DEF 14A 1 formdef14a.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant

 

Filed by a 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 Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

WORKSPORT LTD.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

N/A

(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:
     

 

 

 

 
 

 

WORKSPORT LTD.

55 Beaver Creek Road #40

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 1E5

(888) 554-8789

 

2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be Held on November 14, 2022

 

October 3, 2022

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

You are invited to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Worksport Ltd. (the “Company” or “Worksport”), which will be held on November 14, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. This year’s Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting, conducted solely online. Hosting a virtual meeting will enable our stockholders to attend online and participate from any location around the world and support the health and well-being of our management, directors and stockholders. Stockholders will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022.

 

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to: (1) elect five directors; (2) approve the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Equity Incentive Plan”); and (3) approve the adjournment of the Annual Meeting, to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate. The Board of Directors (“Board”) believes that the proposals being submitted for stockholder approval are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and recommends a vote consistent with the Board’s recommendation for each proposal.

 

It is important that your shares be represented and that you vote at the Annual Meeting regardless of the size of your holdings. Whether or not you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting online, please take the time to vote online, by telephone or, if you receive a printed proxy card, by returning a marked, signed and dated proxy card. If you participate in the Annual Meeting online, you may also vote your shares online at that time if you wish, even if you have previously submitted your vote.

 

Further details regarding the Annual Meeting and the business to be conducted are more fully described in the accompanying Notice of 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Notice of Annual Meeting”), and 2022 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement (“Proxy Statement”).

 

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. Further information about voting methods is set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.

 

Sincerely,  
   
/s/ Steven Rossi  
Steven Rossi  
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board  

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is first being mailed to our stockholders on or about October 3, 2022, which indicates that the Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and our 2021 Annual Report, are available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

 

 

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Worksport Ltd. will be held virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 14, 2022 for the following purposes:

 

  1. To elect five directors, Steven Rossi, Lorenzo Rossi, Craig Loverock, William Caragol, and Ned L. Siegel, each to hold office until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2023 or their respective successor is duly elected and qualified;

 

  2. To approve the adoption of the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan;

 

  3. To authorize the adjournment of the meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate, if sufficient votes are not represented at the meeting to approve any of the foregoing proposals; and

 

  4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

These proposals are more fully described in the Proxy Statement following this Notice of Annual Meeting.

 

The Board has fixed the close of business on September 19, 2022 as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

Only stockholders and persons holding proxies from stockholders may attend the Annual Meeting. To participate in the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022, you will need the information included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, your proxy card or the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.

 

Your vote matters. Whether or not you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. Further information about voting methods is set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement. We encourage you to read the Proxy Statement and submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. You can vote your shares electronically via the internet, by telephone or if applicable, by completing and returning the proxy card or voting instruction card. You can revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions in the Proxy Statement.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,  
   
/s/ Steven Rossi  
Steven Rossi  
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board  
October 3, 2022  

 

ii

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ii
   
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 2
   
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE 6
   
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 7
   
MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING 8
   
PROPOSAL No. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 8
   
PROPOSAL No. 2: APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE WORKSPORT LTD. 2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 9
   
PROPOSAL No. 3: APPROVAL OF ADJOURNMENT MEETING, IF NECESSARY 16
   
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 18
   
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 20
   
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 23
   
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 24
   
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 28
   
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATION PROCEDURES 30
   
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS 30
   
OTHER MATTERS 30
   
VIRTUAL ACCESS TO THE ANNUAL MEETING 30
   
EXHIBIT 1 – WORKSPORT LTD. 2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN E.1-1

 

1

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

SUMMARY INFORMATION

 

To assist you in reviewing this meeting’s proposals, we call your attention to the following proxy summary. This is only a summary; please review this Proxy Statement in full.

 

Summary of Stockholder Voting Matters

 

Proposal   For More Information   Board of Directors Recommendation
Item 1: Election of five directors, Steven Rossi, Lorenzo Rossi, Craig Loverock, William Caragol, and Ned L. Siegel, each to hold office until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2023 and until their respective successor is duly elected and qualified;   Page 8   FOR
         
Item 2: Approval of the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan;   Page 9   FOR
         
Item 3: Approval to adjourn the meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate, if sufficient votes are not represented at the meeting to approve any of the foregoing proposals.   Page 16   ✔ FOR

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

Q: Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?

 

A: In accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to deliver this proxy statement and our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2021 Annual Report”) to the majority of our stockholders online in lieu of mailing printed copies of these materials to each of our stockholders (the “Notice Process”). If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) by mail, you will not receive printed copies of our proxy materials unless you request them. Instead, the Notice provides instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement and our 2021 Annual Report online, as well as how to obtain printed copies of these materials by mail. We believe that the Notice Process allows us to provide our stockholders with the information they need in a more timely manner than if we had elected to mail printed materials, while reducing the environmental impact of, and lowering the costs associated with, the printing and distribution of our proxy materials.

 

The Notice is being mailed on or about October 3, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 19, 2022 (the “Record Date”) and this Proxy Statement and our 2021 Annual Report will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 beginning on October 3, 2022. If you received a Notice by mail, but would rather receive printed copies of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice. You will not receive a Notice if you have previously elected to receive printed copies of our proxy materials.

 

Q: Can I vote my shares by filling out and returning the Notice?

 

A: No. However, the Notice contains instructions on how to vote your shares: (i) before the date of the Annual Meeting by way of completing and submitting your proxy online, by phone or by requesting and returning a written proxy card by mail, or (ii) at the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022.

 

Q: How do I participate in the Annual Meeting?

 

A: To participate in the Annual Meeting, go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 at the time and date of the Annual Meeting and enter the sixteen-digit control number included on your Notice, your proxy card or the instructions from your broker that accompanied your proxy materials.

 

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Q: Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

A: Holders of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on September 19, 2022, the record date for the Annual Meeting established by our Board, are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote their shares at the Annual Meeting and any related adjournments or postponements.

 

At the close of business on September 19, 2022, there were 17,190,016 shares of common stock and 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to 51% of the total power of the Company regardless of the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are outstanding. Steven Rossi, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board, beneficially owns 100% of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Q: What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a stockholder who holds Worksport shares in street name?

 

A: If your shares are registered in your name, you are a stockholder of record. If your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other holder of record, your shares are held in street name.

 

You may examine a list of the stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 19, 2022 for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting during normal business hours during the 10-day period preceding the date of the meeting at 55 Beaver Creek Road #40, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 1E5.

 

Q: What shares are included on the enclosed proxy card?

 

A: If you are a stockholder of record only, you will receive one proxy card from Broadridge for all shares of Worksport common stock or Series A Preferred Stock that you hold. If you hold your shares in street name through one or more banks, brokers and/or other holders of record, you will receive proxy materials, together with voting instructions and information regarding the consolidation of your votes, from the third party or parties through which you hold your shares. If you are a stockholder of record and hold additional shares in street name, you will receive proxy materials from Broadridge and the third party or parties through which you hold your shares.

 

Q: What are the quorum requirements for the Annual Meeting?

 

A: The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of holders having a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by holders of Worksport common stock at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum. Stockholders who participate in the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 will be deemed to be in person attendees for purposes of determining whether a quorum has been met. Shares of Worksport common stock represented by proxy will be treated as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, without regard to whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote or abstaining.

 

Q: What matters will stockholders vote on at the Annual Meeting?

 

A: Stockholders will vote on the following proposals:

 

  Proposal 1—to elect Steven Rossi, Lorenzo Rossi, Craig Loverock, William Caragol, and Ned L. Siegel to the Board, each as a member of the Board until the Company’s 2023 annual stockholder meeting or until their respective successor shall have been duly elected and qualified (or, if earlier, such director’s removal or resignation from the Board);

 

  Proposal 2—to approve the adoption of the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan;

 

  Proposal 3—to adjourn the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate, if sufficient votes are not represented at the meeting to approve any of the foregoing proposals.

 

Q: What are my voting choices when voting for director nominees and what votes are required to elect directors to the Board?

 

A: You may vote in favor of all director nominees, withhold votes as to all director nominees or vote in favor of and withhold votes as to specific director nominees.

 

The election of each of our director nominees requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the total number of votes cast by holders of shares of common stock, with each share of common stock representing the right to one vote, respectively.

 

The Board recommends that our stockholders vote FOR the election of each of the director nominees.

 

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Q: What are my voting choices when voting on the approval of adoption of the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan?

 

A: You may vote in favor of the adoption, vote against the adoption or abstain from voting on the adoption.

 

The approval of the adoption of the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of shares of common stock present at the Annual Meeting in person or represented by proxy and voting together.

 

The Board recommends that our stockholders vote FOR the adoption of the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Q: What are my voting choices when voting on the approval of the adjournment of the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate, and what votes are required to ratify this approval?

 

A: You may vote in favor of the approval, vote against the approval or abstain from voting on the approval.

 

The approval of the adjournment of the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of shares of common stock present at the Annual Meeting in person or represented by proxy and voting together.

 

The Board recommends that our stockholders vote FOR the approval of the adjournment of the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate.

 

Q: Could other matters be decided at the Annual Meeting?

 

A: As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we do not know of any matters to be raised at the Annual Meeting, other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement.

 

If other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting for consideration, the officers who have been designated as proxies for the Annual Meeting will have the discretion to vote on those matters for stockholders who have submitted their proxy.

 

Q: What do I need to do now to vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

A: The Board is soliciting proxies for use at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders may submit proxies to instruct the designated proxies to vote their shares in any of three ways:

 

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MAIL     INTERNET   PHONE
         
If you received printed proxy materials, mailing your signed proxy card or voter instruction card. If you choose to submit your proxy by mail, simply mark, date and sign your proxy and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided or to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717. The signed proxy must be received prior to the Annual Meeting.   Submitting your proxy online at www.proxyvote.com. Internet proxy voting is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on November 13, 2022.     Submitting your proxy by telephone by using the toll-free telephone number provided on your Notice or your proxy card (1-800-690-6903). Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on November 13, 2022.

 

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You may also participate in the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 and vote your shares online at that time, even if you have previously submitted your vote. To do so, you will need the sixteen-digit control number included on your Notice, your proxy card or the instructions from your broker that accompanied your proxy materials.

 

For shares of common stock held in street name, holders may submit a proxy online or by telephone before the date of the Annual Meeting if their broker, bank and/or other holder of record makes these methods available. If you submit a proxy online or by telephone, DO NOT request and return a printed proxy card from us or from your broker, bank and/or other holder of record. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank and/or other holder of record, follow the voting instructions you receive from your broker, bank and/or other holder of record.

 

Q: If I hold my shares in street name, will my broker, bank or other holder of record vote my shares for me?

 

A: If you hold your shares of common stock in street name, you must provide your broker, bank and/or other holder of record with instructions in order to vote these shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, whether your shares can be voted depends on the type of item being considered for a vote.

 

Non-Discretionary Items. The election of directors and the approval of the adoption of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan are non-discretionary items and may NOT be voted on by your broker, bank and/or other holder of record absent specific voting instructions from you. If you do not provide your bank, broker and/or other holder of record with voting instructions, your shares of common stock will be represented by “broker non-votes” in the case of this proposal.

 

Discretionary Items. The approval of the adjournment of the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate, is a discretionary item. Generally, brokers, banks and/or other holders of record that do not receive voting instructions from you may vote on this proposal in their discretion and these votes will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

Q: What effect do abstentions and broker non-votes have on quorum requirements and the voting results for each proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting and are there dissenters’ rights?

 

A: Abstentions and shares represented by broker non-votes are counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum. Abstentions are treated as shares present and entitled to vote and, as a result, have the same effect as a vote against any proposal for which the voting standard is based on the number of shares present at the Annual Meeting (e.g., approval of adjournment meeting) and have no impact on the vote on any proposal for which the vote standard is based on the votes cast at the meeting (e.g., the election of directors). Shares represented by broker non-votes are not treated as shares entitled to vote and, as a result, have no effect on the outcome of any of the proposals to be voted on by stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders will not be entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to any matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

 

Q: Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?

 

A: Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before the polls close at the Annual Meeting by:

 

  submitting a later-dated proxy relating to the same shares online, by telephone or by mail before the date of the Annual Meeting;

 

  delivering a written notice, bearing a date later than your proxy, stating that you revoke the proxy; or

 

  participating in the Annual Meeting and voting online at that time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 (although virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, change your vote or revoke a proxy).

 

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To change your vote or revoke your proxy before the date of the Annual Meeting, follow the instructions provided on your Notice, proxy card or proxy materials to do so online or by telephone, or send a written notice or a new proxy card to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.

 

If you hold your shares of common stock through a broker, bank and/or other holder of record, follow the instructions that you receive from your broker, bank and/or other holder of record if you wish to change your vote or revoke your proxy.

 

Q: What if I do not specify a choice for a matter when returning a proxy?

 

A: If you do not give specific instructions, proxies that are signed and returned will be voted FOR the election of all director nominees, FOR the adoption of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and FOR the approval of the adjournment of the Annual Meeting for solicitation to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary or appropriate.

Q: How are proxies solicited and who bears the related costs?

 

A: Worksport bears all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies. Following the initial mailing of the Notice and proxy materials, we will request brokers, banks and other holders of record to forward copies of these materials to persons for whom they hold shares of common stock and to request authority for the exercise of proxies. In such cases, Worksport, upon the request of these holders of record, will reimburse these parties for their reasonable expenses.

 

Q: What should I do if I have questions regarding the Annual Meeting?

 

A: If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting, the various proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting and/or how to participate in the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 and vote at that time and/or would like copies of any of the documents referred to in this Proxy Statement, contact Worksport Investor Relations at 888-554-8789 or investors@worksport.com.

 

Q: Where can I find more information about Worksport?

 

A: Worksport filed its 2021 Annual Report with the SEC on March 31, 2022. That report, together with other corporate filings are available for your review on the Internet by visiting the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. Copies of any reports, including exhibits, will be furnished to stockholders upon written request. All written requests should be directed to: Worksport Corporate Secretary, 55 Beaver Creek Road #40, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 1E5, 888-554-8789. We also make available free of charge on or through our website, www.worksport.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to such reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing.

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which requires that we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website on the Internet that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website address is www.sec.gov. In addition, our Exchange Act filings may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the SEC located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the material may also be obtained upon request and payment of the appropriate fee from the Public Reference Section of the SEC located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (“Section 16(a)”) requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of our common stock (“Section 16 Insiders”) to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock.

 

To our knowledge based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and the Section 16 Insiders’ representations to us, for the year ended December 31, 2021, our Section 16 Insiders complied with their respective filing requirements under Section 16(a) on a timely basis

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the Record Date of this report by (a) each stockholder who is known to us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock, (b) directors, (c) our executive officers, and (d) all executive officers and directors as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined according to the SEC rules, and generally means that person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she, or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security and includes options, warrants and other securities convertible or exercisable into shares of common stock, provided that such securities are currently exercisable or convertible or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date hereof. Each director or officer, as the case may be, has furnished us with information with respect to their beneficial ownership. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have (i) sole voting power and investment power with respect to their common stock, except to the extent that authority is shared by spouses under applicable law, and (ii) record and beneficial ownership with respect to their common stock.

 

    Common Stock   Series A Preferred Stock  

Name and Address of

Beneficial Owner (1)

  Beneficially Owned     Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (2)     Beneficially Owned     Percentage of Class  
Directors and Executive Officers:                                
                                 
Steven Rossi—CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board     2,592,538 (3)     14.99 %     100 %(4)     100 %
                                 
Michael Johnston
—CFO
                       
                                 
Lorenzo Rossi
—Director
                       
                                 
Craig Loverock
—Director
    30,000 (5)     *              
                                 
William Caragol
—Director
    30,000 (6)     *              
                                 
Ned L. Siegel
—Director
    30,000 (7)     *              
                                 
All officers and directors as a group (6 persons)     2,682,538       15.43 %     100 %     100 %
                                 
5% or More Stockholders:                                
Prasad Bikkani     1,211,549 (8)     6.79 %            
                                 
Leonite Capital LLC     944,134 (9)     5.48 %            
                                 
Wesley Van De Wiel     1,180,000 (10)     6.77 %            

 

* Represents less than 1%.

 

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(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each person is c/o Worksport Ltd., 55 Beaver Creek Road #40, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 1E5.

 

(2) Based on 17,190,016 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 19, 2022, the Record Date. Any shares of common stock not outstanding which are issuable upon the exercise or conversion of other securities held by a person within the next 60 days are considered to be outstanding when computing such person’s ownership percentage of common stock but are not when computing anyone else’s ownership percentage.

 

(3) Includes 100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options that vested January 1, 2022.

 

(4) Mr. Rossi owns 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitling him to 51% of the voting power of the Company. See “Description of Securities–Series A Preferred Stock.”

 

(5) Includes 15,000 shares of restricted stock units and 15,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options that vested January 1, 2022.

 

(6) Includes 15,000 shares of restricted stock units and 15,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options that vested January 1, 2022.

 

(7) Includes 15,000 shares of restricted stock units and 15,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options that vested January 1, 2022.

 

(8) Includes (i) 550,000 shares of common stock and (ii) 661,549 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested warrants held by Mr. Bikkani, Equity Trust Company, an entity of which Mr. Bikkani has voting and dispositive control and Mr. Bikkani’s wife. The address for Mr. Bikkani is 3043 Forest Lake Dr., Westlake, OH 55145.

 

(9) Includes 50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested warrants. Mr. Avi Geller is the Chief Investment Officer of Leonite Capital LLC and is deemed to have voting and dispositive control over the securities held by Leonite Capital LLC. The address of Leonite Capital LLC is 1 Hillcrest Center Dr, Suite 232, Spring Valley, NY 10977.

 

(10) Includes (i) 250,000 shares of common stock, (ii) 700,000 shares of common stock held by AI Media Data LLC, an entity of which Mr. Van De Wiel has voting and dispositive control, (iii) 200,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options held by AI Media Data LLC, and (iv) 30,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested warrants held by AI Media Data LLC. The address for Mr. Van De Wiel is Borodinstraat 164,5011 HE Tilburg, Noord Brabant - The Netherlands.

 

MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

PROPOSAL No. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Nominees

 

At the Annual Meeting, five directors will be elected to serve a one-year term or until the next annual stockholders meeting or until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified following such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended, and our Board nominated Steven Rossi, Lorenzo Rossi, Craig Loverock, William Caragol and Ned L. Siegel as nominees for election as directors at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Our management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve. If elected at the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees would serve until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2023 or until his successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

For details regarding the qualifications and the specific experiences, qualifications and skills of each of our director nominees, see “Directors and Executive Officers” on page 18 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Each nominee has expressed his willingness to serve as a director if elected, and we know of no reason why any nominee would be unable to serve. If a nominee becomes unavailable before the election, the proxies may be voted for one or more substitute nominees designated by the Board, or the Board may decide to reduce the number of directors.

 

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Required Vote

 

You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN” for each director nominee. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast in person or by proxy. If a quorum is present and voting, the five (5) nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. A “plurality vote” means that the winning candidate only needs to get more votes than a competing candidate. Because our directors are unopposed, he only needs one vote to be elected.

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation (“Articles of Incorporation”) do not permit stockholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted if authority is not withheld for the five (5) nominees’ election. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors.

 

Broker non-votes and abstentions will not affect the outcome of the election of directors, although they will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.

 

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE UNDER PROPOSAL No. 1.

 

 

 

PROPOSAL No. 2: APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE WORKSPORT LTD. 2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

The Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan

 

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve the adoption of the Worksport Ltd. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan as described below.

 

A total of 750,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for the issuance of awards under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan also contains an “evergreen formula” pursuant to which the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year during the term of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, beginning with the calendar year 2023, by an amount of shares of common stock so that the total amount of common stock available under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is equal to 15% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31st of the prior calendar year minus the total number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the Worksport Ltd. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and Worksport Ltd. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Below is a general description of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. Undefined terms are as defined in the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A. Unless otherwise stated, section references refer to the section in the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Plan Highlights

 

Purposes of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan

 

The purposes of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan are to (i) attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, (ii) provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company and (iii) to promote the success of the Company’s business. It is generally recognized that equity incentive plans of the nature provided for herein aid in retaining and encouraging individuals of exceptional ability because of the opportunity offered to them to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and promote a greater alignment of interests between such persons and shareholders of the Company.

 

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Awards

 

The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the grant, from time to time, of the following (collectively, the “Awards”): (i) options intended to qualify under Section 422(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), referred to as “Incentive Stock Options,” (ii) options not intended to qualify under Section 422(a) of the Code, referred to as “Nonqualified Stock Options,” (iii) Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), (iv) Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”), (v) Restricted Stock, (vi) Performance Units, (vii) Performance Shares, and (viii) other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.

 

Administration

 

The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan provides that it is to be administered by the Board, the Compensation Committee or any other committee appointed by the Board to administer the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Eligibility

 

The Administrator has sole authority, in its discretion, to determine which officers, employees, consultants, advisors, or directors will receive Awards, the number of shares of common stock to be subject to each Award, and the forfeiture restrictions for each Award. The Company currently has two officers, 11 employees and four non-employee directors.

 

Term

 

The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan shall be in effect upon the adoption by the Board and remain in effect until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date the Board approves and adopts the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, unless terminated earlier by the Board. This Plan and all Awards issued hereunder will terminate immediately without any further action if the stockholder resolution required to trigger the Effective Date is not approved by the stockholders or if the Exchange determines not to approve the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Lapsed Awards

 

If Awards are surrendered, terminated, or expire without being exercised in whole or in part, new Awards may be granted covering the shares of common stock not issued under such lapsed Awards, subject to any restrictions that may be imposed by the Code.

 

Adjustment in Shares of Common Stock

 

In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, will adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits therein.

 

Non-Transferability

 

Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, (iii) to a revocable trust or (iv) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards

 

The maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash during any calendar year (measured from the date of any payment) with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

 

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Amendments to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan

 

The Administrator may at any time amend, alter, suspend, or terminate the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

Withholding Taxes

 

The Company may take such steps as are considered necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes or other amounts which the Company is required by any law or regulation of any governmental authority whatsoever to withhold in connection with any Award.

 

Options

 

Exercise Price

 

The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

Grant of Options

 

Each Option will be designated in the Award agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option (“NQSO”). However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options will be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

 

Exercise of Option

 

Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes).

 

Effect of Termination of Employment or Death or Disability

 

If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his, her, or its Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his, her, or its entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his, her, or its Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

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If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will continue to vest in accordance with the Award Agreement. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Change of Control

 

In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity or a Change in Control, each outstanding Option will be treated as the Administrator determines without a Participant’s consent.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights

 

Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

Number of Shares

 

The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant.

 

Exercise Price and Other Terms

 

The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan; provided, however, that the exercise price will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

Agreement, Expiration, and Payment

 

Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying: (i) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times (ii) the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

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Restricted Stock

 

Grant of Restricted Stock

 

Subject to the terms and provisions of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

Agreement

 

Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

Transferability

 

Except as provided otherwise in the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.

 

Voting Rights

 

During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.

 

Dividends, Other Distributions, and Return

 

During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Grant of Restricted Stock Units

 

Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine, including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which may be left to the discretion of the Administrator.

 

Vesting Criteria and Other Terms

 

The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the vesting criteria, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion will determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.

 

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Performance Units and Performance Shares

 

Grant of Performance Units/Shares

 

Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant.

 

Value of Performance Units/Shares

 

Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

Performance Objections and Other Terms

 

The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions

 

For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units/Shares as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units/Shares, which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The following summary of the federal income tax consequences relating to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is based on present U.S. federal tax laws and regulations. We cannot assure you that the laws and regulations will not change in the future and affect the tax consequences of the matters discussed in this section. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the tax consequences of a participant’s death or the provisions of any income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which a participant may reside.

 

Incentive Stock Options

 

An optionee will not recognize taxable income at the time an ISO is granted. Further, an optionee will not recognize taxable income upon the exercise of an ISO if the shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO are held for at least two years after the date of grant and for at least one year after the date of exercise. The difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock at the date of exercise is, however, a tax preference item. When the shares of stock received pursuant to the exercise of an ISO are sold or otherwise disposed of in a taxable transaction, the optionee will recognize a capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the exercise price and the amount realized.

 

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Ordinarily, the Company will not be allowed any business expense deduction with respect to stock issued upon the exercise of an ISO. However, if all of the requirements for an ISO are met except for the holding period rules noted above, the optionee will be required, at the time of the disposition of the stock, to treat the lesser of the gain realized or the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock at the date of exercise as ordinary income and the excess, if any, as capital gain. Worksport will be allowed a corresponding business expense deduction to the extent of the amount of the optionee’s ordinary income, subject to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

An optionee will not recognize taxable income at the time an NQSO is granted. Upon the exercise of an NQSO, an optionee will recognize taxable income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares at the date of exercise. The amount of such difference will be a deductible expense to Worksport for tax purposes, subject to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code. On a subsequent sale or exchange of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an NQSO, the optionee will recognize a taxable gain or loss, measured by the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the tax basis of such shares. The tax basis will generally be the amount paid for the shares plus the amount treated as taxable income at the time the shares were acquired pursuant to the exercise of the option.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights

 

A participant receiving a SAR will not recognize taxable income at the time a SAR is granted. An award holder will recognize ordinary income upon exercise of a SAR in an amount determined by multiplying (1) the excess of the fair market value of a share of Worksport stock on the SAR exercise date over the fair market value of a share of stock on the SAR grant date, by (2) the number of SARs exercised. Worksport will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount, subject to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

Restricted Stock Shares and Performance Stock Shares

 

A grantee receiving restricted stock shares or performance stock shares (“PSUs”) will generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock at the time the stock is no longer subject to forfeiture. While the restrictions are in effect, the grantee will recognize compensation income equal to the amount of any dividends received and Worksport will be allowed a deduction for that amount. A grantee may elect, under Section 83(b) of the Code, within 30 days of the stock grant, to recognize taxable ordinary income on the date of grant equal to the fair market value of the shares (determined without regard to the restrictions) on such date. Worksport will generally be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount that is taxable as ordinary income to the grantee in the year that such income is taxable, subject to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

RSUs and PSUs

 

The grant of RSUs or PSUs will not create any income tax consequences for Worksport or the recipient. Assuming the specified vesting or performance conditions are achieved, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares received. Worksport will generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as income is recognized by the recipient, subject to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code. Upon the recipient’s subsequent disposition of the shares, the recipient will recognize a capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term depending on the holding period) to the extent the amount realized from the disposition differs from the shares’ tax basis (i.e., the fair market value of the shares on the date the recipient received the shares).

 

Additional Tax Matters

 

The acceleration of vesting of awards in conjunction with a change in control of the Company may be limited under certain circumstances thereby avoiding nondeductible payments under Section 280G. In addition, Code § 409A applies to any award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation, and imposes a 20% excise tax on the participant, in addition to a current income inclusion and interest at the underpayment rate plus 1%. While most awards under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan are anticipated to be exempt from the requirements of Code § 409A, awards not exempt are intended to comply with Code § 409A.

 

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Compliance with Section 409(a) of the Code

 

Section 409A of the Code governs certain types of nonqualified deferred compensation. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan contemplates both deferred compensation that is subject to Section 409A and deferred compensation that is not subject to Section 409A. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan requires that it be administered so that neither it nor any grant granted under it violates Section 409A of the Code. Accordingly, the Administrator is required to structure all grants so that they are either exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code, and the Administrator is permitted, within the bounds of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and applicable law, including Section 409A of the Code, to interpret the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and/or any grant agreement, and to make any and all amendments to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan or any grant agreement, to ensure that all grants are either exempt from or comply with Section 409A.

 

Future Awards

 

We currently have no plans, proposals, or arrangements, written or otherwise, at this time to grant any awards under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. Because no awards have been granted under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan as of the date of this Proxy Statement and all awards will be granted at the discretion of the Administrator, it is not possible for us to determine and disclose the benefits, or amount, of awards that may be granted to the named executive officers and the executive officers as a whole, if the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is approved by our shareholders.

 

Interests of Certain Persons in the Proposal

 

Our named executive officers and non-employee directors are or will be eligible to receive awards under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Required Vote

 

To become effective, the proposal to adopt the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote pursuant to Section 422 of the Code and the rules of Nasdaq. Broker non-votes will not be counted in evaluating the results of the vote.

 

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF ADOPTION OF THE WORKSPORT LTD. 2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

UNDER PROPOSAL No. 2.

 

 

 

PROPOSAL No. 3: APPROVAL OF ADJOURNMENT MEETING, IF NECESSARY

 

In the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Annual Meeting to approve the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, our Board may propose to adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date or dates in order to permit the solicitation of additional proxies. The time and place of the adjourned meeting will be announced at the time the adjournment is taken, and no other notice will be given unless the meeting is adjourned and a new record date is set.

 

In order to permit proxies that have been received by us at the time of the Annual Meeting to be voted for an adjournment, if necessary, we have submitted this proposal to you as a separate matter for your consideration. In this proposal, we are asking you to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by our Board to vote in favor of adjourning the Annual Meeting and any later adjournments. If shareholders approve this adjournment proposal, we could adjourn the Annual Meeting, and any adjourned session of the Annual Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of approval of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, including the solicitation of proxies from shareholders who have previously voted against the proposal. Among other things, approval of the adjournment proposal could mean that, even if proxies representing a sufficient number of votes against the proposal to approve the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan have been received, we could adjourn the Annual Meeting without a vote and seek to convince the holders of those shares to change their votes to votes in favor of the plan.

 

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Required Vote

 

In order to become effective, the proposal to adjourn the Annual Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional votes requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present virtually online or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote.

 

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ADJOURMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY, TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL VOTES UNDER PROPOSAL No. 3.

 

 

 

OTHER VOTING MATTERS

 

We do not presently know of any matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than the matters referred to in this Proxy Statement. If any other matter is properly presented, proxy holders will vote on the matter at their discretion.

 

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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Set forth below is information regarding our directors and executive officers.

 

Name:   Position(s):   Age:   Director Since:
Steven Rossi  

Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary,

Chair of the Board, Audit Committee Member

(Principal Executive Officer)

  36   November 7, 2014
             
Michael Johnston  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  41  
             
Lorenzo Rossi   Director   68   December 9, 2014
             
Craig Loverock   Director, Chair of Audit Committee   51   April 22, 2019
             
William Caragol   Director, Chair of Compensation Committee   55   June 30, 2021
             
Ned L. Siegel   Director, Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee   70   June 30, 2021

 

A brief description of the background and business experience of our executive officers and directors for the past five years is as follows:

 

Steven Rossi, age 36, has served as the Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary and Chair of the Board since November 7, 2014, and as a member of the Audit Committee since April 22, 2019. Mr. Rossi founded Worksport Ontario, the wholly-owned operating company of the Company, in 2011. Prior to that, he founded two auto-related companies, 2230164 Ontario, Inc. and Scrap my Junk Car, in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and managed their respective operations for five years. Since founding Worksport Ontario in 2011, Mr. Rossi has been granted 14 different patents across the United States and Canada. He has licensed all patents to Worksport on an exclusive basis. Mr. Rossi attended the University of Toronto from 2005 to 2007, majoring in Life Science. Through his prior experiences, Steven possesses the knowledge and experience in establishing and managing auto-related companies that aids him in efficiently and effectively identifying and executing the Company’s strategic priorities. As our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chair and founder, Mr. Rossi brings to the Board extensive knowledge of the Company’s products, structure, history, and culture as well as years of expertise in the industry and is qualified to be a member of the Board.

 

18

 

 

Michael Johnston CA, CPA, age 41, has been serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since December 5, 2017. Mr. Johnston is a partner at Toronto’s Forbes Andersen LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, and offers over 12 years of experience with both private and public companies. His responsibilities include assisting the Steven Rossi in developing new business, maintaining operating budgets and ensuring adequate cash flow. Mr. Johnston was appointed by the Board for his extensive knowledge of the Company’s products and his financial and accounting expertise. Mr. Johnston holds a graduate degree from the University of Western Ontario.

 

Lorenzo Rossi, age 68, has been serving as a director of the Company since December 9, 2014. Since 2005, he has been the Computer Science & Communications Technology Department Head at the Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts of the Toronto Catholic District Schools. Lorenzo received a Master of Education in 1995 from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts from Laurentian University in 1977. The Board believes that Mr. Rossi’s professional experience qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Craig Loverock, CPA, CA, age 51, has been serving as a member of the Board since April 22, 2019. Mr. Loverock has also served as the Chair of the Audit Committee since April 22, 2019. Mr. Loverock is a licensed CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) and received his Chartered Accountant designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ontario in 1997, and has over 24 years’ experience in accounting and finance roles in Canada, the United States and England. Mr. Loverock has been the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at Contagious Gaming Inc. since November 30, 2015, and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Sproutly Canada, Inc. From October 2014 to May 2015, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of VoiceTrust Inc. From November 2012 to October 2014, he served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance officer of Quartz Capital Group Ltd. From January 2010 to November 2012, he provided Chief Financial Officer consulting services to a number of high-growth businesses. The Board believes that Mr. Loverock’s vast professional experience, education, and professional credentials qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, and as a member of the Board’s committees.

 

William Caragol, age 55, was appointed a director on June 30, 2021, and, since July 2021, has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Mainz BioMed N.V. (NASDAQ: MYNZ), a leading provider of easy-to-use diagnostic solutions. From 2018 to the present, Mr. Caragol has also been Managing Director of Quidem LLC, a corporate advisory firm. Since 2015, Mr. Caragol has been Chairman of the board of directors of Thermomedics, Inc., a medical diagnostic equipment company. Mr. Caragol, since February 2021, is also on the board of directors and is Chairman of the audit committee of Greenbox POS (NASDAQ: GBOX) and from 2012 to 2018, Mr. Caragol was Chairman and CEO of PositiveID, a holding company that was publicly traded that had a portfolio of products in the fields of bio detection systems, molecular diagnostics, and diabetes management products. Mr. Caragol earned a B.S. in business administration and accounting from Washington & Lee University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The Board believes that Mr. Caragol’s vast experience as a member of severally publicly traded companies’ board of directors, his education, and professional credentials qualify him to serve as a member of the Company’s Board Directors, and as a member of the Board’s committees.

 

Ambassador Ned L. Siegel, age 70, was appointed a director June 30, 2021. Ambassador Siegel is the President of The Siegel Group, a multi-disciplined international business management advisory firm he founded in 1997 in Boca Raton, Florida, specializing in real estate, energy, utilities, infrastructure, financial services, oil & gas and cyber & secure technology. Mr. Ambassador Siegel has served since 2013 as counsel to the law firm of Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. From October 2007 until January 2009, he served as the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Prior to his Ambassadorship, in 2006, he served with Ambassador John R. Bolton at the United Nations in New York, as the Senior Advisor to the U.S. Mission and as the United States Representative to the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Ambassador Siegel served on the board of directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which was established to help U.S. businesses invest overseas, fostering economic development in new and emerging markets, complementing the private sector in managing the risk associated with foreign direct investment and supporting U.S. foreign policy. Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush, Mr. Ambassador Siegel served as a member of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) from 1999-2004. EFI is the state of Florida’s primary organization promoting statewide economic development through its public-private partnership.

 

19

 

 

Ambassador Siegel presently serves on the board of directors of the following companies: CIM City, U.S. Medical Glove Company, Global Supply Team, Moveo, LLC and the Caribbean Israel Leadership Coalition (CILC), Caribbean Israel Venture Services, Inc. He also presently serves on the following Advisory Boards: Usecrypt, Brand Labs International (BLI), Elminda Ltd., Findings, and Sol Chip Ltd and Maridose, LLC.

 

Ambassador Siegel received a B.A. from the University of Connecticut in 1973 and J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law in 1976. In December 2014, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. The Board believes that Mr. Ambassador Siegel’s vast professional experience, education, and professional credentials qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, and as a member of the Board’s committees.

 

Directors serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve for one year until the meeting of the Board following the Annual Meeting and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Term of Office

 

Our directors are appointed for a one-year term to hold office until the next annual general meeting of our stockholders or until their resignation or removal in accordance with our amended and restated bylaws (“Bylaws”), or their successor is elected. Our officers are appointed by our Board and hold office until removed by the Board.

 

Family Relationships

 

Mr. Lorenzo Rossi is Steven Rossi’s father. There are no other family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.

 

Involvement in Legal Proceedings

 

To our knowledge, there have been no material legal proceedings that would require disclosure under the federal securities laws that are material to an evaluation of the ability of our director or executive officers.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

Our Board has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics (“Code of Conduct”) that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. We intend to post on our website a current copy of the Code of Conduct and all disclosures that are required by law in regard to any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Conduct.

 

Board Risk Oversight

 

Our Board as a whole has responsibility for risk oversight. Our Board exercises this risk oversight responsibility directly and through its committees. The risk oversight responsibility of our Board and its committees are informed by reports from our management teams to provide visibility to our Board about the identification, assessment, and management of key risks and our management’s risk mitigation strategies. Our Board has primary responsibility for evaluating strategic and operational risks, including those related to significant transactions. Our Audit Committee has primary responsibility for overseeing our major financial and accounting risk exposures and, among other things, discusses guidelines and policies with respect to assessing and managing risk with management and our independent auditor. Our Compensation Committee has responsibility for evaluating risks arising from our compensation and people policies and practices. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has responsibility for evaluating risks relating to our corporate governance practices. Our committees and management provide reports to our Board on these matters.

 

In its governance role, and particularly in exercising its duty of care and diligence, our Board is responsible for ensuring that appropriate risk management policies and procedures are in place to protect the Company’s assets and business. Our Board has broad and ultimate oversight responsibility for our risk management processes and programs, and executive management is responsible for the day-to-day evaluation and management of risks to the Company. We do not have a policy as to whether our Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer’s roles should be separate. Instead, our Board makes this determination based on what best serves our Company’s needs at any given time.

 

20

 

 

Board Diversity Matrix

 

On August 6, 2021, the SEC approved Nasdaq’s proposed rule changes regarding board diversity, which require listed companies to:

 

  disclose statistical information regarding the diversity of the company’s board; and

 

  have, or explain why they do not have, at least two diverse directors on the board of directors.

 

Nasdaq-listed companies, subject to certain exceptions, must disclose statistical information on the company’s board of directors related to a director’s self-identified gender, race, and self-identification as LGBTQ+. Nasdaq Rule 5606 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules includes a uniform matrix format for the disclosure, which companies are required to provide annually in their proxy statement or on their website.

 

Companies must disclose the board matrix by the later of:

 

  August 8, 2022; or

 

  the date the company files its proxy or information statement for its annual shareholders’ meeting being held in 2022.

 

Nasdaq-listed companies, with certain exceptions, will also need to either:

 

Have at least:

 

  one director who self-identifies as female, without regard to the individual’s designated sex at birth; and

 

  one director who self-identifies as an “underrepresented minority” or LGBTQ+, as defined in the proposal.

 

Explain why the company does not have at least two directors on its board who self-identify in the categories listed above.

 

Nasdaq Rule 5605 includes scaled board diversity requirements for smaller reporting companies, foreign issuers and companies with boards comprised of five or fewer directors. In addition, the board diversity requirement will be phased in for each of Nasdaq’s three tiers. Since the Company is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Company has until August 2023 to have at least one diverse director and until August 2026 to have two diverse directors, or explain why they do not in either case.

 

The following Board Diversity Matrix presents our Board diversity statistics in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5606, as self-disclosed by our directors. Each of the categories listed in the below table has the meaning as it is used in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f).

 

Board Diversity Matrix (as of the Record Date)

 

Total Number of Directors:     5  
                                 
Part I: Gender Identity     Female       Male       Non-Binary       Did Not Disclose Gender  
                                 
Directors     0       5                  
                                 
Part II: Demographic Background                                
                                 
African American or Black                                
                                 
Alaskan Native or American Indian                                
                                 
Asian                                
                                 
Hispanic or Latinx                                
                                 
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander                                
                                 
White     0       5                  
                                 
Two or More Races or Ethnicities                                
                                 
LGBTQ+                                
                                 
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background                                

 

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Our Board seeks members from diverse professional backgrounds who combine a solid professional reputation and knowledge of our business and industry with a reputation for integrity. Our Board does not have a formal policy concerning diversity and inclusion but is in the process of establishing a policy on diversity. Diversity of experience, expertise, and viewpoints is one of many factors the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers when recommending director nominees to our Board. Further, our Board is committed to actively seeking highly qualified women and individuals from minority groups and the LGBTQ+ community to include in the pool from which new candidates are selected. Our Board also seeks members that have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility or are, or have been, leaders in the companies or institutions with which they are, or were, affiliated, but may seek other members with different backgrounds, based upon the contributions they can make to our Company.

 

Director Independence and Board Committees

 

An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the Company’s Board, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Steven Rossi, Lorenzo Rossi, Craig Loverock, William Caragol and Ned L. Siegel serve as members of our Board. Our Board has determined that Craig Loverock, William Caragol and Ned L. Siegel are “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing rules and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules.

 

Audit Committee. We currently have a standing Audit Committee. Craig Loverock, William Caragol and Ned L. Siegel serve as members of our Audit Committee. Mr. Loverock serves as the Audit Committee Chairman and financial expert. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the Audit Committee, all of whom must be independent and financially literate, and one member of the Audit Committee must qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules. Craig Loverock qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the SEC rules.

 

We have adopted an Audit Committee charter, which details the purpose and principal functions of the Audit Committee, including:

 

  appoint, compensate, and oversee the work of any registered public accounting firm employed by us;

 

  resolve any disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting;

 

  pre-approve all auditing and non-audit services;

 

  retain independent counsel, accountants, or others to advise the Audit Committee or assist in the conduct of an investigation;

 

  seek any information it requires from employees-all of whom are directed to cooperate with the Audit Committee’s requests-or external parties;

 

  meet with our officers, external auditors, or outside counsel, as necessary; and

 

  oversee that management has established and maintained processes to assure our compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and corporate policy.

 

Compensation Committee. We have a standing Compensation Committee. William Caragol, Craig Loverock and Ned L. Siegel serve as members of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Caragol serves as the Compensation Committee Chairman. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the Compensation Committee, all of whom must be independent.

 

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We have adopted a Compensation Committee charter, which details the purpose and responsibility of the Compensation Committee, including:

 

  discharge the responsibilities of the Board relating to compensation of our directors, executive officers and key employees;

 

  assist the Board in establishing appropriate incentive compensation and equity-based plans and to administer such plans;

 

  oversee the annual process of evaluation of the performance of our management; and

 

  perform such other duties and responsibilities as enumerated in and consistent with Compensation Committee’s charter.

 

The Compensation Committee charter permits the committee to retain or receive advice from a compensation consultant and outlines certain requirements to ensure the consultants independence or certain circumstances under which the consultant need not be independent. However, as of the date hereof, the Company has not retained such a consultant.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. We have a standing Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Craig Loverock, William Caragol and Ned L. Siegel serve as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance. Ned L. Siegel serves as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairman.

 

We have adopted a Nominating and Governance Committee charter, which details the purpose and responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee, including:

 

  assist the Board by identifying qualified candidates for director nominees, and to recommend to the Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders;

 

  lead the Board in its annual review of its performance;

 

  recommend to the Board director nominees for each committee of the Board; and

 

  develop and recommend to the Board corporate governance guidelines applicable to us.

 

Meetings of the Board of Directors

 

During its fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Board met from time to time informally and acted by written consent on numerous occasions.

 

Indemnification and Limitation on Liability of Directors

 

Our Articles of Incorporation limit the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law. Nothing contained in the provisions will be construed to deprive any director of his right to all defenses ordinarily available to the director nor will anything herein be construed to deprive any director of any right he may have for contribution from any other director or other person.

 

At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or agents where indemnification will be required or permitted. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The following report of the Audit Committee is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any other of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this report by reference therein.

 

23

 

 

The Audit Committee is comprised of three non-management directors, each of whom is independent as that term is defined in the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and satisfies the audit committee independence standard under Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.

 

The Audit Committee operates under a written Audit Committee charter that was approved by the Audit Committee and the Board. The Audit Committee held one meeting during 2021.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the management of the Company and Haynie & Co., the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company, the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Audit Committee has discussed with Haynie & Co., the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, “Communications with Audit Committees” issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, as in effect on the date of this Proxy Statement.

 

Haynie & Co. provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee discussed with Haynie & Co. the latter’s independence, including whether its provision of non-audit services compromised such independence.

 

Based on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, for filing with the SEC.

 

  Submitted by the Members of the Audit Committee,
   
  Craig Loverock (Chairperson)
  William Caragol
  Ned L. Siegel

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following summary compensation table sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 in all capacities for the accounts of our executives, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Position  Year    Salary ($)    All Other Compensation    Total ($)  
Steven Rossi, Chief Executive officer, President and Chair of the Board   2021    $240,000    $150,000    $390,000  
    2020    $87,030    $0    $87,030  
                         
Michael Johnston, Chief Financial Officer   2021    $0    $0    $0  
    2020    $0    $0    $0  

 

Employment Agreements

 

We entered into an employment agreement with Steve Rossi, our Chief Executive Officer effective May 10, 2021 (the “Employment Agreement”).

 

The term of the Employment Agreement commenced on May 10, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and continues until the fifth (5th) anniversary thereof (the “Initial Term”), unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement; provided that, on such fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date and each third annual anniversary thereafter (such date and each annual anniversary thereof, a “Renewal Date”), the Employment Agreement will be automatically renewed, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of three (3) years (each, a “Renewal Term”), unless either party provides written notice of its intention not to extend the term of the Agreement at least 90 days prior to the applicable Renewal Date.

 

Mr. Rossi’s annual base salary will be $300,000 (“Base Salary”) and Mr. Rossi shall be entitled to annual bonus (“Bonus”) equal to 50% of his Base Salary, provided that certain performance goals are met. The performance goals will be established on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

24

 

 

The Employment Agreement may be terminated by the Company with or without “Cause” (as defined below) or by the Executive with or without “Good Reason” (as defined below).

 

The term “Cause” includes discharge by the Company on account of the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

 

  (i) Executive’s continued refusal or failure to perform (other than by reason of Disability) Executive’s material duties and responsibilities to the Company;

 

  (ii) a material breach of the Employment Agreement;

 

  (iii) an intentional and material breach of the Confidential Information, Assignment of Intellectual Property and Restricted Activities sections of the Employment Agreement;

 

  (iv) willful, grossly negligent or unlawful misconduct by Executive which causes material harm to the Company or its reputation;

 

  (v) any conduct engaged in that is materially detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company;

 

  (vi) the Company is directed in writing by regulatory or governmental authorities to terminate the employment of Executive or Executive engages in activities that (i) are not approved or authorized by the Board, and (ii) cause actions to be taken by regulatory or governmental authorities that have a material adverse effect on the Company; or

 

  (vii) a conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo contendere by Executive, of or with respect to a criminal offense which is a felony or other crime involving dishonesty, disloyalty, fraud, embezzlement, theft or similar action(s) (including, without limitation, acceptance of bribes, kickbacks or self-dealing), or the material breach of Executive’s fiduciary duties with respect to the Company.

 

The term “Good Reason” generally includes a reduction in the Base Salary, a reduction in job title, position or responsibility, a material breach by the Company of the Employment Agreement, or a material relocation in worksite.

 

In the event the Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by Mr. Rossi for Good Reason, Mr. Rossi will receive an amount equal to his Base Salary at the rate in effect as of the date immediately preceding such termination until the earlier of (i) the expiration date of the Term or (ii) the first anniversary of the date of termination; provided that if the date of termination is after the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Mr. Rossi will receive the Base Salary and accrued benefits for 18 months following the effective date of termination. Mr. Rossi shall also be entitled to receive earned but not paid Bonuses and any pro rata portion of the amount of Executive’s Bonus for the year in which termination occurs that would have been payable based on actual performance determined under the terms of the Bonus as then in effect for such year, and expenses incurred through the date of termination and any other benefits accrued but not paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Rossi’s right to receive any unearned compensation is conditioned on Mr. Rossi execution and delivery to the Company a general release of claims.

 

If the date of termination for Good Reason is after the end of a calendar year but prior to such time as Mr. Rossi’s Bonus, if any, is paid, then Mr. Rossi will receive a Bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee prorated for the time of employment during such year of termination.

 

Mr. Rossi has the right under the Employment Agreement to terminate his employment for other than Good Reason upon 30 days’ written notice to the Company. If Mr. Rossi terminates the Employment Agreement for other than Good Reason, Mr. Rossi will receive an amount equal to his base salary, earned but not paid plus expenses incurred through the date of termination and any other benefits accrued but not paid.

 

If a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs and Mr. Rossi’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause or disability or Mr. Rossi terminates for Good Reason, Mr. Rossi will receive a non-prorated severance equal to two times his Base Salary and Bonus for the year of termination and all vested and accrued benefits up to the date of termination. If Mr. Rossi holds any non-vested option awards at the date of termination in connection with a Change in Control, all options not vested will vest and become exercisable until the earlier of three (3) years following termination or the expiration of the options as granted. If Mr. Rossi holds any restricted securities at the date of termination in connection with a Change in Control, all restrictions will lapse and all such securities will be unrestricted, vested and immediately payable. All of Mr. Rossi’s performance-based goals will also be deemed met in connection with termination by Change in Control in calculating bonus and other awards.

 

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The term “Change in Control” generally means a transaction that occurs whereby more than 50% of the Company’s voting power is acquired by a third party, the consummation involving the Company of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or business combination or the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets to a third party.

 

Pursuant to the clawback provisions of the Employment Agreement, any amounts payable under the Employment Agreement are subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Effective Date or later adopted) established by the Company providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to Mr. Rossi. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

 

The Employment Agreement provides that the Company shall indemnify Mr. Rossi to the fullest extent permitted by law for all amounts (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, settlement payments, expenses and reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees) incurred or paid by Executive in connection with any action, suit, investigation or proceeding, or threatened action, suit, investigation or proceeding, arising out of or relating to the performance by Executive of services for, or the acting by Executive as a director, officer or Executive of, Company, or any subsidiary of the Company.

 

In addition to the foregoing, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Rossi amended the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation to eliminate his right convert such his Series A Preferred Stock into 51% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. In consideration for Mr. Rossi agreeing to terminate his conversion rights, the Company issued Mr. Rossi an aggregate of 1,717,535 unregistered shares of Common Stock.

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2021

 

Option Awards  Stock Awards 
Name 

 Number of

securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
exercisable

   Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable
   Equity
incentive plan
awards: Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options (#)
   Option
exercise
price ($)
   Option
expiration
date
   Number
of shares
or units of
stock that
have not
vested (#)
   Market
value
of
shares
or units
of
stock
that
have
not
vested
(#)
   Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
number
of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights
that have
not
vested
   Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
 market or
payout
value of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights that
have not
vested ($)
 
Steven Rossi   -    100,000(1)   -   $(1)   (1)   400,000(2)  $968,000    -    - 
Lorenzo Rossi   -    -    -   $-    -    300,000(3)  $726,000    -    - 
Craig Loverock   -    45,000(4)   -   $(4)   (4)   -    -    15,000(5)  $36,300 
William Caragol   -    45,000(6)   -   $(6)   (6)   -    -    15,000(7)  $36,300 
Ned L. Siegel (5)   -    45,000(8)   -   $(8)   (8)   -    -    15,000(9)  $36,300 

 

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(1) Mr. Steven Rossi was granted 100,000 NQSOs on August 6, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each NQSO at a price of $5.50 and vest entirely on January 1, 2022 and expire on August 6, 2026.

 

(2) Mr. Steven Rossi was granted 400,000 PSUs on December 29, 2021. The PSUs vest in 5% increments according to a schedule that correlates with the Company’s stock price. The first 5% of the PSUs vest upon the Company’s stock price closing at $3.00. 50% will have vested at a closing price of $16.50 and 100% will have vested at a closing price of $31.50.

 

(3) Mr. Lorenzo Rossi was granted 300,000 PSUs on December 29, 2021. The PSUs vest in 5% increments according to a schedule that correlates with the Company’s stock price. The first 5% of the PSUs vest upon the Company’s stock price closing at $3.00. 50% will have vested at a closing price of $16.50 and 100% will have vested at a closing price of $31.50.

 

(4) Mr. Loverock was granted (i) 15,000 NQSOs on September 9, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each NQSO at a price of $5.50 and vest entirely on January 1, 2022 and expire on August 6, 2026 and (ii) 30,000 NQSOs on December 29, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each NQSO at a price of $2.51, with 1/3 vesting on December 29, 2022, 1/3 December 29, 2023 and 1/3 December 29, 2024, and expire on December 29, 2026.

 

(5) Mr. Loverock was granted 15,000 RSUs on August 6, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each RSU priced at the stock’s price on the date the agreement was signed, or $5.46, and vest entirely on January 1, 2022.

 

(6) Mr. Caragol was granted (i) 15,000 NQSOs on September 9, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each NQSO at a price of $5.50 and vest entirely on January 1, 2022 and expire on August 6, 2026 and (ii) 30,000 NQSOs on December 29, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each NQSO at a price of $2.51, with 1/3 vesting on December 29, 2022, 1/3 December 29, 2023 and 1/3 December 29, 2024, and expire on December 29, 2026.

 

(7) Mr. Caragol was granted 15,000 RSUs on August 6, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each RSU priced at the stock’s price on the date the agreement was signed, or $5.46, and vest entirely on January 1, 2022.

 

(8) Mr. Ambassador Siegel was granted (i) 15,000 NQSOs on September 9, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each NQSO at a price of $5.50 and vest entirely on January 1, 2022 and expire on August 6, 2026 and (ii) 30,000 NQSOs on December 29, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each NQSO at a price of $2.51, with 1/3 vesting on December 29, 2022, 1/3 December 29, 2023 and 1/3 December 29, 2024, and expire on December 29, 2026.

 

(9) The Siegel Group, Inc., which is controlled by Mr. Ambassador Siegel, was granted 15,000 RSUs on August 6, 2021, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of common stock for each RSU priced at the stock’s price on the date the agreement was signed, or $5.46, and vest entirely on January 1, 2022.

 

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

 

In July 2015, the Board and stockholders adopted the Worksport Ltd. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”), effective as of July 5, 2015. The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of the following types of stock awards: (i) incentive stock options, (ii) nonstatutory stock options, (iii) stock appreciation rights, (iv) restricted stock awards, (v) restricted stock unit awards and (vi) other stock awards. The 2015 Plan is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the common stock. The Board reserved 500,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the grant of awards under the 2015 Plan. Pursuant to the 2015 Plan, a Stock Option for 30,000 shares was granted to each Craig Loverock, Ned L. Siegel, and William Caragol on December 29, 2021.

 

27

 

 

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On March 31, 2021, the Board and majority stockholder adopted the Worksport Ltd. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan provides for the grant of the following types of stock awards: (i) incentive stock options, (ii) nonstatutory stock options, (iii) stock appreciation rights, (iv) restricted stock awards, (v) restricted stock unit awards and (vi) other stock awards. The 2021 Plan is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock. The Board reserved 1,250,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the grant of awards under the 2021 Plan. Pursuant to the 2021 Plan, 15,000 Stock Option shares and 15,000 RSUs were granted to each Craig Loverock, Ned L. Siegel, and William Caragol, on August 6, 2021 and September 6, 2021, respectively. An additional 100,000 Stock Option shares were granted to Steven Rossi on August 6, 2021 pursuant to the 2021 Plan. Worksport has filed an S-8 with the SEC to allow this and future compensation.

 

EQUITY PLAN INFORMATION

 

Plan Category:  Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights:   Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights:   Number of securities remaining available for future issuance: 
2015 Equity Incentive Plan:                              
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders   -   $-    222,500 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   -    -    - 
Total       $      
                
2021 Equity Incentive Plan:               
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders   -   $                -    60,000 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   -    -    - 
Total   -   $-    282,500 

 

Compensation of Directors

 

Directors are permitted to receive fixed fees and other compensation for their services as directors. The Board has the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

 

During 2021, Steven Rossi, Craig Loverock, Bill Caragol, Ned L. Siegel were compensated for their services.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Except as disclosed herein, no director, executive officer or stockholder holding at least 5% of shares of our common stock, or any family member thereof, had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction, or proposed transaction in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at the year-end for the last two completed fiscal years.

 

Transactions with Related Persons

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer paid expenses on behalf of the Company of $12,154 (2020 – repayment of $5,245). As of December 31, 2021, the Company has payable of $35,547 (2020 – $23,393) owed to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company paid a director of the Company $50,000 for services rendered from 2015 to 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company paid $59,203 for consulting services relating to negotiations with manufacturers, to a U.S.-based corporation which the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and director is also a stockholder.

 

28

 

 

Controlling Persons

 

Mr. Rossi owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock collectively has 51% voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company which thereby renders Mr. Rossi the ability to terminate and vote for members of our Board. The Company is not aware of any other agreements or understandings by a person or group of persons that could be construed as a controlling person.

 

Related Person Transaction Policy

 

Under our policy, if a transaction has been identified as a related person transaction, including any transaction that was not a related person transaction when originally consummated or any transaction that was not initially identified as a related person transaction prior to consummation, our management must present information regarding the related person transaction to our Audit Committee, or, if Audit Committee approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board, for review, consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related persons, the benefits to us of the transaction and whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to or from, as the case may be, an unrelated third party or to or from employees generally. Under the policy, we will collect information that we deem reasonably necessary from each director, executive officer and, to the extent feasible, significant stockholder to enable us to identify any existing or potential related person transactions and to effectuate the terms of the policy. In addition, under our code of business conduct and ethics, our employees and directors will have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. In considering related person transactions, our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our Board, will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

 

  the risks, costs and benefits to us;

 

  the impact on a director’s independence in the event that the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;

 

  the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and

 

  the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally.

 

The policy requires that, in determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related person transaction, our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our Board, must consider, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our stockholders, as our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our Board, determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion.

 

Director Independence

 

An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Steven Rossi, Lorenzo Rossi, Craig Loverock, William Caragol and Ned L. Siegel serve as members of our Board. Our Board has determined that Craig Loverock, William Caragol and Ned L. Siegel are “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing rules and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules.

 

29

 

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATION PROCEDURES

 

For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder and for nominations to be properly brought before a special meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder of record must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company, and, in the case of business other than nominations, such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than the 120th calendar day prior to the date of the release of this Proxy Statement to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting, or June 5, 2023; provided that in the event that the date of the 2023 annual meeting is more than 30 days from the Annual Meeting anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered within a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The notice must be provided by a stockholder of record and must set forth specific criteria as defined in the Articles of Incorporation. Such proposals must also meet the other requirements and procedures prescribed by Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act relating to stockholders’ proposals. Pursuant to the universal proxy rules, which were effective as of September 1, 2022, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees for the 2023 annual meeting must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than 60 days prior to the one year anniversary of the Annual Meeting, or September 15, 2023, or if the date of the meeting has changed by more than 30 days from the Annual Meeting anniversary date, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 days prior to the date of the 2023 annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which the Company makes its public announcement of the date of the 2023 annual meeting.

 

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

 

To the extent we deliver a paper copy of the proxy materials to stockholders, the SEC rules allow us to deliver a single copy of proxy materials to any household at which two or more stockholders reside, if we believe the stockholders are members of the same family.

 

We will promptly deliver, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the proxy materials to any stockholder residing at the same address as another stockholder and currently receiving only one copy of the proxy materials who wishes to receive his, her, or its own copy. Requests should be directed to the attention of our Secretary by mail to Worksport Ltd., 55 Beaver Creek Road #40, Richmond Hills, Ontario, Canada L4B 1E5.

 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

A copy of our 2021 Annual Report, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022, is available to shareholders without charge upon written request directed to our Corporate Secretary at 55 Beaver Creek Road #40, Richmond Hills, Ontario, Canada L4B 1E5 or by phone at (888) 554-8789. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its website, www.worksport.com, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to such reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

Our Board does not know of any matter to be brought before the Annual Meeting other than the matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting. If any other matter should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect thereto in accordance with their best judgment.

 

VIRTUAL ACCESS TO THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held virtually via the internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WKSP2022 on November 14, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

 

30

 

 

EXHIBIT 1

 

2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors: September 1, 2022

 

WORKSPORT LTD.

 

1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

 

  to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility;

 

  to provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company; and

 

  to promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.

 

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:

 

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees that will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

(b) “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

 

(c) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

 

(d) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.

 

(e) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(g) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i) A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of stock in the Company that, together with the stock already held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any Person who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company before the acquisition will not be considered a Change in Control; or

 

(ii) A change in the effective control of the Company, which occurs on the date that a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this subsection (ii), if any Person is considered to effectively control the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

 

Exhibit 1. - 1
 

 

(iii) A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets or a Change in Control: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total equity or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in subsection (iii)(B)(3) above. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, as to any Award under the Plan that consists of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, the definition of “Change in Control” shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

For purposes of this Section 2(g), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation or other entity that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

 

(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.

 

(i) “Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

(j) “Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.

 

(k) “Company” means Worksport Ltd., a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

(l) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to render services to the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

(m) “Determination Date” means the latest possible date that will not jeopardize the qualification of an Award granted under the Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(n) “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(o) “Disability” means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

(p) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

(q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(r) “Exchange Program” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (ii) Participants would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or (iii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.

 

Exhibit 1. - 2
 

 

(s) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:

 

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or if no closing sales price was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price was reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

 

(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination (or, if no bids and asks were reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such bids and asks were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

 

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, or if such Common Stock is not regularly quoted or does not have sufficient trades or bid prices which would accurately reflect the actual Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator upon the advice of a qualified valuation expert.

 

(t) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.

 

(u) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(v) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(w) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

 

(x) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(y) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

 

(z) “Performance Goals” has the meaning set forth in Section 11 hereof.

 

(aa) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year of the Company or such other period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

(bb) “Performance Share” means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

 

(cc) “Performance Unit” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

 

(dd) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which transfers of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and, therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.

 

(ee) “Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(g) hereof.

 

Exhibit 1. - 3
 

 

(ff) “Plan” means this 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(gg) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 8 hereof, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

 

(hh) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

(ii) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

 

(jj) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

(kk) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director, or Consultant.

 

(ll) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 hereof.

 

(mm) “Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 7 hereof is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(nn) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

(oo) “Successor Corporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 15 hereof.

 

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 15 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be awarded and sold under the Plan is 750,000 shares of Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall automatically increase on the first trading day of January each calendar year during the term of the Plan, beginning with the calendar year 2023, resulting in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available under this Plan equaling fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the last trading day in December of the immediately preceding calendar year minus the total number of reserved and available shares under the Worksport Ltd. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and Worksport Ltd. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. If any shares of Common Stock that have been granted pursuant to an Award cease to be subject to such Award or are forfeited or if any Award otherwise terminates without a payment being made to the holder in the form of Common Stock, such shares shall again be available for distribution in connection with future grants and Awards under the Plan.

 

(b) Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares covered by the portion of the Award so exercised will cease to be available under the Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the tax and/or exercise price of an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(b), subject to adjustment provided in Section 14 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a) above, plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).

 

Exhibit 1. - 4
 

 

(c) Share Reserve. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

(d) Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash during any calendar year (measured from the date of any payment) with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

 

4. Administration of the Plan.

 

(a) Procedure.

 

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.

 

(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan will be administered by a Committee of two (2) or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

 

(iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

 

(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:

 

(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

 

(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

 

(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;

 

(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder;

 

(vi) to institute an Exchange Program and to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, for (1) the surrender or cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for Awards of the same type, Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (2) the transfer of outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity, or (3) the reduction of the exercise price of outstanding Awards;

 

(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

(viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws;

 

(ix) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 20(c) hereof), including but not limited to the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards;

 

(x) to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in a manner described in Section 16 hereof;

 

Exhibit 1. - 5
 

 

(xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

 

(xii) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine; and

 

(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 

(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations, and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

 

5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and such other cash or stock awards as the Administrator determines may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

 

6. Stock Options.

 

(a) Limitations.

 

(i) Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

 

(ii) The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to an Option granted to any Participant.

 

(b) Term of Option. The Administrator will determine the term of each Option in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

 

(c) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

 

(i) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c), Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.

 

Exhibit 1. - 6
 

 

(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form(s) of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of: (1) cash; (2) check; (3) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (4) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided further that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (5) consideration received by the Company under cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (6) by net exercise, (7) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, or (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator will consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.

 

(d) Exercise of Option.

 

(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 15 hereof.

 

(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his, her, or its Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his, her, or its entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his, her, or its Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will continue to vest in accordance with the Award Agreement. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

Exhibit 1. - 7
 

 

7. Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant.

 

(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; provided, however, that the exercise price will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

(d) Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(d) above also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times

 

(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

8. Restricted Stock.

 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.

 

Exhibit 1. - 8
 

 

(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.

 

(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

(i) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

9. Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a) Grant. Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine, including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d) hereof, may be left to the discretion of the Administrator.

 

(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the vesting criteria, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion will determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement.

 

(d) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof. Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

(e) Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.

 

(f) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock Units as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock Units which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

Exhibit 1. - 9
 

 

10. Performance Units and Performance Shares.

 

(a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant.

 

(b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share.

 

(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

 

(f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

(g) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Performance Units/Shares as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Performance Units/Shares which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

11. Performance-Based Compensation Under Code Section 162(m).

 

(a) General. If the Administrator, in its discretion, decides to grant an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the provisions of this Section 11 will control over any contrary provision in the Plan; provided, however, that the Administrator may in its discretion grant Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code to such Participants that are based on Performance Goals or other specific criteria or goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 11.

 

(b) Performance Goals. The granting and/or vesting of Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units and other incentives under the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals relating to one or more business criteria within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement (“Performance Goals”) including (i) earnings per Share, (ii) operating cash flow, (iii) operating income, (iv) profit after-tax, (v) profit before-tax, (vi) return on assets, (vii) return on equity, (viii) return on sales, (ix) revenue, and (x) total stockholder return. Any Performance Goals may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or a business unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a peer group or index. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Prior to the Determination Date, the Administrator will determine whether any significant element(s) will be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participant.

 

Exhibit 1. - 10
 

 

(c) Procedures. To the extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation provisions of Code Section 162(m), with respect to any Award granted subject to Performance Goals, within the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period, but in no event more than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any Performance Period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Code Section 162(m)), the Administrator will, in writing, (i) designate one or more Participants to whom an Award will be made, (ii) select the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Participant for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Administrator will certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amounts earned by a Participant, the Administrator will have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Administrator may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to an Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

 

(d) Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Participant and is intended to constitute qualified performance based compensation under Code Section 162(m) will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m)) or any regulations and ruling issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan will be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

12. Compliance with Code Section 409A. Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Code Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Code Section 409A.

 

13. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months and one day following the commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

14. Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, (iii) to a revocable trust, or (iv) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Exhibit 1. - 11
 

 

15. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.

 

(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits set forth in Sections 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof.

 

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

(c) Change in Control. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity or a Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines (subject to the provisions of the proceeding paragraph) without a Participant’s consent, including, without limitation, that (i) Awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (the “Successor Corporation”) (or an affiliate thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, that the Participant’s Awards will terminate upon or immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or Change in Control; (iii) outstanding Awards will vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such merger or Change in Control, and, to the extent the Administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such merger or Change in Control; (iv) (A) the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; or (v) any combination of the foregoing. In taking any of the actions permitted under this subsection (c), the Administrator will not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly.

 

In the event that the Successor Corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his, her, or its outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

 

For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

 

Exhibit 1. - 12
 

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the Successor Corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption. In the case of an Award providing for the payment of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, any payment of such deferred compensation by reason of a Change in Control shall be made only if the Change in Control is one described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(v) of Section 409A and the guidance thereunder and shall be paid consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. If any deferred compensation that would otherwise be payable by reason of a Change in Control cannot be paid by reason of the immediately preceding sentence, it shall be paid as soon as practicable thereafter consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, as determined by the Administrator.

 

16. Tax Withholding.

 

(a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

17. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

18. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

 

19. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 23 hereof, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 20 hereof.

 

20. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

 

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Administrator may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

Exhibit 1. - 13
 

 

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

 

(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

(c) Restrictive Legends. All Award Agreements and all securities of the Company issued pursuant thereto shall bear such legends regarding restrictions on transfer and such other legends as the appropriate officer of the Corporation shall determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with applicable securities and other laws.

 

22. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

 

23. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws. In the event that stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, the Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be void ab initio and of no effect. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no Awards shall be exercisable until the date of such stockholder approval.

 

24. Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code. If any Service Provider shall, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Service Provider shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service and provide the Company with a copy thereof, in addition to any filing and a notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Section 83(b) of the Code. A Service Provider shall not be permitted to make a Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award of a Restricted Stock Unit.

 

25. Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code. Each Service Provider shall notify the Company of any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within ten (10) days of such disposition.

 

26. Choice of Law. The Plan and all rules and determinations made and taken pursuant hereto will be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada, to the extent not preempted by federal law, and construed accordingly.

 

Exhibit 1. - 14