participant has been continuously employed by the Company for at least twelve months following the grant date, then any portion of the participant’s awarded securities scheduled to become vested within twelve months after the participant’s termination date shall be vested on his or her termination date.
Restricted Stock Units
On May 21, 2019, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs to certain of the Company’s executive officers, other employees, and directors. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive, upon vesting, 1 share of the Company’s Common Stock or its cash equivalent, as determined by the Company. The number of RSUs granted to certain named executive officers and certain other employees totaled 212,621. These RSU awards granted vest in 4 equal installments on each of the first 4 anniversaries of the grant date, on May 21, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. On September 3, 2019, our Chief Financial Officer received a grant of 81,434 RSUs and 48,860 RSUs, which vested on March 15, 2020 and on each of the first 4 anniversaries of the grant date, respectively. The number of RSUs granted to non-executive directors of the board amounted to 81,967 and were also granted on May 21, 2019. The RSU awards granted to non-executive directors of the board vest over one year on the anniversary of the date of grant or the date of the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the grant date, whichever is sooner.
Additionally, on May 21, 2019, the Compensation Committee approved the election by Mr. Archer, the CEO, pursuant to his employment agreement dated January 29, 2019, to receive his annual base salary for the period July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 in the form of 30,000 RSUs. These RSUs vested in 6 equal installments on the first of each month, beginning on July 1, 2019 through December 1, 2019. On January 2, 2020, the Compensation Committee approved the election by Mr. Archer, the CEO, pursuant to his employment agreement dated January 29, 2019, to receive his annual base salary for the period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 in the form of 124,741 RSUs. These RSUs vested in 12 equal installments on the first of each month, except for one twelfth vested on January 9, 2020. On August 5, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), the Company and Mr. Archer, entered into the Executive Restricted Stock Units Termination Agreement (the “Agreement”) following the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors’ approval of the election by Mr. Archer, pursuant to his employment agreement, to receive his base salary in cash, rather than in the form of RSUs as previously elected. Pursuant to the Agreement (i) Mr. Archer forfeited a portion of his currently unvested RSUs as of the Effective Date and (ii) the Company recommenced payment of 80% of Mr. Archer’s base salary for the period between the Effective Date and December 31, 2020.
Further, on March 4, 2020, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs to certain of the Company’s executive officers and other employees. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive, upon vesting, 1 share of the Company’s Common Stock or its cash equivalent, as determined by the Company. The number of RSUs granted to certain named executive officers and certain other employees totaled 503,757. These RSU awards granted vest in 4 equal installments on each of the first 4 anniversaries of the grant date, on March 4, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
As a result of the volatility in the global financial and commodity markets created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented measures to reduce the Company’s ongoing cash expenses. Consistent with that goal, the Compensation Committee approved the Salary Reduction Equity Award Program (the “Salary Program”), effective April 1, 2020. Pursuant to the Salary Program, the Company reduced the base salary amounts paid to certain executive officers and other employees by up to 20% for the period between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. On April 1, 2020 and as contemplated by the Salary Program, the Company awarded a total of 201,988 RSUs pursuant to the Plan to participants in the Salary Program. The RSUs ratably vest on the first of every month through December 2020. Shares received upon settlement of RSUs granted under the Salary Program are not subject to any sale restrictions that would otherwise apply under the Company’s ownership guidelines; however, the provisions of the Company’s Securities Trading Policy continue to apply to such shares.
Concurrent with the approval of the Salary Program, the Compensation Committee approved the Director Retainer Reduction Equity Award Program (the “Director Retainer Program”), effective April 1, 2020. Pursuant to the Director Retainer Program, the Company reduced the cash retainer paid to non-employee directors by 20%. During the year ended December 31, 2020 and as contemplated by the Director Retainer Program, the Company awarded a total of 66,070 RSUs pursuant to the Plan to the participants in the Director Retainer Program. The RSUs ratably vest on June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2020. Shares received upon settlement of RSUs granted under the Director Retainer Program are not