UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to SectionPROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. )__)

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Partyparty other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional MaterialsMaterial

SolicitingSolicitation Material Pursuant to 14a-12under §240.14a-12

 

SOBR SAFE, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified Inin 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 computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.

1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

5)

Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as providedFee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)Rules 14a‑6(i)(1) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

1)

Amount Previously Paid:

2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

3)

Filing Party:

4)

Date Filed:0‑11.

 

 

 

 

SOBR SAFE, INC.Safe, Inc.

NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF

885 Arapahoe AvenueSTOCKHOLDERS & PROXY STATEMENT

Improvingbehavioraloutcomes&savingslives

6400 S. Fiddlers Green Circle | Suite 1400 | Greenwood Village, CO 80111 | Nasdaq: SOBR

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT – SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

SOBR Safe, Inc.

Boulder, CO 803026400 South Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 1400

Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

1.844.SOBRSAFE (762.7723)

 

NOTICE OF CONSENT SOLICITATIONANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING

THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

November __, 2021To Be Held on June 3, 2024

 

Dear SOBR Safe, Inc. Stockholder:

The Board of DirectorsValued Stockholders of SOBR Safe, Inc., a Delaware corporation:

It is our pleasure to invite you to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SOBR Safe, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) to be held virtually on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 1:00 P.M., is writing to solicit your consent on behalf ofMountain Time, via webcast at: ___________________ (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual Meeting, the Company to approvewill submit the following four (4) proposals (the “Proposals”):to its stockholders for approval:

 

 

1.

To re-elect six (6)elect five (5) directors namely David Gandini, Kevin Moore, Ford Fay, Steve Beabout, Jim Bardy and Sandy Shoemaker,to our Board of Directors, each to serve until theour next Annual Meetingannual meeting of Shareholders and thereafterstockholders, or until their successors arehis or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified;

 

 

 

 

2.

To approve, an amendment toby a nonbinding “say-on-pay” advisory vote, the Company’s Articlescompensation of Incorporation to approve a reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a ratio between of 1-for-2 and 1-for-3 in connection with the Company’s planned listing on NASDAQ (the “Reverse Stock Split”);our named executive officers;

 

 

 

 

3.

To approve, an amendment toby a nonbinding “say-when-on-pay” advisory vote, the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the shares authorized to be issued under the Plan from 3,848,467 shares to [5,200,000] shares (the “Plan Amendment”), which maintains the shares authorized to be issued under the Plan to approximately twenty percent (20%)frequency of the Company’s outstanding common stockfuture advisory votes on the date the Plan Amendment is approved by a majoritycompensation of the Company’s stockholders for issuance to Eligible Recipients, as such term is defined in the following Consent Solicitation Statement;our named executive officers; and

 

 

 

 

4.

To ratifygrant the appointmentBoard of Macias Gini O’Connell LLPDirectors discretion (if necessary to maintain a listing of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market) to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation to implement a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of common stock in a range from one-for-two (1:2) up to one-for-one hundred fifty (1:150), or anywhere between, as our independent auditors formay be determined by the fiscal year endingBoard of Directors on or before December 31, 20212024 (the “Auditor Ratification”“Reverse Stock Split”).

 

The Company's Board of Directors unanimously approved the Reverse Stock Split, the Plan Amendment, and the Auditor Ratification on November 4, 2021. Each of theseAdditionally, any other matters is more fully discussed in the attached Consent Solicitation Statement.

In order to save the expense associated with holding a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders, the Board of Directors has elected to obtain stockholder approval by written consent (“Written Consent”) of the Proposals pursuant to Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, rather than by calling a meeting of stockholders. The close of business on November 12, 2021 (the “Record Date”) has been fixed as the Record Date for the determination of holders of our Common Stock entitled to receive notice of and discretion to approve the Proposals.

This solicitation is being made on the terms and subjectmay be submitted to the conditions set forth instockholders as may properly come before the accompanying Consent Solicitation StatementAnnual Meeting and form of Written Consent. To be counted, your properly completed Written Consent must be received before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on [__________], 2021 (the “Expiration Date”), subject to early termination of the Consent Solicitation,any adjournment or extension of the Expiration Date at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

Failure to submit the Written Consent will have the same effect as a vote against the Proposals. We recommend that all stockholders consent to the Proposals, by marking the box entitled “FOR” with respect to each Proposal and submitting the Written Consent by one of the methods set forth in the attached form of Written Consent. If you sign and send in the Written Consent form but do not indicate how you want to vote as to the Proposals, your consent form will be treated as a consent “FOR” each Proposal.

This is not a notice of a special meeting of stockholders and no stockholder meeting will be held to consider any matter that will be described herein.postponement thereof.

 

 
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The discussion of the proposals set forth above is intended only as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the information contained in the accompanying Proxy Statement. The accompanying Proxy Statement is being furnished to our stockholders for informational purposes only, pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder. The Board will be soliciting your proxy in connection with the matters discussed above. Stockholders who wish to vote on the proposals accordingly must either virtually attend the Annual Meeting or otherwise designate a proxy to attend the Annual Meeting and vote on their behalf.

The Company is using the “Full Set Delivery” method of providing proxy materials to all stockholders. Because we have elected to utilize the “Full Set Delivery” option, we are delivering to all stockholders paper copies of the Company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and form of Proxy, as well as providing access to those proxy materials on a publicly accessible website. The Company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, form of Proxy, and the other Annual Meeting materials are available on the internet at: www.proxyvote.com.

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”) and can be accessed here: http:// www.sobrsafe.com.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 24, 2024 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only holders of record of our common stock on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, and any postponements or adjournments thereof. There were no shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding on the Record Date. Stockholders of record virtually present at the Annual Meeting or who have submitted a valid proxy via the internet, or by mail may vote at the Annual Meeting.

Your vote is very important to us.Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please submit your proxy in advance online or by mail to ensure that your vote will be represented at the Annual 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 Annual Meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.

Please refer to the “Voting Instructions” 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 Annual Meeting.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David Gandini

 

David Gandini Chief Executive Officer

 

Chairman of the Board and CEO

November [__], 2021

 

Greenwood Village, Colorado

Boulder, Colorado

 

May __, 2024

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ONJUNE 3, 2024: THE ANNUAL REPORT AND PROXY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT – SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

SOBR SAFE, Inc.

6400 South Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 1400

Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

1.844.SOBRSAFE (762.7723)

PROXY STATEMENT

May __, 2024

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of SOBR Safe, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for use at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held virtually on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 1:00 P.M., Mountain Time, via webcast at: ___________________ (the “Annual Meeting”) and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Delivery of Proxy Materials and Annual Report

This Proxy Statement (including the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders) is first being made available to stockholders beginning on or about May __, 2024. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including financial statements (“Annual Report”), was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024.

We are using the “Full Set Delivery” method of providing proxy materials to stockholders. Because we have elected to utilize the “Full Set Delivery” option, we are delivering to all stockholders paper copies of the Company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and form of Proxy, as well as providing access to those proxy materials on a publicly accessible website. The Company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, form of Proxy, and the other Annual Meeting materials are available on the internet at: www.proxyvote.com.

Instructions for Attending Annual Meeting

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 24, 2024 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. To participate in and vote at the Annual Meeting, you must virtually attend the Annual Meeting via webcast at: ___________________, or submit your proxy in advance. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 P.M., Mountain Time, on June 3, 2024. Attendees of the Annual Meeting will be provided the opportunity to ask questions, subject to the Annual Meeting Rules of Conduct. The Chairman of the Annual Meeting has broad authority to conduct the meeting in an orderly manner. 

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SOBR SAFE, INC.

885 Arapahoe Avenue

Boulder, CO 80302

Telephone No. (844) 762-7723

_____________________________________________________________________________________________Voting Securities

 

CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENTThe 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 as of the close of business on April 24, 2024 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 20,007,465 shares of common stock issued, and 19,995,136 shares outstanding. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held as of the Record Date. As a result, the holders of common stock are entitled to an aggregate of 19,995,136 votes. There were no shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding on the Record Date.

Cumulative voting shall not be allowed in the election of directors or any of the proposals being submitted to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________Quorum

 

This Consent Solicitation Statement is being furnished in connection withIn order for any business to be conducted at the solicitationAnnual Meeting, a quorum must be present. The presence at the Annual Meeting, either virtually or by proxy, of written consentsholders of one-third of the stockholdersoutstanding shares of SOBR Safe, Inc.,the Company entitled to vote (6,665,046 shares) will constitute a Delaware corporation (the “Company”, “us”, “wequorum for the transaction of business. If you submit a properly executed proxy, regardless of whether you abstain from voting on one or our”) with regardmore matters, your shares will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting for the purpose of establishing a quorum. Shares that constitute broker non-votes will also be counted as present at the Annual Meeting for the purpose of establishing a quorum. If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time of the Annual Meeting, the Chairman of the Annual Meeting may adjourn the Annual Meeting until a quorum is present. The time and place of the adjourned Annual 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 Annual Meeting.

Matters to the following proposals (the “Proposals”):be Voted Upon

 There are four (4) matters scheduled for a vote:

 

 

1.

To re-elect six (6)elect five (5) directors namely David Gandini, Kevin Moore, Ford Fay, Steve Beabout, Jim Bardy and Sandy Shoemaker,to our Board of Directors, each to serve until theour next Annual Meetingannual meeting of Shareholders and thereafterstockholders, or until their successors arerespective successor is duly elected and qualified;

 

 

 

 

2.

To approve, an amendment toby a nonbinding “say-on-pay” advisory vote, the Company’s Articlescompensation of Incorporation to approve a reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a ratio between of 1-for-2 and 1-for-3, which could be fractional ratio between 1-for-2 and 1-for-3, such as 1-for-2.5, in connection with the Company’s planned listing on NASDAQ, with the exact split ratio to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Reverse Stock Split”);our named executive officers;

 

 

 

 

3.

To approve, an amendment toby a nonbinding “say-when-on-pay” advisory vote, the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the shares authorized to be issued under the Plan from 3,848,467 shares to 5,200,000 shares (the “Plan Amendment”), which maintains the shares authorized to be issued under the Plan to approximately twenty percent (20%)frequency of the Company’s outstanding common stockfuture advisory votes on the date the Plan Amendment is approved by a majoritycompensation of the Company’s stockholders for issuance to Eligible Recipients, as such term is defined in the following Consent Solicitation Statement and;our named executive officers; and

 

 

 

 

4.

To ratifygrant the appointmentBoard of Macias Gini O’Connell LLPDirectors discretion (if necessary to maintain a listing of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market) to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation to implement a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of common stock in a range from one-for-two (1:2) up to one-for-one hundred fifty (1:150), or anywhere between as our independent auditors formay be determined by the fiscal year endingBoard of Directors on or before December 31, 20212024 (the “Auditor Ratification”“Reverse Stock Split”).

 

2

At this time, the Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Required Vote for Approval

1. Election of Directors. Directors are elected by a plurality vote. This means that the five director nominees who receive the greatest number of affirmative votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the shares present, either virtually or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote, will be elected. As to the election of the director nominees, you may vote “For” the election of the nominees, or “Withhold” for the nominees being proposed. Cumulative voting shall not be allowed in the election of directors.

2. Say-on-Pay. The “say-on-pay” advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. However, while we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, the final vote is advisory in nature and therefore not binding on the Company.  Our Board of Directors choose to seek stockholder approval by written consent ("Written Consent"), rather than calling a special meetingvalues the opinions of stockholders, in order to eliminate the costs and management time involved in holding a special meeting. Written Consents are being solicited from all of our stockholders and will consider the outcome when making future decisions with respect to executive compensation. As to the “say-on-pay” advisory vote on the compensation of record pursuant to Section 228our named executive officers, you may vote “For” or “Against” or “Abstain” from such proposal. 

3. Say-when-on-Pay. The “say-when-on-pay” advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers is advisory in nature and therefore not binding on the Company.  The option that receives the most votes will be deemed the preference of the General Corporation Lawstockholders, and our Board of Delaware, rather than by calling a meetingDirectors  will consider the outcome when making future decisions with respect to the frequency of stockholders.advisory votes on executive compensation. As to the “say-when-on-pay” advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers, you may vote “Every Three Years,” “Every Two Years,” “Every One Year,” or “Abstain” from such proposal. 

 

4. Reverse Stock Split. The proposal to grant the Board of Directors discretion (if necessary to maintain a listing of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market) to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation to implement a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of common stock in a range from one-for-two (1:2) up to one-for-one hundred fifty  (1:150), or anywhere between as may be determined by the Board of Directors on or before December 31, 2024 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) will be approved if the votes cast “For” the proposal exceed the votes cast “Against” the proposal. As to the approval of the Reverse Stock Split, you may vote “For” or “Against” or “Abstain” from such proposal. 

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Who May ConsentVoting Instructions

 

This Consent Solicitation StatementStockholders of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on April 24, 2024, your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote virtually at the Annual Meeting or by proxy in advance of the Annual Meeting by visiting www.proxyvote.com, completing and attached formreturning the proxy card by mail, or calling 1-800-690-6903.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy via the internet to ensure your vote is counted. You may still virtually attend the Annual Meeting and vote at the Annual Meeting even if you have already voted by proxy.

To vote at the Annual Meeting, attend the Annual Meeting virtually and you will be afforded an opportunity to vote via the internet.

To submit a proxy online in advance of the meeting, visit www.proxyvote.com.

To submit a proxy via telephone in advance of the meeting, call 1-800-690-6903.

To submit a proxy by mail, complete, sign and date the printed proxy card enclosed with the proxy materials, and return it promptly in the postage-paid envelope provided. If we receive your signed proxy card before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

If your proxy is properly returned to the Company, the shares represented thereby will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions specified thereon.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Written ConsentBroker or Bank

If on April 24, 2024, your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being mailedforwarded to eligible stockholders onyou by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or about November [__], 2021. On November 12, 2021,other agent regarding how to vote the record date forshares in your account. Simply complete the determination of stockholders entitledsteps included in the voting instruction form to act with respect to this Consent Solicitation (the “Record Date”), we had [____________] shares of Common Stock outstanding, each of which are entitled to act with respect to this Consent Solicitation. Each holder of Common Stockensure that your vote is entitled to one vote per share of Common Stock held. As of the Record Date, outstanding shares represented [____________] votes, all of which are attributable to our outstanding Common Stock.counted.

 

Stockholders who wishYou are also invited to consentattend the Annual Meeting. To vote at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials or contact your broker or bank to the Proposals must return the attached form of Written Consent on or before 11:50 p.m. Eastern Time on December [__], 2021 (the “Expiration Date”). The Company expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion and regardless of whether any of the conditions of the Consent Solicitation have been satisfied, subject to applicable law, at any time prior to Expiration Date to (i) terminate the Consent Solicitation for any reason, including if the consent of stockholders holdingrequest a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares has been received, (ii) waive any of the conditions to the Consent Solicitation, or (iii) amend the terms of the Consent Solicitation.proxy form.

 

 
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Stockholders who wishAbstentions and Broker Non-Votes

An abstention represents a stockholder’s affirmative choice to consent must deliver their properly completeddecline to vote on a proposal. If a stockholder indicates on its proxy card that it wishes to abstain from voting its shares, or if a broker, bank or other nominee holding its customers’ shares of record causes abstentions to be recorded for shares, these shares will be considered present and executed Written Consentsentitled to vote, but not cast at the Corporate SecretaryAnnual Meeting. As a result, abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum and will also count as votes against a proposal in cases where approval of the Companyproposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have no effect where approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast.

A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker, bank or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of calculating whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting but will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast. Therefore, a broker non-vote will make a quorum more readily attainable but will not otherwise affect the outcome of the vote on any proposal.

Failure to Vote

 If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by proxy in accordanceadvance of the meeting, or vote at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.

If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the particular proposal is considered to be a routine matter under applicable rules. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine” under applicable rules but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under applicable stock exchange rules and interpretations, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. Unless you provide voting instructions set forthto your broker, your broker or nominee may NOT vote your shares on the election of directors (Proposal 1), the “say-on-pay” advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2), or the “say-when-on-pay” advisory vote on the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation (Proposal 3), but may vote your shares on the Reverse Stock Split (Proposal No. 4).

Failure to Specify Vote

If you are a stockholder of record and return your proxy without specifying how the shares represented thereby are to be voted, the proxy will be voted (i) FOR the election of the five director nominees named in the attached form of Written Consent. The Company reserves the right (but is not obligated) to accept any Written Consent received by any other reasonable means or in any form that reasonably evidences the giving of consent to this Proxy Statement, (ii) FOR the approval of the Proposals.

compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers,IF YOU HOLD YOUR STOCK IN “STREET NAME”(iii) to conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation Every Three Years, YOU MUST INSTRUCT YOUR BROKER OR NOMINEE AS TO HOW TO VOTE YOUR SHARES. IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, YOUR BROKER OR NOMINEE MAY NOT VOTE YOUR STOCK.(iv) FOR Any beneficial ownerthe Reverse Stock Split, and(v) at the discretion of the Company (normally thoseproxy holders who hold their shares in “street name” in a brokerage account) who is not a record holder must arrange withon any other matter that may properly come before the person who is the record holderAnnual Meeting or such record holder’s assigneeany adjournment or nominee to: (i) execute and deliver a Written Consent on behalf of such beneficial owner; or (ii) deliver a proxy so that such beneficial owner can execute and deliver a Written Consent on its own behalf.

Requests for copies of this Consent Solicitation Statement should be directed to SOBR Safe, Inc. at the address or telephone number set forth above.

Broadridge, will act as tabulation agent for this Consent Solicitation Statement. If you have any questions regarding your form of Written Consent, or if you need assistance voting your shares, please contact us directly at (844) 762-7723.

Consent Required

Stockholder approval of the Proposals will be effective upon receipt by us of affirmative Written Consents, not previously revoked, representing at least [____________] shares of our Common Stock as of the Record Date and entitled to act upon the Proposals. Accordingly, abstentions from submitting your Written Consent will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” each Proposal.postponement thereof.

 

Revocation of ConsentsProxies; Changing Vote

 

You may withdrawrevoke or change you Written Consentyour proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting by (i) filing, with our Corporate Secretary at our executive offices, located at 6400 South Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 1400, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111 a notice of revocation of proxy; (ii) delivering a properly executed, later-dated proxy prior to the Expiration Date by submitting a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Corporate SecretaryAnnual Meeting; or (iii) voting at the address set forth above. A notice of revocationAnnual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting by itself will not revoke a proxy. Shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting only if the holder is present or withdrawal must specify the record stockholder’s name and the number of shares being withdrawn. After the Expiration Date, all written consents previously executed and delivered and not revoked will become irrevocable.

Absence of Appraisal Rights

Stockholders who abstain from approving of the Proposals, or who withhold consent of the Proposals, do not have the right to an appraisal of their shares of Common Stock, or any similar dissenters’ rights under the Delaware Corporate Law and our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

Expenses of this Solicitation

This solicitation is being maderepresented by the Company’s Board of Directors, and the Company will bear the entire cost of the solicitation, including preparation, printing and mailing costs. Written Consents will be solicited principally through the mail, but our directors, officers and employees may solicit Written Consents personally, by phone or by e-mail. Arrangements will be made with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward these consent solicitation materials to stockholdersproxy. If you are a stockholder whose shares of Common Stock are held ofnot registered in your own name, you will need additional documentation from your broker or record by such entities, and we will reimburse suck brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection herewith. In addition, we may pay for and utilizeholder to vote at the services of individuals or companies we do not regularly employ in connection with this consent solicitation, if management determines it is advisable.Annual Meeting.

 

 
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PROPOSALSNo Appraisal Rights

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

Solicitation

Solicitation in connection with the Annual Meeting is made by the Company. We will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing, mailing, 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.

Forward Looking Statements

This Proxy Statement may contain certain “forward-looking” statements, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in connection with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding actions contemplated by this Proxy Statement, our potential business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made and are often identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” or “will,” and similar expressions or variations. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described under the caption “Risk Factors” included in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the disclosures set forth in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Proxy Statement. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

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MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON BY STOCKHOLDERS:CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

PROPOSALNO. 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Directors are normally elected byOur Bylaws provide that the shareholders at each annual meeting to hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified, and need not be shareholdersnumber of directors that constitute the Company. Directors may receive compensation for their services as determined by the Board of Directors. See “Compensation of Directors.” Presently, theentire Board of Directors consists of six (6) members, namely David Gandini, Kevin Moore, Ford Fay, Steve Beabout, Jim Bardy and Sandy Shoemaker.

Voting for the election of directors is non-cumulative, which means that(the “Board”) shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by a simple majority of the shares voting may elect allentire Board. Our Board currently consists of five directors, each of whom has been nominated by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for election at the directors. Each share of common stock is entitled to one (1) vote and, therefore, has a number of votes equal toAnnual Meeting. The five director nominees for election at the number of authorized directors.Annual Meeting are:

 

·

Steven Beabout

·

Noreen Butler

·

Ford Fay

·

David Gandini

·

Sandy Shoemaker.

Although

Each director nominee, if elected at the Company’s management expects that eachAnnual Meeting, will hold office for a one-year term until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until his or her successor is duly elected, unless prior thereto the following nominees will be availabledirector 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 date of the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof, the proxies may be voted for a substitute director nominee, designated by the proxy holders and subject to the rules for stockholder director nominations set forth in the event that any of them should become unavailable priorBylaws, or by the present Board to being appointed, a replacement will be appointed by a majority of the then-existingfill such vacancy. The Board of Directors. Management has no reason to believe that any of itssuch director nominees will be unwilling or unable to serve if elected will be unavailable to serve. All nominees are expected to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.as a director.  

 

Nominees For Election As DirectorVote Required

Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. The five nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of the directors. 

Board of Directors Recommendation

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF STEVEN BEABOUT, NOREEN BUTLER, FORD FAY, DAVID GANDINI, AND SANDY SHOEMAKER.

DIRECTORS, DIRECTORNOMINEESAND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth certain informationthe names and ages of our directors, director nominees, and executive officers as of March 29, 2024, and the principal offices and positions with respect to persons nominatedthe Company held by each person. The directors serve one-year terms until their successors are elected. The executive officers of the Company are elected annually by the Board of DirectorsDirectors. The executive officers serve terms of one year or until their death, resignation, or removal by the Board of Directors. Unless described below, there are no family relationships among any of the Company for election as Directors of the Companydirectors and who will be elected following the effective date of the actions in this Consent Solicitation:officers.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position(s)

 

 

 

 

 

David Gandini

 

6366

 

Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Chairman of the Board, and Current Director

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin MooreChristopher Whitaker

 

6052

 

Current DirectorChief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Fay

 

6063

 

CurrentIndependent Director (Chairperson of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee)

 

 

 

 

 

J. Steven Beabout

 

6770

 

CurrentIndependent Director (Chairperson of Compensation Committee)

 

 

 

 

 

James BardyNoreen Butler

 

6850

 

CurrentIndependent Director

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy Shoemaker

 

5355

 

Current Director*Independent Director (Chairperson of Audit Committee)

*Appointment effective November 10, 2021.

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David Gandini

Mr. Gandini has served as our Chief Executive Officer since October 18, 2021, and our Chief Financial Officer since June 5, 2020, and on our Board of Directors since November 2019. Mr. Gandini has been consulting regarding our business development since December 2018. Since September 2018, Mr. Gandini has also been a managing partner with First Capital Advisory Services, where he is responsible for capital creation, new business acquisition, business strategy and development, and partnership revenue generation. From 2014 to August 2017, Mr. Gandini was President of Alchemy Plastics, Inc., Englewood Colorado where he was responsible for US manufacturing, sales, and strategic partnerships. From 2001 until 2014, when the company was acquired, Mr. Gandini served as the President of IPS Denver, a bank card personalization and packaging entity where he managed the company and market transformations to become a leader in the U.S. secured gift market space with revenues of $46M. Prior to his engagement at IPS, Mr. Gandini was the Chief Operations Officer at First World Communications, a major U.S. Internet and Data Center provider, and participated in its successful IPO in 2000 raising over $200M. Previously, Mr. Gandini founded Pace Network Services providing carrier SS7 signaling to U.S. long distance providers and facilitated a successful exit to ICG Communications on the heels of co-founding Detroit based Digital Signal in the fiber optic long haul market sector where me managed a successful exit to SP Telecom.

 

Mr. Gandini graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Telecommunications. He was a scholarship NCAA Division Hockey athlete, a member of the US Junior National Team, and a US Junior All American.

 

We have an Employment Agreement with Mr. Gandini. Under the terms of his Employment Agreement, Mr. Gandini will serve as our Chief Revenue Officer until October 24, 2022, unless he is terminated pursuant to the termination provisions set forth in his agreement. Under the terms of his Employment Agreement, Mr. Gandini will perform services for us that are customary and usual for a chief revenue officer of a company, in exchange for: (i) an annual base salary of $185,000, (ii) sales bonuses based on the Company’s sales, (iii) an incentive stock options under our 2019 Equity Compensation Plan to acquire 721,588 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $0.2634, which is equal to 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on October 25, 2019, with the stock options to vest in 36 equal monthly installments of 20,045 shares during the three-year term of the Gandini Agreement, and (iv) an aggregate of 240,530 additional option shares (the “Pre-Vesting Option Shares”) shall vest as follows: 200,439 Pre-Vesting Option Shares representing the monthly vesting option shares for the ten months ended October 31, 2019, shall vest on November 1, 2019; and (ii) the remaining 40,091 Pre-Vesting Option Shares representing the monthly vesting option shares for the two months ended December 31, 2019 shall vest on January 1, 2020. The stock options have a ten year term.

Kevin Moore

Mr. Moore has served on our Board of Directors since November 2019 and served as our Chief Executive Officer from October 2019 to October 2021. Prior to his appointment as our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moore has been a private investor. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Moore was the President of Moore Holdings, Inc. and Managing Member of Vans Silver Peaks, LLC. From 2014 to 2017, Mr. Moore was the Managing Member of Vans Equipment Denver LLC, Managing Member of Vans Equipment South LLC, Managing Member of Vans Silver Peaks LLC, and President of Moore Holdings, Inc. The Vans equipment companies are heavy equipment sale and rental companies, which initially started as a "greenfield" project during the Great Recession and grew to a very successful multi-location business serving the Colorado region. Prior to 2014, Mr. Moore was the President of Moore Holdings, Inc. and Managing Member of Vans Silver Peaks, LLC. Prior to joining Van’s Equipment Company, Mr. Moore was the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Summit Quality, an international quality management and sales organization that secured over $50 million per year in revenue for its clients. Prior to that endeavor, Mr. Moore was the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Automotive Testing Technologies. While in this position, he led a team that quadrupled testing revenue in four years, and then successfully sold the business to a competitor. Mr. Moore is currently an active business and real estate investor through Moore Holdings Incorporated.

 
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Christopher Whitaker has served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2024. Prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Moore serves onWhitaker served as the BoardCompany’s Vice President of DirectorsFinance and Accounting since February 2022. Mr. Whitaker has held various executive finance positions with large public multi-national corporations and small entrepreneurial companies throughout a progressive 30-year career that began with KPMG LLP in Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Whitaker served as President - Americas and Vice President of Finance and Administration from February 2020 through June 2021 for SOBR Safe, Four Seasons Golf, RDM HoldingsNorth and South American operations with public, multinational corporation Elixinol, Inc. Through advancing executive roles, his responsibilities at Elixinol, Inc. included management of all financial and accounting operations, and leading marketing, sales, consumer product goods development, information technology, and human resource functions. Prior to Elixinol, Inc., Mr. Whitaker served as the Shining Stars Foundation. He also participatesManaging Director of AEGIS Financial Consulting, LLC, from January 2015 through January 2020, leading a team of consultants in providing fractional CFO and financial consulting services to a wide variety of businesses in the University of Colorado MBA mentorship programpublic and established the Shining Stars Young Adult mentorship program that supports young adults’ social and professional aspirations in a positive manner.private sectors.

 

Mr. Moore owns an incentive stock options under our 2019 Equity Compensation Plan to acquire 1,058,329 sharesWhitaker has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2014. He earned his Bachelor of our common stock, at an exercise priceScience degree in Accounting from the Metropolitan State University of $0.2634, which is equal to 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on October 25, 2019, with the stock options to vestDenver in 36 equal monthly installments of 29,398 shares during the three-year term of the Moore Agreement. The stock options have a ten year term.December 1999.

 

Ford B. Fay

Mr. Fay has served as a member of our Board of Directors since June 2020.2020 and serves as the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors. Mr. Fay is currently the Director at Crown Castle International Corp., a large fiber-based telecommunications company. In this position Mr. Fay manages all aspects of Network Access Life Cycle for the company. He has held this position since 2020. From 2017 to 2020, Mr. Fay was a principal with Eagle Bay Advisors, LLC, a telecommunications consulting firm. In this position, Mr. Fay assisted clients with cost and efficiency improvements in Access Management across the life cycle spectrum of Access. From 2015 to 2017, Mr. Fay was the Vice President, Access Management for Zayo Communications. In this position Mr. Fay created and managed most aspects of offnet costs, such as, vendor selection, contracting, procurement, quoting, operationalization, vendor management, offnet ordering, offnet grooming and optimization. In this position, Mr. Fay also planned and executed the network integrations of the $1.4B acquisition of Electric Lightwave and the $350M acquisition of Canadian-based Allstream. Mr. Fay received his Bachelor of Science in Operations Research & Industrial Engineering from Cornell University, and his Master of Business Administration from University of Rochester, Simon School of Business.

 

J. Steven Beabout

Mr. Beabout has served as a member of our Board of Directors since August 2020.2020 and serves as the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Since 2018, Mr. Beabout has been consulting with various startup companies and involved in real estate investing. From 2016-2018, Mr. Beabout was General Counsel of Tectonic, LLC, a SaaS company specializing in big data analytics and customer relationship management (CRM). In this position, Mr. Beabout was in charge of Tectonic’s legal department and negotiated deals with large companies like Coca-Cola, Anhueser-Busch and Wyndham Hotels. From 1996 to 2015, Mr. Beabout was General Counsel and a member of the strategic management team (executive vice-president) of Starz, a company listed on NASDAQ that competes with HBO and Netflix. During his time there, Mr. Beabout assisted with other key management personnel to grow the business from a start-up with $100M in losses to a multi-billion dollarmulti-billiondollar public company. As part of strategic management team, Mr. Beabout was involved in the company’s strategic business decisions and as General Counsel he was responsible for all legal aspects of business, including, but not limited to, negotiation of billion dollar plus contacts with major studios (Universal, Disney and Sony), and distributors (Comcast, Time- Warner, DIRECTV, DISH Networks, Netflix, etc.), human resources and related matters, general corporate matters, post-IPO public board matters, and reviewing filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

James Bardy Noreen Butler

Mr. Bardy has served as a member of our Board of Directors since August 2021. In 1989, Mr. Bardy formed Continental Services, where he currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Board. Continental Services is currently Michigan’s largest food management company, employing over 1,000 people and providing a wide range of custom dining, refreshment services and catering solutions through an impressive lineup of brands. Over the company’s 32-year history, Mr. Bardy has identified, negotiated, structured, financed, closed and successfully integrated 23 acquisitions. Mr. Bardy also applies his minor in Agribusiness to his North Florida cattle ranch, Great Mark Western, where 1,800 head of cattle are bred, raised managed and marketed specifically to high-end restaurant and food service clients. Mr. Bardy received his Bachelor of Science, Marketing and Transportation Major, Agribusiness Minor from Michigan State University.

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Sandy Shoemaker

Ms. Shoemaker has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2022. Ms. Butler’s experience combines over 12 years in senior management and recruitment, following a 7-year career in business development. She is currently the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RubiCorp Technologies, Inc., a private ridesharing company focused on safely transporting children ages 7+ for busy families and those in need of a safe, trusted ride. Previously, Ms. Butler had been involved in several companies in real estate, biotechnology and the technology industry, holding positions including Senior Advisor, Director of Business Development and Chief Executive Officer. From 2015 through June 2016, Ms. Butler was the Director of Business Development for Frozen Egg Bank Network, a division of global fertility company Donor Egg Bank. From 2016 to 2018, she was a Senior Advisor for Cresa, an international commercial real estate company. Ms. Butler has an undergraduate degree in Communications from Pine Manor College.

Sandy Shoemaker has served as a member of our Board of Directors since December 2021 and will chairserves as Chairperson of the audit committee of the Company’sour Board of Directors. Ms. Shoemaker retired from public accounting in June 2021 to focus on consulting with small-medium sized companies. She was a partner in the audit service area of EKS&H/Plante Moran and was involved in public accounting since 1990, serving publicly traded and privately held companies. She led the EKS&H SEC practice for several years. Ms. Shoemaker’s experience includes:includes initial and secondary public offerings, reverse mergers, annual and quarterly auditsaudits/reviews of public companies, responses to SEC comment letters, assisting with implementation of new accounting pronouncements, business acquisitions, stock-based compensation, and internal controls. Ms. Shoemaker has provided services to companies in the various industries such as bio-tech, franchising, distribution, manufacturing, medical-device, restaurants and real estate industries. She also has extensive experience in working with employee-owned companies.

Ms. Shoemaker has numerous professional affiliations including, but not limited to, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA), and the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO). Ms. Shoemaker received her B.S. in Accounting, graduating cum laude, from Southwest Missouri State University.

 

8

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships between or among the above Directors, executive officers or persons nominated or charged by us to become directors or executive officers.

 

Conflicts of InterestBOARD DIVERSITY

Potential conflicts of interest are inherent in the relationships between the Company and our officers and directors. From time to time, one or more of our affiliates may form or hold an ownership interest in and/or manage other businesses both related and unrelated to the type of business that we own and operate. These persons expect to continue to form, hold an ownership interest in and/or manage additional other businesses which may compete with our business with respect to operations, including financing and marketing, management time and services and potential customers. These activities may give rise to conflicts between or among the interests of us and other businesses with which our affiliates are associated. Our affiliates are in no way prohibited from undertaking such activities, and neither we nor our shareholders will have any right to require participation in such other activities. Further, because we intend to transact business with some of our officers, directors and affiliates, as well as with firms in which some of our officers, directors or affiliates have a material interest, potential conflicts may arise between the respective interests of us and these related persons or entities. We believe that such transactions will be effected on terms at least as favorable to us as those available from unrelated third parties.

With respect to transactions involving real or apparent conflicts of interest, we have adopted policies and procedures which require that: (i) the fact of the relationship or interest giving rise to the potential conflict be disclosed or known to the directors who authorize or approve the transaction prior to such authorization or approval, (ii) the transaction be approved by a majority of our disinterested outside directors, and (iii) the transaction be fair and reasonable to us at the time it is authorized or approved by our directors.

 

Our policiesfive directors come from diverse backgrounds. We comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(f), which requires Nasdaq-listed smaller reporting companies to have at least two diverse directors.

The table below provides certain highlights of the composition of our Board members and procedures regarding transactions involving potential conflictsnominees as of interest areMarch 29, 2024 and March 14, 2023. 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 March 29, 2024)

 

 

(As of March 14, 2023)

 

Total Number of Directors

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

Female

 

 

Male

 

 

Non-Binary

 

 

Did Not Disclose Gender

 

 

Female

 

 

Male

 

 

Non-Binary

 

 

Did Not Disclose Gender

 

Gender Identity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demographic Background

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

African American or Black

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alaskan Native or Native American

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hispanic or Latinx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LGBTQ+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

 

 

5*

 

 

 

5*

 

* Did not in writing. We understand that it will be difficultdisclose with respect to enforce our policies and procedures and will rely and trust our officers and directors to follow our policies and procedures. We will implement our policies and procedures by requiring the officer or director who is not in compliance with our policies and procedures to remove him and the other officers and directors will decide how to implement the policies and procedures, accordingly.LGBTQ+ background.

 

 
9

 

  

Involvement in Certain Legal ProceedingsDIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

 

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

The Nominating and Corporate 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 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 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 Corporate Governance Committee and the Board include judgment, knowledge, noneskill, 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. 

Term of Office

Our directors hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors have been elected and qualified, or until they resign or are removed. Our Board of Directors appoints our officers, and our officers hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify, or until their resignation or their removal.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among our directors orand executive officers.

INVOLVEMENT IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Our directors and executive officers has been convicted in a criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors, or has been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws, except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement. Except as set forth in our discussion below in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence – Transactions with Related Persons,” none of our directors, director nominees, or executive officers hashave not been involved in any transactions with usof the following events during the past ten years:

1.

Other than the involuntary bankruptcy proceeding mentioned herein, no bankruptcy petition has been filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;

2.

Any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

3.

Being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities;

4.

Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;

10

5.

Being the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of: (i) any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation; or (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

6.

Being the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

On January 22, 2024, the Company was named as a party to a complaint filed in Oakland County Court, Michigan by a former employee. The case was initially filed in the 6th Judicial District Circuit of Michigan. However, on February 15, 2024, the case was removed to the Federal Courts. The former employee is claiming breach of contract, unlawful termination and promissory estoppel. The Company has denied these claims.

There are no other material proceedings to which any director, officer, owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of any class of voting securities, affiliate of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer, security holder, or affiliate is a party adverse to the Company or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates,its subsidiaries or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuanthas a material interest adverse to the rules and regulationsCompany of the Commission.any of its subsidiaries.

 

Historical Compensation of DirectorsBOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

Other than as set forth herein no compensation has been given to anyOur Board of Directors held four meetings during the year ended December 31, 2023, which occurred on March 15, 2023, May 5, 2023, August 4, 2023, and November 10, 2023; and all directors attended 100% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and of the committees on which each of the directors although they may be reimbursed for any pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses.served. The Board also acted by unanimous written consent six times since January 1, 2023.

 

COMMITTEES

Since April 22, 2022, our Board of Directors has a designated Compensation Committee, consisting of Steven Beabout and Ford Fay. Our Board of Directors has a designated Audit Committee, consisting of Sandy Shoemaker, Steve Beabout and Ford Fay. Our Board of Directors has a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, consisting of Ford Fay and Steve Beabout. We also have written charters for the Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation Committee and Audit Committee. The written charters can be found on our website at www.sobrsafe.com/corporate-policies/.

ComplianceAudit Committee

The primary role of the Audit Committee is to assist with Section 16(a)the financial oversight of the Company, which primarily includes the accounting, financial reporting, and audits of the financial statements of the Company.

The Nasdaq Capital Market rules require us to have, subject to certain exceptions, three independent Audit Committee members, with at least one member being an “audit committee financial expert”. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Sandy Shoemaker meets the definition of “independent director” and an “audit committee expert”, and Steven Beabout and Ford Fay qualify as “independent directors” for purposes of serving on an Audit Committee under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Nasdaq Capital Market rules.

Our Audit Committee has held five meetings since January 1, 2023, which occurred on February 20, 2023, May 9, 2023, August 4, 2023, October 27, 2023, and March 28, 2024, and all members attended each meeting. The Audit Committee acted by unanimous written consent 0 times since January 1, 2023.

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Compensation Committee

The primary role of the Compensation Committee is to oversee the Company’s overall executive compensation philosophy, policies and programs, and to determine, or recommend to the Board for determination, the compensation of the executive officers of the Company. Further discussion relating to the processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation is described under Proposal 2 below.

The Nasdaq Capital Market rules require us to have two independent Compensation Committee members. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Steve Beabout and Ford Fay meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on a compensation committee under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Nasdaq Capital Market rules.

Our Compensation Committee has held three meetings since January 1, 2023, which occurred on February 20, 2023, August 4, 2023 and October 27, 2023, and all members attended each meeting. The Compensation Committee acted by unanimous written consent 0 times since January 1, 2023.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The primary role of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to identify and recommend to the Board individuals qualified to become members of the Board (consistent with criteria the Board has approved). Further discussions of this process are described under “Director Nominations” above.

The Nasdaq Capital Market rules require us to have two independent Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Ford Fay and Steve Beabout meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Nasdaq Capital Market rules.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held three meetings since January 1, 2023, which occurred on February 20, 2023, August 4, 2023 and October 27, 2023, and all members attended each meeting. The Compensation Committee acted by unanimous written consent 0 times since January 1, 2023.

Stockholder Communications

Stockholders who are interested in communicating directly with members of the Board of Directors may do so by writing directly to the individual Board members c/o Secretary, SOBR Safe, Inc., 6400 S. Fiddlers Green Cir., Suite 1400, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111. The Company’s Secretary will forward communications directly to the appropriate Board member. If the correspondence is not addressed to the particular member, the communication will be forwarded to a Board member to bring to the attention of the Board. The Company’s Secretary will review all communications before forwarding them to the appropriate Board member.

Role of Board of Directors in Risk Oversight

While management is charged with the day-to-day management of risks that the Company faces, the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee are responsible for oversight of risk management. The full Board, and the Audit Committee since it was formed, have responsibility for general oversight of risks facing the Company. Specifically, the Audit Committee is tasked with periodically discussing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, and the Company’s plans to monitor, control and minimize such risks and exposures, with the independent public accounting firm, internal auditors and management.

Cybersecurity

We have a cross-departmental approach to addressing cybersecurity risk, including input from employees and our Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Board, Audit Committee, and senior management devote significant resources to cybersecurity and risk management processes to adapt to the changing cybersecurity landscape and respond to emerging threats in a timely and effective manner. Assessing, identifying, and managing cybersecurity related risks are integrated into our overall enterprise risk management (ERM) process. We have a set of Company-wide policies and procedures outlined in our Employee Handbook that directly or indirectly relate to cybersecurity risks. These policies go through an internal review process and are approved by appropriate members of management.

The Company’s EVP of Technology is responsible for developing and implementing our information security program and reporting on cybersecurity matters to the Board. Our EVP of Technology has over two decades of experience as a senior executive in technology-driven enterprises with expertise across cybersecurity, compliance, manufacturing process engineering, database architecture, interface programming and more.

The Company assesses the cybersecurity preparedness of third-party vendors by obtaining SOC 1 or SOC 2 reports. If a third-party vendor is not able to provide a SOC 1 or SOC 2 report, we take additional steps to assess their cybersecurity preparedness and assess our relationship on that basis. Our assessment of risks associated with the use of third-party providers is part of our overall cybersecurity risk management framework.

The Board and Audit Committee participates in discussions with management regarding cybersecurity risks and performs a review at least annually of the Company’s cybersecurity program. This includes discussions of management’s actions to identify and detect threats, as well as planned actions in the event of a response or recovery situation.

We are subject to cyber incidents and will continue to be exposed to cyber incidents in the normal course of our business. Although, such risks have not materially affected us, including our business strategy, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The extensive approach we take to cybersecurity may not be successful in preventing or mitigating a cybersecurity incident that could have a material adverse effect on us. See Item 1A – Risk Factors for a discussion of cybersecurity risks.

12

CODE OF ETHICS

On April 22, 2022, our Board of Directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our employees, directors and officers, in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of Nasdaq. The code of business conduct and ethics is publicly available on our website at www.sobrsafe.com/corporate-policies/. Any substantive amendments or waivers of the code of business conduct and ethics or code of ethics for senior financial officers may be made only by our Board of Directors and will be promptly disclosed as required by applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of Nasdaq.

Additionally, we adopted a policy on insider trading which is publicly available on our website at www.sobrsafe.com/corporate-policies/. The Insider Trading Policy also specifically addresses hedging transactions, providing that any person wishing to enter into such an arrangement must first obtain written pre-clearance from the designated Compliance Officer. However, if any hedging transaction is considered a short-sale, it will be prohibited. In any event, no director or officer of SOBR Safe is permitted to purchase financial instruments, including, for greater certainty, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of any SOBR Safe securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by such director or executive officer.

CLAWBACK POLICY

In accordance with the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market and Section 10D and Rule 10D-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has adopted a policy for the recovery of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation from executive officers (a “Clawback Policy”). In the event of an Accounting Restatement, the Company will reasonably promptly recover erroneously awarded compensation received from executive officers in accordance with the Nasdaq Rules and Rule 10D-1.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors, and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company.  Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by the CommissionSEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

 

During the most recent fiscal year, to the Company’s knowledge, the following delinquencies occurred:

 

 

 

Name

 

No. of Late Reports

No. of Transactions Reported Late

No. of Failures to File

David Gandini

0

0

1

Kevin Moore

0

0

0

Ford Fay

0

0

0

J. Steven Beabout

0

0

1

James Bardy

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sandy Shoemaker

N/A

N/A

N/A

Board Meetings and Committees

During 2021 and 2020, the Board of Directors met as circumstances required and took written action on numerous other occasions. All the members of the Board attended the meetings and all written actions were by unanimous consent.

Code of Ethics

We have not adopted a written code of ethics, because we believe and understand that our officers and directors adhere to and follow ethical standards without the necessity of a written policy.

Audit Committee

We do not currently have an audit committee. However, we will be forming an audit committee chaired by Sandy Shoemaker in connection with our planned listing on NASDAQ.

Compensation Committee

We currently have a compensation committee consisting of Steve Beabout and Ford Fay, which is chaired by Steve Beabout.

Name

No. of Late Reports

No. of Transactions Reported Late

No. of Failures to File

David Gandini

 0

 0

 0

Jerry Wenzel

0

 0

 0

Ford Fay

 0

 0

 1

Steven Beabout

 0

 0

 0

Noreen Butler

 0

 0

 0

Sandy Shoemaker

0

 0

 0

Gary Graham

0

 0

 18

 

 
1013

 

  

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 1 of Article VI of our Articles of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware we will indemnify our officers and directors from and against any and all expenses, liabilities, or other matters.

Section 2 of Article VI of our Articles of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no director or officer shall be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for damages for breach of any duty owed to the corporation or its shareholders.

Article XI of our Amended and Restated Bylaws further addresses indemnification of our directors and officers and allows us to indemnify our directors and officers in the event they meet certain criteria in terms of acting in good faith and in an official capacity within the scope of their duties, when such conduct leads them to be involved in a legal action.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the small business issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the small business issuer has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

11

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS; EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The particulars of compensation paid to the following persons:

(a)

all individuals serving as our principal executive officer during the year ended December 31, 2020;

(b)

each of our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive officer who were serving as executive officers at December 31, 2020 who had total compensation exceeding $100,000; and

(c)

up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided under (b) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as our executive officer at December 31, 2020,

who we will collectively refer to as the named executive officers, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, are set out in the following summary compensation table:

Executive Officers and Directors

 

The following tables set forth certain information about compensation paid, earned or accrued for services by (i) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and (ii) all other executive officers who earned in excess of $100,000 in the years ended December 31, 20202023, 2022, and 20192021 (“Named Executive Officers”):

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


Name and Principal Position

 


Year

 


Salary
($)(1)

 

 


Bonus
($)

 


Stock
Awards
($)

 


Option
Awards
($)(9)

 

 


Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)

 

Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation Earnings
($)

 


All
Other
Compensation
($)

 

 


Total
($)

 

Kevin Moore,

 

2020

 

 

213,000

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

213,000

 

CEO (2)(11)

 

2019

 

 

39,508

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

240,779

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

280,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Gandini,

 

2020

 

 

185,000

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

185,000

 

CFO, CRO and Secretary (3)

 

2019

 

 

29,417

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

215,018

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

244,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean Watson, CTO(10)

 

2020

 

 

43,750

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

43,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Bennington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Chief Executive Officer,

 

2020 

 

 

50,000(5)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

50,000(5)

CFO, and Secretary (4)

 

2019

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

4,163

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

60,000(6)

 

 

64,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Noceti, Former CFO (7)

 

2020 

 

 

16,500(8)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

16,500(8)

 

 

2019

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

4,163

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

66,000(8)

 

 

70,163(8)

 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

($)(1)

 

 

Bonus

($)

 

Stock

Awards

($)

 

 

Option

Awards

($)

 

 

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compensation

($)

 

Change in

Pension

Value and

Nonqualified

Deferred

Compensation Earnings

($)

 

All

Other

Compensation

($)

 

 

Total

($)

 

David Gandini, CEO and Secretary(2)

 

2023

 

 

300,000

 

 

-0-

 

 

150,062

(3)

 

1,048,159

(4)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

1,498,221

(3,4)

 

2022

 

 

253,750

 

 

150,000

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

403,750

 

2021

 

 

210,000

 

 

-0-

(5)

43,804

(6)

-0-

 

-0-

-0-

-0-

 

 

 

253,804

(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Moore, Former CEO (7)

 

2023

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

-0-

 

 

2022

 

 

40,000

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

40,000

 

 

2021

 

 

185,500

 

 

-0-

(8)

43,804

(9)

-0-

 

-0-

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

229,304

(9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry Wenzel, Former CFO(10)

 

2023

 

 

225,000

 

 

-0-

 

 

24,000

(11)

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

249,000

(11)

 

2022

 

 

185,417

 

 

-0-

 

 

287,750

(12)

 

 

409,611

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

882,778

(12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Bennett, EVP of Bus Ops(13)

 

2023

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2022

 

 

175,000

 

 

-0-

 

 

108,500

(14)

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

283,500

(14)

 

 

2021

 

 

89,167

 

 

-0-

 

 

45,532

(15)

 

 

540,706

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

675,405

(15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Watson, Former EVP of Sales & Marketing(16)

 

2023

 

 

158,333

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

158,333

 

 

2022

 

 

175,000

 

 

-0-

 

162,750

(17)

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

337,750

(17)

 

 

2021

 

 

39,824

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

687,639

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

727,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean Watson, Former CTO(18)

 

2021

 

 

138,472

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

138,472

 

___________ 

(1)

Includes amounts paid and/or accrued.

(2)

(2)Mr. Gandini was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer in October 2021. Mr. Gandini previously served as our Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

(3)

Includes the value of 98,080 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant.

(4)

Includes the value of 510,000 stock options granted to acquire shares of our common stock under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

(5)

Since Mr. Gandini received Restricted Stock Units in lieu of a cash bonus, his bonus amount is set forth under “Stock Awards” in the above table.

(6)

Includes 20,959 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which were issued to Mr. Gandini in lieu of executive bonus he earned for 2020. The RSUs were valued based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.

(7)

Mr. Moore was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer on October 25, 2019.

(3)

Mr. Gandini was appointed as our Chief Revenue Officer on October 25, 2019.

(4)

Mr. Bennington2019, resigned as our Chief Executive Officer oneffective October 25, 201918, 2021, and resigned as our President and Secretary on June 5, 2020.continued employed in a strategic advisor position until October 31, 2022.

(5)

Includes amounts paid to Mr. Bennington as compensation for serving on our Board of Directors and as a consultant.

(6)

Amounts accrued for Mr. Bennington’s role on the Board of Directors

(7)

Nick Noceti was appointed to the role of CFO in 2018 and resigned effective June 5, 2020.

(8)

Includes amounts paid for accounting services.Since Mr. Moore received Restricted Stock Units in lieu of a cash bonus, his bonus amount is set forth under “Stock Awards” in the above table.

(9)

Includes 20,959 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which were issued to Mr. Moore in lieu of executive bonus he earned for 2020. The RSUs were valued based on the fair market value of all granted options basedour common stock on exercise pricethe date of options.grant.

(10)

(10)Mr. Wenzel was hired as our Chief Financial Officer in January 2022, resigned as our Chief Financial Officer effective December 31, 2023.

(11)

Includes the value of 50,000 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant.

(12)

Includes the value of 91,667 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.

(13)

Mr. Bennett was hired as our Executive Vice President of Business Operations in October 2021. Effective March 15, 2023, Scott Bennett will continue as Executive Vice President of Business Operations but will no longer be an officer of the Company.

(14)

Includes the value of 50,000 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan based on fair market value of our common stock on the dates of grant.

(15)

Includes the value of 20,000 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan based on fair market value of our common stock on the dates of grant.

(16)

Mr. Watson was hired as our Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing in October 2021. Mr. Watson was terminated effective October 13, 2023.

(17)

Includes the value of 75,000 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan based on fair market value of our common stock on the dates of grant.

(18)

Dean Watson was terminated effective August 20, 2021.

(11)

Kevin Moore resigned as our Chief Executive Officer effective October 18, 2021.

 

 
1214

 

  

PAY VS. PERFORMANCE

Year

 

Summary Compensation Table Total for First PEO

 

 

Summary Compensation Table Total for Second PEO

 

 

Compensation Actually Paid to First PEO

 

 

Compensation Actually Paid to Second PEO

 

 

Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs

 

 

Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs

 

 

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Stockholder Return

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

2023

 

$1,498,221

 

 

$-

 

 

$450,266

 

 

$-

 

 

$147,930

 

 

$170,644

 

 

$5

 

 

$(10,214,721)

2022

 

$403,750

 

 

$-

 

 

$185,157

 

 

$(826,873)

 

$386,007

 

 

$(81,454)

 

$11

 

 

$(12,354,930)

2021

 

$229,304

 

 

$96,304

 

 

$553,366

 

 

$(1,860,184)

 

$424,710

 

 

$380,631

 

 

$101

 

 

$(7,870,378)

During 2023, our Chief Executive Officer (PEO) was David Gandini. During 2022, our Chief Executive Officer (PEO) was David Gandini.  During 2021, our Chief Executive Officers (PEOs) were Kevin Moore and David Gandini. David Gandini replaced Kevin Moore as PEO effective October 18, 2021.  During 2023, our NEO’s consisted of Jerry Wenzel, Scott Bennett (through March 15, 2023), and Michael Watson (through October 13, 2023). During 2022, our NEOs consisted of Jerry Wenzel, Scott Bennett, and Michael Watson.  During 2021, our NEOs consisted of David Gandini (through October 18, 2021), Scott Bennett, Michael Watson, and Dean Watson. 

The following table sets forth the adjustments made to arrive at compensation “actually paid” to our PEOs during each of the years represented in the PVP Table:

Adjustments to Determine Compensation “Actually Paid” to PEOs

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

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

 

$(1,198,221)

 

$-

 

 

$(43,804)

Increase for fair value of awards granted during year that remain unvested at year end

 

 

175,836

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

186,745

 

Fair value of awards granted and vested in the same year

 

 

-

 

 

 

(161,175)

 

 

(1,156,889)

Change in fair value from prior year-end to current year-end of awards granted in prior years that were outstanding and unvested at year-end

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Change in fair value from prior year-end to vesting date of awards granted in prior years that vested during year

 

 

-

 

 

 

(156,354)

 

 

(796,064)

Fair value of awards granted in prior years that failed to meet applicable vesting conditions

 

 

(25,570)

 

 

(727,937)

 

 

177,586

 

Total Adjustments

 

$(1,047,955)

 

$(1,045,466)

 

$(1,632,426)

15

The following table sets forth the adjustments made to arrive at the average compensation “actually paid” to our non-PEO NEOs during each of the years represented in the PVP Table:

Adjustments to Determine Average Compensation “Actually Paid” to non-PEO NEOs

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

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

 

$(24,000)

 

$(968,611)

 

$(1,350,285)

Increase for fair value of awards granted during year that remain unvested at year end

 

 

-

 

 

 

(293,224)

 

 

1,023,191

 

Fair value of awards granted and vested in the same year

 

 

(25,878)

 

 

(489,139)

 

 

-

 

Change in fair value from prior year-end to current year-end of awards granted in prior years that were outstanding and unvested at year-end

 

 

24,000

 

 

 

(36,512)

 

 

150,778

 

Change in fair value from prior year-end to vesting date of awards granted in prior years that vested during year

 

 

94,019

 

 

 

(238,713)

 

 

-

 

Fair value of awards granted in prior years that failed to meet applicable vesting conditions

 

 

-

 

 

 

(670,519)

 

 

-

 

Total Adjustments

 

$68,142

 

 

$(2,696,719)

 

$(176,316)

The following graph reflects the value of a fixed investment of $100 made on December 31, 2020:

Prior to the Company's up list to Nasdaq in May of 2022, the Company's stock was thinly traded on the OTC Pink and OTCQB markets. Due to a very limited float and a lack of investor awareness, SOBRsafe’s stock was not subject to an efficient trading market. In addition, there existed a substantial legacy shareholder base in the illiquid entities preceding SOBRsafe. Upon Nasdaq up list many of those shareholders chose to realize liquidity and exited the stock.  The Company’s tradeable float is now approximately 12 million shares, and its post up list commitment to creating new investor awareness is reflected in the trading volume and shareholder count increases detailed below.

The following table compares the Company's stock, equity and cash as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022:

 

 

December 31,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2021

 

 

December 31,

2022

 

 

December 31,

2023

 

Common Shares Outstanding

 

 

8,640,678

 

 

 

8,778,555

 

 

 

16,972,241

 

 

 

18,582,241

 

Annual Trading Volume of Shares

 

 

52,365

 

 

 

77,662

 

 

 

334,819,866

 

 

 

101,588,190

 

Approximate Shareholders of Record

 

 

170

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

4,200

 

 

 

3,550

 

Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)

 

$3,039,484

 

 

$(483,593)

 

$9,090,353

 

 

$1,982,537

 

Cash

 

$232,842

 

 

$882,268

 

 

$8,578,997

 

 

$2,790,147

 

16

Since 2019 the Company has been developing products leveraging proprietary transdermal (touch-based) technology to identify the presence of alcohol quickly and hygienically. During 2022 the Company raised $19.5M in support of the first product sales, continued product development, sales force deployment and its operational structure to support future sales growth.

As a result of the Company's transition in 2022 from a development stage level of operations to initial product sales, the PEOs’ and non-PEO NEOs’ level of compensation is consistent with the necessary experience required to raise capital, develop products, launch to customer markets and generate revenue. The comparison of the decline in investment value and losses incurred to the PEO and non-PEO NEO compensation are reflective of the Company moving from a limited shareholder base and trading volumes, and the required investments for product and market development to generate revenue. 

Employment Contracts

 

David Gandini.On October 25, 2019,January 30, 2023, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Kevin MooreGandini to continue to serve as our Chief Executive Officer through December 31, 2025 (the “Moore Agreement”“Term”). The Term will automatically renew for additional terms of one year unless written notice not to renew is otherwise given by either Mr. Gandini or the Company.

Under the terms of the MooreEmployment Agreement, Mr. MooreGandini will receive an annual base salary of $300,000. For each subsequent calendar year of the Term and Renewal Terms, Mr. Gandini will receive salary adjustments as recommended by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Mr. Gandini is also entitled to participate in the Company’s Annual Bonus Plan and any and all other incentive payments available to executives of the Company. Mr. Gandini may also be provided with regular equity grants commensurate with his role and as awarded by the Board pursuant to the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

 Jerry Wenzel. In connection with hiring Mr. Wenzel, we entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Mr. Wenzel. Under the terms of his Employment Agreement, Mr. Wenzel will serve as our Chief ExecutiveFinancial Officer until October 24, 2022,January 1, 2024, unless either (i) the transaction that is the subject of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement with IDTEC, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “IDTEC Transaction”), has not closed by January 31, 2020, in which case Mr. Moore’s employment will terminate immediately, or (ii) he is terminated pursuant to the other termination provisions set forth in the Moore Agreement.his agreement. Under the terms of the Moorehis Employment Agreement, Mr. Moore performsWenzel will perform services for us that are customary and usual for a chief executivefinancial officer of a company, in exchange for: (i) 24,053 shares of our common stock per month until the IDTEC Transaction closes, (ii) thereafter, an annual base salary of $213,000, (iii) sales bonuses based on the Company’s sales, and (iv) an$225,000 effective January 2023, (ii) incentive stock options under our 2019 Equity CompensationIncentive Plan to acquire 1,058,32966,667 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $0.2634,$8.25, which is equal to 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on October 25, 2019,January 10, 2022 (the date the options were eligible to be issued under Mr. Wenzel’s Employment Agreement), and repriced effective November 4, 2022, to an exercise price of $2.39 per share with the stock options to vest in 36eight equal monthlyquarterly installments of 29,3988,334 shares during the three-yeartwo-year term of the Moore Agreement. The stock options haveEmployment Agreement, with a ten year term. We will be issuingterm, and (iii) 16,667 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, and vested in November 2022. On November 4, 2022, Mr. Moore a stock option agreement for the options heWenzel was issuedgranted 75,000 Restricted Stock Units under the Moore Agreement.our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, that vest on June 1, 2023. On November 10, 2023, Mr. Wenzel was granted 50,000 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, that vested on November 10, 2023.

 

Scott Bennett. On October 25, 2019,August 17, 2021, we entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Mr. David GandiniScott Bennett (the “Bennett Agreement”) to serve as our Chief Revenue Officer (the “Gandini Agreement”).Executive Vice President of Business Operations beginning on October 18, 2021. Under the terms of the GandiniBennett Agreement, Mr. Gandini will serve as our Chief Revenue Officer until October 24, 2022, unless either (i) the transaction that is the subject of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement with IDTEC, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “IDTEC Transaction”), has not closed by January 31, 2020, in which case Mr. Gandini’s employment will terminate immediately, or (ii) he is terminated pursuant to the other termination provisions set forth in the Gandini Agreement. Under the terms of the Gandini Agreement, Mr. Gandini will performBennett performs services for us that are customary and usual for a chief revenue officerEVP of business operations of a company, in exchange for: (i) an annuala base salary of $185,000,$175,000, (ii) sales bonuses based on the Company’s sales, (iii) an incentive stock options under our 2019 Equity CompensationIncentive Plan to acquire 721,588up to 33,334 shares of our common stock at $9.21 per share (110% of fair market value on the date of grant), and repriced effective November 4, 2023, to an exercise price of $2.39 per share which options vest in equal quarterly installments overs a two year period, and (iii) 16,667 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Stock Plan, which vested in November 2022. On November 4, 2022, Mr. Bennett was granted 50,000 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, that vest on June 1, 2023. The Bennett Agreement is for a two-year term. Effective March 15, 2023, Scott Bennet will continue as Executive Vice President of Business Operations but will no longer be an officer of the Company.

Prior to hiring Mr. Bennett as an executive officer, Mr. Bennett was granted (i) 3,334 Restricted Stock Units pursuant to a prior consulting arrangement with us, and (ii) a stock option to acquire 33,334 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.2634, which is equal$10.14 per share under a prior employment agreement with us and repriced effective November 4, 2022, to 110%an exercise price of the fair market value of$2.39 per share. The restricted stock units were issued under our common stock on October 25, 2019 with the stock options to vestEquity Plan and vested in 36 equal monthly installments of 20,045 shares during the three-year term of the Gandini Agreement, and (iv) an aggregate of 240,530 additional option shares (the “Pre-Vesting Option Shares”) shall vest as follows: 200,439 Pre-Vesting Option Shares representing the monthly vesting option shares for the ten months ended October 31, 2019, shall vest on November 1, 2019; and (ii) the remaining 40,091 Pre-Vesting Option Shares representing the monthly vesting option shares for the two months ended December 31, 2019 shall vest on January 1, 2020.2023. The stock options have a ten year term. We will be issuing Mr. Gandini a stock option agreement for the options he waswere also issued under the Gandini Agreement.our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan and vest in equal installments, monthly over a thirty-six (36) month period beginning May 17, 2021.

 

The foregoing description ofAdditionally, on March 14, 2023, the key terms offollowing individuals have entered into Indemnification Agreements with the above-agreements is qualified in its entiretyCompany, which were approved by the full text ofstockholders at the related documents, which are filed as exhibits to our periodic filings with the Commission.Company’s 2023 Annual Stockholder Meeting held June 9, 2023.

·

David Gandini – Board Chair, Secretary & CEO

·

Steven Beabout – Board Director & Compensation Committee Chair

·

Sandy Shoemaker – Board Director & Audit Committee Chair

·

Ford Fay – Board Director & Corp Governance Committee Chair

·

Noreen Butler – Board Director

·

Jerry Wenzel – CFO & Treasurer

·

Michael Watson – Chief Revenue Officer

·

Scott Bennett – EVP of Operations

 

 
1317

 

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table sets forth director compensation for 2020:2023:

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash

($)

 

Stock Awards

($)

 

Option Awards

($)

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

($)

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings

($)

 

All Other Compensation

($)

 

Total

($)

 

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash

($)

 

Stock Awards

($)

 

 

Option Awards

($)

 

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

($)

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings

($)

 

All Other Compensation

($)

 

Total

($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Bennington

 

50,000

(1)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

50,000

(1)

 

 

 

David Gandini

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

150,062(1)

 

1,048,159(2)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

1,198,221(1,2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Moore

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Fay

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

81,269(3)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

81,269(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven Beabout

 

-0-

 

-0-

(2)

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

(2)

 

-0-

 

121,972(4)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

121,972(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary Graham (3)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

Noreen Butler

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy Shoemaker

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

_______ 

(1)

Includes amounts paid to Mr. Bennington as compensation for servingthe value of 98,080 Restricted Stock Units under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan based on the fair market value of our Boardcommon stock on the date of Directors and as a consultant and is the same $50,000 listed in the Summary Compensation Table above.grant.

(2)

Does not include 90,000 restrictedIncludes the value of 510,000 stock units issuedoptions granted to Mr. Beabout for his services as Chairman of the Compensation Committeeacquire shares of our Board of Directors since those restrictedcommon stock units have not vested.under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

(3)

Mr. Graham resigned fromIncludes the value of 50,000 stock options granted to acquire shares of our Boardcommon stock under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

(4) 

Includes the value of Directors effective August 6, 2020.75,000 stock options granted to acquire shares of our common stock under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

We have no formal plan for compensating our directors for their service in their capacity as directors, although such directors may receive restricted stock units or stock options to purchase common shares as awarded by our Board of Directors or (as to future stock options) or the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on our behalf other than services ordinarily required of a director.

 

 
1418

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning outstanding stock awards held by the Named Executive Officers on December 31, 2020:2023:

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options

(#)

Exercisable

 

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options

(#)

Unexercisable

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options

(#)

 

 

Option Exercise Price

($)

 

 

Option Expiration Date

 

 

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

(#)

 

 

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

($)

 

 

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

($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Bennington(1)

 

 

24,053

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

$

0.2635

 

 

March 31, 2025 (1)

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Moore(2)(6)

 

 

411,572

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

646,757

 

 

$

0.2635

 

 

December 22, 2029 (2)

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Gandini(3)

 

 

521,146

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

439,970

 

 

$

0.2635

 

 

November 1, 2029 (3)

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean Watson

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Fay

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

$

0.2635

 

 

March 31, 2025 (4)

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven Beabout

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

165,000

 

 

 

477,300

(5)

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options

(#)

Exercisable

 

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options

(#)

Unexercisable

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options

(#)

 

 

Option Exercise Price

($)

 

 

Option Expiration Date

 

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

(#)

 

 

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

($)

 

 

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

($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Gandini(1)

 

 

370,705

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

460,000

 

 

$

0.7902 - 2.32

 

 

November 1, 2029 -February 23, 2033(1)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

98,080

 

 

$44,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry Wenzel

 

 

66,667

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$2.39

 

 

January 10, 2027

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

_________ 

(1)

Under the terms of Mr. Bennington’s stock option grant, the options expire five (5) years from the date of vesting. His options vest in equal installments quarterly over two year commencing with the January 1, 2020 quarter. As a result, the first 100,000 options vested on March 31, 2020 and will expire on March 31, 2025.

(2)

Under the terms of Mr. Moore’s stock option grant, the options expire ten (10) years from the date of vesting. His options vest in equal installments monthly over a three year period. As a result, the first 977,777 monthly options vested on December 22, 2019 and expire on December 22, 2029.

(3)

Under the terms of Mr. Gandini’s stock option grant, 320,705 of the options expire ten (10) years from the date of vesting. Mr. Gandini had 190,419 options vest on November 1, 2019. As a result, those initial options expire onvesting, or November 1, 2029.

(4)

Under the terms of Mr. Fay’sGandini’s stock option grant, 510,000 of the options expire five (5)ten (10) years from the date of vesting. His options vest in equal installments quarterly over one year commencing with the January 1, 2020 quarter. As a result, the first 6,250 options vest on March 31, 2020 and will expire on March 31, 2025.

(5)

Market price based on grant date but the restricted stock units do not vest until the earlier of (i) the expiration of any lock-up period that includes any of our securities owned by the Advisor after the uplift of the Corporation to a national exchange (NASDAQ, NYSE, etc.)vesting, or (ii) January 1, 2023.February 23, 2033.

(6)

Mr. Moore resigned as our Chief Executive Officer effective October 18, 2021.

15

 

Aggregated Option Exercises

 

No option exercisesoptions were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2020.2023 by our named executive officers.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

Currently, our companyCompany does not have a formal long-term incentive plan in favor of any director, officer, consultant or employee of our company.Company.

19

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director IndependenceSECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

We have not entered into The following table sets forth, as of March 29, 2024, certain information with respect to our equity securities owned of record or been a participant in any transaction in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest in an amount that exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1%beneficially by (i) each Officer and Director of the averageCompany; (ii) each person who owns beneficially more than 5% of each class of the Company’s total assets for the last three completed fiscal years.outstanding equity securities; and (iii) all Directors and Executive Officers as a group.

 

Title of Class

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (2)

 

Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

 

Amount

 

 

Percent

of Class (1)

 

Common Stock

 

David Gandini (3)

 

CEO, Secretary and Director

 

 

979,587(4)

 

 

4.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Christopher Whitaker (3)

 

CFO

 

 

94,633(5)

 

 

< 1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Ford Fay (3)

 

Director

 

 

74,200(6)

 

 

< 1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Steven Beabout (3)

 

Director

 

 

751,556(7)

 

 

3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Noreen Butler (3)

 

Director

 

 

25,000(8)

 

 

< 1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Sandy Shoemaker (3)

 

Director

 

 

75,280(9)

 

 

< 1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Gary Graham

6400 S. Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 1400

Greenwood Village, CO 80111

 

5% Holder

 

 

2,493,563(10)

 

 

12.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Cord Carpenter

2408 Jacks Pass

Austin, TX 78734

 

5% Holder

 

 

1,005,982

 

 

 

5.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Empery Debt Opportunity

c/o Empery Asset Management 1 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1205

New York, NY 10020

 

5% Holder

 

 

4,461,645(12)

 

 

19.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. c/o Armistice Capital

510 Madison Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10022

 

5% Holder

 

 

10,319,165(11)

 

 

46.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Officers and Directors as a Group (6 persons)

 

 

 

 

2,000,256(13)

 

 

9.5%

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated, based on 20,007,465 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of the person holding such options or warrants but are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage of any other person.

20

(2)

Unless indicated otherwise, the address of the shareholder is 6400 South Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 1400, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111.

(3)

Indicates one of our officers or directors.

(4)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 515,695 shares of our Common Stock at exercise prices from $0.7902 to $2.32 per share. Includes warrants to acquire 47,060 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.125 per share. Does not include 98,080 restricted stock units owned by Mr. Gandini since those restricted stock units have not vested.

(5)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 54,633 shares of our Common Stock at exercise prices from $0.48 to $2.11 per share.

(6)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 66,667 shares of our common stock at exercise prices from $0.7902 to $2.32 per share.

(7)

Includes 75,545 held in the name of C&S Trust, a trust controlled by Kathren Beabout, who is Mr. Beabout’s spouse. Mr. Beabout’s children are the beneficiaries of C&S Trust. Mr. Beabout also has interests in IDTEC, LLC and SOBR Safe, LLC, both of which own shares of our common stock. Mr. Beabout does not have a controlling interest in either entity so the stock owned by those entities is not reflected in his ownership. Includes vested stock options to acquire 75,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.32 per share. Includes warrants to acquire 117,600 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.125 per share.

(8)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 25,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.06 per share.

(9)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 25,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.17 per share. Includes warrants to acquire 23,520 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.125 per share.

(10)

Includes shares owned in the name of IDTEC, LLC and SOBR Safe, LLC, both of which are controlled by a limited liability company that is controlled by Mr. Graham. IDTEC, LLC and SOBR Safe, LLC. Includes warrants to acquire 47,868 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.125 per share.

(11)

Includes warrants purchased in the May 2022 Uplist Financing to acquire 2,023,400 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.125 per share, warrants purchased in the PIPE Offering to acquire 3,378,378 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.350 per share, and warrants acquired and subject to Adjustment terms (as defined in the respective Warrants) of the March 2022 Armistice Warrant and the September Armistice Warrant to acquire 4,917,387 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.62 per share; however the number of shares for this Beneficial Owner gives effect to the beneficial ownership limitations where the beneficial owner may not exercise these warrants and prefunded warrants to the extent such exercise would cause the beneficial owner to beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock which would exceed 4.99%, or 9.99%, as applicable, of our then outstanding common stock following such exercise, excluding for purposes of such determination shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant which have not been exercised.

(12)

Includes common share equivalents for convertible debt purchased in March 2023 of 3,216,764 and warrants to acquire 290,248 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.62 per share.

(13)

Includes an aggregate of 761,995 vested options to purchase our Common Stock, and 188,180 shares underlying warrants held by our officers and directors.

21

We are not aware of any person who owns of record, or is known to own beneficially, five percent or more of the outstanding securities of any class of the issuer, other than as set forth above. We are not aware of any person who controls the issuer as specified in Section 2(a)(1) of the 1940 Act. There are no classes of stock other than common and convertible preferred stock issued or outstanding. We do not have an investment advisor.

There are no current arrangements which will result in a written policy concerningchange in control.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

On October 24, 2019, our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan went effective. The plan was approved by our Board of Directors and the review, approval, or ratificationholders of transactionsa majority of our voting stock on September 9, 2019. The plan’s number of authorized shares was originally 1,282,823. In January 2022, the holders of a majority of our voting stock approved an amendment to the Plan that increased the number of shares authorized under the Plan to 1,733,333. In June 2023, the holders of a majority of our voting stock approved an amendment to the Plan that increased the number of shares authorized under the Plan to 3,500,000.

 The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2023, with related persons.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, warrants and rights

 

 

Weighted-average exercise

price of outstanding

options, warrants and rights

 

 

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity compensation plans

(excluding securities reflected in column (a))

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

(b)

 

 

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plan approved by security holders

 

 

3,500,000

 

 

$1.99

 

 

 

1,611,216

 

Equity compensation plan not approved by security holders

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

 

3,500,000

 

 

$1.99

 

 

 

1,611,216

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Relationship and Related Transactions; Director Independence

 

Our Board of Directors has a separately designated compensation committee, consisting of Steven Beabout and Ford Fay. OurAudit Committee are responsible for reviewing and approving related person transactions, as defined in applicable rules promulgated by the SEC. Officers are required to bring any potential related person transaction to the Company’s Board of Directors does not have nominatingand Audit Committee. Officers would present any actual or audit committees or committees performing similar functions. We also do not have a written nominating or audit committee charter. Ourproposed transactions with related persons to the Board of Directors does not believe that itand Audit Committee for its review and approval.

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David Gandini is necessaryone of our named executive officers. Mr. Gandini’s sons, Greg Gandini and Robert Gandini, are employees of SOBR Safe. Greg Gandini’s and Robert Gandini’s total compensation was approximately $165,000 and $90,000, respectively. These compensation arrangements are consistent with those made available to have nominating or audit committees because it believes thatother employees of SOBR Safe with similar years of experience and positions within the functions of such committees can be adequately performed by the Board of Directors.Company. Greg Gandini and Robert Gandini each also participate in Company benefit plans and equity incentive plans available to all other employees in similar positions.  

 

Currently, threefour of our directors are considered independent, namely Steven Beabout, Ford Fay, Noreen Butler, and James Bardy. Because our common stock is not currently listed on a national securities exchange, we have used the definition of “independence” of The NASDAQ Stock Market to make this determination.Sandy Shoemaker. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) provides that an “independent director” is a person other than an officer or employee of the company or any other individual having a relationship that, in the opinion of the company’sCompany’s Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The NASDAQ listing rules provide that a director cannot be considered independent if:

 

 

·

the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an employee of the company;

 

 

 

 

·

the director or a family member of the director accepted any compensation from the company in excess of $120,000 during any period of 12 consecutive months within the three years preceding the independence determination (subject to certain exclusions, including, among other things, compensation for board or board committee service);

 

 

 

 

·

a family member of the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an executive officer of the company;

 

 

 

 

·

the director or a family member of the director is a partner in, controlling stockholder of, or an executive officer of an entity to which the company made, or from which the company received, payments in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenue for that year or $200,000, whichever is greater (subject to certain exclusions);

 

 

 

 

·

the director or a family member of the director is employed as an executive officer of an entity where, at any time during the past three years, any of the executive officers of the company served on the compensation committee of such other entity; or

 

 

 

 

·

the director or a family member of the director is a current partner of the company’s outside auditor, or at any time during the past three years was a partner or employee of the company’s outside auditor, and who worked on the company’s audit.

 

16

Required Approval

We must receive affirmative Written Consents approving this Proposal No. 1, not previously revoked, representing at least [_________] votes entitled to act upon this Proposal. Accordingly, abstentions from submitting your Written Consent will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal.

Board of Directors Recommendation

The Board recommends that you mark the box entitled “FOR” the approval of the appointment of the six (6) director nominees.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO

EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

General

On November 4, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved, declared it advisable and in the Company’s best interest, and directed that there be submitted to the holders of a majority of the Company’s Common Stock for approval, the prospective amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Reverse Stock Split Amendment”) to effect a reverse split of the Company’s Common Stock of between 1-for-2 and 1-for-3, which could be a fractional split ratio between 1-for-2 and 1-for-3 such as 1-for-2.5, with the exact split ratio to be determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors without further shareholder approval (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The exact ratio of the Reverse Stock Split shall be determined by the Board at a later time prior to the filing of the Reverse Stock Split Amendment and shall be limited to a fractional Reverse Split ratio between 1-for-2 and 1-for-3, which could be a fractional split ratio between 1-for-2 and 1-for-3 such as 1-for-2.5 (each a “Reverse Ratio”). The exact Reverse Ratio will be chosen by the Company’s Board of Directors in order to ensure the Company can comply with the listing requirements to list the Company’s common stock on NASDAQ (as described below).

The Board of Directors of the Company believes that it is advisable and in the Company’s best interests to authorize and approve the Reverse Stock Split for reasons set forth herein.

If approved by the Company’s shareholders, the Reverse Stock Split, a copy of which is attached to this Consent Solicitation as Exhibit A, will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware with an expected effective date determined by the timing of the Company’s planned listing of its common stock on NASDAQ.

Effects of Reverse Stock Split

The corporate action provides for the combination of our presently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of identical Common Stock. This is known as a "reverse stock split." For example, if the Board approves of a 3-for-1 Reverse Stock Split, a shareholder owning 3,000 shares of Common Stock prior to such Reverse Stock Split would hold 1,000 shares of Common Stock following such Reverse Stock Split. THE HIGHER THE REVERSE RATIO (3-FOR-1 BEING HIGHER THAN 2-FOR-1 FOR EXAMPLE), THE GREATER THE DECREASE OF RELATED SHARES EACH EXISTING SHAREHOLDER, POST-REVERSE STOCK SPLIT, WILL EXPERIENCE.

In deciding the Reverse Ratio to be used, the Board of Directors will determine the effect each split ratio will have on the price of our Common Stock and select the best Reverse Ratio to ensure that the price per share for our Common Stock meets the minimum requirements for listing on a national exchange, such as NASDAQ.

Under the proposal, once the Reverse Ratio has been determined, the applicable number of shares (between 2-for-1 and 3-for-1) of our then issued and outstanding Common Stock as of the close of business on the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split will be converted automatically into one (1) share of our post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock. Fractional shares will not be issued. Instead, we will issue one share of our post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock to any stockholder who would have been entitled to receive a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

Each stockholder will hold the same percentage of our outstanding Common Stock immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as he or she did immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split, except for adjustments required due to the treatment of fractional shares. The Reverse Stock Split does not change the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.

If approved by our shareholders, the Reverse Stock Split will be at the Split Ratio, and effective at a time, determined by our Board of Directors in connection with our planned listing on NASDAQ. The effective date for the Reverse Stock Split will not be any sooner than 20 days after the mailing of this Consent Solicitation to our shareholders.

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Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split

The primary purpose of the reverse stock split are to increase the per share price of our Common Stock in connection with our proposed listing on NASDAQ.

The reduction in the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock to result from the reverse stock split is expected to increase the market price of the Common Stock to a level above the current market trading price. While the Board believes that the shares of Common Stock will trade at higher prices than those which have prevailed in the recent past, there can be no assurance that such increase in the trading price will occur or, if it does occur, that it will equal or exceed the direct arithmetical result of the reverse stock split because there are numerous factors and contingencies which could affect our market price.

Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the OTC Markets OTCQB-tier under the symbol “SOBR.” A higher per share price for the Common Stock would allow us to meet minimum bid price criteria for initial listing of the Common Stock on a national securities exchange, which we plan to do in the next six (6) months. Because our Common Stock is not currently listed on a national securities exchange and presently trades at less than $5.00 per share, trading in our Common Stock is subject to the requirements of certain rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, which require additional disclosure by brokers or dealers in connection with any trades involving a stock defined as a "penny stock." Because our Common Stock is presently classified as a "penny stock," prior to effectuating any transaction in our Common Stock, a broker or dealer is required to make a suitability determination as to the proposed purchaser of our Common Stock and to receive a written agreement meeting certain requirements. The additional burdens imposed upon brokers or dealers by such requirements could discourage brokers or dealers from effecting transactions in our Common Stock, which limits the market liquidity of our Common Stock and the ability of investors to trade our Common Stock.

The Board believes that the reverse stock split also could result in a broader market for our Common Stock than the current market. Many institutional investors are unwilling or unable due to investment restrictions to invest in companies whose stock trades at less than $5.00 per share. Many investment advisors are subject to internal restrictions on their ability to recommend stocks trading at less than $5.00 per share because of a general presumption that such stocks may be highly speculative. In addition, stocks trading at less than $5.00 per share may not be marginable under the internal policies of some investment firms. The reverse stock split is anticipated to result in a price increase for our Common Stock with the possibility of relieving, to some extent, the effect of such limitations on the market for our Common Stock. Additionally, brokerage commissions on the sale of lower priced stocks often represent a higher percentage of the sales price than commissions on relatively higher priced stocks. The expected increase in trading price may also encourage interest and trading in our Common Stock and possibly promote greater liquidity for our stockholders. We also believe that the current per share price of our Common Stock has or may have a negative effect on our ability to use our Common Stock in connection with possible future transactions such as financings, strategic alliances, acquisitions and other uses not presently determinable. However, there can be no assurances that the reverse stock split will have the desired consequences.

In addition to the “Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split” listed above, the additional shares of authorized common stock that will be unissued after the reverse split could potentially allow the Company to acquire companies and/or assets with shares of its common stock. However, the Company does not currently have any plans, proposals or arrangements to acquire any other companies or assets with the additional unissued common stock. The additional shares could also be issued to the Company’s management or other employees, although the Company currently does not have any plans, proposals or arrangements to issue any of the additional shares of common stock to its management or employees.

The additional shares of authorized common stock that will be unissued after the reverse split will also allow holders of the Company’s convertible securities (options, warrants and/or convertible promissory notes) to convert those convertible securities into the Company’s common stock.

19

No Dissenters Rights

In connection with the approval of the Reverse Stock Split, shareholders of the Company will not have a right to dissent and obtain payment for their shares under the Delaware Corporations Code, the Certificate of Incorporation, or Bylaws.

Accounting Matters

The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the par value of the Company’s Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, the stated capital on the Company’s balance sheet attributable to Common Stock would be increased from then current amount by a factor that equals the Reverse Ratio, and the additional paid-in capital account would be debited with the amount by which the stated capital is increased. The per share net income or loss and net book value per share will be increased because there will be fewer shares issued and outstanding.

Tax Consequences to Common Stockholders

The following discussion sets forth the material United States federal income tax consequences that the Company’s management believes will apply with respect to the Company and the shareholders of the Company who are United States holders at the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split. This discussion does not address the tax consequences of transactions effectuated prior to or after the Reverse Stock Split, including, without limitation, the tax consequences of the exercise of options, warrants, or similar rights to purchase stock. For this purpose, a United States holder is a shareholder that is: (i) a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a domestic corporation; (iii) an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust. This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of his particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules (such as dealers in securities, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, foreign individuals, and entities and persons who acquired their Common Stock as compensation). In addition, this summary is limited to shareholders who hold their Common Stock as capital assets. This discussion also does not address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, or foreign jurisdiction. Accordingly, each shareholder is strongly urged to consult with a tax adviser to determine the particular federal, state, local, or foreign income or other tax consequences to such shareholder related to any Reverse Stock Split.

The Reverse Stock Split is intended to be a tax-free recapitalization to the Company and its stockholders, except for those stockholders who receive shares of Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share. Stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, except for those stockholders receiving shares of Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share (as described herein). The holding period for shares of Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split will include the holding period of shares of Common Stock before the Reverse Stock Split, provided that such shares of Common Stock are held as a capital asset at the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split Amendment. The adjusted basis of the shares of Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split will be the same as the adjusted basis of the shares of Common Stock before the Reverse Stock Split, excluding the basis of fractional shares. A stockholder who receives shares of Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share generally may recognize gain in an amount not to exceed the excess of the fair market value of such shares over the fair market value of the fractional share to which the stockholder was otherwise entitled.

THIS SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR PERSON. IN PARTICULAR, AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THIS SUMMARY ASSUMES THAT THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ARE HELD AS “CAPITAL ASSETS” AS DEFINED IN THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, AND DOES NOT CONSIDER THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE COMPANY’S STOCKHOLDERS IN LIGHT OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT CIRCUMSTANCES OR TO HOLDERS WHO MAY BE SUBJECT TO SPECIAL TREATMENT UNDER THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS (SUCH AS DEALERS IN SECURITIES, INSURANCE COMPANIES, FOREIGN INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND TAX EXEMPT ENTITIES). IN ADDITION, THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT ADDRESS ANY CONSEQUENCES OF ANY REVERSE SPLIT UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS. THE STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ANY REVERSE SPLIT MAY VARY AS TO EACH STOCKHOLDER DEPENDING ON THE STATE IN WHICH SUCH STOCKHOLDER RESIDES.

20

AS A RESULT, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STOCKHOLDER TO OBTAIN AND RELY ON ADVICE FROM HIS, HER, OR ITS TAX ADVISOR AS TO, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: (A) THE EFFECT ON HIS, HER, OR ITS TAX SITUATION OF ANY REVERSE SPLIT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS; (B) THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE FUTURE LEGISLATION OR REGULATIONS; AND (C) THE REPORTING OF INFORMATION REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY REVERSE SPLIT ON HIS, HER, OR ITS OWN TAX RETURNS. IT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STOCKHOLDER TO PREPARE AND FILE ALL APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND, IF APPLICABLE, FOREIGN TAX RETURNS.

Tax Consequences for the Company

The Company should not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

Share Certificate Transfer Instructions

SHARE CERTIFICATES SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO US OR THE TRANSFER AGENT UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER DESIRES A NEW STOCK CERTIFICATE IN THE POST-SPLIT SHARE AMOUNT.

Until a stockholder forwards a completed letter of transmittal, together with certificates representing such stockholder's shares of pre-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock to the transfer agent and receives in return a certificate representing shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock, such stockholder's pre-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock shall be deemed equal to the number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock to which such stockholder is entitled as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

Company’s Capital Structure

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the impact of the Reverse Stock Split, the following are tables describing the Company’s current capital structure and what the capital structure will look like after the Reverse Stock Split, using 2-for-1 and 3-for-1 as examples:

Current Capital Structure(1)

 

 

No. of Shares Authorized Shares

 

 

No. of Securities Outstanding

 

 

No. of Securities Available for Issuance(2)

 

 

Voting Rights

 

 

Conversion Rights

 

Common Stock

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

25,981,203

 

 

 

66,097,143

 

 

 

25,981,203

 

 

 

N/A

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

25,000,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

19,300,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

N/A

 

Stock Options, RSUs, etc.

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

2,972,166

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless exercised

 

 

1:1

 

Common Stock Warrants

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

2,629,391

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless exercised

 

 

1:1

 

Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

N/A

 

 

Convertible Notes for an aggregate of $5,222,378 convertible into an aggregate of 2,353,912 shares

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless

converted

 

 

Variable between $1.875

and $10.76

 

________

(1)

As of September 30, 2021.

(2)

Shares available for issuance is the number of authorized shares minus any shares outstanding and minus any shares reserved for issuance under a convertible instrument.

21

Post-Reverse Stock Split Capital Structure

(At a 2-For-1 Reverse Stock Split Ratio)(1)

 

 

No. of Shares Authorized Shares

 

 

No. of Securities Outstanding(2)

 

 

No. of Securities Available for Issuance(3)

 

 

Voting Rights(1)

 

 

Conversion Rights

 

Common Stock

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

12,990,602

 

 

 

83,048,570

 

 

 

12,990,602

 

 

 

N/A

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

25,000,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

19,300,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

N/A

 

Stock Options

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

1,486,083

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless exercised

 

 

1:1

 

Common Stock Warrants

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

1,314,696

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless exercised

 

 

1:1

 

Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

N/A

 

 

Convertible Notes for an aggregate of $5,222,378 convertible into an aggregate of 1,176,956 shares

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless

converted

 

 

Varies between $3.75

and $21.52

 

_______ 

(1)

Calculated as of September 30, 2021.

(2)

Estimated, does not account for rounding of fractional shares up to the next whole share.

(3)

Shares available for issuance are the number of authorized shares minus any shares outstanding and minus any shares reserved for issuance under a convertible instrument.

Post-Reverse Stock Split Capital Structure

(At a 3-For-1 Reverse Stock Split Ratio)(1)

 

 

No. of Shares Authorized Shares

 

 

No. of Securities Outstanding(1)

 

 

No. of Securities Available for Issuance(2)

 

 

Voting Rights(1)

 

 

Conversion Rights

 

Common Stock

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

8,660,401

 

 

 

88,312,364

 

 

 

8,660,401

 

 

 

N/A

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

25,000,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

19,300,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

N/A

 

Stock Options

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

990,722

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless exercised

 

 

1:1

 

Common Stock Warrants

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

876,464

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless exercised

 

 

1:1

 

Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

N/A

 

 

Convertible Notes for an aggregate of $5,222,378 convertible into an aggregate of 748,638

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

None unless

converted

 

 

Varies between $5.625

and $32.28

 

_________ 

(1)

Calculated as of September 30, 2021.

(2)

Estimated, does not account for rounding of fractional shares up to the next whole share.

(3)

Shares available for issuance are the number of authorized shares minus any shares outstanding and minus any shares reserved for issuance under a convertible instrument.

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Required Approval

We must receive affirmative Written Consents approving this Proposal No. 2, not previously revoked, representing at least [_________] votes entitled to act upon this Proposal. Accordingly, abstentions from submitting your Written Consent will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal.

Board of Directors Recommendation

The Board recommends that you mark the box entitled “FOR” the approval of the Reverse Stock Split with the exact Split Ratio determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.

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PROPOSAL NO. 3

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO SOBR SAFE, INC.

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Our Board of Directors unanimously approved the SOBR Safe, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) on September 9, 2019, subject to stockholder approval, and authorized an aggregate total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to 3,848,467, or approximately twenty percent (20%) of the Company’s then-outstanding common stock on the date the Plan went effective for the issuance of certain securities to all employees (including, without limitation, officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (each a “Subsidiary”), to any non-employee director, consultants and to independent contractors of the Company or any Subsidiary, and any joint venture partners (including, without limitation, officers, directors and partners thereof) of the Company or any Subsidiary (each, an “Eligible Recipient”, and collectively, the “Eligible Recipients”). The Plan was approved by a majority of our shareholders on September 9, 2021 and went effective on or about October 25, 2019. A copy of the Plan is attached to our Information Statement filed with the Commission on September 26, 2019. As of the date of this Consent Solicitation Statement, 2,972,166shares have been issued under the Plan in form of stock option or restricted stock units, leaving approximately 900,000 shares available for issuance under the Plan. Our Board of Directors has approved increasing the authorized aggregate total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that can be issued under the Plan to 5,200,000 shares, or approximately twenty percent (20%) of the Company’s current outstanding common stock. The share numbers listed herein are pre-Reverse Stock Split. In the event the Plan is approved and the Reverse Stock Split detailed herein is approved, the share numbers under the Plan will be adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

Purpose of the Plan

Under the terms of the Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (or the entire Board of Directors if the Company does not have a Compensation Committee) will administer the Plan (the “Committee”). The Committee will, at its discretion, issue the authorized Shares to Eligible Recipients in the form of: (i) stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRC”) (“Qualified Stock Options”), (ii) stock options that do not qualify as incentive stock options (“Non-Qualified Stock Options” and together with the Qualified Stock Options, the “Incentive Awards”), (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR Awards”), (iv) awards of shares that are subject to certain restrictions specified in the Plan (each a “Restricted Stock Award”), (v) Restricted Unit Awards (“RSU Awards”); (vi) Performance Awards; and (vii) Other Awards, as such terms are defined in the Plan.

The Plan advances the interest of the Company and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain persons of ability to perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries by providing an incentive to such individuals through equity participation in the Company and by rewarding those individuals who contribute to the achievement by the Company of its operational and financial objectives. If approved by a majority of our stockholders, awards issued to “beneficial owners”, as such term is defined by Rule 16a-1 of the rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), will qualify for an exemption from the “short swing” profit rules contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and awards under the Plan will be considered “qualified” under the rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Below is a summary of the Plan. Unless otherwise indicated, all capitalized terms shall have the same meaning as defined in the Plan. This summary does not purport to be complete, and is qualified, in its entirety, by the specific language of the Plan, as attached to our Information Statement filed with the Commission on September 26, 2019.

24

Description of the Plan

Purpose. The Plan provides the Company with the ability to attract and retain highly qualified Eligible Recipients to perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries. By providing these Eligible Recipients with equity-based Incentive Awards, the Plan gives each Eligible Recipient an incentive to perform and increase the value of the Company, aligning the interests of these Eligible Recipients with the Company and its stockholders.

Administration. The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (or the entire Board of Directors if the Company does not have a Compensation Committee). The Committee may adopt rules and regulations for carrying out Plan. The interpretations and decisions of the Committee are final and conclusive on all persons participating or eligible to participate in the Plan.

Stock Subject to the Plan. Under the Plan, the Committee may award Eligible Recipients with shares of Common Stock in the form of Incentive Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, SARs, RSUs, Performance Awards, and Other Awards, as such terms are defined in the Plan. Under this proposed amendment to the Plan a total of 5,200,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, subject to stock splits, recapitalizations and other adjustments, will be available for purchase under the Plan. The Common Stock issued under the Plan will be from authorized but unissued shares of our Common Stock.

Eligibility. Eligible Recipients may be selected by the Committee to receive Incentive Awards or Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan. Eligible Recipients include all employees (including, without limitation, officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company or any Subsidiary, any non-employee director, consultants and independent contractors of the Company or any Subsidiary, and any joint venture partners (including, without limitation, officers, directors and partners thereof) of the Company or any Subsidiary. Although the Company estimates currently that approximately twenty five (25) individuals associated with the Company and its subsidiaries will qualify as Eligible Recipients, but that number is expected to increase.

Options. Each Qualified Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option (each an “Option”) granted under the Plan is subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. The per share price to be paid by an Eligible Recipient participation under the Plan (each a “Participant”) upon exercise of an Option will be determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time of the Option grant, provided that (a) such price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant with respect to an Qualified Stock Option (110% of the Fair Market Value if, at the time the Qualified Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, or is an officer and/or director of the Company), and (b) such price will not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of one share of on the date of grant with respect to a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

(b) Exercise of the Options. An Option will become exercisable at such times and in such installments as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option may be exercisable after 10 years from its date of grant.

(c) Form of Consideration. The purchase price of the shares to be purchased upon exercise of an Option will be payable to the Company in United States dollars in cash or by check or, such other legal consideration as may be approved by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, may allow such payments to be made, in whole or in part, by tender of a Broker Exercise Notice, Previously Acquired Shares or by a combination of such methods. The Committee, in its discretion, may permit a particular Participant to pay all or a portion of the Option Price, and/or the tax withholding liability with respect to the exercise of an Option either by surrendering shares of stock already owned by such Participant or by withholding shares of Option Stock, provided that the Committee determines that the fair market value of such surrendered stock or withheld Option Stock is equal to the corresponding portion of such Option Price and/or tax withholding liability, as the case may be, to be paid for therewith. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may establish such other terms and conditions for the payment of the exercise price, as it deems appropriate.

(d) Value Limitation. If the aggregate fair market value of all shares of Common Stock subject to a grantee’s Qualified Stock Option which are exercisable for the first time during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the excess options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. For this purpose, fair market value is determined as of the grant date.

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Restricted Stock Awards. Under the Plan, the Committee may grant Restricted Stock Awards to Eligible Recipients. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions to the vesting of these Restricted Stock Awards as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, that the Participant remain in the continuous employment or service of the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period, or that the Participant or the Company satisfy certain performance goals or criteria. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, all shares of Common Stock granted as a Restricted Stock Award shall have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights associated with becoming a holder of record of such shares as if Participant were the holder of shares of unrestricted Common Stock.

Stock Appreciation Rights. Under the Plan, the Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Recipients. A Stock Appreciation Right is the right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted under the Plan. The SARs are subject to the same terms and conditions as the Options.

Restricted Unit Award. Under the Plan, the Committee may grant Restricted Unit Awards to Eligible Recipients. A Restricted Unit Award is the right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units subject to the RSU Award. As a holder of a RSU Award, a Eligible Recipient is an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s unfunded obligation, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock in settlement of such Award and nothing contained in the Plan or any RSU Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between an Eligible Recipient and the Company or an Affiliate or any other person. An Eligible Recipient will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any RSU Award (unless and until shares are actually issued in settlement of a vested RSU Award).

Performance Award. Under the Plan, the Committee may grant a Performance Award to Eligible Recipients. A Performance Award is an award that may vest or may be exercised or a cash award that may vest or become earned and paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and which is granted under the terms and conditions of the Plan, with such terms as are approved by the Board of Directors. With respect to any Performance Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, the other terms and conditions of such Award, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be determined by the Board.

Other Awards. Other forms of Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards provided for in the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete discretion to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Awards.

Effective Date and Duration of the Plan. The Plan went effective on or about October 25, 2019, and terminates at midnight on October 24, 2029, unless terminated upon an earlier date by the Board of Directors. The current amendment does not extend the life of the Plan.

Registration of the Plan. The Company’s Board of Directors may, at any time and in its sole discretion, elect to register the Plan and the securities authorized for issuance under the Plan with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Termination or Amendment of the Plan. The Company’s Board of Directors may, at any time and without stockholder approval, terminate or amend the Plan, including amending the Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance.

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U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The Plan is, in part, is a qualified plan for Federal income tax purposes. As such, the Company is entitled to (a) withhold and deduct from future wages of the Eligible Recipient, or make other arrangements for the collection of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all federal, state and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable to a Qualified Stock Option, including, without limitation, the grant, exercise or vesting of, or payment of dividends with respect to, a Qualified Stock Option or a disqualifying disposition of stock received upon exercise of a Qualified Stock Option, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to a Qualified Stock Option.

New Plan Benefits

Participation in the Plan is entirely within the discretion of the Committee. Because we cannot predict the predict the rate at which the Committee will make awards to Eligible Recipients or the terms of Incentive Awards granted under the Plan, it is not possible to determine the number of shares that will be purchased or the value of benefits that may be obtained by executive officers and other employees under the Plan for the current fiscal year.

Required Approval

We must receive affirmative Written Consents approving this Proposal No. 3, not previously revoked, representing at least [__________] votes entitled to act upon this Proposal. Accordingly, abstentions from submitting your Written Consent will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal. In the event this amendment to the Plan is not approved, the Plan will remain in existence with its current shares authorized for issuance under the Plan, but such authorized shares will not be increased.

Board of Directors Recommendation

The Board recommends that you mark the box entitled “FOR” the approval of the amendment to the SOBR Safe, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

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PROPOSAL NO. 4

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT

OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors has appointed Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP (“MGO”) as our independent registered public accounting firm to examine the consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. The Board of Directors seeks an indication from shareholders of their approval or disapproval of the appointment.

MGO has audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company since 2020. Our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was audited by our former registered public accounting firm Hall & Company Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, Inc. (“Hall”). Hall was combined with MGO in a transaction pursuant to which Hall combined its operations with MGO, and certain members of Hall joined MGO either as employees or partners of MGO.

In connection with the audits of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and the subsequent interim periods through June 30, 2021, there were no disagreements with MGO on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to their satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement.

In the event shareholders fail to ratify the appointment of MGO, the Board of Directors will reconsider this appointment. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board of Directors determines that such a change would be in the interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Required Approval

We must receive affirmative Written Consents approving this Proposal No. 4, not previously revoked, representing at least [________] votes entitled to act upon this Proposal. Accordingly, abstentions from submitting your Written Consent will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal.

Board of Directors Recommendation

The Board recommends that you mark the box entitled “FOR” the approval of the ratification of Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to examine the consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth, as of October 27, 2021, certain information with respect to our equity securities owned of record or beneficially by (i) each Officer and Director of the Company; (ii) each person who owns beneficially more than 5% of each class of the Company’s outstanding equity securities; and (iii) all Directors and Executive Officers as a group.

Title of Class

 

Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner(2)

 

Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

 

Amount

 

 

Percent

of Class (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Kevin Moore (3)

 

Director

 

 

660,119

(4)

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

David Gandini (3)

 

CEO, CFO, Secretary and Director

 

 

1, 641,410

(5)

 

 

6.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Michael Watson

 

EVP/Revenue Officer

 

 

-0-

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

James Bardy (3)

 

Director

 

 

83,334

(6)

 

 

<1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Ford Fay (3)

 

Director

 

 

66,667

(7)

 

 

<1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Steven Beabout (3)

 

Director

 

 

25,482

(8)

 

 

<1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Gary Graham

6400 S. Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 525 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

 

5% Holder

 

 

11,322,575

(9)

 

 

43.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Michael A. Lanphere

400 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 225 Santa Ana, CA 92705

 

5% Holder

 

 

2,883,306

 

 

 

11.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Officers and Directors as a Group (6 persons)

 

 

 

 

2,477,012

(10)

 

 

9.0

%

___________________ 

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated, based on 25,981,203 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of the person holding such options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage of any other person.

(2)

Unless indicated otherwise, the address of the shareholder is 885 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, Colorado 80302.

(3)

Indicates one of our officers or directors.

(4)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 587,960, shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.2634 per share.

(5)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 641,410 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.2634 per share.

(6)

Includes shares of our common stock underlying (i) a $100,000 convertible debenture, convertible at $3.00 per share (33,334 shares) and (ii) 50,000 shares underlying a warrant exercisable at $3.00 per share. The debenture and the warrant are held in the name of Financial House, LLC. Mr. Bardy is the principal owner of Financial House, LLC.

(7)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 25,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.2635 per share, which have a 5-year term. Also includes: (i) 16,667 shares of our common stock underlying a $50,000 principal amount convertible promissory note, convertible into shares of our common stock at $3.00 per share, and (ii) 25,000 shares of our common stock underlying a warrant, exercisable at $3.00 per share.

(8)

Mr. Beabout also has interests in IDTEC, LLC and SOBR Safe, LLC, both of which own shares of our common stock. Mr. Beabout does not have a controlling interest in either entity so the stock owned by those entities is not reflected in his ownership. Does not include 165,000 restricted stock units owned by Mr. Beabout since those restricted stock units have not vested.

(9)

Includes vested stock options to acquire 9,021 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.2634 per share. Includes shares owned in the name of IDTEC, LLC and SOBR Safe, LLC, both of which are controlled by a limited liability company that is controlled by Mr. Graham. IDTEC, LLC and SOBR Safe, LLC, invested in over $4.2M in exchange for the securities issued to those entities.

(10)

Includes an aggregate of 1,254,370 vested options to purchase our Common Stock, 50,000 shares of our Common Stock underlying an aggregate of $150,000 principal amount convertible debentures, that are owned by our officers and directors, and 75,000 shares underlying two warrants held by our officers and directors, which amount is also added to our outstanding Common Stock for the percentage calculation.

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We are not aware of any person who owns of record, or is known to own beneficially, five percent or more of the outstanding securities of any class of the issuer, other than as set forth above. We are not aware of any person who controls the issuer as specified in Section 2(a)(1) of the 1940 Act. There are no classes of stock other than common stock issued or outstanding. We do not have an investment advisor.

There are no current arrangements which will result in a change in control.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Employment Contracts

On October 25, 2019, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Kevin Moore to serve as our Chief Executive Officer (the “Moore Agreement”). Under the terms of the Moore Agreement, Mr. Moore will serve as our Chief Executive Officer until October 24, 2022, unless either (i) the transaction that is the subject of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement with IDTEC, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “IDTEC Transaction”), has not closed by January 31, 2020, in which case Mr. Moore’s employment will terminate immediately, or (ii) he is terminated pursuant to the other termination provisions set forth in the Moore Agreement. Under the terms of the Moore Agreement, Mr. Moore performs services for us that are customary and usual for a chief executive officer of a company, in exchange for: (i) 24,053 shares of our common stock per month until the IDTEC Transaction closes, (ii) thereafter, an annual base salary of $213,000, (iii) sales bonuses based on the Company’s sales, and (iv) an incentive stock options under our 2019 Equity Compensation Plan to acquire 1,058,329 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $0.2634, which is equal to 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on October 25, 2019, with the stock options to vest in 36 equal monthly installments of 29,398 shares during the three-year term of the Moore Agreement. The stock options have a ten year term. We will be issuing Mr. Moore a stock option agreement for the options he was issued under the Moore Agreement.

On October 25, 2019, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. David Gandini to serve as our Chief Revenue Officer (the “Gandini Agreement”). Under the terms of the Gandini Agreement, Mr. Gandini will serve as our Chief Revenue Officer until October 24, 2022, unless either (i) the transaction that is the subject of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement with IDTEC, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “IDTEC Transaction”), has not closed by January 31, 2020, in which case Mr. Gandini’s employment will terminate immediately, or (ii) he is terminated pursuant to the other termination provisions set forth in the Gandini Agreement. Under the terms of the Gandini Agreement, Mr. Gandini will perform services for us that are customary and usual for a chief revenue officer of a company, in exchange for: (i) an annual base salary of $185,000, (ii) sales bonuses based on the Company’s sales, (iii) an incentive stock options under our 2019 Equity Compensation Plan to acquire 721,588 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $0.2634, which is equal to 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on October 25, 2019, with the stock options to vest in 36 equal monthly installments of 20,045 shares during the three-year term of the Gandini Agreement, and (iv) an aggregate of 240,530 additional option shares (the “Pre-Vesting Option Shares”) shall vest as follows: 200,439 Pre-Vesting Option Shares representing the monthly vesting option shares for the ten months ended October 31, 2019, shall vest on November 1, 2019; and (ii) the remaining 40,091 Pre-Vesting Option Shares representing the monthly vesting option shares for the two months ended December 31, 2019 shall vest on January 1, 2020. The stock options have a ten year term. We will be issuing Mr. Gandini a stock option agreement for the options he was issued under the Gandini Agreement.

30

Other Agreements

From March 2021 to June 2021, in connection with a $2M securities offering under Rule 506 of Regulation D, we issued convertible promissory notes totaling $2,005,000 to 27 non-affiliated investors and one affiliated investor, Mr. Ford Fay who is a member of our Board of Directors. The notes mature two years from the date of issuance, carry an interest rate of 12% per annum, and can be converted into shares of our common stock at $3.00 per share. Mr. Ford Fay acquired one (1) Unit in this offering, which consisted of a $50,000 principal amount convertible promissory note and a warrant to purchase 25,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.

In October 2020, we entered into an Advisory Agreement with Steven Beabout, a member of our Board of Directors, under which he agreed to provide us with strategic legal advice in relation to certain business and legal matters for a period of sixteen (16) months. In exchange for his services, we agreed to issue him 75,000 restricted stock units. The restricted stock units were issued under our 2019 Equity Plan and vest upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of any lock-up period that includes any of our securities owned by the Advisor after the uplift of the Corporation to a national exchange (NASDAQ, NYSE, etc.) or (ii) January 1, 2023.

On April 6, 2020, we issued 38,437 shares of our common stock to Nick Noceti, our former Chief Financial Officer, in exchange for amounts due to him for accounting fees included in accounts payable. The amount of the debt reduction, and therefore the purchase price of the shares, was $127,840. The issuance of the shares was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, due to the fact the investor was known to our management team, is a sophisticated investor and familiar with our operations.

On April 7, 2020, we issued 6,831 shares of our common stock to Charles Bennington, one of our then directors and a former executive officer, in exchange for amounts due for Board of Director fees included in accounts payable. The amount of the debt reduction, and therefore the purchase price of the shares, was $9,656. The issuance of the shares was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, due to the fact the investor is on our Board of Directors, is a sophisticated investor and familiar with our operations.

On or about August 28, 2019, we issued 420,927 shares of our common stock to Charles Bennington, one of our then current directors, pursuant to the terms of a Common Stock Purchase Agreement under which Bennington agreed to forgive $595,000 in accrued salary we owed to him in exchange for the shares. The shares were issued with a standard restrictive legend.

Corporate Governance

 

As of September 30, 2021,December 31, 2023, our Board of Directors consisted of David Gandini, Kevin Moore,Noreen Butler, Ford Fay, Steven Beabout, and James Bardy.Sandy Shoemaker. As of September 30, 2021, threeDecember 31, 2023, four of our directors qualified as an “independent director” as the term is used in NASDAQ rule 5605(a)(2), namely Noreen Butler, Ford Fay, Steven Beabout, and James Bardy.Sandy Shoemaker. Our Board of Directors has a designated Compensation Committee, consisting of Steven Beabout and Ford Fay. Our Board of Directors has a designated Audit Committee, consisting of Sandy Shoemaker, Steve Beabout and Ford Fay. Our Board of Directors has a designated Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of Ford Fay and Steve Beabout.   

 

 
3123

 

  

PROPOSALNO. 2

“SAY-ON-PAY” ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) require that at stockholder meetings at which directors are to be elected, certain public companies submit to their stockholders what is commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal. A Say-on-Pay proposal gives stockholders the opportunity to vote to approve or not approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”). The NEOs’ total compensation is described in the Executive Compensation disclosure included in the company’s annual report as well as in this Proxy Statement.

This Say-on-Pay advisory vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Company’s NEOs and our compensation philosophy, policies and practices, as disclosed under the Executive Officers and Directors; Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement.

The Company recognizes that a framework that accounts for the Company’s financial resources and its business objectives is essential to an effective executive compensation program. The Company’s compensation framework and philosophy are established and overseen primarily by the Company’s Compensation Committee. Our executive compensation program is designed to provide a competitive level of compensation necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced executives and to motivate them to achieve short-term and long-term corporate goals that enhance stockholder value. The Compensation Committee attempts to balance the compensation of our NEOs between near term compensation (being the payment of competitive salaries) with providing compensation intended to reward executives for the Company’s long-term success (being equity based compensation). Moreover, the equity-based compensation element is intended to further align the longer-term interests of our executive officers with that of our stockholders.

We believe our executive compensation program implements our primary objectives of attracting and retaining qualified executive level personnel, providing the executives with reasonable contractual terms that offer some level of security, and motivating executive level personnel with a balance between short-term incentives with longer term incentives aimed to help further align the interests of our executive officers with our stockholders. Stockholders are encouraged to read the “Executive Officers and Directors; Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement for a more detailed discussion of the compensation structure and programs implemented by the Company, which we expect to continue going forward.

We ask our stockholders to indicate their support for our NEO compensation as described in this Proxy Statement by voting “FOR” the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the “Executive Officers and Directors; Executive Compensation ” section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying narrative executive compensation disclosures set forth in the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, is hereby APPROVED.

Required Vote

This proposal will be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting securities present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. However, while we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, the final vote is advisory in nature and therefore not binding on the Company. Our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee value the opinions of all of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of this vote when making future compensation decisions for our NEOs. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal. 

Board of Directors Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

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PROPOSALNO. 3

“SAY-WHEN-ON-PAY” ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Act, require that public companies give their stockholders the opportunity to vote, at stockholder meetings at which directors are to be elected and on an advisory basis, the frequency with which companies include in their meeting materials an advisory vote to approve or not approve the compensation of their NEOs. 

The Company is required to hold a say-when-on-pay advisory vote at least once every six years. The Company last held a say-when-on-pay advisory vote at the Company’s 2023 Annual Stockholder Meeting, at which meeting the stockholders voted to conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation every year. This vote was contrary to the Board’s recommendation to conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years, so the Board is again requesting that the stockholders vote on the frequency with which companies include in their meeting materials an advisory vote to approve or not approve the compensation of their NEOs. The next say-when-on-pay advisory vote will be held no later than the 2030 annual stockholder meeting.

Our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee believe that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every three years is the most appropriate choice for the Company, as a triennial vote complements the Company’s goal to create a compensation program that enhances long-term stockholder value. To facilitate the creation of long-term, sustainable stockholder value, all our compensation awards are contingent upon successful completion of multi-year performance or upon successful completion of periods of service to the Company. A triennial vote will provide stockholders the ability to evaluate our compensation program over a time period similar to the periods associated with our compensation awards, allowing them to compare the Company’s compensation program to the long-term performance of the Company.

The Company, Board of Directors, and Compensation Committee would similarly benefit from this longer time period between advisory votes. Three years will give the Company sufficient time to fully analyze the Company’s compensation program (as compared to the Company’s performance over that same period) and to implement necessary changes. In addition, this period will provide the time necessary for implemented changes to take effect and the effectiveness of such changes to be properly assessed. The greater time period between votes will also allow the Company to consider various factors that impact the Company’s financial performance, stockholder sentiments and executive pay on a longer-term basis. The Board of Directors and Compensation Committee believe anything less than a triennial vote may yield a short-term mindset and detract from the long-term interests and goals of the Company.

Stockholders have the opportunity to cast their vote on the preferred voting frequency by selecting the option of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation: (1) “EVERY THREE YEARS,” (2) “EVERY TWO YEARS”, (3) “EVERY ONE YEAR,” or stockholders may “ABSTAIN.” The stockholder vote is not intended to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Rather, we will consider the stockholders to have expressed a preference for the option that receives the most votes.

Required Vote

The option that receives the most votes will be deemed the preference of the stockholders. However, while we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, the final vote is advisory in nature and therefore not binding on the Company. Our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee value the opinions of all of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of this vote when making future decisions on the frequency with which we will hold an advisory vote on executive compensation. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. 

Board of Directors Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO CONDUCT A “SAY-ON-PAY” ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION “EVERY THREE (3) YEARS.”

25

PROPOSAL NO. 4

GRANTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISCRETION TO AMEND THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO IMPLEMENT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN A RANGE FROM ONE-FOR-TWO (1:2) UP TO ONE-FOR-ONE HUNDRED FIFTY(1:150), OR ANYWHERE BETWEEN

The Company’s common stock ($0.00001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized) is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. To comply with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, the Company’s common stock must maintain a bid price of at least $1.00 per share. On April 25, 2024, the closing price of the common stock was $0.30.

As reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 21, 2023, on November 15, 2023, we received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that, for the preceding 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock remained below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Bid Price Requirement”).

In accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company has been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until May 13, 2024 (the “Compliance Date”), to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement. If at any time before the Compliance Date the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock is at least $1.00 for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, the Staff will provide the Company written confirmation of compliance with the Bid Price Requirement.

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock has not equaled or exceeded $1.00 for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. If the Company does not regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement by the Compliance Date, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, the Company would then be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for The Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the Bid Price Requirement, and would need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the additional 180 calendar day compliance period, which compliance could be achieved by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary.

As reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 12, 2024, on April 8, 2024, we received a second deficiency letter from the Staff notifying the Company that, based upon the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, the Company is not in compliance with the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market to maintain a minimum of $2,500,000 in stockholders’ equity for continued listing. This second deficiency letter imposes even more importance on the Company regaining compliance with the Bid Price Requirement.

If the Company does not regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement by the Compliance Date and it appears to the Staff that the Company will not be able to cure the deficiency, or is otherwise not eligible for an additional compliance period, the Staff will provide written notification to the Company that its common stock will be subject to delisting. At that time, the Company may appeal the Staff’s delisting determination to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel.

The Board of Directors believes that a reverse stock split will increase the price per share of the common stock and assist in meeting the Bid Price Requirement for maintaining Nasdaq listing.

Therefore, the Board recommends that the stockholders grant the Board of Directors discretion (if necessary to maintain a listing of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market)  to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation to implement a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of common stock in a range from one-for-two (1:2) up to one-for-one hundred fifty (1:150), or anywhere between in the discretion of the Board on or before December 31, 2024 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Board may only effect the Reverse Stock Split if it deems it to be reasonably necessary for maintaining listing on Nasdaq. The Board proposed a wide stock split ratio to give it flexibility in determining the most conservative stock split ratio possible that will still meet the Bid Price Requirement necessary to prevent delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares, which will be rounded up to the nearest whole number, each stockholder will beneficially hold the same percentage of common stock immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as such stockholder held immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split. Also, proportionate adjustments will be made to the per-share exercise price and the number of shares covered by outstanding options and warrants to buy common stock, so that the total prices required to be paid to fully exercise each option and warrant before and after the Reverse Stock Split will be approximately equal.

The Board does not intend as part of the Reverse Stock Split to reduce the amount of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock. As of the Record Date, the Company has a total of 100,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 20,007,465 shares issued, leaving 79,992,535 shares available for issuance, not including shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants or options, or any other convertible security. If Proposal No. 4 is approved, the number of unissued, available authorized shares of Common Stock will increase, as reflected in the following table as if the Reverse Stock Split were to occur on the Record Date:

Ratio

 

Authorized

 

 

Issued pre- Reverse

Stock Split*

 

 

Issued post- Reverse

Stock Split**

 

 

Post- Reverse

Stock Split

Shares Available

for Issuance*

 

1:2

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

20,007,465

 

 

 

10,003,733

 

 

 

89,996,267

 

1:10

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

20,007,465

 

 

 

2,000,747

 

 

 

97,999,253

 

1:50

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

20,007,465

 

 

 

400,150

 

 

 

99,599,850

 

1:100

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

20,007,465

 

 

 

200,075

 

 

 

99,799,925

 

1:150

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

 

20,007,465

 

 

 

133,384

 

 

 

99,866,616

 

*Does not reflect shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants or options, or any other convertible security.

 **For purposes of this illustration, fractional shares are rounded.

26

The increase in the number of shares of common stock available for issuance and any subsequent issuance of such shares could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders. The Board is not aware of any attempt to take control of the Company and has not presented this proposal with the intention that the Reverse Stock Split be used as a type of antitakeover device. Any additional common stock, when issued, would have the same rights and preferences as the shares of common stock presently outstanding.

It should be noted that the liquidity of the common stock may be adversely affected by the Reverse Stock Split given the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse Stock Split. The Board anticipates, however, that the expected higher market price and (if successful) exchange listing will mitigate, to some extent, the effects on the liquidity through the anticipated increase in marketability discussed above.

The Board understands that there is a risk that the market price for the common stock may not react proportionally to the Reverse Stock Split. For example, if the Company accomplishes a 1:10 Reverse Stock Split at a time when the market price is $0.30 per share, there can be no assurance that the resulting market price will thereafter remain at or above $3.00 per share.

The Board confirms that the contemplated Reverse Stock Split is not and will not be the first step in a series of plans or proposals of a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act.

Based upon the foregoing factors and understanding the risks, the Board has determined that granting the Board the discretion to implement a Reverse Stock Split is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Vote Required

This proposal will be approved if the votes cast “For” the proposal exceed the votes cast “Against” the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

Board of Directors Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FORGRANTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISCRETION (IF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN A LISTING OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ CAPITAL MARKET)  TO AMEND THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO IMPLEMENT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK IN A RANGE FROM ONE-FOR-TWO (1:2) UP TO ONE-FOR-ONE HUNDRED FIFTY(1:150), OR ANYWHERE BETWEEN, IN THE BOARD’S DISCRETION ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2024.

27

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Audit Fees

The aggregate fees billed for the two most recently completed fiscal periods ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 for professional services rendered by Macias, Gini, & O’Connell, LLP (MGO), independent registered public accounting firm, for the audits for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, quarterly reviews of our interim consolidated financial statements in 2023 and 2022, and services normally provided by the independent accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for these fiscal periods were as follows:

 

 

Year Ended

December 31,

 

 

Year Ended

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

$-

 

 

$128,700

 

Audit Related Fees (2)

 

 

17,250

 

 

 

90,150

 

Tax Fees (3)

 

 

-

 

 

 

750

 

All Other Fees (4)

 

 

8,400

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$25,650

 

 

$219,600

 

(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.

(4)

All other fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported above.

The aggregate fees billed for the two most recently completed fiscal periods ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 for professional services rendered by Haynie, independent registered public accounting firm, for the audits for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, quarterly reviews of our interim consolidated financial statements in 2023 and 2022, and services normally provided by the independent accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for these fiscal periods were as follows:

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

$30,000

 

 

$-

 

Audit Related Fees (2)

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

-

 

Tax Fees (3)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

All Other Fees (4)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$32,500

 

 

$-

 

28

(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.

(4)

All other fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported above.

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 April 2023, 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.

Auditor Independence

The Audit Committee has considered the role of Haynie in providing services to us for the year ended December 31, 2023, and has concluded that such services are acceptable with such firm’s independence.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

On April 18, 2023, based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) and approval of the Board of Directors of SOBR Safe, Inc., (the “Company”), the Company dismissed Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP (“MGO”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to dismiss MGO as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company is not the result of any disagreement with MGO. 

On April 18, 2023, following the recommendation of the Audit Committee and approval of the Board of Directors, the Company engaged Haynie as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023, effective immediately. There have been no disagreements with Haynie on accounting and financial disclosure.

29

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Date: May 2, 2024

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and Haynie and Company, our independent registered public accounting firm, the audited consolidated financial statements in the SOBR Safe, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Haynie and Company 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, 2023.

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.  

Respectfully Submitted,

Sandy Shoemaker, Committee Chair

Steven Beabout

Ford Fay

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange ActWe file annual, quarterly and filesspecial reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. SuchThe periodic reports and other information we have filed bywith the CompanySEC, 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. The Company’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public from the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov and at the Company’s website, https://sobrsafe.com. Copies of these documents may also be obtained by writing our Secretary at the address specified above. 

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, stockholder proposals to be included in our next proxy statement must be received by us at 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 for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be ineligible for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy 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 no later than 5:00 pm Mountain Time on March 5, 2025. However, if the date of the 2025 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 seventh day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. 

By order of the Board of Directors

/s/ David Gandini

David Gandini, Chief Executive Officer

November 5, 2021

Boulder, Colorado

 

 
3230

 

 

To comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than 60 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at the executive offices of the Company no later than 5:00 pm Mountain Time on April 4, 2025.

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. 

Exhibit AHOUSEHOLDING 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, please notify your broker or direct a written request to the Company at 6400 South Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 1400, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, or contact us at 844.SOBRSAFE (762.7723ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT). 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.

TO THE

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

SOBR SAFE, INC.

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 Annual Meeting. If any other business should come before the Annual 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 Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was mailed to the stockholders on or about May 6, 2024, and is accessible online at www.proxyvote.com. 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 Annual Meeting virtually. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please submit your vote by internet, telephone or mail as promptly as possible so that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting.

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING,PLEASE READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THEN VOTE BY INTERNET 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 ANNUAL MEETING.

 

 
A-1