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:
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☐
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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☐
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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☒
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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☐
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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☐
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
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GrowLife, Inc.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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required
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
____________________
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(2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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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):
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
___________________________
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(5)
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check
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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.
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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 — SUBJECT TO
COMPLETION
GROWLIFE, INC.
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
(866) 781-5559
September 27, 2018
Dear Stockholders:
We are pleased to invite you to attend our 2018 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (Annual Meeting) to be held on Thursday, December 6,
2018 at 12:00 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 2017 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 2018 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
DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO
COMPLETION
GROWLIFE, INC.
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
(866) 781-5559
Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
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Date:
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December
6, 2018,
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Time:
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12:00
P.M. Local Time
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Location:
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Offices
of Growlife, Inc.
5400
Carillon Point
Kirkland,
WA 98033
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Proposals:
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1. To
elect five nominees to serve on the Board until the 2019 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders;
2. To
adopt and approve the First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock
Incentive Plan to increase the shares issuable under the plan from
100 million to 200 million;
3.
To approve
an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a
reverse stock split of our common stock, by a ratio of not less
than 1-for-100 and not more
than 1-for-150, such ratio and
the implementation and timing of such reverse stock split to be
determined in the discretion of our board of
directors;
4. To
approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation to decrease the authorized shares of common stock
(“Common Stock”) from 6,000,000,000 by a by a ratio of not less
than 1-for-50 and not more
than 1-for-100;
5. 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 year ending December 31,
2018;
6. To
approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to
the Company’s named executive officers;
7. 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
8. To
transact such other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
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Who Can Vote:
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Stockholders
of record at the close of business on October 12,
2018.
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How You Can Vote:
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS
This
proxy statement and our 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders, which
includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended
December 31, 2017, are available at www.growlife.com
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Who May Attend:
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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).
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●
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.
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By
authorization of the Board of Directors,
Mark
Scott
Secretary
Seattle,
WA
September
27, 2018
This notice of Annual Meeting and proxy statement and form of proxy
are being distributed and made available on or about October 19,
2018.
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,
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Your Vote Is Important. Whether You Own One Share or
Many,
Your Prompt Cooperation in Voting Your Proxy is Greatly
Appreciated.
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PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE
2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
GROWLIFE, INC.
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 6, 2018
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 on or about October 19, 2018.
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company is
soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the 2018 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 December 6,
2018.
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, 2017 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 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(Annual Meeting), which will take place on Thursday, December 6,
2018 at 12:00 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 October 12, 2018, 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:
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Our proxy statement
for the Annual Meeting;
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Our 2017 Annual
Report to Stockholders (Annual Report), which includes our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017;
and
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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, an amendment to
our Certificate of Incorporation to reduce authorized stock, a
reverse split, an increase in authorized stock under our 2017 Stock
incentive Plan, 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:
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Investor
Relations:
Growlife,
Inc.
5400
Carillon Point
Kirkland,
WA 98033
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Email:
info@growlifeinc.com
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(866)
781-5559
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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:
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View our proxy
materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet and vote your
shares; and
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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 October 12, 2018.
How many shares of Common Stock may vote at the
Meeting?
As of
September 27, 2018, there were 3,054,218,374 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 October 12, 2108 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:
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Proposal
1 —
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✓
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FOR the
election of all five nominees to serve on the Board until the 2019
Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
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Proposal
2 —
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✓
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FOR the
adoption of the First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock Incentive
Plan to increase the shares issuable under the plan from 100
million to 200 million shares;
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Proposal
3 —
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✓
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FOR an
amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse
stock split of our common stock, by a ratio of not less
than 1-for-100 and not more
than 1-for-150, such ratio and the implementation and
timing of such reverse stock split to be determined in the
discretion of our board of directors;
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Proposal
4 —
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✓
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FOR the
amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
decrease the authorized shares of Common Stock from 6,000,000,000
by a by a ratio of not less than 1-for-50 and not more
than 1-for-100;
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Proposal
5 —
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✓
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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 year ending December 31,
2018;
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Proposal
6 —
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✓
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FOR
approving, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid
to the Company’s named executive officers;
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Proposal
7 —
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✓
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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
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Proposal
8 —
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✓
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To
transact such other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
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What are my choices when voting?
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Proposal
1 —
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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.
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Proposals
2 to 7 —
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You may
cast your vote in favor of or against each proposal, or you may
abstain from voting your shares.
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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:
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Proposal
1 —
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FOR the
election of all five nominees to serve on the Board until the 2019
Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
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Proposal
2 —
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FOR the
adoption of the First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock Incentive
Plan to increase the shares issuable under the plan from 100
million to 200 million shares;
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Proposal
3 —
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FOR the
amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
effect a reverse stock split of the common stock, by a ratio of not
less than 1-for-100 and not more than 1-for-150,
such ratio and the implementation and timing of such reverse stock
split to be determined in the discretion of our board of
directors;
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Proposal
4 —
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FOR the
amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
decrease the authorized shares of Common Stock from 6,000,000,000
by a by a ratio of not less than 1-for-50 and not more
than 1-for-100
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Proposal
5 —
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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 year ending December 31,
2018;
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Proposal
6 —
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FOR
approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to
the Company’s named executive officers; and
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Proposal
7 —
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FOR
approval, 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
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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:
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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;
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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
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By
attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares in
person.
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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 7
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 August 31, 2018, the name, age, and
position of each executive officer and director and the tenure in
office of each director of the Company.
Name
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Age
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Positions and Offices Held
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Since
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Management
Directors
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Marco
Hegyi
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60
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Director
(former Chairman of the Board)
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December
9, 2013 (April 1, 2016- October 23, 2017)
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Chief
Executive Officer
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April
1, 2016
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President
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December
4, 2013
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Former
Nominations and Governance Committee Chairman
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June 3,
2014 – October 23, 2017
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Mark E.
Scott
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64
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Chief
Financial Officer
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July
31, 2014
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Secretary
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February
14, 2017
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Director
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February
14, 2017
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Independent
Directors
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Michael
E. Fasci
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59
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Chairman
of the Board
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October
23, 2017
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Director
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October
27, 2015
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Audit
Committee Chairman and Compensation Committee Chairman
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November
11, 2015
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Katherine
McLain
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52
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Director
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February
14, 2017
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Nominations
and Governance Committee Chairman
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October
23, 2017
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Thom
Kozik
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57
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Director
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October
5, 2017
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Nominations
and Governance and Audit Committee member
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October
23, 2017
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Other
Named Executives
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Joseph
Barnes
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45
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Senior
Vice President of Business Development
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October
10, 2014
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President
of GrowLife Hydroponics Inc.
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August
16, 2017
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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. On October 23, 2017, Mr. Hegyi was not
appointed as Chairman of GrowLife, Chairman of the Nominations and
Governance Committee or a member of the Compensation Committee. 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. On
October 23, 2017, Mr. Fasci was appointed Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Fasci is a 30-year veteran in the finance sector having served
as an officer and director of many public and private
companies. From 2013 to
2017, Mr. Fasci owns and operated Process Engineering Services,
Inc., an engineering consulting company as well as worked as a
financial consultant for TCA Global Fund, a Mutual Fund located in
Aventura, Florida. 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.
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 and Chief Financial Officer on November 1,
2017.
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. joined GrowLife as a Member of its Board of
Directors on February 14, 2017 and was appointed Chairman of the
Nominations and Governance Committee and a member of the
Compensation Committee on October 23, 2017. Ms. McLain has served as Assistant General Counsel
for Intuit, Inc. (known for TurboTax & QuickBooks) since
November 2017. Previously, Ms. McLain was legal counsel for Stripe,
Inc., a financial payments company from 2015-2017. From 2010 to
2015, Ms. McLain was Senior Counsel of Silicon Valley Bank. Ms.
McLain has held legal and compliance roles ranging in both public
and private companies including Silicon Valley Bank, Wells Fargo
Bank, and Obopay. 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.
Thom Kozik- Thom Kozik joined
GrowLife as a Member of its Board of Directors on October 5, 2017
and was appointed a member of the Audit Committee on October 23,
2017. From 2013 through 2014, Mr. Kozik served as Chief Operating
Office of Omnia Media in Los Angeles, a leading YouTube
Multichannel Network delivering over 1 billion monthly video views,
and almost 70 million global Millennial subscribers. Thom assisted
the company’s CEO/founder in building the team, refining
product strategy, and securing additional funding. In December
2014, Mr. Kozik took on the role of VP, Global Marketing/Loyalty
for Marriott International, having been recruited to fundamentally
transform the hospitality industry’s longest-running loyalty
program. Thom also led the merging of two of the industry’s
most powerful programs with Marriott’s acquisition of
Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016. In his more than 30
year’s experience with corporations such as Marriott
International, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Atari, along with several
startups, he has held executive roles in marketing, business
development, and product development. Over the past decade
Kozik’s core focus has been the behavioral economics of
online consumers and communities, and methods to maximize their
lifetime value, and leveraging technology to reduce acquisition
costs while increasing retention.
Mr. Kozik was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
marketing and product brand skills.
Joseph Barnes- Mr. Barnes was
appointed President of GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. on August 16,
2017 and was appointed Senior Vice President of Business
Development for GrowLife, Inc. on October 10, 2014. Mr. Barnes
works from our Avon (Vail), Colorado. Mr. Barnes joined GrowLife in
2010 and is responsible for all GrowLife Hydroponics operations. 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 ten years,
to the best of our knowledge:
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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;
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Been
convicted in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses);
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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:
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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;
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Engaging
in any type of business practice; or
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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;
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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;
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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
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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.
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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:
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promotes honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling
of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;
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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;
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promotes compliance with applicable SEC and governmental laws,
rules and regulations;
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deters wrongdoing; and
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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, Mr.
Kozik, 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 2018 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 31, 2018, 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:
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have
the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and
values;
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be able
and willing to represent the shareholders’ short and long
term economic interests;
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consistently
exercise sound and objective business judgment;
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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
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have
experience in the areas of business that the Company operates
in.
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In
addition, it is anticipated that the Board as a whole will have
individuals with:
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significant
appropriate senior management and leadership
experience;
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a
comfort with technology;
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a
long-term and strategic perspective; and
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the
ability to advance constructive debate and a global
perspective.
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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, 2017, the Board met six
times and took action by written consent eight 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, 2017. 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 2018, 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 2018.
Audit
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Compensation
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Nominations
and Governance
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Michael E. Fasci
(Chairman)
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Michael E. Fasci
(Chairman)
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Katherine McLain
(Chairman)
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Thom
Kozik
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Katherine
McLain
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Thom
Kozik
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Audit Committee
The
Audit Committee has two members and met five times during the
fiscal year that ended December 31, 2017. The Audit Committee is
currently comprised of Mr. Michael E. Fasci and Mr. Thom Kozik,
each 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 and Mr. Kozik are 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:
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appoint the independent registered accounting firm;
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review the arrangements for and scope of the audit by independent
registered accounting firm;
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review the independence of the independent registered accounting
firm;
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consider the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal
accounting and financial controls and review any
proposed corrective actions;
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review and monitor our policies regarding business ethics and
conflicts of interest, audit function and internal audit
review;
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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
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review the activities and recommendations of our accounting
department
Nominations and Governance Committee
The
Nominations and Governance Committee currently has two members and
met two times during the fiscal year that ended on December 31,
2017. Nominations and Governance Committee is comprised Ms.
Katherine McLain, and Mr. Thom Kozik, each 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:
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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;
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Assist
the Board in determining the size and composition of the Board
committees;
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develop
and recommend to the Board the corporate governance principles
applicable to the Company; and
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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.
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Compensation Committee
The
Compensation Committee currently has two members and met four times
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The Committee was
formed on June 3, 2014. The Compensation Committee is comprised of
Mr. Michael E. Fasci and Katherine McLain, each 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:
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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;
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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;
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Reviewing,
commenting on and recommending to the Board executive compensation
plans, programs and policies of the Company or that the
Company proposes to adopt;
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Reviewing
and recommended the annual compensation for the Company’s
non-employee directors; and
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Administering
the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan, including the review of
all stock option, restricted stock, or other award grants pursuant
to the plan.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
No
member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year that
ended on December 31, 2017 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:
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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
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a
director of any other entity, one of whose executive officers or
their immediate family member served on our Compensation
Committee.
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Board Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The
entire Board is responsible for risk overnight. Mr. Michael Fasci
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
17 under “Remuneration of Executive Officers” (the
“Named Executive Officers”) who served during the year
ended December 31, 2017. 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 members of the Compensation
Committee are Michael E. Fasci and Katherine McLain. We expect to
appoint one independent Directors to serve on the Compensation
Committee during 2018.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The
major compensation objectives for the Company’s executive
officers are as follows:
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to
attract and retain highly qualified individuals capable of making
significant contributions to our long-term success;
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to
motivate and reward named executive officers whose knowledge,
skills, and performance are critical to our success;
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to
closely align the interests of our named executive officers and
other key employees with those of its shareholders;
and
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to
utilize incentive based compensation to reinforce performance
objectives and reward superior performance.
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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 2017 and 2016, 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 our financial
condition. 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,
2017
The Compensation Committee did not use a formula for allocating
compensation among the elements of total compensation during the
year that ended December 31, 2017. 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, 2017, 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, Mr. Scott and Mr. Barnes 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, 2017 based on our
financial condition.
Ownership Guidelines
The Compensation Committee does not require our executive officers
to hold a minimum number of our shares. However, to directly align
the interests of executive officers with the interests of the
stockholders, the Compensation Committee encourages each 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
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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 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, 2017 as outlined
below.
Retirement and Other Benefits
We have 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, 2017, we provided the Named
Executive Officers with medical insurance. The Company paid $10,273
in life insurance for Mr. Hegyi and $28,047 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)
Katherine McLain
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,
2017 and 2016:
Summary Compensation Table
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Year
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Marco Hegyi, Chief
Excutive
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12/31/17
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$250,000
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$205,273
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$455,273
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Officer and Director
(2)
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12/31/16
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$250,000
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$34,231
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$284,231
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Mark E. Scott, Chief
Financial
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12/31/17
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$138,250
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$18,000
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$28,047
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$184,297
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Officer and Director
(3)
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12/31/16
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$156,250
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$-
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$60,000
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$-
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$-
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$9,755
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$226,005
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Joseph
Barnes,Prwsident of
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12/31/17
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$138,670
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$24,000
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$-
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$162,670
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GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc.
(4)
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(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 years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016. We paid life
insurance of $10,273 for Mr. Hegyi during the years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016, 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
$190,000 and $23,958 of compensation expense for the warrants that
had vested as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
(3) Mr.
Scott was paid $138,250 and $156,250 during the years ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Mr. Scott was reimbursed $28,047 and $9,755 for
insurance expenses during the year ended December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively. On October 15, 2017, an entity controlled by
Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase 12,000,000 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $0.006 per share. The
stock option grant vests quarterly over three years and is
exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was valued at
$18,000. On October 21, 2016, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was
granted 6,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per share or
$60,000. The price per share was based on the thirty-day trailing
average.
(4) Mr.
Barnes was paid $138,670 and $120,000 during the years ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. On
October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
10,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.007 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $24,000.
Grants of Stock Based Awards during the year ended December 31,
2017
The Compensation Committee approved the following performance-based
incentive compensation to the Named Executive Officers for the year
ended December 31, 2017:
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Estimated
Future
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Estimated
Future
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All
Other
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Payouts
Under
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Payouts
Under
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All
Other
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Option
Awards;
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Non-Equity
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Equity
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Stock
Awards;
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Number
of
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Incentive
Plan
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Incentive
Plan
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Number
of
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Securities
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Exercise
or
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Grant
Date
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Awards
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Awards
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Shares
of
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Underlying
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Base Price
of
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Fair Value
of
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Grant
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Threshold
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Target
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Maximum
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Threshold
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Target
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Maximum
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Stock or
Units
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Options
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Option
Awards
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Stock
and
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Name
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Date
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($)
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($)
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($)
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(#)
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(#)
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(#)
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(#)
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(#)
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($/Sh)
(1)
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Option
Awards
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Marco Hegyi
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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$-
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$-
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Mark E. Scott
(2)
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October 15, 2017
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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-
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-
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12,000,000
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-
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$0.006
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$18,000
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Joseph Barnes
(3)
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October 25, 2017
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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-
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-
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10,000,000
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-
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$0.007
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$24,000
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(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 15, 2017, an entity
controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
12,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $18,000.
(3)
On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was
granted an option to purchase 10,000,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $0.007 per share. The stock
option grant vests quarterly over three years and is exercisable
for 5 years. The stock option grant was valued at
$24,000.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2017
The Named Executive Officers had the following outstanding equity
awards as of December 31, 2017:
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Option
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Expiration
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Name
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(#)
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(#)
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(#)
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Date
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(#)
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(#)
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Marco Hegyi (2)
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-
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-
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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Mark E. Scott
(3)
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4,000,000
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-
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-
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$0.010
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7/30/19
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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1,666,667
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10,333,333
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-
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$0.006
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10/15/22
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Joseph Barnes
(4)
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8,000,000
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-
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$0.001
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10/9/19
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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1,391,666
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8,608,334
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-
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$0.007
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10/25/22
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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(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 15, 2017, an entity
controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
12,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $18,000. An entity controlled by Mr. Scott has an
additional 4,000,000 share stock option grant that is fully
vested.
(3)
On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was
granted an option to purchase 10,000,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $0.007 per share. The stock
option grant vests quarterly over three years and is exercisable
for 5 years. The stock option grant was valued at $24,000. Mr.
Barnes stock option grant consists of 8,000,000 shares of our
common stock that vested 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,
2017
Mr.
Hegyi, Scott and Barnes did not have any option exercised or stock
that vested during the year ended December 31, 2017.
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 is 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.
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:
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i
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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);
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ii
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Two
million shares vest immediately upon the successful approval and
effectiveness of our S-1 (not earned as of December 31,
2017);
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iii
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Two
million shares vest immediately upon our resolution of the class
action lawsuits (earned as of August 17, 2015); and,
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iv
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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 4,000,000 share stock option grant which are
fully vested. On October 15, 2017, an
entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
12,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests on a quarterly basis
over 3 years.
All
options 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 is 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:
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i
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Two
million shares vested immediately;
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iv
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Six
million shares vest on a monthly basis over a period of three years
beginning on the date of grant.
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On
October 12, 2016, we amended the exercise price of the stock option
grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010 per share. On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an
option to purchase 10,000,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $0.007 per share. The stock option grant vests on
a quarterly over 3 years.
All
options 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 is 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 us without Cause or Mr. Barnes terminates his
employment for Good Reason are discussed above.
Offer Letter with David Reichwein
On
October 1, 2017, we entered into an Offer Letter with David
Reichwein pursuant to which we engaged Mr. Reichwein as our
Vice-President of Research and Development on an at will
basis.
Per the
terms of the Reichwein Agreement, Mr. Reichwein’s
compensation is $150,000 on an annual basis. Starting on the first
quarter 2018, Mr. Reichwein is eligible to earn a quarterly
commission based on 10% of tile gross margin dollars (which was
amended subsequent to year ended December 31, 2017).
Mr.
Reichwein was granted an option to purchase twenty million shares
of our common stock under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at $0.006
per share. The shares vest as follows:
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i
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Ten
million shares vested immediately;
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ii
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Ten
million shares vest on a quarterly basis over two years beginning
on the date of grant.
|
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. Reichwein’s
continuous status as employee to us is terminated by us without
Cause or Mr. Reichwein terminates his employment with us for Good
Reason as defined in the Reichwein Agreement, in either case upon
or within twelve months after a Change in Control as defined in our
Stock Incentive Plan, then 100% of the total number of shares shall
immediately become vested.
Mr.
Reichwein is 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. Reichwein is entitled to fifteen days of
vacation annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
Mr.
Reichwein may receive severance benefits and our obligation under a
termination by us without Cause or Mr. Reichwein 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.
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Executive
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Payments
Upon
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
salary (1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$201,458
|
$241,750
|
$-
|
Performance-based
incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Stock
options
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits
and Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health
and welfare benefits
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Accrued
vacation pay
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Total
|
(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, 2017, Marco Hegyi and Mr. Scott did not receive any
compensation for their services as
director. The compensation disclosed in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 18 represents the total
compensation.
Director Summary Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
E. Fasci (2)
|
$-
|
$52,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$52,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Katherine
McLean (3)
|
-
|
14,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thom
Kozik (4)
|
-
|
10,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
(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
February 4, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $15,000. The
shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.015 per share. On
April 27, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On April
27, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Michael
E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $18,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On
November 2, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $10,000.
The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per
share.
(3) Ms.
Katherine McLain was appointed as a director on February 14, 2017.
On June 28, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Ms. McLain pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On October 23,
2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to Ms. McLain
pursuant to a service award for $5,000. The shares were valued at
the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
(4) Mr.
Kozik was appointed as a director on October 5, 2017. On October
23, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Mr.
Kozik pursuant to a service award for $10,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
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, 2017.
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 August 31, 2018
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)
|
25,000,000
|
*
|
Mark E. Scott
(3)
|
21,000,000
|
*
|
Michael E. Fasci
(4)
|
17,300,000
|
*
|
Katherine McLain
(5)
|
4,893,151
|
*
|
Thom Kozik
(6)
|
2,978,082
|
*
|
Joseph Barnes
(7)
|
11,633,333
|
*
|
Total Directors and
Officers (6 in total)
|
82,804,566
|
2.8%
|
* Less than 1%.
(1)
Based on
3,054,218,374 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 31,
2018.
(2) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Marco Hegyi,
including warrants to purchase 22,500,000 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 8,000,000 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 Thom Kozik.
(7)
Reflects the shares beneficially owned
by Joseph Barnes, including stock option grants totaling 11,333,333
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
|
15.3%
|
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,
2017 its executive officers, directors and 10% holders complied
with all filing requirements, with the following
exceptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Required
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
|
|
Transaction
|
|
File
|
|
File
|
Person
|
|
Filing
Type
|
|
Date
|
|
Date
|
|
Date
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
|
4
|
|
4/27/17
|
|
4/29/17
|
|
5/1/17
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
|
4
|
|
10/16/17
|
|
10/18/17
|
|
10/20/17
|
Thom
Kozik
|
|
4
|
|
10/23/17
|
|
10/25/17
|
|
12/29/17
|
Katherine
McLain
|
|
|
PROPOSAL 1
Election of Directors
Composition of the Board
Currently,
the Board consists of five directors. If elected, each of the
director nominees will serve on the Board until the 2019 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, or until their successors are duly elected
and qualified in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws. If any
of the five 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 five 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 6 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 5 Nominees Listed Above
|
PROPOSAL
2
To
adopt the Growlife, Inc. First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock
Incentive Plan
The
Company is asking the shareholders to approve the Growlife, Inc.
First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the
“Plan”), the material
terms of which are more fully described below. The Board of
Directors approved the Amended and Restated Plan on August 31,
2018, subject to the shareholder approval solicited by this proxy
statement. The Amended and Restated Plan will restate the
Company’s former 2017 Stock Incentive Plan in its entirety,
however, any outstanding awards issued under the 2017 Plan, or any
former plan, will continue to be governed by the plan under which
they were issued. The purpose of the Amended and Restated Plan is
to increase the amount of shares reserved for issuance from 100
million to 200 million on a presplit basis and 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 Amended and Restated 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. All
terms of the Plan shall remain the same with the exception of the
amount of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan which shall
be increased from 100 million shares to 200 million
shares.
Description of the 2017 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 August
31, 2018, the number of employees eligible to participate in the
Plan was three, the number of consultants and independent
contractors eligible to participate in the Plan was four, and the
number of non-employee directors eligible to participate in the
Plan was four.
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 two hundred million (200,000,000), provided that no
more than twenty million (20,000,000) 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 twenty million (20,000,000)
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.
Description of 2017 Stock Option
Plan (before
Amendment and Restatement)
On
October 23, 2017, the Company’s Shareholders authorized a
Stock Incentive Plan whereby a maximum of 100,000,000 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. The Company has outstanding unexercised
stock option grants totaling 37,000,000 shares as of June 30, 2018.
The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 to register
100,000,000 shares of Company’s common stock related to the
2017 Stock Incentive Plan.
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, 2018, the Company had the
following stock option activity:
On February 23, 2018, an employee was granted an option to purchase
2,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.020 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over two
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $13,000.
On February 23, 2018, an employee was granted an option to purchase
1,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.020 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over one
year and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $20,000.
On February 23, 2018, an employee was granted an option to purchase
1,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.020 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over one
year and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $6,500.
On May 1, 2018, an employee was granted an option to purchase
2,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.020 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over one
year and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $13,000.
On June 1, 2018, an employee was granted an option to purchase
2,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.020 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over one
year and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $13,000.
As of June 30, 2018, there are 63,000,000 options to purchase
common stock at an average exercise price of $0.009 per share
outstanding under the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company
recorded $16,129 and $15,081 of compensation expense, net of
related tax effects, relative to stock options for the six months
ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 in accordance with ASC 505. Net loss
per share (basic and diluted) associated with this expense was
approximately ($0.00). As of June 30, 2018, there is $93,524 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 3.70 years.
Stock option activity for the three months ended June 30,
2018 and the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2015
|
29,020,000
|
$0.03
|
$811,000
|
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
(17,010,000)
|
(0.041)
|
(690,500)
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2016
|
12,010,000
|
0.01
|
120,500
|
Granted
|
44,000,000
|
0.006
|
280,000
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
(10,000)
|
-
|
(500)
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2017
|
56,000,000
|
$0.007
|
$400,000
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, 2018:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.006
|
32,000,000
|
4.75
|
$0.006
|
12,500,000
|
$0.006
|
0.007
|
10,000,000
|
4.75
|
0.007
|
1,391,666
|
0.007
|
0.009
|
2,000,000
|
2.50
|
0.009
|
333,333
|
0.009
|
0.010
|
12,000,000
|
1.88
|
0.010
|
12,000,000
|
0.010
|
Stock
option grants totaling 56,000,000 shares of common stock had an
intrinsic value of $303,233 as of June 30, 2018.
|
Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
To Adopt the Growlife, Inc. Amended and Restated 2017 Stock
Incentive Plan
|
PROPOSAL 3
To amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect
a reverse stock split of the common stock, by a ratio of not less
than 1-for-100 and not more than 1-for-150, such
ratio and the implementation and timing of such reverse stock split
to be determined in the discretion of our board of
directors
We
are seeking stockholder approval for a proposal to adopt an
amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse
stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of our issued
common stock by a ratio of not less than 1-for-100 and
not more than 1-for-150, and such ratio and the
implementation and timing of such Reverse Stock Split to be
determined in the discretion of our board of directors. As further
described below, if this proposal is approved, our board of
directors may determine to effect the Reverse Stock Split at any
time after prior to November 30, 2019.
The
Board of Directors strongly believes that the Reverse Stock Split
is necessary for the following reasons:
|
1.
|
To provide us with resources and flexibility with respect to our
capital sufficient to execute our business plans and strategy
– we do not have sufficient capital with which to
run our business and meet our obligations and will need to raise
further capital through sale of our equity
securities.
|
|
2.
|
To enable repayment of certain convertible debts in shares of
Common Stock – we are permitted to repay amounts
due under certain debts in shares of our Common Stock based upon
certain formulae set forth in the instruments, and in the future we
may not have sufficient authorized and unissued shares available
with which to repay those obligations with shares of our common
stock.
|
Accordingly, the Board of Directors has unanimously approved a
resolution proposing an amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation to allow for the Reverse Stock Split on August 31,
2018 and directed that it be voted on by our shareholders during
the 2017 Annual Meeting.
Our
board of directors reserves the right to elect to abandon the
Reverse Stock Split, including any or all proposed ratios for the
Reverse Stock Split, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that
the Reverse Stock Split is no longer in the best interests of our
company and our stockholders.
The
Reverse Stock Split will not reduce the number of authorized shares
of common stock; such a reduction is to occur as set forth in
Proposal 4, however, it may not be proportional to the Reverse
Stock Split ratio. The Reverse Split will not change the number of
authorized shares of preferred stock. The Reverse Split will not
change the par value of the common stock or the preferred
stock.
The form of the amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split is attached
as Annex
B to this proxy statement.
Approval of the proposal would permit (but not require) our board
of directors to effect the Reverse Stock Split by a ratio of not
less than 1-for-100 and not more than 1-for-150 with
the exact ratio to be set within this range as determined by our
board of directors in its sole discretion, provided that the board
of directors must determine to effect the Reverse Stock Split and
such amendment must be filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware no later than November 30, 2019. The exact ratio
of the Reverse Stock Split will be determined by the board of
directors prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split
and will be publicly announced by us prior to such effective time.
We believe that enabling our board of directors to set the ratio of
the Reverse Stock Split within the stated range will provide us
with the flexibility to implement the Reverse Stock Split in a
manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for our
stockholders. In determining a ratio of the Reverse Stock Split, if
any, following the receipt of stockholder approval, our board of
directors may consider, among other things, factors such
as:
●
the historical trading prices and trading volume of our common
stock;
●
the number of shares of our common stock outstanding;
●
the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our common
stock and the anticipated or actual impact of the Reverse Stock
Split on the trading price and trading volume for our common
stock;
●
the anticipated impact of a particular ratio on our ability to
reduce administrative and transactional costs; and
●
prevailing general market and economic conditions.
Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split
The
Board of Directors believes that the increased market price of the
Common Stock expected as a result of implementing a reverse stock
split could improve the marketability and liquidity of the Common
Stock and will encourage interest and trading in the Common Stock.
However, other factors, such as our financial results, market
conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely
affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, there can
be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will
result in the intended benefits described above, that the market
price of our common stock will increase following the Reverse Stock
Split or that the market price of our common stock will not
decrease in the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the
market price per share of our common stock after a Reverse Stock
Split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of
shares of our common stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock
Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our common
stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total
market capitalization before the Reverse Stock Split
A
reverse stock split could allow a broader range of institutions to
invest in our stock (namely, funds that are prohibited from buying
stocks whose price is below a certain threshold), potentially
increasing trading volume and liquidity of our Common Stock. A
reverse stock split could help increase analyst and broker interest
in our stock as their policies can discourage them from following
or recommending companies with low stock prices. Because of the
trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks,
many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal
policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing
in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual
brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their
customers. Some of those policies and practices may make the
processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically
unattractive to brokers.
Additionally,
the Board of Directors strongly believes that the Reverse Stock
Split is necessary for the following reasons:
To provide us with resources
and flexibility with respect to our capital sufficient to execute
our business plans and strategy – we do not have sufficient capital
with which to run our business and meet our obligations and will
need to raise further capital through sale of our equity
securities. The Board of Directors wishes to increase the
number of unused authorized common shares by decreasing the
outstanding shares through the reverse stock split without a
corresponding decrease in the number of authorized shares. This
increase in unused authorized common shares will provide us greater
flexibility with respect to our capital structure for various
purposes as the need may arise from time to time. These purposes
may include: raising capital, establishing strategic relationships
with other companies, expanding our business through the
acquisition of other businesses or products and providing equity
incentives to employees, officers or directors. As we expect that
we will seek to raise significant additional capital in future
years to fund our operations, we may need to issue a substantial
number of shares in connection therewith.
To enable repayment of certain
convertible debts in shares of Common Stock – we are permitted to repay amounts due under
certain debts in shares of our Common Stock based upon certain
formulae set forth in the instruments, and in the future we may not
have sufficient authorized and unissued shares available with which
to repay those obligations with shares of our common
stock.
The
Board of Directors does not intend for this transaction to be the
first step in a series of plans or Actions of a “going
private transaction” within the meaning of
Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act.
Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Stock
Split
The
Reverse Stock Split would become effective upon the filing of a
certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and receipt of a
notice of effectiveness from FINRA. The exact timing of the filing
of the certificate of amendment that will effect the Reverse Stock
Split will be determined by our board of directors, in its sole
discretion, provided that in no event shall the filling of the
certificate of amendment effecting the Reverse Stock Split occur
after June 30, 2019. In addition, our board of directors reserves
the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval of this Proposal 3
and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to
proceed with the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to
filing the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect
the Reverse Stock Split, or, in the event that the amendment is not
effective until a later time, such later time, our board of
directors, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer
in our company’s best interests and the best interests of our
stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split. If a
certificate of amendment effecting the Reverse Stock Split has not
been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
or before June 30, 2019, our board of directors will be deemed to
have abandoned the Reverse Stock Split.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Holders of Outstanding Common
Stock
After the effective date of the proposed Reverse Stock Split, each
stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of Common
Stock. Depending on the ratio
for the Reverse Stock Split determined by our board of directors, a
minimum of every 100 and a maximum of every 150 shares of issued
common stock will be combined into one new share of common stock.
Based on approximately 3,054,218,374 shares of common stock
outstanding as of October 12, 2018, the record date for our annual
meeting, immediately following the Reverse Stock Split we would
have approximately 30,542,184 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding if the ratio for the Reverse Stock Split
is 1-for-100, and 20,361,456 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding if the ratio for the Reverse Stock Split
is 1-for-150. Any other ratio selected within such range
would result in a number of shares of common stock outstanding of
between 20,361,456 and 30,542,184 shares.
The
actual number of shares issued and outstanding after giving effect
to the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will depend on the
ratio for the Reverse Stock Split that is ultimately determined by
our board of directors.
The
Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of our common stock
uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage
ownership interest in our company, except that, as described below
under “Treatment of Fractional Shares.”
The
Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning
“odd lots” of less than 100 shares of common stock. Odd
lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions
and other costs of transactions in odd lots may be higher than the
costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples
of 100 shares.
After the effective time of the Reverse Stock
Split, our common stock will have a new Committee on Uniform
Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) number, which is a
number used to identify our equity securities, and stock
certificates with the older CUSIP numbers will need to be exchanged
for stock certificates with the new CUSIP numbers by following the
procedures described below. After the Reverse Stock Split, we will
continue to be subject to the periodic reporting and other
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. The proposed
reverse stock split will not affect the registration of the Common
Stock under the Securities Exchange Act. Our Common Stock would
continue to be reported on OTCQB under the symbol
“PHOT”.
Beneficial Holders of Common Stock (i.e. stockholders who hold in
street name)
For
purposes of implementing the Reverse Stock Split, we intend to
treat shares held by stockholders through a bank, broker, custodian
or other nominee in the same manner as registered stockholders
whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers,
custodians or other nominees will be instructed to effect the
Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding our common
stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians or
other nominees may have different procedures than registered
stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders
who hold shares of our common stock with a bank, broker, custodian
or other nominee and who have any questions in this regard are
encouraged to contact their banks, brokers, custodians or other
nominees.
Treatment of Fractional Shares
No
fractional shares would be issued if, as a result of the reverse
stock split, a registered stockholder would otherwise become
entitled to a fractional share. Instead, stockholders who otherwise
would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a
number of shares not evenly divisible by the ratio of the reverse
stock split will automatically be entitled to receive an additional
share of Common Stock. In other words, any fractional share will be
rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Employee Plans, Options and
Restricted Stock Awards
Pursuant
to the various instruments governing our then outstanding
restricted stock and stock option awards to purchase common stock,
in connection with any Reverse Stock Split, our board of directors
will reduce the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the
exercise of such restricted stock awards and stock options in
proportion to the ratio of the Reverse Stock Split and
proportionately increase the exercise price of our outstanding
stock options. In connection with such proportionate adjustments,
the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise or
conversion of outstanding stock awards and stock options will be
rounded down to the nearest whole share and the exercise prices
will be rounded up to the nearest cent, and no cash payment will be
made in respect of such rounding.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock
Split
The
Company will not seek an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service regarding the federal income tax
consequences of the Reverse Stock Split. The Company, however,
believes that the Reverse Stock Split will have, among others, the
following material federal income tax effects:
●
A
stockholder will not recognize gain or loss on the exchange of
Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. In the
aggregate, the stockholder’s basis in shares will be the same
as his or her basis in shares prior to the Reverse Stock Split
(including any fractional share deemed received).
●
A
stockholder’s holding period for tax purposes for shares of
Common Stock will be the same as the holding period for tax
purposes of the shares of Common Stock exchanged therefor as a
result of the Reverse Stock Split.
●
The
Reverse Stock Split will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, or will otherwise qualify for general
non-recognition treatment, and the Company will not recognize any
gain or loss as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.
The
above summary does not discuss any state, local, foreign or other
tax consequences. The summary is for general information only and
does not discuss consequences which may apply to special classes of
taxpayers. The tax treatment of a stockholder may vary depending
upon the particular facts and circumstances of such
stockholder.
Accordingly, stockholders are urged to consult with their tax
advisers as to the particular tax consequences to them of the
reverse stock split, including the federal, state, local, foreign
and other tax consequences and of potential changes in applicable
tax laws.
Procedure for Exchange of Stock Certificates
The
Reverse Stock Split will become effective as determined by the
Board in its discretion at any time after our 2018 Annual Meeting
and June 30, 2019. Upon the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock
Split, each certificate representing pre-reverse split shares will
be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of
post-reverse split shares.
Our
transfer agent, Issuer Direct Corporation, 500 Perimeter Park
Drive, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560, Phone: (877) 481-4014,
will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the
exchange of stock certificates. We refer to such person as the
“Exchange Agent.” Holders of pre-reverse split shares
are asked to surrender to the Exchange Agent certificates
representing pre-reverse split shares in exchange for certificates
representing post-reverse split shares. No new certificates will be
issued to a stockholder until that stockholder has surrendered the
stockholder's outstanding certificate(s).
YOU SHOULD NOT SEND YOUR OLD CERTIFICATES NOW. YOU SHOULD SEND THEM
ONLY AFTER YOU RECEIVE A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FROM OUR TRANSFER
AGENT.
Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
Amendment of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
effect a reverse stock split of the common stock, by a ratio of not
less than 1-for-100 and not more
than 1-for-150
|
PROPOSAL 4
To amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
decrease the authorized Common Stock
shares from 6,000,000,000 by a ratio of not less
than 1-for-50 and not more
than 1-for-100
The
Company has authorized 6,010,000,000 shares of capital stock, of
which 6,000,000,000 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 September 27, 2018, there were
3,054,218,374 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. We
do not anticipate any material changes in the number of common
stock shares issued and outstanding between now and the Record
Date.
The approval of the amendment of our
certificate of incorporation to authorize the reduction 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 August 31, 2018, the
Board of Directors approved a proposal to amend the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the number
of authorized shares of the Company’s Common Stock from 6
billion by a ratio of not less than 1-for-50 and not more than
1-for-100, and such ratio and the
implementation and timing of the reduction in authorized stock to
be determined in the discretion of our board of directors. As
further described below, if this proposal is approved, our board of
directors may determine to effect the amendment to reduce the
authorized stock at any time after prior to November 30, 2019, in
connection with the Reverse Stock Split timing. 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 3.
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; however,
if we implement the Reverse Split, there will be an excess of
unauthorized stock. No specific issuances are currently
anticipated; however, to the extent such issuances occur, they will
result in dilution to our current stockholders.
Our
board of directors reserves the right to elect to abandon the
reduction in authorized stock, including any or all proposed ratios
for the reduction, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that
the reduction in authorized stock is no longer in the best
interests of our company and our stockholders.
Accordingly, our
board of directors believes it is in our best interests and the
best interests of our stockholders to reduce the number of
authorized shares of our common stock but not to reduce
proportionately with the Reverse Stock Split, thus allowing us 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
decrease 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 decrease in
the number of authorized shares of our common stock leaves a
sufficient amount available 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 decrease in
the authorized number of shares of our common stock has resulted in
part due to our Reverse Stock Split, but 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 decrease 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.
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Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
To amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to
decrease the authorized Common Stock shares from 6,000,000,000 by a
ratio of not less than 1-for-50 and not more
than 1-for-100
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PROPOSAL 5
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, 2018
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, 2018.
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, 2017, 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, 2017 and 2016 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:
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|
|
|
|
|
Audit
fees
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$73,371
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$52,500
|
Audit
related fees
|
21,000
|
10,000
|
Tax
fees
|
12,700
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20,355
|
All
other fees
|
25,570
|
12,500
|
-
“Audit Fees” are fees paid for to Mayer and PMB for
professional services for the audit of our financial
statements.
-
“Audit-Related fees” are fees paid to 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 Mayer and PMB in connection with filing US income tax
returns.
-
“All other fees were paid to Mayer and PMB related to the
review of registration statements on Form S-1.
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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 year ended December 31, 2018
|
PROPOSAL 6
Advisory
vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive
officers
We are providing our stockholders the opportunity to vote to
approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the
compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this
proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. This
proposal, which is commonly referred to as “say-on-pay,” is required by
the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of
2010, which added Section 14A to the Exchange
Act.
We held our most recent “say-on-pay” advisory
stockholder vote on the compensation of our executive officers at
the October 2017 annual meeting. This advisory vote was supported
by our stockholders with approximately 72% of the voted shares
voting “for” such proposal. No specific component of
our executive compensation program was altered based on the results
of the October 2017 say-on-pay vote by our
stockholders.
Our
executive compensation programs are designed 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:
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●
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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.
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●
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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.
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●
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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.
As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding. The outcome of
this advisory vote does not overrule any decision by us or our
board of directors (or any committee thereof), creates or implies
any change to our fiduciary duties or those of our board of
directors (or any committee thereof), or creates or implies any
additional fiduciary duties for us or our board of directors (or
any committee thereof). However, our compensation committee and
board of directors value the opinions expressed by our stockholders
in their vote on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the
vote when making future compensation decisions for named executive
officers.
Your Board Recommends that Stockholders Vote
FOR
Advisory
vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive
officers
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PROPOSAL 7
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 6
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
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Audit Committee, which is composed of two independent directors,
Mr. Michael Fasci as Chairman and Mr. Thom Kozik, who operate 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, 2017 and 2016.
Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors,
Michael
E. Fasci, Chairman
___________________
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2019 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 2018Annual
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, 2019.
If, however, the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is
not within 30 days before or after December 1, 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 2019 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,
2019. If, however, the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is not within 30 days before or after December 1,
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, 2017, 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
September
27, 2018
Annex 1
GROWLIFE, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Definitions.
In the Plan, except where the context otherwise indicates, the
following definitions shall apply:
1.1. “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.
1.2. “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.
1.3. “Award”
means a grant of an Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock
Unit, Performance Award or Other Stock-Based
Award.
1.4. “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.5. “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
1.6. “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.
1.7. “Common
Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share.
1.8. “Company”
means GrowLife, Inc., and any successor
thereto.
1.9. “Date
of Exercise” means the date on which the Company receives
notice of the exercise of an Option in accordance with Section
7.1.
1.10. “Date
of Grant” means the date on which an Award is granted under
the Plan.
1.11. “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.
1.12. “Employee”
means any individual determined by the Committee to be an employee
of the Company or an Affiliate.
1.13. “Exercise
Price” means the price per Share at which an Option may be
exercised.
1.14.
“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.
1.15. “Incentive
Stock Option” means an Option that the Committee designates
as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the
Code.
1.16. “Non-Employee
Director” means any member of the Board, or of an
Affiliate’s board of directors, who is not an
Employee.
1.17. “Nonqualified
Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock
Option.
1.18. “Option”
means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section
6.
1.19. “Option
Period” means the period during which an Option may be
exercised.
1.20. “Other
Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section
12.
1.21. “Participant”
means an Eligible Person who has been granted an
Award.
1.22. “Performance
Award” means a performance award granted pursuant to
Section
1.23. “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.
1.24. “Plan”
means this GrowLife, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
from time to time.
1.25. “Restricted
Stock” means Shares granted pursuant to Section
8.
1.26. “Restricted
Stock Units” means an Award providing for the contingent
grant of Shares (or the cash equivalent thereof) pursuant to
Section 9.
1.27. “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.
1.28. “Share”
means a share of Common Stock.
1.29.
“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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. Stock
Subject to Plan.
5.1. Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 13, (a) the maximum number of
Shares that may be issued under the Plan is two hundred million
(200,000,000) shares, provided that no more than twenty million
(20,000,000) 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 twenty million (20,000,000) 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.
5.2. 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.
6. Options.
6.1. 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.
6.2.
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.
6.3. 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.
6.4. 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).
7. Exercise
of Options.
7.1. 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.
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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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).
14. 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.
15. Modification,
Substitution of Awards.
15.1. 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.
15.2. 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.
15.3. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. General
Provisions.
21.1. 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.
21.2. 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.
21.3. 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.
21.4. 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.
21.5. 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.
21.6. 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.
21.7. 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.
21.8. 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 upon the effectiveness of this
Certificate of Amendment, Article FOURTH of the Certificate
of Incorporation, is hereby amended by
adding the following two paragraphs as the last two paragraphs of
such Article FOURTH:
“Reverse
Split: Effective upon the filing of this Certificate of Amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”),
a one-for-[ ] reverse
stock split of the Corporation’s common stock, $0.0001 par
value per share (the “Common Stock”), shall become
effective, pursuant to which each
[ ] shares of Common
Stock issued or outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be reclassified and combined into one validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock automatically and
without any action by the holder thereof upon the Effective Time
and shall represent one share of Common Stock from and after the
Effective Time (such reclassification and combination of shares,
the “Reverse Stock Split”). The par value of the Common
Stock following the Reverse Stock Split shall remain at $0.0001 par
value per share. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be
issued as a result of the Reverse Stock Split and, in lieu thereof,
each resulting fractional share shall be rounded up to the nearest
whole share of Common Stock.
Each
stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time,
represented shares of Common Stock that were issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the
Effective Time, automatically and without the necessity of
presenting the same for exchange, represent that number of whole
shares of Common Stock after the Effective Time into which the
shares formerly represented by such certificate have been
reclassified; provided, however, that each person of record holding
a certificate that represented shares of Common Stock that were
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall receive, upon surrender of such certificate, a new
certificate evidencing and representing the number of whole shares
of Common Stock after the Effective Time into which the shares of
Common Stock formerly represented by such certificate shall have
been reclassified.”
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 ___________,
2018.
By: ______________________________
Marco
Hegyi, Chief Executive Officer
ANNEX 3
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 __________ shares,
of which _________ 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 ___________,
2018.
By: ______________________________
Marco
Hegyi, Chief Executive Officer
GROWLIFE, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – DECEMBER 6, 2018 AT 12:00 P.M.,
LOCAL TIME
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CONTROL ID:
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REQUEST ID:
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The
undersigned stockholder(s) of Growlife, Inc., hereby revoking any
proxy heretofore given, does hereby appoint Marco Hegyi or Mark
Scott, 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 2018 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on December 6,
2018 at 12:00 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.
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(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)
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VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
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If you vote by phone, fax or internet, please DO NOT mail your
proxy card.
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MAIL:
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Please
mark, sign, date, and return this Proxy Card promptly using the
enclosed envelope.
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FAX:
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Complete
the reverse portion of this Proxy Card and Fax to 202-521-3464.
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INTERNET:
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https://www.iproxydirect.com/PHOT
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PHONE:
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1-866-752-VOTE(8683)
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ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OF GROWLIFE, INC.
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PLEASE
COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY
IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE
IN
BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE: ☒
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PROXY
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Proposal 1
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FOR ALL
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WITHHOLD
ALL
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FOR ALL
EXCEPT
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To
elect four nominees to serve on the Board until the 2018 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders:
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☐
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Marco
Hegyi
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Mark E.
Scott
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CONTROL
ID:
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Michael
E. Fasci
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REQUEST
ID:
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Katherine
McLain
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Thom
Kozik
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Proposal 2
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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To
adopt and approve the First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock
Incentive Plan to increase shares issuable under plan from 100
million to 200 million.
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Proposal 3
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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To
approve a reverse split of outstanding common stock by a ratio of
not less than 1-for-100 and not more than 1-for-150; the ratio and
timing of implementation to be determined in the discretion of the
board of directors.
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Proposal 4
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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To
approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation to reduce the authorized shares of common stock
(“Common Stock”) from 6,000,000,000 by a ratio of not
less than 1-for-50 and not more than 1-for 100.
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Proposal 5
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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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 year ending December 31,
2018.
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Proposal 6
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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To
approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to
the Company’s named executive officers.
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Proposal 7
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ONE
YEAR
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TWO
YEAR
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THREE
YEAR
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ABSTAIN
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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.
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Proposal 8
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To
transact such other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
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MARK “X”
HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING: ☐
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The Board recommends that you vote your shares “FOR
ALL” for Proposal 1, and “FOR” for Proposal 2, 3,
4, 5 and 6 and “THREE YEAR” for Proposal 7. 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 and “THREE YEAR” for Proposal
7.
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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: ________________________, 2018
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(Print Name of Stockholder and/or Joint
Tenant)
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(Signature of Stockholder)
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(Second Signature if held jointly)
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