UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

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[X]Preliminary Proxy Statement
  
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[  ]Definitive Proxy Statement
  
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[  ]Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Eastside Distilling, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

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

 

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EASTSIDE DISTILLING, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 8, 2017JUNE 23, 2022

 

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:

 

Notice is hereby given that the 2017 Annual Meeting2022 annual meeting of Stockholdersstockholders of Eastside Distilling, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), will be held at 2 p.m., localPacific time, on December 8, 2017 at the Hilton Portland Downtown, at 921 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204,June 23, 2022 virtually, for the following purposes:

 

 1.To elect Grover Wickersham, Trent Davis, Michael Fleming, Shelly Saunders, and Jack Petersonfive individuals to the Board of Directors, each to serve until the earlier of (a) the annual general meeting of stockholders to be held in 2018 or (b) his or her successor is duly elected and qualified;
2023;
 2.To approve, amendments toby non-binding “say-on-pay” vote, the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”);
compensation of our named executive officers;
 3.To ratify prior grants of stock options and restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan;
4.To ratify the appointment of M&K CPAS, PLLC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;2022;
4.To approve a proposal, which we refer to as the “Warrant Approval Proposal,” to approve the terms and issuance of common stock purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”) at an initial exercise price equal to $3.00 per share;
5.If the annual meeting is convened and a quorum is present, but there are not sufficient votes to approve Proposal 4, our proxy holders may move to continue, adjourn, or postpone the annual meeting at that time to enable our Board of Directors to solicit additional proxies, which we refer to as the Adjournment Proposal; and
 
5.6.To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournmentspostponement thereof.

 

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.

 

The annual meeting will be a virtual meeting held over the Internet. You will be able to attend the virtual annual meeting, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the live webcast of the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EAST2022 and entering your sixteen-digit control number located on your proxy card.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 20, 2017April 25, 2022 as the record date (the “record date”“Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at this meeting or postponement of this meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record dateRecord Date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

AllThe Company is furnishing proxy materials to its stockholders are invitedthrough the Internet as permitted under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under these rules, many of the Company’s stockholders will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a paper copy of this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Proxy Statement, our proxy card, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. We believe this process gives us the opportunity to serve you more efficiently by making the proxy materials available quickly online and reducing costs associated with printing and postage. Stockholders who do not receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.

Your vote is important. We urge you to submit your proxy (1) over the internet, (2) by telephone, or (3) by mail, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person. However,For specific instructions, please refer to ensure your representation at“Procedural Matters” beginning on the meeting, you are urged to mark, sign, datefirst page of the proxy statement and return the enclosedinstructions on the proxy card as promptly as possible inrelating to the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Any stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person even if such stockholder has previously returned a proxy.annual meeting. We would appreciate receiving your proxy by June 22, 2022.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

Grover WickershamAmy L. Brassard

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Corporate Secretary

Portland, Oregon

October ___, 2017May 6, 2022

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on December 8, 2017:June 23, 2022: The proxy statement isand our 2021 Annual Report are available athttp://www.eastsidedistilling.com/proxy-statements and the annual report to stockholders is available athttp://www.eastsidedistilling.com/annual-reports.www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

Proxy Statement

For the Annual Meeting of

Stockholders To Be Held on June 23, 2022

Table of Contents

PROXY STATEMENT1
PROCEDURAL MATTERS1
PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS*6
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE8
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION13
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS16
STOCK OWNERSHIP18
PROPOSAL NO. 2 ADVISORY VOTE (NON-BINDING) ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION*20
PROPOSAL NO. 3 RATIFY APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM*21
PROPOSAL NO. 4 WARRANT APPROVAL PROPOSAL*23
PROPOSAL NO. 5 ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL*28
OTHER MATTERS29

 
*To be voted on at the meeting

 

 

EASTSIDE DISTILLING, INC.

 

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 20172022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

PROCEDURAL MATTERS

 

General

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) of Eastside Distilling, Inc., a Nevada corporation, for use at the 2017 Annual Meeting2022 annual meeting of Stockholdersstockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on December 8, 2017June 23, 2022 at 22:00 p.m., localPacific time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meetingannual meeting will be a virtual meeting held atover the Hilton Portland Downtown, at 921 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204.Internet. Our telephone number at our principal executive offices is (971) 888-4264. As used in this proxy statement, “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to Eastside Distilling, Inc.

 

These proxy solicitation materials were mailed onOn or about October ___, 2017 to allMay 6, 2022, we are mailing stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.Meeting a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) instead of a paper copy of this proxy statement. The Notice contains instructions on how to access those documents over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com as well as https://www.eastsidedistilling.com/annual-reports. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials, including this proxy statement and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

Record Date and Outstanding SharesWhat is the purpose of the annual meeting?

 

OnlyAt our annual meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the accompanying notice of the meeting and described in this proxy statement. These matters include the following:

the election of directors;
an advisory (non-binding) vote on the compensation of our named executive officers disclosed in this proxy statement;
a vote on the ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm;
the Warrant Approval Proposal, to approve the terms and issuance of common stock purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”) at an initial exercise price equal to $3.00 per share; and
the Adjournment Proposal: i.e. if the annual meeting is convened and a quorum is present, but there are not sufficient votes to approve Proposal 4, our proxy holders may move to continue, adjourn, or postpone the annual meeting at that time to enable our Board of Directors to solicit additional proxies.

Please read this proxy statement carefully. You should consider the information contained in this proxy statement when deciding how to vote your shares at the annual meeting.

Who is entitled to vote?

The Board of Directors has set April 25, 2022 as the record date for the annual meeting. If you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on October 20, 2017 (the “record date”)the record date, April 25, 2022, you are entitled to receive notice of the meeting and to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. Our only outstanding voting securities are shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value. Asmeeting and at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Holders of the record date, 4,824,399 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding, which shares ofCompany’s common stock are held by an aggregate of 134 stockholders of record.

Revocability of Proxies

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time prior to its use by delivering to our Secretary, at the address referenced above, a written instrument revoking the proxy or delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date (in either case no later than the close of business on December 7, 2017) or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Voting and Solicitation

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held.per share. Holders of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to 0.32258 votes per shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

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What is the difference between a “stockholder of record” and a “street name” holder?

 

This solicitation of proxies is made by our Board of Directors, and all related costs will be borne by us. We may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners ofThese terms describe how your shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by certain of our directors, officers or administrative employees without the payment of any additional consideration. Solicitation of proxies may be made by mail, by telephone, by email, in person or otherwise.

Stockholders of Record and “Street Name” Holders

Whereare held. If your shares are registered directly in the holder’syour name that holder is the stockholderwith our transfer agent, Transfer Online, Inc., then you are a “stockholder of record with respect to those shares.record.” If your shares are held by an intermediary, meaning in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, trust or other nominee, then the broker, bank, trust or other nominee is considered to be the stockholder of record aswith respect to those shares. ThoseHowever, you still are considered the beneficial owner of those shares, and your shares are said to be held in “street name” on behalf of the beneficial owner of the shares. Street-namename.” Street name holders generally cannot directly vote their shares directly and must instead instruct the broker, bank, trust or other nominee how to vote their shares using the voting instruction forminstructions provided by it.

Who can attend the meeting?

All stockholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the meeting.

What is a proxy?

A proxy is your designation of another person to vote on your behalf. The other person is called a proxy. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that brokerdocument also is called a proxy or other nominee. Many brokersa proxy card. When you designate a proxy, you also offermay direct the option of givingproxy how to vote your shares. We sometimes refer to this as your “proxy vote.” By completing and returning the enclosed proxy card, or voting instructions over theby internet or telephone, you are giving the persons appointed as proxies by telephone. Instructions for givingour Board of Directors the authority to vote your vote as a street-name holder are provided on your voting instruction form.shares.

 

Quorum; Abstentions; Broker Non-VotesWhat is a proxy statement?

A proxy statement is a document that we are required to give you, or provide you access to, in accordance with regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), when we ask you to designate proxies to vote your shares of our common stock at a meeting of our stockholders. The proxy statement includes information regarding the matters to be acted upon at the meeting and certain other information required by regulations of the SEC and rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”).

How many shares must be present to hold the meeting?

 

At the Annual Meeting, an inspector of elections will determine the presence of a quorum and tabulate the results of the voting by stockholders. A quorum exists when holders ofleast a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote areat the meeting must be present at the Annual Meetingmeeting in person or by proxy. A quorumorder to hold the meeting and conduct business. This is necessary for the transaction of businesscalled a quorum. Your shares are counted as present at the Annual Meeting.meeting if:

you are present in person at the meeting; or
you have properly submitted a proxy by mail, telephone or internet.

Broker non-votes can occur asAs of market close on April 25, 2022, 15,285,825 shares of our common stock and 2,500,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock were outstanding and entitled to shares held in street name. Under the current rules that govern brokers and other nomineevote. Because holders of record, ifcommon stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to 0.32258 votes per share, a street-name holder does not give instructionstotal of 16,092,275 votes are entitled to itsbe cast at the annual meeting. Proxies that are received and voted as withholding authority, abstentions, and broker or other nominee, such broker or other nominee will be able to vote such shares only with respect to proposals for which the broker or other nominee has discretionary voting authority. A “broker non-vote” occurs whennon-votes (where a broker or other nominee submits a proxy for the Annual Meeting but does not vote on a particular proposal because suchbank, trust, broker, or other nominee does not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a matter) will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting.

How do I vote my shares?

If you are a stockholder of record as of the record date, you can give a proxy to be voted at the meeting in any of the following ways:

over the telephone by calling a toll-free number;
electronically, using the internet; or
by completing, signing, and mailing a printed proxy card (which may be downloaded and printed or that you separately request from us).

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The telephone and internet voting procedures have discretionarybeen set up for your convenience. We encourage you to reduce corporate expense by submitting your vote by telephone or internet. The procedures have been designed to authenticate your identity, to allow you to give voting powerinstructions, and to confirm that those instructions have been recorded properly. If you are a stockholder of record and you would like to submit your proxy by telephone or internet, please refer to the specific instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card. If you wish to submit your proxy by mail, please access a proxy card in the materials available on the internet or request a proxy card from us and return your signed proxy card to us before the annual meeting.

If the shares you own are held in street name, your broker, bank, trust, or other nominee, as the record holder of your shares, is required to vote your shares according to your instructions. Your broker, bank, trust, or other nominee is required to send you directions on how to vote those shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker, bank, trust, or other nominee, it will still be able to vote your shares with respect to certain “discretionary” items but will not be allowed to vote your shares with respect to certain “non-discretionary” items. In the case of non-discretionary items, the shares that proposal, and hasdo not receivedreceive voting instructions from the beneficial owner.will be treated as “broker non-votes.”

 

The electionStockholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. If you were a stockholder of directors (Proposal No. 1)record as of the Record Date, you may access the virtual meeting by going to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EAST2022 and following the instructions on the website to enter the first 13 digits of your control number printed on your proxy card or notice of internet availability of proxy materials.

If you were a beneficial owner as of the Record Date of shares held in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to attend the meeting and/or vote your shares during the meeting or submit questions during the meeting, you will need to provide proof of your authority to vote (legal proxy), which you must obtain from your nominee reflecting your holdings. You may forward an e-mail from your nominee or attach an image of your legal proxy and transmit it via e-mail to Transfer Online at info@transferonline.com and you should label the approvale-mail “Legal Proxy” in the subject line. Requests for registration must be received by Transfer Online no later than 12:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on June 22, 2022. You will then receive confirmation of amendmentsyour registration, with a control number by e-mail from Transfer Online. At the time of the meeting, go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EAST2022 and enter the first 13 digits of your control number.

Online access to the 2016 Plan (Proposal No. 2)Annual Meeting will open at 1:45 p.m. Pacific Time to allow time for stockholders to log-in prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. You may vote or ask questions during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting.

Whether or not stockholders plan to participate in the virtual-only Annual Meeting, the Company urges stockholders to vote and submit their proxies in advance of the ratificationmeeting by one of prior grantsthe methods described in the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form?

If you receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form, it means that you hold shares registered in more than one account. To ensure that all of stock optionsyour shares are voted, sign and restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan (Proposal No. 3) are proposalsreturn each proxy card, or if you submit your proxy vote by telephone or internet, vote once for which brokerseach proxy card or voting instruction form you receive.

What if I do not have discretionaryspecify how I want my shares voted?

If you submit a signed proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or internet and do not specify how you want to vote your shares, the proxies will vote your shares:

FOR PROPOSAL NO. 1 the election of all of the five nominees for director;
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2 the non-binding advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers disclosed in this proxy statement;
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 3 the ratification of the appointment of M&K CPAS, PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2022.

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FOR PROPOSAL NO. 4 the approval of the terms and issuance of common stock purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”) at an exercise price equal to $3.00;
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 5 if the annual meeting is convened and a quorum is present, but there are not sufficient votes to approve Proposal 4, our proxy holders may move to continue, adjourn, or postpone the annual meeting at that time to enable our Board of Directors to solicit additional proxies; and
IN THE DISCRETION OF the persons named as proxies as to all other matters that may be properly presented at the annual meeting.

Can I change my proxy after submitting my proxy?

Yes, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the annual meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote by submitting a later-dated proxy by telephone, internet, or mail, by voting authority. in person at the meeting, or by delivering to our Secretary a written notice of revocation. Attending the meeting will not revoke your proxy unless you specifically request to revoke it.

If you hold your shares in street name, and you do not instructcontact your broker, bank, trust, or other nominee regarding how to revoke your proxy and change your vote.

What is the vote required to approve each matter?

Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast on these proposals, yourthe election of directors at the meeting is required for nominees to be elected as directors. The five nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the Board. Votes withheld and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

Proposal No. 2: Advisory approval of compensation of our named executive officers. Because this is an advisory vote, it will not be binding upon the Board of Directors. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements. This proposal will be approved upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the common stock present in person or by proxy at the meeting. For purposes of counting votes on themthis matter, abstentions will have the effect of voting against the matter and thesebroker non-votes will be counted as broker non-votes. have no effect on the vote.

Proposal No. 3: Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The affirmative vote of a majority of the common stock present in person or by proxy at the meeting is necessary to approve the ratification of the appointment of M&K CPAS, PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 4) is considered to be discretionary and your brokerage firm will be able to votefor 2022. For purposes of counting votes on this proposal even if it does not receive instructions from you, as long as it holds your shares in its name.

Abstentionsmatter, abstentions will have the effect of voting against the matter and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

Proposal No. 4: The Warrant Approval Proposal. We are treated asasking stockholders to approve the terms and issuance of common stock purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”) at an exercise price equal to $3.00. The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting stock present for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum for the transaction of businessin person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.meeting is necessary to approve the Warrant Approval Proposal. For purposes of counting votes on this matter, abstentions will have the proposal to elect directors (Proposal No. 1),effect of voting against the proposal to approve amendments to the 2016 Plan (Proposal No. 2), the proposal to ratify prior grants of stock options and restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan (Proposal No. 3) and the proposal to ratify the appointment of M&K CPAS, PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 4), abstentionsmatter and broker non-votes are not counted for determiningwill have no effect on the number of votes cast, and therefore will not affect the outcome of the vote on such proposals.

Required Votes and Voting

Assuming that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the following votes will be required:

With regard to Proposal No. 1, the five nominees for election to the Board of Directors who receive the greatest number of votes cast “for” the election of the directors by the shares present, in person or by proxy, will be elected to the Board of Directors. Stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors.
With regard to Proposal No. 2, Proposal No. 3 and Proposal No. 4, approval of each of the proposals requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast in opposition to it.

All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed, unrevoked proxies received before the Annual Meeting will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions given on those proxies. If no instructions are given on a properly executed proxy, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as follows:

FORthe director nominees named in Proposal No. 1 of this proxy statement;vote.

 

FORProposal No. 2,5: The Adjournment Proposal. The affirmative vote of a majority of the common stock present in person or by proxy at the meeting is necessary to approve amendments to the 2016 Plan;Adjournment Proposal. For purposes of counting votes on this matter, abstentions will have the effect of voting against the matter and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

 

FORProposal No. 3,Are there other matters to ratify prior grants of stock options and restricted stock units underbe voted on at the 2016 Plan;meeting?

 

FORProposal No. 4, to ratifyAs of the appointmentdate of M&K CPAS, PLLC asthis proxy statement, our independent registered public accounting firm.

IfBoard of Directors does not know of any matters which may come before the meeting other than the matters described in this proxy statement. Should any other matters arematter requiring a vote of the stockholders arise and be properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, which may include, for example, a motion to adjournannual meeting, the Annual Meeting to another time or place (including, without limitation, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies),proxy gives the persons named in the enclosed proxy and acting thereunder will have discretiondesignated to vote on those matters as they deem advisable. We do not currently anticipate thatthe shares discretionary authority to vote or otherwise act with respect to any other matters will be raised at the Annual Meeting.such matter in accordance with their best judgment.

 

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Deadlines for Receipt of Stockholder ProposalsWhat happens if the Annual Meeting is postponed?

 

Stockholder proposalsYour proxy may be included invoted at the postponed meeting. You will still be able to change your proxy until it is voted.

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

FOR PROPOSAL NO. 1 the election of all of the five nominees for director;
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2 the non-binding advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers disclosed in this proxy statement;
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 3 the ratification of the appointment of M&K CPAS, PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2022;
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 4 the approval of the Warrant Approval Proposal; and
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 5 the Adjournment Proposal.

Who pays for this proxy solicitation?

All costs of soliciting proxies will be borne by us. Our directors, officers, and other employees may, without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by further mailing or personal conversation, or by telephone, facsimile or electronic means. We will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding soliciting material to the beneficial owners of our common stock.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting

to be Held on June 23, 2022:

Our proxy statement and form of proxy for an annual meeting so long as they2021 Annual Report are provided to us on a timely basis and satisfy the other conditions set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. We currently anticipate holding our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders in June 2018, although the Board may decide to schedule the meeting for a different date. For a stockholder proposal to be considered pursuant to Rule 14a-8 for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for the annual meeting to be held in 2018, we must receive the proposal at our principal executive offices, addressed to our Secretary, no later than March 1, 2018. Any proposals received after such date will be considered untimely. Submitting a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy.

In addition, a shareholder proposal that is not intended for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy under Rule 14a-8 (including director nominations) shall be considered “timely” as calculatedin accordance with Rule 14a-4(c) under the Exchange Act, andmay be brought before the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders provided that we receive information and notice of the proposal addressed to our Secretaryavailable at our principal executive offices, no later than April 15, 2018.www.proxyvote.com.

 

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We strongly encourage any stockholder interested in submitting a proposal to contact our Secretary in advance of these deadlines to discuss any proposal he or she is considering, and stockholders may want to consult knowledgeable counsel with regard to the detailed requirements of applicable securities laws. All notices of stockholder proposals, whether or not intended to be included in our proxy materials, should be in writing and sent to our principal executive offices, located at: Eastside Distilling, Inc., 2150 SE Hanna Harvester Drive, Portland, Oregon 97222, Attention: Secretary.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

General

 

Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall have not lessfewer than three (3) nor more than nine (9) seats. The Board of Directors has previously set the size of the Board of Directors at seven (7) directors. Two seats are currently vacant. The Board of Directors has decided to leave the open director positions vacant at this time until qualified candidates have been identified.five (5). The directors shall be elected at each annual general meeting of the stockholders and, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, our Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until the director’s successor has been elected and qualified. If for any reason directors are not elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, they may be elected at any special meeting of the stockholders that is duly called and held for that purpose in the manner provided by the Bylaws.

 

Set forth below is certain information furnished to us by the director nominees. Trent D. Davis, one of our directors and a director nominee, is the brother-in-law of Murray Smith, our controller. Other than Messrs. Davis and Smith, there are no other family relationships among any of our directors or officers.

 

Nominees for Director

 

Five directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting, each for a one-year term ending on the earlier ofof: (a) the annual general meeting of stockholders to be held in 20182023; or (b) her or his successor is duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated Grover Wickersham, Trent Davis, Michael Fleming, Shelly Saunders,Eric Finnsson, Joseph Giansante, Robert Grammen, Stephanie Kilkenny, and Jack PetersonElizabeth Levy-Navarro for election to the Board of Directors.

 

Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by themforthe election of Grover Wickersham, Trent Davis, Michael Fleming, Shelly Saunders, and Jack Petersoneach of the nominees to the Board of Directors. Each of Messrs. Davis, Fleming, Peterson, Wickersham, and Ms. Saunders havenominee has indicated that he or she will serve if elected. We do not anticipate that any of these nominees will be unable or unwilling to stand for election, but if that occurs, all proxies received may be voted by the proxy holders for another person nominated by the Board of Directors. As there are five nominees, proxies may be voted for up to five persons.

 

Vote Required for Election of Directors

 

If a quorum is present, the nominees for election to the Board of Directors receiving the greatest number of votes cast “for” the election of the directors by the shares present, in person or by proxy, will be elected to the Board of Directors. Votes withheld and broker non-votes are not counted toward a nominee’s total.

 

Director Nominees

 

The names and certain information as of the record dateRecord Date about the nominees are set forth below.

 

Grover T. Wickersham,Eric Finnsson, age 6860, was appointed to our Board of Directors on July 30, 2020. Since March 2019, Mr. Finnsson has served as chief financial officer of GLG Life Tech Corporation, a producer of zero calorie natural sweeteners. Prior to joining GLG Life Tech Corporation, Mr. Finnsson worked as an independent consultant, offering finance and business consulting services to start-ups and individuals investing in China. A retired KPMG audit partner, Mr. Finnsson worked for KPMG for over 25 years in Canada, Europe and China, including three years specializing in Global Risk Management in KPMG’s International Headquarters. During his time with KPMG in China, Mr. Finnsson specialized in auditing and advising large multinational groups in the food and beverages sector. Mr. Finnsson graduated from The University of British Columbia in 1987 with a major in Economics and received his designation as a Canadian Chartered Accountant in 1990. We believe Mr. Finnsson’s experience in finance, compliance and management provides a value to the Board.

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Joseph Giansante, age 55, was appointed to our Board of Directors and as our Chairman in July 2016, and as our chief executive officer in November 2016.on March 28, 2022. Since March 2021, Mr. Wickersham currently serves on the boards of directors of S&W Seed Company (NASDAQ: SANW), an agricultural products company; Verseon Corporation, a London AIM-listed pharmaceutical development company; and SenesTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNES), a company thatGiansante has developed proprietary technology for managing animal pest populations through fertility control. Mr. Wickersham has been a director of Glenbrook Capital Management, the general partner of a partnership that invests primarily in the securities of public companies, from 1996 to the present. From 1996 until its voluntary liquidation and dissolution in 2016, Mr. Wickersham served as the chairmanExecutive Vice President of Big League Dreams, LLC. Previous to his role at Big League Dreams, Mr. Giansante was Eastside Distilling’s Chief Marketing Officer from September 2019 until November 2020, having joined the Company as part of the boardAzuñia Tequila asset purchase. Prior to the acquisition, Mr. Giansante was the Managing Director of trusteesAzuñia Tequila and oversaw all aspects of The Purisima Funds, a trust that oversaw mutual funds advised by Fisher Investments of Woodside, California. Between 1976 and 1981,the operation. Prior to Azuñia, Mr. WickershamGiansante served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Vivature Sports Solutions of Dallas, Texas after a Staff Attorney,long career in collegiate sports. During that earlier period, Mr. Giansante served as Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and thenChief Revenue Officer of Syracuse University athletics, as well as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Brand Development - External Affairs for the University of Oregon Athletic Department, where he oversaw and managed Oregon athletics marketing and brand identity. Prior to joining the University of Oregon, Mr. Giansante served as the Programming Executive Producer and Director of the Oregon Sports Network and CSN, and was also the Ducks’ television play-by-play voice and studio show host for a Branch Chief, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He12-year period starting in 2000, where he won two sports Emmy Awards. Mr. Giansante holds a B.A.Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business SchoolOregon.We believe Mr. Giansante’s experience in marketing and management provides a J.D. from University of California, Hastings College of Law. We believe that Mr. Wickersham is qualifiedvalue to serve as a member ofthe Board.

Robert Grammen, age 67, was appointed to our Board of Directors becauseon June 15, 2020. Mr. Grammen currently serves as a managing director of EFO Management, LLC, a family investment office, where he is responsible for the origination, analysis, structure and execution of direct debt and equity investments. Prior to joining EFO Management, LLC in 1999, Mr. Grammen served as a vice president of International Trading Group, focusing on the purchase, restructure and sale of distressed municipal bond debt. Mr. Grammen received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia. We believe Mr. Grammen’s experience and knowledge of corporatein finance and legal matters, his experience and knowledge of operational matters gained asinvestment provides a past and present director of other public and private companies, and his knowledge of our company.value to the Board.

Trent Davis,Stephanie Kilkenny, age 4850, was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2016. Mr. Davis isOctober 2019. Ms. Kilkenny was the former managing director of Azuñia Tequila, and together with her spouse, owns and controls TQLA, LLC (“TQLA”), the majority owner of Intersect Beverage, LLC. Ms. Kilkenny holds a BS Psychology from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania and relocated to CA immediately upon earning her degree. She began her post-college career in Client Services at the corporate offices of Mail Boxes Etc. and as an Operations Manager at the corporate offices of Insurance Express Services. After a few years in the corporate world, Ms. Kilkenny returned to the classroom to study photography and acquire an AA Interior Design from Mesa College; and then opened her own photography and design firm, Adair Interiors, LLC. Ms. Kilkenny currently President and COO of Whitestone Investment Network, Inc., which specializes in providing executive advisory services to small entrepreneurial companies,serves as well as restructuring, recapitalizing, and making strategic investments in small to midsize companies. Mr. Davis helped to successfully complete the reverse merger between Dataram Corporation (Nasdaq: DRAM), which develops, manufactures, and markets memory products primarily used in enterprise servers and workstations worldwide, and U.S. Gold Corp, which is a gold exploration and development company. While at Dataram, from July 2014 to May 2017, Mr. Davis was Lead Director, chairmanBoard President of the nominatingLucky Duck Foundation, a non-profit organization that has raised over $10 million dollars for various charitable organizations since Ms. Kilkenny and governance and special investments committees and memberher husband Patrick founded it in 2005. In 2017, the Lucky Duck Foundation narrowed its focus to alleviating the suffering of San Diego County’s homeless population. Their annual Swing & Soiree event has raised over $1 million dollars per year for the audit and compensation committees. Previously, from December 2014past 5 years. We believe Ms. Kilkenny adds value to July 2015, Mr. Davis was Chairman of the Board for Majesco Entertainment Company (Nasdaq: COOL), which is an innovative developer, marketer, publisher, and distributor of interactive entertainment for consumers around the world. From November 2013 until July 2014, Mr. Davis served as the President and a Director of Paulson Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: PLCC) until he successfully completed the reverse merger of Paulson with VBI Vaccines, (Nasdaq: VBIV). He went on to serve as a Member of its Board of Directors and Audit Committee until May 2016. Mr. Davis was also the Chief Executive Officer of Paulson Investment Company. Inc., a subsidiary of Paulson Capital Corp, from July 2005 until October 2014, where he supervised all operations and over 200 investment representatives overseeing $1.5 billion in client assets. Prior to that, commencing in 1996, Mr. Davis served as Senior Vice President of Syndicate and National Sales of Paulson Investment Company, Inc. He has extensive experience in capital markets and brokerage operations and is credited with overseeing the syndication of approximately $600 million for over 50 client companies in both public and private transactions. In 2003, Mr. Davis served as a Chairman and Board of the National Investment Banking Association. Mr. Davis holds a B.S. in Business and Economics from Linfield College and an M.B.A. from the University of Portland and held the following FINRA Licenses: Series 7, 24, 63, 66, and 79. Mr. Davis is qualified to serve on the Boardboard because of his deep knowledgeher experience as managing director of finance and public company issues, capital market, advisory and entrepreneurial experiences, and extensive expertise in operational and executive management.Azuñia Tequila.

 

Michael Fleming,Elizabeth Levy-Navarro, age 6859,, was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2016. Mr. Fleming is currently an attorneyon March 22, 2021. Ms. Levy-Navarro co-founded and was Chief Executive Officer of Orrington Strategies, a management consulting firm, helping food and beverage, consumer products, and financial services executives grow their businesses and brands, from 2002 to 2017. Since 2018, she has been a corporate advisor with Summit Strategy Advisors. From 1993 to 2002, Ms. Levy-Navarro served as Partner, Practice Leader, and Operating Committee Member for The Cambridge Group. Ms. Levy-Navarro led her practice helping corporate executives develop and implement business growth strategies. Ms. Levy-Navarro also serves on the law firm Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC specializing in real estate, dispute resolution, securitiesWilshire Mutual Funds Board, as its Valuation Committee Chair, and environmental matters, a position he has held since 2013. Mr. Fleming previously was an attorney with the law firm of Lane Powell PC from 2000 to 2013. Mr. Fleming is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jones Soda Co. (OTC: JSDA), a premium beverage company. Mr. Flemingon its Audit, Nominating, and Investment Committees. Since 2017, she has served onas Advisory Board Member to the BoardBurke Distributor Holdings Company, a regional alcohol beverage distributorship. Ms. Levy-Navarro earned her MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Directors of Big BrothersPennsylvania, and Big Sisters of Puget Sound since 2002 and was Chairman of the Board of Directors for 2008/2009. He has also been the President and owner of Kidcentre, Inc., a company in the business of providing child care services in downtown Seattle, Washington, since 1988. Since 1985, he has also been the President and owner of Fleming Investment Co., an investment company. Mr. Fleming holds a Bachelor of Arts degreeBBA in Marketing from University of Washington and a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.Michigan. We believe Mr. Fleming is qualifiedMs. Levy-Navarro adds value to serve on our Board of Directorsthe board because of hisher experience serving on public company boards, as presidentin executive strategic leadership and owner of two businesses as well as his legal expertise in matters of business and securities law.board governance.

 

Shelly A. Saunders, age 56, was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2017. Since March 2015, Ms. Saunders is a consultant for Resources Global Professionals, a consulting firm serving global corporations. From June 2013 to January 2015, Ms. Saunders served as Vice President Finance and Country CFO for Campari Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano. From July 2009 to May 2013, Ms. Saunders served as Vice President Finance for Campari America/SKYY Spirits, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano. Prior to joining Campari America, Ms. Saunders was a consultant for Resources Global Professionals, a Director Finance for Mervyns, and a Vice President Finance and Treasurer for Organic, Inc., among other positions. Ms. Saunders received a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University and an MBA from University of California, Berkeley. Because of her prior service as a finance professional for one of the largest global spirits companies and her extensive experience and knowledge of, and contacts within, the spirits industry, we believe Ms. Saunders will be a valuable member of our board of directors and is well qualified to serve on our board and our audit committee.

Jack Peterson, age 53, was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2017. Since May 2007, Mr. Peterson has been the President of Sandstrom Partners, a brand development company that focuses on the creation and revitalization of thought leading brands such as Bulleit Bourbon, St-Germain, Stillhouse Whiskey, Miller Brewing, Pernod Ricard and Aviation Gin. In addition to Eastside, clients of the firm include Bacardi, Pernod Ricard, Brown Foreman and Diageo. From March 1996 to April 2007, Mr. Peterson was President of Borders, Perrin, Norrander, a full-service advertising agency in Portland, OR. Previously, Mr. Peterson served as account director and account executive at several advertising agencies including Hal Riney & Partners in San Francisco. Mr. Peterson holds a B.A. from the University of Minnesota. Because of his professional experience in brand development and establishing brand equity, and his contacts within the spirits industry, we believe Mr. Peterson will be a valuable member of our board of directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTEFOR THE ELECTION OFMessrs. Wickersham, Davis, Fleming, and peterson, ERIC FINNSSON, JOSEPH GIANSANTE, ROBERT GRAMMEN, STEPHANIE KILKENNY, AND MS. SAUNDERSELIZABETH LEVY-NAVARRO TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

 

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Executive Officers

 

The names and certain information about our executive officers as of the record dateRecord Date are set forth below:

 

Name Age Position
Grover T. Wickersham  Geoffrey Gwin 6854 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Steven Shum47Chief Financial Officer
Melissa HeimAmy L. Brassard 33 Executive Vice President Operations and Master Distiller
Jarrett Catalani48Executive Vice President Sales
Allen Barteld51President and Chief Executive Officer of Motherlode
Murray Smith46ControllerCorporate Secretary

 

Mr. Wickersham’s biographical detailsOur executive officers are set out above undereach appointed by the heading “Director Nominees.”Board of Directors and serve at the Board’s discretion. There are no family relationships among our officers or directors.

 

Steven Shum,Geoffrey Gwin, age 4754 was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer on February 1, 2022 and our Chief Financial Officer as of June 15, 2020. Mr. Gwin previously served as a member of the board of directors from August 2019 through June 2020. Mr. Gwin formed Group G Capital Partners, LLC in 2003 and has continuously managed its related strategies as its Chief Investment Officer. From June 2018 until February 2020, Mr. Gwin was a Member of Quad Capital Management Advisors, LLC and the Managing Member of Group G Capital Partners, LLC. Mr. Gwin was the Chairman of the Board and later a Board Observer of SMArtX Advisory Solutions, Inc., a private company offering technology solutions to wealth advisors, RIA’s and other financial services firms. Mr. Gwin has held positions at Symphony Asset Management, BHF-BANK Aktiengesellschaft, and Citibank, Inc. over the last three decades. Mr. Gwin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Amy L. Brassard, age 33, was appointed as our Corporate Secretary on August 11, 2021 and joined the Company in August 2017. Ms. Brassard has served as our chief financial officer sinceDirector of Administration, HR and Compliance Specialist, and most recently as our Corporate Affairs Director. From October 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Shum served as an officer and director of XZERES Corp from October 2008 until April 2015, a publicly-traded global renewable energy company, in various officer roles, including chief operating officer from September 2014 until April 2015, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and secretary from April 2010 until September 2014 (under former name, Cascade Wind Corp) and chief executive officer and president from October 2008 to August 2010. Mr. Shum also serves as the managing principal of Core Fund Management, LP and the Fund Manager of Core Fund, LP. He was a founder of Revere Data LLC (now part of Factset Research Systems, Inc.) and served as its executive vice president for four years, heading up the product development efforts and contributing to operations, business development, and sales. He spent six years as an investment research analyst and portfolio manager of D.N.B. Capital Management, Inc. His previous employers include Red Chip Review and Laughlin Group of Companies. He earned a B.S. in Finance and a B.S. in General Management from Portland State University in 1992.

Jarrett Catalani, age 48, has served as our Senior Vice President Sales since July 2017. Mr. Catalani brings 27 years of experience in the alcoholic beverage industry. Prior to joining us, from May 2016 to September 2016, Mr. Catalani served as Senior Vice President Sales for Fishbowl Spirits, a premium spirits company, owned by singer songwriter Kenny Chesney. From October 2010 to April 2016, Mr. Catalani worked at ROUST (Russian Standard Vodka), in various officer roles, including Western Divisional Vice President from October 2010 until November 2012, and Senior Vice President of Sales from November 2012 until April 2016. From 2003 to 2010, Mr. Catalani worked in various roles at DIAGEO, his last position being Reserve Brand Director, California. Mr. Catalani’s other employers include Pilsner Urquell USA, Pete’s Brewing Company, Jim Taylor Corporation and Wilhelmi Beverage. Mr. Catalani holds a B.S. in Business Management from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.

Melissa Heim, age 33, has served as our master distiller since June 2012. In November 2016, she was appointed our Executive Vice President Operations. We believe2017, Ms. Heim is the first female commercial master distiller and blender west of the Mississippi River. Prior to joining our company, she apprenticed at and then served as head distiller at Rogue Distillery and Public House in Portland’s Pearl District, holdingBrassard held the position of head distiller from 2008 to 2010. Also,Equity Sales Assistant with KeyBanc Capital Markets serving the National Equities Sales Manager. From 2011 until 2014, Ms. Heim co-foundedBrassard worked as an Employment Specialist with a non-profit and servedthen as president of the Clear Boots Society, an organization that supports women’s leadership in the spirits industry.a Staffing Manager for a boutique staffing agency. Ms. Heim studied Liberal Arts with emphasis on English at the University of Oregon.

Allen Barteld, age 51, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MotherLode, our wholly-owned subsidiary acquired in March 2017, since June 2014. Prior to forming MotherLode in 2013, Mr. Barteld served as CEO of LawWerx, a software company, from 2009 to 2012. Mr. Barteld earned a Juris Doctor and Masters of Business Administration from Willamette University in 1997.

Murray Smith, age 46, has been our Controller since October 2016. Mr. Smith is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner with over twenty-four years’ accounting and finance leadership experience. Prior to joining us, from 2014 to 2016, Mr. Smith operated his own consulting practice focusing on contract-CFO services, corporate restructuring projects, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and internal audit outsourcing. From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Smith served as the Chief Financial Officer for Paulson Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: PLCC) where he was also responsible for regulatory compliance with the SEC, NASDAQ and FINRA. From 2009 to 2015, he also served as the Chief Financial Officer for Jewett-Cameron Trading Company, Ltd. (NASDAQ: JCTCF). Mr. Smith’s other previous employers have included Intel, Arthur Andersen and Teledyne. Mr. SmithBrassard holds a Bachelor of Arts degreeScience in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, from the State University of Washington.New York at Oswego.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Board of Directors Leadership Structure

 

The Board of Directors has adopted a structure under which the chief executive officer and chairman of our Board of Directors is a separate role from our vice-chairman and lead independent director. We believe the current separation

On February 1, 2022, Ms. Elizabeth Levy-Navarro was appointed as Chairman of the vice-chairman/lead independent director from the chairman/chief executive officer role allows the chief executive officerBoard, and Mr. Geoffrey Gwin was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer. We have determined that our current leadership structure suits our current leadership needs as we seek to focus his timeimplement our new sustainable business strategy and energy on runningreinvent our business model for sustainable success and managing our operations, while leveraging the experiencevalue creation. We recognize that different board leadership structures may be appropriate for companies in different situations and perspectivesshould be reviewed and carefully considered periodically in light of the vice-chairman. Board’s composition and the needs of the Company. As a result, we intend to closely review and consider the optimal Board leadership structure for the Company at and following the Annual Meeting.

Our chief executive officer has generally also been a memberchair of the Board of Directors. Mr. Wickersham is the chairman as well as our chief executive officer. We believe it is important to make information and insight about us directly available to the directors in their deliberations. Our Board of Directors believes that separating the chief executive officer/chairman and vice-chairman/lead independent director roles is the appropriate leadership structure for us at this time and demonstrates our commitment to effective corporate governance.

Our chairman of the board is responsible for the effective functioning of our Board of Directors, enhancing its efficacy by guiding Board of Directors processes and presiding at Board of Directors meetings. Our chairman presides at stockholder meetings and ensures that directors receive appropriate information fromWe expect our managementChair to fulfill their responsibilities. Our chairman also actsact as a liaison between our Board of Directors and executive management, facilitating clear and open communication between management and the Board of Directors.

 

Board of Directors Role in Risk Oversight

 

One of the key functions of our Board of Directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. Our Board of Directors willdoes not have a standing risk managementrisk-management committee, but rather intends to administeradministers this oversight function directly through our Board of Directors as a whole, as well as through our various standing committees as described below, that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, and discusses with management our major risk exposures, their potential impact on us and the steps we take to manage them. While our Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight, our standing committees and management assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. For example, our audit committee is responsible for monitoring and assessing risk exposure related to financing, accounting, and investment risks.

 

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Director Independence

 

Generally, under the listing requirements and rules of NASDAQ,Nasdaq, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. Our Board of Directors has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Our Board of Directors has determined that Trent Davis, Michael Fleming,directors Eric Finnsson, Robert Grammen, and Shelly SaundersElizabeth Levy-Navarro, are independent within the meaning of NASDAQNasdaq listing standards. Accordingly, a majority of our directors isare independent, as required under applicable NASDAQNasdaq rules. In making this determination, our Board of Directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director. The Board of Directors further considered all transactions set forth under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” below.

 

Standing Committees and Attendance

 

The Board of Directors held a total of nine8 meetings during 2016. All directors2021. During 2021, each incumbent director attended more thanat least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of theour Board of Directors held during the time period for which he or she was athe director in 2016.then served.

 

In September 2016, theThe Board of Directors has established the following standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and& corporate governance committee. The Board of Directors determined that establishing standing audit, compensation, and nominating and& corporate governance committees is an important element of sound corporate governance. Each committee held a total of three meetings during 2016, and all directorsDuring 2021, each incumbent director attended more thanat least 75% of the meetings of the audit, compensation, and nominating & corporate governance committees if any, upon which sucheach director then served, during the period for which he or she has been a committee member during 2016.

if any.

Audit Committee

 

Our audit committee oversees the engagement of our independent public accountants, reviews our audited financial statements, meets with our independent public accountants to review internal controls and reviews our financial plans. Our audit committee currently consists of Michael M. Fleming,Eric Finnsson, who is the chair of the committee, Trent D. DavisRobert Grammen and Shelly A. Saunders.Elizabeth Levy-Navarro. Each of Messrs. Davis and FlemingFinnsson, Grammen, and Ms. SaundersLevy-Navarro has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with NASDAQNasdaq and SEC standards. Our Board of Directors has also designated each of Mr. Fleming and Ms. SaundersFinnsson as an “audit committee financial expert” as the term is defined under SEC regulations and has determined that each of Mr. Fleming and Ms. SaundersFinnsson possesses the requisite “financial sophistication” under applicable NASDAQNasdaq rules. The audit committee operates under a written charter which is available on our website athttp: https://www.eastsidedistilling.com/s/ESDI-Audit-Committee-Charter-Adopted-101316.pdf.investors. Both our independent registered accounting firm and internal financial personnel will regularly meet with our audit committee and have unrestricted access to the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including our consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, and consolidated statements of cash flows. Further, no member of the audit committee has participated in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, or those of any of our current subsidiaries, at any time during the past three years.

Compensation Committee

 

Our compensation committee reviews and recommends policies, practices, and procedures relating to compensation for our directors, officers and other employees and advising and consulting with our officers regarding managerial personnel and development. Our compensation committee currently consists of Trent D. Davis,Elizabeth Levy-Navarro, who is the chair of the committee, Eric Finnsson and Michael M. Fleming, eachRobert Grammen. Each of whomMessrs. Finnsson, Grammen and Ms. Levy-Navarro has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with NASDAQNasdaq standards. Each member of our compensation committee is also a non-employee director, as defined pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and an outside director, as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.Act. The compensation committee operates under a written charter which is available on the Company’s website athttp:https://www.eastsidedistilling.com/s/ESDI-Compensation-Committee-Charter-Adopted-101316.pdf.investors. Under its charter, the functions of the compensation committee include:

Reviewing and approving annually the corporate goals and objectives applicable to the CEO;

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Reviewing and approving the compensation of all other executive officers;
Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans;
Reviewing and approving any employment agreements, severance agreements or plans or change-in-control arrangements with executive officers;
Reviewing director compensation for service on the Board of Directors and committees at least once a year and to recommend any changes to the Board of Directors; and
Developing and recommending to the Board of Directors for approval an officer succession plan to develop and evaluate potential candidates for executive positions.

The compensation committee has not yet established processes and procedures formay delegate any of its responsibilities, along with the consideration and determination of executive and director compensation, exceptauthority to take action in relation to such responsibilities, to one or more subcommittees as set forth in the compensation committee charter.may deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

Pursuant to its charter, the compensation committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to select, retain and obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, outside legal counsel, or other advisors as it deems necessary to fulfill its duties and responsibilities under its charter. The compensation committee did not engage any consultants in 2021.

Nominating and& Corporate Governance Committee

 

Our nominating and corporate governance committee (“Nominating Committee”) evaluates the composition, size and governance of our Board of Directors and its committees, evaluating and recommending candidates for election to our Board of Directors, establishing a policy for considering stockholder nominees and reviewing our corporate governance principles, establishing director compensation and providing recommendations to the Board of Directors. Our Nominating Committeenominating committee currently consists of Michael M. Fleming,Robert Grammen, who is the chair of the committee, Eric Finnsson and Trent D. Davis, eachElizabeth Levy-Navarro. Each of whomMessrs. Finnsson, Grammen, and Ms. Levy-Navarro has been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with NASDAQNasdaq standards. The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter which is available on the Company’s website athttp:hhttps://www.eastsidedistilling.com/s/ESDI-Nominating-and-Corporate-Governance-Committee-Charter-Adopted-10.pdf.investors.

Director Nomination Process

 

The Nominating Committeenominating committee identifies director nominees by first considering those current members of the Board of Directors who are willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board of Directors with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of the skills and experiences of the current members and the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board of Directors with that of obtaining a new perspective.perspective or skills and experiences. If any member of the Board of Directors does not wish to continue in service, if the Nominating Committeenominating committee or the Board of Directors decides not to re-nominate a member for reelection, if the Nominating Committeenominating committee or the Board of Directors decided to fill a director position that is currently vacant, or if the Nominating Committeenominating committee or the Board of Directors decides to recommend that the size of the Board of Directors be increased, the Nominating Committeenominating committee identifies the desired skills needed by the board and will evaluate the experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria described above.below. Current members of the Board of Directors and management are polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting the Board of Directors’ criteria. Research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals.individuals and, if appropriate, the nominating committee may engage a search firm. Nominees for director are selected by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, with any current directors who may be nominees themselves abstaining from any vote relating to their own nomination. AllWe anticipate that all of our directors participatedwill participate in the consideration of the director nominees for election at the Annual Meeting.Company’s upcoming annual meeting. Although the Nominating Committeenominating committee and the Board of Directors do not have a formal diversity policy, the Board of Directors instructedexpects that the Nominating Committee tonominating committee will consider such factors as it deems appropriate to develop a Board and committees that are diverse in nature and comprised of experienced and seasoned advisors. Factors considered by the Nominating Committeenominating committee include judgment, knowledge, skill, diversity (including factors such as race, gender, and experience), integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, including experience in the spirits industry, business, finance, administration or public service, the relevance of a candidate’s experience to our needs and experience of other board members, familiarity with national and international business matters, 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 of Directors and any committees of the Board of Directors.

 

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In addition, directors are expected to be able to exercise their best business judgment when acting on behalf of us and ourall stockholders, act ethically at all times, and adhere to the applicable provisions of our codeCode of business conductBusiness Conduct and ethics.Ethics. Other than consideration of the foregoing and applicable SEC and NASDAQNasdaq requirements, unless determined otherwise by the Nominating Committee,nominating committee, there are no stated minimum criteria, qualities, or skills for director nominees. However, the Nominating Committeenominating committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best interests of us and ourall stockholders. In addition, at least one member of the Board of Directors serving on the audit committee should meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” having the requisite “financial sophistication” under applicable NASDAQNasdaq and SEC rules, and a majority of the members of the Board of Directors should meet the definition of “independent director” under applicable NASDAQNasdaq rules.

 

The Nominating Committeenominating committee and the Board of Directors may consider suggestions for persons to be nominated for director that are submitted by stockholders. The Nominating Committeenominating committee will evaluate stockholder suggestions for director nominees in the same manner as it evaluates suggestions for director nominees made by management, then-current directors, or other appropriate sources. Stockholders suggesting persons as director nominees should send information about a proposed nominee to our Secretary at our principal executive offices as referenced above at least 90 days before the anniversary of the prior year’s annual stockholder meeting. This information should be in writing and should include a signed statement by the proposed nominee that he or she is willing to serve as a director of Eastside Distilling, Inc., a description of the proposed nominee’s relationship to the stockholder and any information that the stockholder feels will fully inform the Board of Directors about the proposed nominee and his or her qualifications. The Board of Directors may request further information from the proposed nominee and the stockholder making the recommendation. In addition, a stockholder may nominate one or more persons for election as a director at our annual meeting of stockholders. Please see the section above titled “Deadlines for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals” for important information regarding stockholder proposals, including director nominations.

 

Code of Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a codeCode of business conductBusiness Conduct and ethicsEthics that applies to all of our employees, officers, and directors. We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of our codeCode of business conductBusiness Conduct and ethics.Ethics. Requests may be directed to our principal executive offices at 2150 SE Hanna Harvester Drive,2321 NE Argyle Street, Unit D, Portland, OR 97222.Oregon 97211. Also, a copy of our codeCode of business conductBusiness Conduct and ethicsEthics is available on our website. We will disclose, on our website, any amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics enumerated in applicable rules of the SEC.

 

20162021 Director Compensation

 

OnIn October 13, 2016,of 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors established an annual compensation program for directors to include 1) an initial board election RSU grant of $5,000, paid one time upon appointment or election, 2) board chair premium of $20,000, and 3) annual committee member fees of $20,000. In July of 2020, the Board of Directors formally approved the grantacceptance of non-qualifiedrestricted stock options under the 2016 Plan (as defined below)units to purchase upbe paid in lieu of cash, each such award to 11,667 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.40 per share (each on a post-reverse split basis) to each of our non-employee directorsbe fully-vested and payable as of thatthe date Messrs. Davis, Fleming, Hirsonof grant.

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On August 11, 2021, the Company’s annual compensation program for its board of directors was approved. Effective October 1, 2021, it now includes 1) annual board member fees of $45,000, paid in quarterly installments, (2) an annual board chair fees of $24,000, paid in quarterly installments, (3) an annual committee chair premium of $5,000, paid in quarterly installments, and Wickersham. All(4) an annual committee member fee of $20,000, paid in quarterly installments. The directors willhave agreed to be reimbursedcompensated in RSU’s in lieu of cash payment.

Paul Block, our only employee director during 2021, received compensation only for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending Board of Director and any committee meetings, provided that we have the resources to pay these expenses. Currently, directors receive no other compensation for their services on our Board.as an executive officer. The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned by or paid to our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2016.2021.

 

Name Option
Awards
($)(1)
  Total
($)
 
Trent D. Davis $31,500  $31,500 
Michael M. Fleming $31,500  $31,500 
Lawrence Hirson $31,500  $31,500 
Grover T. Wickersham (2) $31,500  $31,500 

(1)Represents a grant of non-qualified stock options under the 2016 Plan to purchase up to 11,667 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.40 per share to each of our non-employee directors as of October 13, 2016 without regards to forfeitures, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718 – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).
(2)The option awards to Mr. Wickersham were made prior to his employment with us as chief executive officer in November 2016.

9

EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation earned during the past two fiscal years by (i) the two persons who served as our chief executive officer during 2016 and (ii) the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the chief executive officer who were serving as executive officers at the end of 2016 and whose total compensation for 2016 exceeded $100,000. The persons described in clauses (i) and (ii) above are collectively referred to herein as our “named executive officers.”

Name Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)  Stock Awards ($)  Option Awards ($)  

Total

($)

 
Eric Finnsson  124,500(1)  -   -   124,500 
Stephanie Kilkenny  68,250(2)  -   -   68,250 
Robert Grammen  119,500(3)  -   -   119,500 
Elizabeth Levy-Navarro  79,465(4)  12,450(5)  5,000(6)  96,915 

 

  Summary Compensation Table 
              All Other    
Name and Position Year  Salary  Bonus  Options (1)  Compensation  Total ($) 
Grover T. Wickersham (2)  2016  $1  $   31,500  (3) $  $31,501 
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board  2015  $        $  $9,000 
                         
Steven Shum (4)  2016   $ 183,942(5) $   $ 63,600(6) $  $247,542 
Chief Financial Officer  2015   $ 48,750(5)     198,050(7) $  $246,800 
                         
Steven Earles (8)  2016   $ 180,673(9) $  $  $30,000(10) $210,673 
Former President and Chief Executive Officer  2015   $ 152,083(9)        $  $152,083 

(1)See Proposal No. 3 regardingElected to receive 59,519 RSUs in lieu of cash for $119,500 of earned fees as valued using the stockholder ratificationclosing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of prior grants of stock options and restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan.grant. Mr. Finnsson also received $5,000 in cash.
(2)Mr. Wickersham was appointed Chief Executive OfficerElected to receive 37,130 RSUs in November 2016 and Chairmanlieu of cash for $68,250 of earned fees as valued using the Board in July 2016.closing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(3)(3)Elected to receive 59,519 RSUs in lieu of cash for $119,500 of earned fees as valued using the closing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(4)Elected to receive 36,796 RSUs in lieu of cash for $79,465 of earned fees as valued using the closing stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(5)Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the 11,6675,399 restricted stock units calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant ($2.82, $2.58 and $1.79 per share) without regards to forfeitures.
(6)Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of 5,000 shares of common stock underlying the stock option on the dateoptions with an exercise price of grant ($5.40 per share)$1.90, without regards to forfeitures, computed in accordance with ASC 718. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value realized by the named executive officer.director. The options issued vest immediately. The assumptions used to Mr. Wickersham vest monthly over a six-month period.
(4)Mr. Shum has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 1, 2015.
(5)$48,750 and $48,250 in salary for 2015 and 2016, respectively, was converted into series A convertible preferred stock.
(6)Amounts reflectcalculate the aggregate grant date fair value of the 20,000 shares of common stock underlying the stock option on the date of grant ($4.80 per share) without regards to forfeitures, computedoptions are set forth in accordance with ASC 718. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value realized by the named executive officer. The options issued to Mr. Shum vest quarterly over a three-year period.
(7)Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the 14,167 shares of common stock underlying the stock option on the date of grant ($27.00 per share) without regards to forfeitures, computed in accordance with ASC 718. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value realized by the named executive officer. The options issued to Mr. Shum vest over a two-year period with 25% vestingNote 17 in the first year following date of grant, with no options vesting during the first six months and 1/24th per month vesting during the second six months, and 75% vesting in the second year following date of grant (3/48th/month).
(8)Mr. Earles served as our Chief Executive Officer from October 31, 2014 through November 22, 2016 and as our President through January 19, 2017.
(9)$119,519 and $65,481 in salary for 2015 and 2016, respectively, was converted into series A convertible preferred stock.
(10)Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of 5,406 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on the date of grant ($5.55 per share) without regardsNotes to forfeitures, computed in accordance with ASC 718.Consolidated Financial Statements.

12

EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-EndSummary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the number of shares of common stock underlying restricted stock awards and stock options grantedcompensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers inNamed Executive Officers for services rendered during the yearfiscal years ended December 31, 2016.2021 and 2020.

 

Name Grant Date Approval Date  Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non- Equity Incentive Plan Awards
  Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
  All Other Stock Awards:  All Other Option Awards:  Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)  Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option
Awards (2)
 
             Number of  Number of       
             Shares of  Securities       
             Stock or  Underlying       
             Units (#)(1)  Options (#) (1)       
Grover T. Wickersham  10/13/2016  10/13/2016            11,667(3) $5.40  $63,000 
                                
Steven Earles  11/4/2016  11/4/2016         5,406(4)    $5.55  $30,000 
  Steven Shum  9/20/2016  9/20/2016            20,000(5) $4.80  $96,000 
Name and Position Year  Salary ($)  

Bonus

($)

  

Stock Awards

($)

  All Other Compensation ($)  

Total

($)

 
Paul Block  2021   350,000   -   200,000(1)  -   550,000 
Chief Executive Officer, Director (From July 1, 2020 Until February 1, 2022)  2020   174,777(2)  87,388(3)  100,000(4)  60,000(5)  422,165 
                         
Geoffrey Gwin  2021   232,692   -   44,000(6)  -   276,692 
Interim Chief Executive Officer (Since February 1, 2022); Chief Financial Officer (Since June 15, 2020); Director (August 27, 2019 to June 15, 2020)  2020   51,923   35,000(7)  150,000(8)  62,989(9)  299,912 
                         
Amy Brassard  2021   85,530   5,000   52,800(10)  -   143,330 
Corporate Secretary (Since August 11, 2021)  2020   80,166   -   -   -   80,166 

 

(1)See Proposal No. 3 regardingMr. Block received a grant of the stockholder ratificationequivalent of prior grants$200,000 of stock optionsRSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which will be earned and restricted stock units undervested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023, if Mr. Block remained employed on the 2016 Plan.applicable vesting date. Mr. Block resigned from the Company on February 1, 2022.
(2)RepresentsMr. Block’s salary in 2020 was paid in stock. The amount reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of each equity award125,000 shares calculated in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123R –Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(3)Options vest monthly over a six-month period.Mr. Block’s bonus in 2020 was paid in stock. The amount reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of 62,500 shares calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(4)Mr. Block received a grant of the equivalent of $100,000 of RSUs, vest in four equal installments with 25% vesting on the grant dateone-half (1/2) of which were earned and 25% vestingvested on each of January 1, 2017, April 1, 2017March 31, 2021 and July 1, 2017.June 30, 2021.
(5)OptionsMr. Block received $60,000 in director fees for 2020.
(6)Mr. Gwin received a grant of the equivalent of $44,000 of RSUs, which vest quarterly overon January 15, 2023 if Mr. Gwin remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(7)Mr. Gwin received a three-year period.bonus of $35,000, $17,500 of which was paid in cash and $17,500 was paid in 16,204 shares of stock, calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(8)Mr. Gwin received a grant of the equivalent of $150,000 of RSUs, one-quarter of which were earned and vested on each of September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, $56,250 of unvested RSU’s were rescinded by mutual agreement.
(9)Mr. Gwin received $62,989 in director fees for 2020, which he elected to receive in 40,246 restricted stock units in lieu of cash, calculated based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the respective dates of grant.
(10)Ms. Brassard received a grant of the equivalent of $26,400 of RSUs, which vested immediately. In addition, she received a grant of the equivalent of $26,400 of RSUs, which vest on January 15, 2023 if Ms. Brassard remains employed on the applicable vesting date.

 

Employment AgreementsAll Other Compensation

 

We have agreements with certainNone.

13

2021 Outstanding Equity Awards Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth all outstanding equity awards made to each of our named executive officers, which include provisions regarding post-termination compensation. We dothe Named Executive Officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. The unvested equity awards held by Mr. Block as of December 31, 2021 terminated upon his resignation on February 1, 2022.

NameNumber 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 of 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

($)

Paul Block
2021 Grant (1)               -               -            -$             -          -             -$           -156,250$200,000
2022 Grant (2)---$---$-156,250$200,000
2023 Grant (3)---$---$-78,125$100,000
Geoffrey Gwin (4)---$---$-25,000$44,000
Amy L. Brassard (5)---$---$-15,000$26,400

(1)Mr. Block received a grant of the equivalent of $200,000 of RSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which would be earned and vested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023, if Mr. Block remained employed on the applicable vesting date. Mr. Block resigned from his employment on February 1, 2022.
(2)Mr. Block received a grant of the equivalent of $200,000 of RSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which would be earned and vested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2022 and ending December 31, 2024, if Mr. Block remained employed on the applicable vesting date.
(3)Mr. Block received a grant of the equivalent of $100,000 of RSUs, one-twelfth (1/12) of which will be earned and vested on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning March 31, 2023 and ending December 31, 2025, if Mr. Block remained employed on the applicable vesting date.
(4)Mr. Gwin received a grant of the equivalent of $44,000 of RSUs, which will vest January 15, 2023, if Mr. Gwin remains employed on the applicable vesting date.
(5)Ms. Brassard received a grant of the equivalent of $26,400 of RSUs, which will vest January 15, 2023, if Ms. Brassard remains employed on the applicable vesting date.

14

Employment Agreements

The Company does not have a formal severance policy or plan applicable to ourthe executive officers as a group. The following summaries of the employment agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the employment agreements, as amended, which have been previously filed in our prior SEC reports.

 

Employment Agreement with Steven EarlesPaul Block

Paul Block was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer as of July 1, 2020, at which time he entered into an employment agreement. The agreement was terminated effective February 1, 2022.

Employment Agreement with Geoffrey Gwin

 

On February 6, 2015, weJune 15, 2020 the Company entered into an employment agreementExecutive Employment Agreement with Steven Earles to serve as president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chairman of our Board of Directors.Mr. Gwin. The agreement had an initial term that was set to endexpired on February 5, 2018 and provided forJune 15, 2021. Mr. Gwin is now employed at will, with the terms of his employment being determined by the expired Employment Agreement.

Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Gwin received an annual base salary during the termof $250,000, with $100,000 in cash and $150,000 in RSUs. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the agreementaward vested on each of $104,000 per year.March 31, June 30 and September 30 and December 31 of each year this contract is in effect, beginning September 30, 2020. Mr. Earles isGwin was eligible to receive an annual bonusa target incentive payment of at the discretion100% of the Board of Directors. On August 12, 2015, we amended Mr. Earles’ employment agreement to increase his annual base salary to $245,000. On October 5, 2015, Mr. Earles resigned as our chief financial officer.

The agreement also containsbeginning in 2020, paid 50% in RSUs and 50% in cash. Actual payments were determined based on a combination of the following material provisions: (i) reimbursement for all reasonable travelCompany’s results and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his employment; (ii) two weeks paid vacation leave; (iii) medical, dental and life insurance benefits; (iv) 36-month non-compete/non-solicitation terms; and (v) a severance payment equal to six months of base salary upon termination without cause (as defined inindividual performance against the agreement).

Effective November 4, 2016, we entered into a Second Amendment to Employment Agreement (the “Earles Amendment”) with Mr. Earles. Under the Earles Amendment, Mr. Earles’ base salary was decreased to $120,000 per annum. In addition, Mr. Earles agreed to waive prior accrued and unpaid salary totaling approximately $182,000. He was granted a restricted stock units award pursuant to our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan equal to the quotient obtained by dividing $30,000applicable performance goals established by the closing price of our common stock on the effective dateCompensation Committee of the Earles Amendment, which our Board deemed to be the fair market valueBoard. Mr. Gwin also received (i) a signing bonus of such shares as$35,000, 50% in cash and 50% in fully vested stock of the dateCompany, and (ii) other benefits that were generally available to other executive officers of the Earles Amendment. The shares of common stock subject toCompany. Effective February 4, 2021, Mr. Gwin and the restricted stock units vest in four equal quarterly installments on each of November 4, 2016, January 1, 2017, April 1, 2017 and July 1, 2017. We also agreed to indemnify Mr. Earles to the fullest extent allowed by our Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”), our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), and applicable law, and notwithstanding Section 7.14 of our Bylaws, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rights granted pursuant to the Earles Amendment will apply to acts and actions occurring since October 31, 2014.

Mr. Earles resigned as our president and director effective January 19, 2017. Mr. Earles had previously resigned as our chief executive officer on November 22, 2016.

Employment Agreement with Steve Shum

On October 5, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Shum. The agreement has an initial term ending on October 5, 2018 and provides for an annual base salary during the term of the agreement of $195,000 per year. Mr. Shum is eligible to receive an annual bonus of at the discretion of the Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Shum received an option to purchase 14,167 shares of our common stock. This option has a five-year term and vests as described above.

The agreement also contains the following material provisions: (i) reimbursement for all reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his employment; (ii) two weeks paid vacation leave; (iii) medical, dental and life insurance benefits; (iv) 36-month non-compete/non-solicitation terms; and (v) a severance payment equal to six months of base salary upon termination without cause (as defined in the agreement).

Effective November 4, 2016, weCompany entered into a First Amendment to Employment Agreement (the “Shum“First Amendment”) with Mr. Shum. Under, pursuant to which (i) the Shum Amendment, Mr. Shum’s base salary was decreased to $135,000 per annum. In addition, Mr. Shum is entitled to quarterly bonuses based on individual and company performance at the discretion of our Board of Directors as well as quarterly bonuses based on the achievement by us of certain quarterly EBITDA targets. WeCompany agreed to pay Mr. Shum $4,250 for accrued and unpaid salary, which will be paid on the earlier of a qualified equity financing or six months from the effective date of the Shum Amendment. We also agreed to indemnify Mr. Shum to the fullest extent allowed by the Articles, the Bylaws and applicable law, and notwithstanding Section 7.14 of our Bylaws, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rights granted pursuant to the Shum Amendment shall apply to acts and actions occurring since October 31, 2014.

Employment Agreement with Melissa Heim

On February 27, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Heim. The agreement has an initial term ending on February 27, 2020 and provides for an annualhis entire base salary during the term of the agreement of $40,000 per year. Ms. Heim is eligible to receive an annual bonus of at the discretion of the Board of Directors. In addition, Ms. Heim received an option to purchase 417 shares of our common stock. This option has a five-year term and vests as described above.

The agreement also contains the following material provisions: (i) reimbursement for all reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his employment; (ii) ten business days paid vacation leave; (iii) medical, dental and life insurance benefits; and (iv) 36-month non-compete/non-solicitation terms.

We have increased Ms. Heim’s annual base salary during the course of her employment, and she now earns an annual base salary of $85,000.

Employment Agreement with Jarrett Catalani

Under the terms of Mr. Catalani’s employment agreement, Mr. Catalani will be employed as our Senior Vice President – Sales for a three-year term. Mr. Catalani will initially be paid an annual base salary of $150,000, subject to review from time to time by the compensation committee. Mr. Catalani’s employment agreement further provides that Mr. Catalani is eligible to participate in our annual bonus plan with an initial target annual bonus of $100,000, the actual payment of which will be determined based upon a combination of our results and individual performance against applicable performance goals fixed by the compensation committee.

In addition to salary and bonuses as summarized above, Mr. Catalani’s employment agreement provides that Mr. Catalani is eligible to participate in employee benefits plans as we may institute from time to time at the discretion of the compensation committee. On August 10, 2017, he was granted 10,000 options under the 2016 Plan, which options will vest quarterly over a three-year period, at an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.

In the event Mr. Catalani’s employment is terminated “without cause” (as defined in Mr. Catalani’s employment agreement) after his failure to take corrective action during any applicable cure period, he will receive, in addition to any compensation otherwise due to him, payment of his then base salary and continuation of his benefits for six monthscash following the termination. If his employment is terminated voluntarily, due to death or disability or is terminated for “cause” (as defined in Mr. Catalani’s employment agreement), all vestingtransactions contemplated by that Termination and Inventory Purchase Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) dated as of equity grantsFebruary 2, 2021 with Redneck Spirits Group LLC, and awards will immediately cease and only routine compensation provided in Mr. Catalani’s employment agreement will be due.

Any amounts payable under Mr. Catalani’s employment agreement are subject to any policy (whether currently in existence or later adopted) established by us providing for clawback or recovery(ii) $56,250 of amounts thatunvested RSUs were paid to Mr. Catalani. We will make any determination for such clawback or recovery in our sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

Finally, Mr. Catalani is subject to intellectual property assignment, confidentiality and non-solicitation restrictions.

Employment Agreement with Allen Barteld

In connection with our acquisition of MotherLode, on March 8, 2017, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Barteld. Under the terms of Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement, Mr. Barteld will be employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of MotherLode, and will continue to serve as its manager, for a three-year term. Mr. Barteld was initially paid an annual base salary of $85,000, subject to review from time to time by the compensation committee. Upon the earlier of December 31, 2017 or the closing of a registered public offering of our common stock that results in net proceeds to us of at least $3,000,000, Mr. Barteld’s base salary was to be increased to $120,000 per year, subject to review from time to time by the compensation committee. In connection with our August 2017 follow-on public offering which resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $5,000,000, Mr. Barteld’s salary was increased to $120,000 per year, subject to review from time to time by the compensation committee. Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement further provides that Mr. Barteld is eligible to participate in our annual bonus plan, the actual payment of which will be determined based upon a combination of our results and individual performance against applicable performance goals fixed by the compensation committee.

In addition to salary and bonuses as summarized above, Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement provides that Mr. Barteld is eligible to participate in employee benefits plans as we may institute from time to time at the discretion of the compensation committee. On March 20, 2017, Mr. Barteld was granted 83,334 incentive stock options under the 2016 Plan, which options will vest quarterly over a five-year period, at an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.

In the event Mr. Barteld’s employment is terminated “without cause” (as defined in Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement) after his failure to take corrective action during any applicable cure period, or if he resigns for “good reason” (as defined in Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement), then he will receive, in addition to any compensation otherwise due to him, payment of his then base salary and continuation of his benefits for six months following the termination. Mr. Barteld may not resign for good reason without first providing us with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for good reason within 90 days of the initial existence of such grounds, and a reasonable cure period of at least 30 days. If his employment is terminated voluntarily, due to death or disability or is terminated for “cause” (as defined in Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement), all vesting of equity grants and awards will immediately cease and only routine compensation provided in Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement will be due.

Any amounts payable under Mr. Barteld’s employment agreement are subject to any policy (whether currently in existence or later adopted) established by us providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to Mr. Barteld. We will make any determination for such clawback or recovery in our sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

Finally, Mr. Barteld is subject to confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions.rescinded.

 

Potential Payments upon Termination

 

Under the terms of the employment agreements for Messrs. Shum, Catalani, and Barteld, they are each entitled to a severance payment of six month’s salary at the then-applicable base salary rate inIn the event that we terminate theirthe Company terminated Mr. Gwin’s employment without “cause.” In addition,cause, Mr. BarteldGwin’s Executive Employment Agreement provided for payment of his Base Salary for the unexpired portion of his employment term. Since the term of his employment agreement has expired, Mr. Gwin is not currently entitled to a severanceany payment of six month’s salary at the then-applicable base salary rate if he resigns for “good reason.”upon termination.  

 

The following table sets forth quantitative information with respect to potential payments to be made to Messrs. Shum, Catalani, and Barteld upon termination without cause or good reason, as applicable, as provided in their respective employment agreements as described in the “Employment Agreements” section above.

15

 

Name 

Potential Payment upon Termination
Without Cause or for Good

Reason, as applicable (1)

 
Steven Shum $67,500 
Allen Barteld $60,000 
Jarrett Catalani $75,000 

(1)Employee entitled to six months’ severance at the then applicable base salary rate.

Employee Benefit Plans

 

The following table reflects, as of December 31, 2016, compensation plans pursuant to which the Company is authorized to issue options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of its common stock, including the number of shares issuable under outstanding options, warrants and rights issued under the plans and the number of shares remaining available for issuance under the plans:

  (a)  (b)  (c) 
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)) 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders  163,056  $5.48   3,611 
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders         
Total  163,056  $5.48   3,611 

We have granted options to purchase common stock to our officers, directors, employees and consultants under our 2016 Plan. The 2016 Plan also enables us to grant RSUs, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and certain other equity-based compensation to our officers, directors, employees and consultants. Under the 2016 Plan, we awarded stock options to each of our non-employee directors in 2016. We also awarded RSUs and stock options to certain of our officers in 2016 under the 2016 Plan. See Proposal No. 3 regarding the stockholder ratification of prior grants of stock options and restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTYPERSON TRANSACTIONS

 

The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 20152020 as to which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent (1%) of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and in which any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination and other arrangements which are described above under the headings “Director Compensation”“Compensation of Directors” and “Executive Compensation.” As of the date of this Proxy Statement, there are no proposed transactions as described in the foregoing sentence.

Stephanie Kilkenny

Stephanie Kilkenny was appointed to the Board in accordance with the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 12, 2019 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), between us and Intersect Beverage, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Intersect”), pursuant to which we acquired substantially all of the assets of Intersect, an importer and distributor of tequila and related products under the brand name Azuñia. The Transaction closed on September 12, 2019. Mrs. Kilkenny was the former managing director of Azuñia Tequila, and together with her spouse, owns and controls TQLA, the majority owner of Intersect.

 

On August 23, 2017,February 5, 2021, we repaid other liabilities due to Intersect and TQLA in an amount of $0.7 million.

In connection with the acquisition of Azuñia Tequila from Intersect, TQLA was entitled to receive up to 93.88% of the aggregate consideration payable under the Asset Purchase Agreement. On February 10, 2021 and April 19, 2021, we issued 1.2 million shares and 682,669 shares, respectively, of our common stock (the “Shares”) to certain affiliates of Intersect pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement at a weighted-average of $4.67 per share and $1.82 per share, respectively. The Shares constitute the “Fixed Shares” due to Intersect pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2021, all shares issued to TQLA had been sold by it.

On April 19, 2021, we issued $7.8 million in principal amount of promissory notes as the Earnout Consideration under the Asset Purchase Agreement. The loans mature in full on April 1, 2024 and accrue interest at a rate of 6.0% annually. TQLA received a total of 598,223 shares of common stock and a promissory note in the principal amount of $6.9 million. In October 2021, TQLA sold its promissory note in the principal amount of $6.9 million.

On March 21, 2022, we entered into a Secured Line of Credit Promissory Note (the “Note”) with TQLA for $2.0 million. The principal amount of the Note was increased to $3.0 million on April 19, 2022. The maturity date for the loan will be March 21, 2023, except that we have a conditional right to extend the maturity date to September 21, 2023. The loan bears interest at 9.25% per annum and carries a commitment fee of 2.5%. The loan is secured by a pledge of our ownership interest in Craft Canning + Bottling, LLC (“Craft C+B”) as well as a security interest in our spirits inventory. The loan is guaranteed by Craft C+B and the guaranty is secured by a pledge of the assets of Craft C&B.

Pursuant to the Note, we issued to TQLA a Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the “Warrant”). The Warrant allows its holder, prior to March 21, 2027, to purchase our common stock for $1.20 per share with the maximum purchase price equaling the aggregate amount borrowed under the Note.

Robert Grammen

Effective June 15, 2020, our Board of Directors appointed Jack PetersonRobert Grammen to the Board to fill an existing vacancy on the Board of Directors.Board. Mr. PetersonGrammen is also a member of Intersect. Pursuant to the President of Sandstrom Partners. In late 2016, with the goal of increasing its brand value and accelerating sales,Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company retained Sandstrom and tasked them with reviewing the Company’s current product portfolio, as well as its new ideas, and advising it with respect to marketing, creation of brand awareness and product positioning, locally and nationally. The Company is using Sandstrom’s full range of brand development services, including research, strategy, brand identity, package design, environments, advertising as well as digital design and development. The Company anticipates that its product packaging design will change in the second half of 2017 as a result of Sandstrom’s efforts. The Company has paid $80,000 in cash and 33,334 shares of stock valued at $145,000 (at the time of issuance) to Sandstrom Partners in 2017 to date for services rendered by Sandstrom under its agreement with the Company.

On August 10, 2017,Intersect, Mr. Wickersham and his affiliates purchased 55,555 units at $4.50 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one shares of common stock, for total proceeds of approximately $250,000 in cash.

On June 2, 2017, Mr. Wickersham purchased 15,189 units at $3.90 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one three-year common stock purchase warrant exercisable at $7.50 per share (subject to adjustment), for total proceeds of $59,237 in cash.

On April 4, 2016, Mr. Earles purchased 185 units in an offering of units consisting of shares of our series A convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock (our “Series A Preferred Stock and Warrant Unit Offering”) in consideration of $185,000 in accrued and unpaid salary. Each unit consisted of one share of series A convertible preferred stock and one warrant to purchase 223 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. Steven Shum, our chief financial officer, purchased 97 Units in the Series A Preferred Stock and Warrant Unit Offering in consideration of $97,000 in accrued and unpaid salary. Martin Kunkel, our former chief marketing officer, director and secretary, purchased 58 Units in the Series A Preferred Stock and Warrant Unit Offering in consideration of $58,000 in accrued and unpaid salary. Carrie Earles, our chief branding officer and wife of Steven Earles, purchased 83 Units in the Series A Preferred Stock and Warrant Unit Offering in consideration of $83,000 in accrued and unpaid salary. These issuances were unanimously approved by our Board of Directors, including all disinterested directors. Effective November 4, 2016, we entered into an agreement with Mr. Earles, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which Mr. Earles agreed to convert 185 shares of the Company’s series A convertible preferred stock into 41,111 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and to cancel his warrant to purchase 41,107 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

On June 9, 2016, pursuant to a subscription agreement executed by the Grover T. Wickersham Employees’ Profit Sharing Plan (“PSP”) for which Mr. Wickersham serves as trustee, the PSP purchased in a private placement an aggregate of 83,334 units, each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one common stock purchase warrant (collectively with the common stock, the “Common Stock Units”) at a purchase price of $3.00 per Common Stock Unit, forGrammen received a total purchase price of $250,000.

On June 22, 2016, Mr. Wickersham directly purchased in a private placement an aggregate of 38,334 Common Stock Units at a purchase price of $3.00 per Common Stock Unit for a total purchase price of $115,000. On December 30, Mr. Wickersham assigned 24,680 of his warrants to a related and un-related party. He also voluntarily canceled 8,334 additional warrants.

On June 22, 2016, pursuant to a subscription agreement executed by an education trust established for the benefit of an unrelated minor for which Mr. Wickersham serves as trustee (“Education Trust”), the Education Trust purchased in a private placement 16,667 Common Stock Units at a purchase price of $3.00 per Common Stock Unit, for a total purchase price of $50,000.

On June 22, 2016, pursuant to a subscription agreement executed by the Lindsay Anne Wickersham 1999 Irrevocable Trust for which Mr. Wickersham serves as trustee (the “Irrevocable Trust”), the Irrevocable Trust purchased in a private placement 66,667 Common Stock Units at a purchase price of $3.00 per Common Stock Unit, for a total purchase price of $200,000.

On June 22, 2016, Mr. Fleming directly purchased in a private placement an aggregate of 8,334 Common Stock Units at a purchase price of $3.00 per Common Stock Unit, each Common Stock Unit consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $25,000.

On June 30, 2016, the PSP purchased from us a promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 8% per annum (a “Promissory Note”) for aggregate consideration of $50,000, along with a warrant to acquire 8,334 shares of common stock at a price of $6.00 per share. On July 7, 2016, the PSP purchased an additional Promissory Note for aggregate consideration of $120,000, along with a warrant to acquire 20,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. On December 30, 2016, the PSP exercised 43,590 warrants at a price of $3.90 per share.

On June 30, 2016, the Grover T. and Jill Z. Wickersham 2000 Charitable Remainder Trust (the “Wickersham Trust”) purchased an additional Promissory Note for aggregate consideration of $50,000, along with a warrant to acquire 8,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. On November 21, 2016, the Wickersham Trust purchased an additional Promissory Note for aggregate consideration of $75,000, along with a warrant to acquire 12,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. On December 31, 2016, the Wickersham Trust exercised its 20,834 warrants along with an additional 11,218 warrants assigned from Mr. Wickersham all at a price of $3.90 in exchange for eliminating the outstanding note principal.

On September 19, 2016, an entity for which Lawrence Hirson, a former director, serves as manager purchased $150,000 of promissory notes and received 3-year warrants to purchase 25,00022,027 shares of our common stock at an exercise priceand a promissory note in the principal amount of $6.00 per share.$91,740.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, our former chief executive officer paid expenses on our behalf on his personal credit card. These related party advances did not bear interest and were payable on demand. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the balance due to our former chief executive officer was approximately $0 and $27,075, respectively, and is included in accounts payable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We also had a note payable due our former chief executive officer in the amount of $12,500 at December 31, 2015, that was repaid during fiscal year 2016.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, our former chief executive officer paid expenses on our behalf on his personal credit card. These related party advances did not bear interest and are payable on demand. At March 31, 2016, the balance due to our former chief executive officer was approximately $95,000, and is included in accounts payable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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See “Principal Stockholders” for a current summary of the securities owned by our officers and directors.

 

We believe that the foregoing transactions were in ourthe best interests.interests of the Company. Consistent with Section 78.140 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, it is our current policy that all transactions between us and our officers, directors and their affiliates will be entered into only if such transactions are approved by a majority of the disinterested directors, are approved by vote of the stockholders, or are fair to us as a corporation as of the time it isthey are authorized, approved or ratified by the board. We will continue to conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions on an ongoing basis, and, where appropriate, we will utilize our audit committee for the review of potential conflicts of interest on an ongoing basis.interest.

 

Executive Employment Arrangements

We have entered into employment agreements with certain of our executive officers. For more information regarding these agreements, see the section of this proxy statement captioned “Executive Officer Compensation – Employment Agreements.”

Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons

 

WeOur audit committee is responsible for reviewing, approving, and overseeing any transaction between the Company and any related person and any other potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis. Our informal policy (which we intend to adopt a policyformalize in the near future) has been that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our common stock and any members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not 20permittedpermitted to enter into a related person transaction with us without the prior consent of our audit committee. AnyUnder this policy, any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, nominee for election as a director, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and such person would have a direct or indirect interest, must first be presented to our audit committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our audit committee is tomay consider the material facts of the transaction, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. All of the transactions described above were entered into prior to the adoption of such policy, but after presentation, consideration, and approval by our Board of Directors.

 

In circumstances where one or more members of the audit committee may have a potential conflict of interest with respect to, or an interest in, any relationship or transaction involving the Company, we may establish a special committee consisting of disinterested directors to act on the Company’s behalf with respect to such relationship or such transaction.

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

 

Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders, Directors and Management

 

Common Stock

The following table sets forth information as of September 30, 2017April 25, 2022 as to each person or group who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding voting securities and as to the security and percentage ownership of each of our named executive officers and directors and of all of our executive officers and directors as a group. As of September 30, 2017, weApril 25, 2022, the Company had 4,824,39915,285,825 shares of common stock outstanding.

Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and nogenerally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except in cases where community property laws apply or as indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over all shares of series Acommon stock shown as beneficially owned by the stockholder.

Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of April 25, 2022 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Name And Address (1) Number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned  Percentage Owned 
5% Stockholders:      
Crater Lake Pte Ltd (2)  923,118(3)  5.70%
Bigger Capital Fund, LP (4)        
District 2 Capital Fund LP (5)  1,696,540(6)  9.99%
TQLA, LLC  2,647,165(7)  14.86%
         
Officers and Directors        
Geoffrey Gwin  444,115(8)  2.90%
Amy Brassard  20,609(9)  0.13%
Eric Finnsson  97,258(10)  0.63%
Stephanie Kilkenny  2,647,165(7)  14.86%
Robert Grammen  164,061(11)  1.07%
Elizabeth Levy-Navarro  61,900(12)  0.40%
Joseph Giansante  521   0.00%
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)  3,435,629   19.11%
   6,055,287     

(1)Unless otherwise noted, the address is c/o Eastside Distilling, Inc., 2321 NE Argyle, Unit D, Portland, Oregon 97211.
(2)The address is 883 North Bridge Road, #06-05 Southbank, Singapore 198785.
(3)Includes 806,451 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock and 116,666 shares of common stock of the registrant issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $3.75 per share.

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(4)The address is 11434 Glowing Sunset Lane, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135.
(5)The address is 175 West Carver Street, Huntington, New York 11743.
(6)Bigger Capital Fund, LP and District 2 Capital Fund LP are a “group” as that term is defined by the SEC. The ownership of the group includes (a) up to 681,818 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible promissory notes and up to 409,091 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants owned by Bigger Capital Fund, LP and (b) up to 681,818 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible promissory notes and up to 409,091 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants owned by District 2 Capital Fund LP. The notes may not be converted and the warrants may not be exercised if, after giving effect to the conversion or exercise, the holder would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock; accordingly the value stated in the table does not include 485,278 shares issuable upon full conversion. The information in this note is based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2022.
(7)Includes 102,460 shares held in Ms. Kilkenny’s capacity as trustee of the Stephanie A. Kilkenny Trust; 2,500,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by TQLA, LLC (“TQLA”), which Ms. Kilkenny, together with her spouse, owns and controls; and 27,778 warrants held directly by Patrick J. Kilkenny, Trustee of the Patrick J. Kilkenny Revocable Trust. Mr. Kilkenny is the spouse of the Reporting Person.
(8)Includes 107,000 shares held by Group G Investments, LP (“Group G Investments”), the general partner of which is Group G Capital Partners, LLC. Mr. Gwin is the managing member and Chief Investment Officer of Group G Capital Partners, LLC and is also a limited partner of Group G Investments. By virtue of his roles with Group G Capital Partners, LLC, he may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owner of Group G Investments’ portfolio securities; however, he disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Also includes 25,000 RSUs that vest January 15, 2023.
(9)Includes 15,000 RSUs that vest January 15, 2023 and 5,609 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options.
(10)Includes 5,000 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options.
(11)Includes 5,000 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options.
(12)Includes 5,000 shares underlying presently exercisable stock options.

Series B Preferred Stock

The following table sets forth information as of April 25, 2022 as to each person or group who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding Series B preferred stock. As of April 25, 2022, we had 2,500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except in cases where community property laws apply or as indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over all shares of capital stock shown as beneficially owned by the stockholder.

Shares of commonSeries B preferred stock subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2017April 25, 2022 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Name And Address Number of Series B Preferred Shares Beneficially Owned  Percentage Owned 
5% Stockholders:        
Crater Lake Pte Ltd  2,500,000   100.00%
883 North Bridge Road
#0605 Southbank
Singapore 198785
        

 

     Number of Shares    
     Subject to Options,    
     Warrants and RSUs  Total Shares 
  Number of Shares  Issuable  Beneficially Owned 
Name of Beneficial Owners Beneficially Held  By November 30, 2017 (1)  Number  Percent 
5% Stockholders            
Glenbrook Capital, L.P. (2)  526,916   188,931   715,847   14.28%
                 
Directors and Executive Officers                
Grover T. Wickersham  408,031 (3)   252,475 (4)   660,506   13.01%
Trent D. Davis  11,630   12,038   23,668   * 
Michael M. Fleming  14,963   16,372 (5)   31,335   * 
Melissa Heim  8,524   5,695   14,219   * 
Shelly A. Saunders  -   625   625   * 
Jack Peterson  42,734 (6)   42,625 (7)   85,359   1.75%
Steven Shum  17,000   19,340   36,340   * 
Allen Barteld  86,667   8,333   95,000   1.97%
Murray Smith  375   5,696   6,071   * 
Jarrett Catalani  -   834   834   * 
All executive officers, directors as a group (10 persons)  589,924   364,033 (8)   953,957   19.07%
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* Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent of the outstanding common stock.

(1)See Proposal No. 3 regarding the stockholder ratification of prior grants of stock options and restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan.
(2)Glenbrook Capital, L.P. (“Glenbrook”) is a Nevada limited partnership, the general partner of which is Glenbrook Capital Management, a Nevada corporation (“GCM”). Glenbrook is overseen by its executive officers and a board of directors consisting of four directors. Grover T. Wickersham, the corporation’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is the owner of GCM. However, he does not direct the voting or disposition of the shares owned by Glenbrook. GCM disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities owned by Glenbrook Limited Partnership except to the extent of its pecuniary interest in the limited partnership.
(3)The shares of common stock include (i) 97,114 shares held directly; (ii) 178,531 shares owned by the employee profit sharing plan of Mr. Wickersham’s company, for which he serves as trustee; (iii) 42,440 shares owned by a charitable remainder trust, for which he serves as co-trustee and a beneficiary; and (iv) 87,745 shares owned by his minor daughter’s irrevocable trust, for which he serves as trustee.
(4)Includes (i) 205,808 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently-exercisable warrants and (ii) 46,667 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable on or before November 30, 2017.
(5)Includes (i) 9,334 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently-exercisable warrants and (ii) 7,038 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable on or before November 30, 2017.
(6)Includes (i) 9,400 shares of common stock held directly or indirectly by Mr. Peterson and (ii) 33,334 shares of common stock owned by Sandstrom Partners, of which Mr. Peterson is the current CEO.
(7)Includes (i) 42,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently-exercisable warrants held by Sandstrom Partners, of which Mr. Peterson is the current CEO and (ii) 625 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable on or before November 30, 2017.
(8)Includes (i) 256,142 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently-exercisable warrants and (ii) 107,891 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable on or before November 30, 2017.

PROPOSAL NO. 2

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceADVISORY VOTE (NON-BINDING) ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Our executive compensation program is intended to attract, motivate, reward, and retain the senior management talent required to achieve our corporate objectives and increase stockholder value. Our philosophy in setting compensation policies for executive officers is to align pay with performance, while at the same time providing competitive compensation. We believe that our compensation policies and procedures are aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders.

As required by Section 16(a)14A of the Exchange Act, requires our officers and directors and persons who own more than ten percentthis proposal seeks a stockholder advisory vote on the approval of a registered classcompensation of our equity securitiesnamed executive officers as disclosed pursuant to file withItem 402 of Regulation S-K through the SEC reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 and Form 5. Officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish to us copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors, and greater-than-10% beneficial owners were met during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.following resolution:

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2

APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN“RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve the compensation of Eastside Distilling, Inc.’s executives, as disclosed in the compensation tables, and the related disclosure contained in the proxy statement.”

 

Our Board of Directors has previously approved amendmentsurges you to endorse the 2016 Plan to (i) increasecompensation program for our executive officers by voting FOR the number of sharesabove resolution. The Compensation Committee of the common stockBoard of Directors believes that may be issued under the 2016 Plan (the “Aggregate Limit”)executive compensation for 2021 was reasonable, appropriate, and justified by an additional 192,861 shares of common stock, for a total of 500,000 shares of common stock, (ii) increase the number of shares of common stock that may be granted to any Participant pursuant to Options to purchase common stock and Stock Appreciation Rights under the 2016 Plan in any one year period (the “Individual Option Limit”) from 8,333 shares to 200,000 shares, (iii) increase the number of shares of common stock that may be granted to any Participant pursuant to other Awards (the “Individual Award Limit”) under the 2016 Plan in any one year period from 8,333 shares to 200,000 shares and (iv) increase the number of shares of common stock that may be paid to any one Participant under the 2016 Plan for a Performance Period pursuant to Performance Compensation Awards under the 2016 Plan (the “Individual Performance Award Limit”) from 8,333 shares to 200,000 shares.company’s performance. The Board of Directors has recommended, and our stockholders approved, that the stockholders approve these amendments toadvisory vote on executive compensation be held every year. Therefore, the 2016 Plan.next advisory vote on executive compensation after the 2022 annual meeting will occur at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Description of 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

We believe that our ability to grant equity-based awardsBecause your vote is a valuable and necessary compensation tool that aligns the long-term financial interests of our employees, consultants and directors with the financial interests of our stockholders. In addition, we believe that our ability to grant options and other equity-based awards helps us to attract, retain and motivate employees, consultants and directors and encourages them to devote their best efforts to our business and financial success. In September 2016, our Board of Directors approved the adoption of the 2016 Plan. Our stockholders approved the adoption of the 2016 Plan in December 2016. The principal features of our 2016 Plan are summarized below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual text of the 2016 Plan, the full text of which (not giving effect to the amendments described herein) is appended to this proxy statement asAppendix A.

Purpose of the 2016 Plan

The purpose of the 2016 Plan is to attract, retain and motivate directors, executive officers and other employees and certain consultants. The 2016 Plan enables us to grant equity awards to our directors, officers, employees and independent contractors providing services to us, at such levels determined by our Board of Directors, or a committee designated byadvisory, it will not be binding upon the Board of Directors, to be necessary to attract, retain and motivateDirectors. However, the individuals whoCompensation Committee will be critical to our success in achieving its business objectives, and thereby creating greater value for all our stockholders.

It is intended that the 2016 Plan qualify as an incentive stock option plan meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

Authorized Shares; Increased Limits

The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2016 Plan (the “Aggregate Limit”) is currently 500,000,provided that, the Aggregate Limit will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of up to 10 years, commencing on January 1, 2017, in an amount equal to 8% of the number of outstanding shares of our capital stock, calculated on an as-converted basis, on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares determined by our Board of Directors. After takingtake into account the automatic increase described in the foregoing sentence, effective January 1, 2017, the Aggregate Limit was 307,139. The Board of Directors originally authorized the issuance of 166,667 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2016 Plan. However, in May 2017 and June 2017, the Board of Directors approved amendments to the 2016 Plan to increase the Aggregate Limit to new totals of 389,709 and 500,000 shares, respectively (and each on a post-reverse stock split basis), contingent upon stockholder adoption and approval of such increase at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

The 2016 Plan also contains the Individual Option Limit, the Individual Award Limit and the Individual Performance Award Limit. The original amount of each of these limits was 500,000 shares of common stock. However, after the 1-for-20 and 1-for-3 reverse stock splits that occurred in October 2016 and June 2017, respectively, these limits were each reduced to 8,333 shares of common stock. The Board of Directors has approved increasing eachoutcome of the Individual Option Limit, the Individual Award Limit and the Individual Performance Award Limit from 8,333 shares to 200,000 shares of common stock, and has recommended that the stockholders adopt and approve amendments to the 2016 Plan to increase these limits accordingly. The Board of Directors has determined that the increases to the Individual Option Limit, the Individual Award Limit and the Individual Performance Award Limit are necessary to permit us, a small publicly-traded company, to use equity awards to incentivize directors, officers, employees and independent contractors while saving cash resources. Specifically, we have historically utilized, and intend to continue to utilize, various forms of stock-based awards in order to hire, retain and motivate talented employees, consultants and directors and encourage them to devote their best efforts to our business and financial success. In addition, we believe that our ability to grant stock-based awards is a valuable and necessaryvote when considering future executive compensation tool that aligns the long-term financial interests of our employees, consultants and directors with the financial interests of our stockholders.

Shares subject to stock awards granted under the 2016 Plan that expire or terminate without being exercised in full, or that are paid out in cash rather than in shares, do not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2016 Plan. Additionally, shares issued pursuant to stock awards under the 2016 Plan that we repurchase or that are forfeited, as well as shares used to pay the exercise price of a stock award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to a stock award, become available for future grant under the 2016 Plan.

Eligibility for Awards and Plan Administration

Employees, independent contractors and directors of us and our affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the 2016 Plan, along with such other individuals designated by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee of our Board of Directors) who are reasonably expected to become employees, independent contractors or directors after the receipt of awards under the 2016 Plan.

Our Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee of our Board of Directors, currently the compensation committee, will administer the 2016 Plan. Our Board of Directors may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than officers) to receive specified stock awards and (2) determine the number of shares subject to such stock awards. Under the 2016 Plan, our Board of Directors has the authority to determine the terms of awards, including recipients, the exercise, purchase or strike price of stock awards, if any, the number of shares subject to each stock award, the fair market value of a share of our common stock, the vesting schedule applicable to the awards, together with any vesting acceleration, the form of consideration, if any, payable upon exercise or settlement of the award and the terms of the award agreements. The Board of Directors may also amend outstanding awards under the 2016 Plan for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting or the term of any outstanding award, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.

Stock Options

Incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options are granted pursuant to stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for stock options, within the terms and conditions of the 2016 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2016 Plan vest at the rate specified in the stock option agreement as determined by the plan administrator.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”) are awards of hypothetical common stock units having a value equal to the fair market value of an identical number of shares of common stock, and granted pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate by the plan administrator or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for any reason.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards are awards of actual shares of common stock, and are granted pursuant to restricted stock award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the terms and conditions of restricted stock awards, including vesting and forfeiture terms. If a participant’s service relationship with us ceases for any reason, we may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of common stock held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock appreciation rights are awards to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or shares equal to the number of shares subject to the stock appreciation right multiplied by the excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the award is exercised over the exercise price for the stock appreciation right. Stock appreciation rights are granted pursuant to stock appreciation grant agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the purchase price or strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2016 Plan may, but need not, vest and become exercisable in periodic installments as specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the plan administrator.

Performance Awards

The 2016 Plan provides that the plan administrator shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any awards contemplated by the 2016 Plan (subject to certain exceptions) to designate such award as a “performance-based compensation” award in order to qualify such award as performance-based compensation that is not subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. Our Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) may structure awards so that the stock or cash will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period. Unless the Board of Directors determines to submit the performance-based compensation award portions of the 2016 Plan and the definition of “performance goal” and “performance criteria” to our stockholders at the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the 2016 Plan was last approved by stockholders (or any earlier meeting designated by the Board of Directors), in accordance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, and such stockholder approval is obtained, then no further performance compensation awards shall be made under the 2016 Plan after the date of such annual meeting, but the 2016 Plan may continue in effect for awards to participants not in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. Also, see above under the heading “Authorized Shares; Increased Limits” regarding the Individual Performance Award Limit and the proposed increase to such limit.

Changes to Capital Structure

In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as any stock or extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization merger, consolidation, combination, exchange or other relevant change in capitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to the exercise price of options and stock appreciation rights, the maximum number of shares subject to all awards and the maximum number of shares with respect to which any one person may be granted awards during any period stated in the 2016 Plan. Any adjustments will be made to ensure that any adjustments will not constitute a modification of any stock options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) and Section 409A of the Code, will not adversely affect applicable exemptions under the Exchange Act and rules promulgated thereunder, and will not cause us to be denied a tax deduction on account of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Change in Control

The 2016 Plan provides that in the event of a change in control, unless otherwise provided in an applicable award agreement, all options and stock appreciation rights shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such options or stock appreciation rights, and the restricted period shall expire immediately with respect to 100% of the shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units. In addition, the plan administrator may in its discretion and upon advance notice, cancel any outstanding awards and pay to the holders thereof, in cash or stock or a combination thereof, the value of such awards based upon the price per share of common stock received in the event. Under the 2016 Plan, a change in control is defined to include (1) a sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets to any person or entity that is not our subsidiary; (2) individuals who constitute our incumbent Board of Directors ceasing to constitute at least a majority of our Board of Directors; (3) a complete liquidation or dissolution of us; (4) the acquisition by any person or company of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our then outstanding stock; or (5) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which our stockholders immediately prior to the transaction do not own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity (or the parent of the surviving entity).

Transferability

A participant may not transfer stock awards under the 2016 Plan other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise provided under the 2016 Plan.

Plan Amendment or Termination

Our Board of Directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 2016 Plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. Certain material amendments also require the approval of our stockholders. The 2016 will automatically terminate upon the tenth anniversary of the date our Board of Directors adopted the 2016 Plan. No stock awards may be granted under the 2016 Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated, but awards granted before the termination date of the 2016 Plan may extend beyond such date.

Certain Federal Tax Consequences

The following summary of the federal income tax consequences of transactions under the 2016 Plan is based upon federal income tax laws in effect on the date of this proxy statement. This summary does not purport to be complete, and does not discuss state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.

Non-qualified Stock Options. The grant of a Non-Qualified Stock Option under the 2016 Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to us. Upon exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option, the participant generally must recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the time of exercise over the option exercise price. If a participant exercises a Non-Qualified Stock Option and receives shares that are subject to the insider trading provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and sale of the shares could subject the participant to liability under Section 16(b), then the participant will not recognize income upon the exercise of the option until the six-month period during which section 16(b) applies has lapsed or the stock is sold, if a sale occurs earlier. The participant will have to pay taxes (including income taxes and, if the participant is an employee, Social Security, unemployment and Medicare taxes) at the time a Non-Qualified Stock Option is exercised even though the shares received upon exercise might not be sold until a later taxable year.

Incentive Stock Options. The grant of an Incentive Stock Option under the 2016 Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to us. A participant recognizes no federal taxable income upon exercising an Incentive Stock Option (subject to the alternative minimum tax rules discussed below), and we receive no deduction at the time of exercise. In the event of a disposition of stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, the tax consequences depend upon how long the participant has held the shares. If the participant does not dispose of the shares within two years after the Incentive Stock Option was granted, nor within one year after the Incentive Stock Option was exercised, the participant will recognize a long-term capital gain (or loss) equal to the difference between the sale price of the shares and the exercise price. We are not entitled to any deduction under these circumstances.

If the participant fails to satisfy either of the foregoing holding periods (referred to as a “disqualifying disposition”), he or she will recognize ordinary compensation income in the year of the disposition. The amount of ordinary compensation income generally is the lesser of (i) the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the exercise price or (ii) the difference between the fair market value of the stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price. Such amount is not subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes, even if the participant is our employee. Any gain in excess of the amount taxed as ordinary income will generally be treated as a short-term capital gain. Generally, common stock acquired through the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option will not be considered to have been disposed of if transferred by reason of death, through certain tax-free reorganizations, or if pledged or liened.

The “spread” under an Incentive Stock Option —i.e., the difference between the fair market value of the shares at exercise and the exercise price—is classified as an item of adjustment in the year of exercise for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If a participant’s alternative minimum tax liability exceeds such participant’s regular income tax liability, the participant will owe the alternative minimum tax liability.

Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock is generally taxable to the participant as ordinary compensation income on the date that the restrictions lapse (i.e. the date that the stock vests), in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on such date over the amount paid for such stock (if any). If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. We are entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof. Any gain or loss on the participant’s subsequent disposition of the shares will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss treatment depending on the sales price and how long the stock has been held since the restrictions lapsed. We do not receive a tax deduction for any subsequent gain.

Participants receiving Restricted Stock Awards may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (“Section 83(b) Election”) to recognize as ordinary compensation income in the year that such Restricted Stock is granted, the amount equal to the excess of the fair market value on the date of the issuance of the stock over the amount paid for such stock. If such an election is made, the recipient recognizes no further amounts of compensation income upon the lapse of any restrictions and any gain or loss on subsequent disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss to the recipient. The Section 83(b) Election must be made within 30 days from the time the Restricted Stock is issued.

Other Awards. Other Stock-Based Awards (such as Restricted Stock Units) are generally treated as ordinary compensation income as and when common stock or cash are paid to the participant upon vesting or settlement of such awards. If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for income and employment tax purposes. We are generally entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the recipient, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof.

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under Code Section 162(m), no deduction is allowed in any taxable year for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our “covered employees.” A “covered employee” is our chief executive officer and our three other most highly compensated officers other than the chief financial officer. An exception to this rule applies to “qualified performance based compensation,” which generally includes stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under a stockholder approved plan, and other forms of equity incentives, the vesting or payment of which is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain stockholder approved performance goals. We intend that the 2016 Plan allow for the grant of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that may be treated as “qualified performance based compensation” that is exempt from the limitations of Code Section 162(m), and for the grant of other performance-based awards that may be treated as “qualified performance based compensation,” but it makes no assurance that either such type of award will be so treated.

Vote Required

The approval of the amendments to the 2016 Plan requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.arrangements.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
the AMENDMENTS
APPROVAL OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED, THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES INTEND TO THE 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.VOTE ALL PROXIES RECEIVED FOR APPROVAL OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 3
RATIFY PRIOR GRANTS OF STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS UNDER THE 2016 PLAN

The Board of Directors has approved prior grants of stock options and restricted stock units to certain individuals above the Aggregate Limit, the Individual Option Limit and the Individual Award Limit in effect at the time of such grants. The grants made above the Aggregate Limit, the Individual Option Limit and the Individual Award Limit are identified below under the heading “Additional Grants” and are referred to herein as the “Additional Grants.” The Board of Directors believes that the Additional Grants were made in the best interests of our stockholders and that ratification of the Additional Grants is necessary to retain and motivate our officers, employees, directors and consultants and align their long-term financial interests with the financial interests of our stockholders. Therefore, the Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders ratify the Additional Grants.

Additional Grants

The Additional Grants made above the Individual Option Limit and the Individual Award Limit (the “Individual Limit Additional Grants”) are listed in the table below in the columns labeled “Amount Above Individual Option Limit” and “Amount Above Individual Award Limit.” As of September 30, 2017, the Board of Directors has approved the issuance of 443,894 shares of common stock underlying stock options and restricted stock units, 136,755 of which (the “Aggregate Limit Additional Grants”) were above the Aggregate Limit of 307,139. Together with the Individual Limit Additional Grants, the Aggregate Limit Additional Grants constitute the Additional Grants for which the Board of Directors is seeking stockholder approval.

On October 10, 2017, we received a letter from a law firm purporting to represent a Company stockholder named Jason Price. The letter stated that such representative was launching an “investigation” into the Additional Grants. The representative stated the belief that the Board of Directors had violated the terms of the 2016 Plan by approving the Additional Grants, and such approval constituted a breach of fiduciary duty and possible evidence of material weaknesses in internal controls. The Board of Directors rejects any such contentions. Although we acknowledge that the Additional Grants were made despite the stated limits in the 2016 Plan, we believe that the Additional Grants were in the best interests of our stockholders and we categorically deny that such approval constituted a breach of fiduciary duty or evidence of material weaknesses in internal controls. The letter also requested that we launch an internal investigation related to the allegations in the letter. We believe that our existing corporate governance mechanisms are sufficiently robust as to be able to review and take a proper response to the letter.

As noted above, we utilize equity awards to retain and motivate its directors, officers, employees and consultants and align their long-term financial interests with the financial interests of our stockholders. The Board of Directors made the Additional Grants (notwithstanding the applicable limits) in furtherance of these goals and in the best interests of us and our stockholders.

Grantee Name Grant Date Options to Purchase Common Stock Granted  Amount Above Individual Option Limit  Restricted Stock Units Granted  Amount Above Individual Award Limit 
               
Allen Barteld 3/20/2017  83,334   75,001   -   - 
Jarrett Catalani 8/10/2017  10,000   1,667   -   - 
Trent Davis 10/13/2016  11,667   3,334   -   - 
Jay Harkins 10/13/2016  50,000   41,667   18,519   10,186 
Lawrence Hirson 10/13/2016  11,667   3,334   -   - 
Lenny Gotter 8/10/2017  -   -   9,500   1,167 
Michael Fleming 10/13/2016  11,667   3,334   -   - 
Ron Kalfon 12/30/2016  16,667   8,334   -   - 
Travis Schoney 9/15/2017  10,000   1,667   -   - 
Subtotal, Above    205,002   138,338   28,019   11,353 
                   
Melissa Heim 9/20/2016  10,000   1,667   -   - 
  12/30/2016  3,334   3,334   5,051   - 
  3/14/2017  1,667   1,667   -   - 
  9/15/2017  10,000   10,000   5,000   1,718 
Subtotal, Melissa Heim    25,001   16,668   10,051   1,718 
                   
Steve Shum 9/20/2016  20,000   11,667   -   - 
  3/14/2017  1,667   1,667   -   - 
Subtotal, Steve Shum    21,667   13,334   -   - 
                   
Murray Smith 10/17/2016  3,334   -   -   - 
  12/30/2016  10,000   5,001   -   - 
  3/14/2017  1,667   1,667   -   - 
  9/15/2017  5,000   5,000   -   - 
Subtotal, Murray Smith    20,001   11,668   -   - 
                   
Grover Wickersham (1) 10/13/2016  11,667   3,334   -   - 
  4/5/2017  33,334   33,334   33,334   25,001 
  9/15/2017  20,000   20,000   7,500   7,500 
Subtotal, Grover Wickersham    65,001   56,668   40,834   32,501 
TOTALS    336,672   236,676   78,904   45,572 

(1)During 2016 and through September 30, 2017, Mr. Wickersham’s annual salary is one dollar ($1).

Rescission of Additional Grants

If the stockholders do not ratify the Additional Grants, we will use our best efforts to rescind the Additional Grants. However, we expect that doing so may have a negative effect on the morale of the grantees who received the Additional Grants, which could cause an adverse effect on our business and financial position. None of the Additional Grants have been exercised, and the weighted average exercise price of the stock options comprising the Additional Grants is $5.48. If the Additional Grants are rescinded, the Board of Directors may make replacement grants under the 2016 Plan in its sole discretion.

Vote Required

The approval of the ratification of the Additional Grants requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
the RATIFICATION OF THE PRIOR GRANTS OF STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS UNDER THE 2016 Plan.

PROPOSAL NO. 4

RATIFY APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The independent registered public accounting firm of BPM LLPOur Audit Committee has selected M&K CPAS, PLLC (“BPM”M&K”) acted as our independent registered public accounting firm since December 16, 2014 and audited our financial statements for the years endedyear ending December 31, 2016, 20152022. M&K began serving as our independent auditor as of October 6, 2017. Services provided to us by M&K in 2021 and 2014. BPM was responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in2020 are described under the United Statesheading “Principal Accountant Fees and issuing a report on its audit.Services” below.

 

On October 6, 2017, theOur Board of Directors uponis asking our stockholders to ratify the recommendationselection of the audit committee, approved the dismissal of BPMM&K as our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The reportsRepresentatives of BPM on our consolidated financial statements forM&K plan to attend the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016annual meeting of stockholders, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and 2015 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified aswill respond to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.appropriate questions by stockholders.

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016Principal Accountant Fees and 2015 and any subsequent interim period through June 30, 2017, there were no “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and related instructions) with BPM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BPM, would have caused BPM to make reference thereto in its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such fiscal years. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and any subsequent interim period through June 30, 2017, there have been no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).Services

 

We provided BPM with a copy of the disclosure it is making herein in response to Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K and requested that BPM furnish us with a copy of its letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), pursuant to Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, stating whether or not BPM agrees with the statements related to them made by us in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 10, 2017 related to these matters. A copy of BPM’s letter to the SEC dated October 6, 2017 is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to such Current Report on Form 8-K.Audit Fees

On October 6, 2017, the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the audit committee, approved the appointment of M&K CPAS, PLLC (“M&K”) as our new independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and any subsequent interim period through June 30, 2017, neither us, nor anyone on our behalf, consulted M&K regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to us by M&K that M&K concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) or a “reportable event” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

A representative of M&K is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.

Audit Fees

BPM billed us $60,000$59,000 in fees for our 20162021 annual audit and $37,800$54,000 in fees for the completion of our 2020 audit. M&K also billed $31,500 and $28,500 in fees for the review of our quarterly financial statements in 2016. BPM billed us $52,500 in fees for our 2015 annual audit2021 and $37,800 in fees for the review of our quarterly financial statements in 2015. M&K has not billed us any fees for any services to date.

2020, respectively.

Audit Related Fees

We did not pay anypaid fees to BPMM&K for assurance and related services of $15,500 and $10,500 related to other SEC filings in 2016 or 2015 that are not reported above under Audit Fees.

2021 and 2020, respectively.

Tax Fees

For each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 20162021 and 2015,2020, the aggregate fees billed for tax compliance by BPMM&K were $0.

$4,000 and $15,000, respectively.

All Other Fees

For the fiscal years ended each of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the aggregate fees billed for other products or services by BPM were $0. BPM did not provide or conduct any other products or services during those periods.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

We have implemented pre-approval policies and procedures related to the provision of audit and non-audit services. Under these procedures, our audit committee pre-approves all services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firmM&K and the estimated fees related to these services.

 

All audit, audit related, and tax services were pre-approved by the audit committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by our independent registered public accounting firmM&K was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. Our pre-approval policies and procedures provide for the audit committee’s pre-approval of specifically described audit, audit-related, and tax services on an annual basis, but individual engagements anticipated to exceed pre-established thresholds must be separately approved. The policies and procedures also require specific approval by the audit committee if total fees for audit-related and tax services would exceed total fees for audit services in any fiscal year. The policies and procedures authorize the audit committee to delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services.

 

Audit Committee Report

 

In connection with our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2021, the Audit Committee has:

 

● Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management;

 

● Discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by applicable auditing standards;Auditing Standard No. 1301 (Communications with Audit Committees); and

21

 

● Received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

 

Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee approved our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162021 filed with the SEC.SEC on March 30, 2022.

 

Submitted by the Audit Committee:

 

Michael M. FlemingEric Finnsson (Chair)
Trent D. Davis
Shelly A. Saunders

Robert Grammen

Elizabeth Levy-Navarro

Vote Required

 

The ratification of the appointment of M&K CPAS, PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF M&K CPAS, PLLC

AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017.2022.

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PROPOSAL NO. 4

THE WARRANT APPROVAL PROPOSAL

Background - Private Placement

During 2020, our management and the Board continued to evaluate our available capital in view of general economic conditions and the conditions in the spirits industry specifically, and in view of our capital requirements to fund operating activities, inventories, and acquisitions. To address our capital needs, our management and the Board determined that it would be prudent to explore various alternatives to increase capital, including methods of generating capital through debt financings, disposition of product lines, and the sale of debt or equity securities through a private placement, public offering or rights offering. After considering our financing alternatives and options in consultation with our financial advisors, our management proposed to the Board that we explore the feasibility of selling convertible debt securities in a private placement and the Board authorized us to investigate this method of raising capital. The Board also authorized us to engage Roth Capital Partners (“Roth Capital”) to approach potential investors on our behalf.

During the first quarter of 2021, Roth Capital approached potential investors regarding the potential private placement. We negotiated with such potential accredited investors regarding the terms of the private placement and the specific amount each investor would be willing to invest. Throughout the negotiations, management reported to the Board. In March 2021, Roth Capital introduced to the Company Bigger Capital Fund, LP and District 2 Capital Fund LP (the “Investors”) and we discussed with the Investors a private placement of notes and warrants.

Following negotiations, each member of the Board reviewed the drafts of the Purchase Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, and the related transaction documents. The Board approved the Private Placement and approved the execution of Purchase Agreement, the Notes, and the Warrants, each in substantially the form presented to the Board, and the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Notes, and the Warrants.

In light of such approval, from April 19, 2021 through May 12, 2021, the Company issued to Bigger Capital Fund, LP and District 2 Capital Fund LP (the “Investors”) in a private placement Three Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,300,000) of principal amount of six percent (6%) secured convertible promissory notes of the Company (“Note” or “Notes”) which notes are convertible into shares (“Conversion Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) at an initial conversion price of $2.20, and warrants (the “Existing Warrants”), to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock (“Existing Warrant Shares”) at an exercise price of $2.65 per Existing Warrant Share. If all of the Existing Warrants were exercised in cash at the exercise price of $2.65 per Existing Warrant Share, the Company would receive gross proceeds of $2.385 million and would issue an aggregate of 900,000 Existing Warrant Shares.

The Notes and the Warrants were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Company thereafter registered the resale of the Conversion Shares and the Existing Warrant Shares pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC.

Warrant Exercise Inducement Letters and Issuance of Warrants

On July 30, 2021, the Company entered into warrant exercise inducement offer letters (“Inducement Letters”) with the Investors pursuant to which the Investors agreed to exercise for cash their Existing Warrants to purchase the 900,000 Existing Warrant Shares in exchange for the Company’s agreement to issue new warrants (the “New Warrants”) to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock (the “New Warrant Shares”). The New Warrants have substantially the same terms as the Existing Warrants, except that the New Warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share, are exercisable five years after they become exercisable, and will become exercisable upon the Company’s receipt of approval from its stockholders (the “Stockholder Approval”) to (1) amend its articles of incorporation to increase its authorized common stock to a number of shares that equals or exceeds 17,000,000 shares, and (2) to approve the terms and issuance of the New Warrants. Concurrently therewith, the holders exercised the Existing Warrants for gross proceeds of $2.385 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the exercise of the Existing Warrants for acquisition of capital equipment and general working capital needs.

The Company also agreed to file a registration statement covering the resale of the New Warrant Shares no later than 15 calendar days following the date of the Company’s receipt of stockholder approval as described above pursuant to the same terms and conditions of that certain Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and the Holder dated as of April 19, 2021 as if the New Warrant Shares were “Registrable Securities” thereunder.

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Pursuant to the Inducement Letters, until the Company shall have obtained stockholder approval of the issuance of the New Warrants, the Company may not make any sale, grant, or other disposition or issuance (or announce any sale, grant or other disposition or issuance) of (i) any Common Stock or any rights, options, or warrants to purchase or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or (ii) any rights to reprice any Common Stock or any rights, options, or warrants to purchase or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, if any such sale, grant, or other disposition or issuance would entitle any person to acquire shares of Common Stock for a consideration per share less than a price equal to the exercise price of the New Warrants in effect immediately prior to such sale, grant, or other disposition or issuance or deemed sale, grant, or other disposition or issuance; provided, however, that the foregoing provisions of this sentence shall not be applicable to any sale, grant, or other disposition or issuance (or announcement of any sale, grant, or other disposition or issuance) of any Excluded Securities (as defined in the New Warrants).

At any time during the period commencing from the nine month anniversary of the Inducement Letters and ending at such time that both Investors cease to own any New Warrants or New Warrant Shares, if either (x) the Company has not obtained the Stockholder Approval (a “Stockholder Approval Failure”) or (y) the Company has not secured the listing of all of the New Warrant Shares on Nasdaq (a “Listing Approval Failure”, and together any Stockholder Approval Failure, each an “Approval Failure”) then, in addition to the Investor’s other available remedies, the Company must pay to the Investors, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to exercise the New Warrants and/or sell the New Warrant Shares, monthly cash payments each in an amount equal to three percent (3.0%) of the aggregate New Warrant Exercise Price for the purchase of all New Warrant Shares under the Investors’ New Warrants (with each monthly payment pro-rated for the number of days of each calendar month during which such Approval Failure remains uncured), beginning from the first month during which any Approval Failure occurs and for each calendar month thereafter, until the earlier of (a) the date such Approval Failure is cured and (b) the two year anniversary of the date of the Inducement Letters.

The stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to increase its authorized common stock to 35,000,000 shares on August 19, 2021. The Company’s articles of incorporation were amended to increase its authorized common stock to 35,000,000 shares effective as of August 20, 2021.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]New Warrant Terms

 

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the New Warrants is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the New Warrants, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 5, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference. For more information about accessing the Current Report on Form 8-K and the other information we have filed or file with the SEC, see “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

Duration and Exercise Price

The New Warrants are exercisable from and after the date on which the Company’s receipt of approval from its stockholders to (1) amend its articles of incorporation to increase its authorized common stock to a number of shares that equals or exceeds 17,000,000 shares, and (2) to approve the terms and issuance of the New Warrants, and the New Warrants expire five years after the date on which they first become exercisable. The New Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price per share of common stock equal to $3.00 per share. The holder of a New Warrant will not be deemed a holder of the underlying common stock until the New Warrant is exercised. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of the New Warrants. Instead, for any such fractional share that would have otherwise been issued upon exercise of a New Warrant, the Company will, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fraction or round such fraction up to the next whole share.

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Exercisability

The New Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company a duly executed exercise notice, provided that payment in full for the number of shares of the Company’s common stock purchased upon such exercise is delivered to the Company in accordance with the terms of the New Warrants (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the New Warrant to the extent that the holder and its affiliates and any other person or entities with which such holder would constitute a Section 13(d) “group” would own more than 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock immediately after exercise. The holder, upon at least 61 days notice to the Company, may increase or decrease this beneficial ownership limitation, so long as such limitation does not exceed 9.99%.

Cashless Exercise

If, at the time a holder exercises its New Warrants, a registration statement registering the shares of common stock underlying such New Warrant under the Securities Act is not then effective or available for the issuance of such shares, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to the Company upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the New Warrants.

Rights as a Stockholder

Except as otherwise provided in the New Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of the Company’s common stock, the holders of the New Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the New Warrants, including any voting rights, until they exercise their New Warrants.

Stock Dividends and Splits

If the Company, at any time while a New Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the exercise price of the New Warrant shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of New Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the New Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate exercise price of the New Warrant shall remain unchanged.

Fundamental Transaction

In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the New Warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization, or reclassification of the Company’s common stock, the sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties or assets, the Company’s consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by the Company’s outstanding common stock, the holders of the New Warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the New Warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash, or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the New Warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.

Subsequent Equity Sales

If, at any time after the Company has obtained stockholder approval and while any New Warrant is outstanding, the Company sells or grants any option to purchase or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues (or announces any sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition), any Common Stock (other than “Excluded Securities”, as defined in the New Warrants) (including the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company, but excluding any Excluded Securities issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold) entitling any person to acquire shares of Common Stock for a consideration per share less than a price equal to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale (a “Dilutive Issuance”), then immediately after such Dilutive Issuance, the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced to an amount price (calculated to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent) on a weighted average basis, and simultaneously, the number of Warrant Shares that may be purchased upon exercise of the New Warrant would be increased or decreased proportionately, so that, after such adjustment, the aggregate Exercise Price payable under the New Warrant shall be the same as was in effect immediately prior to such adjustment. As a result of the sales of securities by the Company after the issuance of the New Warrants, the exercise price of the New Warrants has reduced from $3.00 to $2.65.

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The foregoing description of the Inducement Letters and the New Warrants does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form New Warrant and forms of Inducement Letter filed herewith. For further discussion of the terms of the Existing Warrants, see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 23, 2021, which portions describing the Existing Warrants are incorporated herein by reference.

Why We Need Stockholder Approval and Effect of Stockholder Approval or Disapproval of the Warrant Approval Proposal

Our Common Stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “EAST.” Because our Common Stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market, we are subject to NASDAQ’s rules and regulations. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(b) requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance of securities when the issuance or potential issuance will result in a change of control of the Company. NASDAQ generally considers a change of control to occur when, as a result of the issuance, an investor or a group would own, or have the right to acquire, 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or voting power and such ownership or voting power would be the largest ownership position. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(d) requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with a transaction other than a public offering involving the sale, issuance, or potential issuance by the Company of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) at a price less than the greater of book or market value which equals 20% or more of Common Stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance, or the sale, issuance or potential issuance by the Company of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable our Common Stock) equal to 20% or more of the Common Stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance for less than the greater of book or market value of the stock.

The New Warrants are not exercisable unless and until the Company receives stockholder approval of the terms and issuance of the New Warrants, and they will not become exercisable if stockholder approval is not obtained. The Company seeks approval of the Warrant Approval Proposal to allow the New Warrants to become exercisable.

As of July 30, 2021, there were 12,417,577 shares of Common Stock outstanding. In connection with the Private Placement, we issued an aggregate of Three Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,300,000) of Notes, convertible into Conversion Shares at a conversion price of $2.20 per share, such that the Investors can acquire 1,500,000 shares upon full conversion of the Notes. In addition, we issued the Existing Warrants in the Private Placement, granting those same Investors the right to purchase up to 900,000 Existing Warrant Shares at an exercise price of $2.65 per Existing Warrant Share. Thus, before exercise of the Existing Warrants, the Investors had a right to acquire a total of 2,400,000 shares of our Common Stock, which constituted 19.3% of our Common Stock outstanding on that date, and, if the Investors converted all Notes into shares of Common Stock and exercised all Existing Warrants, they would collectively hold 16.2% of our outstanding Common Stock (2,400,000 shares out of a total of 14,817,577 shares outstanding after the issuance of the Conversion Shares and the Existing Warrant Shares).

If the New Warrants issued pursuant to the Warrant Exercise Inducement Letters were immediately exercisable (and if the New Warrants do become exercisable as a result of the stockholders’ approving this Warrant Approval Proposal), the Investors would have beneficially owned or had a right to acquire beneficial ownership of a total of 3,300,000 shares, which would constitute 26.6% of the 12,417,577 shares outstanding as of July 30, 2021, and if the Investors converted all Notes into shares of Common Stock and exercised all New Warrants, they would collectively hold 21.0% of our outstanding Common Stock (3,300,000 shares out of a total of 15,717,577 shares outstanding after the issuance of the Existing Warrants Shares, the Conversion Shares, and the New Warrant Shares).

In addition, as with the Notes and the Existing Warrants, the New Warrants contain “ratchet” anti-dilution features, so the Company’s future issuance of securities could reduce the $3.00 per share exercise price of the New Warrants. If such a reduction occurred, the Investors could acquire more than 900,000 shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the New Warrants. Also, while the Existing Warrants have been exercised, the Notes still remain outstanding and also contain “ratchet” anti-dilution features, so the Company’s future issuance of securities could also reduce the $2.20 per share conversion price of the Notes. If such a reduction occurred, the Investors could acquire more than 2,200,000 shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes.

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The Company is seeking stockholder approval under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(b) and NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(d) so that the New Warrants may become exercisable. If that were to occur, it would result in a change of control in that the Investors would own, or have the right to acquire, 20% or more of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock or voting power and such ownership or voting power would be the largest ownership position of the Company. It could also result in the issuance of shares either in excess of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or voting power or at less than the greater of market price or book value per share. The triggering of the anti-dilution provisions of the Notes or the New Warrants could result in the issuance of even more shares or voting power.

Moreover, if stockholder approval is not obtained for the Warrant Approval Proposal by April 30, 2022, then, in addition to the Investor’s other available remedies, the Company must pay to the Investors monthly cash payments each in an amount equal to three percent (3.0%) of the aggregate New Warrant Exercise Price for the purchase of all New Warrant Shares under the Investors’ New Warrants (totaling $81,000 per month) (with each monthly payment pro-rated for the number of days of each calendar month during which such Approval Failure remains uncured), beginning from the first month during which any Approval Failure occurs and for each calendar month thereafter, until the earlier of (a) the date such Approval Failure is cured and (b) the two year anniversary of the date of the Inducement Letters. The Company is seeking stockholder approval of the Warrant Approval Proposal to avoid the requirement to pay these Approval Failure Payments.

Required Vote

Approval of the Warrant Approval Proposal requires that the majority of shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote on the Warrant Approval Proposal vote for approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as entitled to vote and will, therefore, have the same effect as a vote against the Warrant Approval Proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE WARRANT APPROVAL PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL NO. 5

AUTHORIZATION TO ADJOURN THE ANNUAL MEETING

General

If the Annual Meeting is convened and a quorum is present, but there are not sufficient votes to approve Proposal No. 3, our proxy holders may move to continue, adjourn, or postpone the Annual Meeting at that time in order to enable our Board to solicit additional proxies.

In this proposal, we are asking our stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by our Board to vote in favor of granting discretionary authority to the proxy holders, and each of them individually, to adjourn the Annual Meeting to another time and place, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes to approve Proposal 4. If our stockholders approve this proposal, we could continue, adjourn, or postpone the Annual Meeting and any continued, adjourned, or postponed session of the Annual Meeting and use the additional time to solicit additional proxies, including the solicitation of proxies from our stockholders that have previously voted. Among other things, approval of this proposal could mean that, even if we had received proxies representing a sufficient number of votes to defeat Proposal 4, we could continue, adjourn, or postpone the Annual Meeting without a vote on such proposal and seek to convince our stockholders to change their votes in favor of such proposal.

If it is necessary to continue, adjourn, or postpone the Annual Meeting, no notice of the continued, adjourned, or postponed meeting is required to be given to our stockholders, other than an announcement at the Annual Meeting of the time and place to which the Annual Meeting is continued, adjourned, or postponed, so long as the meeting is continued, adjourned, or postponed for 30 days or less and no new record date is fixed for the continued, adjourned, or postponed meeting. At the continued, adjourned, or postponed meeting, we may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Required Vote

Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires “FOR” votes from the holders of a majority of shares of our Common Stock present or represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote.

Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires that the majority of shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the Adjournment Proposal vote for approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as entitled to vote and will, therefore, have the same effect as a vote against the Adjournment Proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.

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OTHER MATTERS

 

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors and Board Attendance at Annual Stockholder Meetings

 

Our stockholders may, at any time, communicate in writing with any member or group of members of the Board of Directors by sending such written communication to the attention of our Secretary by regular mail to our principal executive offices.

 

Copies of written communications received by our Secretary will be provided to the relevant director(s) unless such communications are considered, in the reasonable judgment of our Secretary, to be improper for submission to the intended recipient(s). Examples of stockholder communications that would be considered improper for submission include, without limitation, customer complaints, solicitations, communications that do not relate directly or indirectly to us or our business, or communications that relate to improper or irrelevant topics.

 

We do not maintain a formal policy regarding director attendance at annual stockholder meetings. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is expected to make all reasonable efforts to attend our annual stockholder meeting in person. If the Chairman is unable to attend an annual stockholder meeting for any reason, at least one other member of the Board of Directors is expected to attend in person. Other members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend our annual stockholder meeting in person if reasonably possible. The Company held its 20162021 annual meeting on December 15, 2016.August 19, 2021. All of the Company’s directors attended our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Proxy Materials Delivered to a Shared Address

 

Stockholders who have the same mailing address and last name may have received a notice that your household will receive only one set of proxy statement.materials. This practice, commonly referred to as “householding,” is designed to reduce the volume of duplicate information and reduce printing and postage costs. A single proxy statement 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 us or from your bank, broker or other registered holder, that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. A number of banks, brokers and other registered holders with account holders who are our stockholders householdwill be householding our proxy materials. If you hold your shares in street name, and no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement in the future, or currently receive multiple copies of the proxy materials and would like to request householding, please notify your bank, broker or other registered holder. If you are a holder of record, and no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement in the future, or currently receive multiple copies of the proxy materials and would like to request householding, please notify us in writing at 2150 SE Hanna Harvester Drive,2321 NE Argyle Street, Unit D, Portland, Oregon 97222,OR 97211, or by telephone at (971) 888-4264. Any stockholder residing at a shared address to which a single copy of the proxy materials was delivered who wishes to receive a separate copy of our proxy statement may obtain a copy by written request addressed to 2150 SE Hanna Harvester Drive,2321 NE Argyle Street, Unit D, Portland, Oregon 97222,OR 97211, attention: Secretary. We will deliver a separate copy of our proxy statement to any stockholder who so requests in writing promptly following our receipt of such request.

 

Transaction of Other BusinessStockholder Proposals for 2023 Annual Meeting

 

Our Board of Directors knows of no other matters toStockholder proposals may be submitted at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be votedincluded in respect thereof as the proxy holders deem advisable.

Annual Report to Stockholders and Form 10-K

Our Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2016 (which is not a part of our proxy solicitation materials) is being mailedstatement and form of proxy for an annual meeting so long as they are provided to our stockholders with this proxy statement. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, without exhibits, is included with the Annual Report to Stockholders.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Grover T. Wickersham

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Portland, Oregon

October ___, 2017

Appendix A

EASTSIDE DISTILLING, INC.
2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.Purpose; Eligibility.

1.1General Purpose. The name of this plan is the Eastside Distilling, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable Eastside Distilling, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees, Consultants and Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees, Consultants and Directors with those of the shareholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.

1.2Eligible Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Directors of the Company and its Affiliates, and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors after the receipt of Awards.

1.3Available Awards. Awards that may be granted under the Plan include: (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-qualified Stock Options, (c) Stock Appreciation Rights, (d) Restricted Awards, (e) Performance Share Awards, and (f) Performance Compensation Awards.

2.Definitions.

Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.

Applicable Laws” means the requirements related to or implicated by the administration of the Plan under applicable state corporate law, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

Award” means any right granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Award, a Performance Share Award or a Performance Compensation Award.

Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time.

Cause” means:

With respect to any Employee or Consultant: (a) If the Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause, the definition contained therein; or (b) If no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause: (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) conduct that results in or is reasonably likely to result in harm to the reputation or business of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (iv) intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between such Employee or Consultant and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; or (v) material violation of state or federal securities laws.

With respect to any Director, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the Director has engaged in any of the following: (a) malfeasance in office; (b) gross misconduct or neglect; (c) false or fraudulent misrepresentation inducing the director’s appointment; (d) willful conversion of corporate funds; (e) intentional, material violation of any statutory duty owed to the Company or its shareholders; or (f) repeated failure to participate in Board meetingsus on a regulartimely basis despite having received proper notice ofand satisfy the meetings in advance.

The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.

Change in Control” (a) The direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person that is not a subsidiary of the Company; (b) The Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; (c) The date which is 10 business days prior to the consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (d) The acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of 50% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (i) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, taking into account as outstanding for this purpose such Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this Plan, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary, (C) any acquisition which complies with clauses, (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (e) of this definition or (D) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant); or (e) the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company that requires the approval of the Company’s shareholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction (a “Business Combination”), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (i) more than 50% of the total voting power of (A) the entity resulting from such Business Combination (the “Surviving Company”), or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of sufficient voting securities eligible to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “Parent Company”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination; (ii) no Person (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors of the Parent Company (or the analogous governing body) (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company); and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance withSection 3.3 andSection 3.4, or the Board if no such committee has been appointed.

Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee from time to time in substitution thereof.

Company” means Eastside Distilling, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and any successor thereto.

Consultant” means any individual who is engaged by the Company or any Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services.

Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Consultant or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service,provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service;provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence.

Covered Employee” has the same meaning asconditions set forth in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, as interpreted by Internal Revenue Service Notice 2007-49.

Deferred Stock Units (DSUs)” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.

Director” means a member of the Board.

Disability” means that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment;provided, however, for purposes of determining the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant toSection 6.10 hereof, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to itRule 14a-8 under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee. Except in situations where the Committee is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant toSection 6.10 hereof within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.

Disqualifying Disposition” has the meaning set forth inSection 14.12.

Effective Date” shall mean the date as of which this Plan is adopted by the Board.

Employee” means any person, including an Officer or Director, employed by the Company or an Affiliate;provided, that,for purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, an Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. Mere service as a Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.amended (the “Exchange Act”), regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company- sponsored proxy materials. We currently anticipate holding our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders in June 2023, although the Board may decide to schedule the meeting for a different date. For a stockholder proposal to be considered pursuant to Rule 14a-8 for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for the annual meeting to be held in 2023, we must receive the proposal at our principal executive offices, addressed to our Secretary, no later than January 6, 2023 Any proposals received after such date will be considered untimely. Submitting a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy.

Fair Market Value” means, as

In addition, a stockholder proposal that is not intended for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of any date, the value of the Common Stock as determined below. If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Fair Market Valueproxy under Rule 14a-8 (including director nominations) shall be the closing price of a share of Common Stock (or if no sales were reported the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date)considered “timely” as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in theWall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable. In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

Free Standing Rights” has the meaning set forth inSection 7.1(a).

Good Reason” means: (a) If an Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Good Reason, the definition contained therein; or (b) If no such agreement exists or if such agreement does not define Good Reason, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Participant’s express written consent, which circumstances are not remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days of its receipt of a written notice from the Participant describing the applicable circumstances (which notice must be provided by the Participant within ninety (90) days of the Participant’s knowledge of the applicable circumstances): (i) any material, adverse change in the Participant’s duties, responsibilities, authority, title, status or reporting structure; (ii) a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary or bonus opportunity; or (iii) a geographical relocation of the Participant’s principal office location by more than fifty (50) miles.

Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution.

Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

Incumbent Directors” means individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board,provided that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for Director without objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director. No individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be an Incumbent Director.

Negative Discretion” means the discretion authorized by the Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Performance Compensation Awardcalculated in accordance with Section 7.4(d)(iv) of the Plan; provided, that, the exercise of such discretion would not cause the Performance Compensation Award to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation”Rule 14a- 4(c) under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and may be brought before the rules2023 annual meeting of stockholders provided that we receive information and regulations promulgated thereunder.notice of the proposal addressed to our Secretary at our principal executive offices, no earlier than March 22, 2023.

 

Option” means an Incentive Stock OptionWe strongly encourage any stockholder interested in submitting a proposal to contact our Secretary in advance of these deadlines to discuss any proposal he or a Non-qualified Stock Option granted pursuantshe is considering, and stockholders may want to the Plan.

Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

Option Exercise Price” means the price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option.

Outside Director” means a Director who is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(e)(3) or any successor to such statute and regulation.

Participant” means an eligible person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

Performance Compensation Award” means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant toSection 7.4of the Plan.

Performance Criteria” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under the Plan. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (or Affiliate, division, business unit or operational unit of the Company) and shall be limited to the following: (a) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (b) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (c) net revenue or net revenue growth; (d) gross revenue; (e) gross profit or gross profit growth; (f) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (g) return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, or sales; (h) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and cash flow return on capital); (i) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization; (j) gross or operating margins; (k) improvements in capital structure; (l) budget and expense management; (m) productivity ratios; (n) economic value added or other value added measurements; (o) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return); (p) expense targets; (q) margins; (r) operating efficiency; (s) working capital targets; (t) enterprise value; (u) safety record; (v) completion of acquisitions or business expansion; and (w) regulatory milestones and targets. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or an Affiliate as a whole or any division, business unit or operational unit of the Company and/or an Affiliate or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Committee may select Performance Criterion (o) above as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria specified in this paragraph. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit the Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval.

Performance Formula” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulas applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine,consult knowledgeable counsel with regard to the Performance Compensation Awarddetailed requirements of a particular Participant,applicable securities laws. All notices of stockholder proposals, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter (but onlynot intended to the extent the exercise of such authority after such period would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards grantedbe included in our proxy materials, should be in writing and sent to any Participant for the Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code), in its sole and absolute discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants based on the following events: (a) asset write-downs; (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (e) extraordinary, unusual or infrequently occurring items as described in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year; (f) acquisitions or divestitures; (g) any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (h) foreign exchange gains and losses; and (i) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.

Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time not less than one fiscal quarter in duration, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Compensation Award.

Performance Share Award” means any Award granted pursuant toSection 7.3hereof.

Performance Share” means the grant of a right to receive a number of actual shares of Common Stock or share units based upon the performance of the Company during a Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.

Permitted Transferee” means: (a) a member of the Optionholder’s immediate family (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships), any person sharing the Optionholder’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Optionholder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Optionholder) own more than 50% of the voting interests; (b) third parties designated by the Committee in connection with a program established and approved by the Committee pursuant to which Participants may receive a cash payment or other consideration in consideration for the transfer of a Non-qualified Stock Option; and (c) such other transferees as may be permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Plan” means thisour principal executive offices, located at: Eastside Distilling, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time., 2321 NE Argyle Street, Unit D, Portland, OR 97211, Attention: Secretary.

 

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Related Rights” has the meaning set forth inSection 7.1(a).

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Restricted Award” means any Award granted pursuant toSection 7.2(a).

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Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth inSection 7.2(a).

Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted underSection 7.1 to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or shares equal to the number of shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.

Stock for Stock Exchange” has the meaning set forth inSection 6.4.

Ten Percent Shareholder” means a person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.

3.Administration.

3.1Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or, in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority:

(a) to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions;

(b) to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan;

(c) to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

(d) to delegate its authority to one or more Officers of the Company with respect to Awards that do not involve Covered Employees or “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act;

(e) to determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Grant Date;

(f) from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan, those Participants to whom Awards shall be granted;

(g) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be made subject to each Award;

(h) to determine whether each Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option;

(i) to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement relating to such grant;

(j) to determine the target number of Performance Shares to be granted pursuant to a Performance Share Award, the performance measures that will be used to establish the performance goals, the performance period(s) and the number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant;

(k) to designate an Award (including a cash bonus) as a Performance Compensation Award and to select the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goals;

(l) to amend any outstanding Awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting, or the term of any outstanding Award;provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under his or her Award or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent;

(m) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies;

(n) to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments;

(o) to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; and

(p) to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

The Committee also may modify the purchase price or the exercise price of any outstanding Award,provided that if the modification effects a repricing, shareholder approval shall be required before the repricing is effective.

3.2Committee Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

3.3Delegation. The Committee, or if no Committee has been appointed, the Board, may delegate administration of the Plan to a committee or committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated. The Committee shall have the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board or the Committee shall thereafter be to the committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. From time to time, the Board may increase or decrease the size of the Committee, add additional members to, remove members (with or without cause) from, appoint new members in substitution therefor, and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall act pursuant to a vote of the majority of its members or, in the case of a Committee comprised of only two members, the unanimous consent of its members, whether present or not, or by the written consent of the majority of its members and minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the Board. Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Plan and the Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may determine to be advisable.

3.4Committee Composition. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3 and/or Section 162(m) of the Code. However, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, with respect to Awards to any Covered Employee and with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may (a) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are either (i) not then Covered Employees and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of recognition of income resulting from such Award or (ii) not persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code or (b) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a compensation committee of the Board that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors.

3.5Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful;provided, however, that within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.

4.Shares Subject to the Plan.

4.1 Subject to adjustment in accordance withSection4.2 andSection 11, a total of 500,000 shares of Common Stock (on a post-reverse split basis) shall be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan. During the terms of the Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock required to satisfy such Awards.

4.2 The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under the Plan will automatically increase on January 1stof each year, for a period of not more than ten (10) years, commencing on January 1st of the year following the year in which the Effective Date occurs and ending on (and including) January 1, 2026, in an amount equal to eight percent (8%) of the total number of shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock on December 31st of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board or the Committee may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase for such year or that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than provided herein.

4.3 Shares of Common Stock available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.

4.4 Subject to adjustment in accordance withSection 11, no Participant shall be granted, during any one (1) year period, Options to purchase Common Stock and Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to more than 8,333 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate or any other Awards with respect to more than 8,333 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate. If an Award is to be settled in cash, the number of shares of Common Stock on which the Award is based shall count toward the individual share limit set forth in this Section 4.

4.5 Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that is canceled, forfeited or expires prior to exercise or realization, either in full or in part, shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein: shares subject to an Award under the Plan shall not again be made available for issuance or delivery under the Plan if such shares are (a) shares tendered in payment of an Option, (b) shares delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, or (c) shares covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award.

5.Eligibility.

5.1Eligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors, and to such other persons as the Committee shall select and those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors following the Grant Date.

5.2Ten Percent Shareholders. A Ten Percent Shareholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.

6.Option Provisions. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 6, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as such at any time or if an Option is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

6.1Term. Subject to the provisions ofSection 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date. The term of a Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee;provided, however, no Non-qualified Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date.

6.2Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions ofSection 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, the Option Exercise Price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) and Section 409A of the Code.

6.3Exercise Price of a Non-qualified Stock Option. The Option Exercise Price of each Non-qualified Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

6.4Consideration. The Option Exercise Price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either (a) in cash or by certified or bank check at the time the Option is exercised or (b) in the discretion of the Committee, upon such terms as the Committee shall approve, the Option Exercise Price may be paid: (i) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of shares being acquired, or by means of attestation whereby the Participant identifies for delivery specific shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of attestation equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) and receives a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the difference between the number of shares thereby purchased and the number of identified attestation shares of Common Stock (a “Stock for Stock Exchange”); (ii) a “cashless” exercise program established with a broker; (iii) by reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of such Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price at the time of exercise; (iv) any combination of the foregoing methods; or (v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the exercise price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery (or attestation) to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period for which the Common Stock is publicly traded (i.e., the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system) an exercise by a Director or Officer that involves or may involve a direct or indirect extension of credit or arrangement of an extension of credit by the Company, directly or indirectly, in violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall be prohibited with respect to any Award under this Plan.

6.5Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

6.6Transferability of a Non-qualified Stock Option. A Non-qualified Stock Option may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be transferable to a Permitted Transferee, upon written approval by the Committee to the extent provided in the Award Agreement. If the Non-qualified Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the Non-qualified Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

6.7Vesting of Options. Each Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Committee may deem appropriate, provided, however, that if no vesting schedule is specified at the time of grant, the Option shall be vested according to the following schedule: one-fourth (1/4th) of the shares subject to the Option shall vest one year following the date that the Option commences vesting as specified at the time of grant, or, if no date is specified at the time of grant, the Grant Date (such date for such Option, the “Vesting Commencement Date”), and the balance of the shares subject to the Option shall vest in a series of thirty-six (36) successive equal monthly installments measured from the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to Optionholder’s Continuous Service as of each such date.

The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. No Option may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.

6.8Termination of Continuous Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approved by the Committee, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement;provided that, if the termination of Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, all outstanding Options (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

6.9Extension of Termination Date. An Optionholder’s Award Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service for any reason would be prohibited at any time because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of the term of the Option in accordance withSection 6.1 or (b) the expiration of a period after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service that is three months after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities law requirements.

6.10Disability of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following such termination or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

6.11Death of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option upon the Optionholder’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the date of death or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Optionholder’s death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

6.12Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options.

7.Provisions of Awards Other Than Options.

7.1Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a)General

Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7.1, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in tandem with an Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”).

(b)Grant Requirements

Any Related Right that relates to a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(c)Term of Stock Appreciation Rights

The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee;provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.

(d)Vesting of Stock Appreciation Rights

Each Stock Appreciation Right may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Stock Appreciation Right may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Stock Appreciation Rights may vary. No Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Stock Appreciation Right upon the occurrence of a specified event.

(e)Exercise and Payment

Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right or related Option. Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise. Payment shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

(f)Exercise Price

The exercise price of a Free Standing Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of such Stock Appreciation Right. A Related Right granted simultaneously with or subsequent to the grant of an Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto shall have the same exercise price as the related Option, shall be transferable only upon the same terms and conditions as the related Option, and shall be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Option;provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right and related Option exceeds the exercise price per share thereof and no Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option unless the Committee determines that the requirements ofSection 7.1(b) are satisfied.

(g)Reduction in the Underlying Option Shares

Upon any exercise of a Related Right, the number of shares of Common Stock for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The number of shares of Common Stock for which a Related Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Option has been exercised.

7.2Restricted Awards.

(a)General

A Restricted Award is an Award of actual shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”) or hypothetical Common Stock units (“Restricted Stock Units”) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of shares of Common Stock, which may, but need not, provide that such Restricted Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of, pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation or for any other purpose for such period (the “Restricted Period”) as the Committee shall determine. Each Restricted Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7.2, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

(b)Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

 (i)Each Participant granted Restricted Stock shall execute and deliver to the Company an Award Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock. If the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable and (B) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Award, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a shareholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends;provided that, any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.
(ii)The terms and conditions of a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Award. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. The Committee may also grant Restricted Stock Units with a deferral feature, whereby settlement is deferred beyond the vesting date until the occurrence of a future payment date or event set forth in an Award Agreement (“Deferred Stock Units”). At the discretion of the Committee, each Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (representing one share of Common Stock) may be credited with cash and stock dividends paid by the Company in respect of one share of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”). Dividend Equivalents shall be withheld by the Company and credited to the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash Dividend Equivalents withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant’s account and attributable to any particular Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents and earnings, if applicable, to the Participant upon settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalents.

 

(c)Restrictions

(i)Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant shall be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (A) if an escrow arrangement is used, the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate; (B) the shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement; (C) the shares shall be subject to forfeiture to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement; and (D) to the extent such shares are forfeited, the stock certificates shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a shareholder with respect to such shares shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.
(ii)Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units awarded to any Participant shall be subject to (A) forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals during such period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company and (B) such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(iii)The Committee shall have the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date the Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are granted, such action is appropriate.

(d)Restricted Period

With respect to Restricted Awards, the Restricted Period shall commence on the Grant Date and end at the time or times set forth on a schedule established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement. No Restricted Award may be granted or settled for a fraction of a share of Common Stock. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.

(e)Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units

Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth inSection 7.2(c) and the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (to the nearest full share) and any cash dividends or stock dividends credited to the Participant’s account with respect to such Restricted Stock and the interest thereon, if any. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, or at the expiration of the deferral period with respect to any outstanding Deferred Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding vested Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (“Vested Unit”) and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such Vested Unit in accordance withSection 7.2(b)(ii) hereof and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any;provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock for Vested Units. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed in the case of Restricted Stock Units, or the delivery date in the case of Deferred Stock Units, with respect to each Vested Unit.

(f)Stock Restrictions

Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend in such form as the Company deems appropriate.

7.3Performance Share Awards.

(a)Grant of Performance Share Awards

Each Performance Share Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Performance Share Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7.3, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or stock-denominated units subject to a Performance Share Award granted to any Participant; (ii) the performance period applicable to any Award; (iii) the conditions that must be satisfied for a Participant to earn an Award; and (iv) the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.

(b)Earning Performance Share Awards

The number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee. No payout shall be made with respect to any Performance Share Award except upon written certification by the Committee that the minimum threshold performance goal(s) have been achieved.

7.4Performance Compensation Awards.

(a)General

The Committee shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award described in this Plan (other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Grant Date), to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award in order to qualify such Award as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In addition, the Committee shall have the authority to make an Award of a cash bonus to any Participant and designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award in order to qualify such Award as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(b)Eligibility

The Committee will, in its sole discretion, designate within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) which Participants will be eligible to receive Performance Compensation Awards in respect of such Performance Period. However, designation of a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the Participant to receive payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period. The determination as to whether or not such Participant becomes entitled to payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award shall be decided solely in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.4. Moreover, designation of a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder shall not require designation of any other person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in such period or in any other period.

(c)Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards

With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have full discretion to select the length of such Performance Period (provided any such Performance Period shall be not less than one fiscal quarter in duration), the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goal(s) that is (are) to apply to the Company and the Performance Formula. Within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence of this Section 7.4(c) and record the same in writing.

(d)Payment of Performance Compensation Awards

(i)Condition to Receipt of Payment

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.

(ii)Limitation

A Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that: (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (B) the Performance Formula as applied against such Performance Goals determines that all or some portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

(iii)Certification

Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the actual size of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion in accordance with Section 7.4(d)(iv) hereof, if and when it deems appropriate.

(iv)Use of Discretion

In determining the actual size of an individual Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate. The Committee shall not have the discretion to (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the maximum amount payable under Section 7.4(d)(vi) of the Plan.

(v)Timing of Award Payments

Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period shall be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by this Section 7.4 but in no event later than 2 1/2 months following the end of the fiscal year during which the Performance Period is completed.

(vi)Maximum Award Payable

Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Plan to the contrary, the maximum Performance Compensation Award payable to any one Participant under the Plan for a Performance Period (excluding any Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) is 8,333 shares of Common Stock or, in the event such Performance Compensation Award is paid in cash, the equivalent cash value thereof on the first or last day of the Performance Period to which such Award relates, as determined by the Committee. The maximum amount that can be paid in any calendar year to any Participant pursuant to a cash bonus Award described in the last sentence of Section 7.4(a) shall be $1,000,000. Furthermore, any Performance Compensation Award that has been deferred shall not (between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) increase (A) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in cash, by a measuring factor for each fiscal year greater than a reasonable rate of interest set by the Committee or (B) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in shares of Common Stock, by an amount greater than the appreciation of a share of Common Stock from the date such Award is deferred to the payment date.

8.Securities Law Compliance. Each Award Agreement shall provide that no shares of Common Stock shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (a) any then applicable requirements of state or federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (b) if required to do so by the Company, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Awards;provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.

9.Use of Proceeds from Stock. Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Awards, or upon exercise thereof, shall constitute general funds of the Company.

10.Miscellaneous.

10.1Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Committee shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

10.2Shareholder Rights. Except as provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, no Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms and no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Common Stock certificate is issued, except as provided inSection 11hereof.

10.3No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the By-laws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

10.4Transfer; Approved Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee shall be deemed to result from either (a) a transfer of employment to the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another, or (b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the Employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code if the applicable Award is subject thereto.

10.5Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; (b) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award,provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or (c) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock of the Company.

11.Adjustments Upon Changes in Stock. In the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock or extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, an extraordinary corporate transaction such as any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange, or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the Grant Date of any Award, Awards granted under the Plan and any Award Agreements, the exercise price of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to all Awards stated inSection 4 and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which any one person may be granted Awards during any period stated inSection 4 andSection 7.4(d)(vi) will be equitably adjusted or substituted, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Common Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards to the extent necessary to preserve the economic intent of such Award. In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Section 11, unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates, the Committee shall, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 11 will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and in the case of Non-qualified Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 11 will not constitute a modification of such Non-qualified Stock Options within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made under this Section 11 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Further, with respect to Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, any adjustments or substitutions will not cause the Company to be denied a tax deduction on account of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

12.Effect of Change in Control.

12.1 Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary:

(a) In the event of a Change of Control, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, and/or the Restricted Period shall expire immediately with respect to 100% of the shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.

(b) With respect to Performance Compensation Awards, in the event of a Change in Control, all incomplete Performance Periods in respect of such Award in effect on the date the Change in Control occurs shall end on the date of such change and the Committee shall (i) determine the extent to which Performance Goals with respect to each such Performance Period have been met based upon such audited or unaudited financial information then available as it deems relevant and (ii) cause to be paid to the applicable Participant partial or full Awards with respect to Performance Goals for each such Performance Period based upon the Committee’s determination of the degree of attainment of Performance Goals or, if not determinable, assuming that the applicable “target” levels of performance have been attained, or on such other basis determined by the Committee.

To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under the immediately preceding clauses (a) and (b) shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to their Awards.

12.2 In addition, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may in its discretion and upon at least 10 days’ advance notice to the affected persons, cancel any outstanding Awards and pay to the holders thereof, in cash or stock, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other shareholders of the Company in the event. In the case of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option or Stock Appreciation Right without the payment of consideration therefor.

12.3 The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company and its Affiliates, taken as a whole.

13.Amendment of the Plan and Awards.

13.1Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided inSection 11 relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock andSection 13.3, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the shareholders of the Company to the extent shareholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws. At the time of such amendment, the Board shall determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on shareholder approval.

13.2Shareholder Approval. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for shareholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers.

13.3Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options or to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith.

13.4No Impairment of Rights. Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

13.5Amendment of Awards. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards;provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

14.General Provisions.

14.1Forfeiture Events. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.

14.2Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

14.3Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

14.4Sub-plans. The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying blue sky, securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards. Any sub-plans shall contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable. All sub-plans shall be deemed a part of the Plan, but each sub-plan shall apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.

14.5Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of shares of Common Stock or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.

14.6Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan.

14.7Recapitalizations. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions required to reflect the provisions ofSection 11.

14.8Delivery. Upon exercise of a right granted under this Plan, the Company shall issue Common Stock or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, 30 days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.

14.9No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards or other securities or property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

14.10Other Provisions. The Award Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.

14.11Section 409A. The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.

14.12Disqualifying Dispositions. Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option (a “Disqualifying Disposition”) shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Common Stock.

14.13Section 16. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in thisSection 14.13, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.

14.14Section 162(m). To the extent the Committee issues any Award that is intended to be exempt from the deduction limitation of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, without shareholder or grantee approval, amend the Plan or the relevant Award Agreement retroactively or prospectively to the extent it determines necessary in order to comply with any subsequent clarification of Section 162(m) of the Code required to preserve the Company’s federal income tax deduction for compensation paid pursuant to any such Award.

14.15Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.

14.16Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

14.17Severability. If any of the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

14.18Plan Headings. The headings in the Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.

14.19Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.

15.Effective Date of Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date, but no Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock Award, shall be granted) unless and until the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.

16.Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate automatically on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier date pursuant toSection 13.1 hereof. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated. Unless the Company determines to submitSection 7.4 of the Plan and the definition of “Performance Goal” and “Performance Criteria” to the Company’s shareholders at the first shareholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Plan was last approved by shareholders (or any earlier meeting designated by the Board), in accordance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, and such shareholder approval is obtained, then no further Performance Compensation Awards shall be made to Covered Employees underSection 7.4 after the date of such annual meeting, but the Plan may continue in effect for Awards to Participants not in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code

17.Choice of Law. The law of the State of Nevada shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of law rules.

As adopted by the Board of Directors of Eastside Distilling, Inc. on September 8, 2016.

As approved by the shareholders of Eastside Distilling, Inc. on December 15, 2016.