also agreed to provide Mr. Tortoroli certain perquisites, including reasonable reimbursement for a Denver or Boulder-based apartment, a leased car, and flights between Denver and New York for Mr. Tortoroli and his family members, up to a reasonable aggregate amount per year, subject to proper supporting documentation.
Effective August 2, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the offer of employment, dated December 16, 2021 (the “Offer Letter”), with Mr. Tortoroli, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to the Amendment, Mr. Tortoroli’s annual base salary under the Offer Letter was: (a) reduced commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2023, to Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,0000) per year; and (b) commencing on January 1, 2024, to Four Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($425,0000) per year, in each case, less applicable withholdings and deductions and payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and procedures. To further align Mr. Tortoroli’s compensation with that of the shareholders of the Company, Mr. Tortoroli also received under the Company’s LTIP and a restricted stock unit agreement, a one-time equity grant consisting of Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand (850,000) restricted stock units that vested 50% on December 31, 2022 and the balance on December 31, 2023, which were accelerated by Board approval in September 2023.
Mr. Tortoroli’s employment ended on September 13, 2023.
The foregoing description of Mr. Tortoroli’s Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the agreement and the Amendment, which were included as Exhibits 10.26 and 10.27, respectively, to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
William Morachnick
On September 13, 2023, Mr. Morachnick entered into an employment agreement with the Company (“Mr. Morachnick’s Employment Agreement”), whereby the Company employed Mr. Morachnick to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on an at-will basis.
Pursuant to Mr. Morachnick’s Employment Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Morachnick (i) an annual base salary of $450,000, (ii) an initial equity grant of 500,000 restricted stock units granted on September 13, 2023 with an immediate vesting schedule, (iii) an additional equity grant of 4,500,000 restricted stock units granted on or before October 13, 2023 that vest in equal 1/12 quarterly increments beginning on December 31, 2023, and (iv) a guaranteed annual bonus of $150,000 for the 2023 plan year, payable 3.5 months after the end of the year.
The foregoing description of Mr. Morachnick’s Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the agreement, which was filed on a Form 8-K on September 13, 2023.
Jessica Saxton
Pursuant to the terms of her December 19, 2022, offer letter, Mrs. Saxton’s base salary is $300,000 per annum and is subject to applicable withholding taxes. Mrs. Saxton relocated to Colorado by March 31, 2023 and received relocation assistance of up to $45,000. Prior to her relocation, Mrs. Saxton was eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with the Company’s guidelines. Mrs. Saxton has also received a car allowance of $1120.00 per month through January 31, 2025, and housing assistance of $1,500.00 through March 31, 2024. Mrs. Saxton received a signing bonus in the form of a one-time equity award of $400,000 awarded 25% in restricted stock units and 75% in non-qualified stock options. The awards will vest over 2 years, with 50% of the value of the award vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 50% of the award vesting on a quarterly basis over the second year. Mrs. Saxton’s target bonus opportunity under the Company’s short term incentive plan has been set at 75% of her actual, regular earnings, subject to the Company’s discretion and the Company’s achievement of certain business targets/initiatives and individual performance. Mrs. Saxton is also eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program. Under her employment arrangement, Mrs. Saxton received $300,000 in cash payable on April 2, 2024, and 710,000 restricted stock units issued on April 1, 2024, with an equal three-year ratable vesting period. Effective as of February 1, 2024, the Company accelerated the vesting and settlement of outstanding RSU’s granted under the LTIP with respect to an aggregate of 401,786 RSUs held by Mrs. Saxton that were originally scheduled to vest between April 1, 2024 and April 1, 2026. Based on the closing price of the Company’s common shares on February 1, 2024, Mrs. Saxton received shares having a fair market value equal to an aggregate of $59,881.34, after deductions for withholdings.
Mrs. Saxton also is entitled to participate in the Company’s benefit programs applicable generally to employees and executive officers.