Blueprint
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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 Rule 14a-12
|
GrowLife, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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:
____________________________________________________________
|
Copies of all communications to:
Horwitz & Armstrong, A Professional Law
Corporation
14 Orchard, Suite 200
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 540-6540, (949) 540-6578 (fax)
DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT
GROWLIFE, INC.
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
(866) 781-5559
August 16, 2017
Dear Stockholders:
We are pleased to invite you to attend our 2017 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (Annual Meeting) to be held on Monday, October 23,
2017 at 3:00 p.m., local time, at our headquarters at 5400 Carillon
Point, Kirkland, WA 98033.
Details regarding admission to the Annual Meeting and the business
to be conducted are described in the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials (Notice) you received in the mail
and in this proxy statement. We have also made available a copy of
our 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders (the “Annual
Report”) with this proxy statement. We encourage you to read
our Annual Report. It includes our audited financial statements and
provides information about our business.
We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the
Internet under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s
“notice and access” rules. We are constantly focused on
improving the ways people connect with information, and believe
that providing our proxy materials over the Internet increases the
ability of our stockholders to connect with the information they
need, while reducing the environmental impact of our Annual
Meeting. If you want more information, please see the Questions and
Answers section of this proxy statement or visit the 2017 Annual
Meeting section of our website.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. You may
vote over the Internet, as well as by telephone, or, if you
requested to receive printed proxy materials, by mailing a proxy or
voting instruction form. Please review the instructions on each of
your voting options described in this proxy statement, as well as
in the Notice you received in the mail.
Also, please let us know if you plan to attend our Annual Meeting
by marking the appropriate box on the enclosed proxy card, if you
requested to receive printed proxy materials, or, if you vote by
telephone or over the Internet, by indicating your plans when
prompted.
Thank you for your ongoing support of, and continued interest in
Growlife, Inc. We look forward to seeing you at our Annual
Meeting.
Sincerely,
Mark Scott
Secretary
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO
COMPLETION
GROWLIFE, INC.
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
(866) 781-5559
Notice of the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
|
|
Date:
|
October 23, 2017
|
Time:
|
3:00 P.M. Local Time
|
Location:
|
Offices of Growlife, Inc.
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
|
|
|
Proposals:
|
1.
To elect four nominees to serve on the Board until the 2018 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders;
2.
To adopt and approve the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan;
3.
To approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of common stock
(“Common Stock”) from 3,000,000,000 to
6,000,000,000;
4.
To ratify the appointment of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP of
Seattle, Washington as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal years ending December 31,
2016 and 2017;
5.
To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid
to the Company’s named executive officers;
6.
To vote, on a non-binding advisory basis, on the frequency (i.e.,
every one, two, or three years) of holding an advisory
shareholder vote to approve the compensation paid to the
Company’s named executive officers; and
7.
To transact such other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
|
|
|
Who Can Vote:
|
Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 1,
2017.
|
|
|
How You Can Vote:
|
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS
This proxy statement and our 2017 Annual Report to Stockholders,
which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended
December 31, 2016, are available at www.growlife.com.
|
|
|
Who May Attend:
|
Only persons with evidence of stock ownership or who are guests of
the Company may attend the Annual Meeting. Photo identification is
required (a valid driver’s license or passport is
preferred).
|
|
● If your
shares are registered in your name, you must bring the proxy
card.
● If your
shares are registered in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other
nominee, you will need to bring a proxy or a letter from that
broker, trust, bank or other nominee or your most recent brokerage
account statement, that confirms that you are the beneficial owner
of such shares.
|
By authorization of the Board of Directors,
Mark Scott
Secretary
Seattle, WA
August 16, 2017
This notice of Annual Meeting and proxy statement and form of proxy
are being distributed and made available by mail on or about
September 1, 2017.
In this proxy statement, the words “Growlife”
“the company,” “we,” “our,”
“ours,” “us” and similar terms refer to
Growlife, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates
otherwise,
|
Your Vote Is Important. Whether
You Own One Share or Many,
Your Prompt Cooperation in Voting Your
Proxy is Greatly Appreciated.
|
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE
2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
GROWLIFE, INC.
TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 23, 2017
Solicitation
This
Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card and the Annual Report
to Stockholders of Growlife, Inc. (the “Company”) are
being distributed and made available by mail on or about September
1, 2017. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the
Company is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the 2017
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”)
on all matters that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. This
Proxy Statement provides you with information on these matters to
assist you in voting your shares.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held October 23,
2017.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS
This Proxy Statement and Growlife,
Inc.’s Annual Report to stockholders, which includes our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2016 are both available at www.growlifeinc.com.
What is a proxy and why am I receiving these
materials?
A
proxy is your legal designation of another person or persons (the
“proxy”) to vote on your behalf. By completing and
returning the enclosed proxy card, you are giving the Company the
authority to vote your shares in the manner you indicate on your
proxy card.
Our
Board of Directors has made these materials available to you on the
Internet, or, upon your request, has delivered printed proxy
materials to you, in connection with the solicitation of proxies
for use at Growlife’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(Annual Meeting), which will take place on Monday, October 23, 2017
at 3:00 p.m. local time, at our headquarters located at 5400
Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033. You are invited to attend the
Annual Meeting if you were a Growlife stockholder as of the close
of business on September 1, 2017, the Record Date for the Annual
Meeting, or hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. This proxy
statement includes information that we are required to provide to
you under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules
and that is designed to assist you in voting your
shares.
What is included in the proxy materials?
The
proxy materials include:
●
Our
proxy statement for the Annual Meeting;
●
Our
2016 Annual Report to Stockholders (Annual Report), which includes
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2016; and
●
The
proxy card or a voting instruction form for the Annual
Meeting.
What information is contained in this proxy statement?
The
information in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be
voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the
compensation of our directors and certain of our executive
officers, corporate governance, and certain other required
information.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the internet
availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy
materials?
In
accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, we may furnish proxy
materials, including this proxy statement and our Annual Report, to
our stockholders by providing access to such documents on the
Internet instead of mailing printed copies. Most stockholders will
not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they
request them. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
Materials (Notice), which was mailed to most of our stockholders,
will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the
proxy materials on the Internet. The Notice also instructs you as
to how you may submit your proxy on the Internet. If you would like
to receive a paper or email copy of our proxy materials, you should
follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the
Notice.
Why did I receive more than one proxy card?
You
will receive multiple proxy cards if you hold your shares in
different ways (e.g., joint tenancy, trusts, and custodial
accounts) or in multiple accounts. If your shares are held by a
broker (i.e., in “street name”), you will receive your
proxy card or other voting information from your broker, and you
will return your proxy card or cards to your broker. You should
vote on and sign each proxy card you receive.
I share an address with another stockholder and we received only
one copy of the proxy materials. How may I obtain an additional
copy of the proxy materials?
We
have adopted a procedure called “householding,” which
the SEC has approved. Under this procedure, we deliver a single
copy of the Notice and, if applicable, the proxy materials to
multiple stockholders who share the same address unless we received
contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. This
procedure reduces our printing costs, mailing costs, and fees.
Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be
able to access and receive separate proxy cards. Upon written
request, we will deliver promptly a separate copy of the Notice
and, if applicable, the proxy materials to any stockholder at a
shared address to which we delivered a single copy of any of these
documents. To receive a separate copy of the Notice and, if
applicable, the proxy materials, stockholders may contact us as
follows:
|
|
|
Investor Relations:
Growlife, Inc.
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
|
Email: info@growlifeinc.com
|
(866) 781-5559
|
Stockholders
who hold shares in street name (as described below) may contact
their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, or other similar
organization to request information about
householding.
How can I access the proxy materials over the
Internet?
The Notice, proxy card or voting instruction form will contain
instructions on how to:
●
View
our proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet and vote
your shares; and
●
Instruct
us to send our future proxy materials to you electronically by
email.
Our proxy materials are also available on our Investor Relations
website at https://www.growlifeinc.com/investors/
Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email will save
us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you, and will
reduce the impact of printing and mailing these materials on the
environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by
email, you will receive an email next year with instructions
containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting
site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain
in effect until you revoke it.
Voting Information
Who is qualified to vote?
You
are qualified to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting if you own shares of common stock of the Company at the
close of business on our record date of September 1,
2017.
How many shares of Common Stock may vote at the
Meeting?
As
of August 16, 2017, there were 2,064,907,125 shares of common stock
outstanding and entitled to vote. We do not anticipate any material
changes in the number of common stock shares issued and outstanding
as of September 1, 2017 entitled to vote. Each share of common
stock is entitled to one vote on each matter
presented.
What is the difference between a “stockholder of
record” and a “street name” holder?
These
terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are
registered directly in your name with Issuer Direct Corp., the
Company’s transfer agent, you are a “stockholder of
record.” If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage,
bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, you are a
“street name” holder.
How do I vote my shares?
Whether
you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or
beneficially in street name, you may direct how your shares are
voted without attending the Annual Meeting.
If
you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by proxy. You can
vote by proxy over the Internet by following the instructions
provided in the Notice, or, if you requested to receive printed
proxy materials, you can also vote by mail or telephone pursuant to
instructions provided on the proxy card.
If
you hold shares beneficially in street name, you may also vote by
proxy over the Internet by following the instructions provided in
the Notice, or, if you requested to receive printed proxy
materials, you can also vote by telephone or mail by following the
voting instruction form provided to you by your broker, bank,
trustee, or nominee.
Can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?
If
you are a “stockholder of record,” you may vote your
shares in person at the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares in
“street name,” you must obtain a proxy from your
broker, banker, trustee or nominee, giving you the right to vote
the shares at the Annual Meeting.
What are the Board’s recommendations on how I should vote my
shares?
The
Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:
|
Proposal 1 —
|
✓
|
FOR the election of all four nominees to serve on the Board until
the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal 2 —
|
✓
|
FOR the adoption of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan;
|
|
|
Proposal 3 —
|
✓
|
FOR the amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the authorized shares Common Stock from
3,000,000,000 to 6,000,000,000;
|
|
|
Proposal 4 —
|
✓
|
FOR ratifying the appointment of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP of
Seattle, Washington as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal years ending December 31,
2016 and 2017;
|
|
|
Proposal 5 —
|
✓
|
FOR approving, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation
paid to the Company’s named executive officer;
|
|
|
Proposal 6 —
|
✓
|
FOR approving, on a non-binding advisory basis, the frequency
(i.e., every one, two, or three years) of holding an advisory
shareholder vote to approve the compensation paid to the
Company’s named executive officers; the Board recommends
every three years; and
|
|
|
Proposal 7 —
|
|
To transact such other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
|
|
What are my choices when voting?
|
Proposal 1 —
|
You may cast your vote in favor of electing the nominees as
directors or vote against or withhold your vote with respect to one
or more individual nominees.
|
|
|
|
|
Proposals 2 to 6 —
|
You may cast your vote in favor of or against each proposal, or you
may abstain from voting your shares.
|
How would my shares be voted if I do not specify how they should be
voted?
If
you sign and return your proxy card without indicating how you want
your shares to be voted, the named proxies will vote your shares as
follows, in accordance with the recommendations of the
Board:
|
Proposal 1 —
|
FOR the election of all four nominees to serve on the Board until
the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal 2 —
|
FOR the adoption of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan;
|
|
Proposal 3 —
|
FOR the amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the authorized shares Common Stock from
3,000,000,000 to 6,000,000,000;
|
|
Proposal 4 —
|
FOR ratifying the appointment of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP of
Seattle, Washington as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal years ending December 31,
2016 and 2017;
|
|
Proposal 5 —
|
FOR to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation
paid to the Company’s named executive officer;
and
|
|
Proposal 6 —
|
FOR to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, on the frequency
(i.e., every one, two, or three years) of holding an advisory
shareholder vote to approve the compensation paid to the
Company’s named executive officers every three years;
and
|
How are votes withheld, abstentions and broker non-votes
treated?
Votes
withheld and abstentions are deemed as “present” at the
Annual Meeting, are counted for quorum purposes, and other than for
Proposal 1, will have the same effect as a vote against the matter.
Broker non-votes, if any, while counted for general quorum
purposes, are not deemed to be “present” with respect
to any matter for which a broker does not have authority to
vote.
Can I change my vote after I have mailed in my proxy
card?
You
may revoke your proxy by doing one of the following:
|
●
|
By sending a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the
Company that is received prior to the Annual Meeting, stating that
you revoke your proxy;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
By signing a later-dated proxy card and submitting it so that it is
received prior to the Annual Meeting in accordance with the
instructions included in the proxy card(s); or
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
By attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares in
person.
|
What vote is required to approve or ratify each
proposal?
Proposal
1 requires a plurality of the votes cast to elect a
director.
Proposals
2 to 6 require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
thereon at the Annual Meeting.
Who will count the votes?
Representatives
from the Company will count the votes and serve as our Inspector of
Election. The Inspector of Election will be present at the Annual
Meeting.
Who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?
Proxies
will be solicited by mail, and we will pay all expenses of
preparing and soliciting such proxies. We have also arranged for
reimbursement, at the rates suggested by brokerage houses,
nominees, custodians and fiduciaries for the forwarding of proxy
materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of
record.
Is this Proxy Statement the only way that proxies are being
solicited?
No.
We have also arranged for brokerage houses, nominees, custodians
and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners
of shares held of record. Our directors, officers and employees may
also solicit proxies but such persons will not be specifically
compensated for such services.
If you have any further questions about voting your shares or
attending the Annual Meeting, please call the Company’s
Investor Relations department at (866) 781-5559.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth, as July 31, 2017, the name, age, and
position of each executive officer and director and the tenure in
office of each director of the Company.
Name
|
Age
|
Positions and Offices Held
|
Since
|
Management Directors
|
|
|
|
Marco Hegyi
|
59
|
Director (Chairman of the Board)
|
December 9, 2013 (April 1, 2016)
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
April 1, 2016
|
President
|
December 4, 2013
|
Nominations and Governance Committee Chairman
|
June 3, 2014
|
Mark E. Scott
|
64
|
Consulting Chief Financial Officer
|
July 31, 2014
|
Secretary
|
February 14, 2017
|
Director
|
February 14, 2017
|
Independent Directors
|
|
|
|
Michael E. Fasci
|
59
|
Director
|
October 27, 2015
|
Audit Committee Chairman and Compensation Committee
Chairman
|
November 11, 2015
|
Katherine McLain
|
51
|
Director
|
February 14, 2017
|
Other Named Executives
|
|
|
|
Joseph Barnes
|
45
|
Senior Vice President of Business Development
|
October 10, 2014
|
Business Experience Descriptions
Set forth below is certain biographical information regarding each
of our executive officers and directors.
Marco Hegyi – Mr. Hegyi joined GrowLife as its President and a
Member of its Board of Directors on December 9, 2013 and was
appointed as Chairman of the Nominations and Governance Committee
and a member of the Compensation Committee on June 3, 2014.
Mr. Hegyi was appointed as CEO and Chairman of GrowLife
effective on April 1, 2016. Mr. Hegyi has served as an independent
director of Visualant, Inc. since February 14, 2008 and as Chairman
of the Board from May 2011, and served at the Chairman of the Audit
and Compensation committees until his departure on February 2015.
Previously, Mr. Hegyi was a principal with the Chasm Group from
2006 to January 2014, where he has provided business consulting
services. As a management consultant, Mr. Hegyi applied his
extensive technology industry experience to help early-stage
companies and has been issued 10 US patents.
Prior to working as a consultant in 2006, Mr. Hegyi served as
Senior Director of Global Product Management at Yahoo! Prior to
Yahoo!, Mr. Hegyi was at Microsoft leading program management for
Microsoft Windows and Office beta releases aimed at software
developers from 2001 to 2006. While at Microsoft, he formed
new software-as-a-service concepts and created operating programs
to extend the depth and breadth of the company’s unparalleled
developer eco-system, including managing offshore, outsource teams
in China and India, and being the named inventor of a filed
Microsoft patent for a business process in service
delivery.
During Mr. Hegyi’s career, he has served as President and CEO
of private and public companies, Chairman and director of boards,
finance, compensation and audit committee chair, chief operating
officer, vice-president of sales and marketing, senior director of
product management, and he began his career as a systems software
engineer.
Mr. Hegyi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information and
Computer Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and
has completed advanced studies in innovation marketing, advanced
management, and strategy at Harvard Business School, Stanford
University, UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, and MIT
Sloan School of Management.
Mr. Hegyi’s prior experience as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of public companies, combined with his advanced studies in
business management and strategy, were the primary factors in the
decision to add Mr. Hegyi to the Company’s Board of
Directors.
Michael E. Fasci – Mr.
Fasci joined GrowLife as a Member of its Board of Directors on
October 27, 2015 and was appointed Audit Committee Chairman on
November 11, 2015. On April 1, 2016, Mr. Fasci was appointed as the
Secretary of the Company, but resigned on February 14, 2017. Mr.
Fasci is a 30-year veteran in the finance sector having served as
an officer and director of many public and private companies.
Mr. Fasci is a seasoned operator across various industries and has
served in both CEO and CFO capacities for both growth and
turnaround situations. Mr. Fasci began his career as a field
engineer and then manager of various remediation filtration and
environmental monitoring projects globally before focusing his
efforts on the daily operations, accounting and financial reporting
and SEC compliance of the numerous companies he has served.
Mr. Fasci resides in East Taunton, Massachusetts and studied
Electrical Engineering at Northeastern University and maintains his
qualification as an Enrolled Agent of the Internal Revenue
Service.
Mr. Fasci was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
financial, SEC and governance skills.
Mark E. Scott – Mr. Mark
Scott was re-appointed to the Board of Directors and Secretary of
GrowLife, Inc. on February 14, 2017. Mr. Scott was previously a
member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of GrowLife, Inc.
from May 2014 until his resignation on October 18, 2015. Mr. Scott
was appointed our Consulting Chief Financial Officer on July 31,
2014.
Mr. Scott served as (i) Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of Visualant, Inc., from May 2010 to August 31, 2016. Mr.
Scott was Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Rare Earths, Inc., a
consulting position he held December 19, 2011 to April 30, 2014 and
Chief Financial Officer of Sonora Resources Corporation, a
consulting position he held from June 15, 2011 to August 31, 2014.
Also, Mr. Scott was Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of WestMountain Gold from February 28, 2011 to December
31, 2013 and was a consultant from December 2010 to February 27,
2011. Mr. Scott previously served as Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary of IA Global, Inc. from October 2003 to June 2011. Mr.
Scott also provides consulting services to other non-public
entities from time to time. Mr. Scott has significant financial,
capital market and relations experience in public and private
microcap companies. Mr. Scott is a certified public
accountant and received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the
University of Washington.
Mr. Scott was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
financial, SEC and governance skills.
Katherine McLain- Katherine
McLain, Esq. has served as corporate counsel for Stripe, Inc. since
April 2015. Previously, Ms. McLain was legal counsel for Silicon
Valley Bank from September 2010 to April 2015. Ms. McLain has held
legal and compliance roles ranging in both public and private
companies. Ms. McLain has over 30 years of experience as a
revenue focused attorney and regulatory professional helping grow
new business lines as well as ground up start-up ventures.
She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and the
Santa Clara University School of Law and lives in Castro Valley,
CA.
Ms. McLain was appointed to the Board of Directors based on her
legal and regulatory skills.
Joseph Barnes- Mr. Barnes was
appointed Senior Vice President of Business Development for
GrowLife, Inc. on October 10, 2014. Mr. Barnes works from our Avon
(Vail), Colorado store. Mr. Barnes joined GrowLife in 2010 and is
responsible for all national sales operations including direct
sales, retail and e-commerce. He led the sales team that recorded
sales in 2014 of more than $8 million, a 100% increase from the
previous year.
Mr. Barnes made the progressive and entrepreneurial decision to
work with GrowLife after seeing the agricultural benefits of indoor
growing. He is deeply passionate about clean and sustainable grows,
and has deep relationships with many trusted cultivators. He holds
extensive knowledge of indoor growing methods with
concentrating on maximizing the yields for clean and
healthy crops.
Barnes was a highly regarded snowboard instructor in Vail, Colorado
prior to joining GrowLife. He worked with many top snowboard
professionals, and received a Level 1 certification from American
Association Snowboard Instructors (AASI). Before his days on the
slopes, Barnes was also a recruiting manager focusing on placing
senior executives with international pharmaceutical/biotech
companies. He also owned and operated Chrome Night Life Arena, a
20,000 square foot indoor/outdoor venue based in Philadelphia with
more than 65 employees.
Certain Significant Employees
There are no significant employees required to be disclosed under
Item 401(c) of Regulation S-K.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive
officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of our directors or executive officers has, during the past
five years, to the best of our knowledge:
|
●
|
Had any petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state
insolvency law filed by or against, or had a receiver, fiscal
agent, or similar officer appointed by a court for the business or
property of such person, or any partnership in which he was a
general partner at or within two years before the time of such
filing, or any corporation or business association of which he was
an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such
filing;
|
|
●
|
Been convicted in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a
pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other
minor offenses);
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not
subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any court of
competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him
from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:
|
|
|
|
|
◦
|
Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker,
commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker,
leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of
any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter,
broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person,
director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and
loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing
any conduct or practice in connection with such
activity;
|
|
|
|
|
◦
|
Engaging in any type of business practice; or
|
|
|
|
|
◦
|
Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of
any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of
federal or state securities laws or federal commodities
laws;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not
subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any federal or
state authority barring, suspending, or otherwise limiting for more
than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity
described in (i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in
any such activity;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action
or by the SEC to have violated any federal or state securities law,
where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has
not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated;
or
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action
or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any
federal commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or
finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been
subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated.
|
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Code of Conduct and Ethics
We
have adopted conduct and ethics standards titled the Code of
Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) on May 15,
2014, which are available at www.growlifeinc.com. The Code of
Conduct was also filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form
8-K filed and with the SEC on June 9, 2014. These standards were
adopted by the Board to promote our transparency and integrity. The
standards apply to the Board, executives and employees. Waivers of
the requirements of the Code of Conduct or associated polices with
respect to members of the Board or executive officers are subject
to approval of the full Board.
Our
Code of Conduct includes the following:
-
promotes honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling
of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;
-
promotes the full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable
disclosure of the Company’s financial results in accordance
with applicable disclosure standards, including, where appropriate,
standards of materiality;
-
promotes compliance with applicable SEC and governmental laws,
rules and regulations;
-
deters wrongdoing; and
-
requires prompt internal reporting of breaches of, and
accountability for adherence to, the Code of Conduct.
On
an annual basis, each director and executive officer is obligated
to complete a Director and Officer Questionnaire which requires
disclosure of any transactions with the Company in which the
director or executive officer, or any member of his or her
immediate family, have a direct or indirect material interest.
Pursuant to the Code of Conduct, the Audit Committee and the Board
are charged with resolving any conflict of interest involving
management, the Board and employees on an ongoing
basis.
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
We
have operated under a Code of Conduct for many years. Our Code of
Conduct requires all employees, officers and directors, without
exception, to avoid the engagement in activities or relationships
that conflict, or would be perceived to conflict, with our
interests or adversely affect its reputation. It is understood,
however, that certain relationships or transactions may arise that
would be deemed acceptable and appropriate upon full disclosure of
the transaction, following review and approval to ensure there is a
legitimate business reason for the transaction and that the terms
of the transaction are no less favorable to the Company than could
be obtained from an unrelated person.
The
Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all
transactions with related persons. We have not adopted a written
policy for reviewing related person transactions. We review all
relationships and transactions in which we and our directors and
executive officers or their immediate family members are
participants to determine whether such persons have a direct or
indirect material interest. As required under SEC rules,
transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly
material to us or a related person are disclosed.
Director Independence
The Board has affirmatively determined that each
of Mr. Fasci and Ms. McLain are each an independent
director. For purposes
of making that determination, the Board used NASDAQ’s Listing
Rules even though the Company is not currently listed on NASDAQ.
The Board expects to appoint additional independent directors
during 2017 so that the majority of the Directors are
independent.
Communication with the Board or Members Thereof
Our
directors are easily accessible by postal mail. Any matter intended
for the Board, or for any individual member or members of the
Board, can be directed to our Chief Executive Officer or Chief
Financial Officer with a request to forward the same to the
intended recipient. Alternatively, stockholders can direct
correspondence to the Board, or any of its members, in care of the
Company at 5400 Carillon Point, Seattle, Washington 98033. The
Company will direct the correspondence to the directors. All such
communications will be forwarded to the intended recipient
unopened.
Nominations
for Directors
Identifying Candidates
The
Nominations and Governance Committee is responsible for screening
potential director candidates and recommending qualified candidates
to the Board for nomination. The Nominations and Governance
Committee considers recommendations of potential candidates from
current directors, management and stockholders. Stockholders’
nominations for directors must be made in writing and include the
nominee’s written consent to the nomination and sufficient
background information on the candidate to enable the Nominations
and Governance Committee to assess his or her qualifications.
Nominations must be addressed to the Chairman of the Nominations
and Governance Committee in care of the Secretary of the Company at
the Company’s headquarters address listed below, and must be
received no later than December 1, 2017, in order to be included in
the proxy statement for the next annual election of
directors.
Chairman
of the Nominations and Governance Committee
GrowLife,
Inc.
5400
Carillon Point
Kirkland,
Washington 98033
Qualifications
The
Nominations and Governance Committee has not established specific
minimum age, education, and years of business experience or
specific types of skills for potential director candidates, but, in
general, expects qualified candidates will have ample experience
and a proven record of business success and
leadership.
The
Board has developed a group of criteria, which are designed to
describe what qualities and characteristics are desired for the
Board as a whole. The full Board conducts an annual self-evaluation
of its membership with respect to the criteria. The purpose of this
evaluation is to help ensure the Board remains comprised of members
fulfilling the desired complement of talents and expertise for the
Board as a whole. No single director is expected to have each
criterion. There is no difference in the manner in which the Board
evaluates persons recommended by directors, officers or employees
and persons recommended by stockholders in selecting Board
nominees.
The
criteria are reviewed annually by the Nominations and Governance
Committee and the Board to ensure they remain pertinent and robust.
In general, they require that each director:
|
●
|
have the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and
values;
|
|
●
|
be able and willing to represent the shareholders’ short and
long term economic interests;
|
|
●
|
consistently exercise sound and objective business
judgment;
|
|
●
|
be willing to take the necessary time to properly prepare for Board
and Committee meetings, at least based upon a thorough review of
the material supplied before each Board meeting; and
|
|
●
|
have experience in the areas of business that the Company operates
in.
|
In
addition, it is anticipated that the Board as a whole will have
individuals with:
|
●
|
significant appropriate senior management and leadership
experience;
|
|
●
|
a comfort with technology;
|
|
●
|
a long-term and strategic perspective; and
|
|
●
|
the ability to advance constructive debate and a global
perspective.
|
Further,
it is important for the Board as a whole to operate in an
atmosphere where the chemistry between and among the members
contributes to the Board’s success.
Candidate Selection Process
Upon
receipt of a stockholder-proposed director candidate, the Chairman
of the Nominations and Governance Committee assesses the
Board’s needs, primarily whether or not there is a current or
pending vacancy or a possible need to be filled by adding or
replacing a director. A director profile is prepared by comparing
the current list of criteria with the desired state and with the
candidate’s qualifications. The profile and the
candidate’s submitted information are provided to the
Nominations and Governance Committee and the Chairman of the Board
for discussion and review at the next Nominations and Governance
Committee meeting. During the past fiscal year, the Company did not
receive any stockholder-proposed director candidates.
Similarly,
if at any time the Nominations and Governance Committee or the
Board determines there may be a need to add or replace a director,
the Corporate Secretary, the Nominations and Governance Committee
Chairman and the Chairman of the Board develop a director profile
by comparing the current list of criteria with the desired state.
If no candidates are apparent from any source, the Nominations and
Governance Committee will determine the appropriate method to
conduct a search.
Regardless
of how a candidate is brought to the Nominations and Governance
Committee’s attention, qualified candidates are asked to
conduct one or more personal interviews with appropriate members of
the Board. Chosen candidates are extended invitations to join the
Board. If a candidate accepts, he or she is formally nominated.
There is no difference in the manner in which the Board evaluates
persons recommended by directors, officers or employees and persons
recommended by stockholders in selecting Board
nominees.
There
is no controlling shareholder group.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors
Each
director is expected to devote sufficient time, energy and
attention to ensure diligent performance of his or her duties and
to attend all Board, committee and stockholders’ meetings.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Board met ten
times and took action by written consent two times. All directors
seeking reelection attended at least 75% of the meetings of the
Board and of the committees on which they served during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2016. Although the Board does not have a
formal policy regarding attendance by the members of the Board at
the annual meeting of the Company, all members of the Board are
requested to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. The Company
expands to expand the Board during 2017, with the majority of the
Directors being independent.
Committees of the Board of
Directors
The
Board has three standing committees to facilitate and assist the
Board in the execution of its responsibilities. The committees are
currently the Audit Committee, the Nominations and Governance
Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Committees were
formed June 3, 2014. The table below shows current membership for
each of the standing Board committees. The Company expects to
expand the Committees during 2017.
Audit
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Nominations and Governance
|
Michael E. Fasci (Chairman)
|
|
Michael E. Fasci (Chairman)
|
|
Marco Hegyi (Chairman)
|
|
|
|
Katherine McLain
|
|
Katherine McLain
|
|
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has one member and met five
times during the fiscal year that ended December 31, 2016. The
Audit Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Michael E. Fasci, a
non-employee Director. Mr. Fasci was appointed as Secretary of the
Company in April 2016 but has since resigned and now maintains his
independence. The Board has determined that Mr. Fasci is
financially literate. The Board also has determined that Mr. Fasci,
Chairman of the Audit Committee, is an “audit committee
financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) and as adopted under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Amended and Restated Audit
Committee charter can be found on the Company’s website
at www.growlifeinc.com
and was filed as Exhibit 99.2 to our
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 25,
2015.
The
Audit Committee’s responsibilities, discussed in detail in
the charter include, among other duties, the responsibility
to:
-
appoint the independent registered accounting firm;
-
review the arrangements for and scope of the audit by independent
registered accounting firm;
-
review the independence of the independent registered accounting
firm;
-
consider the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal
accounting and financial controls and review any
proposed corrective actions;
-
review and monitor our policies regarding business ethics and
conflicts of interest, audit function and internal audit
review;
-
discuss with management and the independent auditors our draft
quarterly interim and annual financial statements and key
accounting and reporting matters, including earnings releases and
review of financial statements; and
-
review the activities and recommendations of our accounting
department
Nominations and Governance Committee
The Nominations and Governance Committee currently
has only one member and did not meet during the fiscal year that
ended on December 31, 2016. Nominations and Governance Committee is
comprised Mr. Marco Hegyi, a management Director and Katherine
McLain, an independent director. The Committee was formed on
June 3, 2014. The Amended and
Restated Nominations and Governance Committee charter can be found
on the Company’s website at www.growlifeinc.com
and was filed as Exhibit 99.2 to our
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 25,
2015.
The
Nominations and Governance Committee’s responsibilities,
discussed in detail in the charter include, among other duties, the
responsibility to:
|
●
|
assist the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become
Board members, and recommend to the Board the nominees for election
as directors at the next annual meeting of
stockholders;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Assist the Board in determining the size and composition of the
Board committees;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
develop and recommend to the Board the corporate governance
principles applicable to the Company; and
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
serve in an advisory capacity to the Board and Chairman of the
Board on matters of organization, management succession plans,
major changes in the organizational structure of the Company and
the conduct of board activities.
|
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee currently has one
member and did not meet during the fiscal year that ended on
September 30, 2011. The Committee was formed on June 3, 2014. The
Compensation Committee is comprised of Mr. Michael E. Fasci and
Katherine McLain, independent Directors. Mr. Fasci was appointed as
Secretary of the Company in April 2016 but has since resigned; the
Board has determined Mr. Fasci is now independent. The Compensation
committee charter can be found on the Company’s website
at www.growlifeinc.com
and was filed as Exhibit 99.2 to our
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 9, 2014.
The
Compensation Committee’s responsibilities, which are
discussed in detail in its charter, include, among other duties,
the responsibility to:
|
●
|
Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to
compensation and benefits for the CEO and all other executive
officers, evaluating the CEO’s and all other executive
officer’s performances in light of those goals and
objectives, and recommending to the Board the level
of compensation of the CEO and all other executive officers
based on such evaluations;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Administering the Company’s stock incentive plans, including
the review and approval of all stock option, restricted stock
or other award grants to executive officers, non-employee directors
and consultants/advisors, and the aggregate number of stock options
or other awards to be granted to employees;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Reviewing, commenting on and recommending to the Board executive
compensation plans, programs and policies of the Company or
that the Company proposes to adopt;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Reviewing and recommended the annual compensation for the
Company’s non-employee directors; and
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Administering the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan, including
the review of all stock option, restricted stock, or other award
grants pursuant to the plan.
|
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
No
member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year that
ended on December 31, 2016 served as an officer, former officer, or
employee of the Company or participated in a related party
transaction that would be required to be disclosed in this proxy
statement. Further, during this period, no executive officer of the
Company served as:
|
●
|
a member of the Compensation Committee (or equivalent) of any other
entity, one of whose executive officers served as one of our
directors or was an immediate family member of a director, or
served on our Compensation Committee; or
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
a director of any other entity, one of whose executive officers or
their immediate family member served on our Compensation
Committee.
|
Board Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The entire Board is responsible for risk overnight. Mr. Marco Hegyi
is Chairman of the Board. There is no lead independent director.
The Company believes this structure provides acceptable risk
oversight by utilizing the skills of each director.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Program
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material
elements of compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of
our executive officers named in the Compensation Table on page
15 under “Remuneration of Executive Officers” (the
“Named Executive Officers”) who served during the year
ended December 31, 2016. This compensation discussion primarily
focuses on the information contained in the following tables and
related footnotes and narrative for the last completed fiscal year.
We also describe compensation actions taken after the last
completed fiscal year to the extent that it enhances the
understanding of our executive compensation disclosure. The
principles and guidelines discussed herein would also apply to any
additional executive officers that the Company may hire in the
future.
The Compensation Committee of the Board has responsibility for
overseeing, reviewing and approving executive compensation and
benefit programs in accordance with the Compensation
Committee’s charter. The member of the Compensation
Committee is Michael E. Fasci. We expect to appoint two independent
Directors to serve on the Compensation Committee during
2017.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The major compensation objectives for the Company’s executive
officers are as follows:
|
●
|
to
attract and retain highly qualified individuals capable of making
significant contributions to our long-term success;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
to
motivate and reward named executive officers whose knowledge,
skills, and performance are critical to our success;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
to
closely align the interests of our named executive officers and
other key employees with those of its shareholders;
and
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
to
utilize incentive based compensation to reinforce performance
objectives and reward superior performance.
|
Role of Chief Executive Officer in Compensation
Decisions
The Board approves all compensation for the chief executive
officer. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations on the
compensation for the chief executive officer and approves all
compensation decisions, including equity awards, for our executive
officers. Our chief executive officer makes recommendations
regarding the base salary and non-equity compensation of other
executive officers that are approved by the Compensation Committee
in its discretion.
Setting Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes that compensation for the
Company’s executive officers must be managed to what we can
afford and in a way that allows for us to meet our goals for
overall performance. During 2016 and 2015, the Compensation
Committee and the Board compensated its Chief Executive Officers,
President and Chief Financial Officer at the salaries indicated in
the compensation table. This compensation reflected the financial
condition of the Company. The Compensation Committee does not use a
peer group of publicly-traded and privately-held companies in
structuring the compensation packages.
Executive Compensation Components for the Year Ended December 31,
2016
The Compensation Committee did not use a formula for allocating
compensation among the elements of total compensation during the
year that ended December 31, 2016. The Compensation Committee
believes that in order to attract and retain highly effective
people it must maintain a flexible compensation structure. For the
year that ended December 31, 2016, the principal components of
compensation for named executive officers were base
salary.
Base Salary
Base salary is intended to ensure that our employees are fairly and
equitably compensated. Generally, base salary is used to
appropriately recognize and reward the experience and skills that
employees bring to the Company and provides motivation for career
development and enhancement. Base salary ensures that all employees
continue to receive a basic level of compensation that reflects any
acquired skills which are competently demonstrated and are
consistently used at work.
Base salaries for the Company’s named executive officers are
initially established based on their prior experience, the scope of
their responsibilities and the applicable competitive market
compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. Mr.
Hegyi and Mr. Scott were compensated as described above based on
the financial condition of the Company.
Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes incentive compensation
reinforces performance objectives, rewards superior performance and
is consistent with the enhancement of stockholder value. All of the
Company’s Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive
performance-based incentive compensation. The Compensation
Committee did not recommend or approve payment of any
performance-based incentive compensation to the Named Executive
Officers during the year ended December 31, 2016 based on our
financial condition.
Ownership Guidelines
The Compensation Committee does not require our named executive
officers to hold a minimum number of the Company’s shares.
However, to directly align the interests of executive officers with
the interests of the stockholders, the Compensation Committee
encourages each named executive officer to maintain an ownership
interest in the Company.
Stock Option Program
Stock options are an integral part of our executive compensation
program. They are intended to encourage ownership and retention of
the Company’s common stock by named executive officers and
employees, as well as non-employee members of the Board. Through
stock options, the objective of aligning employees’ long-term
interest with those of stockholders may be met by providing
employees with the opportunity to build a meaningful stake in the
Company.
The Stock Option Program assists us by:
-
enhancing the link between the creation of stockholder value and
long-term executive incentive compensation;
-
providing an opportunity for increased equity ownership by
executive officers; and
-
maintaining competitive levels of total compensation.
Stock option award levels are determined by the Compensation
Committee and vary among participants’ positions within the
Company. Newly hired executive officers or promoted executive
officers are generally awarded stock options, at the discretion of
the Compensation Committee, at the next regularly scheduled
Compensation Committee meeting on or following their hire or
promotion date. In addition, such executives are eligible to
receive additional stock options on a discretionary basis after
performance criteria are achieved.
Options are awarded at the closing price of our common stock on the
date of the grant or last trading day prior to the date of the
grant. The Compensation Committee’s policy is not to grant
options with an exercise price that is less than the closing price
of our common stock on the grant date.
Generally, the majority of the options granted by the Compensation
Committee vest quarterly over two to three years or annually over
five years of the 5-10-year option term. Vesting and exercise
rights cease upon termination of employment and/or service, except
in the case of death (subject to a one year limitation), disability
or retirement. Stock options vest immediately upon termination of
employment without cause or an involuntary termination following a
change of control. Prior to the exercise of an option, the holder
has no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject
to such option, including voting rights and the right to receive
dividends or dividend equivalents.
The Named Executive Officers received stock option grants and
warrants during the year ended December 31, 2016 as outlined
below.
Retirement and Other Benefits
The Company has no other retirement, savings, long-term stock award
or other type of plans for the named executive
officers.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we provided the Named
Executive Officers with medical insurance. The Company paid $10,273
in life insurance for Mr. Hegyi and $9,755 in insurance for Mr.
Scott. No other perquisites or other personal benefits were
provided to Named Executive Officers. The committee expects to
review the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits
provided to Named Executive Officers annually.
Employment and consulting agreements are discussed
below.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") generally denies a
deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to
its chief executive officer and its three other highest paid
executive officers (other than the principal financial officer) to
the extent that any such individual's compensation exceeds $1
million. “Performance-based compensation” (as defined
for purposes of Section 162(m)) is not taken into account for
purposes of calculating the $1 million compensation limit, provided
certain disclosure, shareholder approval and other requirements are
met. We periodically review the potential consequences of Section
162(m) and may structure the performance-based portion of our
executive compensation to comply with certain exceptions to Section
162(m). However, we may authorize compensation payments that do not
comply with the exceptions to Section 162(m) when we believe that
such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of the
stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business
conditions or the officer's performance
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based payments including its Stock Option
Program in accordance with the requirements of ASC 718,
“Compensation-Stock Compensation.”
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee, sets and administers policies that
govern the Company's executive compensation programs, and incentive
and stock programs. The Compensation Committee of the Company has
reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and,
based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee
recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Michael E. Fasci, Chairman
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table provides information concerning remuneration of
the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and
another named executive officer for the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2015:
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marco Hegyi,
President and Director (2)
|
12/31/2016
|
$250,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$34,231
|
$284,231
|
|
12/31/2015
|
$250,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$8,561
|
$258,561
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Scott,
Consulting Chief Financial Officer (3)
|
12/31/2016
|
$156,250
|
$-
|
$60,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$9,755
|
$226,005
|
|
12/31/2015
|
$156,250
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$7,312
|
$-
|
$163,562
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph Barnes,
Senior Vice President of Business
|
12/31/2016
|
$120,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$120,000
|
Development
(4)
|
12/31/2015
|
$90,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$90,000
|
(1) For 2013, reflects the aggregate grant date fair
value of stock awards granted during the relevant fiscal year
calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 as reflected in
the terms of the August 12, 2012 Compensation Plan. For 2014, these
amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by
Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC
Topic 718.
(2) Mr.
Hegyi was paid a salary of $250,000 during the year ended December
31, 2016 and $250,000 (cash salary of $203,500 and accrued salary
of $46,500) during the year ended December 31, 2015. This 2015 accrual was based on the tight cash flow
of the Company and agreed to by Mr. Hegyi, but there was no formal
deferral agreement. There was no accrued interest paid on the
unpaid salary.
On April 15, 2016, an entity controlled by Marco Hegyi converted
$20,000 of accrued salary into 1,000,000 shares of our common stock
at the market price of $0.020 per share. On October 12, 2016, an
entity controlled by Marco Hegyi converted $40,000 of accrued
salary into 4,000,000 shares of our common stock at the market
price of $0.010 per share. The shares were valued at the fair
market price of $0.01 per share.
We paid life insurance of $10,273 and $8,561 for Mr. Hegyi during
the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Hegyi received a Warrant to purchase up to
10,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01
per share. In addition, Mr. Hegyi received Warrants to purchase up
to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$0.01 per share which vest on October 21, 2017 and 2018. The
Warrants are exercisable for 5 years. The warrants were valued at
$390,000 and we recorded $23,958 of compensation expense for the
warrants that had vested as of December 31, 2016.
(3) Mark E. Scott was appointed
consulting Chief Financial Officer on July 31, 2014. Mr. Scott was
paid a consulting fee of $156,250 during the year ended December
31, 2016 and $156,250 (cash salary of $105,000 and accrued salary
of $51,250 during the year ended December 31, 2015. This accrual
was based on the tight cash flow of the Company and agreed to by
Mr. Scott, but there was no formal deferral agreement. There was no
accrued interest paid on the unpaid consulting
fee.
On January 4, 2016, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott converted
$30,000 of accrued consulting fees and expenses into 3,000,000
shares of our common stock at the market price $0.010 per share. On
October 21, 2016, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott converted
$40,000 in accrued consulting and expenses into 4,000,000 shares of
our common stock at $0.01 per share. The price per share was based
on the thirty-day trailing average.
Mr. Scott was reimbursed $9,755 for insurance expenses during the
year ended December 31, 2016. On October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott was
granted 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at
$0.01 per share or $60,000. The price per share was based on the
thirty-day trailing average. An entity controlled by Mr. Scott had
a two million share stock option that was previously issued vest on
April 18, 2016 upon the Company securing a market maker with an
approved 15c2-11 resulting in the Company’s relisting on
OTCBB. The option was valued at $7,312.
Grants of Stock Based Awards during the year ended December 31,
2016
The Compensation Committee approved the following performance-based
incentive compensation to the Named Executive Officers for the year
ended December 31, 2016:
|
|
Estimated
Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
Stock Awards; Number of Shares of Stock or
Units
|
All Other Option Awards; Number of Securities Underlying
Options
|
Exercise orBase Price of
Option Awards
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option
|
Name
|
|
|
|
|
(#)
|
(#)
|
(#)
|
(#)
|
(#)
|
|
|
Marco
Hegyi
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
E. Scott (2)
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,000,000
|
-
|
$0.010
|
$60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph
Barnes
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
$-
|
$-
|
(1)
These
amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by
Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC
Topic 718.
(2)
On
October 21, 2016, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott, our Chief
Financial Officer, was granted 6,000,000 shares of our common stock
at $0.01 per share. The price per share was based on the thirty-day
trailing average.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2016
The Named Executive Officers had the following outstanding equity
awards as of December 31, 2016:
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
Exercisable
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
Unexerciseable
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned
Options
|
|
Option
Expiration
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested
|
Market Value
of Shares or
Stock That
Have Not Vested
|
Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not
Vested
|
Market or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units, or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested
|
Name
|
(#)
|
(#)
|
(#)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
(#)
|
|
Marco
Hegyi (2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
E. Scott (3)
|
1,777,778
|
2,222,222
|
-
|
$0.01
|
7/30/2019
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph
Barnes (4)
|
6,500,000
|
1,500,000
|
-
|
$0.01
|
10/9/2019
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
(1) These amounts reflect the grant date market value as
required by Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2) On October 21, 2016, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott
cancelled stock option grants totaling 12,000,000 shares of our
common stock at $0.01 per share. An entity controlled by Mr. Scott
has an additional 2,000,000 share stock option grant which
continues to vest monthly over 36 months and a 2,000,000 share
stock option grant which vests upon the achievement of certain
performance goals related to acquisitions.
(3) Mr. Barnes stock option grant consists of 6,500,000 shares of
our common stock which vest quarterly over three years beginning
October 1, 2014 and 2,000,000 shares of our common stock that
vested October 10, 2014. On October 12, 2016, we amended the
exercise price of the stock option grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010
per share.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for the year ended December 31,
2016
Mr. Hegyi, Scott and Barnes did not have any option exercised or
stock that vested during the year ended December 31,
2016.
Pension Benefits
We do not provide any pension benefits.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We do not have a nonqualified deferral program.
EMPLOYMENT AND CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi
On October 21, 2016, we entered into Agreement with Marco Hegyi
pursuant to which the Company engaged Mr. Hegyi as its Chief
Executive Officer through October 20, 2018. Mr. Hegyi’s
previous Employment Agreement was dated December 4, 2013 and was
set to expire on December 4, 2016.
Mr. Hegyi’s annual compensation is $250,000. Mr. Hegyi is
also entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to four percent (4%)
of the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall
be paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
Mr. Hegyi received a Warrant to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of
common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.01 per
share. In addition, Mr. Hegyi received Warrants to purchase up to
10,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise
price of $0.01 per share which vest on October 21, 2017 and 2018.
The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years.
Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to participate in all group employment
benefits that are offered by us to our senior executives and
management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and
conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility
requirements. In addition, we will purchase and maintain during the
Term an insurance policy on Mr. Hegyi’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Hegyi’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary.
If we terminate Mr. Hegyi’s employment at any time prior to
the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in the
Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment at
any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount through the end of the Term; and (ii) his
Annual Bonus amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
If there has been a “Change in Control” and the Company
(or its successor or the surviving entity) terminates Mr.
Hegyi’s employment without Cause as part of or in connection
with such Change in Control (including any such termination
occurring within one (1) month prior to the effective date of such
Change in Control), then in addition to the benefits set forth
above, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to (i) an increase of $300,000 in
his annual base salary amount (or an additional $25,000 per month)
through the end of the Term; plus (ii) a gross-up in the annual
base salary amount each year to account for and to offset any tax
that may be due by Mr. Hegyi on any payments received or to be
received by Mr. Hegyi under this Agreement that would result in a
“parachute payment” as described in Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If we (or its successor
or the surviving entity) terminate Mr. Hegyi’s employment
without Cause within twelve (12) months after the effective date of
any Change in Control, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment
for Good Reason within twelve (12) months after the effective date
of any Change in Control, then in addition to the benefits set
forth above, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to (i) an increase of
$300,000 in his annual base salary amount (or an additional $25,000
per month), which increased annual base salary amount shall be paid
for the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years following the
Change in Control, whichever is longer; (ii) a gross-up in the
annual base salary amount each year to account for and to offset
any tax that may be due by Mr. Hegyi on any payments received or to
be received by Mr. Hegyi under this Letter Agreement that would
result in a “parachute payment” as described in Section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (iii)
payment of Mr. Hegyi’s annual bonus amount as set forth above
for each year during the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years
following the Change in Control, whichever is longer; and (iv)
health insurance coverage provided for and paid by the Company for
the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years following the Change
in Control, whichever is longer.
Consulting Chief Financial Officer Agreement with an Entity
Controlled by Mark E. Scott
On July 31, 2014, we engaged Mr. Scott as its Consulting CFO from
July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014, and continuing thereafter
until either party provides sixty-day notice to terminate the
Letter or Mr. Scott enters into a full-time employment
agreement.
Per the terms of the Scott Agreement, Mr. Scott’s
compensation is $150,000 on an annual basis for the first year of
the Scott Agreement. Mr. Scott is also entitled to receive an
annual bonus equal to two percent of the Company’s EBITDA for
that year. Our Board of Directors granted Mr. Scott an option to
purchase sixteen million shares of our Common Stock under our 2011
Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $0.07 per share, the
fair market price on July 31, 2014. On December 18, 2015, we
reduced the exercise price to $0.01 per share. The shares vest as
follows:
|
i
|
Two million shares vest immediately upon securing a market maker
with an approved 15c2-11 resulting in our relisting on OTCBB
(earned as of February 18, 2016);
|
|
|
|
|
ii
|
Two million shares vest immediately upon the successful approval
and effectiveness of our S-1 (not earned as of December 31,
2016);
|
|
|
|
|
iii
|
Two million shares vest immediately upon our resolution of the
class action lawsuits (earned as of August 17, 2015);
and,
|
|
|
|
|
iv
|
Ten million shares will vest on a monthly basis over a period of
three years beginning on the July 1, 2014.
|
On October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott cancelled stock option grants
totaling 12,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per share.
Mr. Scott has an additional 2,000,000 share stock option grant
which continues to vest monthly over 36 months and a 2,000,000
share stock option grant which vests upon the achievement of
certain performance goals related to acquisitions.
All options will have a five-year life and allow for a cashless
exercise. The stock option grant is subject to the terms and
conditions of our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting
requirements. In the event that Mr. Scott’s continuous
status as consultant to the Company is terminated by us without
Cause or Mr. Scott terminates his employment with us for Good
Reason as defined in the Scott Agreement, in either case upon or
within twelve months after a Change in Control as defined in our
Stock Incentive Plan except for CANX USA, LLC, then 100% of the
total number of shares shall immediately become
vested.
Mr. Scott will be entitled to participate in all group employment
benefits that are offered by us to our senior executives and
management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and
conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility
requirements. In addition, we are required to purchase and maintain
an insurance policy on Mr. Scott’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Scott’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary. Finally, Mr. Scott is entitled to twenty days of
vacation annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
If, prior to the expiration of the Term, we Mr. Scott’s
employment for Cause, or if Mr. Scott voluntarily terminates his
employment without Good Reason, or if Mr. Scott’s employment
is terminated by reason of his death, then all of our obligations
hereunder shall cease immediately, and Mr. Scott will not be
entitled to any further compensation beyond any pro-rated base
salary due and bonus amounts earned through the effective date of
termination. Mr. Scott will also be reimbursed for any expenses
incurred prior to the date of termination for which he was not
previously reimbursed. Mr. Scott may receive severance benefits and
our obligation under a termination by the Company without Cause or
Mr. Scott terminates his employment for Good Reason are discussed
above.
Promotion Letter with Joseph Barnes
On October 10, 2014, we entered into a Promotion Letter with Joseph
Barnes which was effective October 1, 2014 pursuant to which we
engaged Mr. Barnes as its Senior Vice-President of Business
Development from October 1, 2014 on an at will basis. This
Promotion Letter supersedes and canceled the Manager Services
Agreement with Mr. Barnes dated August 1, 2013.
Per the terms of the Barnes Agreement, Mr. Barnes’s
compensation is $90,000 on an annual basis. On January 1, 2016, Mr.
Barnes salary was increased to $120,000 per year. Mr. Barnes
received a bonus of $6,500 and is also entitled to receive a
quarterly bonus based on growth of our growth margin dollars. No
quarterly bonuses were earned under this Promotion Letter. Mr.
Barnes was granted an option to purchase eight million shares of
our common stock under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at $0.050 per
share. The shares vest as follows:
|
i
|
Two million shares vested immediately;
|
|
|
|
|
iv
|
Six million shares vest on a monthly basis over a period of three
years beginning on the date of grant.
|
On October 12, 2016, we amended the exercise price of the stock
option grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010 per share.
All options will have a five-year life and allow for a cashless
exercise. The stock option grant is subject to the terms and
conditions of our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting
requirements. In the event that Mr. Barnes’s continuous
status as employee to us is terminated by us without Cause or Mr.
Barnes terminates his employment with us for Good Reason as defined
in the Barnes Agreement, in either case upon or within twelve
months after a Change in Control as defined in our Stock Incentive,
then 100% of the total number of shares shall immediately become
vested.
Mr. Barnes was entitled to participate in all group employment
benefits that are offered by us to our senior executives and
management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and
conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility
requirements. Finally, Mr. Barnes is entitled to fifteen days of
vacation annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
Mr. Barnes may receive severance benefits and our obligation under
a termination by the Company without Cause or Mr. Barnes terminates
his employment for Good Reason are discussed above.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in
Control
The Company’s Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi has
provisions providing for severance payments as detailed
below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Upon
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
salary (1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$468,750
|
$600,000
|
$-
|
Performance-based
incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Stock
options
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits
and Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health
and welfare benefits
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Accrued
vacation pay
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$-
|
$468,750
|
$600,000
|
$-
|
(1)
Reflects
amounts to be paid upon termination without cause and upon
termination in a change of control, less any months
worked.
Mr. Scott and Mr. Barnes currently do not have amounts to be paid
upon termination without cause and upon termination in a change of
control. There outstanding stock options vests fully vest under
certain conditions.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We primarily use stock options grants to incentive compensation to
attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. This
compensation reflected the financial condition of the Company. In
setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount
of time that Directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the
Company as well as the skill-level required by our members of the
Board. During year ended December 31, 2016, Marco Hegyi did not
receive any compensation for his service as director. The
compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 15
represents the total compensation.
Director Summary Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
$
|
|
|
($)
|
$
|
($)
|
|
Marco
Hegyi
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
E. Fasci (2)
|
-
|
65,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
65,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tara
Antal (3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brad
Fretti (4)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$-
|
$65,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$65,000
|
(1) These amounts reflect the grant date market value as
required by Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2) On January 27, 2016, we issued 1,500,000 shares of its
common stock to Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for
$15,000. The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.01
per share. On May 25, 2016, we issued 2,500,000 shares of its
common stock to Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for
$50,000. The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.02
per share.
(3) Ms. Antal resigned as a director on March 4, 2016. She did not
receive any compensation as a director.
(4) Mr. Fretti resigned as a director on March 4, 2016. He did not
receive any compensation as a director.
Compensation Paid to Board Members
Our independent non-employee directors are not compensated in
cash. The only compensation has been in the form of
stock awards. There is no stock compensation plan for independent
non-employee directors. There was no Director compensation during
the year ended December 31, 2016.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
ownership of our common stock as of June 30, 2017 by:
|
●
|
each director and nominee for director;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
each person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our
common stock;
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
each officer named in the summary compensation table elsewhere in
this report; and
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
all directors and executive officers as a group.
|
The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are
reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the
determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the
rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial
owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting
power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the
voting of such security, or “investment power,” which
includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of
such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of
any securities of which that person has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules more than
one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities
and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities
as to which such person has no economic interest.
Unless otherwise indicated below, each beneficial owner named in
the table has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to
all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws
where applicable. The address of each beneficial owner is 5400
Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033 and the address of more than 5%
of common stock is detailed below.
|
Shares Beneficially Owned
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
Directors
and Named Executive Officers-
|
|
|
Marco
Hegyi (2)
|
40,000,000
|
1.9%
|
Mark
E. Scott (3)
|
15,000,000
|
*
|
Michael
E. Fasci (4)
|
9,500,000
|
*
|
Katherine
McLain (5)
|
1,000,000
|
*
|
Joseph
Barnes (6)
|
7,800,000
|
*
|
Total
Directors and Officers (5 in total)
|
73,300,000
|
3.6%
|
* Less than 1%.
(1)
Based
on 2,028,277,088 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30,
2017.
(2) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Marco Hegyi,
including warrants to purchase 35,000,000 shares of our common
stock at $0.01 per share/
(3) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Mark E. Scott,
including stock option grants totaling 2,000,000 shares that Mr.
Scott has the right to acquire in sixty days.
(4) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Michael E.
Fasci.
(5) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Katherine
McLain.
(6) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Joseph Barnes,
including stock option grants totaling 7,500,000 shares that Mr.
Barnes has the right to acquire in sixty days.
|
Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
CANX
USA LLC (1)
|
|
|
410
South Rampart Blvd., Suite 350
|
540,000,000
|
21.0%
|
Las
Vegas, NV 89145
|
|
|
|
|
4.99%)
|
(1) Reflects
a warrant to purchase common stock totaling 540,000,000
beneficially owned by CANX USA LLC. CANX does not consider
themselves a control group based on the individual ownership and
legal structure of CANX. Each owner has a 4.99% ownership limit and
the owners cannot act as a control group.
SECTION 16(a)
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The Company’s executive officers, directors and 10%
stockholders are required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.
Copies of these reports must also be furnished to the
Company.
Based solely on a review of copies of reports furnished to the
Company, or written representations that no reports were required,
the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2016 its executive officers, directors and 10% holders complied
with all filing requirements, with the following
exceptions:
|
|
|
Required
|
Actual
|
|
|
Transaction
|
File
|
File
|
Person
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
4
|
5/25/2016
|
5/27/2016
|
5/31/2016
|
Marco
Hegyi
|
4
|
10/21/2017
|
10/27/2016
|
10/25/2016
|
PROPOSAL 1
Election of Directors
Composition of the Board
Currently, the Board consists of four directors. If elected, each
of the director nominees will serve on the Board until the 2018
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until their successors are duly
elected and qualified in accordance with the Company’s
Bylaws. If any of the four (4) nominees should become unable to
serve upon his or her election, the persons named on the proxy card
as proxies may vote for other person(s) nominated by the Board.
Management has no reason to believe that any of the four nominees
for election named below will be unable to serve.
Note About New Rules Relating to Broker Voting
Under rules approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission
effective as of January 1, 2010, brokers are no longer entitled to
use their discretion to vote uninstructed proxies in uncontested
director elections. In other words, if your shares are held by
your broker in “street name” and you do not provide
your broker with instructions about how your shares should be voted
in connection with this proposal, your shares will not be voted and
a “broker non-vote” will
result. Therefore, if you desire that
your shares be voted in connection with the election of our Board,
it is imperative that you provide your broker with voting
instructions.
The nominees for Director are:
The section titled “Directors and Executive Officers”
beginning on page 5 of this proxy statement contain information
about the experience and qualifications that caused the Nominations
and Governance Committee and the Board to determine that these
nominees should serve as directors of the Company.
Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
All 4 Nominees Listed Above
|
PROPOSAL 2
To
adopt the Growlife, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive
Plan
The Company is asking the shareholders to approve the Growlife,
Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”),
the material terms of which are more fully described below. The
Board of Directors approved the Plan on July 31, 2017, subject to
the shareholder approval solicited by this proxy statement. The
Plan will replace the Company’s former 2011 Stock Incentive
Plan in its entirety, however, any outstanding awards issued under
the 2011 Plan will continue to be governed by the plan under which
they were issued. The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company
and its affiliates in attracting, retaining and providing
incentives to employees, directors, consultants and independent
contractors who serve the Company and its affiliates by offering
them the opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary
interest in the Company and to promote the identification of their
interests with those of the shareholders of the
Company.
The 2017 Stock Incentive Plan
Description of the Plan
The Plan permits the grant of Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted
Stock Units (“RSUs”)
Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards (each, an
“Award”).
The following summary of the material features of the Plan is
entirely qualified by reference to the full text of the Plan, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Annex 1. Unless otherwise
specified, capitalized terms used in this summary have the meanings
assigned to them in the Plan.
Eligibility
All Employees, Non-Employee Directors, consultants and independent
contractors of the Company and its Affiliates
(“Eligible
Persons”) are eligible to
receive grants of Awards under the Plan. As of July 31, 2017, the
number of employees eligible to participate in the Plan was two,
the number of consultants and independent contractors eligible to
participate in the Plan was five, and the number of non-employee
directors eligible to participate in the Plan was three.
Administration
Except with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors,
the Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, and if no
such committee exists then the Board (the
“Committee”).
With respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors, the Board
of Directors serves as the Committee, unless the Board of Directors
appoints another committee or person(s) for such purpose. The
Committee has plenary authority and discretion to determine the
Eligible Persons to whom Awards are granted (each a
“Participant”) and the terms of all Awards under the
Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee has
authority to interpret the Plan and agreements under the Plan and
to make all other determinations relating to the administration of
the Plan.
Stock Subject to the Plan
The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued
under the Plan is one hundred million (100,000,000), provided that
no more than ten million (10,000,000) shares may be issued pursuant
to Awards that are not Options, and (b) the maximum number of
Shares with respect to which an Employee may be granted Awards
under the Plan during a fiscal year is ten million (10,000,000)
shares. Shares issued under the Plan may, in whole or in
part, be authorized but unissued Shares or Shares that shall have
been, or may be, reacquired by the Company in the open market, in
private transactions, or otherwise. If any shares of Restricted
Stock are forfeited, or if any Award terminates, expires or is
settled without all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock
covered by the Award being issued, such shares will again be
available for the grant of additional Awards. Further, if an Option
is surrendered pursuant to a “net issuance” as
described below, the number of shares covered by the surrendered
Option, reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock issued
pursuant to the net issuance, will be available for the grant of
additional Awards.
Options
The Plan authorizes the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options and
Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options are stock options
that satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and may be
granted only to Section 422 Employees. A Section 422 Employee is an
Employee who is employed by the Company or a “parent
corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (defined
in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) with respect to the
Company, including a “parent corporation” or
“subsidiary corporation” that becomes such after the
adoption of the Plan. Nonqualified Stock Options are stock options
that do not satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
The exercise of an Option permits the Participant to purchase
shares of Common Stock from the Company at a specified exercise
price per share. Options granted under the Plan are exercisable
upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.
The exercise price per share and manner of payment for shares
purchased pursuant to Options are determined by the Committee,
subject to the terms of the Plan. The per share exercise price of
Options granted under the Plan may not be less than the fair market
value (110% of the fair market value in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option granted to a Ten-Percent Stockholder) per share on the
date of grant. The Plan provides that the term during which Options
may be exercised is determined by the Committee, except that no
Option may be exercised more than ten years (five years in the case
of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten-Percent Stockholder)
after its date of grant. The Committee may permit the exercise of
an Option on a “net issuance” basis pursuant to which
the Participant surrenders an Option and receives in exchange
shares of Common Stock with a fair market value on the date of
surrender equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value
of the shares subject to the surrendered Option, and (ii) the
exercise price of the surrendered Option. The Committee may
condition the grant or vesting of an Option on the achievement of
one or more Performance Goals, as described below.
Restricted Stock Awards
The Plan authorizes the Committee to grant Restricted Stock Awards.
Shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Award are
restricted against transfer and subject to forfeiture and such
other terms and conditions as the Committee determines. Such terms
and conditions may provide, in the discretion of the Committee, for
the vesting of awards of Restricted Stock to be contingent upon the
achievement of one or more Performance Goals, as described
below.
RSUs
The Plan authorizes the Committee to grant RSU Awards. RSU Awards
granted under the Plan are contingent awards of Common Stock (or
the cash equivalent thereof). Pursuant to such Awards, shares of
Common Stock are issued subject to such terms and conditions as the
Committee deems appropriate, including terms that condition the
issuance of the shares upon the achievement of one or more
Performance Goals, as described below. Unlike in the case of awards
of Restricted Stock, shares of Common Stock are not issued
immediately upon the award of RSUs, but instead shares of Common
Stock (or the case equivalent thereof) are issued upon the
satisfaction of such terms and conditions as the Committee may
specify, including the achievement of one or more Performance
Goals.
Performance Awards
The Plan authorizes the grant of Performance Awards. Performance
Awards provide for payments in cash, shares of Common Stock or a
combination thereof contingent upon the attainment of one or more
Performance Goals established by the Committee. For purposes of the
limit on the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which
an Employee may be granted Awards during any fiscal year, a
Performance Award is deemed to cover the number of shares of Common
Stock equal to the maximum number of shares that may be issued upon
payment of the Award. The maximum cash amount that may be paid to
any Employee pursuant to all Performance Awards granted to such
Employee during a fiscal year may not exceed $250,000.
Other Stock-Based Awards
The Plan authorizes the grant of Other Stock-Based Awards. Other
Stock-Based Awards shall cover such number of shares of Common
Stock and have such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
determine, including terms that condition the payment or vesting
the Other Stock-Based Award upon the achievement of one or more
Performance Goals.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
The terms of an Award may, at the Committee’s discretion,
provide a Participant with the right to receive dividend payments
or dividend equivalent payments with respect to shares of Common
Stock covered by the Award. Such payments may either be made
currently or credited to any account established for the
Participant, and may be settled in cash or shares of Common
Stock.
Performance Goals
The terms and conditions of an Award may provide for the grant,
vesting or payment of the Award to be contingent upon the
achievement of one or more specified Performance Goals established
by the Committee. For this purpose, “Performance Goals”
means performance goals established by the Committee which may be
based on earnings or earnings growth, sales, return on assets, cash
flow, total shareholder return, equity or investment, regulatory
compliance, satisfactory internal or external audits, improvement
of financial ratings, achievement of balance sheet or income
statement objectives, implementation or completion of one or more
projects or transactions, or any other objective goals established
by the Committee, and may be absolute in their terms or measured
against or in relationship to other companies comparably, similarly
or otherwise situated. Such Performance Goals may be particular to
an Eligible Person or the department, branch, Affiliate, or
division in which the Eligible Person works, or may be based on the
performance of the Company, one or more Affiliates, or the Company
and one or more Affiliates, and may cover such period as may be
specified by the Committee.
Capital Adjustments
If the outstanding Common Stock of the Company changes as a result
of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off,
recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of
shares, merger, consolidation or liquidation or the like, the
Committee shall substitute or adjust: (a) the number and class of
securities subject to outstanding Awards, (b) the type of
consideration to be received upon exercise or vesting of an Award,
(c) the exercise price of Options, (d) the aggregate number and
class of securities for which Awards may be granted under the Plan,
and/or (e) the maximum number of Shares with respect to which an
Employee may be granted Awards during the fiscal year.
Withholding
The Company is generally required to withhold tax on the amount of
income recognized by a Participant with respect to an Award.
Withholding requirements may be satisfied, as provided in the
agreement evidencing the Award, by (a) tender of a cash payment to
the Company, (b) withholding of shares of Common Stock otherwise
issuable, or (c) delivery to the Company by the Participant of
unencumbered shares of Common Stock.
Termination and Amendment
The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Plan at any time.
However, after the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of
the Company, the Board of Directors may not amend or terminate the
Plan without the approval of (a) the Company’s stockholders
if stockholder approval of the amendment is required by applicable
law, rules or regulations, and (b) each affected Participant if
such amendment or termination would adversely affect such
Participant’s rights or obligations under any Awards granted
prior to the date of the amendment or termination.
Term of the Plan
Unless sooner terminated by the Board of Directors, the Plan will
terminate on March 31, 2027. Once the Plan is terminated, no
further Awards may be granted or awarded under the Plan.
Termination of the Plan will not affect the validity of any Awards
outstanding on the date of termination.
Summary of Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion briefly summarizes certain United States
federal income tax aspects of Awards granted pursuant to the Plan.
State, local and foreign tax consequences may differ.
Incentive Stock Options.
Generally, a Participant who is granted an Incentive Stock Option
will not recognize income on the grant or exercise of the Option.
However, the difference between the exercise price and the fair
market value of the stock on the date of exercise is an adjustment
item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If a Participant
does not exercise an Incentive Stock Option within certain
specified periods after termination of employment, the Participant
will recognize ordinary income on the exercise of the Incentive
Stock Option in the same manner as on the exercise of a
Nonqualified Stock Option, as described below.
The general rule is that gain or loss from the sale or exchange of
shares of Common Stock acquired on the exercise of an Incentive
Stock Option will be treated as capital gain or loss. If certain
holding period requirements are not satisfied, however, the
Participant generally will recognize ordinary income at the time of
the disposition. Gain recognized on the disposition in excess of
the ordinary income resulting therefrom will be capital gain, and
any loss recognized will be a capital loss.
Nonqualified Stock Options, RSUs, Performance Awards and Other
Stock-Based Awards. A
Participant generally is not required to recognize income on the
grant of a Nonqualified Stock Option, RSU, Performance Award or
Other Stock-Based Award. Instead, ordinary income generally is
required to be recognized on the date the Nonqualified Stock Option
is exercised, or in the case of an RSU, Performance Award or Other
Stock-Based Award, on the date of payment of such Award in cash
and/or shares of Common Stock. In general, the amount of ordinary
income required to be recognized is: (a) in the case of a
Nonqualified Stock Option, an amount equal to the excess, if any,
of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date
of exercise over the exercise price; and (b) in the case of an RSU,
Performance Award or Other Stock-Based Award, the amount of cash
and the fair market value of any shares of Common Stock
received.
Restricted Stock. Unless a
Participant who is granted shares of Restricted Stock makes an
election under Section 83(b) of the Code as described below, the
Participant generally is not required to recognize ordinary income
on the award of Restricted Stock. Instead, on the date the shares
vest (i.e. become transferable or no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture), the Participant will be required
to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess, if
any, of the fair market value of the shares of Restricted Stock on
such date over the amount, if any, paid for such shares. If a
Participant makes a Section 83(b) election to recognize ordinary
income on the date the shares of Restricted Stock are awarded, the
amount of ordinary income required to be recognized is an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares
on the date of award over the amount, if any, paid for such shares.
In such case, the Participant will not be required to recognize
additional ordinary income when the shares
vest.
Gain or Loss on Sale or Exchange of Shares. In general, gain or loss from the sale or
exchange of shares of Common Stock granted or awarded under the
Plan will be treated as capital gain or loss, provided that the
shares are held as capital assets at the time of the sale or
exchange. However, if certain holding period requirements are not
satisfied at the time of a sale or exchange of shares of Common
Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option (a
“disqualifying disposition”), a Participant generally
will be required to recognize ordinary income upon such
disposition.
Deductibility by Company. The
Company generally is not allowed a deduction in connection with the
grant or exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. However, if a
Participant is required to recognize ordinary income as a result of
a disqualifying disposition, the Company generally will be entitled
to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income so
recognized. In general, in the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option
(including an Incentive Stock Option that is treated as a
Nonqualified Stock Option, as described above), a Restricted Stock
Award, an RSU, a Performance Award or an Other Stock-Based Award,
the Company will be allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the
amount of ordinary income recognized by the Participant, provided
that certain income tax reporting requirements are
satisfied.
Parachute
Payments. Where payments to
certain persons that are contingent on a change in control exceed
limits specified in the Code, the person generally is liable for a
20 percent excise tax on, and the corporation or other entity
making the payment generally is not entitled to any deduction for,
a specified portion of such payments. Under the Plan, the Committee
has plenary authority and discretion to determine the vesting
schedule of Awards. Any Award under which vesting is accelerated by
a change in control of the Company, would be relevant in
determining whether the excise tax and deduction disallowance rules
would be triggered.
Performance-Based Compensation.
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Code disallows
federal income tax deductions for compensation paid by a
publicly-held corporation to certain executives to the extent the
amount paid to an executive exceeds $1 million for the taxable
year. The Plan has been designed to allow the grant of Awards that
qualify under an exception to the deduction limit of Section 162(m)
for “performance-based
compensation.”
Tax Rules Affecting Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Plans. Section 409A of the Code
imposes tax rules that apply to “nonqualified deferred
compensation plans.” Failure to comply with, or to qualify
for an exemption from, the new rules with respect to an Award could
result in significant adverse tax results to the Award recipient
including immediate taxation upon vesting, an additional income tax
of 20 percent of the amount of income so recognized, plus a special
interest payment. The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A
of the Code to the extent applicable, and the Committee will
administer and interpret the Plan and Awards
accordingly.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation
Plans
Description of 2011 Stock Option Plan
In fiscal year 2011, the Company authorized a Stock Incentive Plan
whereby a maximum of 18,870,184 shares of the Company’s
common stock could be granted in the form of Non-Qualified Stock
Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Other Stock-Based
Awards. On April 18, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors
voted to increase to 35,000,000 the maximum allowable shares of the
Company’s common stock allocated to the 2011 Stock Incentive
Plan. The Company has outstanding unexercised stock option grants
totaling 12,010,000 shares as of December 31, 2016. All grants are
non-qualified as the plan was not approved by the shareholders
within one year of its adoption.
Determining Fair Value under ASC 505
The Company records compensation expense associated with stock
options and other equity-based compensation using the
Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for estimating fair
value of stock options granted under our plan. The Company
amortizes the fair value of stock options on a ratable basis over
the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting
periods. The expected life of awards granted represents the period
of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The
Company estimates the volatility of our common stock based on the
historical volatility of its own common stock over the most recent
period corresponding with the estimated expected life of the award.
The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black
Scholes-Merton option valuation model on the implied yield
currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an
equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and
does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield
of zero in the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model and
adjusts share-based compensation for changes to the estimate of
expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture
experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate is
recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is
changed.
Stock Option Activity
During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had the
following stock option activity:
On June 28, 2017, 2014, the Company’s Compensation Committee
granted four advisory committee members each an option to purchase
500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the
Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of
$0.009 per share, the fair market price on June 28,
2017.
As of June 30, 2017, there are 14,010,000 options to purchase
common stock at an average exercise price of $0.010 per share
outstanding under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company
recorded $15,081 and $65,650 of compensation expense, net of
related tax effects, relative to stock options for the six months
ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 in accordance with ASC 505. Net loss
per share (basic and diluted) associated with this expense was
approximately ($0.00). As of June 30, 2017, there is $16,320 of
total unrecognized costs related to employee granted stock options
that are not vested. These costs are expected to be recognized over
a period of approximately 2.47 years.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had the
following stock option activity:
An entity controlled by Mr. Scott had a two million share stock
option that was previously issued vest on April 18, 2016 upon the
Company securing a market maker with an approved 15c2-11 resulting
in the Company’s relisting on OTCBB.
An employee resigned January 13, 2016 and an option to purchase
five million shares of the Company’s common stock under the
Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan expired on April 13,
2016.
An employee forfeited a stock grant for 10,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock during the nine months ended September
30, 2016.
On October 12, 2016, the Company amended the exercise price of the
stock option grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010 per
share.
On October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott cancelled stock option grants
totaling 12,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at
$0.01 per share. Mr. Scott has an additional 2,000,000 share stock
option grant which continues to vest monthly over 36 months and a
2,000,000 share stock option grant which vests upon the achievement
of certain performance goals related to acquisitions.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had the
following stock option activity:
Mr. Adam Edwards resigned July 11, 2015 and an option to purchase
four million five hundred thousand shares of the Company’s
common stock under the Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at
$0.05 per shares expired on October 10, 2015.
Ms. Tina Qunell resigned July 2, 2015 and an option to purchase
seven million shares of the Company’s common stock under the
Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at $0.05 per share
expired on October 1, 2015.
Resigned employees forfeited options to purchase 200,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock under the Company’s 2011
Stock Incentive Plan at $0.05 per share expired during the year
ended December 31, 2015.
As of June 30, 2017, there are 14,010,000 options to purchase
common stock at an average exercise price of $0.010 per share
outstanding under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company
recorded $15,081 and $65,650 of compensation expense, net of
related tax effects, relative to stock options for the six months
ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 in accordance with ASC 505. Net loss
per share (basic and diluted) associated with this expense was
approximately ($0.00). As of June 30, 2017, there is $16,320 of
total unrecognized costs related to employee granted stock options
that are not vested. These costs are expected to be recognized over
a period of approximately 2.47 years.
Stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and
the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2014
|
40,720,000
|
$0.058
|
$2,356,000
|
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
(960,000)
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
(11,700,000)
|
(0.050)
|
(585,000)
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2015
|
29,020,000
|
0.028
|
811,000
|
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
(17,010,000)
|
(0.041)
|
(690,500)
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2016
|
12,010,000
|
0.010
|
120,500
|
Granted
|
2,000,000
|
0.009
|
18,000
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Outstanding
as of June 30, 2017
|
14,010,000
|
$0.010
|
$138,500
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.009
|
2,000,000
|
3.00
|
$0.009
|
-
|
$0.009
|
|
12,000,000
|
2.38
|
0.010
|
9,500,000
|
0.010
|
|
10,000
|
-
|
0.050
|
8,333
|
0.050
|
|
14,010,000
|
2.47
|
$0.010
|
9,508,333
|
$0.010
|
Stock option grants totaling 9,508,333 shares of common stock had
no intrinsic value as of June 30, 2017.
Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
To Adopt the Growlife, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive
Plan
|
PROPOSAL 3
To amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
increase the authorized Common Stock
shares from 3,000,000,000 to 6,000,000,000
The
Company has authorized 3,010,000,000 shares of capital stock, of
which 3,000,000,000 are shares of voting common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 are shares of preferred stock,
par value $0.0001 per share. As of August 16, 2017, the Record
Datelatest date prior to dissemination of this Definitive Proxy
Statement, there were 2,064,907,125 shares of our common stock
issued and outstanding.
The approval of the
amendment of our certificate of incorporation to authorize the
increase of the number of authorized shares of our common stock
requires board approval and the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of our common
stock. On July 31, 2017,
the Board of Directors approved a proposal to amend the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number
of authorized shares of the Company’s Common Stock from 3
billion to 6 billion. The form of the Certificate of Amendment of
the Certificate of Incorporation of Growlife, Inc. setting forth
the amendment is attached to this Information Statement as Annex
2.
In
connection with the ongoing operation of our business we will
likely be required to issue shares of our common stock, options,
awards and warrants in connection with employee benefit and
incentive plans and employment arrangements, for financing our
future operations, for acquiring other businesses, for forming
strategic partnerships and alliances, and for stock dividends and
stock splits. No specific issuances are currently
anticipated; however, to the extent such issuances occur, they will
result in dilution to our current stockholders.
Accordingly,
our board of directors believes it is in our best interests and the
best interests of our stockholders to increase the number of
authorized shares of our common stock to provide a sufficient
number of authorized but unreserved shares to allow for the
issuance of shares of our common stock or other securities in
connection with employee benefit and incentive plans and
arrangements, the financing of our operations, the acquisition of
other businesses, the establishment of joint ventures, and such
other purposes as our board of directors determines.
The
increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock to
a level that continues to provide a meaningful number of authorized
but unreserved shares will permit our board of directors to issue
additional shares of our common stock without further approval of
our stockholders, and our board of directors does not intend to
seek stockholder approval prior to any issuance of the authorized
capital stock unless stockholder approval is required by applicable
law or stock market or exchange requirements. Our
issuance of additional shares of our common stock may result in
substantial dilution to our existing stockholders, and such
issuances may not require stockholder approval.
Although
from time to time we review various transactions that could result
in the issuance of shares of our common stock, we have not reviewed
any specific transaction to date that we presently anticipate will
result in a further issuance of shares of our common
stock.
The
DGCL expressly permits our board of directors, when evaluating any
proposed tender or exchange offer, any merger, consolidation or
sale of substantially all of our assets, or any similar
extraordinary transaction, to consider all relevant factors
including, without limitation, the social, legal, and economic
effects on the employees, customers, suppliers, and other
constituencies of our company and its subsidiaries, and on the
communities and geographical areas in which they
operate. Our board of directors may also consider the
amount of consideration being offered in relation to the then
current market price for our outstanding shares of common stock and
our then current value in a freely negotiated
transaction. Our board of directors believes such
provisions are in our long-term best interests and the long-term
best interests of our stockholders.
We
are subject to the Delaware control share acquisitions
statute. This statute is designed to afford stockholders
of public corporations in Delaware protection against acquisitions
in which a person, entity or group seeks to gain voting
control. With enumerated exceptions, the statute
provides that shares acquired within certain specific ranges will
not possess voting rights in the election of directors unless the
voting rights are approved by a majority vote of the public
corporation’s disinterested
stockholders. Disinterested shares are shares other than
those owned by the acquiring person or by a member of a group with
respect to a control share acquisition, or by any officer of the
corporation or any employee of the corporation who is also a
director. The specific acquisition ranges that trigger
the statute are: acquisitions of shares possessing one-fifth or
more but less than one-third of all voting power; acquisitions of
shares possessing one-third or more but less than a majority of all
voting power; or acquisitions of shares possessing a majority or
more of all voting power. Under certain circumstances,
the statute permits the acquiring person to call a special
stockholders meeting for the purpose of considering the grant of
voting rights to the holder of the control shares. The
statute also enables a corporation to provide for the redemption of
control shares with no voting rights under certain
circumstances.
Other
than the provisions noted above, we do not have in place provisions
which may have an anti-takeover effect. The increase in
the number of authorized shares of our common stock to provide a
sufficient number of authorized but unreserved shares to allow for
the issuance of shares of our common stock under various scenarios
may be construed as having an anti-takeover effect by permitting
the issuance of shares of our common stock to purchasers who might
oppose a hostile takeover bid or oppose any efforts to amend or
repeal certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation or
bylaws. The increase in the authorized number of shares
of our common stock did not result from our knowledge of any
specific effort to accumulate our securities or to obtain control
of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy solicitation in
opposition to management or otherwise, and we did not take such
action to increase the authorized shares of our common stock to
enable us to frustrate any efforts by another party to acquire a
controlling interest or to seek representation on our board of
directors.
The
issuance of additional shares of our common stock may have a
dilutive effect on earnings per share and on the equity and voting
power of existing holders of our common stock. It may
also adversely affect the market price of our common
stock. However, if additional shares are issued in
transactions whereby favorable business opportunities are provided
which allow us to pursue our business plans, the market price of
our common stock may increase.
The
holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share
held of record on all matters to be voted on by our
stockholders.
The
holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when,
as, and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally
available therefor. We do not intend to declare and
pay dividends in the near future. In the event of our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of the shares
of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets
remaining available for distribution to them after payment of
liabilities and after provision has been made for each class of
stock, if any, having preference over our common
stock. Holders of shares of our common stock have no
conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are
no redemption provisions applicable to our common
stock.
Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
To amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
increase the authorized Common Stock
shares from 3,000,000,000 to 6,000,000,000
|
PROPOSAL 4
Ratification of the Appointment of SD Mayer and Associates,
LLP
as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm (Independent Auditors)
for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017
At
its July 13, 2016 meeting, the Audit Committee recommended and
approved the appointment of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP (“SD
Mayer”) as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm (independent auditors) to examine the consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2016. The Board is seeking the stockholders’
ratification of such action and approval for the audit for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
Action
by our stockholders is not required by law in connection with the
appointment of the Company’s independent accountants. If the
Company’s stockholders do not ratify this appointment, the
appointment will be reconsidered by the Audit
Committee.
SD
Mayer has no direct or indirect financial interest in the Company
or in any of its subsidiaries, nor has it had any connection with
the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the capacity of promoter,
underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee. It is
expected that representatives of SD Mayer will not attend the
Annual Meeting and therefore will not be available to answer
questions.
Dismissal of PMB Helin Donovan LLP
On July 13, 2016, we dismissed PMB Helin Donovan LLP
(“PMB”) as our independent registered public accounting
firm. The decision to change accountants was approved by our Audit
Committee.
The PMB reports on our consolidated financial statements for the
past two fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or a
disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that the
audit report of PMB on our financial statements for fiscal years
2014 and 2015 contained an explanatory paragraph which noted that
there was substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a
going concern.
During our fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 and
through July 13, 2016, (i) there were no disagreements with PMB on
any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreements, if not resolved to PMB’s satisfaction, would
have caused PMB to make reference to the subject matter of such
disagreements in its reports on our consolidated financial
statements for such years, and (ii) there were no reportable events
as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K other than at
December 31, 2014 and 2015 and during the interim periods through
March 31, 2016, except as follows:
Audit Committee:
On June 3, 2014, we formed an Audit Committee and appointed an
audit committee financial expert as defined by SEC and as adopted
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Prior to this, we did not
have an Audit Committee to oversee financial reporting and used
external service providers to ensure compliance with the SEC
requirements. The current Audit Committee has two management
directors.
Other Weaknesses:
Our information systems lack sufficient controls limiting access to
key applications and data.
Our inventory system lacked standardized product descriptions and
effective controls to ensure the accuracy, valuation, and
timeliness of the financial accounting process around inventory,
including a lack of accuracy and basis for valuation resulting in
adjustments to the amount of cost of revenues and the carrying
amount of inventory.
The Company has provided PMB with a copy of the foregoing
disclosures and requested that PMB furnish a letter to the
Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees
with the above statements. A copy of such letter is filed as
Exhibit 16.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on July 15, 2016.
Engagement of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP
On July 13, 2016 the Company, upon the Audit Committee’s
approval, engaged the services of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP
(“Mayer”) as the Company’s new independent
registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s
consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and for
the year then ended. Mayer will be performing reviews of the
unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements to be
included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q
going forward. The appointment of Mayer ensures continuity with the
partner and staff, who previously worked for PMB. In addition,
Mayer audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements
as of December 31, 2015.
During each of the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and
through the date of this report, (a) the Company has not engaged
Mayer as either the principal accountant to audit the
Company’s financial statements, or as an independent
accountant to audit a significant subsidiary of the Company and on
whom the principal accountant is expected to express reliance in
its report; and (b) the Company or someone on its behalf did not
consult with Mayer with respect to (i) either: the application of
accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed
or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on
the Company’s financial statements, or (ii) any other matter
that was either the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event
as set forth in Items 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v) of Regulation
S-K.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee has established a pre-approval policy and
procedures for audit, audit-related and tax services that can be
performed by the independent auditors without specific
authorization from the Audit Committee subject to certain
restrictions. The policy sets out the specific services
pre-approved by the Audit Committee and the applicable limitations,
while ensuring the independence of the independent auditors to
audit the Company's financial statements is not impaired. The
pre-approval policy does not include a delegation to management of
the Audit Committee’s responsibilities under the Exchange
Act. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Audit Committee
pre-approved all audit and permissible non-audit services provided
by our independent auditors.
Service Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
On July 13, 2016, we dismissed PMB Helin Donovan LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm. On July 13, 2016 we
engaged the services of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP as our new
independent registered public accounting firm to audit our
consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
and for the years then ended. The decision to change accountants
was approved by our Audit Committee.
The following is the breakdown of aggregate fees paid for the last
two fiscal years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
fees
|
$52,500
|
$67,225
|
Audit
related fees
|
10,000
|
26,480
|
Tax
fees
|
20,355
|
-
|
All
other fees
|
12,500
|
6,050
|
|
|
|
|
$95,355
|
$99,755
|
-
“Audit Fees” are fees paid to PMB and Mayer for
professional services for the audit of our financial
statements.
-
“Audit-Related fees” are fees paid to PMB and Mayer for
professional services not included in the first two categories,
specifically, SAS 100 reviews, SEC filings and consents, and
accounting consultations on matters addressed during the audit or
interim reviews, and review work related to quarterly
filings.
-
“Tax Fees” are fees primarily for tax compliance paid
to PMB and Mayer in connection with filing US income tax
returns.
-
“All other fees” were paid to PMB related to the review
of registration statements on Form S-1.
Your Board and the Audit Committee Recommend that Stockholders
Vote
FOR
Ratification of the Appointment of SD Mayer and Associates,
LLP
as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017
|
PROPOSAL 5
Advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named
executive officers
We are asking our stockholders to provide advisory approval of the
compensation of our Named Executive Officers as set forth in this
Proxy Statement.
Starting 2017, we are designing our executive compensation program
to attract and retain highly qualified, superior leaders, reward
performance, and align our executives' interests with the long-term
interests of our stockholders. Highlights of our program are
expected to include the following:
|
|
●
|
Pay for Performance. Our
incentive program is designed to emphasize a pay-for-performance
relationship. A portion of our senior executives' compensation is
tied to company and individual performance. The main components of
our executive compensation program are base salary and incentive
awards, including both cash-based and equity-based awards. We do
not provide guaranteed bonuses or stock
options.
|
|
|
●
|
Alignment with Stockholder Interests. We promote the alignment of our executives'
interests with stockholder interests by focusing on key measures of
long-term value creation.
|
●
|
Responsible Pay Practices. Our
executive compensation packages do not provide tax gross ups for
our executives. In addition, we have adopted policies covering our
executives that require compensation clawbacks in certain
circumstances.
|
We believe that our executive compensation program plays a key role
in our long-term success. As required by Section 14A of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, we request your vote
supporting the following non-binding resolution:
RESOLVED: That the stockholders approve, in a non-binding vote, the
compensation of the company's Named Executive Officers as set forth
in this Proxy Statement.
Your Board Recommends that Stockholders Vote
FOR
Advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named
executive officers
|
PROPOSAL 6
Advisory vote on the frequency of future votes on the compensation
of the Company’s
named executive officers
We are asking our stockholders to vote on whether future advisory
votes on executive compensation of the nature reflected in Proposal
Number 5 above should occur every year, every two years or every
three years.
After careful consideration, the Board has determined that holding
an advisory vote on executive compensation for our Named Executive
Officers every three years is the most appropriate policy for the
Company at this time. The Board recognizes that executive
compensation disclosures are made annually. Holding an advisory
vote on executive compensation every three years should provide the
Company with sufficient feedback on our compensation
disclosures.
This advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on
compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers is non-binding on
the Board. Stockholders will be able to specify on the proxy card
whether you prefer the vote to occur every year, two years, three
years, or may abstain from voting on this proposal.
Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will
carefully review the voting results. In the future, the Board may
change the vote frequency based on the nature of the Company's
compensation programs, input from our stockholders, and the Board's
views on the best way to obtain meaningful stockholder
input.
Your Board Recommends that Stockholders Vote
FOR
A Non-Binding Advisory vote every three years on the compensation
of the Company
named executive officers
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Audit Committee, which is composed of one independent director
(Michael Fasci) operates under a written charter adopted by the
Board. Among its functions, the Audit Committee recommends to the
Board the selection of the independent registered accounting
firm.
Management
has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the
reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. The
independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s
responsibility is to oversee the financial reporting process on
behalf of the Board and to report the result of their activities to
the Board.
In
this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with
management and the independent auditors. Management represented to
the Audit Committee that our financial statements were prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the
Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the financial statements
with management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee
discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended
(Communication with Audit Committees).
The
independent auditors also provided to the committee the written
disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and the Audit
Committee discussed with the independent auditors their
independence and considered the compatibility of permissible
non-audit services with the auditors’
independence.
Based
upon the Audit Committee’s discussion with management and the
independent auditors and the Audit Committee’s review of the
representation of management and the report of the independent
auditors to the committee, and relying thereon, the Audit Committee
recommended that the Board include the audited financial statements
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors,
Michael
E. Fasci, Chairman
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
If any stockholder intends to submit a proposal to
be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement
for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must be
submitted to the Secretary of the Company (addressed to Growlife,
Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 5400 Carillon Point, Seattle,
Washington 98033 in proper form (per SEC Regulation 14A,
Rule 14a-8—Stockholder Proposals) and received by the
Secretary on or before May 1, 2018. If, however, the date of the
2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not within 30 days before or
after October 12, 2018, any stockholder proposal must be received
by the Secretary of the Company a reasonable time before we begin
to print and send our proxy materials.
In
accordance with the provisions of the Company’s Amended and
Restated Bylaws, any stockholder proposals for the 2018 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders that are submitted outside the processes of
Rule 14a-8 (i.e., proposals that are not submitted for inclusion in
the Company’s proxy statement) will be considered untimely if
they are received by the Secretary of the Company after May 1,
2018. If, however, the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is not within 30 days before or after October 12,
2018, any such proposal will be considered untimely if it is
received (i) after the date that is 45 days prior to the date of
the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (if at least 60 days’
advance notice of the meeting is given to stockholders), or, if
less than 60 days’ advance notice is given to stockholders,
(ii) after the date that is 15 days after the date on which notice
of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is given to
stockholders.
OTHER BUSINESS
The
Company’s management does not know of any other matter to be
presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter
should be properly presented at the Annual Meeting, however, it is
the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to
vote said proxy in accordance with their best
judgment.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K
A copy of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as filed
with the SEC, accompanies this Proxy Statement. Any exhibit to the
Form 10-K will be made available,
free of charge, upon written request. Written requests should be
addressed to Growlife, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 5400
Carillon Point, Seattle, Washington 98033. Copies of these
documents may also be accessed electronically via the SEC’s
website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s
Form 10-K is not part of these proxy
solicitation materials.
Mark Scott
Secretary
Seattle, WA
August 16, 2017
ANNEX 1
GROWLIFE, INC.
2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Definitions.
In the Plan, except where the context otherwise indicates, the
following definitions shall apply:
“Affiliate”
means a corporation, partnership, business trust, limited liability
company or other form of business organization at least a majority
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other
equity interests of which is owned by the Company, either directly
or indirectly, and any other entity, designated by the Committee,
in which the Company has a significant interest.
“Agreement”
means a written agreement or other document evidencing an Award
that shall be in such form as the Committee may specify. The
Committee in its discretion may, but not need, require a
Participant to sign an Agreement.
1.1.
“Award” means a grant of
an Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance
Award or Other Stock-Based Award.
1.2. “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.3. “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
1.4. “Committee”
means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other
committee(s) appointed by the Board to administer the Plan or to
make and/or administer specific Awards hereunder. If no such
appointment is in effect at any time, “Committee” shall
mean the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
“Committee” means the Board for purposes of granting
Awards to Non-Employee Directors and administering the Plan with
respect to those Awards, unless the Board determines
otherwise.
“Common
Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share.
“Company”
means GrowLife, Inc., and any successor thereto.
“Date
of Exercise” means the date on which the Company receives
notice of the exercise of an Option in accordance with Section
7.1.
“Date
of Grant” means the date on which an Award is granted under
the Plan.
“Eligible
Person” means any person who is (a) an Employee (b) a
Non-Employee Director or (c) a consultant or independent contractor
to the Company or an Affiliate.
“Employee”
means any individual determined by the Committee to be an employee
of the Company or an Affiliate.
“Exercise
Price” means the price per Share at which an Option may be
exercised.
“Fair Market Value” means an amount
equal to the then fair market value of a Share as determined by the
Committee pursuant to a reasonable method adopted in good faith for
such purpose, or, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if
the Common Stock is traded on a securities exchange or automated
dealer quotation system, fair market value shall be the last sale
price for a Share, as of the relevant date, on such securities
exchange or automated dealer quotation system as reported by such
source as the Committee may select; provided, however, that in the case of an Option,
in all events Fair Market Value shall be determined pursuant to a
method permitted by Section 409A of the Code for determining the
fair market value of stock subject to a nonqualified stock option
that does not provide for a deferral of compensation within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
“Incentive
Stock Option” means an Option that the Committee designates
as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the
Code.
“Non-Employee
Director” means any member of the Board, or of an
Affiliate’s board of directors, who is not an
Employee.
“Nonqualified
Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock
Option.
“Option”
means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section
6.
“Option
Period” means the period during which an Option may be
exercised.
“Other
Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section
12.
“Participant”
means an Eligible Person who has been granted an
Award.
“Performance
Award” means a performance award granted pursuant to
Section
“Performance
Goals” means performance goals established by the Committee
which may be based on earnings or earnings growth, sales, return on
assets, cash flow, total shareholder return, equity or investment,
regulatory compliance, satisfactory internal or external audits,
improvement of financial ratings, achievement of balance sheet or
income statement objectives, implementation or completion of one or
more projects or transactions, or any other objective goals
established by the Committee, and which may be absolute in their
terms or measured against or in relationship to other companies
comparably, similarly or otherwise situated. Such performance goals
may be particular to an Eligible Person or the department, branch,
Affiliate, or division in which the Eligible Person works, or may
be based on the performance of the Company, one or more Affiliates,
or the Company and one or more Affiliates, and may cover such
period as may be specified by the Committee.
“Plan”
means this GrowLife, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
from time to time.
“Restricted
Stock” means Shares granted pursuant to Section
8.
“Restricted
Stock Units” means an Award providing for the contingent
grant of Shares (or the cash equivalent thereof) pursuant to
Section 9.
“Section
422 Employee” means an Employee who is employed by the
Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary
corporation” (each as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f)
of the Code) with respect to the Company, including a “parent
corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” that
becomes such after adoption of the Plan.
“Share”
means a share of Common Stock.
“Ten-Percent
Stockholder” means a Section 422 Employee who (applying
the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or a “parent
corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (each as
defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) with respect
to the Company.
Purpose.
The Plan is intended to assist the Company and its Affiliates in
attracting and retaining Eligible Persons of outstanding ability
and to promote the identification of their interests with those of
the stockholders of the Company and its
Affiliates.
Administration.
The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have plenary
authority, in its discretion, to grant Awards to Eligible Persons,
subject to the provisions of the Plan. The Committee shall have
plenary authority and discretion, subject to the provisions of the
Plan, to determine the Eligible Persons to whom Awards shall be
granted, the terms (which terms need not be identical) of all
Awards, including without limitation the Exercise Price of Options,
the time or times at which Awards are granted, the number of Shares
covered by Awards, whether an Option shall be an Incentive Stock
Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, any exceptions to
nontransferability, any Performance Goals applicable to Awards, any
provisions relating to vesting, and the period during which Options
may be exercised and Restricted Stock shall be subject to
restrictions. In making these determinations, the Committee may
take into account the nature of the services rendered or to be
rendered by Award recipients, their present and potential
contributions to the success of the Company and its Affiliates, and
such other factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem
relevant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have plenary authority to interpret the Plan and Agreements,
prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to
them, and make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan and Awards granted
thereunder. The determinations of the Committee on the matters
referred to in this Section 3 shall be binding and final. The
Committee may delegate its authority under this Section 3 and the
terms of the Plan to such extent it deems desirable and is
consistent with the requirements of applicable
law.
Eligibility.
Awards may be granted only to Eligible Persons; provided that (a)
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only Eligible Persons who
are Section 422 Employees; and (b) Options may be granted only to
persons with respect to whom Shares constitute stock of the service
recipient (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the
applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder).
Stock Subject to
Plan.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 13, (a) the maximum number of
Shares that may be issued under the Plan is one hundred million
(100,000,000) shares, provided that no more than ten million
(10,000,000) shares may be issued pursuant to Awards that are not
Options, and (b) the maximum number of Shares with respect to which
an Employee may be granted Awards under the Plan during a fiscal
year is ten million (10,000,000) shares. Shares issued under the
Plan may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued Shares or
Shares that shall have been, or may be, reacquired by the Company
in the open market, in private transactions, or
otherwise.
If
an Option expires or terminates for any reason without having been
fully exercised or is surrendered pursuant to Section 6.4, if
shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, or if Shares covered by a
Performance Award are not issued or are forfeited, the unissued or
forfeited Shares that had been subject to the Award shall be
available for the grant of additional Awards; provided, however,
that in the case of Shares that are withheld to pay withholding
taxes with respect to an Award, no such withheld Shares shall again
be available for the grant of Awards hereunder.
Options.
Options
granted under the Plan to Eligible Persons shall be either
Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as
designated by the Committee; provided, however, that Incentive
Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible Persons who are
Section 422 Employees on the Date of Grant. Each Option
granted under the Plan shall be identified as either a Nonqualified
Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option and shall be evidenced by
an Agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of the Option.
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 optionee
during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any
parent or subsidiary corporation) exceeds USD $100,000, such
Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 6.1, Incentive Stock Options
shall be taken into account in the order in which they were
granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as
of the time the Option with respect to such Shares was granted.
Options shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Section 6 and such other terms and conditions not inconsistent
with the Plan as the Committee may specify. The Committee, in its
discretion, may condition the grant or vesting of an Option upon
the achievement of one or more specified Performance
Goals.
The
Exercise Price of an Option granted under the Plan shall not be
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the
Date of Grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, on the Date of
Grant is a Ten-Percent Shareholder, the Exercise Price shall not be
less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of
Grant.
The
Committee shall determine the Option Period for an Option, which
shall be specifically set forth in the Agreement; provided that an
Option shall not be exercisable after ten years (five years in the
case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who on the
Date of Grant is a Ten-Percent Stockholder) from its Date of
Grant.
To
the extent provided in an Agreement, a Participant may surrender to
the Company an Option (or a portion thereof) that has become
exercisable and to receive upon such surrender, without any payment
to the Company (other than required tax withholding amounts), that
number of Shares (equal to the highest whole number of Shares)
having an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the date of surrender
equal to that number of Shares subject to the Option (or portion
thereof) being surrendered multiplied by an amount equal to the
excess of (a) the Fair Market Value on the date of surrender over
(b) the Exercise Price, plus an amount of cash equal to the fair
market value of any fractional Share to which the Participant would
be entitled but for the parenthetical above relating to whole
number of Shares. Any such surrender shall be treated as the
exercise of the Option (or portion thereof).
Exercise of
Options.
Subject
to the terms of the applicable Agreement, an Option may be
exercised, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company a
notice of the exercise, in such form as the Committee may
prescribe, accompanied, in the case of an Option, by (a) a full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is
exercised or (b) to the extent provided in the applicable
Agreement, irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly
to the Company cash equal to the exercise price of the Option. To
the extent provided in the applicable Agreement, payment may be
made by (a) delivery (including constructive delivery) of Shares
(provided that such Shares, if acquired pursuant to an Option or
other Award granted hereunder or under any other compensation plan
maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, have been held by the
Participant for at least six months, or such other period, if any,
as may be required by the Committee), valued at Fair Market Value
on the Date of Exercise or (b) delivery of a promissory note as
provided in Section 7.2.
To
the extent provided in the applicable Agreement and permitted by
applicable law, the Committee may accept as payment of all or a
portion of the Exercise Price a promissory note executed by the
Participant evidencing the Participant’s obligation to make
future cash payment thereof. Promissory notes made pursuant to this
Section 7.2 shall (a) be secured by a pledge of the Shares
received upon exercise of the Option, (b) bear interest at a rate
fixed by the Committee, and (c) contain such other terms and
conditions as the Committee may determine in its
discretion.
Restricted Stock
Awards. Each grant of
Restricted Stock under the Plan shall be subject to an Agreement
specifying the terms and conditions of the Award. Restricted Stock
granted under the Plan shall consist of Shares that are restricted
as to transfer, subject to forfeiture, and subject to such other
terms and conditions as the Committee may specify. Such terms and
conditions may provide, in the discretion of the Committee, for the
lapse of such transfer restrictions or forfeiture provisions to be
contingent upon the achievement of one or more specified
Performance Goals.
Restricted Stock Unit
Awards. Each grant of
Restricted Stock Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by an
Agreement that (a) provides for the issuance of Shares to a
Participant at such time(s) as the Committee may specify and (b)
contains such other terms and conditions as the Committee may
specify, including without limitation, terms that condition the
issuance of Restricted Stock Unit Awards upon the achievement of
one or more specified Performance Goals.
2. Performance
Awards. Each Performance Award
granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Agreement that (a)
provides for the payment of cash and/or issuance of Shares to a
Participant contingent upon the attainment of one or more specified
Performance Goals, and (b) contains such other terms and conditions
as may be determined by the Committee. For purposes of Section
5.1(b) hereof, a Performance Award shall be deemed to cover a
number of Shares equal to the maximum number of Shares that may be
issued upon payment of the Award. The maximum cash amount payable
to any Employee pursuant to all Performance Awards granted to an
Employee during a fiscal year shall not exceed
$250,000.
3. Dividends
and Dividend Equivalents. The
terms of an Award may provide a Participant with the right, subject
to such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify, to
receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with
respect to Shares covered by the Award, which payments may be
either made currently or credited to an account established for the
Participant, and may be settled in cash or Shares, as determined by
the Committee.
Other Stock-Based
Awards. The Committee may in
its discretion grant stock-based awards of a type other than those
otherwise provided for in the Plan, including the issuance or offer
for sale of unrestricted Shares (“Other Stock-Based
Awards”). Other Stock-Based Awards shall cover such number of
Shares and have such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
determine, including terms that condition the payment or vesting
the Other Stock-Based Award upon the achievement of one or more
Performance Goals.
Capital Events and
Adjustments. In the event of
any change in the outstanding Common Stock by reason of any stock
dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off,
recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of
shares, merger, consolidation, liquidation or the like, the
Committee shall provide for a substitution for or adjustment in (a)
the number and class of securities subject to outstanding Awards or
the type of consideration to be received upon the exercise or
vesting of outstanding Awards, (b) the Exercise Price of Options,
(c) the aggregate number and class of Shares for which Awards
thereafter may be granted under the Plan and (d) the maximum number
of Shares with respect to which an Employee may be granted Awards
during the period specified in Section 5.1(b).
Termination or
Amendment. The Board may amend
or terminate the Plan in any respect at any time; provided,
however, that, after the Plan has been approved by the stockholders
of the Company, the Board shall not amend or terminate the Plan
without approval of (a) the Company’s stockholders to the
extent stockholder approval of the amendment is required by
applicable law or regulations or the requirements of the principal
exchange or interdealer quotation system on which the Common Stock
is listed or quoted, if any, and (b) each affected Participant if
such amendment or termination would adversely affect such
Participant’s rights or obligations under any Award granted
prior to the date of such amendment or
termination.
Modification,
Substitution of Awards.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may modify
the terms of any outstanding Awards; provided, however, that
(a) no modification of an Award shall, without the consent of
the Participant, alter or impair any of the Participant’s
rights or obligations under such Award and (b) subject to Section
13, in no event may (i) an Option be modified to reduce the
Exercise Price of the Option, or (ii) an Option be cancelled
or surrendered in consideration for the grant of a new Option with
a lower Exercise Price.
Anything
contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Awards may, at
the discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in
substitution for stock options and other awards covering capital
stock of another corporation which is merged into, consolidated
with, or all or a substantial portion of the property or stock of
which is acquired by, the Company or an Affiliate. The terms and
conditions of the substitute Awards so granted may vary from the
terms and conditions set forth in the Plan to such extent as the
Committee may deem appropriate in order to conform, in whole or
part, to the provisions of the awards in substitution for which
they are granted. Such substitute Awards shall not be counted
toward the Share limit imposed by Section 5.1(b), except to the
extent the Committee determines that counting such Awards is
required in order for Awards granted hereunder to be eligible to
qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Any
provision of the Plan or any Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event of a merger or consolidation to which
the Company is a party, the Committee shall take such actions, if
any, as it deems necessary or appropriate to prevent the
enlargement or diminishment of Participants’ rights under the
Plan and Awards granted hereunder, and may, in its discretion,
cause any Award granted hereunder to be canceled in consideration
of a cash payment equal to the fair value of the canceled Award, as
determined by the Committee in its discretion. Unless the Committee
determines otherwise, the fair value of an Option shall be deemed
to be equal to the product of (a) the number of Shares the Option
covers (and has not previously been exercised) and (b) the excess,
if any, of the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date of
cancellation over the Exercise Price of the Option.
Foreign
Employees. Without amendment of
the Plan, the Committee may grant Awards to Eligible Persons who
are subject to the laws of foreign countries or jurisdictions on
such terms and conditions different from those specified in the
Plan as may in the judgement of the Committee be necessary or
desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the
Plan. The Committee may make such modifications, amendments,
procedures, sub-plans and the like as may be necessary or advisable
to comply with provisions of laws of other countries or
jurisdictions in which the Company or any Affiliate operates or has
employees.
Stockholder
Approval. The Plan, and any
amendments hereto requiring stockholder approval pursuant to
Section 14, are subject to approval by vote of the stockholders of
the Company at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders
within twelve (12) months of the date of its adoption by the
Board.
Withholding.
The Company’s obligation to issue or deliver Shares or pay
any amount pursuant to the terms of any Award granted hereunder
shall be subject to satisfaction of applicable federal, state,
local, and foreign tax withholding requirements. To the extent
provided in the applicable Agreement and in accordance with rules
prescribed by the Committee, a Participant may satisfy any such
withholding tax obligation by one or any combination of the
following means: (a) tendering a cash payment, (b) authorizing the
Company to withhold Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant,
or (c) delivering to the Company already-owned and unencumbered
Shares.
Term of
Plan. Unless sooner terminated
by the Board pursuant to Section 14, the Plan shall terminate
on the date that is ten years after the earlier of that date that
the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by the Company’s
stockholders, and no Awards may be granted or awarded after such
date. The termination of the Plan shall not affect the validity of
any Award outstanding on the date of
termination.
Indemnification of
Committee. In addition to such
other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the
Board or Committee, members of the Committee shall be indemnified
by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including
attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or
in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them
may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act
under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted
thereunder, and against all amounts reasonably paid by them in
settlement thereof or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in
any such action, suit or proceeding, if such members acted in good
faith and in a manner which they believed to be in, and not opposed
to, the best interests of the Company.
General
Provisions.
The
establishment of the Plan shall not confer upon any Eligible Person
any legal or equitable right against the Company, any Affiliate or
the Committee, except as expressly provided in the Plan.
Participation in the Plan shall not give an Eligible Person any
right to be retained in the service of the Company or any
Affiliate.
Neither
the adoption of the Plan nor its submission to the Company’s
stockholders shall be taken to impose any limitations on the powers
of the Company or its Affiliates to issue, grant or assume options,
warrants, rights, restricted stock or other awards otherwise than
under the Plan, or to adopt other stock option, restricted stock,
or other plans, or to impose any requirement of stockholder
approval upon the same.
The
interests of any Eligible Person under the Plan are not subject to
the claims of creditors and may not, in any way, be assigned,
alienated or encumbered except to the extent provided in an
Agreement.
The
Plan shall be governed, construed and administered in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to
the conflict of law principles.
The
Committee may require each person acquiring Shares pursuant to
Awards granted hereunder to represent to and agree with the Company
in writing that such person is acquiring the Shares without a view
to distribution thereof. The certificates for such Shares may
include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect
any restrictions on transfer. All certificates for Shares issued
pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders
and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under
the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock
is then listed or interdealer quotation system upon which the
Common Stock is then quoted, and any applicable federal or state
securities laws. The Committee may place a legend or legends on any
such certificates to make appropriate reference to such
restrictions.
The
Company shall not be required to issue any certificate or
certificates for Shares with respect to Awards granted under the
Plan, or record any person as a holder of record of such Shares,
without obtaining, to the complete satisfaction of the Committee,
the approval of all regulatory bodies deemed necessary by the
Committee, and without complying, to the Board’s or
Committee’s complete satisfaction, with all rules and
regulations under federal, state or local law deemed applicable by
the Committee.
3.1. To
the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of stock
certificates to reflect the issuance of Shares, the issuance may be
effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited
by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated
dealer quotation system on which the Shares are traded. No
fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan
or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other
Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of any
fractional Shares or whether any fractional Shares or any rights
thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise
eliminated.
3.2. Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent any
Award (or a modification of an Award) under the Plan results in the
deferral of compensation (for purposes of Section 409A of the
Code), the terms and conditions of the Award shall comply with
Section 409A of the Code.
ANNEX 2
STATE OF DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
The corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware does hereby
certify:
FIRST: That at a meeting of the
Board of Directors of GROWLIFE, INC. resolutions were duly adopted
setting forth a proposed amendment of the Certificate of
Incorporation of said corporation, declaring said amendment to be
advisable and calling a meeting of the stockholders of said
corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution setting forth
the proposed amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of this
Corporation be amended by striking out the first paragraph of the
Article thereof numbered "FOURTH" and by substituting in lieu of
said first paragraph the following new first paragraph
of the Fourth Article:
“The
aggregate number of shares of all classes of stock which the
Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 6,010,000,000
shares, of which 6,000,000,000 shares shall be classified as common
stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”),
and 10,000,000 shares shall be classified as preferred stock,
$0.0001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”),
issuable in series as may be provided from time to time by
resolution of the Board of Directors.”
SECOND: That thereafter,
pursuant to resolution of its Board of Directors, a special meeting
of the stockholders of said corporation was duly called and held
upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the
necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in
favor of the amendment.
THIRD: That said amendment was
duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, said corporation has
caused this certificate to be signed on this __ day of ___________,
2017.
By: ______________________________
Marco
Hegyi, Chief Executive Officer
GROWLIFE, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – OCTOBER 23, 2017 AT 3:00 P.M.,
LOCAL TIME
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONTROL ID:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REQUEST ID:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
undersigned stockholder(s) of Growlife, Inc., hereby revoking any
proxy heretofore given, does hereby appoint ___________, and each
of them, with full power to act alone, to represent the undersigned
and to vote all shares of common stock of the Company that the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2017 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company to be held on October 23, 2017 at 3:00
p.m., local time, at our headquarters at 5400 Carillon Point,
Kirkland, WA 98033, and any and all adjournments and postponements
thereof, with all powers the undersigned would possess if
personally present, on the following proposals, each as described
more fully in the accompanying proxy statement, and any other
matters coming before said meeting.
|
|
|
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you vote by phone, fax or internet, please DO NOT mail your
proxy card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAIL:
|
Please
mark, sign, date, and return this Proxy Card promptly using the
enclosed envelope.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAX:
|
Complete the reverse portion of this Proxy Card
and Fax to 202-521-3464.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTERNET:
|
https://www.iproxydirect.com/PHOT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PHONE:
|
1-866-752-VOTE(8683)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OFGROWLIFE, INC.
|
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN
HERE: ☒
|
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
Proposal
1
|
|
|
FOR
ALL
|
|
WITHHOLD
ALL
|
|
FOR
ALL
EXCEPT
|
|
|
|
|
To
elect four nominees to serve on the Board until the 2018 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders:
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marco
Hegyi
|
|
|
|
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
E. Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
☐
|
|
CONTROL ID:
|
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
|
|
|
|
|
☐
|
|
REQUEST ID:
|
|
Katherine
McLain
|
|
|
|
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
Proposal
2
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
|
|
To
adopt and approve the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan.
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
Proposal
3
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
|
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of common stock
(“Common Stock”) from 3,000,000,000 to
6,000,000,000.
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
Proposal
4
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
|
To
ratify the appointment of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP of Seattle,
Washington as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2016 and
2017.
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
Proposal
5
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
|
|
To
approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to
the Company’s named executive officers.
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
Proposal
6
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
|
|
To
vote, on a non-binding advisory basis, on the frequency (i.e.,
every one, two, or three years) of holding an advisory shareholder
vote to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named
executive officers.
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
☐
|
|
|
|
Proposal
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To
transact such other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARK
“X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING:
☐
|
The Board recommends that you vote your shares “FOR
ALL” for Proposal 1, and “FOR” for Proposal 2, 3,
4, 5 and 6. If you sign and return your proxy card without
indicating how you want your shares to be voted, the named proxies
will vote your shares as “FOR ALL” for Proposal 1, and
“FOR” for Proposal 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
|
|
|
|
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE ☐ New Address (if applicable):
________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear
on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should
sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a
corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized
officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership,
please sign in partnership name by authorized
person.
Dated:
________________________, 2017
|
|
(Print Name of Stockholder and/or Joint
Tenant)
|
|
(Signature of
Stockholder)
|
|
(Second Signature
if held jointly)
|