Sentovich, Committee Chair

Michael Parris

Kevin Sherman

The information contained above under the caption “Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors” shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.

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Vote Required

Ratification of the selection of Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting securities present, either in attendance virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, and entitled to vote on the matter. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” will not be voted, although it will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of this proposal. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. A broker or other nominee will generally have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal because it is considered a routine matter, and therefore we do not expect broker non-votes with respect to this proposal. However, any broker non-votes received will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the ratification of Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

Board of Directors Recommendation

The Board recommends that stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the selection of Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS

 

As of May 5, 2023,the Record Date, we had one class of voting stock outstanding: Common Stock. The following table sets forth information concerning shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned as of May 5, 2023the Record Date (unless otherwise noted), by:

 

 

each person or entity known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock;

 

 

each person currently serving as director; and

 

 

(i) each of our principal executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2022, (ii) the two most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive officer during that year, and (iii) up to two additional executive officers for whom disclosure would have been provided but for the fact that each such officer was not serving as an executive officer at the end of that year (collectively, our “Named Executive Officers.Officers”).

 

The share amounts in the table below are based on 41,663,868                        shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date. To our knowledge, except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, each person or entity has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock set forth opposite such person’s or entity’s name. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities.

 

  

Common Stock

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

 

Amount and

Nature of

Beneficial

Ownership

  

Percent of

Class

 
         

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

        

Scot Cohen

  

5,235,151

(2)

  

12.6

%

Kevin Mullins

  

366,938

(3)

  

*

 

Chris DeAlmeida

  

159,668

(4)

  

*

 

Michael Parris

  

317,168

(5)

  

*

 

Kimberly Sentovich

  

78,726

(6)

  

*

 

Kevin Sherman

  

82,976

(7)

  

*

 

Wayne R. Walker

  

127,525

(8)

  

*

 

Bruce Bernstein

  

30,100

(9)

  

*

 

Marc Savas

  

30,000

(10)

  

*

 

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

  

6,428,252

   

15.5

%

5% Shareholders

        

Elwood G. Norris

  

6,472,457

(11)

  

15.6

%

For the purpose of calculating the number of shares beneficially owned by a stockholder and the percentage ownership of that stockholder, shares of Common Stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within sixty (60) days of the Record Date by that stockholder are deemed outstanding.

22

 

Common Stock

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership

   

Percent of
Class

      

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

     

Scot Cohen

5,095,511

 (2)  

Kevin Mullins

365,096

 (3)  

Chris DeAlmeida

214,934

 (4)  

Michael Parris

277,528

 (5)  

Kevin Sherman

93,336

 (6)  

Wayne R. Walker

137,885

 (7)  

Bruce Bernstein

38,183

 (8)  

Marc Savas

38,083

 (9)  

TJ Kennedy

262,430

 (10)  

Glenn Hickman

166,605

 (11)  

LW Varner, Jr.

21,186

 (12)  

Thomas P. Smith

-

    

All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)

6,260,556

    

5% Shareholders

     

Elwood G. Norris

6,472,457

 (13)  

 

* less than 1% 

 

(1)

Except as otherwise indicated, the business address for these beneficial owners is c/o the Company, 1817 W 4th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281.

 

(2)

Includes 4,985,1514,985,511 shares held by Mr. Cohen and 250,000100,000 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023.options.

 

(3)

Includes 248,023246,151 shares held by Mr. Mullins and 118,915 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023.options.

 

(4)

Includes 159,668156,601 shares held by Mr. DeAlmeida and 058,333 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2022.options.

 

(5)

Includes 267,168277,528 shares held by Mr. Parris and 50,0000 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023.options.

 

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(6)

Includes 48,726 shares held by Ms. Sentovich and 30,000 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023.

(7)

Includes 52,97663,336 shares held by Mr. Sherman and 30,000 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023.options.

 

(8)

(7)

Includes 92,525102,885 shares held by Mr. Walker directly and 35,000 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023.options.

 

(9)

(8)

Includes 1008,183 shares held by Mr. Bruce Bernstein directly and 30,000 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023.options.

 

(10)

(9)

Includes 8,083 shares held by Mr. Savas directly and 30,000 shares underlying stock options that may be exercised within 60 days from May 5, 2023 held by Mr. Marc Savas.

(10)

Includes 232,430 shares held by Mr. Kennedy directly and 30,000 shares underlying stock options. Mr. Kennedy served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from April 18, 2022, to April 14, 2023.

(11)

Includes 96,605 shares held by Mr. Hickman and 70,000 shares underlying stock options.  Mr. Hickmann served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer from July 2021 to April 17, 2023.

(12)

Includes 21,186 shares held by Mr. Varner directly. Mr. Varner served as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer from January 24, 2022, until his resignation effective April 18, 2022

 

(11)(13)

Includes 1,000,904 shares held by Mr. Elwood Norris directly and 5,471,553 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Elwood Norris through his family trust.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

23

 

Related Party Transactions

The Company is obligated to pay royalties and development and patent costs pursuant to an exclusive Amended and Restated Intellectual Property License Agreement dated September 30, 2016, with Syzygy, a company owned and controlled by a stockholder of the Company, Mr. Elwood Norris, and a former officer of the Company, Mr. James Barnes. The agreement provides for royalty payments of 4% of revenue from products employing the licensed ensnarement device technology up to an aggregate of $1,000,000 in royalties or until September 30, 2026, whichever occurs earlier. During the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 the Company incurred royalties to Syzygy of $270,520 and $278,497, respectively.

Commencing in October 2017, the Company began reimbursing Mr. Elwood Norris, a stockholder of the Company, $1,500 per month on a month-to-month basis for laboratory facility costs and $7,000 per month on a month-to month basis for invention consulting services, for an aggregate of $108,000 during each of the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021.

Director Independence

Our Board has reviewed the independence of our directors based on the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). Based on this review, the Board of Directors determined that Messrs. Walker, Sherman, Parris, Bernstein, Savas and Ms. Sentovich are independent, as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq rules. In making this determination, our Board considered the relationships that each of these non-employee directors has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence. 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The periodic reports and other information we have filed with the SEC, may be inspected and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington DC 20549. You may obtain information as to the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.+1 (800) SEC‑0330. The SEC also maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like the Company, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov. Copies of these documents may also be obtained by writing our secretary at the address specified above. 

 

If you would like additional copies of this Proxy Statement, or if you have questions about the Proposals to be presented at the Special Meeting, please contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, at:

Morrow Sodali LLC
470 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
Telephone: +1 (800) 662-5200
(banks and brokers can call collect at +1 (203) 658-9400)
Toll-free at +1 (800) 662-5200
WRAP@investor.morrowsodali.com

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE
2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, a stockholder proposalswho intends to present a proposal at our next annual meeting of stockholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) and who wishes the proposal to be included in our nextthe proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting must submit the proposal in writing no later than the close of business on January‎ ‎19‎, ‎2024, or 120 calendar days before the date on which the proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting, to us at our executive offices. However, pursuant to Rule 14a‑8, if the 2024 Annual Meeting is held on a date that is before May 29, 2024 or after July 28, 2024, then a stockholder proposal submitted for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2024 Annual Meeting must be received by us ata reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our executive offices no later than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. A stockholder proposal not included in the Company’s proxy statement for the 20232024 Annual Meeting.

Stockholders wishing to submit proposals to be presented directly at the 2024 Annual Meeting instead of Stockholdersby inclusion in next year’s proxy statement must follow the notice procedures set forth in our Bylaws. Such proposals will be ineligible for presentation at the meeting unless the stockholder gives timely notice of the proposal in writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at the executive offices of the Company. To be timely, the Company must have received the stockholder’s notice not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days in advance of the date the proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. However, if the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from the date of this year’s Annual Meeting, the Company must receive the stockholder’s notice no later than the close of business on (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (ii) the seventh10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

For the 2024 Annual Meeting, we will be required pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act to include on our proxy card all nominees for director for whom we have received notice under the rule, which must be received no later than 60 calendar days prior to the anniversary of this year’s annual meeting. For any such director nominee to be included on our proxy card for the 2024 Annual Meeting, notice must be received no later than April 29, 2024. Please note that the notice requirement under Rule 14a-19 is in addition to the applicable notice requirements under the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws described above.

 

We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and all other applicable requirements. 

 

25

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

 

A number of brokers with account holders who are stockholders of the Company will be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. A single set of the Company’s proxy materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate set of the Company’s proxy materials (or if stockholders sharing an address and currently receiving separate sets of the Company’s proxy materials would prefer to receive a single set), please notify your broker or direct a written request to Morrow Sodali at 333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower, Stamford, CT 06902, or contact them at +1 (800) 662-5200. The Company undertakes to deliver promptly, upon any such oral or written request, a separate copy of its proxy materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of these documents was delivered. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Company’s proxy materials at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker, bank or other nominee, or contact the Company at the above address or phone number.

 

26

OTHER MATTERS

 

At the date of this Proxy Statement, the Company knows of no other matters, other than those described above, that will be presented for consideration at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. If any other business should come before the AnnualSpecial Meeting, it is intended that the proxy holders will vote all proxies using their best judgment in the interest of the Company and the stockholders.

 

The Notice, which we intend to mail to stockholders on or about May 19, 2023, will contain instructions on how to access the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The Annual Report, which includes audited financial statements, does not form any part of the material for the solicitation of proxies.

The Board invites you to attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting virtually. Whether or not you expect to attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting virtually, please submit your vote by Internet, telephone or e-mail as promptly as possible so that your shares will be represented at the AnnualSpecial Meeting.

 

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING VIRTUALLY,PLEASE READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THEN VOTE BY INTERNET, TELEPHONE OR MAIL AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. VOTING PROMPTLY WILL SAVE US ADDITIONAL EXPENSE IN SOLICITING PROXIES AND WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/ Wayne Walker

Wayne Walker

Chairman of the Board

Scot Cohen
Chairman of the Board

 

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