The Original Escalante Agreement also provides that Mr. Escalante will be subject to customary non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disparagement and other restrictive covenants.
On March 23, 2023, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Escalante, effective as of the date of the Listing (the “Amended Escalante Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amended Escalante Agreement, Mr. Escalante continues in his roles as Chief Executive Officer and President. The Amended Escalante Agreement provides for a base salary of $925,000, subject to annual review, an annual cash bonus opportunity for 2023 at the same threshold, target and maximum award opportunity levels as under the Original Escalante Agreement, annual cash bonus opportunities following 2023 at levels to be established by the Compensation Committee, and equity awards, if any, to be determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Employment Agreements with Our Other Named Executive Officers
The Company was a party to employment agreements, dated as of December 14, 2018, with each of Javier F. Bitar, Louis K. Sohn and Scott A. Tausk and an employment agreement with Nina Momtazee Sitzer dated as of May 10, 2019. Each of such employment agreements (collectively, the “Original Employment Agreements”) is substantially similar to the material terms of the Original Escalante Agreement except as noted below:
Javier F. Bitar. Mr. Bitar serves as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. His Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities are 100%, 150%, and 200%, respectively. His Initial Equity Award granted in May 2019 had a value of $1 million, and he was eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020.
Nina Momtazee Sitzer. Ms. Sitzer has served as the Company’s Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, and Executive Vice President – Operations since April 2023, and was previously General Counsel since June 2019 and Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary since February 2021. Her Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities were 75%, 125%, and 175%, respectively. Her Initial Equity Award granted in January 2020 had a value of $300,000 and she was eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020.
Louis K. Sohn. Mr. Sohn serves as the Company’s Managing Director, Acquisitions & Corporate Finance. His Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities are 75%, 125%, and 175%, respectively. His Initial Equity Award granted in May 2019 had a value of $500,000 and he was eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020.
Scott A. Tausk. Mr. Tausk serves as the Company’s Managing Director, Asset Management. His Incentive Bonus threshold, target and maximum award opportunities are 75%, 125%, and 175%, respectively. His Initial Equity Award granted in May 2019 had a value of $500,000 and he was eligible to receive annual equity awards beginning in 2020.
The Original Employment Agreements also provide for payments and benefits upon termination of employment as described under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Employment Agreement with Our Other Named Executive Officers.”
On March 23, 2023, the Company entered into amended and restated employment agreements with each of Javier F. Bitar (the “Amended Bitar Agreement”) and Nina Momtazee Sitzer (the “Amended Sitzer Agreement,” and together with the Amended Bitar Agreement, the “Amended Employment Agreements”), effective as of the date of the Listing. Pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreements, Mr. Bitar continues in his role as Chief Financial Officer and Ms. Sitzer was appointed Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President – Operations. The Amended Employment Agreements provide for a base salary of $525,000 and $500,000 for Mr. Bitar and Ms. Sitzer, respectively, subject to annual review, an annual cash bonus opportunity for 2023 at the same threshold, target and maximum award opportunity levels as under Mr. Bitar’s Original Employment Agreement and at the threshold, target, and maximum award opportunity levels of 100%, 150%, and 200%, respectively, for Ms. Sitzer, annual cash bonus opportunities following 2023 at levels to be established by the Compensation Committee, and equity awards, if any, to be determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee.