Executive pay, equity plan and auditor on ballot at INNOVATE Corp (VATE) 2026 meeting
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
DEF 14A
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
INNOVATE Corp. is holding its 2026 annual stockholder meeting virtually on June 11, 2026, where common and preferred holders will vote together on four key proposals.
Stockholders will elect four directors, cast an advisory vote on executive pay, approve an increase in shares available under the Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan, and ratify BDO USA, P.C. as auditor. The board recommends voting FOR all items.
The proxy also highlights 2025 business results, including DBM Global revenue of $1,210.3 million, up 12.9% year-over-year, MediBeacon kidney-function product approvals in the U.S. and China, and record revenue at R2 Technologies. Governance features include a separate independent chair and CEO, majority voting for uncontested director elections, performance-based compensation, and minimum one-year vesting on equity awards. In 2025 the interim CEO’s reported pay was $1.84 million and the CFO’s was $0.94 million, combining salary, equity and incentives aligned with company performance.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Shares entitled to vote: 14,013,470 shares
DBM Global revenue: $1,210.3 million
DBM Global backlog: $1,723.9 million
+5 more
8 metrics
Shares entitled to vote
14,013,470 shares
Common stock and preferred on an as-converted basis as of April 22, 2026
DBM Global revenue
$1,210.3 million
Full year ended December 31, 2025, 12.9% year-over-year increase
DBM Global backlog
$1,723.9 million
Reported backlog as of December 31, 2025
R2 Technologies revenue growth
27.6%
Year-over-year revenue growth in 2025
Total shareholder return
$24.17
Value of initial $100 investment as of 2025 year-end
Net loss
$64.0 million
Net loss for 2025
Interim CEO total compensation
$1,840,192
Paul K. Voigt total reported compensation for 2025
CFO bonus
$350,000
2025 bonus for Michael J. Sena, paid two-thirds cash, one-third RSAs
Key Terms
Say on Pay Vote, Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan, broker non-vote, majority of the votes cast, +2 more
6 terms
Say on Pay Vote financial
"To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (the “Say on Pay Vote”)."
Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan financial
"To approve an amendment to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance thereunder"
broker non-vote financial
"A “broker non-vote” will occur if your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote your shares on a particular matter"
majority of the votes cast financial
"directors will be elected by a majority of the votes cast at the 2026 Annual Meeting"
Corporate Governance Guidelines financial
"The Board has approved, following recommendation by the Nominating and Governance Committee, Corporate Governance Guidelines"
A company’s corporate governance guidelines are a set of written rules and practices that explain how its board and executives make decisions, oversee risks, and hold themselves accountable—think of them as the organization’s playbook for fair and responsible leadership. Investors care because these guidelines shape how transparent decision-making is, reduce the chance of surprises or conflicts, and influence long‑term stability and trust, much like house rules keep a household running smoothly.
double-trigger vesting financial
"Double-Trigger Vesting - a “change in control” must also be accompanied by a qualifying termination to trigger acceleration of vesting"
Double-trigger vesting is a rule for employee stock options or restricted shares that requires two events before the employee fully owns them: usually a passage of time (or continued work) and a second event such as the company being sold or the employee being let go after that sale. It matters to investors because it affects how much equity stays with key employees after a merger or acquisition, which can influence management stability, integration risk, and the ultimate value or dilution of shares — like needing two separate keys to open an important lock.
Compensation Summary
2 executives
| Name | Title | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Paul K. Voigt | ||
| Michael J. Sena |
Key Proposals
- Election of four directors to serve until the 2027 annual meeting.
- Advisory vote to approve compensation of named executive officers.
- Amendment to Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan to increase available common shares.
- Ratification of BDO USA, P.C. as independent registered public accounting firm for 2026.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x | Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o | ||||
Check the appropriate box:
| o | Preliminary Proxy Statement | ||||
| o | Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||||
| x | Definitive Proxy Statement | ||||
| o | Definitive Additional Materials | ||||
| o | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 | ||||
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
| Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): | ||||||||
| x | No fee required. | |||||||
| o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: | |||||||
| o | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |||||||
 | INNOVATE Corp. 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl New York, NY 10017 | ||||
Notice of 2026 Annual Meeting
and
Proxy Statement
| INNOVATE Corp. 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl New York, NY 10017 | ||||
April 28, 2026 | ||
Dear INNOVATE Corp. Stockholder:
It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2026 Annual Meeting” or the “Annual Meeting”) of INNOVATE Corp., a Delaware corporation (“INNOVATE” or the “Company”). We will hold the 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. This year’s Annual Meeting will be a completely “virtual meeting” of stockholders. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting and vote and submit your questions during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VATE2026. You will need the 16 digit control number on your notice or proxy card to participate in the Annual Meeting. Online check-in will begin at 10:45 a.m. (Eastern), on June 11, 2026. Once admitted, you may participate in the Annual Meeting and vote during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions that will be available on the Annual Meeting website.
The items to be considered and voted on at the 2026 Annual Meeting are described in the Notice of 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and are more fully addressed in our proxy materials accompanying this letter. We encourage you to read all of these materials carefully and then to vote using the enclosed proxy card.
We are furnishing our proxy materials via the Internet. Providing our proxy materials to stockholders electronically allows us to “be green” by conserving natural resources and reducing our printing and mailing costs related to the distribution of the proxy materials. To ensure your representation at the 2026 Annual Meeting, we urge you to cause your shares to be voted (i) via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com, (ii) by telephone by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) that you received in the mail and that is also provided on that website, or, (iii) if you have requested a paper copy of the proxy materials and the proxy card by mail, by signing, voting and returning your proxy card to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please review the instructions for each of these voting options that are detailed in the Notice and in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
The Notice and Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, (the “2025 Annual Report”) are available for viewing and printing under the “Investor Relations-Stock Information-Proxy Materials” section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com. You may also obtain these materials at www.proxyvote.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov. These materials were first sent or made available to stockholders on our website on or about April 28, 2026. Any stockholder may, at no cost to the stockholder, request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by e-mail. To ensure timely delivery, please be sure to complete this request by May 28, 2026. If you would like to receive a printed or e-mail copy of the proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice. You will not otherwise receive a printed or e-mail copy of the proxy materials.
If you have any questions about the proposals to be voted on, please call INNOVATE’s Investor Relations Department at 212-235-2691.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in INNOVATE. We look forward to your participation at the 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
| Very truly yours, | ||||||||
 |  | |||||||
| Avram A. Glazer | Paul K. Voigt | |||||||
| Chairman of the Board | Interim Chief Executive Officer | |||||||
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 11, 2026 | ||
The proxy statement and the 2025 Annual Report are available at www.innovatecorp.com (Investor Relations-Stock Information-Proxy Materials). You may also obtain these materials at www.proxyvote.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov. | ||
| INNOVATE Corp. 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl New York, NY 10017 | ||||
NOTICE OF 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS | ||
| To be Held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time | ||
April 28, 2026 | ||
To our Stockholders:
INNOVATE Corp., a Delaware corporation (“INNOVATE” or the “Company”) will hold its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2026 Annual Meeting” or the “Annual Meeting”) on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held solely by remote communication, in a virtual meeting format. You will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VATE2026, at the meeting date and time described in the accompanying proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”). You will not be able to attend the 2026 Annual Meeting in person. You will need the 16 digit control number on your notice or proxy card to participate in the Annual Meeting. Beneficial owners of shares held in street name will need to follow the instructions provided by the broker, bank or other nominee that holds their shares. Online check-in will begin at 10:45 a.m. (Eastern), on June 11, 2026. Once admitted, you may participate in the meeting and vote during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions that will be available on the meeting website.
At the 2026 Annual Meeting, holders of the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), Series A-3 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series A-3 Preferred Stock”), and Series A-4 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series A-4 Preferred Stock”, together with the Series A-3 Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”), in each case, outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on April 22, 2026, the record date for voting at the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”), will be asked to vote upon the following proposals:
1. To elect the four nominees identified in the Proxy Statement, each to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified (the “Election Proposal”).
2. To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (the “Say on Pay Vote”).
3. To approve an amendment to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance thereunder (the “Second A&R 2014 Plan Proposal”).
4. To ratify the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 (the “Accounting Firm Proposal”).
5. To consider and take action upon any other business that may properly come before the 2026 Annual Meeting or any continuations, postponements or adjournments thereof.
Only stockholders of record of Common Stock and Preferred Stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2026 Annual Meeting and any continuations, postponements or adjournments thereof. The list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open for examination by any stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, for a period of 10 days prior to the 2026 Annual Meeting by email request during ordinary business hours to the Office of the Corporate Secretary of INNOVATE at corpsec@innovatecorp.com.
Your vote is very important. We appreciate your taking the time to vote promptly. After reading the accompanying Proxy Statement, please cause your shares to be voted at your earliest convenience to ensure the presence of a quorum. As described in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, your shares may be voted over the Internet, by telephone, or, if you have requested a paper copy of the proxy materials and the proxy card by mail, by completing, signing and returning the proxy card in the postage pre-paid envelope accompanying the proxy materials.
The Board of Directors of INNOVATE recommends that stockholders vote as follows:
| Voting Matter | Board Vote Recommendation | Page Reference For More Information | |||||||||
Proposal 1 | Election of Directors | FOR each nominee | 7 | ||||||||
Proposal 2 | Advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers (“Say on Pay Vote”) | FOR | 28 | ||||||||
| Proposal 3 | Approval of Amendment to Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance thereunder. | FOR | 29 | ||||||||
Proposal 4 | Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm | FOR | 38 | ||||||||
If you have any questions about the proposals to be voted on, please call INNOVATE’s Investor Relations Department at 212-235-2691.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE CAUSE YOUR SHARES TO BE VOTED AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY USING THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE OR, IF YOU HAVE REQUESTED A PAPER COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE PROXY CARD BY MAIL, BY COMPLETING, SIGNING AND RETURNING THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED WITH YOUR PROXY MATERIALS, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. STOCKHOLDERS WHO DECIDE TO ATTEND THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING MAY, IF THEY SO DESIRE, REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND VOTE THEIR SHARES AT THE MEETING.
AS DESCRIBED IN THE NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS, COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.INNOVATECORP.COM (INVESTOR RELATIONS-STOCK INFORMATION-PROXY MATERIALS). YOU MAY ALSO OBTAIN THESE MATERIALS AT WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM AND THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV.
| By Order of the Board of Directors, | ||
 | ||
Michael J. Sena Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary | ||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||||||||||
General Information About the 2026 Annual Meeting | 1 | ||||||||||
Business Highlights | 5 | ||||||||||
Executive Compensation and Governance Highlights | 6 | ||||||||||
Election of Directors (Proposal No. 1 on the Proxy Card) | 7 | ||||||||||
Board of Directors | 8 | ||||||||||
Information Regarding Directors | 8 | ||||||||||
Analysis of Our Directors in Light of Our Business | 9 | ||||||||||
Director Independence | 10 | ||||||||||
Board Committees | 10 | ||||||||||
Corporate Governance Guidelines | 12 | ||||||||||
Director Nomination Process | 12 | ||||||||||
Stockholder and Other Interested Party Communications with the Board and/or Non-Employee Directors | 13 | ||||||||||
Meeting Attendance | 13 | ||||||||||
Code of Conduct | 13 | ||||||||||
Board Leadership Structure | 13 | ||||||||||
Board Role in Risk Oversight | 14 | ||||||||||
Director Education | 15 | ||||||||||
Insider Trading, Anti-Pledging and Anti-Hedging Policies | 15 | ||||||||||
Compensation of Directors | 15 | ||||||||||
Executive Officers | 16 | ||||||||||
Executive Compensation | 17 | ||||||||||
Overview of Executive Compensation | 17 | ||||||||||
Summary Compensation Information | 17 | ||||||||||
Summary Compensation Table | 17 | ||||||||||
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table | 18 | ||||||||||
2025 Executive Incentive Program | 18 | ||||||||||
Equity Award Timing Policies and Practices | 19 | ||||||||||
Pay Versus Performance Table | 19 | ||||||||||
Employment Agreements | 22 | ||||||||||
Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination or Change in Control | 23 | ||||||||||
Other Terms Applicable to Named Executive Officers | 24 | ||||||||||
Tax Considerations | 24 | ||||||||||
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End | 25 | ||||||||||
Certain Relationships | 26 | ||||||||||
Equity Compensation Plan Information | 27 | ||||||||||
Report of the Audit Committee | 27 | ||||||||||
Advisory Vote on Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers ("Say on Pay Vote") (Proposal No. 2 on the Proxy Card) | 28 | ||||||||||
Approval of Amendment to the INNOVATE Corp. Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance thereunder (Proposal No. 3 on the Proxy Card) | 29 | ||||||||||
Page i
| Page | |||||||||||
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (the “Accounting Firm Proposal”) (Proposal No. 4 on the Proxy Card) | 38 | ||||||||||
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports | 39 | ||||||||||
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 39 | ||||||||||
Other Matters | 42 | ||||||||||
Householding of Proxy Materials | 42 | ||||||||||
Stockholder Proposals | 42 | ||||||||||
EXHIBIT A - INNOVATE Corp. Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan, as Amended | A-1 | ||||||||||
Page ii
| INNOVATE Corp. 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl New York, NY 10017 | ||||
| PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 11, 2026 | ||
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
This proxy statement (this “Proxy Statement”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) for use at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2026 Annual Meeting” or the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and any continuations, postponements or adjournments thereof. As used in this Proxy Statement, the terms “INNOVATE,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean INNOVATE Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.
How do I attend the 2026 Annual Meeting?
The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held solely by remote communication, in a virtual meeting format. Registered stockholders will be able to participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VATE2026, where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions. You will not be able to attend the 2026 Annual Meeting in person. You will need the 16 digit control number on your notice or your proxy card to participate in the Annual Meeting.
How can I participate and ask questions at the 2026 Annual Meeting?
In order to submit a question at the 2026 Annual Meeting, you will need your 16 digit control number that is printed on the notice or proxy card that you received in the mail, or via email if you have elected to receive material electronically. You may log in 15 minutes before the start of the 2026 Annual Meeting and submit questions online. If you would like to submit a question during the 2026 Annual Meeting, once you have logged into the webcast, simply click on the “Q&A” icon on the screen, type in your question, then click “Send” to submit. You can submit a question up until the time we indicate that the question-and-answer session is concluded.
What if I have technical or other “IT” problems logging into or participating in the 2026 Annual Meeting webcast?
The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (MS Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets and cell phones) running the most up-to-date version of applicable software and plugins. Note: Internet Explorer is not a supported browser. Participants should ensure that they have a strong WiFi connection. Stockholders are encouraged to log into the webcast at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to test their Internet connectivity. If you experience technical difficulties during the check-in process, call one of the appropriate numbers noted at the top of the login page.
What documentation must I provide to vote online at the 2026 Annual Meeting?
If you are a stockholder of record and provide your 16 digit control number when you access the meeting, you may vote all shares registered in your name during the 2026 Annual Meeting webcast. If you are not a stockholder of record as to any of your shares (i.e., instead of being registered in your name, all or a portion of your shares are registered in “street name” and held by your broker, bank or other institution for your benefit), you must follow the instructions provided by the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares.
Page 1
Why am I receiving proxy materials?
The Board of Directors of INNOVATE Corp. (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) has made these materials available to you over the internet, or has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail in connection with the Board of Directors’ solicitation of proxies for use at the 2026 Annual Meeting, and any continuations, postponements or adjournments thereof. The proxy materials include our Notice of 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of INNOVATE Corp., this Proxy Statement, the proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the “2025 Annual Report”). The proxy materials include detailed information about the matters that will be discussed and voted on at the 2026 Annual Meeting and furnish you with the information you need in order to vote, whether or not you participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting.
INNOVATE expects to mail the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the 2026 Annual Meeting on or about April 28, 2026.
Can I access these proxy materials on the Internet?
Yes. This Proxy Statement and the 2025 Annual Report are available free of charge under the “Investor Relations-Stock Information-Proxy Materials” section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com. You may also obtain these materials at www.proxyvote.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.
Who can vote?
Stockholders who owned the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), Series A-3 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series A-3 Preferred Stock”), and Series A-4 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series A-4 Preferred Stock” and, together with the Series A-3 Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”), as of the close of business on April 22, 2026, the record date for voting at the 2026 Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”), are entitled to vote at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
How many votes do I have?
Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date entitles the holder thereof to one vote, without cumulation, on each matter to be voted upon at the 2026 Annual Meeting, as further described in this Proxy Statement. Holders of Preferred Stock will vote together as a single class with holders of Common Stock (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis), with respect to all matters before the 2026 Annual Meeting.
As of the Record Date for the 2026 Annual Meeting, there were (i) 13,641,866 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote, (ii) 6,125 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock, equal to 305,278 shares of Common Stock on an as-converted basis and (iii) 1,937 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock, equal to 66,326 shares of Common Stock on an as-converted basis. Therefore, as of the Record Date, there were a total of 14,013,470 shares of Common Stock (including the Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis) outstanding and entitled to vote.
How can I vote my shares
Whether or not you plan to participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy. If you vote by proxy, the individuals named on the proxy card, or your “proxies,” will vote in the manner you indicate. If you submit a proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions, your votes will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations. Voting by proxy will not affect your right to participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Page 2
 | VIA THE INTERNET (www.proxyvote.com) Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 10, 2026. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. |  | BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. | |||||||||||
 | BY TELEPHONE (1-800-690-6903) Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 10, 2026. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. |  | DURING THE ANNUAL MEETING (www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VATE2026) You may attend the Annual Meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow on your proxy card available and follow the instructions. | |||||||||||
How Does the Board Recommend that I Vote on the Proposals?
| Voting Matter | Board Vote Recommendation | Page Reference For More Information | |||||||||
Proposal 1 | Election of Directors | FOR each nominee | 7 | ||||||||
Proposal 2 | Advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers (“Say on Pay Vote”) | FOR | 28 | ||||||||
| Proposal 3 | Approval of Amendment to Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance thereunder. | FOR | 29 | ||||||||
Proposal 4 | Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm | FOR | 38 | ||||||||
If any other matter is presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting, your proxy provides that your shares will be voted by the proxy holder listed on the proxy card in accordance with his or her discretion. As of the time this Proxy Statement was filed, we knew of no matters that need to be acted on at the 2026 Annual Meeting, other than those described in this Proxy Statement.
May I change or revoke my proxy?
You may change or revoke your previously submitted proxy at any time before the 2026 Annual Meeting or, if you participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting virtually, at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
If you are a stockholder of record, you may change or revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:
•by re-voting at a subsequent time by Internet or by telephone as instructed above;
•by signing a new proxy card with a date later than your previously delivered proxy and submitting it as instructed above; or
•by voting during the 2026 Annual Meeting.
You may also revoke your proxy by delivering a signed revocation letter to Michael J. Sena, the Company’s Corporate Secretary, at 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10017 before the 2026 Annual Meeting, which states that you have revoked your proxy. If you intend to revoke your proxy by providing such written notice, we advise that you also send a copy via email to corpsec@innovatecorp.com.
Page 3
Your latest dated proxy card, Internet or telephone vote is the one that is counted.
If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you may change your voting instructions by following the instructions of your bank, broker or other nominee.
What if I receive more than one Notice or proxy card?
You may receive more than one Notice or, if you have requested proxy materials, more than one proxy card, if you hold shares of our Common Stock or Preferred Stock in more than one account, which may be in registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner described under “How Do I Vote?” for each account to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Will my shares be voted if I do not vote or instruct my nominee how to vote?
If your shares are registered in your name, they will not be voted if you do not vote by Internet, by telephone or by completing, signing and returning your proxy card, if you have requested printed proxy materials, or during the 2026 Annual Meeting, as described above under “How Do I Vote?”
With respect to shares held in street name, your bank, broker or other nominee generally has the discretionary authority to vote uninstructed shares on “routine” matters, but cannot vote such uninstructed shares on “non-routine” matters. A “broker non-vote” will occur if your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote your shares on a particular matter because it has not received instructions from you and does not have discretionary voting authority on that matter or because your bank, broker or other nominee chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have discretionary voting authority. The Election Proposal, the Say on Pay Vote and the Second A&R 2014 Plan Proposal Vote are considered non-routine matters under applicable rules, and, therefore, your bank, broker or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote your uninstructed shares on such matters. The Accounting Firm Proposal is considered to be a routine matter and therefore, if you do not return voting instructions to your broker, your shares may be voted by your broker in its discretion. Therefore, if you hold your shares in street name, it is critical that you instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote if you want your vote to be counted.
What vote is required to approve each proposal and how are votes counted?
With respect to the Election Proposal, in an uncontested election of directors, the Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (the “By-Laws”) provide that directors will be elected by a majority of the votes cast at the 2026 Annual Meeting by the holders of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting as a single class (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis). This means that the number of shares voted FOR each nominee must exceed 50% of the votes cast with respect to that nominee. Voting stockholders may vote either FOR any or all of these nominees or AGAINST any or all of these nominees. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
With respect to the Say on Pay Proposal and the Second A&R 2014 Plan Proposal, the favorable vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting as a single class (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis), present in person or by proxy at the 2026 Annual Meeting will constitute the stockholders’ approval of the proposals, which will be non-binding. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST these proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposals.
With respect to the Accounting Firm Proposal, the favorable vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting as a single class (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis), present in person or by proxy at the 2026 Annual Meeting will constitute the stockholders’ approval of this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST this proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. Your nominee will have discretionary authority to vote your shares if you do not provide instructions as to how your shares should be voted on this proposal.
What are the costs of soliciting these proxies?
We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. Our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies in person or by e-mail or other electronic means or by telephone. We will pay these directors, officers and employees no additional compensation for these services. We will ask banks, brokers and other nominees to forward these proxy materials to
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their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. We will then reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses.
What constitutes a quorum for the 2026 Annual Meeting?
The presence online at the 2026 Annual Meeting or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of INNOVATE entitled to vote at the 2026 Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Proxies that abstain on one or more proposals and broker non-votes will be deemed present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists for all proposals to be voted on at the meeting. A quorum is necessary before business may be transacted at the 2026 Annual Meeting except that, even if a quorum is not present, with respect to some or all matters to be voted upon, the chairman of the 2026 Annual Meeting or the holders of shares having a majority of the voting power present online at the 2026 Annual Meeting or by proxy, with respect to the matter or matters to be voted upon, shall have the power to adjourn the 2026 Annual Meeting, from time to time until a quorum is present with respect to such matter or matters to be voted upon. As of the Record Date, there were a total of 14,013,470 shares of Common Stock (including the Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis) outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of 7,006,735 shares of Common Stock or its equivalents must be present online at the 2026 Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the 2026 Annual Meeting to have a quorum for the transaction of business.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025 our management team, including our named executive officers, oversaw the following significant developments of the Company.
Refinancing Transactions
In August 2025, the Company closed on a series of indebtedness refinancing transactions (the “Refinancing Transactions”) that, among other things, extended the Company's debt maturities. The Refinancing Transactions included (i) the closings of an exchange offer and consent solicitation with respect to the Company’s senior secured notes, (ii) privately negotiated exchanges of certain of the Company's convertible senior notes, (iii) amendment and extension of the Company’s 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, (iv) amendment and extension of the Company's Continental General Insurance Company (“CGIC”) note, as well as the exchange of a portion of the Company's preferred stock held by CGIC in exchange for increasing the principal amount of that note, (v) amendment and extension of the Spectrum segment notes, and (vi) amendment and extension of the R2 Technologies, Inc. (“R2 Technologies”) note.
2025 Corporate Performance Highlights
We believe that a skilled and motivated team of senior executives is essential to achieving positive results and implementing our business objectives. We have continued to structure our compensation program to provide our named executive officers and other senior executives with levels of compensation that we believe are necessary to retain their services and with incentives designed to achieve positive results and successfully implement our business objectives, in both the short and long term. As a result of the strong efforts by our current executive leadership team, we achieved a number of financial and strategic objectives during fiscal year 2025:
•DBM Global grew revenue to $1,210.3 million for the full year ending December 31, 2025, a 12.9% increase year-over-year. Reported backlog was $1,723.9 million as of December 31, 2025. Additionally, on May 20, 2025, DBM Global entered into an amended and restated credit agreement that provides for an $85 million term loan and a $135 million revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), which was used to fully repay DBM Global’s existing debt obligations and provide additional working capital capacity. The Credit Facility will expire May 20, 2030.
•Pansend Life Sciences, LLC generated momentum in the healthcare industry and is currently invested in five companies, marking recent key milestones for MediBeacon, Inc. (“MediBeacon”) and R2 Technologies (aesthetic dermatology). In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved the MediBeacon® Transdermal GFR (“TGFRTM”) for assessment of the kidney function in patients with normal or impaired renal function. In February 2025, the National Medical Products Administration in China approved the MediBeacon® TGFR Monitor and TGFR Sensor for the assessment of kidney function in patients with normal or impaired renal function. In October 2025, MediBeacon received full regulatory approval from China's National Medical Products Administration following approval of the Lumitrace® (relmapirazin) injection, categorized as a drug in China. In
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December 2025, MediBeacon received approval from the U.S. FDA for the next generation MediBeacon® TGFR System including the latest TGFR Reusable Sensor. Additionally, MediBeacon began early commercialization activities in China following the fourth quarter 2025 Chinese regulatory approval and initiated its Center of Excellence commercial rollout, with initial TGFR system orders secured at a leading academic medical center and is expecting additional placements as inventory builds. R2 delivered record revenue in 2025, with 27.6% year-over-year growth and 38.2% growth in worldwide gross system unit sales.
•HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc. (“Broadcasting”) owns and operates 257 television stations across 112 designated market areas. Broadcasting has recently expanded its network portfolio with the launches of Liongates’s MovieSphereGold, Sports First, and Black Vision Network. In addition, Broadcasting has deployed three ATSC 3.0 stations in partnership with a major mobile carrier and continues to explore new commercial opportunities in datacasting.
Stockholder Engagement
The Company is committed to active engagement and meaningful ongoing dialogue with our stockholders. The Company meets with stockholders, both in person and by teleconference, on an on-going basis to address matters that are important to them, including executive compensation, corporate governance and ESG responsibility. Feedback from these discussions provides the Company with important insights, which management shares with the Board. We believe that a culture of transparency with our stockholders will enable us to deliver sustainable, long-term value by ensuring that our objectives and vision for the Company are aligned.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
The following is an overview of the highlights of our compensation and governance structure, and the fundamental compensation and governance policies and practices we do and do not use.
| WHAT WE DO | WHAT WE DON’T DO | ||||||||||
| ü | Separation of the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) | û | No excise tax gross-ups upon a change in control | ||||||||
| ü | Majority voting for directors in uncontested elections | û | No hedging activities by our executives and directors, with pledging only permitted under limited circumstances. | ||||||||
| ü | Actively engage with stockholders and act on stockholder feedback | û | No defined benefit or supplemental retirement plans | ||||||||
| ü | Use of performance-based compensation to align the interests of our executives and stockholders | û | No perquisites or other personal benefits to executive officers that are not available to all employees | ||||||||
| ü | Minimum Vesting Requirement - one year from the date an award is made | û | No dividends on unvested equity awards until, and only to the extent that, those awards vest | ||||||||
| ü | Double-Trigger Vesting - a “change in control” must also be accompanied by a qualifying termination to trigger acceleration of vesting | û | No repricing or buyouts of underwater options or SARs | ||||||||
| ü | Engage an independent compensation consultant to review and provide recommendations regarding our executive compensation program | û | No liberal recycling provisions or “evergreen” provisions in equity plans | ||||||||
| ü | Stock option exercise prices and stock appreciation right (“SAR”) grant prices at or above the fair market value on the grant date | ||||||||||
| ü | Succession planning for our CEO | ||||||||||
| ü | Encourage continuing education for directors | ||||||||||
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL 1)
The size of our Board is determined by resolution of the Board, subject to the requirements of our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws (the “By-Laws”). Our Board currently consists of the following four directors: Avram A. Glazer, Warren H. Gfeller, Brian S. Goldstein and Amy M. Wilkinson, each of whom is nominated for election at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
The Board will continue to evaluate the size of the Board and make adjustments as needed to meet the current and future needs of the Company.
At the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, our Board has nominated the following four individuals for election as a director at the 2026 Annual Meeting, to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2027 Annual Meeting”) and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified: Avram A. Glazer, Warren H. Gfeller, Brian S. Goldstein and Amy M. Wilkinson. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this proposal.
If you vote by proxy, the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner you indicate. If you properly submit a proxy, but do not indicate any voting instructions, the named proxy holders will vote the shares of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock represented thereby for the election as directors of the persons whose names and biographies appear below. All of the persons whose names and biographies appear below are currently serving as our directors.
Each nominee has consented to be named in this Proxy Statement, and we expect each nominee to be able to serve if elected. If any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve as a director, it is intended that proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the Board, or, in the discretion of the Board, the Board may elect to reduce its size.
Pursuant to our By-Laws, written notice by stockholders of qualifying nominations for election to our Board of Directors must have been received by our Corporate Secretary by February 12, 2026. We did not receive any such nominations, and no other nominations for election to our Board may be made by stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
Vote Required
Each nominee is to be elected by a majority of the votes cast at the 2026 Annual Meeting by holders of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting as a single class (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis). Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of the directors.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION | ||
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of Messrs. Glazer, Gfeller and Goldstein and Ms. Wilkinson as directors. | ||
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Information Regarding Directors
Set forth below is certain information with respect to our nominees for election as directors at the 2026 Annual Meeting, all of whom are current directors of the Company. This information has been provided by each director or director nominee at the request of the Company. None of the directors or director nominees is related to any other director or director nominee or to any executive officer of the Company. Each of the director nominees has been nominated by our Board for election at the 2026 Annual Meeting, to hold office until the 2027 Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
Director Nominees
| Name | Age | Independent | Committee Membership | Director Since | ||||||||||
| Avram A. Glazer | 65 | Yes | Nominating and Governance Committee (Chair) | 2020 | ||||||||||
Warren H. Gfeller | 73 | Yes | Audit Committee, Compensation Committee (Chair), and Nominating and Governance Committee | 2016 | ||||||||||
Brian S. Goldstein | 65 | Yes | Audit Committee (Chair), Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee | 2022 | ||||||||||
Amy M. Wilkinson | 53 | Yes | Audit Committee and Compensation Committee | 2022 | ||||||||||
Avram A. Glazer, Chairman of the Board Age: 65 Director Since: 2020 | ||
Mr. Glazer has served as a director, and as Chairman of the Board, of INNOVATE since May 2020. He is also Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Glazer is the principal of Lancer Capital LLC (“Lancer Capital”) and currently serves as Executive Co-Chairman and Director of Manchester United Plc (NYSE: MANU). Mr. Glazer served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Zapata Corporation, a U.S. public company, from March 1995 to July 2009 and Chairman of the Board of Zapata Corporation from March 2002 to July 2009. He was also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both Safety Components International and Omega Protein Corporation and a member of the board of directors of Specialty Equipment Corporation. Mr. Glazer received a business degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1982. He received a law degree from American University, Washington College of Law in 1985.
Warren H. Gfeller Age: 73 Director Since: 2016 | ||
Mr. Gfeller has served as a director of INNOVATE since June 2016, served as interim non-executive Chairman of the Board from April 1, 2020 through May 13, 2020 and is a member of the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees and Chairman of the Compensation Committee. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of DBM Global Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company since August 2025 and served as a director of Global Marine Holdings, LLC, a majority owned subsidiary of INNOVATE from June 2018 through March 2020. Mr. Gfeller served as member of the board of directors of Gardner Bancshares, Inc. from 1992 through 2025, where he served as Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, Chairman of the Governance Committee, and as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Gfeller served as a member of the board of directors of Crestwood Equities Partners LP (NYSE: CEQP) from 2013 through 2023, where he served as Lead Director and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, and where he previously served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee. He has served as the Commissioner of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks since 2019 and was reappointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the U.S. Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC) for a second four-year term beginning January 2025. He served as Lead Director and as a member of the Compensation Committee of Crestwood Midstream Partners LP from 2013 until its merger with Crestwood Equities Partners LP in November 2015. Mr. Gfeller served as Lead Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Inergy Holdings, L.P. from 2001 to 2013, Inergy Midstream Partners from 2011 to 2013 and Inergy Holdings GP LLC from 2005 to 2011. Mr. Gfeller served as Lead Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Compensation Committee of Zapata Corporation from 1997 to 2009, and as Chairman of the Board and a member of the Audit Committee of Duckwall-
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Alco Stores, Inc. from 2003 to 2009. Mr. Gfeller also served as a director of Houlihan’s Restaurant Group from 1993 to 1998 and as a director of Synergy Gas, Inc. from 1992 to 1995. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ferrellgas, Inc. (now Ferrellgas Partners LP (NYSE: FGP) (“Ferrellgas”), a retail and wholesale marketer of propane and other natural gas liquids from 1986 to 1991, and as a Director from 1987 to 1991. Mr. Gfeller began his career with Ferrellgas in 1983, as an executive vice president and financial officer. Prior to joining Ferrellgas, Mr. Gfeller was the Chief Financial Officer of Energy Sources, Inc. from 1978 to 1983 and a Certified Public Accountant at Arthur Young & Co. from 1974 to 1978. Mr. Gfeller received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kansas State University.
Brian S. Goldstein Age: 65 Director Since: 2022 | ||
Mr. Goldstein has served as a director of INNOVATE since June 2022 and is a member of the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees and Chairman of the Audit Committee. He has also served as a director, Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee of DBM Global Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company since 2021. Mr. Goldstein is a veteran tax professional with over 35 years of experience who retired as a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (“PWC”) in July 2021 after more than 25 years at the firm. In that time, he built PwC’s U.S. Indirect Tax practice, led the firm’s State and Local Tax services for the communications sector and ran a global data analytics program. He worked with some of the firm’s largest, most complex and diverse clients, including many Fortune 500 and midcap companies, on a variety of tax matters. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Buffalo.
Amy M. Wilkinson Age: 53 Director Since: 2022 | ||
Ms. Wilkinson has served as a director of INNOVATE since August 2022 and is a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. Ms. Wilkinson is the founder and CEO of Ingenuity, an innovation advisory firm for companies of all sizes, including several Fortune 500 clients. Ms. Wilkinson has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Hut 8 Corp. (f/k/a U.S. Data Mining Group, Inc.) (NASDAQ: HUT) since 2022 and served as a Board Member and Observer at consumer technology company Grover from 2019 through 2023 and joined the Advisory Board of Protiviti Global Business Consulting in September 2025. In addition, she is a Lecturer in Management at Stanford Graduate Business School and is the author of the global bestseller “The Creator’s Code: The Six Essential Skills of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs.” She was previously a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and prior to that, she served as White House Fellow and Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative. She also held leadership roles at McKinsey & Company, J.P. Morgan, and as founder of Alegre, an international export company. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English and her Master of Arts in Sociology from Stanford University and received her MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Analysis of Our Directors in Light of Our Business
We are a diversified holding company with three reportable operating segments based on management’s organization of the enterprise: Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Spectrum, plus our Other segment, which includes businesses that do not meet the separately reportable segment thresholds. We believe our Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Spectrum segments are well positioned to take advantage of current trends in today’s economy. We will consider opportunities outside of these businesses in the longer term to acquire and invest in businesses with attractive assets that we consider to be undervalued or fairly valued.
Our Board has considered the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of its members in light of our business and structure. In addition, our Board has considered, among other things, the importance of Board continuity, Board experience and Board stability. In particular, with respect to each of our current directors, the Board considered:
•Mr. Glazer’s significant holding company and operational expertise, track record of leading a public company and creating stockholder value, as well as his service and leadership on multiple boards of directors of both public and private companies.
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•Mr. Gfeller’s experience in the energy industry and prior experience in various executive positions, as well as his service on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, coupled with his extensive financial and accounting training and practice.
•Mr. Goldstein’s experience as a veteran tax professional with over 35 years of experience.
•Ms. Wilkinson’s business entrepreneurial and public policy experience as well as ongoing work with entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies.
Director Independence
Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “VATE”. Under the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE, at least a majority of the Company’s directors, and all of the members of the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, must meet the test of “independence” as defined under the listing standards of the NYSE. The NYSE listing standards provide that to qualify as an “independent” director, in addition to satisfying certain bright-line criteria, the Board must affirmatively determine that a director has no relationship with the Company that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. We have also adopted director independence standards included in our Guidelines (as defined in the section entitled “Corporate Governance Guidelines” beginning on page 12 of this Proxy Statement), which our Board uses to determine if a particular director is independent.
In addition to the independence standards discussed above, members of the Audit Committee must satisfy enhanced independence requirements established by the SEC and the NYSE for audit committee members. Specifically, members of the Audit Committee may not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than their directors’ compensation and they may not be an affiliated person of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Finally, in affirmatively determining the independence of any director who will serve on the Compensation Committee, the Board must consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to the Company that is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a member of the Compensation Committee, including (1) the sources of compensation of the director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the Company to such director; and (2) whether the director is affiliated with the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.
In February 2026, the Board undertook a review of director independence. During this review, the Board considered, among other things, relationships and transactions during the past three years between each director or any member of his or her immediate family, on the one hand, and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, on the other hand. The purpose of the review was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent as defined under the NYSE listing standards and our Guidelines, as well as the additional independence requirements applicable to Audit Committee and Compensation Committee members. Based on the review, our Board has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Glazer, Gfeller, and Goldstein and Ms. Wilkinson are independent directors under NYSE listing standards and our Guidelines and Messrs. Glazer, Gfeller, and Goldstein and Ms. Wilkinson are independent for purposes of serving on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, as applicable.
Board Committees
Our Board has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee, each of which is composed entirely of independent directors as defined under the rules, regulations and listing qualifications of the NYSE. From time to time, our Board may also create additional committees for special purposes.
The table below provides membership information for each of the standing Board committees as of the date of this Proxy Statement:
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| Director | Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Nominating and Governance Committee | ||||||||
| Avram A. Glazer+ | C | ||||||||||
| Warren H. Gfeller* | ü | C | ü | ||||||||
| Brian S. Goldstein* | C | ü | ü | ||||||||
| Amy M. Wilkinson* | ü | ü | |||||||||
| Number of Meetings Held During 2025 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||||||||
| + | Chairman of the Board | ||||
| * | Audit Committee financial expert | ||||
| C | Committee Chair | ||||
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Audit Committee held seven (7) meetings. The Audit Committee currently consists of Brian S. Goldstein (Chair), Warren H. Gfeller and Amy M. Wilkinson, each of whom is an independent director. Our Board has determined that each of Messrs. Goldstein and Gfeller and Ms. Wilkinson qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. The Board has considered the qualifications of the current members of the Audit Committee and has determined that they possess the skills necessary to review and analyze the Company’s financial statements and processes and to fulfill their other duties in accordance with the terms of the Audit Committee Charter.
The Audit Committee is responsible, among its other duties, for appointing, compensating and overseeing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, pre-approving all audit and non-audit services by the independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the scope of the audit plan and the results of each audit with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the Company’s internal audit function, reviewing the adequacy of the Company’s system of internal accounting controls and disclosure controls and procedures, reviewing the financial statements and other financial information included in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC, and exercising oversight with respect to the Company’s code of conduct (the “Code of Conduct”) and other policies and procedures regarding adherence with legal requirements. The Audit Committee’s duties are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available under the “Investor Relations-Governance-Governance Documents” section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com.
Compensation Committee
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Compensation Committee held four (4) meetings. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Warren H. Gfeller (Chair), Brian S. Goldstein and Amy M. Wilkinson, each of whom is independent and a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
The Compensation Committee is primarily responsible for establishing and periodically reviewing the compensation of our CEO and our other executive officers and recommending for Board approval the compensation for our non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for administering our equity compensation plans, which includes the authority to decide compensation matters pertaining to the Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Second A&R 2014 Plan”), including the approval of equity instruments under the Second A&R 2014 Plan as well as administering and approving the Company’s annual incentive plan, if any. The CEO recommends to the Compensation Committee the compensation for our executive officers other than the CEO. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and assessing whether the Company’s compensation program encourages excessive risk and determines whether it is competitive in the marketplace. The Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) generally permits the Compensation Committee to delegate its authority and responsibilities to subcommittees consisting of one or more members of such committee. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available under the “Investor Relations-Governance-Governance Documents” section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com.
In addition, the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to hire, and to dismiss, compensation consultants.
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Nominating and Governance Committee
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Nominating and Governance Committee held three (3) meetings. The Nominating and Governance Committee currently consists of Avram A. Glazer (Chairman), Warren H. Gfeller and Brian S. Goldstein.
The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for (i) identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve as directors of the Company, (ii) serving as a focal point for communication between such candidates, non-committee directors and the Company’s senior management, (iii) recommending such candidates to the Board and (iv) making such other recommendations to the Board regarding the governance affairs relating to the directors of the Company (excluding director compensation, which is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee) and advising the Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees. The Nominating and Governance Committee’s duties are set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter. A copy of the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter is available under the “Investor Relations-Governance-Governance Documents” section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Board has approved, following recommendation by the Nominating and Governance Committee, Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Guidelines”), which address director qualifications and independence standards, responsibilities of the Board, access to management and independent advisors, certain Board compensation matters, procedures for review of related party transactions, Board orientation and continuing education, Board committees, succession planning, communications with stockholders and the media, and certain matters with respect to our Code of Conduct. A copy of the Guidelines is available under the “Investor Relations-Governance-Governance Documents” section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com.
Director Nomination Process
The Nominating and Governance Committee has the primary responsibility for identifying, evaluating, reviewing and recommending qualified candidates to serve on the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee considers the following factors set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter in selecting candidates for Board service: experience, skills, expertise, diversity (“Diversity Considerations”), personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, conflicts of interest and other relevant factors deemed appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board. In evaluating Diversity Considerations, the Nominating and Governance Committee utilizes an expansive definition of diversity that includes differences of experience, education and talents, among other things. While the Nominating and Governance Committee does not have a formal diversity policy, it seeks to achieve a range of talents, skills and expertise on the Board and evaluates each nominee with regard to the extent to which he or she contributes to this overall mix.
The Nominating and Governance Committee may use multiple sources for identifying director candidates, including its own contacts and referrals from other directors and stockholders, members of management, the Company’s advisors and executive search firms. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders, in accordance with the procedures described below, and will evaluate such director candidates in the same manner that it evaluates candidates recommended by other sources. For those potential new director candidates who appear upon first consideration to meet the Board’s selection criteria, the Nominating and Governance Committee will conduct appropriate inquiries into their background and qualifications and, depending on the result of such inquiries, arrange for in-person meetings with the potential candidates. Directors are obligated to complete orientation training concerning the Company and to comply with limitations on outside activities that directors may engage in without Board approval. During 2025, the Company did not pay any fees to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential director candidates.
Stockholders may submit written recommendations of director candidates by submitting such recommendation, including the candidate’s name and contact information and a statement of the candidate’s background and qualifications, to INNOVATE Corp., 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl, New York, NY 10017, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Communications by email should be addressed to corpsec@innovatecorp.com and marked “Attention: Corporate Secretary” in the “Subject” field.
The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and making a recommendation to the Board regarding the continued service of the Company’s directors, (i) based upon service to the Company during a director’s term, attendance, participation, quality of performance and actual or potential conflicts of interest and (ii) in the event an employee
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director’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason or a non-employee director changes his or her primary job responsibility since the time such director was most recently elected to the Board. The Guidelines provide that members of the Company’s management serving on the Board who cease to serve as a member of the Company’s management shall offer his or her resignation from the Board effective on the last date of employment; while the Board need not accept such offer of resignation, in general a member of the Company’s management shall not continue to serve as a member of the Board following such cessation of employment. The Guidelines also provide that members of the Board will offer to resign from the Board upon the occurrence of certain specified sanctions, charges or admissions of fault or liability, subject to the Board’s refusal to accept such resignations in certain circumstances.
The Nominating and Governance Committee Charter and the Guidelines are intended to provide a flexible set of criteria for the effective functioning of the Company’s director nomination process. The Nominating and Governance Committee intends to review its Charter and the Guidelines at least annually and anticipates that modifications may be necessary from time to time as the Company’s needs and circumstances evolve, and as applicable legal or listing standards change. The Nominating and Governance Committee may recommend to the Board for approval amendments to the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter and Guidelines at any time.
Stockholder and Other Interested Party Communications with the Board and/or Non-Employee Directors
The Board welcomes communications from the Company’s stockholders and other interested parties and has adopted a procedure for receiving and addressing those communications. Stockholders and other interested parties may send written communications to the Board or the non-employee directors by writing to the Board or the non-employee directors at the following applicable address: Board/Non-Employee Directors, INNOVATE Corp., 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl, New York, NY 10017, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Communications by email should be addressed to corpsec@innovatecorp.com and marked “Attention: Corporate Secretary” in the “Subject” field. The Corporate Secretary will review and forward all communications from stockholders or other interested parties to the intended recipient.
Meeting Attendance
During the year ended December 31, 2025, our Board held eleven (11) meetings. During 2025, each of our directors attended more than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of our Board held during the period in which he or she was a director and the committees on which he or she served during the periods they served. Directors are expected, absent schedule conflicts, to attend our Annual Meeting of Stockholders each year. All of our then-serving directors and director nominees attended the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Code of Conduct
We have adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees, including the CEO, senior financial officers and other persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct is a statement of business practices and principles of behavior that support our commitment to conducting business in accordance with the highest standards of business conduct and ethics. Our Code of Conduct covers, among other things, compliance resources, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, rules and regulations, internal reporting of violations and accountability for adherence to the Code of Conduct. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available under the “Investor Relations-Governance-Governance Documents” section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com. Any amendment of the Code of Conduct or any waiver of its provisions for a director or executive officer must be approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. We intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the rules of the NYSE concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Conduct.
Board Leadership Structure
The Company’s leadership structure currently consists of separate roles for Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company. At this time, the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to have separate roles for Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company. This structure allows Mr. Voigt, our current Interim CEO, to concentrate his efforts on leading the Company to execute on its strategy, and enabling the Chairman of the Board to lead the Board of Directors in its fundamental role of providing advice, expertise and active oversight of management. The Board believes that having separate positions and having an independent director serve as Chairman of the Board is the appropriate leadership structure for our Company at this time and demonstrates our commitment to good corporate governance.
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The Guidelines provide that the Chairman shall be elected annually by the Board and that in the event the Chairman is not an “independent” director, the Board shall select another director to serve as “Lead Independent Director” from among the members of the Board that are determined at that time by the Board to be “independent.” The Chairman may be removed as Chairman at any time by a majority of the members of the Board.
With separate roles for Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company, our governance structure provides a form of leadership that allows the Board to function distinct from management, capable of objective judgment regarding management’s performance and enables the Board to fulfill its duties effectively and efficiently.
The Chairman of the Board’s duties include:
•presiding over all meetings and strategy sessions of the Board;
•collaborating with the CEO and preparing the agenda for Board meetings with the Corporate Secretary and in consultation with the other members of the Board;
•ensuring information flows openly between senior management and the Board; and
•presiding over all meetings of stockholders.
The Chairman of the Board is also responsible for:
•convening and presiding over executive sessions of the independent directors;
•setting the agenda of and leading meetings of the independent directors;
•briefing the CEO regarding issues arising during executive sessions, as necessary;
•consultations with the independent directors and the committee chairpersons; and
•facilitating Board communication among the independent directors outside of Board meetings.
Board Role in Risk Oversight
The Board supervises and has control over the Company’s governance and compliance processes and procedures. As part of this role, the Board has overall responsibility for risk supervision, with a focus on material risks facing the Company. The Board primarily discharges its risk supervision responsibilities through its Audit Committee and Compensation Committee functions, each of which reports its activities to the Board. The risk supervision responsibilities of the Board’s committees include the following:
•Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for the supervision of risk policies and processes relating to the Company’s financial statements and financial reporting processes. This Committee reviews the Company’s risk management procedures and policies and discusses with management the Company’s material operating and financial risk exposures and the manner in which such exposures are managed. The Audit Committee also discusses these potential risks with the Company’s outside independent registered public accounting firm responsible for auditing the Company’s books, records and financial statements. The Audit Committee also oversees risks relating to cybersecurity. Any cybersecurity incident determined to be material is discussed by management with the Audit Committee and communicated to the Company’s outside independent registered public accounting firm responsible for auditing the Company’s books, records and financial statements and the Company’s third party virtual environment service provider, when relevant.
•Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for evaluating potential compensation-related risks and supervising management’s assessment of risks related to employee compensation policies and programs.
The Company’s CEO and other members of the Company’s senior management team primarily design, implement, execute and monitor INNOVATE’s risk management policies and procedures. The Audit Committee meets with our senior
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management team periodically to review INNOVATE’s risk management practices. The Board does not believe that its role in the oversight of our risks affects the Board’s leadership structure.
Director Education
The Board believes that the stockholders of the Company are best served by a board of directors comprised of individuals who are well versed in modern principles of corporate governance and other subjects relevant to board service. All members of the Board are encouraged to attend any director education programs they deem appropriate to stay informed about developments in corporate governance and the industries in which the Company participates. The Company reimburses directors for the reasonable costs of attending director education programs.
Insider Trading, Anti-Pledging and Anti-Hedging Policies
We have adopted an insider trading policy and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and other transactions in our Company’s securities by the Company’s directors, officers, and employees, and other covered persons that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations and NYSE listing standards.
Our insider trading policy prohibits pledging, subject to certain exceptions as set forth therein. Under the policy, directors and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates and family members living in their households (“Covered Persons”) are not permitted to pledge securities of the Company (“Company Securities”) to secure loans, nor are they permitted to purchase Company Securities on margin (other than in a cashless exercise of stock options). An exception to this prohibition may be granted by the Chief Financial Officer where a Covered Person wishes to pledge Company Securities as collateral to secure loans or purchase Company Securities on margin where, among other factors, the Covered Person clearly demonstrates the financial capacity and liquidity to repay the loan without resort to the pledged securities; provided that Covered Persons may only pledge Company Securities if (i) such securities represent less than 25% of the Company Securities held by such employee (excluding any unvested equity awards); (ii) such Company Securities represent less than 5% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company; and (iii) a request for approval of the Chief Financial Officer is submitted at least two weeks prior to execution (unless the Chief Financial Officer waives or shortens such notice requirement) and approval is granted. If an individual that was not previously a Covered Person (x) holds Company Securities in a margin account or is pledging Company Securities as a collateral of a loan and (y) becomes a Covered Person, such Covered Person shall promptly request approval from the Chief Financial Officer, and such approval shall be provided if such arrangement was already in place before the individual initially became a Covered Person and, as reasonably determined by the Chief Financial Officer, the aggregate amount of such Company Securities in the margin account and/or pledged is not material.
Covered Persons are also not permitted to purchase financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of Company Securities or otherwise engage in any other type of transaction involving Company Securities that would have similar economic consequences.
Compensation of Directors
Annual Cash Compensation. The Company’s non-employee directors are paid cash fees on a quarterly basis in arrears, as follows: (i) $52,500 annual fee for each non-employee director; (ii) $23,625 annual fee for the Lead Independent Director or Non-Executive Chairman; (iii) $18,750 annual fee for the Chair of the Audit Committee; (iv) $12,000 annual fee for the Chair of the Compensation Committee; (v) $9,000 annual fee for the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee; (vi) $9,375 annual fee for each member of the Audit Committee other than the Chair; (vii) $6,000 annual fee for each member of the Compensation Committee other than the Chair; and (viii) $4,500 annual fee for each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee other than the Chair. Each of these amounts is prorated for non-employee directors who are elected or appointed during the year.
The Company also reimburses non-employee directors for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their service on the Board. Employees of the Company, such as our named executive officers, who also serve as directors do not receive separate compensation for service on the Board.
Annual Equity Compensation.
Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, following each annual meeting of stockholders during the term of the Second A&R 2014 Plan and for so long as equity is available to issue under such plan or a successor plan, each non-
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employee director is granted restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) with a grant date fair market value of $90,000. In accordance with this policy, on June 12, 2025, the Compensation Committee awarded each of Messrs. Glazer, Gfeller, Goldstein and Ms. Wilkinson shares of restricted Common Stock equal to $90,000 for the 2025-2026 year for a total of 16,363 shares, all of which will vest 100% on the earlier of (i) June 12, 2026 and (ii) the first regular annual meeting of the Company's stockholders that occurs following the date of the grant (subject to continued service as a non-employee director through such vesting date).
Indemnification Agreements with Directors and Executive Officers
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements require the Company to indemnify such individuals, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a result of their affiliation with the Company.
Director Compensation
The following table provides compensation information for the year ended December 31, 2025, for each director who served during any part of 2025 and who is not a named executive officer:
| Director | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($)(a) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Avram A. Glazer | 85,125 | 90,000 | — | 175,125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Warren H. Gfeller | 78,375 | 90,000 | 27,400 | (b) | 195,775 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Brian S. Goldstein | 81,750 | 90,000 | 80,000 | (c) | 251,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amy M. Wilkinson | 67,875 | 90,000 | — | 157,875 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSAs granted in 2025 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (“ASC 718”). Each non-employee director received a grant of RSAs on June 12, 2025. The grant date fair value for each award of RSAs was based on the closing price of INNOVATE Common Stock of $5.50 on June 12, 2025 .
(b) This amount represents fees paid to Mr. Gfeller by DBM Global for his service on the DBM Global Board of Directors in 2025.
(c) This amount represents fees paid to Mr. Goldstein by DBM Global for his service on the DBM Global Board of Directors in 2025.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board. Set forth below is information regarding our executive officers as of April 22, 2026.
| Name | Age | Position | ||||||||||||
Paul K. Voigt | 67 | Interim Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||
| Michael J. Sena | 53 | Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary | ||||||||||||
Paul K. Voigt has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer at INNOVATE since July 2023 and is a director and/or officer of several of the Company’s subsidiaries. Mr. Voigt served as Senior Managing Director of Investments at INNOVATE (formerly HC2 Holdings, Inc.) from 2014 to 2018, where he helped spearhead capital raising and transaction sourcing activities. Mr. Voigt has also served as Senior Managing Director of Investments at Lancer Capital since 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Voigt served as Executive Vice President on the sales and trading desk at Jefferies from 1996 to 2013. Prior to joining Jefferies, he was Managing Director on the high yield sales desk at Prudential Securities from 1988 to 1996, following a professional baseball career from 1979 to 1987 with the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers. He received a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia in 1980 and an MBA from the University of Southern California in 1988.
Michael J. Sena has been INNOVATE’s Chief Financial Officer since June 2015, as Corporate Secretary since September 2023, and is a director and/or officer of several of the Company’s subsidiaries. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sena was the Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of HRG Group Inc. (“HRG") from October 2014 to June 2015, and previously served as the Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, from November 2012 to October 2014. Mr. Sena was also the Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Zap.com, a subsidiary of HRG, from November 2012 to June 2015, and served as a director of Zap.com from December 2014 until June 2015. From January 2009 until November 2012, Mr. Sena held various accounting and financial reporting positions with Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., last serving as Vice President and North American Controller. Before joining Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., Mr. Sena served as Director of
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Reporting and Business Processes for Barr Pharmaceuticals from July 2007 until January 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Sena held various positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Mr. Sena is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. in Accounting from Syracuse University.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Overview of Executive Compensation
Our compensation program for our named executive officers is designed to recognize the level of responsibility of each executive within the Company, taking into account the executive’s role and expected leadership within the Company, as well as to encourage decisions and actions that have a positive impact on our overall performance. The tables below set forth certain information regarding compensation paid or accrued for 2025 and 2024 to our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and other named executive officers.
Following the end of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s performance and the performance of each named executive officer. Based on this review, the Compensation Committee discusses, assesses, and approves any potential base salary increases related to the current fiscal year, awards annual incentive bonuses with respect to the prior fiscal year, and authorizes equity award grants. In connection with its review process, the Compensation Committee reviews reports on executive compensation trends issued by respected publications, and compiles compensation information through proxy statements, compensation-related public disclosures, industry trade journals and other sources. Recognizing that there is no one listed company that has a diverse group of businesses and geographic reach that would be comparable to the Company, the Compensation Committee conducts its compensation analysis by reviewing the compensation practices of companies with similar lines of operating business. The Compensation Committee also considers compensation practices at various investment banking institutions and private equity funds, as it believes the skill sets of its executives overlap with those required by those institutions. The Compensation Committee does not target any particular percentile or comparative level of compensation for executive officers.
Typically, our CEO makes compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to compensation of the named executive officers other than himself. With respect to our CEO, the Compensation Committee makes its decisions absent the input of the CEO.
We are a “smaller reporting company” as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act and are taking advantage of our ability to provide certain less comprehensive disclosures in our SEC filings, including reduced executive compensation disclosures.
Summary Compensation Information
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the total compensation paid or accrued to our named executive officers as determined in accordance with SEC disclosure rules.
In the case of equity awards granted to our named executive officers, the SEC disclosure rules require that the “Summary Compensation Table” includes the aggregate accounting grant date fair value of equity awards granted during the applicable fiscal year. While these amounts represent the grant date accounting value of the awards, they do not represent amounts actually paid to the named executive officer in the applicable year or that may be paid in the future.
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) (1) | Stock Awards ($) (2) | Option Awards ($) (3) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (4) | All Other Compensation ($) (5) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul K. Voigt Interim Chief Executive Officer(6) | 2025 | 500,000 | — | 1,000,000 | 334,192 | — | 6,000 | 1,840,192 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 500,000 | — | 1,500,000 | 741,808 | — | 6,000 | 2,747,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael J. Sena Chief Financial Officer | 2025 | 600,000 | — | 99,176 | — | 233,333 | 6,000 | 938,509 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 581,900 | — | 220,003 | — | 198,333 | 6,000 | 1,006,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) The amounts in this column represent cash bonuses granted to our named executive officers as sign-on bonuses or minimum bonuses required to be paid pursuant to employment agreements.
(2) These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSAs and/or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted in 2025 and 2024, as applicable, computed in accordance with ASC 718. The grant date fair value for each award of RSAs or RSUs was based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant. For Mr. Voigt, the table above for 2024 includes an award of 95,322 of RSUs which was calculated using an aggregate value of $1,500,000 based on the 10-day VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the award, made pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreements section of this Proxy Statement beginning on page 22) awarded on October 11, 2023, but that was not effective until October 29, 2024, when an amendment to our Second A&R 2014 Plan became effective, and, therefore, has a grant date fair value of $600,000. The above also includes an award on August 19, 2024, of 142,857 of RSUs with an aggregate value of $100,000 based on the $0.70 per share price, but that was not effective until October 29, 2024, when an amendment to our Second A&R 2014 Plan became effective, and, therefore, has a grant date fair value of $900,000.
(3) The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards granted, if any, computed in accordance with ASC 718. For 2024, the table above includes an award on September 15, 2023, of an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $25.00 per share (as retroactively adjusted for the reverse stock split in 2024) made pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement but was not effective until October 29, 2024, when an amendment to our Second A&R 2014 Plan became effective. The table above for 2024 also includes an award on September 15, 2024, of an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $4.22 made pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement, but was not effective until October 29, 2024, when an amendment to our Second A&R 2014 Plan became effective.
(4) The amounts in this column represent annual cash incentive payments under our bonus plan. Amounts reported for each year are based on performance in such year, even if paid subsequent to year-end. See “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table” below for a description of the bonus plan, which provides for the payment of amounts earned with respect to the 2025 performance period in a mix of cash and equity. See starting on page 18 for an explanation of the method by which the cash payments in this column are calculated and paid.
(5) Unless otherwise indicated, the amounts in this column represent matching contributions made by the Company to the Company’s 401(k) plan on behalf of each of the named executive officers who participated in such plan.
(6) Mr. Voigt was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective July 25, 2023. Pursuant to the terms of the Voigt Employment Agreement, Mr. Voigt receives a base salary of $500,000 per annum. Mr. Voigt agreed to defer his 2023 salary until 2024. The 2024 Stock Awards and 2024 Option Awards line items for Mr. Voigt above include compensation related to both the 2023 service period and 2024 service period.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
For fiscal year 2025, our executive compensation program for our Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) targeted the following core elements: (i) an annual base salary and (ii) an annual bonus based on the achievement of Company performance measures and the executive’s individual contributions to such achievement and the achievement of certain individual performance metrics, two-thirds payable in cash and one-third in equity payable over a three-year period, one-third on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the executive’s continued employment with the Company. This total mix of payments allows us to provide compensation that directly addresses our compensation goals of talent retention, alignment of executive and stockholder interests and linking pay with performance. We also provide our CFO with additional benefits, including participation in a 401(k) plan. Individual performance of our CFO is reviewed on an annual basis during the Compensation Committee’s annual evaluation process, which is designed to ensure consistent global Company results, hold our CFO accountable for results and set expectations for future results. The Compensation Committee also from time to time may grant special cash bonuses, sign-on bonuses, cash retention bonuses or incentive equity awards to named executive officers to recognize particularly strong achievement or for specific recruitment or retention purposes.
Our Interim CEO’s compensation is governed by his employment agreement. For further information, see “Employment Agreement with Paul K. Voigt” on p. 22.
2025 Executive Incentive Program
The incentive compensation program rewards our named executive officers for achieving our key business goals and objectives and is intended to further enhance the alignment between them and our stockholders.
The 2025 annual incentive program for our Chief Financial Officer (the “2025 Plan”) was tied to the achievement of corporate and individual performance goals. The Compensation Committee administers the Second A&R 2014 Plan and has broad authority to administer, construe and interpret the plans. The Second A&R 2014 Plan provides for the grant of awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, SARs, RSAs, RSUs and other stock based awards, performance compensation awards (including cash bonus awards) or any of the foregoing.
We believe that this mix of equity awards and cash will further incentivize our officers to achieve our long-term objectives while preserving our cash position.
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The structure and applicable performance goals of our executive incentive program will be reevaluated on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee as our business model evolves to ensure that we continue to provide incentive compensation that is subject to the achievement of our key business goals and objectives.
Based on an assessment of the pre-established performance goals under the 2025 Plan in respect of fiscal year 2025 performance, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Sena earned a bonus of $350,000, which bonus was paid two-thirds in cash and one-third in RSAs that are subject to vesting over a three-year period, one-third on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant subject to the Mr. Sena’s continued employment with the Company.
Pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement, Mr. Voigt received (i) an RSA for 176,056 shares of Common Stock on August 6, 2025, which will vest in full on August 6, 2026, and (ii) an option to purchase 100,000 shares granted on September 15, 2025, with a $5.67 strike price and a September 15, 2035 expiration, vesting in full on September 15, 2026, in each case subject to his continued employment with the Company. The Agreement also requires the Company to grant Mr. Voigt, on each September 15 during its term, an option under the Second A&R 2014 Plan to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price set by the Compensation Committee, which will vest fully one year after the grant date.
The table below shows the amounts awarded to each named executive officer under the bonus plan in respect of fiscal year 2025 performance:
| Title | Cash ($) | Equity ($) | Total Bonus ($) | ||||||||||||||
| Interim Chief Executive Officer | $ | — | $ | 1,334,192 | $ | 1,334,192 | |||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | 233,333 | 116,667 | 350,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Total NEO | $ | 233,333 | $ | 1,450,859 | $ | 1,684,192 | |||||||||||
The equity awards for the Interim CEO were granted in accordance with the Interim CEO’s employment agreement based on his performance and date of hire. As such, the grants of RSAs in August 2025 and stock options in September 2025 were for the previous twelve months.
Cash amounts payable pursuant to the bonus plan are included in the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal year 2025 (although no amounts are actually payable until after the end of fiscal year 2025). However, in the case of equity awards, the SEC disclosure rules require that the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table include for each fiscal year the aggregate fair value, as of the grant date, of equity awards granted only during the applicable fiscal year. The equity awards that were earned by our CFO pursuant to the bonus plan in respect of fiscal year 2025 performance were granted following the end of fiscal year 2025. As these equity awards were made after the end of fiscal year 2025, they are not included in the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table in this Proxy Statement, but in accordance with SEC rules will be included in next year’s table for our named executive officers in fiscal year 2026.
Equity Award Timing Policies and Practices
Pay Versus Performance
The following tables and related disclosures provide information for the years indicated about (i) the “total compensation” of our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”), and our other named executive officers (the “Non-PEO NEOs”), (ii) the “compensation actually paid” to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs, as calculated pursuant to the SEC’s pay-versus-performance rules, (iii) certain financial performance measures, and (iv) the relationship of the “compensation actually paid” to those financial performance measures.
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This disclosure has been prepared in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and does not necessarily reflect value actually realized by the executives or how our compensation committee evaluates decisions in light of company or individual performance.
Pay Versus Performance Table
| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($)(1) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($)(1)(3) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO Named Executive Officers ($)(2) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO Named Executive Officers ($)(2)(3) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return ($)(4) | Net Income (Loss) ($)(millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) For 2025 and 2024, the PEO was Paul K. Voigt Wayne Barr, Jr. , who served from January 1, 2023, through July 22, 2023, and Paul K. Voigt , who served from July 25, 2023, through year-end. The 2023 amounts reflected include $709,307 for Mr. Barr and $209,615 for Mr. Voigt. Mr. Voigt’s 2023 compensation, which was deferred during 2023, was paid out in 2024.
(2) The Non-PEO NEOs for whom the average compensation is presented in this table for 2025 and 2024 is Michael J. Sena and for 2023 are Michael J. Sena and Suzi R. Herbst.
(3) The following tables set forth the adjustments made during each year presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table to arrive at “compensation actually paid” to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs during the years in question:
(4) Total Shareholder Return illustrates the value, as of the last day of the indicated fiscal year, of an investment of $100 in our Common Stock on December 31, 2022.
| Adjustments to Determine Compensation “Actually Paid” for PEO | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Stock Awards” Column in the SCT | $( | $( | $( | ||||||||
| Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Option Awards” Columns in the SCT | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Remain Unvested as of Year end | |||||||||||
Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Vested during year | |||||||||||
| Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to current Year-end of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Year-end | |||||||||||
| Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted Prior to year that Vested during year | ( | ||||||||||
| Deduction of Fair Value of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Forfeited during year | |||||||||||
| Increase based upon Incremental Fair Value of Awards Modified during year | |||||||||||
| Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid during year prior to Vesting Date of Award | |||||||||||
| Total Adjustments | $( | $( | $ | ||||||||
| Adjustments to Determine Compensation “Actually Paid” for Non-PEO NEOs | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Stock Awards” Column in the SCT | $( | $( | $( | ||||||||
| Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Option Awards” Columns in the SCT | |||||||||||
| Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Remain Unvested as of Year end | |||||||||||
| Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Vest during year | |||||||||||
| Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to current Year-end of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Year-end | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
| Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted Prior to year that Vested during year | ( | ||||||||||
| Deduction of Fair Value of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Forfeited during year | |||||||||||
| Increase based upon Incremental Fair Value of Awards Modified during year | ( | ||||||||||
| Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid during year prior to Vesting Date of Award | |||||||||||
| Total Adjustments | $( | $( | $( | ||||||||
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Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEOs Compensation Actually Paid and Company Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”)
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEO, and the Company’s TSR (as adjusted for the reverse stock split in 2024) over the fiscal three year period from 2023 through 2025.
Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Net Loss
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEO, and the Company’s Net Loss over the fiscal two year period from 2023 through 2025.
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Employment Agreements
Employment Agreement with Paul K. Voigt
On October 6, 2023, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Voigt to serve as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer (the “Voigt Employment Agreement”). The Voigt Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Voigt will be employed by the Company “at will,” subject to the advance notice provisions contained therein with respect to termination of employment. Pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement, Mr. Voigt receives an annual base salary, is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee and is entitled to participate in the benefit plans and programs of the Company at a level commensurate with his position, to receive ongoing equity grants as set forth in the Voigt Employment Agreement, and to be reimbursed for reasonable and properly documented business expenses. Pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement, on August 6, 2025, the Company granted Mr. Voigt a restricted stock award under the Second A&R 2014 Plan of 176,056 shares of Common Stock with an aggregate value of $1,000,000, which will become 100% vested on August 6, 2026, and on September 15, 2025, the Company granted to Mr. Voigt an option under the Second A&R Plan to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.67 per shares, which will become 100% vested on September 15, 2026.
The Voigt Employment Agreement also provides that the Company shall grant to Mr. Voigt each September 15 during the term of the Voigt Employment Agreement, an option under the Second A&R 2014 Plan to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock, with an exercise price to be determined by the Compensation Committee, which will be 100% vested on the first anniversary of the grant date.
In the event of Mr. Voigt’s termination of employment with the Company, he will generally be entitled to payment of accrued but unpaid base salary, if any, any unpaid paid time off, any unreimbursed business expenses, any earned but unpaid discretionary cash bonus for the fiscal year prior to the year of termination, and benefits under applicable benefit plans, programs or arrangements of the Company in effect at the time of termination.
Pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement, Mr. Voigt is subject to (i) non-compete restrictive covenants during the term of his employment and for so long as Mr. Voigt receives severance pursuant to the Company’s Severance Guidelines, and (ii) non-solicit restrictive covenants during the term of his employment and for eighteen months following Mr. Voigt’s separation from the Company. Mr. Voigt is also subject to continuing restrictive covenants prohibiting disclosure of confidential information and with respect to intellectual property of the Company.
Employment Agreement with Michael J. Sena
On May 20, 2015, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Michael J. Sena to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (the “Sena Employment Agreement”). The Sena Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Sena will be employed by the Company “at will,” subject to the advance notice provisions contained therein with respect to termination of employment. Pursuant to the Sena Employment Agreement, Mr. Sena receives an annual base salary, is eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and is entitled to participate in the benefit plans and programs of the Company at a level commensurate with his position, to receive ongoing equity grants at the same time as equity awards are granted to other senior executives, and to be reimbursed for reasonable and properly documented business expenses.
In the event of Mr. Sena’s termination of employment with the Company, he will generally be entitled to payment of accrued but unpaid base salary, if any, any unpaid paid time off, any unreimbursed business expenses, any earned but unpaid discretionary cash bonus for the fiscal year prior to the year of termination and benefits under applicable benefit plans, programs or arrangements of the Company in effect at the time of termination; provided, however, that in the event Mr. Sena is terminated for Cause or terminates his employment without Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Sena Employment Agreement), Mr. Sena will not be entitled to any earned but unpaid discretionary cash bonus. The Sena Employment Agreement further provides that upon a termination of Mr. Sena’s employment by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Sena for Good Reason, then Mr. Sena will be entitled to receive the severance payments and benefits in accordance with, and subject to the terms of, the Company’s severance guidelines in effect as of the termination date. See “Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination or Change in Control – Severance Guidelines” below for additional information on the Company’s severance guidelines.
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Pursuant to the Sena Employment Agreement, Mr. Sena is subject to (i) non-compete restrictive covenants during the term of his employment and for so long as Mr. Sena receives severance pursuant to the Company’s Severance Guidelines, and (ii) non-solicit restrictive covenants during the term of his employment and for eighteen months following Mr. Sena’s separation from the Company. Mr. Sena is also subject to continuing restrictive covenants prohibiting disclosure of confidential information and with respect to intellectual property of the Company.
Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination or Change in Control
Severance Guidelines
On October 21, 2021, the Company adopted Executive Severance Guidelines (the “Severance Guidelines”), which provide for certain payments to be made to our named executive officers in the event they experience a qualifying termination of employment. Severance benefits are an important tool in attracting and retaining key employees and provide a degree of financial security to those employees. The Severance Guidelines provide that upon termination of a named executive officer’s employment by the Company without Cause or by a named executive officer for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Severance Guidelines), such named executive officer is entitled to (i) an amount equal to his or her annual base salary plus a pro-rated annual bonus (based on the amount such named executive officer received in the prior year), (ii) for the year of termination, payment of twelve months of Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) health benefit premiums, if eligible, and (iii) twelve months of outplacement services subject to execution of a separation and release agreement. All payments are to be made in a single lump sum. In addition, the Severance Guidelines provide that a named executive officer will receive full vesting of any outstanding unvested equity awards and the exercise period for any applicable outstanding equity awards is extended to twelve months following his or her termination of employment (or the expiration date, if earlier).
Payments Upon a Change in Control
Outstanding equity awards granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant or as set forth in the applicable award agreement, will not accelerate solely as a result of a change in control (as defined in the Second A&R 2014 Plan) if a “replacement award” (as defined in the Second A&R 2014 Plan) is promised to a participant in connection with the change in control. The vesting of a replacement award will only accelerate in connection with the change in control if the participant’s employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company (or a successor thereto) within two years following such change in control.
Treatment of Equity Awards of Our Named Executive Officers Upon Termination
Pursuant to the named executive officers’ employment agreements, the Second A&R 2014 Plan and the award agreements thereunder, named executive officers are generally not entitled to receive accelerated vesting of any unvested RSAs, RSUs and stock options by reason of the named executive officer’s termination of his or her employment with the Company, except as provided below:
•Awards granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant or as set forth in the applicable award agreement, will accelerate upon involuntary termination within two years of a Change in Control if the award is a replacement award (as such terms are defined in the Second A&R 2014 Plan).
•Vested options issued under any of the plans generally remain exercisable for a period of time following termination, the extent of which depends on the reason for the termination, except that in the event the grantee is terminated for Cause (as defined in the applicable plan), any vested and unexercised options would also be forfeited.
•Notwithstanding the foregoing, the updated Severance Guidelines provide that in the event of a qualifying termination, the named executive officers will receive full vesting of any outstanding unvested equity awards and the exercise period for any applicable outstanding equity awards is extended to twelve months following his or her termination of employment (or the expiration date, if earlier).
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Treatment of Unvested Equity Awards of Our Named Executive Officers Upon a Change in Control or Similar Transaction
•Outstanding equity awards granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant or as set forth in the applicable award agreement, will not accelerate solely as a result of a Change in Control (as defined in the applicable plan) if a “replacement award” (as defined in the applicable plan) is promised to a participant in connection with such change in control. The vesting of a replacement award will only accelerate in connection with a change in control if the participant’s employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company (or a successor thereto) within two years following such change in control.
Other Terms Applicable to Named Executive Officers
Pursuant to their respective employment agreements, each named executive officer is also subject to (i) non-compete restrictive covenants during the term of his or her employment and for so long as he or she receives severance pursuant to the Company’s Severance Guidelines, and (ii) non-solicit restrictive covenants during the term of his or her employment and for eighteen months following his or her separation from the Company. Each named executive officer is also subject to continuing restrictive covenants prohibiting disclosure of confidential information and with respect to intellectual property of the Company.
In addition to the compensation components discussed above, the named executive officers receive benefits consistent with those offered generally to employees, which consist of life insurance, travel accident insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability and opportunities to participate in the Company’s retirement plan. Named executive officers are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan on the same basis as other employees. The Company matches 50% of participant’s 401(k) plan contributions, up to the first 6% of such participant’s salary, with a maximum of $6,000 annually.
Pursuant to the equity agreements under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, incentive compensation for employees is subject to recoupment or forfeiture, as applicable, in the event that, for example, the Company restates its reported financial results, makes a mistake in calculations (to the extent that either such occurrence resulted in an excess award amount being paid) or to the extent required by applicable law (including, Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act and Section 954 of the Dodd Frank Act).
Tax Considerations
Section 162(m) of the IRC generally limits the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year to any “covered employee.” The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, substantially modified Section 162(m) of the IRC, among other things. Prior to the amendment, qualified performance-based compensation was not subject to this deduction limit if certain requirements were met. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the performance-based exception has been repealed, unless compensation qualifies for certain transition relief. In addition, beginning in 2018, the executive officers subject to Section 162(m) of the IRC (the “Covered Employees”) include any individual who served as the CEO or chief financial officer (“CFO”) at any time during the taxable year and the three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the CEO and CFO) for the taxable year, and once an individual becomes a Covered Employee for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2016, that individual will remain a Covered Employee for all future years, including following any termination of employment.
To maintain flexibility in compensating executive officers in a manner designed to promote varying corporate goals in the best interest of the Company, the Compensation Committee will not limit its actions with respect to executive compensation to preserve deductibility under Section 162(m) of the IRC if the Compensation Committee determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Company.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth information with respect to our named executive officers concerning unexercised stock option awards and unvested RSA and RSU awards as of December 31, 2025.
| Name | Options | Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul K. Voigt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Awarded Sep 15, 2023 (2) | 100,000 | — | 25.00 | 9/15/2033 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Awarded Sep 15, 2024 (3) | 100,000 | — | 4.22 | 9/15/2034 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Aug 6, 2025 (4) | — | — | — | — | 176,056 | 795,773 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Sep 15, 2025 (5) | — | 100,000 | 5.67 | 9/15/2035 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael J. Sena | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Mar 10, 2017 (6) | 827 | — | 55.00 | 3/10/2027 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Mar 10, 2017 (7) | 2,663 | — | 55.00 | 3/10/2027 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Mar 16, 2018 (8) | 7,088 | — | 54.50 | 3/16/2028 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Mar 15, 2019 (9) | 7,155 | — | 26.20 | 3/15/2029 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Mar 15, 2023 (10) | — | — | — | — | 2,920 | 13,198 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Mar 14, 2024 (11) | — | — | — | — | 23,868 | 107,883 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted Mar 13, 2025 (12) | — | — | — | — | 12,946 | 58,516 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Values calculated based on the closing price of Common Stock on December 31, 2025 of $4.52 per share.
(2) Mr. Voigt was awarded an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock on September 15, 2023, subject to stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment, which was obtained on October 29, 2024, all of which are fully vested.
(3) Mr. Voigt was awarded an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock on September 15, 2024, subject to stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment, which was obtained on October 29, 2024, all of which are fully vested.
(4) Mr. Voigt was granted 176,056 RSAs on August 6, 2025, all of which will vest on August 6, 2026, subject to continued employment with the Company.
(5) Mr. Voigt was granted an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock on September 15, 2025, all of which will vest on September15, 2026.
(6) Mr. Sena was granted an option to purchase 827 shares of Common Stock on March 10, 2017, all of which vested on the grant date.
(7) Mr. Sena was granted an option to purchase 2,663 shares of Common Stock on March 10, 2017, subject to stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment, which was obtained on June 14, 2017, all of which are fully vested.
(8) Mr. Sena was granted an option to purchase 7,088 shares of Common Stock on March 16, 2018, subject to stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment, which was obtained on June 13, 2018, all of which are fully vested.
(9) Mr. Sena was granted an option to purchase 7,155 shares of Common Stock on March 15, 2019, all of which are fully vested.
(10) Mr. Sena was granted 8,760 RSAs on March 15, 2023, all of which are fully vested.
(11) Mr. Sena was granted 35,802 RSAs on March 14, 2024, of which 11,934 vested on March 14, 2025, 11,934 of which vested on March 14, 2026, and 11,934 of which will vest on March 14, 2027, subject to continued employment with the Company.
(12) Mr. Sena was granted 12,946 RSAs on March 13, 2025, of which 4,315 vested on March 13, 2026, 4,315 of which will vest on March 13, 2027, and 4,316 of which will vest on March 13, 2028, subject to continued employment with the Company.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
Corporate
During the first quarter of 2024, in connection with a $19.0 million rights offering (the “Rights Offering”), the Company entered into an Investment Agreement with Lancer Capital, an entity controlled by Avram A. Glazer, pursuant to which Lancer Capital agreed to the Backstop Commitment to purchase up to $19.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock in connection with the Rights Offering and to purchase $16.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock in a private placement transaction ("Concurrent Private Placement"), of which $25.0 million would be purchased before the closing of the Rights Offering if the Rights Offering did not close by March 28, 2024. As a result of the extension of the Rights Offering, on March 28, 2024, Lancer Capital funded the equity advance of $25.0 million to the Company and received 25,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock. On April 24, 2024, as a result of the closing of the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement, Lancer Capital purchased an additional approximately 6,286 shares of Series C Preferred Stock for $6.3 million. On June 18, 2024, the Company held its annual stockholder meeting where the Company's stockholders approved the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock into common stock. As a result, approximately 31,286 Series C Preferred Stock held by Lancer Capital were converted into 4,469,390 shares of INNOVATE's common stock, and there were no shares of the Series C Preferred Stock outstanding subsequent to their conversion into the Company's common stock.
As of December 31, 2025, Lancer Capital held $2.2 million of the Company's 2027 Convertible Notes, which were issued on August 4, 2025, in exchange for the $2.0 million of principal amount of the Company's 2026 Convertible Notes held by Lancer Capital prior to the exchange and as of December 31, 2024. The principal amount of the 2027 Convertible Notes includes capitalized interest and extension fees. As of December 31, 2025, the $2.2 million in 2027 Convertible Notes are convertible into 51,874 shares of common stock of INNOVATE. As of December 31, 2024, the $2.0 million in 2026 Convertible Notes were convertible into 47,265 shares of common stock of INNOVATE. During both the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, Lancer Capital earned $0.2 million in interest relating to these notes.
In December 2023, the Company entered into a sublease agreement for a special purpose space with PBCIC, a Florida not-for-profit corporation and related party to Avram A. Glazer, the Chairman of INNOVATE's Board of Directors and a significant stockholder, who is also on the board of directors of PBCIC. In March 2024, the Company assigned this lease to an entity controlled by Mr. Glazer. In addition, in March 2024, the Company assigned a lease for office space to an entity controlled by Mr. Glazer. The $0.2 million security deposit on the lease was also assigned to Lancer Capital and written-off in March 2024.
R2 Technologies
On August 4, 2025, Lancer Capital, a related party, and R2 Technologies entered into an Amended and Restated Senior Secured Promissory Note (the "Lancer Note"), which was previously amended multiple times as further described below, and which, among other things, extended the maturity of the note to the earlier of August 1, 2026, or the occurrence of (i) a Change of Control (as defined in the amended note) or (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of R2 Technologies. The Lancer Note can be repaid at any time with an optional prepayment of the entire then-outstanding and unpaid principal and accrued interest upon five-days written notice to Lancer Capital. The amended Lancer Note has an interest rate of 12% and removed certain exit and default fees. Accrued and unpaid interest is capitalized monthly into the principal balance.
The total new initial principal amount of the amended Lancer Note on August 4, 2025 was $43.5 million, which incorporated the $20.0 million principal amount of the note as previously amended effective January 31, 2024 (which was comprised of a principal amount of $17.4 million and unpaid accrued interest of $2.6 million), accrued interest of $7.0 million and $16.5 million in accrued exit fees which had been incurred from January 31, 2024 through August 4, 2025. In addition, a new 5% extension fee of $2.2 million was capitalized into the principal amount on August 4, 2025.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the effective interest rate on the note, as amended, was 17.0% and 57.8%, respectively. Interest expense, including amortization of fees, related to the Lancer Note was $14.7 million and $9.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, $5.3 million and $6.6 million of accrued interest, excluding exit fees and extension fees, was capitalized into the principal balance.
As of December 31, 2025, the total carrying amount relating to the note was $46.6 million, inclusive of $47.9 million of principal (which includes capitalized interest and fees), partially offset by $1.3 million of the unamortized original issue
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discount (“OID”) for the extension fee. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying amounts relating to the note totaled $31.9 million, inclusive of $24.0 million of principal and capitalized interest, and $7.9 million in total accrued exit fees.
Effective January 31, 2024, when the 20% $20.0 million note was entered into with Lancer Capital, which replaced the prior 20% note, the note included an exit fee of 10.5% of the principal amount to be repaid. The original maturity date of the 20% $20.0 million note was April 30, 2024, which was then extended on May 17, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The May 17, 2024 amendment also included an amendment to the exit fees.
During the first quarter of 2025, with an effective date of December 31, 2024, the maturity date of the note was extended to August 1, 2025, and an additional exit fee of $1.0 million was incurred under the amendment, which increased by $1.0 million each month. The base exit fee, as amended, would increase each month and would equal 13.09% of the principal amount being repaid at maturity. The total new exit fees associated with the notes were recorded as an OID of $8.7 million and were amortized over the remaining term of the note. A corresponding liability for the new exit fees of $8.7 million was recorded for total accrued exit fees of $16.5 million prior to the August 4, 2025 amendment.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides certain information with respect to all of the Company’s equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2025.
| Plan Category | Number of Securities Issued or to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options and Rights | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options and Rights (1) | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding Securities Reflected in column (a))(2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 317,733 | $13.39 | 97,895 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 317,733 | $13.39 | 97,895 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Represents the weighted-average exercise price of stock options outstanding under the Second A&R 2014 Plan.
(2) These amounts represent shares available for issuance under the Second A&R 2014 Plan as of December 31, 2025.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE*
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal year 2025 with the Company’s management, and also has discussed with BDO USA, P.C., the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 1301 regarding “Communications with Audit Committees.” The Audit Committee received both the written disclosures and the letter from BDO USA, P.C. required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding BDO USA, P.C.’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with BDO USA, P.C. the independence of BDO USA, P.C. from the Company.
Based upon the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of the Company that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal year 2025 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on March 26, 2026.
Submitted by the Audit Committee,
Brian S. Goldstein (Chair)
Warren H. Gfeller
Amy M. Wilkinson
* The material in this Report of the Audit Committee is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, respectively, whether made before or after the date of this Proxy Statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language therein.
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ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF OUR
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (“SAY ON PAY VOTE”)
(PROPOSAL 2)
The Dodd-Frank Act and related rules of the SEC (including Section 14A of the Exchange Act) enables stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, a resolution on our executive compensation, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. We describe this item as an advisory vote on executive compensation, but it is more commonly known as a “Say on Pay Vote.” Under these same rules, we are required to give stockholders the opportunity to express their views as to how frequently we should conduct a Say on Pay Vote (commonly known as the “Say on Frequency Vote”). Our last Say on Frequency Vote was held at the 2025 Annual Meeting, at which time our stockholders expressed the view that our Say on Pay Votes should be held on an annual basis. Though the results of Say on Frequency Votes are non-binding, as a result of this Say on Frequency Vote, we have determined to conduct Say on Pay Votes every year.
In considering their vote, we urge our stockholders to review carefully our compensation policies and decisions regarding our named executive officers. We are a “smaller reporting company” and have elected to provide scaled compensation-related disclosures permitted as a “smaller reporting company.” While we do not have a “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section in this Proxy Statement, we encourage stockholders to review the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement, including the summary compensation table and related narrative disclosure. As described in that section, we believe that our compensation program has been appropriately designed to meet its objectives. A significant portion of the compensation provided to the named executive officers is based upon the Company’s performance and the performance of our share price, and we believe this compensation structure closely aligns the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our stockholders.
Because the vote on this proposal is advisory in nature, it will not affect any compensation already paid or awarded to any named executive officer and will not be binding on or overrule any decisions by our Board. Although non-binding, our Board and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.
Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the following resolution in respect of this Proposal 2:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to INNOVATE’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.”
Vote Required
The favorable vote of the holders of a majority of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting as a single class (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis), present in person or by proxy at the 2026 Annual Meeting will constitute the stockholders’ approval of this proposal, on a non-binding, advisory basis. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST this proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION | ||
The Board unanimously recommends a vote, on a non-binding, advisory basis, “FOR” approval of our executive compensation. | ||
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APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE INNOVATE CORP. SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
2014 OMNIBUS EQUITY AWARD PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
AVAILABLE FOR ISSUANCE THEREUNDER
(PROPOSAL 3)
The Proposal
The Board has unanimously adopted, and recommends that our stockholders approve, an amendment to the INNOVATE Corp. Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan (the “Second A&R 2014 Plan”) to increase the base number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder from 1,300,000 shares to 2,100,000 shares. A copy of the Second A&R 2014 Plan, as proposed to be amended, is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
The Second A&R 2014 Plan was adopted, subject to stockholder approval, by our Board on April 20, 2018 and was approved by our stockholders at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders on June 13, 2018. The Board believes that talented executives and employees are essential to executing our business strategies and that the Second A&R 2014 Plan promotes the success of the Company by giving the Company a competitive edge in attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel and providing participants with an incentive plan that provides incentives directly related to increases in the value of the Company and aligns the interests of directors, employees and stockholders.
Section 5(a) of the Second A&R 2014 Plan provides that, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 thereof, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards may be granted from time to time thereunder shall in the aggregate not exceed, at any time, the sum of (A) 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Base Number”), plus (B) any shares of Common Stock granted under the Prior Plans (as defined therein) that again become available for awards under the Prior Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Prior Plans, plus (C) any shares of Common Stock that again become available for awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan in accordance with Section 5(c) thereof. For purposes of the Second A&R 2014 Plan, the “Prior Plans” means the A&R 2014 Plan and the 2014 Plan.
If stockholders approve this proposal, the Base Number will be increased to 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock.
As of April 22, 2026, there were 97,895 shares of Common Stock available for future award under Second A&R 2014 Plan. If this proposal is not approved, the Company may no longer be able to maintain its means of attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel and aligning the interests of key personnel with the interests of our stockholders.
Reasons for the Proposal
Our Board recommends a vote for the approval of an amendment to the Second A&R 2014 Plan to increase the shares of Common Stock available thereunder because it believes the Second A&R 2014 Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for the following reasons:
Governance Practices
Our Board and Compensation Committee believe the Second A&R 2014 Plan contains several features that are consistent with the interests of our stockholders and reflect sound corporate governance practices.
Minimum Vesting Requirement. Subject to certain exceptions provided for under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, awards granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan that vest on the basis of a participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company will be subject to a minimum vesting period of one year from the date the award is made.
Double-Trigger Vesting. The Second A&R 2014 Plan contains a so-called “double-trigger” vesting provision, which generally provides that awards will not be accelerated upon a change in control of the Company if (i) an acquiror replaces or substitutes outstanding awards in accordance with the requirements of the Second A&R 2014 Plan and (ii) a participant holding the replacement or substitute award is not involuntarily terminated within two years following the change in control.
Prohibition of Dividends or Dividend Equivalents on Unvested Awards. The Second A&R 2014 Plan prohibits the current payment of dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to awards until the vesting conditions applicable to the underlying award have been satisfied.
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Prohibition on the Repricing of Options and SARs. The Second A&R 2014 Plan prohibits the repricing of outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) without stockholder approval (outside of certain corporate transactions or adjustment events described in the Second A&R 2014 Plan).
No Liberal Recycling Provisions. The Second A&R 2014 Plan provides that only shares with respect to awards granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan that expire or are forfeited or canceled, or shares that were covered by an award the benefit of which is paid in cash instead of shares, will again become available for award under the Plan. The following shares will not be added back to the aggregate plan limit: (1) shares tendered in payment of the exercise price; (2) shares withheld by the Company to satisfy the tax withholding obligation; and (3) shares that are repurchased by the Company with proceeds realized by the Company in connection with the exercise of a stock option or SAR.
No “evergreen” provision. The number of shares of our Common Stock available for issuance under the Second A&R 2014 Plan is fixed and will not adjust based upon the number of shares outstanding, except that such amount may be adjusted in connection with certain changes in the Company’s capitalization, as discussed under “Summary of the Second A&R 2014 Plan Features-Change in Capitalization.”
Stock option exercise prices and SAR grant prices will not be lower than the fair market value on the grant date. The Second A&R 2014 Plan prohibits granting stock options with exercise prices and SARs with grant prices lower than the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the grant date, except in connection with the issuance or assumption of awards in connection with certain mergers, consolidations, acquisitions of property or stock or reorganizations.
Will not be excessively dilutive to our stockholders
When determining the number of additional shares authorized for issuance under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee carefully considered the potential dilution to our current stockholders as measured by our “burn rate” and “overhang.” Our Compensation Committee has worked with an independent compensation consultant in the past to design an equity award program to reduce dilution to stockholders and tie compensation to performance.
Burn Rate. Our “burn rate” measures the number of shares under outstanding equity awards granted during a given year (disregarding cancellations), as a percentage of the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for that fiscal year. It measures the potential dilutive effect of annual equity grants. Over the past three years, our burn rate was 0.6%, 5.3% and 2.9% (for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, respectively).
Over the past three years, our average annual dilution was 0.2%, 1.1% and 2.8% (for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, respectively). “Dilution” is measured as the total number of shares under all outstanding equity awards (i.e., share awards granted, less share award cancellations), as a percentage of the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for that fiscal year.
Overhang Rate. Over the past three years, our “overhang rate” was 7.8%, 9.1% and 5.5% (for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, respectively). Our overhang rate measures the total number of shares under all outstanding plan awards, plus the number of shares authorized for future plan awards, as a percentage of the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for that fiscal year. It measures the potential dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards and future awards available for grant. If the amendment to the Second A&R 2014 Plan is approved by our stockholders, our overhang rate would be 6.0%, based on the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Subject to the adjustment, the maximum number of shares of our Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Second A&R 2014 Plan is 2,100,000 shares, plus any shares granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan that again become available for awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan in accordance with the terms of the Second A&R 2014 Plan, subject to the individual limitations described below. Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on awards or to pay the exercise price of awards and any shares not issued or delivered as a result of a “net exercise” of a stock option will not become available for issuance as future award grants under the Second A&R 2014 Plan.
Attracts and retains talent. Talented executives and employees are essential to executing our business strategies. The purpose of the Second A&R 2014 Plan is to promote the success of the Company by giving the Company a competitive edge in
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attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel and providing participants with an incentive plan that provides incentives directly related to increases in the value of the Company.
Aligns director, employee and stockholder interests. We currently provide long-term incentives primarily by (i) compensating participants with equity awards, including incentive compensation awards measured by reference to the value of the Company’s equity, (ii) rewarding such participants for the achievement of performance targets with respect to a specified performance period and (iii) motivating such participants by giving them opportunities to receive awards directly related to such performance. If the Second A&R 2014 Plan is approved, we will be able to maintain our means of aligning the interests of key personnel with the interests of our stockholders.
No tax gross-ups. No participant will be entitled under the Second A&R 2014 Plan to any tax gross-up payments for any excise tax pursuant to Section 280G or 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), that may be incurred in connection with awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan.
Summary of the Second A&R 2014 Plan Features
The following summary of the material features of the Second A&R 2014 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Second A&R 2014 Plan.
Administration. Our Compensation Committee (or subcommittee thereof, if necessary for Section 162(m) of the Code) administers the Second A&R 2014 Plan. The Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the terms and conditions of any awards granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan and to adopt, alter and repeal rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Second A&R 2014 Plan. The Compensation Committee has full discretion to administer and interpret the Second A&R 2014 Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as it deems necessary or advisable, or to comply with any applicable law, including Section 162(m) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and to determine, among other things, the time or times at which the awards may be exercised and whether and under what circumstances an award may be exercised.
Eligibility. Any employees, directors, officers or consultants (including prospective employees, directors, officers or consultants) of the Company or of its subsidiaries or their respective affiliates are eligible for awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan. The Compensation Committee has the authority to determine who will be granted an award under the Second A&R 2014 Plan. Currently, there are approximately 3,700 individuals who we believe are eligible to participate in the Second A&R 2014 Plan, subject to any necessary approvals by the Compensation Committee, consisting of employees, consultants, and non-employee directors who are members of the Board. Such awards may be issued in order to attract, motivate and retain high quality employees, directors and consultants. Additional employees of certain designated foreign subsidiaries of the Company are also eligible under separate “Sub Plans.”
Number of Shares Authorized. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 thereof, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards may be granted from time to time under the Second A&R 2014 Plan cannot exceed, at any time, the sum of (A) 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock, plus (B) any shares of Common Stock granted under the Prior Plans that again become available for awards under the Prior Plans in accordance with their terms and conditions, plus (C) any shares of Common Stock that again become available for awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan in accordance with the terms of the Second A&R 2014 Plan. Subject in each instance to adjustment as provided in Second A&R 2014 Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which options and SARs may be granted to any single participant in any fiscal year is 350,000, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be paid to a participant in connection with the settlement of any award(s) designated as “performance compensation awards” in respect of a single calendar year (including, without limitation, as a portion of the applicable performance period) is 315,350, the maximum amount that can be paid to any individual participant for a single calendar year (including, without limitation, as a portion of the applicable performance period) pursuant to a performance compensation award denominated in cash described in the Second A&R 2014 Plan is $10,000,000. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards (including, without limitation, options and SARs) may be granted to any single non-employee member of the Board in any fiscal year is 30,000 shares of Common Stock, and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which incentive stock options may be granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan is 315,350.
Shares of our Common Stock subject to awards (including shares surrendered or tendered to the Company (either directly or by means of attestation) in payment of the exercise price of an award or any taxes required to be withheld in respect of an award) are generally unavailable for future grant; provided, further, that in no event will such shares increase the number
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of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to incentive stock options granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan. However, if and to the extent an award under the Second A&R 2014 Plan expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited for any reason whatsoever without the participant having received any benefit therefrom, the shares covered by such award shall again become available for other awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan. If there is any change in our corporate capitalization, the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion may make substitutions or adjustments to the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, the number of shares covered by awards then outstanding under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, the limitations on awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, the exercise price of outstanding options and such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine appropriate.
Change in Capitalization. If there is a change in the Company’s corporate capitalization in the event of a dividend (other than a regular cash dividend), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split up, split-off, spin-off, consolidation or other relevant change in capitalization or applicable law or circumstances, such that the Compensation Committee determines that an adjustment is necessary or appropriate, then the Compensation Committee can make adjustments in a manner that it deems equitable in accordance with the terms of the Second A&R 2014 Plan.
Awards Available for Grant. The Compensation Committee may grant awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive (qualified) stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, other stock-based awards, performance compensation awards (including cash bonus awards) or any combination of the foregoing. Awards may be granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”).
Stock Options. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant options to purchase shares of Common Stock that are either “qualified,” meaning they are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code for incentive stock options, or “non-qualified,” meaning they are not intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. All options granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan shall be non-qualified unless the applicable award agreement expressly states that the option is intended to be an “incentive stock option.” Options granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan are subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. Under the terms of the Second A&R 2014 Plan, the exercise price of the options is not to be less than the fair market value of our Common Stock at the time of grant (except with respect to Substitute Awards). Options granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan are subject to such terms, including the exercise price and the conditions and timing of exercise, as may be determined by the Compensation Committee and specified in the applicable award agreement. The maximum term of an option granted under the Second A&R 2014 Plan is ten years from the date of grant (or five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder); provided, that, if the term of a non-qualified option would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Common Stock is prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy, the option’s term shall be automatically extended until the 30th day following the expiration of such prohibition. Payment in respect of the exercise of an option may be made in cash, by check, by cash equivalent and/or, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, shares of Common Stock valued at the fair market value at the time the option is exercised (provided that such shares are not subject to any pledge or other security interest), or by such other method as the Compensation Committee may permit in its sole discretion, including, without limitation: (i) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted cashless exercise mechanism or (ii) by means of a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the number of shares otherwise deliverable in respect of an option that are needed to pay the exercise price and all applicable required withholding taxes.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Compensation Committee is authorized to award SARs under the Second A&R 2014 Plan. SARs are subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. A SAR is a contractual right that allows a participant to receive, either in the form of cash, shares or any combination of cash and shares, the appreciation, if any, in the value of a share over a certain period of time. SARs may be granted in tandem with another award, in addition to another award, or freestanding and unrelated to another award. SARs granted in tandem with or in addition to an award may be granted either before, at the same time as the award or at a later time. Except as otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee (in the case of Substitute Awards or SARs granted in tandem with previously granted options), the exercise price per share of Common Stock for each SAR shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of such share, determined as of the date of grant. The remaining terms of the SARs shall be subject to terms established by the Compensation Committee and reflected in the award agreement.
Restricted Stock. The Compensation Committee is authorized to award shares of restricted stock under the Second A&R 2014 Plan. Awards of restricted stock will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. Restricted stock is Common Stock that generally is non-transferable and is subject to other restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee for a specified period.
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Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Compensation Committee is authorized to award restricted stock unit awards. Restricted stock unit awards are subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. At the election of the Compensation Committee, the participant will receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of units earned or an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of that number of shares at the expiration of the period over which the units are to be earned or at a later date selected by the Compensation Committee, less an amount equal to any taxes required to be withheld. To the extent provided in an award agreement, the holder of outstanding restricted stock units may be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalent payments upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock, either in cash or (at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee) in shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal to the amount of such dividends, and interest may, at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, be credited on the amount of cash dividend equivalents at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Compensation Committee. Any such dividend equivalents are subject to the same vesting conditions as the underlying restricted stock units to which such dividend equivalent relates, and any such accumulated dividend equivalents (and interest thereon, if applicable) shall only be payable to the extent that, and at the same time that, the underlying restricted stock units are settled.
Other Stock-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant awards of unrestricted shares of our Common Stock, rights to receive grants of awards at a future date, or other awards denominated in shares of Common Stock under such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine and as set forth in the applicable award agreement.
Performance Compensation Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant any award under the Second A&R 2014 Plan in the form of a “Performance Compensation Award” by conditioning the vesting of the award on the satisfaction of certain “Performance Goals.” The Compensation Committee will establish these Performance Goals with reference to one or more of the following:
•net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);
•basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes);
•net revenue or net revenue growth;
•return measures (including, but not limited to, return on investment, assets, capital, gross revenue or gross revenue growth invested capital, equity or sales;
•cash flow measures (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow and cash flow return on capital), which may but are not required to be measured on a per share basis;
•earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and amortization (including EBIT and EBITDA);
•gross or net operating margins, productivity ratios, share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return; expense targets or cost reduction goals, general and administrative expense savings; margins; and operating efficiency);
•objective measures of customer satisfaction;
•working capital targets;
•measures of economic value added or other “value creation” metrics;
•inventory control;
•enterprise value;
•sales;
•stockholder return;
•client retention;
•competitive market metrics;
•employee retention;
•timely completion of new product rollouts;
•timely launch of new facilities;
•objective measures of personal targets, goals or completion of projects (including but not limited to succession and hiring projects, completion of specific acquisitions, reorganizations or other corporate transactions or capital-raising transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional project budgets);
•system-wide revenues;
•royalty income;
•cost of capital, debt leverage year-end cash position or book value;
•strategic objectives, development of new product lines and related revenue, sales and margin targets, or international operations; or
•any combination of the foregoing.
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Any of the above Performance Goal elements can be stated as a percentage of another Performance Goal or used on an absolute, relative or adjusted basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or its affiliates or any divisions, operation, or business units, product lines, brands, business segment, administrative departments or combination thereof, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. Performance Goals may be compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies or a published or special index that the Compensation Committee deems appropriate or stock market indices.
Any award that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code will be granted, and Performance Goals for such an award will be established, by the Compensation Committee in writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the performance period to which the Performance Goals relate, or such other period permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code; provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the Compensation Committee establishes the Performance Goal; and provided further that in no event will a Performance Goal be considered to be pre-established if it is established after 25% of the applicable performance period (as scheduled in good faith at the time the Performance Goal is established) has elapsed. Before any payment is made in connection with any award intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Compensation Committee must certify in writing that the Performance Goals established with respect to such award have been achieved.
The Compensation Committee may also specify adjustments or modifications (to the extent it would not result in adverse results under Section 162(m) of the Code) to be made to the calculation of a Performance Goal for such performance period, based on and in order to appropriately reflect the following events: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring items and/or in management’s affecting the Company, any affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company; (vi) acquisitions or divestitures; (vii) any other specific, unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (viii) foreign exchange gains and losses; (ix) discontinued operations and nonrecurring charges; or (x) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, a participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that (i) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (ii) all or some of the portion of such participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the performance period based on the application of the “Performance Formula” (as defined in the Second A&R 2014 Plan) to such Performance Goals.
Effect of Change in Control. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant or set forth in the applicable award agreement, no award will accelerate solely as a result of a change in control if a “replacement award” (as defined in the Second A&R 2014 Plan) is promised to a participant in connection with such change in control. The vesting of a replacement award will only accelerate in connection with a change in control if the participant's employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company (or a successor thereto) within two years following such change in control.
Unless otherwise provided in the Second A&R 2014 Plan or an award agreement, to the extent any plan or award agreement provision would cause a payment of deferred compensation upon a change in control or termination of service that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then payment will not be made unless the provisions comply with Section 409A of the Code. Any payment that would have been made but for the application of the preceding sentence will be made in accordance with the payment schedule that would have applied in the absence of a change in control or termination of employment or service, but disregarding any future service or performance requirements.
Nontransferability. Each award may be exercised during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the participant’s guardian or legal representative and may not be otherwise transferred or encumbered by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Clawback/Forfeiture. An award agreement may provide that the Compensation Committee may in its sole discretion cancel the applicable award if the participant, without the consent of the Company, while employed by or providing services to the Company or any affiliate or after termination of such employment or service, violates a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant or agreement or otherwise has engaged in or engages in activity that is in conflict with or adverse to the interest of the Company or any affiliate. The Committee may also provide in an award agreement that if the participant otherwise has engaged in or engages in any activity referred to in the preceding sentence, the participant will forfeit any gain realized on the vesting, exercise or settlement of such award, and must repay the gain to the Company.
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Amendment. The Second A&R 2014 Plan will have a term of ten years from the date of its approval by the Board. Our Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Second A&R 2014 Plan at any time; however, stockholder approval to amend the Second A&R 2014 Plan may be necessary if certain laws or applicable stock exchange rules so require. No amendment, suspension or termination will impair the rights of any participant or recipient of any award without the consent of the participant or recipient.
The Compensation Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable award agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any award theretofore granted or the associated award agreement, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant or any holder or beneficiary of any option theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected participant, holder or beneficiary; and provided further that, without stockholder approval, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the exercise price of any option or of any SAR, (ii) the Compensation Committee may not cancel any outstanding option and replace it with a new option (with a lower exercise price) or cancel any SAR and replace it with a new SAR (with a lower exercise price), and (iii) no option or SAR may be exchanged for cash or another award. However, stockholder approval is not required with respect to clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above for any action specifically permitted by Section 12 (Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events) of the Second A&R 2014 Plan. In addition, none of the requirements described in the preceding clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) can be amended without stockholder approval.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the grant and exercise and vesting of awards under the Second A&R 2014 Plan and the disposition of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise or settlement of such awards and is intended to reflect the current provisions of the Code and the regulations thereunder. This summary is not intended to be a complete statement of applicable law, nor does it address foreign, state, local and payroll tax considerations, and does not describe federal taxes other than income taxes. Moreover, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any particular participant may differ from those described herein by reason of, among other things, the particular circumstances of such participant. The following is not to be considered tax advice to any persons who may be participants in the Second A&R 2014 Plan, and any such persons are advised to consult with their own tax counsel.
Stock Options. The Second A&R 2014 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant both options that are “qualified,” meaning they are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (also referred to as incentive stock options), and options that are “non-qualified,” meaning they are not intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Holders of incentive stock options generally will not incur federal income tax liability at the time of grant or upon exercise of qualified incentive stock options, provided that they meet certain employment criteria and satisfy holding period requirements. However, the spread at exercise will be an “item of tax preference,” which may give rise to “alternative minimum tax” liability for the taxable year in which the exercise occurs. For treatment of an option as an incentive stock option, shares of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option cannot be disposed of before the later of (i) two years from the date of grant of the option, or (ii) one year from the date of exercise. If the holder satisfies the holding period requirements, the difference between the exercise price and the amount realized upon a subsequent disposition of the shares will constitute long-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be. Assuming both holding periods are satisfied, no deduction will be allowed to us for federal income tax purposes in connection with the grant or exercise of the incentive stock option. If a holder disposes of such shares without meeting the holding period requirements, the participant generally will realize taxable income at the time of such disposition equal to the difference between the exercise price and the lesser of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise or the amount realized on the subsequent disposition of the shares, and that amount will generally be deductible by us for federal income tax purposes, subject to the possible limitations on deductibility under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to executives designated in those sections. Finally, if an incentive stock option becomes first exercisable in any one year for shares having an aggregate value in excess of $100,000 (based on the grant date value), the portion of the incentive stock option in respect of those excess shares will be treated as a non-qualified stock option for federal income tax purposes.
No income will be realized by a participant upon grant of a non-qualified option. Upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying exercised shares over the option exercise price paid at the time of exercise. The Company will be able to deduct this same amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those sections.
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SARs. No income will be realized by a participant upon grant of a SAR. Upon settlement of a SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the payment received in respect of the SAR. The Company will be able to deduct this same amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those sections.
Restricted Stock. A participant will not be subject to tax at ordinary income rates upon the grant of an award of restricted stock unless the participant otherwise elects to be taxed at the time of grant pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. On the date an award of restricted stock becomes transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant will have taxable income equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on that date over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any, unless the participant made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed at the time of grant. If the participant made an election under Section 83(b), the participant will have taxable compensation at the time of grant equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any. (Special rules apply to the receipt and disposition of restricted shares received by officers and directors who are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.) The Company generally will be able to deduct a share-based award, in the same amount and in the same tax year as it is recognized by the participant, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those sections.
Restricted Stock Units. A participant will not be subject to tax at ordinary income rates upon the grant of a restricted stock unit award. Rather, upon the delivery of shares or cash pursuant to a restricted stock unit award, the participant will have taxable income equal to the fair market value of the number of shares (or the amount of cash) the participant actually receives with respect to the award (less any amount paid by the participant for such restricted stock unit(s)). The Company will be able to deduct the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but the deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those sections.
Performance Awards. No income generally will be recognized upon the grant of performance awards. Upon payment in respect of the earn-out of performance awards, the recipient generally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in the year of receipt an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any unrestricted shares of our Common Stock received.
Section 162(m). Compensation of persons who are “covered employees” is subject to the tax deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code. Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) on December 22, 2017, awards that qualified as “performance-based compensation” were exempt from Section 162(m), thereby permitting us to claim the full federal tax deduction otherwise allowed for such compensation. This exception was eliminated by the TCJA. However, pending further guidance, this exception may still be available under state law allowing us to claim the full state deduction otherwise allowed for such compensation. In addition, the TCJA includes a transition rule under which the change described above will not apply to compensation payable pursuant to a written binding contract that was in effect on November 2, 2017 and is not materially modified after that date. To the extent applicable to our existing contracts and awards, our Compensation Committee may avail itself of this transition rule.
Section 409A. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Second A&R 2014 Plan and any grants made thereunder comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, so that the income inclusion provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code do not apply to the participants. The Second A&R 2014 Plan and any grants made thereunder will be administered in a manner consistent with this intent.
New Plan Benefits
The Compensation Committee has full discretion to determine the number and amount of awards to be granted to employees under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, subject to its terms. Other than as set forth in this paragraph and in the table below, the future benefits or amounts that would be received by the executive officers and the groups named in the table below under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, as amended by the amendment thereto that is the subject of this proposal, are not determinable at this time.
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Second A&R 2014 Plan as Amended
The table below sets forth the benefits or amounts that we expect to provide to the parties set forth below if the amendment to the Second A&R 2014 Plan that is the subject of this proposal is approved by our stockholders at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
| Name & Position | Aggregate Number of Stock Options Granted (#) | Average Per Share Exercise Price of Options ($) | Aggregate Number of Shares Subject to Stock Awards (#) | Dollar Value of Shares Subject to Stock Awards ($) | ||||||||||
Michael J. Sena | — | $ | — | — | — | |||||||||
Paul K. Voigt(1) | 100,000 | $ | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Executive Officers | — | $ | — | — | — | |||||||||
Non-Employee Directors | — | $ | — | — | — | |||||||||
Non-Executive Officer Employees | — | $ | — | — | — | |||||||||
| (1) | Pursuant to the Voigt Employment Agreement, on September 15 of each year Mr. Voigt remains employed by the Company, Mr. Voigt is to be granted a stock option award to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, with an exercise price determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. | ||||
Mr. Voigt has a financial interest in this proposal because their awards are subject to the availability of sufficient shares under the amendment of the Second A&R 2014 Plan that is the subject of this proposal.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides certain information with respect to all of the Company’s equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
| Plan Category | (a) Number of Securities Issued or to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options and Rights | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options and Rights (2) | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding Securities Reflected in column (a))(1) | ||||||||
| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 317,733 | $ | 13.39 | 97,895 | |||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | $ | — | ||||||||
| Total | 317,733 | $ | 13.39 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 217,733 | $ | 16.94 | 463,763 | |||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | $ | — | ||||||||
| Total | 217,733 | $ | 16.94 | ||||||||
(1) | These amounts represent shares under the Company’s Second A&R 2014 Plan. | ||||
(2) | Represents the weighted-average exercise price of stock options outstanding under the Second A&R 2014 Plan, and the 2014 Plan. | ||||
Vote Required
The favorable vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock entitled to vote, voting as a single class (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis), present in person or by proxy at the 2026 Annual Meeting will constitute the stockholders’ approval of this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.
| BOARD RECOMMENDATION | ||||||||||||||
| The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the amendment of the Second A&R 2014 Plan to increase the shares of Common Stock available thereunder. | ||||||||||||||
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(PROPOSAL 4)
The Board recommends that stockholders ratify the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. (“BDO”), as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The appointment of BDO was recommended to the Board by its Audit Committee. BDO served as independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Representatives of BDO will be present at the 2026 Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to stockholder questions after the conclusion of the Annual Meeting.
We engaged BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. The decision to engage BDO for those years was approved by our Audit Committee. In considering the nature of the services provided by BDO, the Audit Committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The Audit Committee discussed these services with BDO and management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). The Audit Committee has selected BDO to conduct the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
The following table summarizes the aggregate fees paid by us to BDO and its affiliates (in thousands):
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
Audit Fees (1)(2) | $ | 1,903 | $ | 2,007 | |||||||
Audit-related fees (2) | 293 | 453 | |||||||||
Tax Fees (3) | 618 | 694 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,814 | $ | 3,154 | |||||||
(1) Fees for audit services include audit of financial statements and audit of internal controls over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, reviews of quarterly financial statements and other matters related to SEC filings and capital market activities. Also included are statutory audit fees paid by our subsidiaries.
(2) Fees for audit-related services include stand-alone audit fees paid by our subsidiaries. Fees for 2024 have been reclassified to conform with the 2025 presentation.
(3) Fees for tax services include compliance related fees, earnings, profit and dividends analysis, Section 382 analysis, Section 162(m) analysis, Section 266 analysis, and state and local tax studies.
Pre-Approval Policy
The services performed by BDO in 2025 were pre-approved in accordance with the pre-approval policy and procedures adopted by the Audit Committee. This policy describes the permitted audit, audit-related, tax, and other services (collectively, the “Disclosure Categories”) that the independent registered public accounting firm may perform.
On a quarterly basis, the Audit Committee reviews a description of services (the “Service List”) expected to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in each of the Disclosure Categories, the status of services and fees incurred year-to-date against the original Service List and pre-approval limits and the forecast of remaining services and fees for the fiscal year.
Services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm during 2025 and included in the Service List were pre-approved in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Audit Committee. Any requests for audit, audit-related, tax, and other services contemplated on the Service List must be submitted to the Audit Committee for specific pre-approval and cannot commence until such approval has been granted. Normally, pre-approval is provided at regularly scheduled meetings. However, the authority to grant specific pre-approval between meetings, as necessary, has been delegated to the
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Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Chairman must update the Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting of any services that were granted specific pre-approval.
Vote required.
The favorable vote of the holders of a majority Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting as a single class (with the Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis), present in person or by proxy at the 2026 Annual Meeting will constitute the stockholders’ approval of this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST this proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. Your nominee will have discretionary authority to vote your shares if you do not provide instructions as to how your shares should be voted on this proposal.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION | ||
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. | ||
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our Common Stock and other equity securities. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
SEC regulations require us to identify in this Proxy Statement anyone who filed a required report late during the most recent fiscal year. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the year ended December 31, 2025, all of our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners have complied with Section 16(a) filing requirements on a timely basis.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
As of the Record Date for the 2026 Annual Meeting, there were (i) 13,641,866 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote, (ii) 6,125 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock, equal to 305,278 shares of Common Stock on an as-converted basis and (iii) 1,937 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock, equal to 66,326 shares of Common Stock on an as-converted basis. Therefore, as of the Record Date, there were a total of 14,013,470 shares of Common Stock (including the Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis) outstanding and entitled to vote.
Except as otherwise indicated, the following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain information as to the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock, Series A-3 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Preferred Stock, including shares of Common Stock as to which a right to acquire beneficial ownership existed (for example, through the exercise of Common Stock options or warrants or conversion of the Preferred Stock), that are exercisable or convertible as of, and within 60 days from, the Record Date, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Exchange Act by: (i) each person or group who is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any class of voting securities of the Company, (ii) each director, (iii) each named executive officer, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. For purposes of this filing, beneficial ownership of securities is defined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and means generally the power to vote or exercise investment discretion with respect to securities, regardless of any economic interests therein. Unless otherwise indicated, each person had, as of the Record Date, sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to the Company’s shares, subject to applicable community property laws. The address of each of our directors and executive officers, other than Mr. Glazer, is c/o INNOVATE Corp., 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl, New York, NY 10017. Mr. Glazer’s address is c/o Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, 1900 Bausch & Lomb Place, Rochester, NY 14604.
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Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) | Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock on a stand-alone basis (1) | Number of Shares of Outstanding Series A-3 Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned (2) | Percentage of Series A-3 Preferred Stock (2) | Number of Shares of Outstanding Series A-4 Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned (3) | Percentage of Series A-4 Preferred Stock (3) | Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock On An As-Converted Basis (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lancer Capital LLC and its affiliates (4) c/o Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP 1900 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 | 6,833,175 | 49.9 | % | — | — | — | — | 48.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jill Glazer (4) c/o Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP 1900 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 | 6,833,175 | 49.9 | % | — | — | — | — | 48.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Percy Rockdale LLC and its affiliates (5) 595 Madison Avenue, 29th Floor New York, NY 10022 | 874,556 | 6.2 | % | 6,125 | 100.0 | % | 1,937 | 100.0 | % | 6.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Whitefort Capital Management, LP (6) 12 East 49th Street, 40th Floor New York, NY 10017 | 1,074,950 | 7.7 | % | — | — | — | — | 7.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jefferies LLC (7) 520 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10022 | 700,802 | 5.1 | % | — | — | — | — | 5.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Directors, Nominees, Named Executive Officers and Executive Officers and Directors as a group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul K. Voigt (8) | 858,427 | 6.2 | % | — | — | — | — | 6.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael J. Sena (9) | 133,715 | 1.0 | % | — | — | — | — | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Avram A. Glazer (4) | 6,833,175 | 49.9 | % | — | — | — | — | 48.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warren H. Gfeller (10) | 67,703 | * | — | — | — | — | * | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian S. Goldstein (11) | 48,983 | * | — | — | — | — | * | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amy M. Wilkinson (12) | 46,904 | * | — | — | — | — | * | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All executive officers and directors as a group (6 people) (13) | 7,988,907 | 57.4 | % | — | — | — | — | 55.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
(1) Shares of Common Stock of which a person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days from April 22, 2026, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of such person, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2) As of April 22, 2026, each outstanding share of Series A-3 Preferred Stock is convertible into approximately 49.8413 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership of Series A-3 Preferred Stock stated in these columns reflect ownership of shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock, and not shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock at this ratio.
(3) As of April 22, 2026, each outstanding share of Series A-4 Preferred Stock is convertible into approximately 34.2418 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership of Series A-4 Preferred Stock stated in these columns reflect ownership of shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock, and not shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock at this ratio.
(4) Based on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 23, 2020, Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 15, 2020, Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on June 8, 2020, Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on June 17, 2020, Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on September 10, 2020, Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on November 30, 2020, by Lancer Capital and Avram A. Glazer, Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on December 2, 2020, by Lancer Capital and Avram A. Glazer, Amendment No. 7 to Schedule 13D (“Amendment No. 7”) filed with the SEC on March 18, 2021, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer, and the Avram Glazer Irrevocable Exempt Trust (the “Trust”), Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 27, 2021, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer and the Trust, Amendment No. 9 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on July 7, 2021, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer and the Trust, the Trust, Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 20, 2022, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer, and the Trust, Amendment No. 11 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 27, 2022, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer and the Trust, the Trust, and Amendment No. 12 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer and the Trust, Amendment No. 13 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on June 18, 2024, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer and the Trust, and Amendment No. 14 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on December 18, 2024, by Lancer Capital, Avram A. Glazer, Jill Glazer, the Trust, the KAG Irrevocable Exempt Trust (“KAG Trust”)and the LHG Irrevocable Exempt Trust (“LHG Trust”). Avram A. Glazer is the sole owner of Lancer Capital, and in such capacity may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held of record by Lancer Capital, and Mr. Glazer is the Trustee of the Trust, and in such capacity may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held of record by Lancer Capital and the Trust, and Mrs. Glazer is the Trustee of both the KAG Trust and the LHG Trust, and in such capacity may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held of record by the KAG Trust and LHG Trust.
According to the filings, and adjusted subsequent to the most recent filing for RSAs issued to Mr. Glazer and the exchange of the principal amount of the Company's 7.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 for new 9.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 held by Lancer. Includes (i) 2,211,805 shares of Common Stock owned of record by Lancer Capital (including 54,338 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of $2.3 million principal amount
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of the Company's 9.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027), (ii) 2,097,902 shares of Common Stock owned of record by the LHG Trust, (iii) 2,097,902 shares of Common Stock owned of record by the KAG Trust (iv) 317,244 shares of Common Stock owned of record by the Trust, (v) and 53,984 shares of Common Stock owned of record by Mr. Glazer. The shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Glazer above include 16,363 RSAs that will vest and become non-forfeitable on the earlier of (i) June 12, 2026, and (ii) the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting (subject to continued service with the Company through such vesting date).
(5) Based on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on January 27, 2020, Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on February 18, 2020, Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 6, 2020, Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 14, 2020, Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on November 25, 2020, Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on December 10, 2020, Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on December 16, 2020, Amendment No. 7 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 30, 2021 by Percy Rockdale LLC, Rio Royal LLC, MG Capital Management Ltd. and Michael Gorzynski, Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on July 2, 2021, Amendment No. 9 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on June 14, 2022, and Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on January 4, 2023, by Percy Rockdale LLC (“Percy Rockdale”), Rio Royal LLC (“Rio Royal”), MG Capital Management Ltd. (“MG Capital Management”, and, together with Percy Rockdale and Rio Royal, the “MG Reporting Persons”), Michael Gorzynski, Continental General Insurance Company (“CGIC”), Continental LTC, Inc. (“CLTC”), Continental Insurance Group, Ltd. (“CIG”) and Continental General Holdings LLC (“CGH” and together with CGIC, CLTC and CIG, the “Continental Reporting Persons”) and the terms of the Company’s Series A-3 and A-4 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock.
According to the filings, and adjusted for payment of the accreted value described below and certain preliminary anti-dilution adjustments made to the Series A-3 Convertible Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Convertible Preferred Stock as described below and adjusted for the exchange of shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock for debt as described below, (i) Percy Rockdale beneficially owns 866,478 shares of Common Stock, (ii) Rio Royal beneficially owns 2,447 shares of Common Stock, (iii) CGIC may be deemed to beneficially own 371,604 shares of Common Stock consisting of (A) 6,125 shares of Series A-3 Convertible Preferred Stock, which are convertible, at a conversion price of $23.63 per share, into 305,278 shares of Common Stock and (B) 1,937 shares of Series A-4 Convertible Preferred Stock, which are convertible, at a conversion price of $34.40 per share, into 66,326 shares of Common Stock, and (iv) Mr. Goryznski may be deemed to beneficially own 874,556 shares of Common Stock, consisting of (A) the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Percy Rockdale, (B) the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Rio Royal, (C) the shares of Common Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by CGIC, and (D) 5,631 shares of Common Stock previously granted to Mr. Goryznski personally as a director of the Company that had previously vested.
According to the filings, MG Capital Management may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock held by Rio Royal, each of CLTC, CIG and CGH may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by CGIC and Mr. Gorzynski may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock held by each of Percy Rockdale, Rio Royal and CGIC. According to the filings, CLTC may be deemed the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by CGIC, CIG may be deemed the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by CGIC, CGH may be deemed the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by CGIC and Mr. Gorzynski may be deemed the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by CGIC. CGH, CIG, CLTC, CGIC and Mr. Gorzynski have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares of Series A-3 and Series A-4 Convertible Preferred Stock directly held by CGIC.
Subsequent to the filing of the Schedule 13D, upon the exchange of the Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) for the Series A-3 Convertible Preferred Stock, the Company paid in cash the accreted value of the Series A Preferred Stock, resulting in a reduction of the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Series A-3 Preferred Stock is convertible by 2,364. Subsequent to the filing of the Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on January 4, 2023, as a result of the rights offering in 2024 and a concurrent private placement at INNOVATE in 2024, and the reverse stock split in 2024, and due to the anti-dilution provisions contained in the terms of the Series A-3 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Preferred Stock, the conversion price of the Series A-3 Preferred Stock and the conversion price of the Series A-4 Preferred Stock were adjusted. Additionally, on August 4, 2025, the accrued value of 8,063 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock of the Company held by CGIC, were exchanged for an additional principal amount of debt with CGIC.
(6) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on November 14, 2025 by Whitefort Capital Management, LP, David Salanic and Joseph Kaplan, and the terms of the Company’s 9.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027. The reporting persons have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to, and beneficially own 1,074,950, including 743,000 shares of Common Stock owned of record by Whitefort Capital Management, LP, and 331,950 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of $14,046,195 principal amount of the Company's 9.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027.
(7) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2017, by Jefferies LLC, Jefferies Group LLC, Limestone Merger Sub, LLC and Leucadia National Corporation, Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022 by Jefferies LLC, Jefferies Group LLC and Jefferies Financial Group Inc., and Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on November 13, 2024 by Jefferies LLC and Jefferies Financial Group Inc. According to the filings, Jefferies LLC and Jefferies Financial Group Inc., have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to, and beneficially own, 700,802 shares of Common Stock.
(8) Includes 200,000 of vested stock options. Excludes 100,000 stock options that will vest and become non-forfeitable on September 15, 2026 (subject to continued service with the Company through such vesting date).
(9) Includes 17,733 vested stock options and includes 20,565 of unvested RSAs, of which (i) 4,315 will vest and become non-forfeitable on March 13, 2027, (ii) 11,934 will vest and become non-forfeitable on March 14, 2027, and (iii) 4,316 which will vest and become non-forfeitable on March 13, 2028 (subject to continued service with the Company through such vesting dates).
(10) Includes 16,363 RSAs that will vest and become non-forfeitable on the earlier of (i) June 12, 2026, and (ii) the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting (subject to continued service with the Company through such vesting date).
(11) Includes 16,363 RSAs that will vest and become non-forfeitable on the earlier of (i) June 12, 2026, and (ii) the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting (subject to continued service with the Company through such vesting date).
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(12) Includes 16,363 RSAs that will vest and become non-forfeitable on the earlier of (i) June 12, 2026, and (ii) the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting (subject to continued service with the Company through such vesting date).
(13) Includes 217,733 vested stock options and 54,338 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of $2.3 million principal amount of the Company's 9.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027.
OTHER MATTERS
Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g. brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for notices of Internet availability of proxy materials, proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single notice of Internet availability of proxy materials, proxy statement and annual report to those stockholders. Each stockholder will continue to receive a separate proxy card. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Company stockholders will be householding our proxy materials. A single Notice, or, if applicable, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. We will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the Notice or, if applicable, the Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of any of those documents was delivered. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate notice of Internet availability of proxy materials, proxy statement or annual report, as applicable, please notify your broker or direct your request to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, INNOVATE Corp., 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl, New York, NY 10017 with a copy by email to corpsec@innovatecorp.com or by phone at (212) 235-2691.
Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy materials, proxy statement or annual report, as applicable, at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker.
Stockholder Proposals
Stockholders who intend to have a proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for presentation at our 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must submit the proposal to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices, 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Fl, New York, NY 10017, with a copy by email to corpsec@innovatecorp.com no later than December 29, 2026. In addition, all proposals will have to comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, which lists the requirements for the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. However, if the date of the 2027 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting, then the deadline will be a reasonable time before we print and mail our proxy materials.
If you wish to nominate a candidate for director or submit a proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy materials for presentation at our 2027 Annual Meeting, such proposal or nomination must satisfy the requirements set forth in the By-Laws, which includes that such proposal must be delivered or mailed in writing to, and received by, the Corporate Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices, located at 295 Madison Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10017, with a copy by email to corpsec@innovatecorp.com, no earlier than the close of business on January 13, 2027, and no later than the close of business on February 11, 2027. In the event that the date of the 2027 Annual Meeting is more than twenty-five (25) days before or after the anniversary of the 2026 Annual Meeting, which will be held on June 11, 2026, then, to be considered timely, notice by the stockholders must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company.
The February 11, 2027, deadline described above also applies in determining whether notice is timely for purposes of Rule 14a-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act relating to exercise of discretionary voting authority and are separate from and in addition to the Securities and Exchange Commission's requirements that a stockholder must meet to have a proposal included in our proxy statement. In addition to satisfying the foregoing advance notice requirements under the By-Laws, to comply with the universal proxy rules (once effective) under the Exchange Act, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19
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under the Exchange Act no later than April 12, 2027, which is 60 days prior to the anniversary date of the 2026 Annual Meeting.
We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with the above requirements.
Copies of the Notice, the Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which includes our financial statements and provides additional information about us, are available to stockholders of record and entitled to vote at the 2026 Annual Meeting and to notice thereof on the Company’s website at www.innovatecorp.com under “Investor Relations-Stock Information-Proxy Materials.” You may also obtain these materials at www.proxyvote.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov. Each person whose proxy is being solicited and who represents that, as of the record date for the 2026 Annual Meeting, he or she was a beneficial owner of shares entitled to be voted at such meeting may obtain additional printed copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including our financial statements, free of charge, from us by sending a written request to INNOVATE Corp. by email to corpsec@innovatecorp.com. Exhibits will be provided upon written request. | ||
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Exhibit A
INNOVATE CORP.
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 OMNIBUS EQUITY AWARD PLAN, AS AMENDED
1. Purpose. The purpose of this Second Amended and Restated INNOVATE Corp. 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and its Affiliates may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors (and prospective directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors) of the Company and its Affiliates can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, including incentive compensation measured by reference to the value of Common Stock thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company and its Affiliates and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders. This Plan document is an omnibus document which includes, in addition to the Plan, separate sub-plans (“Sub Plans”) that permit offerings of grants to employees of certain Designated Foreign Subsidiaries. Offerings under the Sub Plans may be made in particular locations outside the United States of America and shall comply with local laws applicable to offerings in such foreign jurisdictions. The Plan shall be a separate and independent plan from the Sub Plans, but the total number of shares of Common Stock authorized to be issued under the Plan applies in the aggregate to both the Plan and the Sub Plans.
2. Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan.
(a) “Affiliate” means (i) any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company and/or (ii) to the extent provided by the Committee, any person or entity in which the Company has a significant interest. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
(b) “Award” means, individually or collectively, any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Other Stock Based Award and Performance Compensation Award granted under the Plan.
(c) “Beneficial Owner” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.
(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) “Cause” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise, (i) the Company or an Affiliate having “cause” to terminate a Participant’s employment or service, as defined in any employment or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination or in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein), (A) the Participant’s commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, or other material act or omission involving dishonesty or fraud, (B) the Participant has engaged or is about to engage in conduct harmful (whether financially, reputationally or otherwise) to the Company or any of its Affiliates, (C) the Participant’s failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the Company (which, if deemed curable by the Committee, is not cured within 10 days after notice thereof is provided to the Participant) or (D) the Participant’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or material act of disloyalty with respect to the Company or its Affiliates (which, if deemed curable by the Committee, is not cured within 10 days after notice thereof is provided to the Participant. Any determination of whether Cause exists shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.
(f) “Change in Control” shall mean:
(i) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries) representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, other than any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of subsection (iii) below;
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(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board: (A) individuals who, on the Effective Date, were members of the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”), (B) individuals whose election or nomination to the Board was approved by Incumbent Directors constituting, at the time of such election or nomination, at least a majority of the Board or (C) individuals whose election or nomination to the Board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (B) and (C) constituting, at the time of such election or nomination, at least a majority of the Board (other than, in the cases of clauses (B) and (C), directors whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, members of the Board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any Person other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the Board);
(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other entity, other than (A) a merger or consolidation which results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of voting securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities or (C) a merger or consolidation affecting the Company as a result of which a Designated Holder owns after such transaction more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(iv) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, to any Person, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred if immediately after the occurrence of any of the events described in clauses (i)-(iv) above, (i) the record holders of the Common Stock of the Company immediately prior to such event or series of events continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such event or series of events or (ii) a Designated Holder or Designated Holders are the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company or any successor.
(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.
(h) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or subcommittee thereof if required with respect to actions taken to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code in respect of Awards or, if no such Compensation Committee or subcommittee thereof exists, the Board.
(i) “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such common stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged).
(j) “Company” means INNOVATE Corp., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
(k) “Date of Grant” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.
(l) “Designated Holder” means Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd., Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P., Harbinger Group Inc., Global Opportunities Breakaway, Ltd., Phillip A. Falcone, and their or his respective Affiliates and subsidiaries or investment vehicles owned or controlled by Philip A. Falcone.
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(m) “Designated Foreign Subsidiaries” means all Affiliates organized under the laws of any jurisdiction or country other than the United States of America that may be designated by the Board or the Committee from time to time.
(n) “Disability” means, unless in the case of a particular Award the applicable Award agreement states otherwise, the Company or an Affiliate having cause to terminate a Participant’s employment or service on account of “disability,” as defined in any then-existing employment, consulting or other similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or, in the absence of such an employment, consulting or other similar agreement, a condition entitling the Participant to receive benefits under a long-term disability plan of the Company or an Affiliate, or, in the absence of such a plan, the complete and permanent inability by reason of illness or accident to perform the duties of the occupation at which a Participant was employed or served when such disability commenced. Any determination of whether Disability exists shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.
(o) “Effective Date” means the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders at the first Annual Meeting within twelve months following the date of its approval by the Board.
(p) “Eligible Director” means a person who is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and (iii) an “independent director” under the rules of the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, or a person meeting any similar requirement under any successor rule or regulation.
(q) “Eligible Person” means any (i) individual employed by the Company or an Affiliate who satisfies all of the requirements of Section 6 of the Plan; provided, however, that no such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) director or officer of the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) consultant or advisor to the Company or an Affiliate who may be offered securities registrable on Form S-8 under the Securities Act; or (iv) any prospective employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who have accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Company or its Affiliates (and would satisfy the provisions of clauses (i) through (iii) above once he or she begins employment with or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates).
(r) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.
(s) “Exercise Period” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(c) of the Plan.
(t) “Exercise Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.
(u) “Fair Market Value” means, on a given date, (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price (excluding any “after hours” trading) of the Common Stock reported on the primary exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and traded on such date, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such a sale was reported; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange but is quoted in an inter-dealer quotation service on a last sale basis, the average between the closing bid price and ask price reported on such date, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; (iii) if Fair Market Value cannot be determined under clause (i) or (ii) above, or if the Committee determines in its sole discretion that the shares of Common Stock are too thinly traded for Fair Market Value to be determined pursuant to clause (i) or (ii), the fair market value as determined in good faith by the Committee in its sole discretion; or (iv) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation service on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock.
(v) “Good Reason” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise, (i) the Participant having “good reason” to terminate the Participant’s employment or service, as defined in any employment or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination or (ii) if “Good Reason” is specifically referred to in any Award but is not defined therein, the occurrence of any of the following without the Participant’s express written consent: (A) a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary, other than a reduction that is a part of and consistent with a reduction in compensation of similarly situated employees of the Company, or (B) requiring the Participant to relocate the Participant’s principal place of employment or service to a location
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that would result in an increase by more than fifty (50) miles in the Participant’s one-way commute from the Participant’s then-current principal residence; provided that no termination shall be deemed to be for Good Reason unless (1) the Participant provides the Company with written notice setting forth the specific facts or circumstances constituting Good Reason within 30 days after the initial existence of the occurrence of such facts or circumstances, (2) to the extent curable, the Company has failed to cure such facts or circumstances within 30 days following its receipt of such written notice, and (3) the effective date of the termination for Good Reason occurs no later than 90 days after the initial existence of the facts or circumstances constituting Good Reason.
(w) “Immediate Family Members” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15(b).
(x) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option which is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option as described in Section 422 of the Code and otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Plan.
(y) “Indemnifiable Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) of the Plan.
(z) “Involuntary Termination” shall mean termination by the Company of a Participant’s employment or service by the Company without Cause or termination of a Participant’s employment by the Participant for Good Reason. For avoidance of doubt, an Involuntary Termination shall not include a termination of the Participant’s employment or service by the Company for Cause or due to the Participant’s death, Disability or resignation without Good Reason.
(aa) “Mature Shares” means shares of Common Stock either (i) previously acquired on the open market, (ii) not acquired from the Company in the form of compensation or (iii) acquired from the Company in the form of compensation that have been owned by a Participant for at least six months.
(bb) “Negative Discretion” shall mean the discretion authorized by the Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Performance Compensation Award consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.
(cc) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option which is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.
(dd) “NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.
(ee) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option described in Section 7 of the Plan.
(ff) “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted under Section 10 of the Plan.
(gg) “Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company.
(hh) “Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.
(ii) “Performance Compensation Award” shall mean any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.
(jj) “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under the Plan.
(kk) “Performance Formula” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulae applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.
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(ll) “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.
(mm) “Performance Period” shall mean the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Compensation Award.
(nn) “Permitted Transferee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15(b) of the Plan.
(oo) “Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Stock of the Company.
(pp) “Plan” means this INNOVATE Corp. Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan.
(qq) “Prior Plans” shall mean the INNOVATE Corp. Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan and the INNOVATE Corp. 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan.
(rr) “Restricted Period” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.
(ss) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.
(tt) “Restricted Stock” means Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.
(uu) “SAR Period” has the meaning given such term in Section 8(c) of the Plan.
(vv) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.
(ww) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.
(xx) “Strike Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 8(b) of the Plan.
(yy) “Substitute Award” has the meaning given such term in Section 5(e).
(zz) “Sub Plans” has the meaning given such term in Section 1.
3. Effective Date; Duration. The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The expiration date of the Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.
4. Administration.
(a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan) or necessary to obtain the
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exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time he or she takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan, be an Eligible Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan. The majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee shall be deemed the acts of the Committee.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant and designate those Awards which shall constitute Performance Compensation Awards; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) accelerate the vesting of or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; (x) establish and administer Performance Goals and certify whether, and to what extent, they have been attained; and (xi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan or to comply with any applicable law, including Section 162(m) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(c) The Committee may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under the Plan to a subcommittee thereof. To the extent of any such delegation, references in the Plan to the Committee will be deemed to be references to such subcommittee. In addition, subject to applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant Awards to Participants who are not officers or directors of the Company subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or “covered employees” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code). Any such delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.
(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award or any documents evidencing Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons or entities, including, without limitation, the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any shareholder of the Company.
(e) No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee or agent of the Company (each such person, an “Indemnifiable Person”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, and the Company shall advance to such Indemnifiable Person any such expenses promptly upon written request (which request shall include an undertaking by the Indemnifiable Person to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined as provided below that the Indemnifiable Person is not entitled to be indemnified); provided that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts or omissions or determinations of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s Certificate of
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Incorporation or Bylaws. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of or otherwise supersede any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, individual indemnification agreement or contract or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold them harmless.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. Any such actions by the Board shall be subject to the applicable rules of the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.
5. Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to the Plan; Limitations. (a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock Based Awards and/or Performance Compensation Awards to one or more Eligible Persons.
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of the Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted from time to time under the Plan shall in the aggregate not exceed, at any time, the sum of (A) 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock, plus (B) any shares of Common Stock granted under the Prior Plans that again become available for Awards under the Prior Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Prior Plans, plus (C) any shares of Common Stock that again become available for Awards under the Plan in accordance with Section 5(c). Subject in each instance to adjustment as provided in Section 12, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to any single Participant in any fiscal year shall be 350,000, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be paid to a Participant in the Plan in connection with the settlement of any Award(s) designated as “Performance Compensation Awards” in respect of a single calendar year (including, without limitation, as a portion of the applicable Performance Period) shall be 315,350, the maximum amount that can be paid to any individual Participant for a single calendar year (including, without limitation, as a portion of the applicable Performance Period) pursuant to a Performance Compensation Award denominated in cash described in Section 11(a) of the Plan shall be $10,000,000, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards (including, without limitation, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) may be granted to any single non-employee member of the Board in any fiscal year shall be 30,000 shares of Common Stock, and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall be 315,350.
(b) Shares of Common Stock covered by an Award granted under the Plan shall not be counted unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant and, therefore, the total number of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan as of a given date shall not be reduced by shares of Common Stock relating to prior Awards that (in whole or in part) have expired or have been forfeited or canceled, and upon payment in cash of the benefit provided by any Award, any shares of Common Stock that were covered by such Award will be available for issue hereunder; provided, however, that if shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise, vesting or settlement of an Award, or shares of Common Stock owned by a Participant are surrendered or tendered to the Company (either directly or by means of attestation) in payment of the Exercise Price or Strike Price of an Award or any taxes required to be withheld in respect of an Award, in each case, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and any applicable Award agreement, the gross number of such surrendered or tendered shares shall not become available for other Awards under the Plan; provided, further, that in no event shall such shares increase the number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan. In accordance with (and without limitation upon) the preceding sentence, if and to the extent an Award under the Plan expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited for any reason whatsoever without the Participant having received any benefit therefrom, the shares covered by such Award shall again become available for other Awards under the Plan. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, a Participant shall not be deemed to have received any “benefit” (i) in the case of forfeited Restricted Stock by reason of having enjoyed voting rights and dividend rights prior to the date of forfeiture or (ii) in the case of an Award canceled by reason of a new Award being granted in substitution therefor.
(c) Shares of Common Stock delivered by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase, or a combination of the foregoing. Following the Effective Date, no further awards shall be granted under any Prior Plans, provided that the Plan is approved by shareholders within twelve months following the Effective Date.
(d) Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, conversion of, or in substitution for, outstanding Awards previously granted by the Company or any Affiliate or an entity directly or
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indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”). The number of shares of Common Stock underlying any Substitute Awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or the substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity that is acquired by the Company or any Affiliate through a merger or acquisition shall not be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan; provided, further, that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code that were previously granted by an entity that is acquired by the Company or any Affiliate through a merger or acquisition shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares under a shareholder approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for delivery under the Plan. Any conversion, substitution or assumption will be effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition, and, to the extent applicable, will be conducted in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
6. Eligibility. Participation shall be limited to Eligible Persons who have entered into an Award agreement or who have received written notification from the Committee, or from a person designated by the Committee, that they have been selected to participate in the Plan.
7. Options.
(a) Generally. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company and its Affiliates, and no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Eligible Person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company in a manner intended to comply with the shareholder approval requirements of Section 422(b) (1) of the Code, provided that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the terms and conditions of such grant shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. If for any reason an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option or portion thereof shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan.
(b) Exercise Price. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the exercise price (“Exercise Price”) per share of Common Stock for each Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant); provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate, the Exercise Price per share shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant.
(c) Exercise. Options shall become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and shall expire after such period, as may be determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten years from the Date of Grant (the “Exercise Period”); provided, that if the Exercise Period (other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option) would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Common Stock is prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (or Company-imposed “blackout period”), the Exercise Period shall be automatically extended until the 30th day following the expiration of such prohibition; provided, however, that in no event shall the Exercise Period exceed five years from the Date of Grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who on the Date of Grant owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
(d) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment. No shares of Common Stock shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. Options which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the
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Company (or telephonic instructions to the extent provided by the Committee) in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable (i) in cash, check, cash equivalent; (ii) in the discretion of the Committee, by exchanging shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant, provided, that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares; (iii) by such other method as the Committee may permit in its sole discretion, including without limitation: (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price or (B) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” pursuant to which the Company is delivered (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Committee) a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price or (C) by means of a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the maximum number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable in respect of an Option that are needed to pay for the Exercise Price and all applicable required withholding taxes. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.
(e) Notification upon Disqualifying Disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he makes a disqualifying disposition of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (A) two years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option or (B) one year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, retain possession, as agent for the applicable Participant, of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence, subject to complying with any instruction from such Participant as to the sale of such Common Stock.
(f) Compliance With Laws, etc. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner which the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.
8. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Generally. Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement. Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with another Award, in addition to another Award, or freestanding and unrelated to another Award. Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with or in addition to an Award may be granted either before, at the same time as the Award or at a later time.
(b) Strike Price. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the strike price per share of Common Stock for each SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant) (the “Strike Price”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a SAR granted in tandem with (or in substitution for) an Option previously granted shall have a Strike Price equal to the Exercise Price of the corresponding Option.
(c) Vesting and Expiration. A SAR shall vest and become exercisable and shall expire in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and shall expire after such period as may be determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten years (the “SAR Period”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on the last day of the Exercise Period (or in the case of a SAR independent of an option, the SAR Period), the Fair Market Value exceeds the Strike Price, the Participant has not exercised the SAR or the corresponding Option (if applicable), and neither the SAR nor the corresponding Option (if applicable) has expired, such SAR shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such last day and the Company shall make the appropriate payment therefor.
(d) Method of Exercise. SARs which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded.
(e) Payment. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that are being exercised multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-
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U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.
9. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Generally. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award agreement. Each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit grant shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.
(b) Stock Certificates; Escrow or Similar Arrangement. Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause share(s) of Common Stock to be registered in the name of the Participant and held in book-entry form subject to the Company’s directions and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable, and (ii) the appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute and deliver (in a manner permitted under Section 15(a) or as otherwise determined by the Committee) an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 9 and the applicable Award agreement, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a shareholder as to such Restricted Stock, including without limitation the right to vote such Restricted Stock; provided, that any dividends that may be payable on such shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company and delivered (without interest) to the Participant within 15 days following the date on which the restrictions on such Restricted Stock lapse (and the right to any such accumulated dividends shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate). The Committee shall also be permitted to cause a stock certificate registered in the name of the Participant to be issued. To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any stock certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a shareholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.
(c) Lapse of Restrictions. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement, the Restricted Period with respect to Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall lapse in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee.
(d) Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. (i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge a notice evidencing a book entry notation (or, if applicable, the stock certificate) evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (on the date of distribution) equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.
(i) Each Restricted Stock Unit shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock. Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, upon or after the lapse of the Restricted Period, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, defer the delivery of Common Stock (or cash or part Common Stock and part cash, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period if such extension would not cause adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code. To the extent provided in an Award agreement, the holder of outstanding Restricted Stock Units may be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalent payments (upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units) either in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, (and interest may, at the sole discretion of the Committee, be credited on the amount of cash dividend equivalents at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee); provided, that, such dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same vesting conditions as the underlying Restricted Stock Units to which such dividend equivalents related, and any such accumulated dividend equivalents (and interest thereon, if applicable) shall be payable only to the extent that, and at the same
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time as, the underlying Restricted Stock Units are settled following the release of restrictions on such Restricted Stock Units, and, if such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividend equivalent payments.
(e) Legends on Restricted Stock. Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan, if any, shall bear a legend substantially in the form of the following in addition to any other information the Company deems appropriate until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such Common Stock:
TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS RESTRICTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE INNOVATE CORP. SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 OMNIBUS EQUITY AWARD PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF , BETWEEN INNOVATE CORP. AND . A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND AWARD AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF INNOVATE CORP.
10. Other Stock Based Awards. The Committee may issue unrestricted Common Stock, rights to receive grants of Awards at a future date, or other Awards denominated in Common Stock (including, without limitation, performance shares or performance units), under the Plan to Eligible Persons, alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Other Stock Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement. Each Other Stock Based Award so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.
11. Performance Compensation Awards.
(a) Generally. The Committee shall have the authority, at or before the time of grant of any Award described in Sections 7 through 10 of the Plan, to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In addition, the Committee shall have the authority to make an award of a cash bonus to any Participant and designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if the Company determines that a Participant who has been granted an Award designated as a Performance Compensation Award is not (or is no longer) a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code), the terms and conditions of such Award may be modified without regard to any restrictions or limitations set forth in this Section 11 (but subject otherwise to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan).
(b) Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards. With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have sole discretion to select the length of such Performance Period, the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goals(s) that is (are) to apply and the Performance Formula, as applicable. Not later than the 90th day of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.
(c) Performance Criteria. The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) may be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (and/or one or more Affiliates, divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments, units, or any combination of the foregoing) and shall be limited to the following: (i) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (ii) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (iii) net revenue or net revenue growth; (iv) gross revenue or gross revenue growth, gross profit or gross profit growth; (v) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (vi) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on investment, assets, capital, gross revenue or gross revenue growth, invested capital, equity, or sales); (vii) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and cash flow return on capital), which may but are not required to be measured on a per share basis; (viii) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization (including EBIT and EBITDA); (ix) gross or net operating margins; (x) productivity ratios; (xi) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return); (xii) expense targets or cost reduction goals, general and administrative expense savings; (xiii) margins; (xiv) operating efficiency; (xv) objective measures of customer satisfaction; (xvi) working capital targets; (xvii) measures of economic value added or other ‘value creation’ metrics; (xviii) inventory control; (xix) enterprise value; (xx) sales; (xxi) shareholder return; (xxii); client retention; (xxiii) competitive market metrics; (xxiv) employee retention; (xxv) timely completion of new product rollouts; (xxvi) timely launch of new facilities; (xxvi) objective measures of personal targets, goals or completion of projects (including but not limited
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to succession and hiring projects, completion of specific acquisitions, reorganizations or other corporate transactions or capital-raising transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets); (xxviii)system-wide revenues; (xxix) royalty income; (xxx) cost of capital, debt leverage year-end cash position or book value; (xxxi) strategic objectives, development of new product lines and related revenue, sales and margin targets, or international operations; or (xxxii) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be stated as a percentage of another Performance Criteria, or used on an absolute, relative or adjusted basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates as a whole or any divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, not later than the 90th day of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.
(d) Modification of Performance Goal(s). In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining shareholder approval of such alterations, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such alterations without obtaining shareholder approval. The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter to the extent the exercise of such authority at such time would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for such Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, specify adjustments or modifications to be made to the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period, based on and in order to appropriately reflect certain events, including: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) extraordinary, unusual, or nonrecurring items affecting the Company, any Affiliate or the financial statements of the Company; (vi) acquisitions or divestitures; (vii) any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (viii) foreign exchange gains and losses; (ix) discontinued operations and nonrecurring charges; or (x) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.
(e) Payment of Performance Compensation Awards. (i) Condition to Receipt of Payment. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.
(i) Limitation. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that: (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (B) all or some of the portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period based on the application of the Performance Formula to such achieved Performance Goals.
(ii) Certification. Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the amount of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award actually payable for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion.
(iii) Use of Negative Discretion. In determining the actual amount of an individual Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate. The Committee shall not have the discretion to (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained; or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the applicable limitations set forth in Section 5 of the Plan.
12. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off,
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combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event that affects the shares of Common Stock, or (b) unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service, accounting principles or law, such that in either case an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate, then the Committee shall make any such adjustments in such manner as it may deem equitable, including without limitation any or all of the following:
(i) adjusting any or all of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) which may be delivered in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, without limitation, adjusting any or all of the limitations under Section 5 of the Plan) and (B) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (1) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate, (2) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award or (3) any applicable performance measures (including, without limitation, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals);
(ii) providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time (which shall not be required to be more than ten (10) days) for Participants to exercise outstanding Awards prior to the occurrence of such event (and any such Award not so exercised shall terminate upon the occurrence of such event); and
(iii) cancelling any one or more outstanding Awards (or awards of an acquiring Company) and causing to be paid to the holders thereof, in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which if applicable may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other shareholders of the Company in such event), including without limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR, respectively (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor); provided, however, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any adjustment in Incentive Stock Options under this Section 12 (other than any cancellation of Incentive Stock Options) shall be made only to the extent not constituting a “modification” within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, and any adjustments under this Section 12 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.
13. Effect of Change in Control.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in a written resolution upon or prior to the date of grant or set forth in an applicable Award agreement, (i) the vesting of any Award that is a “Replaced Award” (as such term is defined below) will not be accelerated, and any applicable restrictions thereon will not lapse, solely as a result of a Change in Control; and (ii) in the event of a Change in Control, the following acceleration, exercisability and valuation provisions will apply:
(a) Upon a Change in Control, each then-outstanding Option and Stock Appreciation Right will become fully vested and exercisable, and the restrictions applicable to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Compensation Award or Other Stock Based Award will lapse, and each Award will be fully vested (with any applicable Performance Goals deemed to have been achieved at a target level as of the date of such vesting, except to the extent that an award meeting the requirements of Section 13(b) hereof (a “Replacement Award”) is provided to the Participant holding such Award in accordance with Section 13(b) hereof to replace or adjust such outstanding Award (a “Replaced Award”).
(b) An award meets the conditions of this Section 13(b) (and hence qualifies as a Replacement Award) if (i) it is of the same type (e.g., stock option for Option, restricted stock for Restricted Stock, restricted stock unit for Restricted Stock Unit, etc.) as the Replaced Award, (ii) it has a value at least equal to the value of the Replaced Award, (iii) it relates to publicly
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traded equity securities of the Company or its successor in the Change in Control or another entity that is affiliated with the Company or its successor following the Change in Control, (iv) if the Participant holding the Replaced Award is subject to U.S. federal income tax under the Code, the tax consequences to such Participant under the Code of the Replacement Award are not less favorable to such Participant than the tax consequences of the Replaced Award, and (v) its other terms and conditions are not less favorable to the Participant holding the Replaced Award than the terms and conditions of the Replaced Award (including, but not limited to, the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent Change in Control). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Replacement Award may take the form of a continuation of the Replaced Award if the requirements of the preceding sentence are satisfied. The determination of whether the conditions of this Section 13(b) are satisfied will be made by the Committee, as constituted immediately before the Change in Control, in its sole discretion (taking into account the requirements of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iv)(B) and compliance of the Replaced Award or Replacement Award with Section 409A of the Code). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may determine the value of Awards and Replacement Awards that are stock options by reference to either their intrinsic value or their fair value.
(c) Upon the occurrence of an Involuntary Termination during the period of two years immediately following a Change in Control of a Participant holding Replacement Awards, (i) all Replacement Awards held by the Participant will become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable and free of restrictions (with any applicable performance goals deemed to have been achieved at a target level as of the date of such vesting), and (ii) all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant immediately before such Involuntary Termination that the Participant also held as of the date of the Change in Control and all stock options and stock appreciation rights that constitute Replacement Awards will remain exercisable for a period of 90 days following such Involuntary Termination or until the expiration of the stated term of such stock option or stock appreciation right, whichever period is shorter (provided, however, that, if the applicable Award agreement provides for a longer period of exercisability, that provision will control).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any provision of the Plan or an applicable Award agreement would cause a payment of deferred compensation that is subject to Section 409A of the Code to be made upon the occurrence of (i) a Change in Control, then such payment shall not be made unless such Change in Control also constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulatory guidance promulgated thereunder or (ii) a termination of employment or service, then such payment shall not be made unless such termination of employment or service also constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulatory guidance promulgated thereunder. Any payment that would have been made except for the application of the preceding sentence shall be made in accordance with the payment schedule that would have applied in the absence of a Change in Control or termination of employment or service, but disregarding any future service and/or performance requirements.
14. Amendments and Termination.
(a) Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or requirements of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service on which the shares of Common Stock may be listed or quoted or for changed in GAAP to new accounting standards, to prevent the Company from being denied a tax deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code); provided, further, that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(b) Amendment of Award Agreements. The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable Award agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award agreement, prospectively or retroactively (including after a Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company); provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant; provided, further, that without shareholder approval, except as otherwise permitted under Section 12 of the Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option, or the Strike Price of any SAR, (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR (with a lower Exercise Price or Strike Price, as the case may be) or other Award or cash in a manner which would either (A) be reportable on the
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Company’s proxy statement as Options which have been “repriced” (as such term is used in Item 402 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act), or (B) result in any “repricing” for financial statement reporting purposes (or otherwise cause the Award to fail to qualify for equity accounting treatment) and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action which is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the shareholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted.
15. General.
(a) Award Agreements. Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award any rules applicable thereto, including without limitation, the effect on such Award of the death, Disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, an Award agreement may be in any such form (written or electronic) as determined by the Committee (including, without limitation, a Board or Committee resolution, an employment agreement, a notice, a certificate or a letter) evidencing the Award. The Committee need not require an Award agreement to be signed by the Participant or a duly authorized representative of the Company.
(b) Certain Restrictions on Vesting of Awards. Notwithstanding any provision contained in the Plan to the contrary, Awards granted pursuant to Sections 7, 8, 9, 10 and, with respect to stock-based awards, Section 11, of the Plan which vest on the basis of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company and its Affiliates shall be subject to a minimum vesting period of one year from the date on which such Award is made (the “Minimum Vesting Condition”); provided, however, that (i) a maximum of 5% of the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan as of the Effective Date shall not be subject to the Minimum Vesting Condition; and (ii) the Committee shall retain the discretion to waive the Minimum Vesting Condition in making determinations with respect to the treatment of Awards held by a Participant in the event of such Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company and its Affiliates as a result of such Participant’s death, Disability or retirement.
(c) Nontransferability.
(i) Each Award shall be exercisable only by a Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or an Affiliate; provided that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) to be transferred by a Participant, without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award agreement to preserve the purposes of the Plan, to: (A) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act or any successor form of registration statements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively, the “Immediate Family Members”); (B) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; (C) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or shareholders are the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (D) any other transferee as may be approved either (I) by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion, or (II) as provided in the applicable Award agreement; (each transferee described in clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) above is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”); provided that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of the Plan.
(iii) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in the Plan, or in any applicable Award agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the shares of Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate; (C) the Committee or the Company shall not be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under the Plan or otherwise; and (D) the consequences of the termination of the Participant’s
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employment by, or services to, the Company or an Affiliate under the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including, without limitation, that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Plan and the applicable Award agreement.
(d) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. The Committee in its sole discretion may provide a Participant as part of an Award with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, in all cases on a deferred basis, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including without limitation, payment directly to the Participant, withholding of such amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award or reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or other Awards; provided, however that no dividends or dividend equivalents shall be payable in respect of outstanding (i) Options or SARs or (ii) unearned or unvested Awards, unless and until the underlying Award vests.
(e) Tax Withholding.
(i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property deliverable under any Award or from any compensation or other amounts owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Common Stock, other securities or other property) of any required withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding and taxes.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares) owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability; (B) having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability (but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding liability); or (C) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless settlement” pursuant to which the Company is delivered (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Committee) a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to withholding liability (but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding liability).
(f) No Claim to Awards: No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver. No employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or other person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Company or any of its Affiliates may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award agreement. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under the Plan or any Award agreement, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any written employment contract or other agreement between the Company and its Affiliates and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.
(g) International Participants. With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expect to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may in its sole discretion amend the terms of the Plan or Sub Plans or outstanding Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant, the Company or its Affiliates.
(h) Designation and Change of Beneficiary. Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if
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any, due under the Plan upon his death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change his beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by the Committee shall be controlling; provided, however, that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, his or her estate.
(i) Termination of Employment. Except as otherwise provided in an Award agreement or an employment, severance, consulting, letter or other agreement with a Participant, unless determined otherwise by the Committee: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence (including, without limitation, a call to active duty for military service through a Reserve or National Guard unit) nor a transfer from employment or service with the Company to employment or service with an Affiliate (or vice-versa) shall be considered a termination of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate; and (ii) if a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity (or vice-versa), such change in status shall not be considered a termination of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate for purposes of the Plan.
(j) No Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award agreement, no person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock which are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to that person.
(k) Government and Other Regulations.
(i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award agreement, the Federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service upon which such shares or other securities of the Company are then listed or quoted and any other applicable Federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, rules, regulations and other requirements, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of the Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or may cause such Common Stock or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan in book-entry form to be held subject to the Company’s instructions or subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that it in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.
(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (A)the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or delivered, as applicable), over (B) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of delivery of shares of Common Stock (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof.
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(l) No Section 83(h) Elections Without Consent of Company. No election under Section 83(b) of the Code or under a similar provision of law may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the applicable Award agreement or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. If a Participant, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan or otherwise, is expressly permitted to make such election and the Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or other applicable provision.
(m) Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
(n) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants. If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, or any other person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.
(o) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on the one hand, and a Participant or other person or entity, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees under general law.
(p) Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself.
(q) Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan.
(r) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
(s) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or entity or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or entity or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(t) Obligations Binding on Successors. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.
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(u) 409A of the Code.
(i) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, it is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Each Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or in respect of such Participant in connection with the Plan or any other plan maintained by the Company (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. With respect to any Award that is considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, references in the Plan to “termination of employment” (and substantially similar phrases) shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each of the payments that may be made in respect of any Award granted under the Plan is designated as separate payments.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, no payments in respect of any Awards that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made to such Participant prior to the date that is six months after the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) or, if earlier, the Participant’s date of death. Following any applicable six month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest date permitted under Section 409A of the Code that is also a business day.
(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, in the event that the timing of payments in respect of any Award (that would otherwise be considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code) would be accelerated upon the occurrence of (A) a Change in Control, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the event giving rise to the Change in Control satisfies the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code and any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or (B) a Disability, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the Disability also satisfies the definition of “Disability” pursuant to Section 409A of the Code and any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v) Clawback/Forfeiture. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Award agreement may provide that the Committee may in its sole discretion cancel such Award if the Participant, without the consent of the Company, while employed by or providing services to the Company or any Affiliate or after termination of such employment or service, violates a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant or agreement or otherwise has engaged in or engages in activity that is in conflict with or adverse to the interest of the Company or any Affiliate, including fraud or conduct contributing to any financial restatements or irregularities, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may also provide in an Award agreement that if the Participant otherwise has engaged in or engages in any activity referred to in the preceding sentence, the Participant will forfeit any gain realized on the vesting, exercise or settlement of such Award, and must repay the gain to the Company. The Committee may also provide in an Award agreement that if the Participant receives any amount in excess of what the Participant should have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including without limitation by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), then the Participant shall be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company. To the extent required by applicable law (including without limitation Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act and Section 954 of the Dodd Frank Act), Awards shall be subject to clawback, forfeiture or similar requirement.
(w) Expenses; Gender; Titles and Headings. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings shall control.
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FAQ
What is INNOVATE Corp (VATE) asking stockholders to approve at the 2026 annual meeting?
INNOVATE Corp. seeks approval of four items: electing four directors, a non-binding say-on-pay vote, expanding shares under the 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan, and ratifying BDO USA, P.C. as auditor. All voting stockholders of record on April 22, 2026 may participate.
When and how will INNOVATE Corp (VATE) hold its 2026 annual stockholder meeting?
The 2026 annual meeting is on June 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time as a virtual-only event. Stockholders can attend, vote and ask questions online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VATE2026 using the 16-digit control number on their notice or proxy card.
What business highlights did INNOVATE Corp (VATE) report for 2025?
INNOVATE reports DBM Global revenue of $1,210.3 million in 2025, a 12.9% year-over-year increase, with $1,723.9 million backlog. MediBeacon gained multiple kidney-function product approvals in the U.S. and China, and R2 Technologies delivered record revenue with 27.6% year-over-year growth in 2025.
How is executive compensation structured at INNOVATE Corp (VATE)?
Executive pay combines salary, annual incentives and equity awards, emphasizing performance-based compensation. In 2025, interim CEO Paul Voigt’s total reported compensation was $1.84 million and CFO Michael Sena’s was $0.94 million, including restricted stock and, for the CFO, a bonus partly paid in equity.
What corporate governance practices does INNOVATE Corp (VATE) highlight?
The company emphasizes separated roles for independent board chair and CEO, majority voting for uncontested director elections, double-trigger vesting on change in control, one-year minimum vesting for equity, an independent compensation consultant, and restrictions on hedging and most pledging by directors and executives.
What is changing in INNOVATE Corp’s (VATE) equity compensation plan?
Stockholders are asked to approve an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan to increase the number of common shares available for grants. This supports ongoing use of stock-based awards for executive and director compensation and broader employee incentives.