DEF 14A 1 shsp_def14a.htm DEF 14A Blueprint
 
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
(Amendment No. )
 
Filed by the Registrant                                    
 
Filed by Party other than the Registrant           ☐ 
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12
 
SharpSpring, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
No fee required.
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)
Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
(1)
Amount previously paid:
(2)
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)
Filing Party:
(4)
Date Filed:
 

 
 
 
5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410
Gainesville, FL 32608
 
April 30, 2019
 
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
 
The 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of SharpSpring, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608. I hope you will be able to attend.
 
The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the matters that we expect to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Management will be available to answer any questions you may have immediately after the Annual Meeting.
 
Please sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy without delay. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (including audited financial statements) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (“Annual Report”) accompanies the Proxy Statement. The proxy materials and Annual Report included in this package are also available on the internet under the “Investors” page of the Company’s website at http://sharpspring.com/.
 
All shares represented by Proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the specifications marked thereon, or if no specifications are made, (i) as to Proposal No. 1, the Proxy confers authority to vote “FOR” all of the five (5) persons listed as candidates for a position on the Board of Directors; (ii) as to Proposal No. 2, the Proxy confers authority to vote “FOR” the ratification of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019; (iii) as to Proposal No. 3, the Proxy confers authority to vote “FOR” the approval of the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan; and (iv); as to any other business which comes before the Annual Meeting, the Proxy confers authority to vote in the Proxy holder’s discretion.
 
The Company’s Board of Directors believes that a favorable vote for each candidate for a position on the Board of Directors and for all other matters described in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders and recommends a vote “FOR” all candidates and all other matters. Accordingly, we urge you to review the accompanying material carefully and to return the enclosed Proxy promptly.
 
Your vote is important and we encourage you to vote promptly. For record holders, whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please follow the instructions contained in the Notice on how to vote via internet, email, phone, or request a paper proxy card to complete, sign and return by mail so that your shares may be voted. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other holder of record, follow the voting instructions you receive from the holder of record to vote your shares.
 
Thank you for your investment and continued interest in SharpSpring, Inc.
 
/s/ Steven A. Huey
 
Steven A. Huey,
Chair of the Board of Directors
 
 
 
 
SHARPSPRING, INC.
 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019
 
To our Stockholders:
 
Notice is hereby given that the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of SharpSpring, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, June 13, 2019 at 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608, for the following purposes:
 
1.
To elect five (5) Directors to the Board of Directors to serve until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified;
2.
To ratify the appointment Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019;
3.
To approve the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan;
4.
To consider and take action upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 15, 2019, as the Record Date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
For a period of 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting, a stockholders list will be kept at the Company’s office and shall be available for inspection by stockholders during usual business hours. A stockholders list will also be available for inspection at the Annual Meeting.
 
Your attention is directed to the accompanying Proxy Statement for further information regarding each proposal to be made.
 
STOCKHOLDERS UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND FAX, EMAIL OR MAIL IT IN THE ENCLOSED STAMPED, SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY WITHOUT SPECIFYING YOUR CHOICES IT WILL BE UNDERSTOOD THAT YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR SHARES VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATIONS. IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MAY, IF YOU DESIRE, REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
 
By Order of the Board of Directors
 
/s/ Steven A. Huey
Steven A. Huey,
Chair of the Board of Directors
April 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
PROXY STATEMENT
 
2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by and on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) of SharpSpring, Inc. of proxies to be voted at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) that will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608 and at any adjournments thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). In this Proxy Statement, SharpSpring, Inc. is referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Company” unless the context indicates otherwise. The Annual Meeting has been called to consider and take action on the following proposals: (i) to elect five (5) Directors to the Board of Directors; (ii) to ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019; (iii) to approve the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan; and (iv) to consider and take action upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote on such other matters and/or for other nominees in accordance with their best judgment. The Company’s Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote in favor of each of the director nominees and each of the proposals.
 
Only holders of record of common stock of the Company at the close of business on April 15, 2019 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement, the proxy card and other accompanying materials are first being sent or given to stockholders is May 2, 2019. A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (“Annual Report”) is enclosed with these materials, but should not be considered proxy solicitation material. Additionally, the proxy materials and Annual Report included in this package are also available on the internet under the “Investors” page of the Company’s website at http://sharpspring.com/.
 
The principal executive offices of our Company are located at 5001 Celebraton Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608, and our telephone number is 888-428-9605.
 
 
1
 
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
 
Why did I receive this Proxy Statement?
 
Our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting because you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on April 15, 2019 (the “Record Date”), and are entitled to vote at the meeting. The Company has delivered this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report, along with either a proxy card or a voting instruction card to you by mail beginning on or about May 2, 2019. This Proxy Statement summarizes the information you need to know to vote at the Annual Meeting. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares.
 
Who can attend the Annual Meeting?
 
All stockholders as of the Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend.
 
What do I need to be admitted to the Annual Meeting?
 
In order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting, a stockholder must present proof of ownership of SharpSpring, Inc. common stock on the Record Date. Any holder of a proxy from a stockholder must present the proxy card, properly executed. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must present proof of your ownership, such as a bank or brokerage account statement, to be admitted to the meeting. All stockholders must also present a form of personal identification in order to be admitted to the meeting.
 
What am I being asked to vote on at the meeting?
 
We are asking our stockholders to elect directors, ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm and approve the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
Who is entitled to vote?
 
Stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on the Record Date. Stockholders are not entitled to cumulative voting.
 
How many votes are needed for approval of each item?
 
Proposal Number 1. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in person or by proxy, meaning the five nominees receiving the most votes will be elected as directors. Stockholders are not entitled to cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors.
 
Proposal Number 2. The appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm will be ratified if a majority of the votes present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter vote in favor of the proposal.
 
Proposal Number 3. The adoption of our 2019 Employee Stock Plan will be approved if a majority of the votes present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter vote in favor of the proposal.
 
Unless a contrary choice is indicated, all duly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy card.
 
What constitutes a quorum?
 
As of the Record Date, 9,632,013 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. The presence, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum for the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.
 
 
2
 
 
How Do I Vote?
 
Record Holders:
 
1.
Vote by Internet. Follow the VOTE BY INTERNET instructions on the enclosed proxy card.
2.
Vote by phone. Follow the VOTE BY PHONE instructions on the enclosed proxy card.
3.
Vote by mail. Follow the VOTE BY MAIL instructions on the enclosed proxy card (a postage-paid envelope is provided for mailing in the United States).
4.
Vote in person. Attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
If you vote by phone or Internet, please DO NOT mail your proxy card.
 
Beneficial Owners (Holding Shares in Street Name):
 
1.
Vote by Internet. Follow the VOTE BY INTERNET instructions on the enclosed proxy card/voting instruction card.
2.
Vote by phone. Follow the VOTE BY PHONE instructions on the enclosed proxy card/voting instruction card.
3.
Vote by mail. Follow the VOTE BY MAIL instructions on the enclosed proxy card/voting instruction card (a postage-paid envelope is provided for mailing in the United States).
4.
Vote in person. Obtain a valid legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares and attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
If you vote by phone or Internet, please DO NOT mail your proxy card.
 
What is the difference between being a “record holder” and “holding shares in street name?”
 
Most stockholders of the Company hold their shares through in a stock brokerage account or by a nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
 
Record Holders: If your shares are registered directly in your name with our Company’s transfer agent, Issuer Direct Corporation, you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you by the Company. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. We have enclosed a proxy card for you to use.
 
Beneficial Owners (Holding Shares in Street Name): If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of the shares which are held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your nominee, who is considered the stockholder of record with respect to these shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your nominee on how to vote and are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request, complete and deliver a legal proxy from your nominee. Your nominee has enclosed a proxy card/voting instruction card for you to use in directing the nominee how to vote your shares.
 
What happens if I return my signed proxy but forget to indicate how I want my shares of common stock voted?
 
If you sign, date and return your proxy and do not mark how you want to vote, your proxy will be counted as a vote “FOR” all of the nominees for directors and “FOR” all of the other proposals.
 
What happens if I do not instruct my broker how to vote or if I mark “abstain” or “withhold” on the proxy?
 
If you mark your proxy “abstain” or “withhold authority,” your vote will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal or the election of the applicable director. If you do not instruct your broker how to vote, your broker may vote for you on “routine” proposals but not on “non-routine” proposals. The ratification of our auditor is considered routine, but the election of directors and the approval of the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan are non-routine. Therefore, if you do not vote on the election of directors or provide voting instructions on the approval of the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, your broker will not be allowed to vote your shares on these matters. Broker non-votes with respect to a matter will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter and thus will have no effect on the vote for that matter.
 
 
3
 
 
Can I revoke or change my voting instructions before the meeting?
 
For shares that are held in "street name", the stockholder must follow the directions provided by its bank, broker or other intermediary for revoking or modifying voting instructions. For shares that are registered in the stockholder's own name, the proxy may be revoked by written notification to the Company Secretary prior to its exercise and providing relevant name and account information, submitting a new proxy card with a later date (which will override the earlier proxy) or voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
 
Who will count the vote?
 
Bradley Stanczak, our Chief Financial Officer, will tabulate the votes and act as inspector of election at the Annual Meeting.
 
Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
 
We intend to publish the final results in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days after the end of the Annual Meeting.
 
What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?
 
It means that you hold shares registered in more than one account. You must return all proxies to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
 
How many copies of the Proxy Statement or Annual Report to Stockholders will I receive if I share my mailing address with another security holder?
 
Unless we have been instructed otherwise, we are delivering only one Proxy Statement, Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or Annual Report to Stockholders to multiple security holders sharing the same address. This is commonly referred to as “householding.” We will however, deliver promptly a separate copy of the Proxy Statement, Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or Annual Report to Stockholders to a security holder at a shared address to which a single copy of such documents was delivered, on written or oral request. Requests for copies of the Proxy Statement, Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or Annual Report to Stockholders or requests to cease householding in the future should be directed to Investor Relations, SharpSpring, Inc., 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608. Telephone 888-428-9605. If you share an address with another stockholder and wish to receive a single copy of these documents, instead of multiple copies, you may direct this request to us at the address or telephone number listed above. Stockholders who hold shares in “street name” may contact their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization to request information about householding.
 
How can I obtain additional proxy materials or other Company materials?
 
The proxy materials and Annual Report included in this package, along with the Company’s other SEC filings, are available on the internet under the “Investors” page of the Company’s website at http://sharpspring.com/. Additionally, any stockholder desiring additional proxy materials, a copy of any other document incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement, or a copy of the Company’s bylaws should contact Investor Relations, SharpSpring, Inc., 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608. Telephone 888-428-9605.
 
Who pays for the cost of this proxy solicitation?
 
The Company pays for the cost of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Company also will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners. Proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone, other electronic means or in person. Proxies may be solicited by directors, officers and regular, full-time employees of the Company, none of whom will receive any additional compensation for their services.
 
Who are the largest principal stockholders?
 
See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” elsewhere in this Proxy Statement for a table setting forth each owner of greater than 5% of the Company’s common stock as of the Record Date.
 
 
4
 
 
What percentages of stock do the directors and officers own?
 
Together, they own approximately 25.6% of our Company common stock as of the Record Date. For information regarding the ownership of our common stock by directors and officers, see the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
 
Do I have dissenters’ rights of appraisal?
 
Under Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to any of the items proposed to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
 
Where can I find general information about the Company?
 
General information about us can be found on our website at http://sharpspring.com/. The information on our website is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment purposes. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement and should not be considered part of this or any other report that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We make available free of charge, either by direct access on our website or a link to the SEC’s website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC are also available directly at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
 
ALL PROXIES RECEIVED WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHOICES SPECIFIED ON SUCH PROXIES. PROXIES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEEE AND FOR A PROPOSAL IF NO CONTRARY SPECIFICATION IS MADE. ALL VALID PROXIES OBTAINED WILL BE VOTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE PROXY WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
 
 
5
 
 
INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Board of Directors
 
Our bylaws provide that the number of directors is determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is currently set at five directors and we currently have five directors serving on our Board of Directors. All current directors are standing for reelection at the Annual Meeting. Each director is elected to serve a one (1) year term until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until the election and qualification of his or her successor or his or her earlier resignation or removal.
 
The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may evaluate individuals in the future to consider additional members for our Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting, although there is no current active candidate search. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.
 
The names of the five directors standing for reelection at the Annual Meeting, and certain information about each of them, are set forth below.
 
Identity of Directors Standing for Reelection
 
Name
 
Age
 
Year First Elected Director
 
Positions/Committees
 
Independent
Steven A. Huey
 
53
 
2016
 
COB, AC, CC, NCGC
 
yes
Richard Carlson
 
46
 
2015
 
CEO, P
 
no
David A. Buckel
 
57
 
2014
 
AC, NCGC, FE
 
yes
Marietta Davis
 
59
 
2017
 
AC, CC
 
yes
Daniel C. Allen*
 
44
 
2018
 
CC, NCGC
 
yes
 
AC - Audit Committee
CEO, P - Chief Executive Officer, President
COB - Chair of the Board of Directors (non-executive)
CC - Compensation Committee 
FE - Financial Expert 
NCGC - Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee 
* Pursuant to a certain investors’ rights agreement, an investor has the right to designate one person for election to our Board of Directors and the Company agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause such person to be elected to the Board at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. The investor designated Mr. Allen, who is an affiliate of investor. See “Transactions with Related Persons” below.
 
Business Experience of Directors Standing for Reelection and New Director Nominees
 
Steven A. Huey. Steven A. Huey has been a director since December 2016 and the chair of our Board of Directors since July 2017. Since August 2012, Mr. Huey has been Chief Executive Officer of Capture Higher Ed, a technology firm that helps educational institutions meet their enrollment goals. Prior to that, from November 2007 to August 2012, Mr. Huey was Chief Operating Officer of The Learning House, Inc. Mr. Huey received a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Miami University and an MBA from Emory University. Mr. Huey’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his extensive experience as a technology company executive, with a focus on growing early stage companies.
 
Richard A. Carlson. Richard Carlson has been a director and has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President since October 1, 2015. From August 1, 2015 to October 1, 2015, he served as President of the Company. From August 15, 2014 until August 1, 2015, he served as the President of SharpSpring Technologies, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary. Mr. Carlson founded RCTW, LLC (fka SharpSpring, LLC) in December 2011 and served as its President until it was acquired by the Company on August 15, 2014. From April 2009 to December 2011, he served as the Managing Director of US Operations for Panda Security, an international internet security software company. Mr. Carlson’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his knowledge of marketing automation technology, email technology, marketing strategies, as well as his general leadership skills.
 
 
6
 
 
David A. Buckel. David A. Buckel has been a director since January 2014. Since November 2007 to present, Mr. Buckel has served as the Managing Director at BVI Venture Services, a professional services firm that provides experienced, C-Suite professionals to deliver strategic and functional consulting services to both private and small public technology companies. Mr. Buckel has hands-on experience creating accounting and control systems and processes, financial statements, financial and operating metrics, dashboards, cash flow forecast, budget processes, trend analysis and dealing with auditors. Additionally, Mr. Buckel has been CFO for various NASDAQ and AMEX Companies leading growth strategy, financial operations and various fund raising efforts. Mr. Buckel holds an M.B.A in Finance and Operations Management from Syracuse University and a B.S. in Accounting from Canisius College. He is also a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Mr. Buckel’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include a strong background and skill set in areas relating to board service, finance and management.
 
Marietta Davis. Marietta Davis has been a director since July 2017. Ms. Davis is currently an Advisory Board Member at DataOceans, LLC, a customer communications management solutions and services company, where she has served since April 2016. She is also currently a National Board Member of Youth Villages, a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization that helps children, young people and families, where she has served since January 2010. Davis also served as Vice President – US Dynamic Sales at Microsoft, from 2013 to 2016, where she helped define marketing strategies for SMB, mid-tier and enterprise customers for Dynamics CRM Cloud and ERP products and services. Prior to that time, from 2009 to 2013, Davis served as General Manager – Enterprise Accounts, Greater Southeast District at Microsoft, where she led the sales organization and managed strategic community engagement in the areas of economic development and innovation for that district. Ms. Davis holds a B.S. in communications from Bradley University. Ms. Davis’ qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include experience in sales and marketing leadership roles in the CRM industry, which is highly-correlated to the Company’s marketing automation industry segment.
 
Daniel Allen. Daniel Allen has been a director since April 2018. Mr. Allen serves as Managing Partner of Corona Park Investment Partners, a private investment company that invests and grows profitable technology enabled companies. He has held that position since January 2012. Since January 2013, he has also served as CEO of Evercel (EVRC), a holding company that manages its portfolio companies and seeks new opportunities to invest capital for long term returns. Evercel is the parent company of Printronix, a global industrial printing company, where Mr. Allen serves as Chairman of the Board. From 2001 to 2010, Mr. Allen worked at Bain Capital, where he also focused on investing in technology related growth opportunities.  Prior to Bain Capital, Mr. Allen was on the founding team of Fandango, a strategy consultant at McKinsey and Company, and worked at ABCNews in Moscow, London, Hong Kong and New York City.  Mr. Allen graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Business School.  Mr. Allen’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include experience managing and investing in growth-focused technology companies.
 
During the past ten years, none of our directors or nominees for director have been involved in any of the proceedings described in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.
 
Transactions with Related Persons
 
James Morgan, Richard Carlson’s brother-in-law, serves as our Vice President of Sales. During 2018 and 2017, Mr. Morgan’s total compensation, including base salary, commissions, bonus and equity compensation approximated $139,000 and $158,000, respectively. Mr. Morgan’s compensation package is highly variable based on new sales and is comparable to industry standards. Mr. Morgan also participates in standard Company employment benefits that are available to all Company employees.
 
On March 28, 2018, the Company entered into a convertible note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with SHSP Holdings, LLC (“SHSP Holdings”), pursuant to which the Company issued to SHSP Holdings an unsecured 5% convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $8,000,000 (the “Note”). As of the Record Date, no principal or interest has been paid to SHSP Holdings, and approximately $421,800 in interest has accrued on the Note. Simultaneously with the execution of the Note Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the Note, the Company entered into the Investors’ Rights Agreement (the “Investors’ Rights Agreement”) by and among the Company, SHSP Holdings and two management stockholders. Under the Investors’ Rights Agreement, among other things, SHSP Holdings will have the right to designate one person for election to the Company’s Board of Directors for as long as SHSP Holdings continues to hold any of the Notes, and the Company agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause such person to be elected to the Board of Directors at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. SHSP Holdings designated Daniel C. Allen, an affiliate of SHSP Holdings, who was appointed to our Board of Directors on April 3, 2018 and has continuously served on our Board since that date. Mr. Allen is the founder and manager of Corona Park Investment Partners, LLC (“CPIP”). CPIP is a member of Evercel Holdings LLC and is a member and sole manager of SHSP Holdings. Evercel, Inc. is a member and the manager of Evercel Holdings LLC and is a member of SHSP Holdings. Additionally, under the Investor Rights Agreement, SHSP Holdings has customary demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Note and, under specified conditions, held by members of SHSP Holdings.
 
 
7
 
 
Policies and Procedures for Related-Party Transactions
 
Our Audit Committee considers and approves or disapproves any related person transaction as required by NASDAQ regulations.
 
Corporate Governance
 
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
 
Our Company has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct which constitutes a “code of ethics” as defined by applicable SEC rules and a “code of conduct” as defined by applicable NASDAQ rules. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applies to all of the Company’s employees, including its principal executive officer, principal accounting officer, and our Board of Directors. A copy of this Code is available for review on the “Investors” page of the Company’s website at http://sharpspring.com/. Requests for a copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct should be directed to Investor Relations, SharpSpring, Inc., 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608. The Company intends to disclose any changes in or waivers from its Code of Ethics and Business Conduct by posting such information on its website or by filing a Form 8-K.
 
The proxy materials and Annual Report included in this package, along with the Company’s other SEC filings, are available on the internet under the “Investors” page of the Company’s website at http://sharpspring.com/. Additionally, any stockholder desiring additional proxy materials, a copy of any other document incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement, or a copy of the Company’s bylaws should contact Investor Relations, SharpSpring, Inc., 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608. Telephone 888-428-9605.
 
Director Independence Standards
 
Applicable NASDAQ rules require a majority of a listed company’s board of directors to be comprised of independent directors. In addition, the NASDAQ rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent and that audit committee members also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Under applicable NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of the listed company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee, accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
Director Independence
 
In April 2019, our Board of Directors undertook a review of the composition of our Board of Directors and its committees and the independence of each of our present directors and each director standing for reelection. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board of Directors has determined that each of David A. Buckel, Steven A. Huey, Marietta Davis and Daniel Allen are “independent directors” as defined under applicable NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. In making such determination, our Board of Directors considered the relationships that each such non-employee director has with our Company and all other facts and circumstances that our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining his/her independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director. The one member of our Board of Directors who is not an “independent director” is Richard Carlson as a result of his executive officer status with our Company.
 
There are no family relationships between any director, executive officer, or person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer.
 
Board Committees
 
Our Board of Directors has established the committees described below and may establish others from time to time. The charters for each of our committees are described below and are available on the “Investors” page of the Company’s website http://sharpspring.com/.
 
 
8
 
 
Audit Committee
 
We have a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act.  Our Audit Committee is comprised of David A. Buckel, Steven A. Huey and Marietta Davis. Mr. Buckel is the chairperson of the committee. Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” within the meaning of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. Our Board of Directors has designated David A. Buckel as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee’s purpose and power are to (a) retain, oversee and terminate, as necessary, the auditors of the Company, (b) oversee the Company's accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit and preparation of the Company's financial statements, (c) exercise such other powers and authority as are set forth in the Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, and (d) exercise such other powers and authority as shall from time to time be assigned thereto by resolution of the Board of Directors.
 
The Audit Committee also has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties and to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties. During our last fiscal year, our Audit Committee held four meetings and acted by unanimous consent two times.
Compensation Committee
 
Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Marietta Davis, Steven A. Huey and Daniel C. Allen, with Ms. Davis being the chairperson of the Compensation Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is an independent director for compensation committee purposes as that term is defined in the applicable rules of NASDAQ and the Exchange Act, is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(d)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act and is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The Compensation Committee’s purpose and powers are to (a) review and approve the compensation of the chief executive officer of the Company and such other employees of the Company as are assigned thereto by the Board of Directors and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to standards for setting compensation levels, (b) exercise such other powers and authority as are set forth in a charter of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, and (c) exercise such other powers and authority as shall from time to time be assigned thereto by resolution of the Board of Directors.
 
Our Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities, along with the authority to take action in relation to such responsibilities, to one or more subcommittees as the committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. If the Committee elects to delegate any authority to a subcommittee, the subcommittee shall be comprised of at least two members who qualify as "non-employee directors" for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and as "outside directors" for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The Committee is not precluded from accepting solely recommendations from executive officers regarding the amount or form of executive and director compensation.
 
The Compensation Committee also has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties, and to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties. During our last fiscal year, our Compensation Committee held four meetings and acted by unanimous consent two times.
 
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
 
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Daniel C. Allen, Steven A. Huey and David A. Buckel, with Mr. Allen being the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
 
Our Board of Directors has determined that each of the committee members is an independent director for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee purposes as that term is defined in the applicable rules of NASDAQ and the Exchange Act. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purpose and powers are to: (a) identify potential qualified nominees for director and recommend to the Board of Directors for nomination candidates for the Board of Directors, (b) develop the Company's corporate governance guidelines and additional corporate governance policies, (c) exercise such other powers and authority as are set forth in a charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, and (d) exercise such other powers and authority as shall from time to time be assigned thereto by resolution of the Board of Directors.
 
 
9
 
 
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties and to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties. During our last fiscal year, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings and acted by unanimous consent one time.
 
Each of the five directors standing for reelection at the Annual Meeting have expressed their willingness to serve as a director.
 
When new candidates for our Board of Directors are sought, all of our directors evaluate each candidate for nomination as director within the context of the needs and the composition of the Board of Directors as a whole. The Board of Directors conducts any appropriate and necessary inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of candidates. When evaluating director nominees, our Board of Directors generally seeks to identify individuals with diverse, yet complementary backgrounds. Our directors consider both the personal characteristics and experience of director nominees, including each nominee’s independence, diversity, age, skills, expertise, time availability and industry background in the context of the needs of the Board of Directors and the Company. The Board of Directors believes that director nominees should exhibit proven leadership capabilities and experience at a high level of responsibility within their chosen fields, and have the experience and ability to analyze business and/or scientific issues facing our Company. In addition to business expertise, the Board of Directors requires that director nominees have the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values and, above all, are committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders and other stakeholders. Except for Daniel Allen, to date, all new candidates have been identified and recommended by members of our Board of Directors, including management and non-management directors, our principal executive officer, and other executive officers, and we have not paid any fee to a third party to assist in the process of identifying or evaluating director candidates. Pursuant to the Investors’ Rights Agreement, the Investor has the right to designate one person for election to our Board of Directors and the Company agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause such person to be elected to the Board at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. The Investor designated Mr. Allen, who is an affiliate of Investor. See “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”
 
Our directors will consider candidates for nomination as director who are recommended by a stockholder and will not evaluate any candidate for nomination for director differently because the candidate was recommended by a stockholder.
 
When submitting candidates for nomination to be elected at our annual meeting of stockholders, stockholders should follow the following notice procedures and comply with applicable provisions of our bylaws. To consider a candidate recommended by a stockholder for nomination at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the recommendation must be delivered or mailed to and received by our Secretary within the time periods discussed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Stockholder Proposals for 2020 Annual Meeting.” The recommendation must include the information specified in our bylaws for stockholder nominees to be considered at an annual meeting, along with the following:
 
The stockholder’s name and address and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is proposed;
The stockholder’s reason for making the nomination at the annual meeting, and the signed consent of the nominee to serve if elected;
The number of shares owned by, and any material interest of, the record owner and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the record owner is proposing the nominee;
A description of any arrangements or understandings between the stockholder, the nominee and any other person regarding the nomination; and
Information regarding the nominee that would be required to be included in our Proxy Statement by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the nominee’s age, business experience for the past five years and any other directorships held by the nominee.
 
The information listed above is not a complete list of requisite information. The secretary will forward any timely recommendations containing the required information to our independent directors for consideration.
 
No material changes to the procedures by which our stockholders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors has occurred since we last provided disclosure regarding these procedures in our Definitive Schedule 14A filed on May 14, 2018.
 
 
10
 
 
Board Leadership Structure
 
Our bylaws provide the Board of Directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of Chair of the Board of Directors and Principal Executive Officer in accordance with its determination that utilizing one or the other structure is in the best interests of our Company. Our current structure is that of separate Principal Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors. Richard Carlson serves as our Principal Executive Officer and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of our Company. Steven A. Huey serves as our Chair of the Board of Directors, which is a non-executive position. Mr. Huey is responsible for performing a variety of functions related to our corporate leadership and governance, including coordinating board activities, setting relevant items on the agenda and ensuring adequate communication between the Board of Directors and management, which he does in conjunction with the independent directors. Our Board of Directors has determined that maintaining the independence of a majority of our directors helps maintain its independent oversight of management.
 
Risk Oversight
 
The Board oversees risk management directly and through its committees associated with their respective subject matter areas. Generally, the Board oversees risks that may affect the business of the Company as a whole, including operational matters. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and also discusses with management the Company’s financial statements, internal controls and other accounting and related matters. The Compensation Committee oversees certain risks related to compensation programs and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees certain corporate governance risks. As part of their roles in overseeing risk management, these Committees periodically report to the Board regarding briefings provided by management and advisors as well as the Committees’ own analysis and conclusions regarding certain risks faced by the Company. Management is responsible for implementing the risk management strategy and developing policies, controls, processes and procedures to identify and manage risks. The interaction with management occurs not only at formal board and committee meetings, but also through periodic and other written and oral communications.
 
Stockholder Communications with the Board
 
Stockholders who desire to communicate with the Board of Directors, or a specific director, may do so by sending the communication addressed to either the Board of Directors or any director, c/o SharpSpring, Inc., 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite, 410, Gainesville, FL 32608. These communications will be delivered directly to the Board, or any individual director, as specified.
 
Board Meetings and Committees; Annual Meeting Attendance
 
During our last fiscal year, our Board of Directors held six Board meetings. Each current director attended at least 75% of the total number of Board meetings and their respective committee meetings of the Board held during our last fiscal year. The Board of Directors acted at various times by unanimous written consent, as authorized by our bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law.
 
Our Company has no policy with regard to Board members' attendance at our annual meetings of security holders. One Board member attended our 2018 annual meeting. 
 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.  Executive officers, directors and greater-than-ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with all Section 16(a) forms they file. To the best of our knowledge, based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to our Company during its most recent fiscal year and Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to our Company with respect to its most recent fiscal year, and any written representation referred to in paragraph (b)(1) of Item 405 of Regulation S-K, all of our executive officers, directors and greater-than-ten percent stockholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements with the following exception: Mr. Daniel Allen filed one late Form 4, Mr. David Buckel filed one late Form 4, Ms. Marietta Davis filed one late Form 4 and Mr. Steven Huey filed one late Form 4.
 
 
11
 
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
 
The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Audit Committee Report by reference therein.
 
Role of the Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities are generally as follows:
 
1.
To retain, oversee and terminate, as necessary, the auditors of the Company;
2.
To oversee the Company's accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit and preparation of the Company's financial statements;
3.
To exercise such other powers and authority as are set forth in the Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors; and
4.
To exercise such other powers and authority as shall from time to time be assigned thereto by resolution of the Board of Directors.
 
The Committee has implemented procedures to ensure that during the course of each fiscal year it devotes the attention that it deems necessary or appropriate to each of the matters assigned to it under the Committee’s charter. In overseeing the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, the Committee met with management and the Company’s outside auditors, including meetings with the outside auditors without management present, to review and discuss all financial statements prior to their issuance and to discuss significant accounting issues. Management advised the Committee that all financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Committee discussed the statements with both management and the outside auditors. The Committee’s review included discussion with the outside auditors of matters required to be discussed pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.
 
The Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s outside auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the outside auditor’s communications with the Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the outside auditors the outside auditor's independence.
 
Recommendations of the Audit Committee. In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Board approve the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, for filing with the SEC.
 
This Audit Committee Report has been furnished by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
David A. Buckel, Chairman
Marietta Davis
Steven A. Huey
 
 
12
 
 
Executive Officers
 
Identity of Executive Officers
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
Richard A. Carlson
 
46
 
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
Bradley Stanczak (1)
 
47
 
Chief Financial Officer
Edward Lawton (1)
 
41
 
Chief Financial Officer
Travis Whitton
 
37
 
Chief Technology Officer
 
(1) As disclosed in Current Report 8-K filed on November 11, 2018, Mr. Stanczak replaced Mr. Lawton as Chief Financial Officer effective December 10, 2018
 
Experience
 
Richard A. Carlson. Mr. Carlson’s business experience is described above under the caption “Identity and Business Experience of Directors.”
 
Edward S. Lawton. Edward S. Lawton served as Chief Financial Officer from September 2014 through December 10, 2018. Mr. Lawton was responsible for overseeing our Company’s financial reporting, accounting and administrative functions. Mr. Lawton has over 18 years of financial and accounting experience with a focus on financial planning and analysis and integrating acquisitions for technology companies. From 2006 to September 2014, Mr. Lawton served as the Director of Finance and Senior Director of Finance at Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., a publicly-traded cloud-based payment, invoice and digital banking solutions software company.
 
Bradley Stanczak. Bradley Stanczak has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 10, 2018. Mr. Stanczak is responsible for overseeing our Company’s financial reporting, accounting and administrative functions. Mr. Stanczak brings over 14 years of experience in progressive finance and accounting roles. Since 2015, and prior to joining SharpSpring, Mr. Stanczak was VP of Finance and Accounting for Resonate Networks, Inc., a big-data consumer intelligence software company.
 
Travis Whitton. Travis Whitton has served as our Chief Technology Officer since the acquisition of the SharpSpring assets in August 2014. Mr. Whitton was a co-founder of RCTW, LLC (fka SharpSpring, LLC) and served as its Chief Technology Officer from January 2012 until it was acquired by the Company in August 2014. From September 2007 to January 2012, Mr. Whitton served as Senior Software Engineer of Grooveshark, an online streaming music company.
 
Each officer is elected annually by the Board of Directors and holds their office until they resign or are removed by the Board of Directors or otherwise disqualified to serve, or their successor is elected and qualified.
 
During the past ten years, none of our executive officers have been involved in any of the proceedings described in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.
 
Executive Compensation
 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
The compensation committee of our Board of Directors oversees, reviews and approves all compensation decisions relating to our named executive officers. In the discussion that follows, “executives” refers to our 2018 named executive officers, Messrs. Carlson, Stanczak, Whitton and Lawton.
 
Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program
 
The primary objectives of the compensation committee with respect to executive compensation are to:
 
enable us to attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent by ensuring that our compensation packages are competitive with those offered by similarly situated companies;
align our executive compensation with our corporate strategies and business objectives;
promote the achievement of key strategic and financial performance measures; and
align executives’ incentives with the creation of stockholder value.
 
 
13
 
 
To achieve these objectives, the compensation committee evaluates our executive compensation program with the goal of setting compensation at levels the committee believes are competitive with those of other companies of a comparable size within our industry. Executives are also evaluated on their professional growth and individual contributions to the Company’s success. We provide a portion of our executive compensation in the form of stock option awards that vest over time, typically four years, which we believe promotes the retention of our executives and aligns their interests with those of our stockholders since this form of compensation allows our executives to participate in the long-term success of our Company as reflected in stock price appreciation.
 
Compensation Challenges
 
We face challenges in hiring and retaining our executives and other key employees due to several factors. These challenges are similar to those faced by other high-growth technology companies and make recruiting and retaining our executives and other key employees difficult. Specifically, we face challenges related to the pace of our operations, the high growth rate of our businesses, the fact that we are in a competitive industry and the fact that many of our executives and key employees are targeted by other companies.
 
Components of our Executive Compensation Program
 
The primary elements of our current executive compensation program are:
 
base salary;
cash bonuses;
stock option awards and stock awards; and
retirement and other employee benefits
 
We do not have any formal or informal policy or target for allocating compensation between long-term and short-term compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation or among the different forms of non-cash compensation. Instead, the Compensation Committee determines what it believes to be the appropriate level and mix of the various compensation components based on recommendations from our chief executive officer, Company performance against stated objectives and individual performance.
 
Base Salary
 
Base salary is used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all our employees, including our executives. When establishing base salaries, the compensation committee considers a variety of other factors such as the executive’s scope of responsibility, individual performance, prior employment experience and salary history, relative pay adjustments within the Company and our overall financial performance. Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by our compensation committee and may be adjusted from time to time based upon market conditions, individual responsibilities and Company and individual performance.
 
Mr. Carlson’s salary was increased from $250,000 to $330,000 on January 1, 2018.
 
Mr. Lawton’s salary was increased from $185,000 to $200,000 on January 1, 2018.
 
Mr. Whitton’s salary was increased from $160,000 to $175,000 on January 1, 2018.
 
Mr. Stanczak joined the company on December 10, 2018 with a base salary of $185,000.
 
Effective as of the start of 2019, executive salaries were increased as follows: Mr. Carlson’s salary was increased to $340,000 and Mr. Whitton’s salary was increased to $200,000.
 
 
14
 
 
Cash Bonuses
 
Cash bonuses are used to compensate and align our executives toward certain financial, strategic and operational goals. The Compensation Committee approves payment of quarterly or annual cash bonuses as part of the overall compensation packages of our executive officers, and retains the authority to review and adjust the overall bonus at year-end. During 2017 and 2018, the executive cash bonuses have been based on revenue and EBITDA targets for the year, as determined by the Compensation Committee, with payments varying between annual and quarterly. For the performance during the year ended December 31, 2017, executive bonuses were paid annually during February 2018. For the performance during the year ended December 31, 2018, executive bonuses were paid quarterly following the financial reporting of each quarter. The following summarizes the executive cash bonus awards, separated based on both the timing of the payment and the performance year for which the bonus was earned:
 
 
 
 
Earned for year
 
 
Paid in Year (2)
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
Name
 
Year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard A. Carlson
2018
 $- 
 $69,078 
 $- 
 $51,625 
 
2017
 $37,500 
 $- 
 $- 
 $37,500 
 
    
    
    
    
Edward Lawton
2018
 $- 
 $69,078 
 $- 
 $51,625 
 
2017
 $45,000 
 $- 
 $- 
 $45,000 
 
    
    
    
    
Travis Whitton
2018
 $- 
 $29,605 
 $- 
 $22,125 
 
2017
 $15,000 
 $- 
 $- 
 $15,000 
 
    
    
    
    
Bradley Stanczak (1)
2018
 $- 
 $28,200 
 $- 
 $25,000 
___________
(1)
As disclosed in Current Report 8-K filed on November 11, 2018, Mr. Stanczak received a $25,000 signing bonus upon relocation to the Gainesville, FL area
(2)
For the executive bonuses earned for the performance during the years ended December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2018, all or a portion was paid in the first quarter of the subsequent year.
 
Stock Option Awards
 
Stock option awards are the primary vehicle for long-term retention of our executives. Our compensation committee believes that stock options promote, create and reward long term stockholder value creation, as well as provide a strong incentive for the executive to remain employed by the Company.
 
The following table shows stock option grants made to executives during 2018.
 
 
 
 
 
Number
 
 
 
 
 
Grant Date
 
 
 
 
 
of Stock
 
 
Exercise
 
 
Fair Value of
 
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Options (#)
 
 
Price ($)
 
 
Options ($)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Carlson(1)
 
2/8/2018
  100,000 
 $4.65 
 $233,198 
 
 
    
    
    
Edward Lawton(2)
 
2/8/2018
  75,000 
 $4.65 
 $174,898 
 
 
    
    
    
Bradley Stanczak(2)
 
12/10/2018
  100,000 
 $12.40 
 $629,121 
 
 
    
    
    
Travis Whitton(2)
 
2/8/2018
  50,000 
 $4.65 
 $116,599 
___________
1.
The options expire ten years from the grant date and vest over a 4-year period, with 1/48 of the original number of options vesting every month.
 
2.
The options expire ten years from the grant date and vest over a 4-year period, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and an additional 1/48 of the original number of options vesting every month thereafter, until becoming fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.
 
 
15
 
 
Benefits and Other Compensation
 
We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all of our employees, including (for U.S. resources) health and dental insurance, life insurance and a retirement plan. Executives are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same terms as our other employees. No employee benefit plans are in place solely for the benefit of our executives.
 
Severance and Change in Control Benefits
 
Pursuant to employment agreements we have entered into with our executives and the terms of our 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, our executives are entitled to certain benefits in the event of a change in control of our Company or the termination of their employment under specified circumstances, including termination following a change in control. We believe these benefits help us compete for and retain executive talent and are generally in line with severance packages offered to executives by the companies in our peer group. We also believe that these benefits would serve to minimize the distraction caused by any change in control scenario and reduce the risk that key talent would leave the Company before any such transaction closes, which could reduce the value of the Company if such transaction failed to close.
 
2018 Summary Compensation Table
 
The table below summarizes all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our named executive officers that earned more than $100,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Option
 
 
All Other
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Year
 
 
Salary
 
 
Bonus
 
 
Awards
 
 
Compensation
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
 
 
(b)
 
 
(c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Carlson
2018
 $330,000 
 $69,078 
 $233,198 
 $8,250 
 $640,526 
Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer), Director
2017
 $239,586 
 $37,500 
 $233,861 
 $7,188 
 $518,135 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Edward Lawton (1)
2018
 $198,750 
 $69,078 
 $174,898 
 $8,250 
 $450,976 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
2017
 $185,000 
 $45,000 
 $116,931 
 $5,550 
 $352,481 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Travis Whitton
2018
 $175,000 
 $29,605 
 $116,599 
 $6,364 
 $327,568 
Chief Technology Officer
2017
 $160,000 
 $15,000 
 $81,851 
 $5,027 
 $261,878 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Bradley Stanczak (1)
2018
 $11,266 
 $28,200 
 $629,121 
 $- 
 $668,587 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
    
    
    
    
    
___________
(a)
The amounts in this column represent the dollar value of bonus earned by the named executive officer during the fiscal year. For the performance during the year ended December 31, 2017, executive bonuses were paid annually during February 2018. For the performance during the year ended December 31, 2018, executive bonuses were paid quarterly following the financial reporting of each quarter
(b)
The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair values of option grants as computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718.
(c)
These amounts consist primarily of our matching contributions to each executive’s retirement savings plan account.
 
(1)
As disclosed in Current Report 8-K filed on November 11, 2018, Mr. Stanczak replaced Mr. Lawton as Chief Financial Officer effective December 10, 2018.
 
 
16
 
 
During 2018 and 2017, we provided our U.S. employees the ability to contribute to a 401(k) retirement plan. Under the plan, eligible employees may elect to defer part of their compensation to the plan each year. The amount of compensation an employee can elect to defer is generally expressed as a percentage of the employee’s compensation up to a maximum of $18,500 and $18,000 for 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company provides a matching contribution of 100% of employee deferrals up to 3% of total compensation. We have no other annuity, pension, retirement or similar benefit plans in place on behalf of our executive officers.
 
We grant stock awards and stock options to our executive officers based on their level of experience and contributions to our Company. The aggregate fair value of awards and options are computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718 and options are reported in the Summary Compensation Table above in columns (a). The assumptions made in the computation may be found in Note 11: Stock-Based Compensation to our financial statements contained in our latest Annual Report.
 
At no time during the last fiscal year was any outstanding option otherwise modified or re-priced, and there was no tandem feature, reload feature, or tax-reimbursement feature associated with any of the stock options we granted to our executive officers or otherwise.
 
The table below summarizes all of the outstanding equity awards for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2018, our latest fiscal year end:
 
Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End
 
 
 
Number of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
underlying
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
unexercised
 
 
Option
 
Option
 
Initial
 
 
 
 
 
options(#)
 
 
exercise
 
expiration
 
vesting
 
 
 
Name
 
Exercisable
 
 
Unexercisable
 
 
price ($)
 
date
 
date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard A. Carlson
  20,834 
  79,166 
 $4.65 
02/08/28
 
03/08/18
    (1)
 
  43,750 
  56,250 
 $4.74 
03/17/27
 
04/17/17
    (1)
 
  197,917 
  52,083 
 $4.80 
10/01/25
 
11/01/15
    (1)
 
  60,000 
  - 
 $6.29 
06/01/25
 
12/31/16
    (2)
 
    
    
    
 
 
 
       
Edward Lawton
  - 
  75,000 
 $4.65 
02/08/28
 
02/08/19
    (3)
 
  18,101 
  28,128 
 $4.74 
03/17/27
 
03/17/18
    (3)
 
  4,230 
  2,770 
 $5.15 
07/12/26
 
07/12/17
    (3)
 
  5,452 
  4,687 
 $4.82 
09/13/25
 
09/13/16
    (3)
 
  21,000 
  - 
 $6.29 
08/14/24
 
08/14/15
    (3)
 
    
    
    
 
 
 
       
Bradley Stanczak
  - 
  100,000 
 $12.40 
12/10/28
 
12/10/19
    (3)
 
    
    
    
 
 
 
       
Travis Whitton
  - 
  50,000 
 $4.65 
03/17/27
 
02/08/19
    (3)
 
  15,313 
  19,687 
 $4.74 
03/17/27
 
03/17/18
    (3)
 
  17,709 
  7,291 
 $3.34 
02/17/26
 
02/17/17
    (3)
 
  25,000 
  - 
 $6.29 
06/01/25
 
12/31/16
    (2)
___________
1.
Vests monthly over four years, with 1/48 vesting each month.
2.
Vests 50% on December 31, 2016, 25% on December 31, 2017 and 25% on December 31, 2018.
3.
Vests over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary and 1/48 of the grant vesting each month thereafter.
 
 
17
 
 
Compensation of Non-Employee Directors
 
Compensation for our directors is discretionary and is reviewed from time to time by our Board of Directors. Any determinations with respect to Board compensation are made by our Board of Directors. Since our second quarter of 2017, we have compensated all non-employee directors with a stipend of $7,500 per quarter ($30,000 per year), payable quarterly in stock. Typically, newly elected non-employee directors receive 16,000 stock options upon joining the board, which vest over four years. All directors are also entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses for attending director meetings.
 
Set forth below is a summary of the compensation of our directors during our December 31, 2018 fiscal year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonqualified
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fees Earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Equity
 
 
Deferred
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
or Paid in
 
 
Stock
 
 
Option
 
 
Incentive Plan
 
 
Compensation
 
 
 All Other
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Cash
 
 
Awards
 
 
Awards
 
 
Compensation
 
 
Earnings
 
 
Compensation
 
 
Total
 
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
 
($)
 
Daniel C. Allen (1)(2)
  - 
 $16,388 
 $51,645 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 $68,032 
David A. Buckel (2)
  - 
 $33,556 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 $33,556 
Marietta Davis (2)
  - 
 $33,556 
 $- 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 $33,556 
Steven A. Huey (2)
  - 
 $33,556 
 $- 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 $33,556 
Roy W. Olivier (2)(3)
  - 
 $26,750 
 $- 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 $26,750 
John L. Troost (2)(3)
  - 
 $26,750 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 $26,750 
___________
1.
Mr. Allen joined the Board of Directors on April 3, 2018. During April 2018, Mr. Allen received an option grant of 16,000 options, vesting over four years, with 1/48 of the grant vesting each month.
2.
Since our second quarter of 2017, SharpSpring’s non-employee directors received a quarterly stipend of $7,500, payable in stock issued in arrears. Quarterly stock stipends are issued shortly after quarter end, and the amount above represents the values on the dates of issuance.
3.
Messrs. Olivier and Troost ceased being directors on April 3, 2018.
 
The aggregate fair value of option awards are computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718. The assumptions made in the computation may be found in Note 11: Stock-Based Compensation to our financial statements contained in our latest Annual Report.
 
Compensation Policies and Practices As They Relate To Our Risk Management
 
Our compensation program for employees does not create incentives for excessive risk taking by our employees or involve risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. Our compensation has the following risk-limiting characteristics:
 
Our base pay consists of competitive salary rates that represent a reasonable portion of total compensation and provide a reliable level of income on a regular basis, which decreases incentive on the part of our executives to take unnecessary or imprudent risks;
Option awards are not tied to formulas that could focus executives on specific short-term outcomes; and
Option awards, generally, have multi-year vesting which aligns the long-term interests of our executives with those of our shareholders and, again, discourages the taking of short-term risk at the expense of long-term performance.
 
 
18
 
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
 
Equity Compensation Plans as of December 31, 2018.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Plan category
 
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights
(a)
 
 
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)
 
 
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities reflected
in column (a))
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
  1,654,522 
 $6.07 
  479,152 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (2)
  30,000 
 $7.81 
  - 
Total
  1,684,522 
 $6.11 
  479,152 
___________
(1)
Reflects our 2010 Employee Stock Plan, as amended for the benefit of our directors, officers, employees and consultants. We currently have reserved 2,600,000 shares of common stock for such persons pursuant to that plan.
(2)
Comprised of common stock purchase warrants we issued for services.
 
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof
 
As of the Record Date, we had outstanding 9,632,013 shares of common stock. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote with respect to each matter on which it is entitled to vote.
 
 
19
 
   
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, the names, addresses, amount and nature of beneficial ownership and percent of such ownership of (i) each person or group known to our Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our common stock; and (ii) each of our officers and directors, and officers and directors as a group:
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Options
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in Shares
 
Name and Address
 
Shares Beneficially Owned
 
 
Beneficially Owned
 
of Beneficial Owner (1)(2)
 
Number
 
 
Percent (3)
 
 
Number(4)
 
5% Stockholders (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cat Rock Capital Management LP
  1,310,181 
  13.60%
  - 
8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 250, Greenwich, CT 06830
    
    
    
Richard H. Witmer, Jr.
  828,881 
  8.61%
  - 
16 Fort Hills Lane, Greenwich, CT 06831
    
    
    
North Peak Capital Management, LLC (6)
  810,798 
  8.42%
  - 
708 Third Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017
    
    
    
Greenhaven Road Investment Management, LP
  696,164 
  7.23%
  - 
    c/o Royce & Associates LLC, 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 190, Greenwich, CT 06830
    
Evercel, Inc.
  519,000 
  5.39%
  - 
228 Park Avenue South; Suite 90959, New York, NY 10003
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
Directors and Executive Officers (6)
    
    
    
Daniel C. Allen, Director (7)
  1,648,269 
  15.32%
  4,334 
Richard A. Carlson, Chief Executive Officer and President, Director
  867,975 
  8.67%
  377,762 
Travis Whitton, Chief Technology Officer
  287,399 
  2.96%
  80,939 
David A. Buckel, Director
  36,593 
  * 
  16,000 
Steven A. Huey, Director
  19,784 
  * 
  8,667 
Marietta Davis, Director
  14,720 
  * 
  7,334 
Bradley Stanczak, Chief Financial Officer
  - 
  * 
  - 
All executive officers and directors as a group (7 persons)
  2,874,740 
  25.55%
  495,036 
___________
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
(1)
To our best knowledge, as of the date hereof, such holders had the sole voting and investment power with respect to the voting securities beneficially owned by them, unless otherwise indicated herein. Includes the person's right to obtain additional shares of common stock within 60 days from the Record Date.
(2)
Unless otherwise noted, in care of SharpSpring, Inc., 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite, 410, Gainesville, FL 32608.
(3)
Based on 9,632,013 shares of common stock outstanding on the Record Date. Does not include shares underlying: (i) options to purchase shares of our common stock under our 2010 Employee Stock Plan, (ii) outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, or (iii) shares issuable upon conversion of convertible notes.
(4)
Represents options exercisable within 60 days from the Record Date and shares of common stock issuable within 60 days from Record Date upon conversion of a convertible note.
(5)
Based solely upon a review of Schedule 13G filings with the SEC.
(6)
If a person listed on this table has the right to obtain additional shares of common stock within 60 days from the Record Date, the additional shares are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of class owned by such person, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of any other person.
(7)
Additionally includes (i) 519,000 shares of common stock held directly by Evercel Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Evercel, Inc.; (ii) 1,082,685 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of a convertible note held directly by SHSP Holdings, LLC that is convertible within 60 days from the Record Date; and (iii) 2,027 shares held directly by Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen is the founder and manager of Corona Park Investment Partners, LLC (“CPIP”). CPIP is a member of Evercel Holdings LLC and is a member and sole manager of SHSP Holdings, LLC. Evercel, Inc. is a member and the manager of Evercel Holdings LLC and is a member of SHSP Holdings.
 
We are not aware of any arrangements that could result in a change of control.
 
 
20
 
 
PROPOSAL ONE
 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
At the time of the Annual Meeting, our Board of Directors will consist of five directors: Steven A. Huey, Richard Carlson, David A. Buckel, Marietta Davis and Daniel C. Allen. At the Annual Meeting, five directors are to be elected for a one (1) year term to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until a successor for such director is elected and qualified, or until the death, resignation or removal of such director.
 
Nominees
 
There are five nominees, all of whom currently serve on our Board of Directors. Set forth below is information regarding the nominees for election to our Board of Directors:
 
Name
 
Position(s) with the Company
 
Year First Elected Director
Steven A. Huey
 
Chair of the Board of Directors
 
2016
Richard Carlson
 
Chief Executive Officer; Director
 
2015
David A. Buckel
 
Director
 
2014
Marietta Davis
 
Director
 
2017
Daniel C. Allen
 
Director
 
2018
 
Each person nominated has agreed to serve if elected, and our Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unavailable or will decline to serve. In the event, however, that any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who is designated by the current Board of Directors to fill the vacancy.
 
Vote Required
 
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. A “withhold” vote with respect to any nominee will not effect the election of that nominee. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held.
 
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of all of the above nominees.
 
 
21
 
 
PROPOSAL TWO
 
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2019
 
We are asking stockholders to ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. Representatives of Cherry Bekaert LLP will not be present at the Annual Meeting.
 
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 by Cherry Bekaert LLP.
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit Fees
 $157,587 
 $162,447 
Audit-Related Fees
  12,000 
  9,200 
Tax Fees
   
   
All Other Fees
  3,500 
   
Total
 $173,087 
 $171,647 
 
Audit Fees are the fees billed during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for professional services rendered by Cherry Bekaert LLP for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-Q or services that are normally provided by Cherry Bekaert LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
 
Audit-Related Fees are the aggregate fees billed during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for assurance and related services rendered by Cherry Bekaert LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not reported under the category Audit Fees described above.
 
Tax Fees are the fees billed during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for tax compliance rendered by Cherry Bekaert LLP.
 
All Other Fees are the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 rendered by Cherry Bekaert LLP, other than the services reported in the above categories.
 
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies.
 
The Company’s audit committee currently does not have any pre-approval policies or procedures concerning services performed by Cherry Bekaert LLP, however, all the services performed by Cherry Bekaert LLP that are described above were pre-approved by the Company’s audit committee.
 
None of the hours expended on Cherry Bekaert LLP’s engagement to audit the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were attributed to work performed by persons other than Cherry Bekaert LLP’s full-time, permanent employees.
 
Vote Required
 
The vote required to ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 is the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting entitled to vote on the matter. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held.
 
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
 
The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.
 
 
22
 
 
PROPOSAL THREE
 
ADDOPTION OF THE SHARPSPRING, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 
On April 25, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted and approved the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), subject to stockholder approval prior to April 25, 2020.
 
The Board of Directors approved the Plan to ensure that the Company has adequate ways in which to provide stock based compensation to its directors, officers, employees, and consultants. The Board of Directors believes that the ability to grant stock-based compensation is important to the Company’s future success.
 
Approval of the Plan is needed to continue to provide a pool of shares available for the grant of stock-based compensation.  Our 2010 Employee Stock Plan, which expires on June 14, 2020, has 597,039 shares remaining available, as of the Record Date, for grant under our 2010 Employee Stock Plan.  If shareholder approval is not obtained for the Plan, we will not be able to grant equity awards to our directors, officers, employees, and consultants after the 2010 Employee Stock Plan expires. If shareholder approval is obtained for the Plan, the Company intends to terminate the 2010 Employee Stock Plan soon after such approval is obtained.
 
The Plan incorporates key corporate governance practices, including the following:
 
Limits the number of shares available to 697,039, which represents approximately 7% of our issued and outstanding common shares as of the Record Date;
The price of any outstanding Award may not be altered or repriced without stockholder approval;
Discounted stock options and stock appreciation rights are not allowed;
Reload options are not provided for under the Plan;
Performance goals may be imposed on grants;
No ability of participants to receive dividend payments with respect to restricted stock until the shares are vested;
The Plan does not have fungible counting provisions
Payment of the exercise price or applicable taxes made by delivery of shares, or withholding of shares, in satisfaction of a participants obligation, will not result in additional shares becoming available for subsequent awards under the Plan.
 
Significant Features of the Plan:
 
The following is a summary of certain significant features of the Plan. The information which follows is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Plan document, which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A. We urge you to read the Plan in its entirety.
 
Awards that may be granted include: (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-qualified Stock Options, (c) Stock Appreciation Rights, (d) Restricted Awards, (e) Performance Share Awards, (f) Cash Awards, and (g) Other Equity-Based Awards. These awards offer the Company’s officers, employees, directors and consultants the possibility of future value, depending on the long-term price appreciation of the Company’s common stock and the award holder’s continuing service with the Company.
 
Stock options give the option holder the right to acquire from the Company a designated number of shares of common stock at a purchase price that is fixed upon the grant of the option. The exercise price will be not less than the market price of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock options granted may be either tax-qualified stock options (so-called “incentive stock options”) or non-qualified stock options.
 
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), sometimes referred to as phantom equity, may be granted alone or in tandem with options, have an economic value similar to that of options. When a SAR for a particular number of shares is exercised, the holder receives a payment equal to the difference between the market price of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the shares under the SAR. The exercise price for SARs is the market price of the shares on the date the SAR is granted. Under the Plan, holders of SARs may receive this payment – the appreciation value – either in cash or shares of common stock valued at the fair market value on the date of exercise. The form of payment will be determined by the Company.
 
 
23
 
 
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 at no cost. Restricted shares are forfeitable and non-transferable until the shares vest. The vesting date or dates and other conditions for vesting are established when the shares are awarded. 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"), may also be granted.
 
The Plan also provides for performance compensation awards, representing the right to receive a payment, which may be in the form of cash, shares of common stock, or a combination, based on the attainment of pre-established goals.
 
All of the permissible types of awards under the Plan are described in more detail as follows:
 
Purposes of Plan: The purposes of the Plan are to: (a) enable the Company 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. 
 
Administration of the Plan: The Plan is administered by a committee of one or more members of the Board of Directors appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the Plan or, in the Board's sole discretion, by the Board of Directors (the “Committee”).  Among other things, the Committee has the authority to select persons who will receive awards, determine the types of awards and the number of shares to be covered by awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, restrictions and other provisions of awards. The Committee has authority to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan.
 
Eligible Recipients: Persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan will be those officers, employees, consultants, and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries (if any) who are selected by the Company’s Board of Directors or the Committee of the Board administering the Plan. As of the Record Date, approximately 184 individuals were eligible to participate in the Plan.
 
Shares Available Under the Plan: The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be delivered to participants under the Plan is 697,039; subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the shares, such as stock splits. Shares subject to an award under the Plan for which the award is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the Plan. Shares subject to an award that is settled in cash will not again be made available for grants under the Plan. Payment of the exercise price or applicable taxes made by delivery of shares, or withholding of shares, in satisfaction of a participant’s obligation, will not result in additional shares becoming available for subsequent awards under the Plan.
 
Stock Options:
 
General. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee has the authority to determine all grants of stock options. That determination will include: (i) the number of shares subject to any option; (ii) the exercise price per share; (iii) the expiration date of the option; (iv) the manner, time and date of permitted exercise; (v) other restrictions, if any, on the option or the shares underlying the option; and (vi) any other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.
 
Option Price. The exercise price for stock options will be determined at the time of grant. Normally, the exercise price may not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. As a matter of tax law, the exercise price for any incentive stock option awarded may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. However, incentive stock option grants to any person owning 10% or more of the Company’s voting stock must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date.
 
Exercise of Options. An option may be exercised only in accordance with the terms and conditions for the option agreement as established by the Committee at the time of the grant. The option must be exercised by notice to the Company, accompanied by payment of the exercise price. Payments may be made in cash or, at the option of the Committee, by actual or constructive delivery of shares of common stock to the holder of the option based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
 
 
24
 
 
Expiration or Termination. Options, if not previously exercised, will expire on the expiration date established by the Committee at the time of grant. In the case of incentive stock options, such term cannot exceed ten years provided that in the case of holders of 10% or more of the Company’s voting stock, such term cannot exceed five years. Options will terminate before their expiration date if the holder’s service with the Company or a subsidiary terminates before the expiration date. The option may remain exercisable for specified periods after certain terminations of employment, including terminations as a result of death, disability or retirement, with the precise period during which the option may be exercised to be established by the Committee and reflected in the grant evidencing the award.
 
Incentive and Non-Qualified Options. As described elsewhere in this summary, an incentive stock option is an option that is intended to qualify under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for more favorable tax treatment than applies to non-qualified stock options. Any option that does not qualify as an incentive stock option will be a non-qualified stock option. Under the Code, certain restrictions apply to incentive stock options. For example, the exercise price for incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the grant date and the term of the option may not exceed ten years. In addition, an incentive stock option may not be transferred, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder. In addition, no incentive stock options may be granted to a holder that is first exercisable in a single year if that option, together with all incentive stock options previously granted to the holder that also first become exercisable in that year, relate to shares having an aggregate market value in excess of $100,000, measured at the grant date.
 
Stock Appreciation Rights: Awards of stock appreciation rights or “SARs” may be granted alone or in tandem with stock options. SARs provide the holder with the right, upon exercise, to receive a payment, in cash or shares of stock, having a value equal to the excess of the fair market value on the exercise date of the shares covered by the award over the exercise price of those shares. Essentially, a holder of a SAR benefits when the market price of the common stock increases, to the same extent that the holder of an option does, but, unlike an option holder, the SAR holder need not pay an exercise price upon exercise of the award.
 
Stock Awards: Stock Awards can also be granted under the Plan. A stock award is a grant of shares of common stock or of a right to receive shares in the future. These awards will be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall determine at the date of grant. Those may include requirements for continuous service and/or the achievement of specified performance goals.
 
Cash Awards: A cash award is an award that may be in the form of cash or shares of common stock or a combination, based on the attainment of pre-established performance goals and other conditions, restrictions and contingencies identified by the Committee.
 
Other Equity-Based Awards: The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies identified by the Committee.
 
Performance Goals: are the one or more goals established by the Committee for the performance period based upon business criteria or other performance measures determined by the Committee in its discretion.
 
Other Material Provisions: Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the Committee. In the event of various changes to the capitalization of the Company, such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar re-capitalizations, an appropriate adjustment will be made by the Committee to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise price of such awards. The Committee is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes in the award in the event of a change of control of the Company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise permitted by the Committee, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Prior to any award distribution, the Company is permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements. Our Board also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The Board also has the authority to alter or amend the Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval of the Company’s shareholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, increase the number of shares available under the Plan, change the persons eligible for awards under the Plan, extend the time within which awards may be made, or amend the provisions of the Plan related to amendments. No amendment that would adversely affect any outstanding award made under the Plan can be made without the consent of the holder of such award.
 
Federal Income Tax Consequences: The following is based on current laws, regulations and interpretations, all of which are subject to change. It does not purport to be complete and does not describe the state, local or foreign tax considerations or the consequences for any particular individual.
 
 
25
 
 
Non-qualified Options.  Under current federal income tax law, the grant of a non-qualified option under the Plan will have no federal income tax consequences to us or the optionee (unless the options are publicly traded). Generally, upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option granted under the Plan, the excess of the fair market value of the stock at the date of exercise over the option price (the “Spread”) is taxable to the optionee as ordinary income and is subject to withholding. All such amounts taxable to an employee are deductible by us as compensation expense. The deduction will be allowed for our taxable year which includes the end of the taxable year in which the optionee includes an amount in income.
 
Generally, the shares received on exercise of an option under the Plan are not subject to restrictions on transfer or risks of forfeiture and, therefore, the optionee will recognize income on the date of exercise of a non-qualified stock option. However, if the optionee is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Section 16(b) restriction will be considered a substantial risk of forfeiture for tax purposes. Under current law, employees who are either our directors or officers will be subject to restrictions under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act during their term of service and for up to six months after termination of such service. SEC Rule 16b-3 provides an exemption from the restrictions of Section 16(b) for the grant of derivative securities, such as stock options, under qualifying plans. Because the Plan satisfies the requirements for exemption under SEC Rule 16b-3, the grant of options will not be considered a purchase and the exercise of the options to acquire the underlying shares of common stock will not be considered a purchase or a sale. Thus, ordinary income will be recognized and the Spread will be measured on the date of exercise.
 
The taxable income resulting from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option will constitute wages for employees and is generally subject to withholding. We will be required to make whatever arrangements are necessary to ensure that funds equaling the amount of tax required to be withheld, if any, are available for payment, including the deduction of required withholding amounts from the optionee’s other compensation and requiring payment of withholding amounts as part of the exercise price. The tax basis for the common stock acquired is the option price plus the taxable income recognized. An optionee will recognize gain or loss on the subsequent sale of shares acquired upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the tax basis of such shares. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon whether the shares have been held for more than one year.
 
Incentive Stock Options.   There will be no federal income tax consequences to us or the employee as a result of the grant of an incentive stock option. The optionee also will not recognize income when the incentive stock option is exercised (subject to the alternative minimum tax rules discussed below). Generally, we receive no deduction at the time of exercise.
 
In the event of a disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option, the tax consequences depend upon how long the employee has held the shares. If the employee does not dispose of the shares within two years after the incentive stock option was granted, or within one year after the incentive stock option was exercised and shares were purchased, then the employee must recognize only a long-term capital gain or loss. We are not entitled to any deduction under these circumstances.
 
If the optionee fails to satisfy either of the foregoing holding periods, then he or she must recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition (referred to as a “disqualifying disposition”). The amount of such ordinary income generally is determined under the rules applicable to non-qualifiedoptions (see above) based on the Spread at the date of exercise. However, such ordinary income will in no event exceed the amount of the gain realized on the sale, provided that the disposition involves an arm’s-length sale or exchange with an unrelated party. Any gain in excess of the amount taxed as ordinary income will be treated as capital gain. In the year of the disqualifying disposition, we are entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
 
The Spread under an incentive stock option is treated as an adjustment in computing alternative minimum taxable income (“AMTI”) for the year of exercise. As a result, the Spread on an incentive stock option will be included in income for purposes of the alternative minimum tax even though it is not included in taxable income for purposes of determining the regular tax liability of an optionee. A subsequent disqualifying disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option will eliminate the AMTI adjustment if the disposition occurs in the same taxable year as the exercise. A disqualifying disposition in a subsequent taxable year will not affect the alternative minimum tax computation in the earlier year.
 
 
26
 
 
Payment of Option Exercise Price in Shares.  To the extent an optionee pays all or part of the option exercise price of a non-qualified stock option by tendering shares of common stock owned by the optionee, the tax consequences described above apply except that the number of shares of common stock received upon such exercise which is equal to the number of shares surrendered in payment of the option price will have the same tax basis and holding periods as the shares surrendered. The additional shares of common stock received upon such exercise will have a tax basis equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized on such exercise and a holding period which commences on the day following the date of recognition of such income. Under Treasury regulations, if an optionee exercises an incentive stock option by tendering shares of common stock previously acquired by the exercise of an incentive stock option that have not satisfied statutory holding period requirements, a disqualifying disposition will occur and the optionee will recognize income and be subject to other basis allocation and holding period requirements.
 
Restricted Stock Awards.  Stock granted under the Plan may, in the determination of the Committee, be subject to rights of repurchase and other transfer restrictions. The tax consequences of stock granted under the Plan depends on whether the stock is subject to restrictions and if so, whether the restrictions are deemed to create a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Code Section 83 (for example, stock granted under the Plan which is subject to our right to repurchase the stock at a price that is less than fair market value which right lapses over a period of continued employment is considered a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Code Section 83).
 
If stock is not subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture,” the recipient normally will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the value of the stock in the year in which the stock is granted less the amount paid for that stock. If the stock is subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture,” the recipient normally will recognize taxable ordinary income as and when the “substantial risk of forfeiture” lapses in the amount of the fair market value of the shares no longer subject to the “substantial risk of forfeiture” less the amount paid for the stock. Upon disposition of the stock, the recipient will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for the stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon grant or vesting of the stock. The gain or loss will be long or short-term depending on how long the recipient held the stock. In general, the holding period for the stock commences when the stock is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.
 
A recipient of stock subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” may make an election under Code Section 83(b) to recognize ordinary income in the year the recipient purchases the restricted stock, rather than waiting until the “substantial risk of forfeiture” lapses. If the stock recipient makes a Section 83(b) election, the recipient will be required to recognize as ordinary income in the year the recipient purchases the stock the difference, if any, between the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date and the purchase price paid. If the stock recipient makes a Section 83(b) election, the recipient will not be required to recognize any income when the “substantial risk of forfeiture lapses.”
 
Generally, with respect to employees, we are required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the stock recipient.
 
Stock Appreciation Rights.  Generally, the recipient of a SAR will not recognize any taxable income at the time the SAR is granted. With respect to stand-alone SARs, if the holder receives the appreciation inherent in the SARs in cash, the cash will be taxable as ordinary compensation income to the employee at the time that it is received. If the holder receives the appreciation inherent in the stand-alone SARs in stock, the holder will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the day it is received over any amounts paid by the holder for the stock.
 
The income recognized by the holder of a stand-alone SAR will generally be subject to U.S. income tax withholding and employment taxes.
 
In general, we will not be entitled to a federal income tax deduction upon the grant or termination of stand-alone SARs. However, upon the exercise of a stand-alone SAR, we will be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes equal to the amount of ordinary income that the holder is required to recognize as a result of the exercise, provided that the deduction is not otherwise disallowed under the Code.
 
 
27
 
 
Performance Compensation Awards.  Generally, the recipient of a performance compensation award will not recognize any taxable income at the time the award is made but will generally recognize taxable income at the time the award is paid. If the performance compensation award is payable in cash, the cash will be taxable as ordinary compensation income to the participant at the time that it is received. If the holder receives the performance compensation award in stock, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the day it is received over any amounts paid by the holder for the stock.
 
The income recognized by the holder of a performance compensation award will generally be subject to U.S. income tax withholding and employment taxes.
 
In general, we will not be entitled to a federal income tax deduction upon the grant or termination of performance compensation awards. However, upon payment of a performance compensation award, we will be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes equal to the amount of ordinary income that the participant is required to recognize as a result of such payment, provided that the deduction is not otherwise disallowed under the Code.
 
Limitations on Deductions.  Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to each covered employee exceeds $1 million.
 
Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  Code Section 409A imposes requirements on non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The requirements include the timing of elections to defer, the timing of distributions and prohibitions on the acceleration of distributions. Failure to satisfy these requirements may result in the immediate taxation of the arrangement, the imposition of an additional 20% income tax on the participant and the possible imposition of interest and penalties on the unpaid tax. Proposed regulations generally provide that the type of equity incentives provided under the Plan will not be considered non-qualified deferred compensation. However, some awards could be covered by Section 409A of the Code. For example, the modification of a stock option or stock appreciation right with an exercise price less than fair market value of the underlying common stock could constitute non-qualified deferred compensation. In such event, the administrator normally would expect to design and administer any such award in a manner that ordinarily should avoid adverse federal income tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code to any affected participant. In the event that an award under the Plan is determined to constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” that would be subject to additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may impose such additional conditions as it deems necessary to avoid the imposition of the additional tax.
 
Recognition of Compensation Expense. In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, the Company is required to recognize compensation expense in its income statement for the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to its employees and directors, the amount of which can only be determined at the time of grant.
 
New Plan Benefits
 
Except as described below, no awards have been made to eligible persons under the Plan as of the Record Date. The future awards, if any, that will be made to eligible persons under the Plan are subject to the discretion of the Committee and, therefore, we cannot currently determine the benefits or number of shares subject to awards that may be granted in the future to our employees, officers, directors and consultants under the Plan. Therefore, a New Plan Benefits Table is not provided.
 
The Plan was adopted and approved by our Board of directors on April 25, 2019, and is subject to stockholder approval prior to April 25, 2020. On February 21, 2019, subject to approval by our Compensation Committee and subsequent to stockholder approval of the Plan, the following named executive officers will be issued the number of Restricted Stock Units set forth next to their name:
 
Richard Carlson, Chief Executive Officer: 12,500 Restricted Stock Units
Travis Whitton, Chief Technology Officer: 7,353 Restricted Stock Units
 
No awards will be issued to any persons from the Plan prior to stockholder approval.
 
 
28
 
 
Compensation for our directors is discretionary and is reviewed from time to time by our Board of Directors. Any determinations with respect to Board compensation are made by our Board of Directors. Since our second quarter of 2017, we have compensated all non-employee directors with a stipend of $7,500 per quarter ($30,000 per year), payable quarterly in stock. Upon stockholder approval of the Plan, all stock issued to our directors will be Stock Awards from the Plan. Typically, newly elected non-employee directors receive 16,000 stock options upon joining the board, which vest over four years, which will also be issued from the Plan. No awards will be issued to any persons from the Plan prior to stockholder approval.
 
Vote Required
 
The vote required to approve the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan is the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting entitled to vote on the matter. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held.
 
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
 
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29
 
 
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2020 ANNUAL MEETING
 
In order for stockholder proposals to be included in our proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting, we must receive them at our principal executive offices, 5001 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Suite 410, Gainesville, FL 32608, by January 1, 2020, being 120 days prior to the date of the first anniversary of the date of our proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All other stockholder proposals, including nominations for directors, in order to be voted on at the 2020 Annual Meeting, must be received by us not earlier than February 14, 2020 and not later than March 15, 2020 being, respectively, 120 days and 90 days prior to the date of the first anniversary of the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In the event that the 2020 Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, notice by a stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting is mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting is made, whichever first occurs.
 
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
Our Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented for stockholder action at the Annual Meeting. However, if other matters do properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, our Board of Directors intends that the persons named in the proxies will vote upon such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders.
 
Whether or not you intend to be present at the meeting, you are urged to fill out, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy at your earliest convenience.
 
Gainesville, FL
 
April 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30
 
 
APPENDIX A
 
SHARPSPRING, INC.
 
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 
1. Purpose; Eligibility.
 
1.1 General Purpose. The name of this plan is the SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable SharpSpring, Inc., a Delaware 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.
 
1.2 Eligible 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.
 
1.3 Available 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, (f) Cash Awards, and (g) Other Equity-Based 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, a Cash Award, or an Other Equity-Based 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, 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.
 
 
 
A-1
 
 
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time.
 
"Cash Award" means an Award denominated in cash that is granted under Section 7.4 of the Plan.
 
"Cause" means:
 
With respect to any Employee or Consultant, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise:
(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; or (iv) material violation of state or federal securities laws.
 
With respect to any Director, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, 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; or
(e) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis despite having received proper notice of 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;
 
 
A-2
 
 
(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 with Section 3.3 and Section 3.4.
 
A-3
 
 
"Common Stock" means the common stock, $.001 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 SharpSpring, Inc. a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
 
"Consultant" means any individual or entity which performs bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee or Director, and who may be offered securities registerable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
 
"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. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of Continuous Service for purposes of affected Awards, and such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.
 
"Deferred Stock Units (DSUs)" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.
 
"Director" means a member of the Board.
 
"Disability" means, unless the applicable Award Agreement says otherwise, 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 to Section 6.10 hereof, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it 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 to Section 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 in Section 14.12.
 
"Effective Date" shall mean the date that the Company's shareholders approve this Plan if such shareholder approval occurs before the first anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
 
 
A-4
 
 
"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.
 
"Fair Market Value" means, as 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 NASDAQ Stock Market the Fair Market Value 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) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported on such exchange or system official website. 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.
 
"Fiscal Year" means the Company's fiscal year.
 
"Free Standing Rights" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).
 
"Good Reason" means, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise:
 
(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 the following without the Participant's express written consent, which is 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): a geographical relocation of the Participant's principal office location by more than one hundred fifty (150) 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 that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.
 
A-5
 
 
"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.
 
"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 the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
"Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option granted pursuant 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.
 
"Other Equity-Based Award" means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, or Performance Share Award that is granted under Section 7.4 and is payable by delivery of Common Stock and/or which is measured by reference to the value of Common Stock.
 
"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 Goals" means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon business criteria or other performance measures determined by the Committee in its discretion.
 
"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 Share Award or a Cash Award.
 
"Performance Share Award" means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof.
 
A-6
 
 
"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.
 
"Person" means a person as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
 
"Plan" means this SharpSpring, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.
 
"Related Rights" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).
 
"Restricted Award" means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7.2(a).
 
"Restricted Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 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 under Section 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 in Section 6.4.
 
"Substitute Award" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.
 
"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.
 
A-7
 
 
"Total Share Reserve" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
 
3. Administration.
 
3.1 Authority 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 "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 eligible Award recipients 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 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;
 
A-8
 
 
(l) 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;
 
(m) 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;
 
(n) 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
 
(o) 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.
 
3.2 Committee 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.
 
3.3 Delegation. 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.
 
A-9
 
 
3.4 Committee Composition. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3. However, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, 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. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may 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.
 
3.5 Indemnification. 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 the 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 with Section 11, no more than 697,039 shares of Common Stock plus the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any award granted under the 2010 Restated Employee Stock Plan that expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited under the terms of the 2010 Restated Employee Stock Plan shall be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan (the "Total Share Reserve"). 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 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.
 
4.3 Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11, no more than 680,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options (the "ISO Limit").
 
A-10
 
 
4.4 The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during a single Fiscal Year to any Director, together with any cash fees paid to such Director during the Fiscal Year shall not exceed a total value of $500,000 (calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes).
 
4.5 Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related will again be 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.
 
4.6 Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines ("Substitute Awards"). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Total Share Reserve; provided, that, Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options shall be counted against the ISO limit. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares under a shareholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect such acquisition or transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not count toward the Total Share Limit.
 
5. Eligibility.
 
5.1 Eligibility 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 those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors following the Grant Date.
 
5.2 Ten 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 on 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:
 
A-11
 
 
6.1 Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 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.
 
6.2 Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 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) of the Code.
 
6.3 Exercise 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.
 
6.4 Consideration. 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) by 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.
 
A-12
 
 
6.5 Transferability 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.
 
6.6 Transferability 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.
 
6.7 Vesting 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. 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.
 
6.8 Termination 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.
 
6.9 Extension 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 with Section 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.
 
A-13
 
 
6.10 Disability 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.
 
6.11 Death 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.
 
6.12 Incentive 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.
 
7.1 Stock 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.
 
A-14
 
 
(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 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 of Section 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.
 
A-15
 
 
7.2 Restricted 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.
 
A-16
 
 
(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 funds 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 an amount equal to the 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 credited to the Participant's account 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 or Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are granted, such action is appropriate.
 
A-17
 
 
(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 in Section 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 with Section 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.
 
7.3 Performance 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.
 
A-18
 
 
(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.
 
7.4 Other Equity-Based Awards and Cash Awards. The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and subject to such conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Each Equity-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and shall be subject to such conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may grant Cash Awards in such amounts and subject to such Performance Goals, other vesting conditions, and such other terms as the Committee determines in its discretion. Cash Awards shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine.
 
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.
 
10.1 Acceleration 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.
 
10.2 Shareholder 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 in Section 11 hereof.
 
A-19
 
 
10.3 No 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.
 
10.4 Transfer; 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.
 
10.5 Withholding 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 maximum 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 Performance Goals to which Performance Share Awards and Cash Awards are subject, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to all Awards stated in Section 4 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. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.
 
A-20
 
 
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 Participant's termination of Continuous Service without Cause or for Good Reason during the 12-month period following a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any applicable Award Agreement to the contrary, all outstanding 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 outstanding shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units as of the date of the Participant's termination of Continuous Service.
 
(b) With respect to Performance Share Awards and Cash Awards, in the event of a Change in Control, all incomplete Performance Periods in respect of such Awards 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 (or SAR Exercise Price in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right) 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.
 
A-21
 
 
13. Amendment of the Plan and Awards.
 
13.1 Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 11 relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock and Section 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.
 
13.2 Shareholder Approval. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for shareholder approval.
 
13.3 Contemplated 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.
 
13.4 No 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.
 
13.5 Amendment 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.
 
14.1 Forfeiture 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.
 
14.2 Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, the Company may cancel any Award, require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant, and effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan in accordance with any Company policies that may be adopted and/or modified from time to time ("Clawback Policy"). In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company previously paid compensation, whether provided pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement, in accordance with the Clawback Policy. By accepting an Award, the Participant is agreeing to be bound by the Clawback Policy, as in effect or as may be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Company in its discretion (including, without limitation, to comply with applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements).
 
A-22
 
 
14.3 Other 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.
 
14.4 Sub-Plans. The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying 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.
 
14.5 Deferral 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.
 
14.6 Unfunded 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.
 
14.7 Recapitalizations. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions required to reflect the provisions of Section 11.
 
14.8 Delivery. 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.
 
14.9 No 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.
 
14.10 Other 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 Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.
 
A-23
 
 
14.11 Section 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 additional 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.
 
14.12 Disqualifying 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.
 
14.13 Section 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 this Section 14.13, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.
 
14.14 Beneficiary 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.
 
14.15 Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.
 
14.16 Severability. 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.
 
14.17 Plan 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.
 
A-24
 
 
14.18 Non-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 April 24, 2029. 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 to Section 13.1 hereof. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
 
17. Choice of Law. The law of the State of Delaware 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 SharpSpring, Inc. on April 25, 2019.
 
 As approved by the shareholders of SharpSpring, Inc. on [_______].
 
 
 
 
A-25
 
 
SHARPSPRING, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – JUNE 13, 2019 10:00 AM. LOCAL TIME
 
 
 
 
CONTROL ID:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REQUEST ID:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Richard Carlson and/or Bradley Stanczak with the power of substitution and resubstitution to vote any and all shares of capital stock of SharpSpring, Inc. (the "Company") which the undersigned would be entitled to vote as fully as the undersigned could do if personally present at the Annual Meeting of the Company, to be held on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournments thereof, hereby revoking any prior proxies to vote said stock, upon the following items more fully described in the notice of any Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting (receipt of which is hereby acknowledged).
 
 
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you vote by phone, fax or internet, please DO NOT mail your proxy card.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MAIL:
Please mark, sign, date, and return this Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.
 
 
 
 
 
FAX:
Complete the reverse portion of this Proxy Card and Fax to 202-521-3464.
 
 
 
 
 
INTERNET:
https://www.iproxydirect.com/SHSP
 
 
 
 
 
PHONE:
1-866-752-VOTE(8683)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OFSHARPSPRING, INC.
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE:
 
 
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
 
 
 
 
Proposal 1
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the listed nominees.
 
 
FOR
ALL
 
WITHHOLD
ALL
 
FOR ALL
EXCEPT
 
 
 
 
Election of Directors:
 
 
 
 
 
CONTROL ID:
 
 
Steven A. Huey
 
 
 
 
 
 
REQUEST ID:
 
 
Richard Carlson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David A. Buckel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marietta Davis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daniel C. Allen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proposal 2
 
 
FOR
 
AGAINST
 
ABSTAIN
 
 
 
 
Ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP to serve as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for fiscal year 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proposal 3
 
 
FOR
 
AGAINST
 
ABSTAIN
 
 
 
 
Approval of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE: In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING:
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED FOR THE PROPOSALS, EACH PROPOSAL WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSAL. 
 
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE  New Address (if applicable):
____________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
 
 
IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
 
Dated: ________________________, 2019
 
____________________
____________________
____________________
 
(Print Name of Stockholder and/or Joint Tenant)
 
____________________(Signature of Stockholder)
 
____________________(Second Signature if held jointly)