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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549 

 

FORM 10-K

Amendment No. 1

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024

 

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ________ to ________

 

Commission file number 001-13101

 

AMMO, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   83-1950534

State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

7681 E Gray Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number including area code: (480) 947-0001

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value   POWW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value   POWWP   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”

 

“smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company
  Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

 

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

 

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

☐ Yes No

 

The aggregate market value of the common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (September 30, 2023) was $179,118,089.

 

As of July 26, 2024, there were 118,756,733 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock.

 

Audit Firm ID   Auditor Name   Auditor Location
342   PANNELL KERR FORSTER OF TEXAS, P.C   Houston, Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

On June 13, 2024, Ammo, Inc. filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (“Original Form 10-K”). The Original Form 10-K omitted portions of Part III, Items 10 (Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance), 11 (Executive Compensation), 12 (Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters), 13 (Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence), and 14 (Principal Accountant Fees and Services) in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, which provides that such information may be either incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement or included in an amendment to Form 10-K, in either case filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.

 

We no longer expect that the definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders will be filed within 120 days of March 31, 2024. Accordingly, this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K (“Amendment”) is being filed solely to:

 

  amend and restate Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the Original Form 10-K to include the information required by such Items;
  amend and restate the exhibit list included in Part IV, Item 15 of the Original Form 10-K;
  delete the reference on the cover of the Original Form 10-K to the incorporation by reference of portions of our proxy statement into Part III of the Original Form 10-K; and
  file new certifications of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer as exhibits to this Amendment under Item 15 of Part IV hereof, pursuant to Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Because no financial statements are contained within this Amendment, we are not including certifications pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

This Amendment does not otherwise change or update any of the disclosures set forth in the Original Form 10-K and does not otherwise reflect any events occurring after the filing of the Original Form 10-K. Accordingly, the Amendment should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K and the Company’s filings made with the SEC subsequent to the filing of the Original Form 10-K. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Original Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART III    
     
ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 4
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 12
ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 22
ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 23
ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 24
     
PART IV    
     
ITEM 15: EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 25

 

2

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Descriptions of agreements or other documents contained in this report are intended as summaries and are not necessarily complete. Please refer to the agreements or other documents filed or incorporated herein by reference as exhibits. Please see the exhibit index at the end of this report for a complete list of those exhibits.

 

In our Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filings with the SEC, references to: (a) “Common Stock” refers to our Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share; and (b) “AMMO, Inc.,” “AMMO,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to AMMO, Inc. and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries Enlight Group II, LLC, AMMO Munitions, Inc., Firelight Group I LLC, Speedlight Group I, LLC, SNI, LLC, GB Investments, Inc., IA Tech, LLC, Outdoors Online, LLC, Enthusiast Commerce, LLC, five other subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21.1 filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and AMMO Technologies, Inc. (with AMMO Technologies, Inc. currently being inactive).

 

3

 

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Identification of Directors and Executive Officers and Term of Office

 

The following table sets forth the names and ages of our current directors and executive officers. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) appoints our executive officers. Each director of the Company serves for a term of one year or until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to removal by the Company’s shareholders. Each officer serves at the pleasure of the Board.

 

Name   Age   Position
Jared R. Smith   46   Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert D. Wiley   32   Chief Financial Officer
Fred W. Wagenhals   83   Chairman of the Board of Directors, Executive Chair
Anthony Tate   37   Vice President of Sales, Ammo
Beth Cross   42   Chief Operating Officer, GunBroker
Tod Wagenhals   60   Executive Vice President, Secretary
Paul Kasowski   48   Chief Compliance and Transformation Officer
James Mann   41   Vice President of Operations
Russell William Wallace, Jr.   67   Director
Jessica M. Lockett   38   Director
Richard R. Childress   78   Director
Steve F. Urvan   58   Director
Christos Tsentas   37   Director
Wayne Walker   65   Director
Randy E. Luth   70   Director

 

Below is a discussion of the business experience of and certain other biographical information with respect to each of our executive officers and directors.

 

Jared R. Smith was appointed as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and a director of the Company on July 24, 2023; previously, Mr. Smith had served as the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2023. Mr. Smith has more than 18 years of experience in the ammunition industry. He was employed at Fiocchi of America, a global manufacturer of premium ammunition for competition, hunting and defense applications located in Ozark, Missouri from 2010 to December 2022, where, since 2017, he held the position of General Manager. As General Manager, Mr. Smith maintained full profit and loss ownership by having the responsibility of generating revenue and managing expenses and managed separate manufacturing operations (340+ employees), while overseeing three acquisitions, and leading Fiocchi’s revenue growth in three years from $95 million to in excess of $200 million. Prior to taking the General Manager role, Mr. Smith also held positions as the Vice President-International Strategy and Development and Director of Procurement and Supply Chain at Fiocchi of America.

 

We believe that Mr. Smith possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his extensive business management experience and his knowledge of the firearms and ammunitions industry.

 

Robert D. Wiley has been our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) since January 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Wiley served as the Controller of the Company from May 2018 through January 2019 and was responsible for overseeing accounting department, including external financing reporting, compliance, accounting policy, and tax accounting. Previously, Mr. Wiley was a Certified Public Accountant at Moss Adams, LLP from June 2015 through April 2018. Mr. Wiley earned his Master of Taxation and Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Arizona State University. Mr. Wiley is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of Arizona.

 

Fred W. Wagenhals has been the Chairman of the Board of the Company since December 2016. On July 24, 2023, Mr. Wagenhals assumed the position of Executive Chairman. Mr. Wagenhals also served as our CEO from December 2016 until July 24, 2023 and as our President from December 2016 through March 2021. Prior to joining AMMO, Mr. Wagenhals was a private investor from August 2005 until December 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Wagenhals was employed at Action Performance Companies, Inc., a leading designer and marketer of licensed motorsports products related to NASCAR, as Chairman, President, and CEO from November 1993 to December 2005, Chairman of the Board and CEO from May 1992 until September 1993, and President from July 1993 until September 1993. Action-Performance Companies, Inc. was sold in August 2005 to International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports. Mr. Wagenhals is a member of the Model Car Hall of Fame, was an Arizona Entrepreneur of the Year award recipient for the Retail/Wholesale category by the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Inc. in 1997, and was honored as the Anheuser-Bush Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Arizona College of Business and Public Administration during 1997 and 1998. He also taught a sports entrepreneurship class at the University of Arizona.

 

We believe that Mr. Wagenhals possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his extensive business management experience, his knowledge of the firearms and ammunitions industry, his track record of building diverse distribution channels and developing a disciplined branding and marketing strategy at Action Performance, Inc., and his contributions to our overall business development and strategic direction.

 

4

 

 

Anthony Tate joined AMMO Inc. in March 2020 with more than a decade of experience in the shooting sports industry. Mr. Tate has served as AMMO’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, responsible for managing all brands, distribution channels, and deployment of sales for AMMO, since July 2022. Previously, Mr. Tate served as Director of National Accounts from April 2021 to July 2022, responsible for managing the Company’s key national accounts, business development strategies and supplier relationships worldwide. Mr. Tate has generated over $400 million dollars in revenue during his four-year tenure with the Company. Before joining AMMO, Mr. Tate represented hundreds of industry leading firearm and ammunition manufacturers at one of the largest shooting sports distributors in the United States, Davidson’s Inc. Mr. Tate managed growth and development of key accounts, contributing to over $175 million dollars in sales. In 2006, he won the U.S. Army Scholar Athlete Award while earning his Bachelor of Science Degree.

 

Beth Cross is a highly accomplished executive with more than 20 years of multi-channel online and big-box retail experience. Her expertise of consumer purchase behaviors from her decades of advancements at retail box stores including Walmart, Bi-Mart and Sportsman’s Warehouse was imperative to bring GunBroker to the next level. Ms. Cross began her retail career in 1998 spending 12 years in leadership roles within store operations focusing on visual merchandising, freight management, and customer relationships. She spent nine years in merchandising roles negotiating contracts and using analytics and marketing to drive record sales. Her vision to infuse efficiencies increased sales at every position, exponentially. Ms. Cross joined AMMO, Inc. in May of 2021 after the acquisition of GunBroker. Since joining the AMMO, Inc. management team, her primary focus has been to analyze and optimize the GunBroker platform and integrate analytics to carve paths to increase sales and improve the shopper and seller experience. In May of 2022, Ms. Cross was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of GunBroker. During her short time at GunBroker, she has put GunBroker on a fast track to increased sales, efficiencies across the board from customer service, to financials, and marketing and advertising.

 

Tod Wagenhals has been AMMO’s Executive Vice President since 2016 and has significant experience in marketing and contract manufacturing. He oversaw the construction and completion of AMMO’s 185,000 square foot world-class ammunition manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, which opened in 2022. In 1992, Mr. Wagenhals was appointed Executive Vice President, Secretary, and a Director of Action Performance Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACTN), a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports collectibles and merchandising. His responsibilities included managing the day-to-day operations, new product development, and oversight of the company’s contract manufacturing operations in China. Mr. Wagenhals held those positions through 2000. In 2000 he founded Tod Wagenhals, Inc. (“TWI”), a sales and marketing company. TWI designed, manufactured, and distributed officially licensed sports and celebrity products, apparel, collectibles, and other memorabilia through contracts with the NFL, NASCAR, and other major professional sports organizations. TWI also marketed golf collectibles through a special division, Tour Fan Golf Collectibles, at major PGA Tour and PGA venues such as The PGA Championship and The Ryder Cup. From 2008-2011 Mr. Wagenhals was a managing member, partner, and President of Kinesis Industries, LLC. Kinesis was established to develop, manufacture, and distribute micro-generation renewable energy products for consumers worldwide. During 2011 through 2017 Mr. Wagenhals worked as a managing partner for Winners Companies, LLC., a commercial development company. Mr. Wagenhals graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Arizona in 1988 and played on the University’s golf team from 1985 through 1988.

 

Paul Kasowski is Chief Compliance and Transformation Officer and joined AMMO, Inc. in January 2024. He brings extensive knowledge across finance, strategy and transformation from his career leading value creation initiatives in both public and private companies. Prior to joining AMMO, Paul held the role of SVP, Business Transformation for Kinder’s Seasonings & Sauces where he professionalized financial reporting and implemented margin improvement projects while building a winning culture for this high growth brand. He was CFO for Arizona Natural Resources, a privately owned manufacturer of premium beauty care products where he oversaw finance, accounting, IT, HR, planning and sourcing. Paul held the role of VP, Financial Planning & Analysis for Igloo Products Corp., a manufacturer of coolers and hydration products based in Katy, TX. Paul held several senior level finance roles for Del Monte Foods and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition from 2003 to 2019 focused on building new capabilities. He earned his M.S. in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University, his MBA from Ohio University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Robert Morris University.

 

James “Jim” Mann has been the Vice President of Operations for Ammo Inc since 2020. He is responsible for overseeing the entirety of the manufacturing operations including engineering, production, product development, site human resources, quality systems, and research and development. During that time, he has been integral in consolidating operations from three manufacturing sites to one as well as commissioning a new manufacturing plant and machinery. This included increasing employee headcount by 250 as well as machine assets by 45. Prior to his role as the Vice President of Operations for AMMO Inc, Jim was the General Manager of Jagemann Sporting Group for 7 years. With P&L responsibility for the division and over 20 years of deep draw metals stamping experience. He also oversaw the engineering, quality systems, and research and development in the sporting group division.

 

Russell William “Rusty” Wallace, Jr. has been a director of the Company since June 2017. Mr. Wallace has been the principal shareholder of the Rusty Wallace Automotive Group, a group of eight automotive dealerships located in Eastern Tennessee, since 1991. Mr. Wallace owned Rusty Wallace Racing, a racing team that competed in the NASCAR Series, from 2006 to 2013, and he competed in NASCAR races as a driver for more than 16 years and had 55 victories prior to his retirement in 2005. Following his racing career, Mr. Wallace served as an analyst for ABC and ESPN from 2006 to 2014. Since 2015, Mr. Wallace has served as Lead Analyst for the Motor Racing Network, a U.S. radio network that syndicates broadcasts of auto racing events, particularly NASCAR. He is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

 

We believe that Mr. Wallace possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his extensive experience in management, business operations, and growth of high-volume businesses including as the owner of auto dealerships and a NASCAR racing team.

 

Jessica M. Lockett has been a director of the Company since December 2020. Ms. Lockett is a corporate and securities law attorney with experience representing public and private companies at various stages of development with respect to matters of corporate governance, securities regulations (including Securities Act filings and Exchange Act reporting), mergers and acquisitions, financing, fundraising and other corporate transactions. Ms. Lockett earned her J.D., cum laude, from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2012 and received the CALI and Witkin Awards in Securities Regulations from Cal Western School of Law. Ms. Lockett graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Ms. Lockett has been an attorney with Lockett + Horwitz, a professional law corporation, since 2016 and is an active member of the State Bar of California.

 

We believe that Ms. Lockett possesses attributes that qualify her to serve as a member of the Board, including her extensive experience in corporate and securities law with a focus on representing private and public companies at various stages of development. We believe that her experience enhances the Board’s corporate governance.

 

Richard R. Childress has been a director of the Company since January 2021. Since 1969, Mr. Childress has owned and operated Richard Childress Racing, a professional racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Mr. Childress also owns Childress Vineyards, which he founded in 2004. Childress Vineyards is situated in North Carolina’s first federally designated region for grape growing and produces over 30 wines. In addition to starting Richard Childress Racing, Mr. Childress was a NASCAR driver from 1969 to 1981. Mr. Childress served as the First Vice President of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association (the “NRA”) from 2017 to 2019. Mr. Childress was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017.

 

We believe that Mr. Childress possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his extensive experience building and leading high-performing businesses and teams and his deep knowledge of the firearms and ammunitions industry and relationships with important customers and other stakeholders through his experience as a member of the NRA’s Board of Directors.

 

5

 

 

Steve F. Urvan has been a director of the Company since April 2021. Mr. Urvan was employed by the Company from April 2021 through January 5, 2023 as the Chief Strategy Officer of GunBroker.com. Mr. Urvan is the Founder and has been the CEO of BitRail, a compliant payments infrastructure, since February 2018. Mr. Urvan founded Gunbroker.com in 1999 and served as its the CEO until the Company acquired it in April 2021. Mr. Urvan has spent over 20 years as an entrepreneur, advisor, and investor with a passion for building and growing companies across various industries, but always with a focus of technology as a core or enabler. Mr. Urvan remains active in other companies that he founded including Outdoors.com Digital Media, an outdoor lifestyle website, App Cohesion, an e-commerce technology platform, and Gemini Southern, a merchant bank.

 

We believe that Mr. Urvan possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his extensive experience building and leading Gunbroker.com and his deep knowledge of the firearms and ammunitions industry via that leadership.

 

Christos Tsentas has been a director of the Company since November 2022. Mr. Tsentas has served as a Partner of Albion River LLC, a private direct investment firm focusing on aerospace, defense and government related opportunities since 2020. Earlier, he served as an investment banker at KippsDeSanto & Co., an M&A advisory firm focused on the aerospace and defense markets, from 2009 to 2015. Mr. Tsentas serves on the board of directors of Magpul Industries Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of firearms accessories and outdoor lifestyle products. Mr. Tsentas holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

 

We believe that Mr. Tsentas possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his experience as an investment banker with a focus on the defense industry and as a board member of a designer and manufacturer of firearms accessories.

 

Wayne Walker has been a director of the Company since November 2022. Mr. Walker has more than 30 years of experience in corporate law, governance and corporate restructuring, including 15 years at the DuPont Company in the Securities and Bankruptcy Group, where he worked in the Corporate Secretary’s office and served as Senior Counsel. In 2003, Mr. Walker founded Walker Nell Partners, Inc., an international business consulting firm providing corporate governance and restructuring, fiduciary services, litigation support, and other services to client corporations and law firms, where he continues to serve as President. Earlier in his career, Mr. Walker served as Partner at ParenteBeard LLC, an accounting firm, from 2001 to 2004 and as Senior Legal Counsel at E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company from 1984 to 1998. He has served (i) on the board of directors of Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: “WRAP”), a global public safety technology and services company, since 2018 where he currently serves as chairman of the board and as a member of the board’s compensation committee, (ii) as chairman of the board of Petro Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: “PTPI”), a men’s health company, since 2020, (iii) on the board of directors of AYRO, Inc. (Nasdaq: “AYRO”), a designer and producer of all-electric vehicles, since 2020 and (iv) on the board of directors of Pitcairn Trust Company, a national advisor to family offices, since 2018. He is the former Vice President of the Board of Education of the City of Philadelphia, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of National Philanthropic Trust, a public charity that holds over $20 billion of assets under management, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity International, a global non-profit, non-governmental housing organization. Mr. Walker holds a B.A. from Loyola University New Orleans and a J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. He also studied finance for non-financial managers at the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.

 

We believe that Mr. Walker possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his extensive public company board experience and his experience as an attorney for a large publicly traded company. The Board believes that Mr. Walker’s substantial knowledge and more than 30 years of experience in corporate governance, restructuring and corporate litigation enhances the Board’s corporate governance and related experience.

 

Randy E. Luth has been a director of the Company since January 2023. Mr. Luth has served as the president of Luth-AR-LLC, a producer of products for the AR-15 market, since 2013. Mr. Luth was the CEO of DPMS Panther Arms, a producer of AR-15 firearms and firearm components, from 1986 until its sale in December 2007 to the Freedom Group. Previously, Mr. Luth served as a director of the Company from November 2017 to January 2021.

 

We believe that Mr. Luth possesses attributes that qualify him to serve as a member of the Board, including his extensive experience building and leading firearm and firearm components companies and his deep knowledge of the firearms and ammunitions industry via that leadership.

 

6

 

 

Board Demographics and Skills Matrix

 

The matrix below provides information regarding our directors’ knowledge, skills, experiences, tenure, age and professional attributes, as well as certain demographic information that is based on the voluntary self-identification of each member of the Board. The matrix does not encompass all the knowledge, skills, experiences, or attributes of our directors, and the fact that we do not list a particular item does not mean that a director does not possess it. In addition, the absence of a particular knowledge, skill, experience, or attribute with respect to a director does not mean the director is unable to contribute to the decision-making process in that area. The type and degree of knowledge, skill and experience listed below may vary among the members of the Board.

 

Skills and Experience   Wagenhals   Wallace   Smith   Luth   Lockett   Urvan   Childress   Walker   Tsentas
Public Company Board                              
Public Company Executive                                
Firearms / Ammunition Industry                        
Manufacturing                              
Military / Law Enforcement                                  
Finance / Accounting                            
Government / Policy / Legal                            
Marketing / Sales                            
Technology / Digital                                
Tenure and Independence                                    
Tenure (Years)   7   7   2   2   3   3   3   2   2
Independence                        
Demographics                                    
Age   83   67   46   70   38   58   78   65   37
Gender Identity   M   M   M   M   F   M   M   M   M
African American or Black                                  
Alaskan Native or Native American                                    
Asian                                    
Hispanic or Latinx                                    
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander                                    
White                    
LGBTQ+                                  

 

For more information about the Board and Corporate Governance, see “Corporate Governance” below.

 

Family Relationships

 

The Company’s Executive Vice President, Tod Wagenhals, is the son of our Executive Chairman, Fred Wagenhals.

 

7

 

 

Director Independence and Corporate Governance Matters

 

The Board will periodically review relationships that directors have with the Company to determine whether the directors are independent. Directors are considered “independent” as long as they do not accept any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee (other than director fees) from the Company, are not an affiliated person of the Company or its subsidiaries (e.g., an officer or a greater-than-ten-percent stockholder) and are independent within the meaning of applicable laws, regulations and the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). In this latter regard, the Board will use the Nasdaq listing as a benchmark (specifically, Section 5605(a)(2) of such rules) for determining which, if any, of its directors are independent, solely in order to comply with applicable SEC disclosure rules.

 

The Board has determined, after considering all the relevant facts and circumstances, that Russell W. Wallace Jr., Richard R. Childress, Jessica M. Lockett, Wayne Walker, Christos Tsentas, and Randy E. Luth are independent directors, as “independence” is defined by the listing standards of Nasdaq (specifically, Item 407(a)(1) of Regulation S-K) because they have no relationship with us that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as a director. Jared R. Smith, Fred W. Wagenhals, and Steve F. Urvan are not “independent” as defined by the listing standards, as they are either employed by us and serve as an employee director or otherwise do not meet the independence listing standards.

 

Board Committees

 

Our bylaws authorize the Board to appoint from among its members one or more committees consisting of one or more directors. The Board has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee. 

 

Committee Charters, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and Codes of Conduct and Ethics

 

The Board has adopted charters for the Audit, Compensation, and Nominations and Corporate Governance Committees describing the authority and responsibilities delegated to each committee by the Board. The Board has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, a Code of Conduct applicable to all of our employees and directors, and a Code of Ethics applicable to the CEO and senior financial officers, including our CFO and principal accounting officer. We post on our website, at www.ammoinc.com, the charters of our Audit, Compensation, and Nominations and Corporate Governance Committees, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and Related Party Transactions Policy, and any amendments or waivers thereto, and any other corporate governance materials specified by SEC regulations. These documents are also available in print to any stockholder requesting a copy in writing from our Secretary at the address of our executive offices.

 

8

 

 

The Audit Committee

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee includes overseeing the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements and providing assistance to the Board with respect to its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and the performance of our independent auditor. The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in its charter and include various matters with respect to the oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting process and audits of the Company’s financial statements on behalf of the Board. The Audit Committee also selects the independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of the Company’s financial statements, reviews the proposed scope of such audit, approves the fees for services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the Company’s accounting and financial controls with the independent registered public accounting firm and our financial accounting staff, and reviews and approves any transactions between us and our directors, officers, and their affiliates.

 

The Audit Committee currently consists of Jessica M. Lockett, Russell W. Wallace Jr, and Christos Tsentas. Ms. Lockett was appointed to serve as Chair of the Board’s Audit Committee. The Board has determined that each of Mr. Tsentas and Ms. Lockett, whose backgrounds are detailed in director biographies on pages 5 and 6, qualify as “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K and are independent as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards.

 

The Compensation Committee

 

The purpose of the Compensation Committee includes determining, or when appropriate, recommending to the Board for determination, the compensation of our CEO and other executive officers and discharging the responsibilities of the Board relating to Company compensation programs in light of the goals and objectives of our compensation program for that year. As part of its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of our CEO and, together with our CEO, assesses the performance of our other executive officers. The Compensation Committee is entitled to delegate its responsibilities to a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee that complies with the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq, the SEC, and other applicable regulatory bodies. While the Compensation Committee has the right to retain the services of independent compensation consultants to review a wide variety of factors relevant to executive compensation, trends in executive compensation, and the identification of relevant peer companies, the Compensation Committee has never retained an independent compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee has the authority to make all determinations regarding the engagement, fees, and services of any compensation consultants it retains, and any such compensation consultants would report directly to the Compensation Committee.

 

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Wayne Walker, Russell W. Wallace Jr., and Randy E. Luth.

 

The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The purpose of the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee includes the selection or recommendation to the Board of nominees to stand for election as directors at each election of directors, the oversight of the selection and composition of committees of the Board, the oversight of the evaluations of the Board and management, and the development and recommendation to the Board of a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company.

 

The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by stockholders for inclusion as nominees for election to the Board if the information required by our bylaws is submitted in writing in a timely manner addressed and delivered to our Secretary at the address of our executive offices. The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and evaluates nominees for the Board, including nominees recommended by stockholders, based on numerous factors it considers appropriate, some of which may include strength of character, mature judgment, career specialization, relevant technical skills, diversity, and the extent to which the proposed nominee would fill a present need on the Board.

 

The Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Wayne Walker and Jessica M. Lockett.

 

9

 

 

Executive Sessions

 

We regularly schedule executive sessions in which independent directors meet without the presence or participation of management. The chairs of various Board committees serve as the presiding director of such executive sessions on a rotating basis.

 

Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices

 

We have assessed the compensation policies and practices with respect to our employees, including our executive officers, and have concluded that they do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Board Diversity

 

We seek diversity in experience, viewpoint, education, skill, and other individual qualities and attributes to be represented on the Board. We believe that directors should have various qualifications, including individual character and integrity, business experience, leadership ability, strategic planning skills, ability, and experience, requisite knowledge of our industry and finance, accounting, and legal matters, communications and interpersonal skills, and the ability and willingness to devote time to the Company. We also believe that the skill sets, backgrounds, and qualifications of our directors, taken as a whole, should provide a significant mix of diversity in personal and professional experience, background, viewpoints, perspectives, knowledge, and abilities. Director nominees are not to be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis proscribed by law. The assessment of prospective directors is made in the context of the perceived needs of the Board from time to time.

 

All of our directors have held high-level positions in business, the firearm and ammunition industry, or professional service firms and have experience in dealing with complex issues. We believe that all our directors are individuals of high character and integrity, are able to work well with others, and have committed to devote sufficient time to the Company’s business and affairs. In addition to these attributes, the description of each director’s background set forth above indicates the specific qualifications, skills, perspectives, and experience necessary to conclude that each individual should continue to serve as a director of the Company. 

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

The Board does not currently have stock ownership guidelines.

 

Clawback Policy

 

We have adopted a clawback policy in compliance with SEC and Nasdaq rules. In the event we are required to prepare an accounting restatement of our financial results as a result of a material noncompliance by us with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, we will have the right to use reasonable efforts to recover from any current or former executive officers who received incentive compensation (whether cash or equity) from us during the three-year period preceding the date on which we were required to prepare the accounting restatement, any excess incentive compensation awarded as a result of the misstatement. This policy is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

10

 

 

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own 10% or more of a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership with the SEC. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of reports furnished to it, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, all of the Company’s officers, directors and 10% stockholders have timely made the required filings other than Fred W. Wagenhals, who filed a Form 4 reporting the sale of 181,230 shares of Common Stock one day late.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

During the past ten years, none of our current directors or executive officers has been:

 

the subject of any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
   
convicted in a criminal proceeding or is subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
   
subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities;
   
found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, that has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
   
subject of, or a party to, any order, judgment, decree or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of a federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
   
subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

 

11

 

 

ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Overview

 

The purpose of the Compensation Committee includes determining, or when appropriate, recommending to the Board for determination, the compensation of our CEO and other executive officers and discharging the Board’s responsibilities relating to Company compensation programs in light of the goals and objectives of our compensation program for that year. As part of its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of our CEO and, together with our CEO, assesses the performance of our other executive officers. Although we do not target executive compensation to any peer group median, we strive to provide a compensation package that is competitive in the market and rewards each executive’s performance. The Compensation Committee recommends compensation packages for approval by the Board.

 

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and reward executive officers in alignment with our business objectives and long-term shareholder interests. For fiscal 2024, the material elements of our executive compensation program were base salary, cash bonuses, and equity-based compensation.

 

Compensation Program Objectives

 

We structure our executive compensation programs around three compensation elements: base salary; performance-based cash bonuses; and equity awards. We believe that that the combination of these three elements allows the Company to attract, retain and reward executive officers in alignment with our business objectives and long-term shareholder interests. The discussion below describes the methodology we used in determining why we believe each element of compensation is aligned with the interest of our shareholders. In determining the amounts to pay, the Compensation Committee considers each named executive officer’s performance of their responsibilities and duties as well as the compensation for similar positions at comparable companies.

 

Base Salary

 

Base salaries provide a level of fixed compensation sufficient to attract and retain a high-quality leadership team, when considered in combination with the other components of our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee reviews base salaries annually to ensure they are in line with industry standards and the individuals experience notwithstanding that we have entered into employment agreements with our named executive officers.

 

For fiscal 2024, the base salaries for Messrs. Smith, Wiley, F. Wagenhals, Tate, Ms. Cross, and T. Wagenhals were set at $500,000, $325,000, $400,000, $250,000, $250,000 and $230,000 respectively.

 

Cash Bonuses

 

Performance Bonuses

 

Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Smith is eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus targeted at 100%-125% of his salary beginning in fiscal year 2024, to be issued at the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Wiley is eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus in an amount up to 20% of his annual base salary, to be issued at the sole discretion of the Board. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. F. Wagenhals is eligible to receive cash performance bonuses targeted at 100%-125% of his salary based on the Company’s financial performance for any full fiscal year, to be determined in the sole discretion of the Board based upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, from time to time. While we believe that cash bonuses allow us to attract and retain our executive officers in alignment with our business objectives, historically, the Board has not authorized the payment of discretionary bonuses to executive officers with the exception of Mr. Smith in fiscal year 2023.

 

On June 12, 2023, following a review of Mr. Wiley’s performance over the past three years the Board approved a $129,000 cash performance bonus for Mr. Wiley, which the Company paid to him on June 15, 2023. This amount represents 20% of Mr. Wiley’s aggregate base salary in the three years ended March 31, 2023, which is the maximum amount of any performance bonus for which he is eligible pursuant to his employment agreement.

 

Management by Objective Program

 

The Management by Objective Program (“MBO Program”), effective as of April 1, 2023, is designed to recognize employee performance in contributing to the Company’s fiscal objectives for the duration of the fiscal year. The employee collaborates with their supervisor at the beginning of each fiscal year to establish individual financial goals and specific targets aligned with their role to contribute towards the Company’s fiscal objectives. The bonus amount is tied to the results of their agreed upon individual financial goals and specific targets of the employee during the fiscal year. The MBO Program bonus payout is not guaranteed; as it also depends on the collective performance of business units and the Company as a whole. The MBO Program is aligned with the aforementioned performance bonuses and is paid at the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The targets for the 2024 fiscal year MBO Program were as follows:

 

  Fiscal Year Company EBITDA Target (30%):
     
  Fiscal Year EBITDA Division Target (30%):
     
  Fiscal Year Personal Goals Target (40%):

 

Mr. Tate received a bonus of $62,000 under the MBO program for the 2024 fiscal year. No other named executive officer received a bonus under the MBO program for the 2024 fiscal year.

 

12

 

 

Equity Awards

 

We provide equity compensation to our named executive officers in order to further align their interests with those of our shareholders and to further focus our named executive officers on our long-term performance.

 

Awards of Common Stock

 

Pursuant to their employment agreements, Messrs. Smith, Wiley, F. Wagenhals, Tate, Ms. Cross and T. Wagenhals are entitled to receive 133,333, 100,000, 180,000, 75,000, 75,000 and 100,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, on an annual basis. Such shares are granted in equal installments following the end of each calendar quarter, with the exception of Messrs. Tate and T. Wagenhals whose shares are granted on an annual basis, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment. The number of shares of Common Stock to be granted pursuant to the named executive officers’ employment agreements are not subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or similar event unless such adjustment is expressly agreed upon by the Company and the executive.

 

Awards of Options to Purchase Common Stock

 

Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Smith was granted stock options to purchase 400,000 shares of Common Stock, 100,000 of which vested immediately and 300,000 of which vest in equal quarterly installments of 25,000 over three years beginning in the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The Company believes the award of Options aligns the interest of our named executive officers with the long-term performance of the Company and its shareholders.

 

Shareholder Engagement

 

At our January 5, 2023 annual meeting of shareholders, a shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation was held, our shareholders approved our executive compensation practices with an overwhelming 88% of the votes cast in favor of our compensation structure. Accordingly, the Company has continued with its philosophy on compensation. We value and continue to seek the feedback we receive from our shareholders in regard to our executive compensation practices. 

 

Perquisites and Other Personal and Additional Benefits

 

Consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy as described in our newly implemented MBO Program, executive perquisites consist of 401(k) matching, tax-qualified 401(k) savings plan, company car allowance, meals, and marketing hunting trips. The perquisites provided to NEOs for fiscal year 2024 are described in footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table located on page 15. See the following for additional information:

 

Executive officers participate in employee benefit plans on the same terms as other officers (including officers of subsidiaries). Employee benefit plans available to executive officers are generally available to all employees, however, while 100% of officers’ health insurance premiums are subsidized by the Company, only a portion of non-officer employees’ premiums are subsidized. Benefits included in the employee benefit plans consist of various health, life, and disability insurances, as well as retirement benefits comprised of 401(k) contribution matching up to 3% of eligible compensation.

 

The Company provides named executive officers with perquisites and other employee benefits, as described in the Summary Compensation Table, that the Company believe are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions.

 

The Company maintains a tax-qualified 401(k) savings plan that allows participants to defer eligible compensation up to the maximum permitted by the Internal Revenue Service and provides for discretionary matching contributions by the Company.

 

For safety reasons, our Executive Chair, Fred Wagenhals, received a car allowance as a perquisite to have reliable ground transportation for personal travel as he advances in age.

 

On occasion, the Company provides named executive officers meals as a perquisite for day-to-day working meal expenses.

 

For marketing purposes, Messrs. Mr. Smith and Mr. Tate attend marketing hunting trips with customers and suppliers from time to time and occasionally purchases required hunting gear for the specific trip. Mr. Smith attended a hunting trip in April 2024 with customers and suppliers and Mr. Tate attended a hunting trip with customers and suppliers in December 2023. Refer to the footnotes in the Summary Compensation Table below for additional information.

 

13

 

 

Accounting and Tax Considerations

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation of over $1,000,000 paid for any fiscal year to an individual who was a named executive officer. The Compensation Committee and the Board will continue to design compensation programs that are in the best long-term interests of the Company and our shareholders, with deductibility of compensation being one of a variety of considerations taken into account.

 

Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices

 

We have assessed the compensation policies and practices with respect to our employees, including our executive officers, and have concluded that they do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

No member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 or was formerly an officer of the Company. None of our executive officers was a director or a member of the compensation committee of another entity during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. During our 2024 fiscal year, Messrs. Wallace, Walker, and Luth served on the Compensation Committee. None of these individuals had any material contractual or other relationships with us during such fiscal year except as directors.

 

Compensation Committee Report

 

The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this Amendment as required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC and based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Amendment.

 

Respectfully submitted by the following members of the Compensation Committee:

 

  Wayne Walker
     
  Russell W. Wallace Jr.
     
  Randy E. Luth

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth for the years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 information with respect to compensation earned for services in all capacities to us and our subsidiaries by the Company’s executive officers, including our CEO and CFO.

 

14

 

 

We refer to our CEO, CFO, and the other executive officers included in the table below as our “named executive officers.”

 

Name and principal position  Year 

Salary

($)(1)

  

Bonus

($)(1)

  

Stock

awards

($)(2)

  

Option

awards

($)(3)

  

All other

compensation (4)

   Total 
Jared R. Smith (6)                                 
CEO,  2024  $492,215   $-   $425,800   $430,457   $33,943   $1,382,415 
and Director  2023  $118,750   $118,750   $175,000   $-   $29,086   $441,586 
                                  
Robert D. Wiley                                 
CFO  2024  $310,833   $129,000   $225,000   $-   $14,567   $679,400 
   2023  $240,000   $-   $350,000   $-   $15,084   $605,084 
   2022  $217,083   $-   $350,000   $-   $-   $567,083 
                                  
Fred W. Wagenhals (5)(7)                                 
Chairman of the Board of Directors,  2024  $423,270   $85,438   $1,129,650   $-   $1,079,508   $2,717,866 
Executive Chair  2023  $475,000   $478,636   $840,000   $-   $24,062   $1,817,698 
   2022  $298,750   $572,463   $481,250   $-   $-   $1,352,463 
                                  
Anthony Tate                                 
Vice President of Sales & Marketing  2024  $246,566   $62,000   $206,250   $-   $-   $514,816 
                                  
Beth Cross                                 
Chief Operating Officer, GunBroker  2024  $250,000   $62,000   $168,750   $

-

   $

25,979

   $506,729 
                                  
Tod Wagenhals                                 
Executive Vice President, Secretary  2024  $230,000   $-   $203,000   $-   $18,517   $451,517 

 

  (1) The amounts in this column reflect the amounts earned during the fiscal year, whether or not actually paid during such year.
  (2) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate fair value of stock awards granted to our named executive officers during the transition period or fiscal year, as applicable, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Stock Compensation. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in the footnotes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The amounts reported in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by our named executive officers from their option awards. Mr. F. Wagenhals received 300,000 shares of Common Stock in connection with his transition from CEO to Executive Chairman valued at $624,000.
  (3) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options awards granted to our named executive officers during the transition period or fiscal year, as applicable, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Stock Compensation. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in the footnotes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The amounts reported in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by our named executive officers from their option awards.
  (4) The amounts in this column consist of (i) with respect to Mr. Smith expenses incurred of $10,546 for a marketing hunt trip with customers and suppliers, $18,585 aggregate incremental cost to the Company of the health and medical insurance premiums for Mr. Smith and his family, $3,891 for 401(k) matching contributions, and meal expenses of $921, (ii) with respect to Mr. Wiley, $10,384 for 401(k) matching contributions, a $3,262 aggregate incremental cost to the Company of the health and medical insurance premiums for Mr. Wiley, and meal expenses of $921, and (iii) with respective to Mr. F. Wagenhals, (i) a cash payment of $475,000, (ii) a cash payment of $585,290, representing the performance bonus payable under the prior employment agreement in connection with his transition from CEO to Executive Chairman, (iii) $8,010 in cost to the Company of a car allowance, (iv) meal expenses of $8,483, and (v) $2,725 in health and medical related expenses, and with respect to Ms. Cross, a $18,407 aggregate incremental cost to the Company of the health and medical insurance premiums for Ms. Cross and her family, and $7,572 for 401(k) matching contributions, with respect to Mr. T. Wagenhals, a $10,740 aggregate incremental cost to the Company of the health and medical insurance premiums for Mr. T. Wagenhals and his family, $4,647 for 401(k) matching contributions and meal expenses of $2,769. The named executive officers participate in certain group life, health, disability insurance, and medical reimbursement plans not disclosed in the summary compensation table that are generally available to salaried employees and do not discriminate in scope, terms, and operation.

  (5) Effective July 24, 2023, Mr. F. Wagenhals assumed the role of Executive Chairman. Prior to that he had served as our CEO.
  (6) Effective July 24, 2023, Mr. Smith was appointed CEO. Prior to that he had served as our President and Chief Operating Officer.
  (7) Mr. F. Wagenhals received cash payments in connection with his transition from CEO to Executive Chairman of $475,000 and $585,289.64, the latter of which represents the performance bonus payable under his prior employment agreement. Mr. F. Wagenhals also received 300,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

15

 

 

Grant of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table presents information about each grant of an award made to a named executive officer during fiscal 2024 under any Company compensation plan.

 

Name  Grant date  All other stock awards: Number of shares of stock or units (#)(1)   All other option awards: Number of securities underlying options (#)   Exercise or base Price of option awards ($)   Grant date fair value of stock and option awards ($)(2) 
Jared R. Smith  1/5/23   63,043    -   $-   $132,847 
   7/24/23   100,003    -   $-   $229,006 
   7/24/23   -    175,000   $2.08   $430,457 
Robert D. Wiley  1/29/23   75,000    -   $-   $156,250 
   1/29/24   25,000    -   $-   $68,750 
Fred W. Wagenhals  1/1/23   350,000    -   $-   $730,500 
   7/24/23   135,000    -   $-   $309,150 
Anthony Tate  3/31/2024   75,000    -   $-   $206,250 
Tod Wagenhals  4/1/2023   100,000    -   $-   $203,000 

Beth Cross

 

6/27/2022

   

18,750

    -   $-   $

39,938

 
  

6/27/2023

   

56,250

    -   $-   $

128,813

 

 

  (1) Stock awards granted per employment agreements.
  (2) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate fair value of stock and stock option awards granted to our named executive officers during the fiscal year, as applicable, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Stock Compensation. The amounts reported in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by our named executive officers from their stock and stock option awards.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control 

 

As discussed below under “Employment Agreements,” our employment agreements with our named executive officers provide for payments in connection with such executive officers’ termination or resignation, including in connection with or following a change in control.

 

The following tables provide estimates of the payments to which each of Messrs. Smith, Wiley, F. Wagenhals, Tate, T. Wagenhals, and Ms. Cross would have been entitled under their employment agreements if their employment had been terminated as of March 31, 2024. These tables were prepared using the closing price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq on March 31, 2024 ($2.75) and the respective executive officer’s salary then in effect. The amounts under the columns that reflect a change in control assume that a change in control occurred on March 31, 2024 and that the executive officer was terminated on such date. There can be no assurance that a termination of employment, a change in control or both would produce the same or similar results as those set forth below if either or both occur on any other date or at any other price, or if any assumption is not correct in fact.

 

Jared R. Smith

 

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause

or by executive

with good

reason (no

change in

control)

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause

or by executive

with good

reason upon or

within 12

months of a

change in

control

  

Termination

upon

executive’s

death

  

Termination by

the Company

due to

executive’s

disability

 
Salary  $500,000   $500,000   $83,333   $83,333 
Cash Severance (lump sum)  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Bonus  $-   $-   $625,000   $625,000 
Value of Accelerated Unvested Equity  $824,992   $824,992   $-   $- 
Life Insurance Benefit  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Insurance Benefits Continuation  $18,585   $18,585   $-   $- 

 

16

 

 

Robert D. Wiley

 

   Termination by
the Company
without cause
(no change in
control)
   Termination by
the Company
without cause or
by executive
with good
reason upon or
within 12
months of a
change in
control
   Termination
upon
executive’s
death
   Termination by
the Company
due to
executive’s
disability
 
Salary  $325,000   $270,833   $-   $- 
Cash Severance (lump sum)  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Bonus  $65,000   $54,167   $65,000   $65,000 
Value of Accelerated Unvested Equity  $206,250   $206,250   $206,250   $206,250 
Life Insurance Benefit  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Insurance Benefits Continuation  $3,262   $-   $-   $- 

 

Fred W. Wagenhals

 

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause or

by executive

with good

reason (no

change in

control)

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause

or by executive

with good

reason upon or

within 12

months of a

change in

control

  

Termination
upon
executive’s

death

   Termination by
the Company
due to
executive’s
disability
 
Salary  $400,000   $400,000   $-   $- 
Cash Severance (lump sum)  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Bonus  $500,000   $500,000   $500,000   $500,000 
Value of Accelerated Unvested Equity  $123,750   $123,750   $123,750   $123,750 
Life Insurance Benefit  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Insurance Benefits Continuation  $-   $-   $-   $- 

 

Anthony Tate

 

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause or

by executive

with good

reason (no

change in

control)

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause

or by executive

with good

reason upon or

within 12

months of a

change in

control

  

Termination
upon
executive’s

death

   Termination by
the Company
due to
executive’s
disability
 
Salary  $125,000   $125,000   $20,833   $20,833 
Cash Severance (lump sum)  $-   $-   $    $  
Bonus  $62,000   $62,000   $62,000   $62,000 
Value of Accelerated Unvested Equity  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Life Insurance Benefit  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Insurance Benefits Continuation  $-   $-   $-   $- 

 

17

 

 

Tod Wagenhals

 

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause or

by executive

with good

reason (no

change in

control)

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause

or by executive

with good

reason upon or

within 12

months of a

change in

control

  

Termination
upon
executive’s

death

   Termination by
the Company
due to
executive’s
disability
 
Salary  $115,000   $115,000   $19,167   $19,167 
Cash Severance (lump sum)  $-   $-   $    $  
Bonus  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Value of Accelerated Unvested Equity  $-   $275,000   $-   $- 
Life Insurance Benefit  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Insurance Benefits Continuation  $-   $-   $-   $- 

 

Beth Cross

 

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause or

by executive

with good

reason (no

change in

control)

  

Termination by

the Company

without cause

or by executive

with good

reason upon or

within 12

months of a

change in

control

  

Termination
upon
executive’s

death

   Termination by
the Company
due to
executive’s
disability
 
Salary  $20,833   $312,500   $20,833   $20,833 
Cash Severance (lump sum)  $-   $-   $   $ 
Bonus  $-   $62,000   $-   $- 
Value of Accelerated Unvested Equity  $-   $257,813   $-   $- 
Life Insurance Benefit  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Insurance Benefits Continuation  $-   $-   $-   $- 

 

Employment Agreements

 

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers, the material terms of which are set forth below.

 

In connection with Mr. Smith being appointed CEO, on July 24, 2023, the Company and Mr. Smith entered into an amended and restated employment agreement. Mr. Smith’s employment agreement is for an initial term of three years, with the Company having the right to extend the agreement for up to three additional one-year terms, terminates automatically upon Mr. Smith’s death, and may be terminated by either party with or without cause or by the Company, in accordance with state and federal law, upon Mr. Smith’s disability as described therein. Mr. Smith’s employment agreement provides that Mr. Smith will receive an annual base salary of $500,000, subject to annual increases of up to 6% in the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, and 400,000 shares of Common Stock over the term of the agreement, vesting and issuable on a quarterly basis. The options have an exercise price of $2.08 per share, the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of grant; 100,000 of the options vested on July 24, 2023, and the remaining 300,000 vest in equal quarterly installments of 25,000 over three years beginning with the September 30, 2023 quarter, provided, in each case, that Mr. Smith remains in the continuous employ of the Company as of the end of each quarter. Mr. Smith is also eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus in such amount, if any, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, which bonus target shall be 100-125% of his annual salary.

 

Mr. Smith’s employment agreement also includes confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions. For six months following the date of his termination, or 90 business days if Mr. Smith is terminated without cause upon a change in control (the “Restricted Period”), Mr. Smith is prohibited from, directly or indirectly, in any territory in which the Company operates, (i) engaging in, marketing, selling, or providing any products or services that are the same or similar to or otherwise competitive with the products and services sold or provided by the Company or (ii) owning, acquiring, or controlling any interest, financial or otherwise, in a third party or business or managing, participating in, consulting with, rendering services for or otherwise, any business, that in each case is engaged in selling or providing the same, similar or otherwise competitive services or products that the Company is selling or providing, other than ownership of 1% or less of the equity of a publicly traded company. Further, during the Restricted Period, Mr. Smith may not, directly or indirectly, (i) call on, solicit, or service, engage or contract with, or take any action that may interfere with, impair, subvert, disrupt, or alter the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company and any current or prospective customer, supplier, distributor, agent, contractor, developer, service provider, licensor, licensee or other material business relation of the Company, (ii) divert or take away the business or patronage (with respect to products or services of the kind or type developed, produced, marketed, furnished, or sold by the Company) of any of the Company’s clients, customers, or accounts, or prospective clients, customers, or accounts, (iii) solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any employees or independent contractors of or consultants to the Company to terminate their relationship with the Company or take away or hire such employees, independent contractors or consultants, or (iv) attempt to do any of the foregoing.

 

The Company and Mr. Wiley are parties to an employment agreement effective January 29, 2021, pursuant to which Mr. Wiley serves as our CFO. The agreement had an initial three-year term, which either party has the right to extend for up to three additional one-year terms. The agreement was extended for an additional year in January 2024. The agreement may be terminated by either the Company or Mr. Wiley upon 90 days written notice to the other, terminates automatically upon Mr. Wiley’s death, and may be terminated by either party with or without cause or by the Company, upon Mr. Wiley’s disability as described therein. Pursuant to an amendment thereto effective June 1, 2023, Mr. Wiley’s employment agreement provides for a base salary of $325,000 per year, which may be increased annually at the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Wiley’s employment agreement also provided for an annual equity award of 100,000 restricted shares of Common Stock during the initial three years of the term of the agreement. The agreement also provides that Mr. Wiley is eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus of up to 20% of his base salary in the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The agreement also contains confidentiality provisions.

 

18

 

 

In connection with Fred Wagenhals being appointed Executive Chairman, on July 24, 2023, the Company and Mr. Wagenhals entered into an amended and restated employment agreement. Mr. Wagenhals’ employment agreement provides for an initial term of 12 months, after which Mr. Wagenhals and the Company may jointly agree to extend for up to three additional one-year terms. The agreement terminates automatically upon Mr. Wagenhals’ death and may be terminated by the Company upon Mr. Wagenhals’s disability as described therein. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Wagenhals received, in connection with his transition from CEO to Executive Chairman, (i) cash payments of (A) $475,000 and (B) $585,290, the latter of which represents the performance bonus payable under his prior employment agreement, and (ii) 300,000 shares of Common Stock. The agreement also provides that Mr. Wagenhals will receive an annual base salary of $400,000 and 180,000 shares of Common Stock issued quarterly during the initial term of the agreement. Mr. Wagenhals is also eligible to receive a cash performance bonus in such amount, if any, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board based upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, from time to time, with the bonus target amount of 100-125% of his annual salary. Mr. Wagenhals’ employment agreement also contains the same confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that are included in Mr. Smith’s employment agreement, except that the Restricted Period is reduced to five business days if he is terminated for any reason upon a change in control.

 

The Company and Mr. Tate are parties to an employment agreement dated March 23, 2021, providing that Mr. Tate serves as our Director of National Accounts; the agreement has not been amended to reflect his promotion to Vice President of Sales in July 2022 and continues to be his current title. Mr. Tate’s employment agreement provides for an initial term ending on March 31, 2024, with the Company having the right to extend the agreement for up to three additional one-year terms; the current termination date, unless further extended, is March 31, 2024. The agreement terminates automatically upon Mr. Tate’s death, and may be terminated by either party with or without cause or by the Company upon Mr. Tate’s disability, as described therein. Mr. Tate’s employment agreement provides that his annual base salary is $85,000 and that he is eligible for an annual increase in salary of up to 6% based upon performance. In January 2023, Mr. Tate’s annual base salary was increased to $250,000 based upon a verbal agreement with the Company to forego sales commission in return for a higher base salary. Mr. Tate’s employment agreement also provides that he is eligible to earn 175,000 shares of Common Stock over the initial term of the agreement, so long as he meets certain performance metrics with respect to revenues from his sales, payable as follows; (i) 50,000 at end of year one, (ii) 50,000 at end of year two, and (iii) 75,000 at end of year three. Mr. Tate’s employment agreement also provides that he is eligible for performance commissions equal to 1% to 1.5% of sales, however Mr. Tate subsequently agreed to forego performance commissions in return for a higher base salary and participation in the Company’s MBO bonus program. Mr. Tate’s employment agreement also contains the same confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that are included in Mr. Smith’s employment agreement, except that the Restricted Period is two years instead of six months and is not reduced if he is terminated upon a change in control.

 

The Company and Tod Wagenhals are parties to an employment agreement dated July 1, 2022, pursuant to which Mr. Wagenhals serves as our Executive Vice President. Mr. Wagenhals’ employment agreement provides for an initial term ending on December 31, 2025, with the Company having the right to extend the agreement for up to three additional one-year terms. The agreement terminates automatically upon Mr. Wagenhals’ death, and may be terminated by either party with or without cause or by the Company upon Wagenhals’ disability, as described therein. Mr. Wagenhals’s employment agreement provides that his annual base salary is $230,000 and that he is eligible for an annual increase in salary of up to 6% based upon performance in the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and that he will receive 100,000 shares of Common Stock per year, attained during the initial term of the agreement, for a total of 300,000 shares. Mr. Wagenhals’ employment agreement also contains the same confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that are included in Mr. Smith’s employment agreement, except that the Restricted Period is one year instead of six months and is not reduced if he is terminated upon a change in control.

 

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, SpeedLight Group I, LLC, are parties to an employment agreement dated June 27, 2022, with Beth Cross, pursuant to which Ms. Cross serves as Chief Operating Officer of our indirect wholly owned subsidiary Outdoors Online, LLC, through which we operate our Gunbroker.com website. Ms. Cross’ employment agreement provides for an initial term of three years, with the Company having the right to extend the agreement for up to three additional one-year terms, terminates automatically upon Ms. Cross’ death, and may be terminated by either party with or without cause or by the Company upon Ms. Cross’ disability, as described therein. Ms. Cross’ employment agreement provides that she will receive an annual base salary of $185,000 during the first year of the initial term of the agreement, $195,000 during the second year of the initial term of the agreement, and $205,000 during the third year of the initial term of the agreement, subject to annual increases of up to 6% in the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. In April 2023, Ms. Cross’ annual base salary was increased to $250,000 based upon a verbal agreement with the Company due to performance results. The agreement also provides that Ms. Cross is entitled to 225,000 shares of Common Stock over the initial term of the agreement, issuable on a quarterly basis as long as Ms. Cross meets certain performance metrics. Ms. Cross is also eligible to receive cash performance-based bonuses as determined in the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the recommendation of the Compensation Committee from time to time. Ms. Cross’ employment agreement also contains the same confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that are included in Fred Wagenhals’ employment agreement.

 

In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Smith’s, Fred Wagenhals’ or Mr. Wiley’s employment without cause, or Mr. Smith or Fred Wagenhals terminates his employment for good reason, then, subject to his compliance with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that he may have signed and his execution, other than with respect to Mr. Wiley, of a standard release of claims and, in the case of Mr. Smith, a standard separation agreement, in favor of the Company or its successor, he will receive (i) salary and insurance benefits for a period of 12 months from the effective date of termination, (ii) 100% of his remaining unissued equity compensation, all of which shall become vested and issuable on the date of his termination, and (iii) in the case of Mr. Wiley, his performance bonus.

 

If the Company terminates Mr. Tate’s employment without cause, then he is entitled to salary and insurance benefits for six months from the effective date of his termination and commissions that he earned through the date of his termination, subject to his compliance with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that he may have signed.

 

If the Company terminates Tod Wagenhals’ employment without cause, then he is entitled to salary and insurance benefits for six months from the effective date of his termination, subject to his compliance with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that he may have signed.

 

If the Company terminates Mr. Cross’ employment without cause, or she terminates her employment for good reason, then she is entitled to salary and insurance benefits for one month from the effective date of her termination and shares of Common Stock earned under her employment agreement through the date of her termination, subject to her compliance with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that she may have signed and her execution of a standard release of claims in favor of the Company or its successor.

 

In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Smith’s, Fred Wagenhals’, Mr. Wiley’s, Mr. Tate’s, Tod Wagenhals’ or Ms. Cross’ continuous status as an employee without cause or they terminate their employment with the Company for good reason, in either case upon or within 12 months after a change in control, as defined in their employment agreement, then, subject to their execution of a standard release of claims and, in the case of Mr. Smith, a standard separation agreement, in favor of the Company or its successor the executive will receive (i) salary for a period of 12 months, in the case of Mr. Smith and Fred Wagenhals, for a period of six months, in the case of Mr. Tate and Tod Wagenhals, and for the duration of the employment agreement’s term, in the case of Mr. Wiley and Ms. Cross, (ii) 100% of their remaining unissued and/or unvested equity compensation, (iii) their performance bonus through the date of termination, if applicable, in the case of Messrs. Smith and Tate and Fred Wagenhals, or for the duration of the term of their employment agreement, in the case of Mr. Wiley and Ms. Cross, (iv) with respect to Mr. Tate pro-rata commissions earned through the date of termination, and (v) in the case of Mr. Smith, Fred Wagenhals and Ms. Cross, release from the non-competition restrictions set forth in their employment agreement.

 

In the event of Messrs. Smith’s, Wiley’s or Tate’s, Fred Wagenhals’, Tod Wagenhals’ or Ms. Cross’ termination of employment as a result of his or her death or disability, the executive or his/her estate, as applicable, will receive (i) all of his/her unpaid salary through the date of death/disability and a severance benefit of three (two in the case of Mr. Smith and one in the case of Mr. Tate, Tod Wagenhals and Ms. Cross) months’ pay, (ii) all reimbursable expenses and benefits owed to him/her through the date of death/disability together with any benefits payable under any life insurance program in which the executive is a participant, if applicable, (iii) in the case of Messrs. Wagenhals and Wiley, the unvested and unissued portion of any equity compensation, and (iv) in the case of death any pro-rata share of a bonus or, with respect to Mr. Tate, Tod Wagenhals and Ms. Cross, commissions or bonuses to which he or she was entitled, payable at the end of the applicable fiscal year.

 

In the event of retirement of a named executive officer, no additional benefits unless otherwise agreed to.

 

19

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-end

 

The following table discloses information about unexercised options and unvested stock and equity incentive plan awards outstanding with respect to our named executive officers at March 31, 2024.

 

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
Name 

Number of securities underlying unexercised options

(#) exercisable

  

Number of securities

underlying

unexercised

options

(#) unexercisable

  

Equity

incentive

plan awards: Number of

securities

underlying

unexercised

unearned

options

(#)

  

Option

exercise price

($)

   Option expiration date  

Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested

(#)

  

Market value of shares of units of stock that have not vested

($)

  

Equity

incentive

plan awards: Number of

unearned

shares, units or other rights that have not vested

(#)

  

Equity

incentive

plan awards: Market or payout value of

unearned

shares, units or other rights that have not vested

($)

 
Jared R. Smith   -    225,000    225,000   $2.08    7/24/2034    -   $-    299,977   $824,992 
Robert. D. Wiley      -    -    -   $-    -        -   $-    75,000   $206,250 
Fred W. Wagenhals   -    -    -   $-    -    -   $-    45,000   $123,750 
Anthony Tate   -    -        $-    -    -   $-    -   $- 
Tod Wagenhals   -    -    

-

   $-    -    -   $-    100,000   $275,000 
Beth Cross   

-

    

-

    

-

   $

-

    

-

    

-

   $

-

    

56,250

   $

154,688

 

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

The following table presents information regarding the named executive officers’ restricted stock vesting during fiscal 2024. There was no option exercises during fiscal 2024.

 

   Stock awards 
Name 

Number of shares

acquired on vesting

(#)

  

Value

realized on

vesting

($)(1)

 
Jared R. Smith   163,046   $361,853 
Robert D. Wiley   100,000   $225,000 
Fred W. Wagenhals   485,000   $1,039,650 
Anthony Tate   75,000   $206,250 
Tod Wagenhals   100,000   $203,000 
Beth Cross   

75,000

   $

168,750

 

 

  (1) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate fair value of stock awards granted to our named executive officers during the fiscal year, as applicable, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Stock Compensation. The amounts reported in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by our named executive officers from their stock awards.

 

CEO Pay Ratio

 

The following table presents the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees (other than Mr. Smith, our CEO), the annual total compensation of Mr. Smith, our CEO during our 2024 fiscal year, and the ratio between the two. This ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

 

Fiscal year 2024 CEO Compensation  $1,382,415 
Fiscal year 2024 median employee annual total compensation  $43,968 
Ratio of CEO to median employee annual total compensation   31:1 

 

In identifying our median employee, we chose March 31, 2024, which is the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year, as the determination date. All of our employees are based in the United States and all 516 were considered for identifying the median employee, which we determined by applying a consistently applied compensation measure across our employee population. For our consistently applied compensation measure, we used annual base salary, as it represents the primary compensation component paid to all of our employees. As a result, annual base salary provides an accurate depiction of total earnings for identifying our median employee. In determining the annual total compensation of the median employee, we the calculated such employee’s compensation using the same methodology we use for our named executive officers as set forth in the summary compensation table. With respect to the annual total compensation of our CEO, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column for fiscal 2024 in the summary compensation table.

 

20

 

 

SEC rules and guidance provide significant flexibility in how companies identify the median employee for purposes of this disclosure, and each company may use a different methodology and make different assumptions particular to that company. As a result, and as the SEC explained when it adopted these rules, in considering the pay-ratio disclosure, stockholders should keep in mind that the rules were not designed to facilitate comparisons of pay ratios among different companies, even companies within the same industry, but rather were designed to allow stockholders to better understand and assess each particular company’s compensation practices and pay-ratio disclosures.

 

Pension Benefits

 

We do not have any plans that provide for payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement.

 

Non-qualified Deferred Compensation

 

We do not have any non-qualified defined contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans.

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table sets forth, for the year ended March 31, 2024, information with respect to compensation for services in all capacities to us and our subsidiaries earned by our directors, who are not officers and who served during the year ended March 31, 2024. We make an annual grant to each director of 40,000 shares of Common Stock. Ms. Lockett receives a director fee of $4,000 per month in addition to the annual Common Stock grant.

 

Name and Principal Position 

Fees

earned

or paid

in

cash ($)(1)

   Stock awards ($)(2)(3)  

Option awards

($)

   Total ($) 
Russell William Wallace Jr.  $-   $90,000   $    -   $90,000 
Jessica M. Lockett (5)  $48,000   $90,000   $-   $138,000 
Richard R. Childress  $-   $90,000   $-   $90,000 
Steve Urvan  $-   $90,000   $-   $90,000 
Wayne Walker  $-   $101,351   $-   $101,351 
Christos Tsentas  $-   $101,351   $-   $101,351 
Randy E. Luth  $-   $109,875   $-   $109,875 
Harry S. Markley(4)  $-   $26,725   $-   $26,725 

 

  (1) The amounts in this column reflect the amounts earned during the fiscal year, whether or not actually paid during such year.
  (2) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate fair value of the stock awards granted to our directors during the fiscal year, as applicable, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation, Stock Compensation. The amounts reported in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the directors from their stock awards.
  (3) On May 15, 2023, the Board approved a change to the Company’s policy on director compensation that permits proration compensation for partial quarters served. The change was effective November 1, 2022, on a go-forward basis. The proration compensation will vest the day after the first full calendar quarter of service is complete. Accordingly, during the year ended March 31, 2024, Mr. Walker and Mr. Tsentas were each issued an additional 6,413 shares of Common Stock and Mr. Luth was issued an additional 9,555 shares of Common Stock.
  (4) Mr. Markley resigned as a member of the Board effective July 24, 2023.

 

21

 

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following table sets forth information, to the extent known by us or ascertainable from public filings, regarding the ownership of shares of Common Stock as of July 26, 2024, by: (i) each of our directors; (ii) each of our named executive officers; (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and (iv) each individual or entity known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. For each applicable beneficial owner, percent ownership has been computed based on a total of 118,756,733 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 26, 2024.

 

The amounts and percentages of Common Stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of SEC rules governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the SEC rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or “investment power,” which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities that such person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the shareholders named in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares of Common Stock. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the shareholders listed below is: c/o AMMO, Inc., 7681 East Gray Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260.

 

In computing the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares of Common Stock underlying options to purchase Common Stock held by that person or entity that are currently exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days of July 26, 2024.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner 

Number of Shares of

Common Stock
Owned Beneficially

   Percent of
Class (1)
 
Named Executive Officers and Directors          
Jared R. Smith (2)   579,111    * 
Robert D. Wiley   304,739    * 
Fred W. Wagenhals (3)   7,174,196    6.0%
Anthony Tate   443,802    * 
Tod Wagenhals   558,418    * 
Beth Cross   

25,466

    * 
Russell William Wallace, Jr.   575,000    * 
Jessica M. Lockett   145,000    * 
Richard R. Childress   302,500    * 
Steve F. Urvan   20,125,000    16.9%
Wayne Walker   71,413    * 
Christos Tsentas   71,413    * 
Randy E. Luth   528,555    * 
           
All directors and officers as a group (15 persons)   30,971,013    26.1%

 

  * Less than 1%
  (1) Based on 118,756,733 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 26, 2024.
  (2) Includes 200,000 additional shares Mr. Smith has the right to acquire from the exercise of 200,000 stock options awards that have vested as of July 26, 2024.
  (3) Mr. Wagenhals beneficially owns a total of 7,174,196 shares of Common Stock, of which 7,024,196 shares are held directly and 150,000 shares are held indirectly by the Fred W. Wagenhals Trust, of which Mr. Wagenhals is the trustee.

 

22

 

 

Change-in-Control

 

As set forth in the above table, two of our directors (one of whom is also an executive officer) own an aggregate of 27,299,196 or 22.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of July 26, 2024. They exercise significant influence over the control of the Company and may be able to cause or prevent a change in control.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table sets forth information as of March 31, 2024, with respect to our compensation plans under which equity securities may be issued.

 

Plan Category 

Number of securities

to be issued

upon exercise

of

outstanding

options,

warrants

and rights

  

Weighted-

average

exercise

price of

outstanding
options,

warrants

and rights

  

Number of

securities

remaining

available for

future issuance

under equity

compensation

plans

(excluding

securities

reflected in

column (a))

 
   (a)   (b)   (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:               
2017 Equity Incentive Plan   225,000   $2.08    2,078,159 
                
Total   -    -    2,078,159 

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Our Related Party Transactions Policy provides guidance for addressing actual or potential conflicts of interests, including those that may arise from transactions and relationships between us and our executive officers or directors. The Audit Committee and Board, as matter of appropriate corporate governance, reviews and approves all such transactions, to the extent required by applicable rules and regulations. Generally, management would present to the Board for approval at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting any related party transactions proposed to be entered into by us. The Audit Committee and Board may approve the transaction if it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Company

 

The following is a description of each transaction since April 1, 2023 and each currently proposed transaction in which:

 

  we have been or are to be a participant;
     
  the amount involved exceeds $120,000; and
     
  any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

23

 

 

During the year ended March 31, 2024, we paid $410,173 in service fees to two independent contractors, who provided services to the company, which included a $244,640 payment due upon termination without cause to one of the independent contractors. The two independent contractors were issued 168,581 shares of Common Stock for a total value of $350,345, which included an issuance of 134,240 shares due upon termination without cause for one of the independent contractors. We issued 25,000 shares in the aggregate to our advisory committee members for service for a total value of $53,250.

 

Through our acquisition of Gemini Direct Investments, LLC (“Gemini”), a related party relationship was created through one of our directors, Mr. Steve Urvan, by his ownership of entities that provided services to Gemini. There was $201,646 included in our Accounts Receivable at March 31, 2024 from entities owned by Mr. Urvan.

 

The Company paid off the balance of a promissory note to Jagemann Stamping Company (“JSC”) during the year ended March 31, 2024. JSC became a shareholder of the Company through the Company’s acquisition of JSC’s brass casing division. The payment made to JSC during fiscal 2024 consisted of $181,132 in principal and $2,784 in interest on the note. Additionally, we owed $150,866 to Jagemann Precision Tooling, a division of JSC, at March 31, 2024.

 

Director Independence

 

Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of the Board be independent. For a discussion of the independence of the members of the Board, refer above to Part III, Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Effective April 8, 2021, the Company engaged Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C. (“PKF”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The following table presents the fees billed by PKF for its services during the Company’s last two fiscal years.

 

   2024   2023 
Audit Fees  $374,611   $326,006 
Audit-Related Fees   116,612    112,189 
Tax Fees   -    - 
All Other Fees   1,652,075    98,143 
   $2,143,298   $536,338 

 

It is our policy to engage the principal accounting firm to conduct the audit of the Company’s financial statements and to confirm, prior to such engagement, that such principal accounting firm is independent of the Company to the extent required by SEC rules and regulations. All services provided by PKF reflected above were approved by the Board.

 

- “Audit Fees” are fees paid for professional services rendered for the audit of our financial statements and review of our interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports (as well as services that PKF normally provides in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements).

 

- “Audit-Related Fees” are fees paid for SAS 100 reviews, review of SEC filings and the provision of required consents, and accounting consultations on matters addressed during the audit or interim reviews, and review work related to quarterly filings.

 

- “All other fees” are related to fees unrelated to Audit Fees or Audit Related Fees. Of this amount, $1,652,075 was not related to services directly performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company. Rather, this amount related to the Company’s reimbursement of legal fees incurred by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with certain regulatory matters that arose regarding past services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies

 

The charter of our Audit Committee provides that the duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee include the pre-approval of all audit, audit-related, tax, and other services permitted by law or applicable SEC regulations (including fee and cost ranges) to be performed by our independent registered public accountant. Any pre-approved services that will involve fees or costs exceeding pre-approved levels will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Unless otherwise specified by the Audit Committee in pre-approving a service, the pre-approval will be effective for the 12-month period following pre-approval. The Audit Committee will not approve any non-audit services prohibited by applicable SEC regulations or any services in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent registered public accountant, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported by the Code and related regulations.

 

To the extent deemed appropriate, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee or any one or more other members of the Audit Committee provided that any member of the Audit Committee who has exercised any such delegation must report any such pre-approval decision to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee will not delegate the pre-approval of services to be performed by the independent registered public accountant to management.

 

The Audit Committee requires that the independent registered public accountant, in conjunction with our CFO, be responsible for seeking pre-approval for providing services to us and that any request for pre-approval must inform the Audit Committee about each service to be provided and must provide detail as to the particular service to be provided.

 

All of the services provided above under the caption “Audit-Related Fees” were approved by the Board or by the Audit Committee pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies.

 

24

 

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

  (a) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules are set forth under Part II, Item 8 of the Original Form 10-K.
     
  (b) Exhibits

 

Other Schedules are committed because they are not applicable, not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

 

        Reference   Filed or Furnished

Exhibit

Number

  Exhibit Description   Form   Exhibit  

Filing

Date

  Herewith
2.1#   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 30, 2021, by and among Ammo, Inc., SpeedLight Group I, LLC, Gemini Direct Investments, LLC and Steven F. Urvan (1)   8-K   2.1   5/6/2021    
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (Amended and Restated) filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 24, 2018   8-K   3.1   10/26/2018    
3.2   Bylaws   8-K   3.03   02/09/2017    
3.3   Certificate of Designations with respect to the 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, dated May 18, 2021   8-A   3.3   5/20/2021    
4.1   Compilation of JSC Agreements dated November 4, 2020   10-Q   4.3   11/13/2020    
4.2   Form of Underwriters’ Warrant Agreement issued December 3, 2020   8-K   4.1   12/4/2020    
4.3   Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.   10-K   4.3   6/14/2023    
4.4   Promissory Note issued by Ammo, Inc., Firelight Group I, LLC in favor of Hiawatha National Bank, dated October 14, 2021.   10-Q   4.1   2/14/2022    
10.1+   2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended   S-8   4.1   2/14/2024    
10.2   First Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement, as amended, by and between Ammo, Inc. and Factors Southwest, LLC   8-K   10.1   3/11/2021    
10.3   Revolving Inventory Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, by and between Ammo, Inc. and Factors Southwest, LLC   8-K   10.2   3/11/2021    
10.4   Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement between AMMO Technologies Inc. and University of Louisiana at Lafayette, dated as of November 16, 2017   8-K   10.1   3/26/2021    
10.5+   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, by and between AMMO, Inc. and Jared Smith, dated July 24, 2023   8-K   10.1   7/25/2023    
10.6+   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, by and between AMMO, Inc. and Fred W. Wagenhals, dated July 24, 2023   8-K   10.2   7/25/2023    
10.7+   Employment Agreement of Robert D. Wiley, as amended   10-K   10.6   6/14/2023    

 

25

 

 

10.8+   Employment Agreement of Anthony Tate               X
10.9+   Employment Agreement of Tod Wagenhals               X
10.10+  

Employment Agreement of Beth Cross

              X
10.11+   Employment Agreement of Paul Kasowski               X
10.12+  

Employment Agreement of James Mann

              X
10.13   Lock-Up Agreement, dated April 30, 2021, by and between Ammo, Inc. and Steven F. Urvan   8-K   10.1   5/6/2021    
10.14   Voting Rights Agreement, dated April 30, 2021, by and between Ammo, Inc. and Steven F. Urvan   8-K   10.2   5/6/2021    
10.15   Standstill Agreement, dated April 30, 2021, by and between Ammo, Inc. and Steven F. Urvan   8-K   10.3   5/6/2021    
10.16   Investor Rights Agreement, dated April 30, 2021, by and between Ammo, Inc. and Steven F. Urvan   8-K   10.4   5/6/2021    
10.17   Construction Loan Agreement by and among Ammo, Inc., Firelight Group I, LLC, and Hiawatha National Bank, dated October 14, 2021.   10-Q   10.1   2/14/2022    
10.18   Settlement Agreement, by and among AMMO, Inc., Steven F. Urvan and Susan T. Lokey, dated November 3, 2022   8-K   10.1   11/7/2022    
10.19   Amendment to Settlement Agreement, by and among AMMO, Inc., Steven F. Urvan and Susan T. Lokey, dated November 21, 2022   8-K   10.1   11/22/2022    
14.1   Code of Ethics               X
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Company   10-K   21.1   6/14/2023    
23.1   Consent of Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C Independent Registered Account Firm Relating to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2024   10-K   23.1   6/13/2024    
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   10-K   31.1   6/13/2024    
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   10-K   31.2   6/13/2024    
31.3   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.               X
31.4   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.               X
32.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   10-K   32.1   6/13/2024    
32.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   10-K   32.2   6/13/2024    
101.INS   Inline XBRL Instance Document               X
101.SCH   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document               X
101.CAL   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document               X
101.LAB   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document               X
101.PRE   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document               X
101.DEF   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document               X
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)               X

 

+ Management compensatory plan or contract.

 

26

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  AMMO, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jared R. Smith
Dated: July 29, 2024   Jared R. Smith, Chief Executive Officer
     
  By: /s/ Robert D. Wiley
Dated: July 29, 2024   Robert D. Wiley, Chief Financial Officer

 

27

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into March 23, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) between AMMO, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Anthony Tate (“Employee”). Company and Employee are sometimes referred to individually as “Party” and collectively as “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Company is a public company and its securities are quoted in the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol “POWW”; and

 

B. The Employee has experience in sales and operations and the Company desires to hire Employee to serve as Director of National Accounts, commencing April 1, 2021.

 

C. The Company and Employee desire to embody the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment in a written agreement, which will supersede all prior agreements of employment, whether written or oral, between the Company and Employee, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forthherein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual covenants and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

EMPLOYMENT DUTIES AND TERM

 

Section I.I Employment.

 

(a) The Company shall employ Employee as Director of National Accounts. In this capacity, Employee shall perform such duties, assume such responsibilities and devote such time, attention and energy to the business of the Company at such locations as the Company’s officers or Employee’s supervisor shall from time to time require, including but not limited to the job duties set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.

 

(b) Employee shall not, during the term of Employee’s employment hereunder, be engaged in any other activities if such activities materially interfere with Employee’s duties and responsibilities for the Company.

 

(c) Employee shall perform all such duties as instructed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 1.2 Term. The Employment is on at-will basis, terminable by either party at any time for cause or no cause. The term of this Agreement shall commence on April 1, 2021 and shall continue, unless sooner terminated, until three (3) years thereafter (March 31, 2024) (the “Initial Term”). The Company, in its discretion, shall have the right to extend this Agreement for up to three (3) additional one(1) year terms (the “Additional Terms,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”) subject to sixty (60) advance written agreement by parties.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE II.

COMPENSATION

 

Section 2.1 Compensation. During the Term of Employment, Company shall pay and Employee shall receive the following compensation:

 

(a) Salary. The Company shall pay Employee the following base salary per year of $85,000 during the Term paid in accordance with Company’s normal payroll practices (“Salary”). Employee shall be eligible for annual increase in Salary of up to 6% per year based upon performance in the discretion of the CEO.

 

(b) Stock Incentive Compensation; Performance Based Stock Grant. Employee shall earn an aggregate 175,000 shares of restricted stock in the Company during the Initial Term (the “Shares”) so long as Employee meets certain performance metrics payable as follows: (i) 50,000 at end of year(1) one, if goal of $120M in overall revenue generated from Employee sales is achieved; (ii) 50,000 at end of year two, if goal of $TBD in overall revenue generated from Employee sales is achieved, (iii) 75,000 at end of year three, if goal of $TBD in overall revenue generated from Employee sales is achieved (the Restricted Shares Compensation”). Restricted Share Compensation occurs at close of the respective year end dates set forth above and vests upon reaching the revenue goals in each respective year (the “Shares Delivery Date”). Company and Employee agree that Employee may file a Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service in a form to be agreed to prior to the Commencement of Employment (the “Shares Grant Date”) and which shall be filed by Employee within thirty (30) days of the Shares Grant Date.

 

(c) Performance Commission.

 

(i) During the Term Employee shall receive a commission equal to 1.5% of on all sales to dealer sales channel, 1% on Sportsman’s/BPS account & Ammo Inc. Store on GunBroker.com charmel1, reconciled and payable monthly in arrears (“Commission”). Employee must maintain 30% margin on all sales channels to qualify for commissions in year I - Company and Employee shall renegotiate rates going forward depending on market conditions.

 

Section 2.2 Removed and reserved.

 

Section 2.3 Restricted Stock. The Shares that may be issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement will not be registered and are being issued pursuant to a specific exemption under the Securities Act, as well as under certain state securities laws for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or in reliance on limited federal preemption from such state securities registration laws. The shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement must be held and may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of for value unless such securities are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available, and that the certificates representing the shares of AMMO, Inc. Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement will bear a legend in substantially the following form so restricting the sale of such securities:

 

The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. The securities have been acquired for investment and may not be sold or transferred without complying with Rule 144 in the absence of an effective registration or other compliance under the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.4 Participation in Employee Benefit Plans; Incentive Programs. Employee shall be entitled

 

 

1If the GunBroker.com deal does not close, Employee’s standard commission shall revert back to 2% as it was prior to Effective Date. to participate in any employee benefit plans, the Company may establish or adopt for the benefit of employees of the Company.

 

2
 

 

Section 2.5 Time Off. Employee shall be entitled to 3 weeks of paid time off per year, whether because of sickness, vacation or to service Employee’s outside business interest as Employee shall determine (“Time Off”). The timing of vacations shall be scheduled in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Company. Accrued but unused Time Off shall roll over to the next fiscal year and shall not be ‘use it or lose it’ Time Off.

 

Section 2.6 Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee’s reasonable and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Employee which are approved in advance by the Company in the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Section 3.1 Death & Disability of Employee. In the event of the Employee’s death during the Term of Employment, this Agreement shall terminate immediately. If, during the Term, the Employee shall suffer a “Disability” within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Company may terminate the Employee’s employment. Section 22(e)(3) provides, in relevant part: “An individual is permanently and totally disabled if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” In the event the Employee is terminated due to death or Disability, the Employee (or his estate in the event of his death) shall be receive (i) all of Employee’s unpaid Salary and a severance benefit of one (1) months pay, (ii) all reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the date of Employee’s death together with any benefits payable under any life insurance program in which Employee is a participant, if applicable, and (iii) Employee’s estate shall be entitled to any vested or earned Commission, payable at the end the respective fiscal year.

 

Section 3.2 Termination With Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Term for “Cause” upon written notice to Employee, upon which termination shall be effective immediately. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means the following, without limitation:

 

  (a) Willful misconduct or willful failure by the Employee to perform his responsibilities to the Company or
     
  (b) The conviction for any major felony involving moral turpitude that reflects adversely upon the standing of the Company in the community.

 

Section 3.3 Termination Without Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Tenn without “Cause” upon 30 days written notice to Employee.

 

Section 3.4 Termination By Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing the Company 30 days’ written notice, with or without “Good Reason.” For purposes hereof, the term “Good Reason” shall exist upon (i) a material diminution in the Employees’ Salary; (ii) a material diminution in the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a material change in geographic location at which the Employee performs services; or (iv) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement. “Good Reason Process” means the following series of actions: (i) the Employee reasonably determines in good faith that Good Reason exists, (ii) the Employee notifies the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation (if applicable) in writing of the existence of Good Reason within 60 days of the occurrence of the event that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason, (iii) the Employee cooperates in good faith with the Company’s (or the acquiring or succeeding corporations, if applicable) efforts to remedy the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason for a period of 30 days following such notice (such 30 day period, the “Cure Period”), (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, Good Reason continues to exist and (v) the Employee terminates his employment within 30 days after the end of the Cure Period. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation successfully remedies the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have existed. In the event the Employee terminates employment under this Agreement for Good Reason, the Employee shall be eligible to receive the severance benefits set forth in Section 3.2 (e).

 

3
 

 

Section 3.5 Termination by the Employee without Good Reason. The Employee may terminate the Employee’s employment with the Company without Good Reason at any time subject to the Employee’s provision of thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company (the “Applicable Notice Period”), provided, however, that the Company may, in its sole discretion, in lieu of all or part of the Applicable Notice Period, pay the Employee an amount equal to the Salary that would otherwise have been payable to the Employee had the Employee remained employed for the duration of the Applicable Notice Period. In such instance, the Employee’s termination will become effective on the date set forth in a written notice of termination to be provided by the Company (the “Early Termination Date”), and the Employee will be paid an amount equal to the base Salary the Employee would have received had the Employee remained employed by the Company between the Early Termination Date and the end of the Applicable Notice Period (the “Early Termination Payment”), with the Early Termination Payment to be made no later than the 30th day following the end of the Applicable Notice Period.

 

Section 3.6 Compensation upon Termination.

 

(a) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination for Cause or the Employee voluntarily terminates employment with the Company without Good Reason, the Employee shall be entitled to accrued but unpaid Salary, reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the day on which Employee is terminated, and pro-rata Commissions through date of termination.

 

(b) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination without Cause, Employee shall be entitled to compensation, including Base Salary and insurance benefits for a period of six (6) months from the effective date of termination (the “Severance Period”), and Commissions earned through date of termination. The Employee’s reimbursable expenses shall be paid within 15 days of Termination. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, Employee will not be entitled to any other compensation upon termination of this Agreement.

 

(c) The salary and fringe benefits to be paid are referred to herein as the “Termination Compensation.” Employee shall not be entitled to any Termination Compensation unless, Employee complies with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that Employee may have signed.

 

(d) If Employee terminates this Agreement by providing appropriate notice, the Company, at its election, Company may (i) require Employee to continue to perform duties hereunder for the full notice period, or (ii) terminate Employee employment at any time during such notice period, provided that any such termination shall not be deemed to be a termination without cause of Employee ‘s employment by the Company. Unless otherwise provided by this Section, all compensation and benefits paid by Company to Employee shall cease upon his last day of employment.

 

Section 3.7 Change in Control. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Employee’s continuous status as an employee of the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or Employee terminates the employment with the Company for Good Reason, in either case upon or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control (“CoC”) as defined below then, subject to Employee’s execution of a standard release of claims in favor of the Company or its successor, (i) Employee shall receive the Salary equivalent to six (6) months pay, (ii) Stock Compensation in Section 2.1 shall accelerate and vest immediately, and (iii) Employee shall be entitled to the pro-rata Commission and Bonus earned through date of termination resulting from CoC.

 

As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) a liquidation of the Company.

 

4
 

 

ARTICLE IV.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 4.1 Confidentiality.

 

(a) Employee recognizes and acknowledges that Employee has had and will continue to have access to various trade secrets and/or proprietary information (collectively, the “Confidential Information”) concerning the Company. Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information has been developed solely through the substantial efforts of the Company over a long period of time, and that such Confidential Information is valuable and unique and constitutes a trade secret of the Company.

 

(b) Employee agrees to keep all Confidential Information of the Company in strict confidence and agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information to any other person, firm, association, company, corporation or other entity for any reason except as such disclosure may be required in connection with his employment hereunder. Employee further agrees not to use any Confidential Information for any purpose except on behalf of the Company.

 

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean any information, process or idea that is not generally known in the industry, that the Company considers confidential and/or that gives the Company a competitive advantage, including, without limitation: (i) books and records relating to operation, finance, accounting, sales, personnel and management, (ii) policies and matters relating particularly to operations such as customer service requirements, costs of providing service and equipment, operating costs, and price matters, and (iii) various trade or business secrets, including business opportunities, marketing or business diversification plans, business development and bidding techniques, methods of processes, financial data and the like. If Employee is unsure whether certain information or material is Confidential Information, Employee shall treat that information or material as confidential unless Employee is informed by the Company, in writing, to the contrary. “Confidential Information” shall not include any information which: (i) is or becomes publicly available through no act or failure of Employee; (ii) was or is rightfully learned by Employee from a source other than the Company before being received from the Company; (iii) becomes independently available to Employee as a matter of right from a third Party having lawful right to make such communication; or (iv) is developed by Employee independently of any Confidential Information.

 

(d) Employee further agrees that upon termination of his employment with the Company, for whatever reason, Employee will surrender to the Company all of the property, notes, manuals, reports, documents and other things in Employee’s possession, including copies or computerized records thereof, which relate directly or indirectly to Confidential Information.

 

4.2 Non-Competition. Beginning on the date hereof and through the date that is two (2) years following the Termination Date (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party, in any territory which the Company operates as of the time Employee is no longer employed by, consulting for, serving as a board member of, or no longer otherwise works for, the Company, (i) engage in, market, sell, or provide any products or services which are the same or similar to or otherwise competitive with the products and services sold or provided by the Company or (ii) own, acquire, or control any interest, financial or otherwise, in a third party or business or manage, participate in, consult with, render services for or otherwise, any business, that in each case is engaged in selling or providing the same, similar or otherwise competitive services or products which the Company is selling or providing, other than ownership of one percent or less of the equity of a publicly traded company.

 

4.3 Non-Solicitation.

 

(a) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) call on, solicit, or service, engage or contract with, or take any action which may interfere with, impair, subvert, disrupt, or alter the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company and any current or prospective customer, supplier, distributor, agent, contractor, developer, service provider, licensor, or licensee or other material business relation of the Company, (2) divert or take away the business or patronage (with respect to products or services of the kind or type developed, produced, marketed, furnished, or sold by the Company) of any of the clients, customers, or accounts, or prospective clients, customers, or accounts, of the Company or (3) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

5
 

 

(b) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) solicit, induce, recruit, or encourage any employees or independent contractors of or consultants to the Company to terminate their relationship with the Company or take away or hire such employees, independent contractors, or consultants or (2) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

Section 4.4 No Derogatory Statements. Employee shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or goodwill of the Company, its competitors or its management.

 

Section 4.5. Remedies, If the provisions of this Article are violated, or threatened to be violated, in whole or in part, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction restraining or enjoining Employee from using or disclosing, in whole or in part, such Confidential Information, without prejudice to any other remedies the Company may have at law or in equity. If Employee violates this Article, Employee agrees that the Company would be irreparably harmed.

 

ARTICLE V.

PROPERTY; INVENTIONS AND PATENTS

 

Section 5.1 Property. Employee agrees that all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos, products, equipment, and all similar or related information and materials (whether patentable or unpatentable) (collectively, “Inventions”) which relate to the Company’s actual or anticipated business, research and development, or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed, or made by Employee or any other employee or person at his direction, advice or assistance (whether during usual business hours and whether alone or io conjunction with any other person) while employed (and for the Restricted Period if and to the extent such Inventions result from any work performed for the Company, any use of the Company’s premises or property or any use of the Company’s Confidential Information) by the Company (including those conceived, developed, or made prior to the date of this Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, brands, tradename and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights, and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing (collectively referred to herein as, the “Work Product”), belong io all instances to the Company. Employee will promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Term) to establish and confirm the Company’s ownership of such Work Product (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney, and other instruments) and to provide reasonable assistance to the Company (whether during or after the Term) io connection with the prosecution of any applications for patents, trademarks, brands, trade names, service marks, or reissues thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Work Product. Employee recognizes and agrees that the Work Product, to the extent copyrightable, constitutes works for hire under the copyright laws of the United States and that to the extent Work Product constitutes works for hire, the Work Product is the exclusive property of the Company, and all right, title, and interest io the Work Product vests io the Company. To the extent Work Product is not works for hire, the Work Product, and all of Employee’s right, title, and interest in Work Product, including without limitation every priority right, is hereby assigned to the Company.

 

6
 

 

Section 5.2 Cooperation. Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, assist and cooperate fully with the Company in obtaining for the Company the grant of letters patent, copyrights, and any other intellectual property rights relating to the Work Product in the United States and/or such other countries as the Company may designate. With respect to Work Product, Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, execute all applications, statements, instruments of transfer, assignment, conveyance or confirmation, or other documents, furnish all such information to the Company and take all such other appropriate lawful actions as the Company requests that are necessary to establish the Company’s ownership of such Work Product. Employee will not assert or make a claim of ownership of any Work Product, and Employee will not file any applications for patents or copyright or trademark registration relating to any Work Product.

 

Section 5.3 No Designation as Inventor; Waiver of Moral Rights. Employee agrees the Company shall not be required to designate Employee as the inventor or author of any Work Product. Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and releases, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all of Employee’s rights to such designation and any rights concerning future modifications to any Work Product. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee hereby waives all claims to moral rights in and to any Work Product.

 

Section 5.4 Pre-Existing and Third-Party Materials. Employee will not, in the course of employment with the Company, incorporate into or in any way use in creating any Work Product any pre- existing invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, works, or other proprietary right or information owned by Employee or in which Employee has an interest without the Company’s prior written permission. Employee hereby grants the Company a nonexclusive, royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use, sell, copy, and distribute, and to use or exploit in any way and in any medium, whether or not now known or existing, such item as part of or in connection with such Work Product. Employee will not incorporate any invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, intellectual property, or other proprietary information owned by any party other than Employee into any Work Product without the Company’s prior written permission.

 

Section 5.5 Attorney-in-Fact. Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on Employee’s behalf to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright, trademark, and mask work registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee, if the Company is unable because of Employee’s unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Employee’s signature for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright or trademark registrations covering the Work Product owned by the Company pursuant to this Section.

 

ARTICLE VI.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.1 Assignment· Binding Effect: Amendment. This Agreement and the rights of the Parties under it may not be assigned (except by operation of law and except that it may be assigned by the Company to an Affiliated Entity) and shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and assigns. This Agreement, upon execution and delivery, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Parties enforceable in accordance with its terms and may be modified or amended only by a written instrument executed by all Parties hereto.

 

Section 6.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement and expression of the agreement among the Parties hereto with relation to the subject matter of this Agreement, it being understood that there are no oral representations, understandings or agreements covering the same subject matter as this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes, and cannot be varied, contradicted or supplemented by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous discussions, correspondence, or oral or written agreements of any kind.

 

Section 6.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

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Section 6.4 Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and may be given by depositing the same in United States mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, by nationally recognized overnight courier or by delivering the same in person to such Party.

 

(a) If to Employee, addressed to Employee’s last known address of record

 

(b) If to the Company, addressed to it at: Ammo, Inc.

 

Attn: Fred Wagenhals

7681 E. Gray Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

 

Notice shall be deemed given and effective the day personally delivered, the day after being sent by overnight courier, subject to signature verification, and three business days after the deposit in the U.S. mail of a writing addressed as above and sent first class mail, certified, return receipt requested, or when actually received , if earlier. Any Party may change the address for notice by notifying the other Parties of such change in accordance with this Section.

 

Section 6.5 Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Arizona, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Arizona or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Arizona; provided, however, that the following provisions shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act:

 

(a) Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association for employment disputes as then in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that this Agreement to arbitrate includes any and all claims and disputes, including, without limitation, as to arbitrability, with respect to Employee’s employment with the Company or the termination of such employment, including, without limitation, any claim for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status, veteran status, alienage, citizenship, disability or handicap, or any other legally protected status, and any alleged violation of any federal, state, or other governmental law, statute or regulation, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act ofl964, other civil rights statutes including, without limitation, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1982, and 42 U.S.C. § 1985, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or any state or local law, statute or regulation, as such statutes, laws, and regulations are amended. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.

 

Section 6.6 No Waiver. No delay of or omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing to any Party as a result of any breach or default by any other Party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of or in any similar breach or default occurring later; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default occurring before or after that waiver.

 

Section 6.7 Captions. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement or be used to construe or interpret any provision hereof.

 

Section 6.8 Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall, to the extent possible, be modified in such manner as to be valid, legal and enforceable but so as most nearly to retain the intent of the Parties. If such modification is not possible, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement. In either case the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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Section 6.9 Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute shall be deemed to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The word “including” means including, without limitation. The Parties intend that representations, warranties and covenants contained herein shall have independent significance. If any Party has breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) that the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact the Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant.

 

Section 6.10 No Derogatory Statement. The Company shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity or reputation of Employee.

 

Section 6.11 Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold Employee harmless from any liabilities, obligations, claims, penalties, fines or losses resulting from any unauthorized or unlawful acts of the Company which contravene any applicable statute, rule, regulation or order of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.

 

Section 6.12 Headings. The headings used herein are for convenience only and do not limit the contents of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Electronic Signature By: /s/ Fred Wagenhals
  Name: Fred Wagenhals
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
 

EMPLOYEE:

 
     
  Electronic Signature By: /s/ Anthony Tate
  Name: Anthony Tate

 

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Supplemental Information For

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Dated March 23, 2021

 

The following is a list of Exhibits to the above referenced Agreement, not attached herewith. Any omitted information will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

  1. Exhibit “A” Job Duties And Responsibilities

 

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Exhibit 10.9

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into July 1, 2022 (the “Effective Date”) between AMMO, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Tod Wagenhals (“Employee”). Company and Employee are sometimes referred to individually as “Party” and collectively as “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Company is a public company and its securities are quoted in the over-the- counter market under the ticker symbol “POWW”; and

 

B. The Employee has experience in operations and the Company desires to continue his employment to serve as Executive Vice President.

 

C. The Company and Employee desire to embody the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment in a written agreement, which will supersede all prior agreements of employment, whether written or oral, between the Company and Employee, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forthherein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual covenants and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

EMPLOYMENT DUTIES AND TERM

 

Section 1.1 Employment.

 

(a) The Company shall employ Employee as Executive Vice President. In this capacity, Employee shall perform such duties, assume such responsibilities, and devote such time, attention and energy to the business of the Company at such locations as the Company’s officers or Employee’s supervisor shall from time to time require, including but not limited to the job duties set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.

 

(b) Employee shall not, during the term of Employee’s employment hereunder, be engaged in any other activities if such activities materially interfere with Employee’s duties and responsibilities for the Company.

 

(c) Employee shall perform all such duties as instructed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 1.2 Term. The Employment is on at-will basis, terminable by either party at any time for cause or no cause. The term of this Agreement shall commence on July 1, 2022 and shall continue, unless sooner terminated, until three (3.5) years thereafter (December 31, 2025) (the “Initial Term”). The Company, in its discretion, shall have the right to extend this Agreement for up to three (3) additional one (1) year terms (the “Additional Terms,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”) subject to sixty (60) advance written agreement by parties.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

COMPENSATION

 

Section 2.1 Compensation. During the Term of Employment, Company shall pay and Employee shall receive the following compensation:

 

(a) Salary. The Company shall pay Employee the following base salary per year of $230,000 during the Term paid in accordance with Company’s normal payroll practices (“Salary”). Employee shall be eligible for annual increase in Salary of up to 6% per year based upon performance in the discretion of the CEO.

 

(b) Stock Incentive Compensation; Performance Based Stock Grant. Employee Shall earn an aggregate 300,000 shares of restricted stock in the company during the Initial Term (the “Shares”), as follows: 100,000 shares per year attained in April 2023. Stock Compensation vests yearly and shall be issued at the close of Ammo Inc calendar year (the “Shares Delivery Date”). Company and employee agree that Employee may file a Section 83(b) election with the internal Revenue service in a form to be agreed to prior to the Commencement of Employment (the “Shares Grant Date”) and which shall be filed by Employee within thirty (30) days of the Shares Grant Date.

 

Section 2.2 Removed and reserved.

 

Section 2.3 Restricted Stock. The Shares that may be issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement will not be registered and are being issued pursuant to a specific exemption under the Securities Act, as well as under certain state securities laws for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or in reliance on limited federal preemption from such state securities registration laws. The shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement must be held and may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of for value unless such securities are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available, and that the certificates representing the shares of AMMO, Inc. Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement will bear a legend in substantially the following form so restricting the sale of such securities:

 

The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. The securities have been acquired for investment and may not be sold or transferred without complying with Rule 144 in the absence of an effective registration or other compliance under the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.4 Participation in Employee Benefit Plans; Incentive Programs. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans, the Company may establish or adopt for the benefit of employees of the Company.

 

Section 2.5 Time Off. Employee shall be entitled to 3 weeks of paid time off per year, whether because of sickness, vacation or to service Employee’s outside business interest as Employee shall determine (“Time Off”). The timing of vacations shall be scheduled in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Company. Accrued but unused Time Off shall roll over to the next fiscal year and shall not be ‘use it or lose it’ Time Off.

 

Section 2.6 Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee’s reasonable and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Employee which are approved in advance by the Company in the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE Ill.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Section 3.1 Death & Disability of Employee. In the event of the Employee’s death during the Term of Employment, this Agreement shall terminate immediately. If, during the Term, the Employee shall suffer a “Disability” within the meaning of Section 22(e){3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Company may terminate the Employee’s employment. Section 22(e){3) provides, in relevant part: “An individual is permanently and totally disabled if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” In the event the Employee is terminated due to death or Disability, the Employee (or his estate in the event of his death) shall be receive (i) all of Employee’s unpaid Salary and a severance benefit of one (1) months pay, (ii) all reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the date of Employee’s death together with any benefits payable under any life insurance program in which Employee is a participant, if applicable, and (iii) Employee’s estate shall be entitled to any vested or earned Commission, payable at the end the respective fiscal year.

 

Section 3.2 Termination With Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Term for “Cause” upon written notice to Employee, upon which termination shall be effective immediately. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means the following, without limitation:

 

(a) Willful misconduct or willful failure by the Employee to perform his responsibilities to the Company or

 

(b) The conviction for any major felony involving moral turpitude that reflects adversely upon the standing of the Company in the community.

 

Section 3.3 Termination Without Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Term without “Cause” upon 30 days written notice to Employee.

 

Section 3.4 Termination By Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing the Company 30 days’ written notice, with or without “Good Reason.” For purposes hereof, the term “Good Reason” shall exist upon (i) a material diminution in the Employees’ Salary; (ii) a material diminution in the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a material change in geographic location at which the Employee performs services; or (iv) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement. “Good Reason Process” means the following series of actions: (i) the Employee reasonably determines in good faith that Good Reason exists, (ii) the Employee notifies the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation (if applicable) in writing of the existence of Good Reason within 60 days of the occurrence of the event that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason, (iii) the Employee cooperates in good faith with the Company’s (or the acquiring or succeeding corporations, if applicable) efforts to remedy the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason for a period of 30 days following such notice (such 30 day period, the “Cure Period”), (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, Good Reason continues to exist and (v) the Employee terminates his employment within 30 days after the end of the Cure Period. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation successfully remedies the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have existed. In the event the Employee terminates employment under this Agreement for Good Reason, the Employee shall be eligible to receive the severance benefits set forth in Section 3.2 (e).

 

Section 3.5 Termination by the Employee without Good Reason. The Employee may terminate the Employee’s employment with the Company without Good Reason at any time subject to the Employee’s provision of thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company (the “Applicable Notice Period”), provided, however, that the Company may, in its sole discretion, in lieu of all or part of the Applicable Notice Period, pay the Employee an amount equal to the Salary that would otherwise have been payable to the Employee had the Employee remained employed for the duration of the Applicable Notice Period. In such instance, the Employee’s termination will become effective on the date set forth in a written notice of termination to be provided by the Company (the “Early Termination Date”), and the Employee will be paid an amount equal to the base Salary the Employee would have received had the Employee remained employed by the Company between the Early Termination Date and the end of the Applicable Notice Period (the “Early Termination Payment”), with the Early Termination Payment to be made no later than the 30th day following the end of the Applicable Notice Period.

 

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Section 3.6 Compensation upon Termination.

 

(a) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination for Cause or the Employee voluntarily terminates employment with the Company without Good Reason, the Employee shall be entitled to accrued but unpaid Salary, reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the day on which Employee is terminated, and pro-rata Commissions through date of termination.

 

(b) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination without Cause, Employee shall be entitled to compensation, including Base Salary and insurance benefits for a period of six (6) months from the effective date of termination (the “Severance Period”). The Employee’s reimbursable expenses shall be paid within 15 days of Termination. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, Employee will not be entitled to any other compensation upon termination of this Agreement.

 

(c) The salary and fringe benefits to be paid are referred to herein as the “Termination Compensation.” Employee shall not be entitled to any Termination Compensation unless, Employee complies with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that Employee may have signed.

 

(d) If Employee terminates this Agreement by providing appropriate notice, the Company, at its election, Company may (i) require Employee to continue to perform duties hereunder for the full notice period, or (ii) terminate Employee employment at any time during such notice period, provided that any such termination shall not be deemed to be a termination without cause of Employee ‘s employment by the Company. Unless otherwise provided by this Section, all compensation and benefits paid by Company to Employee shall cease upon his last day of employment.

 

Section 3.7 Change in Control. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Employee’s continuous status as an employee of the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or Employee terminates the employment with the Company for Good Reason, in either case upon or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control (“CoC”) as defined below then, subject to Employee’s execution of a standard release of claims in favor of the Company or its successor, (i) Employee shall receive the Salary equivalent to six (6) months pay, (ii) Stock Compensation in Section 2.1 shall accelerate and vest immediately, and (iii) Employee shall be entitled to the pro-rata Commission earned through date of termination resulting from Coe.

 

As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13{d) and 14{d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

(iii) a liquidation of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 4.1 Confidentiality.

 

(a) Employee recognizes and acknowledges that Employee has had and will continue to have access to various trade secrets and/or proprietary information (collectively, the “Confidential Information”) concerning the Company. Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information has been developed solely through the substantial efforts of the Company over a long period of time, and that such Confidential Information is valuable and unique and constitutes a trade secret of the Company.

 

(b) Employee agrees to keep all Confidential Information of the Company in strict confidence and agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information to any other person, firm, association, company, corporation or other entity for any reason except as such disclosure may be required in connection with his employment hereunder. Employee further agrees not to use any Confidential Information for any purpose except on behalf of the Company.

 

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean any information, process or idea that is not generally known in the industry, that the Company considers confidential and/or that gives the Company a competitive advantage, including, without limitation: (i) books and records relating to operation, finance, accounting, sales, personnel and management, (ii) policies and matters relating particularly to operations such as customer service requirements, costs of providing service and equipment, operating costs, and price matters, and (iii) various trade or business secrets, including business opportunities, marketing or business diversification plans, business development and bidding techniques, methods of processes, financial data and the like. If Employee is unsure whether certain information or material is Confidential Information, Employee shall treat that information or material as confidential unless Employee is informed by the Company, in writing, to the contrary. “Confidential Information” shall not include any information which: (i) is or becomes publicly available through no act or failure of Employee; (ii) was or is rightfully learned by Employee from a source other than the Company before being received from the Company; (iii) becomes independently available to Employee as a matter of right from a third Party having lawful right to make such communication; or (iv) is developed by Employee independently of any Confidential Information.

 

(d) Employee further agrees that upon termination of his employment with the Company, for whatever reason, Employee will surrender to the Company all of the property, notes, manuals, reports, documents and other things in Employee’s possession, including copies or computerized records thereof, which relate directly or indirectly to Confidential Information.

 

4.2 Non-Competition. Beginning on the date hereof and through the date that is one (1) years following the Termination Date (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party, in any territory which the Company operates as of the time Employee is no longer employed by, consulting for, serving as a board member of, or no longer otherwise works for, the Company, (i) engage in, market, sell, or provide any products or services which are the same or similar to or otherwise competitive with the products and services sold or provided by the Company or (ii) own, acquire, or control any interest, financial or otherwise, in a third party or business or manage, participate in, consult with, render services for or otherwise, any business, that in each case is engaged in selling or providing the same, similar or otherwise competitive services or products which the Company is selling or providing, other than ownership of one percent or less of the equity of a publicly traded company.

 

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4.3 Non-Solicitation.

 

(a) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) call on, solicit, or service, engage or contract with, or take any action which may interfere with, impair, subvert, disrupt, or alter the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company and any current or prospective customer, supplier, distributor, agent, contractor, developer, service provider, licensor, or licensee or other material business relation of the Company, (2) divert or take away the business or patronage (with respect to products or services of the kind or type developed, produced, marketed, furnished, or sold by the Company) of any of the clients, customers, or accounts, or prospective clients, customers, or accounts, of the Company or (3) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

(b) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) solicit, induce, recruit, or encourage any employees or independent contractors of or consultants to the Company to terminate their relationship with the Company or take away or hire such employees, independent contractors, or consultants or (2) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

Section 4.4 No Derogatory Statements. Employee shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or goodwill of the Company, its competitors or its management.

 

Section 4.5. Remedies. If the provisions of this Article are violated, or threatened to be violated, in whole or in part, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction restraining or enjoining Employee from using or disclosing, in whole or in part, such Confidential Information, without prejudice to any other remedies the Company may have at law or in equity. If Employee violates this Article, Employee agrees that the Company would be irreparably harmed.

 

ARTICLE V.

PROPERTY; INVENTIONS AND PATENTS

 

Section 5.1 Property. Employee agrees that all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos, products, equipment, and all similar or related information and materials (whether patentable or unpatentable) (collectively, “Inventions”) which relate to the Company’s actual or anticipated business, research and development, or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed, or made by Employee or any other employee or person at his direction, advice or assistance (whether during usual business hours and whether alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed (and for the Restricted Period if and to the extent such Inventions result from any work performed for the Company, any use of the Company’s premises or property or any use of the Company’s Confidential Information) by the Company (including those conceived, developed, or made prior to the date of this Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, brands, tradename and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights, and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing (collectively referred to herein as, the “Work Product”), belong in all instances to the Company. Employee will promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Term) to establish and confirm the Company’s ownership of such Work Product (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney, and other instruments) and to provide reasonable assistance to the Company (whether during or after the Term) in connection with the prosecution of any applications for patents, trademarks, brands, trade names, service marks, or reissues thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Work Product. Employee recognizes and agrees that the Work Product, to the extent copyrightable, constitutes works for hire under the copyright laws of the United States and that to the extent Work Product constitutes works for hire, the Work Product is the exclusive property of the Company, and all right, title, and interest in the Work Product vests in the Company. To the extent Work Product is not works for hire, the Work Product, and all of Employee’s right, title, and interest in Work Product, including without limitation every priority right, is hereby assigned to the Company.

 

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Section 5.2 Cooperation. Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, assist and cooperate fully with the Company in obtaining for the Company the grant of letters patent, copyrights, and any other intellectual property rights relating to the Work Product in the United States and/or such other countries as the Company may designate. With respect to Work Product, Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, execute all applications, statements, instruments of transfer, assignment, conveyance or confirmation, or other documents, furnish all such information to the Company and take all such other appropriate lawful actions as the Company requests that are necessary to establish the Company’s ownership of such Work Product. Employee will not assert or make a claim of ownership of any Work Product, and Employee will not file any applications for patents or copyright or trademark registration relating to any Work Product.

 

Section 5.3 No Designation as Inventor; Waiver of Moral Rights. Employee agrees the Company shall not be required to designate Employee as the inventor or author of any Work Product. Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and releases, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all of Employee’s rights to such designation and any rights concerning future modifications to any Work Product. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee hereby waives all claims to moral rights in and to any Work Product.

 

Section 5.4 Pre-Existing and Third-Party Materials. Employee will not, in the course of employment with the Company, incorporate into or in any way use in creating any Work Product any pre- existing invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, works, or other proprietary right or information owned by Employee or in which Employee has an interest without the Company’s prior written permission. Employee hereby grants the Company a nonexclusive, royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use, sell, copy, and distribute, and to use or exploit in any way and in any medium, whether or not now known or existing, such item as part of or in connection with such Work Product. Employee will not incorporate any invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, intellectual property, or other proprietary information owned by any party other than Employee into any Work Product without the Company’s prior written permission.

 

Section 5.5 Attorney-in-Fact. Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on Employee’s behalf to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright, trademark, and mask work registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee, if the Company is unable because of Employee’s unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Employee’s signature for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright or trademark registrations covering the Work Product owned by the Company pursuant to this Section.

 

ARTICLE VI.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.1 Assignment: Binding Effect: Amendment. This Agreement and the rights of the Parties under it may not be assigned (except by operation of law and except that it may be assigned by the Company to an Affiliated Entity) and shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and assigns. This Agreement, upon execution and delivery, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Parties enforceable in accordance with its terms and may be modified or amended only by a written instrument executed by all Parties hereto.

 

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Section 6.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement and expression of the agreement among the Parties hereto with relation to the subject matter of this Agreement, it being understood that there are no oral representations, understandings or agreements covering the same subject matter as this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes, and cannot be varied, contradicted or supplemented by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous discussions, correspondence, or oral or written agreements of any kind.

 

Section 6.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Section 6.4 Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and may be given by depositing the same in United States mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, by nationally recognized overnight courier or by delivering the same in person to such Party.

 

(a) If to Employee, addressed to Employee’s last known address of record

 

(b) If to the Company, addressed to it at:

 

Ammo, Inc.

Attn: Fred Wagenhals

7681 E. Gray Road

Scottsdale, AZ. 85260

 

Notice shall be deemed given and effective the day personally delivered, the day after being sent by overnight courier, subject to signature verification, and three business days after the deposit in the U.S. mail of a writing addressed as above and sent first class mail, certified, return receipt requested, or when actually received, if earlier. Any Party may change the address for notice by notifying the other Parties of such change in accordance with this Section.

 

Section 6.5 Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Arizona, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Arizona or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Arizona; provided, however, that the following provisions shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act:

 

(a) Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association for employment disputes as then in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that this Agreement to arbitrate includes any and all claims and disputes, including, without limitation, as to arbitrability, with respect to Employee’s employment with the Company or the termination of such employment, including, without limitation, any claim for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status, veteran status, alienage, citizenship, disability or handicap, or any other legally protected status, and any alleged violation of any federal, state, or other governmental law, statute or regulation, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, other civil rights statutes including, without limitation, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1982, and 42 U.S.C. § 1985, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or any state or local law, statute or regulation, as such statutes, laws, and regulations are amended. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.

 

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Section 6.6 No Waiver. No delay of or omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing to any Party as a result of any breach or default by any other Party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of or in any similar breach or default occurring later; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default occurring before or after that waiver.

 

Section 6.7 Captions. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement or be used to construe or interpret any provision hereof.

 

Section 6.8 Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall, to the extent possible, be modified in such manner as to be valid, legal and enforceable but so as most nearly to retain the intent of the Parties. If such modification is not possible, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement. In either case the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 6.9 Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute shall be deemed to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The word “including” means including, without limitation. The Parties intend that representations, warranties and covenants contained herein shall have independent significance. If any Party has breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) that the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact the Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant.

 

Section 6.10 No Derogatory Statement. The Company shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity or reputation of Employee.

 

Section 6.11 Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold Employee harmless from any liabilities, obligations, claims, penalties, fines or losses resulting from any unauthorized or unlawful acts of the Company which contravene any applicable statute, rule, regulation or order of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.

 

Section 6.12 Headings. The headings used herein are for convenience only and do not limit the contents of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Electronic Signature By: /s/ Fred Wagenhals
  Name: Fred Wagenhals
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  EMPLOYEE:
     
  Electronic Signature By: /s/ Tod Wagenhals
  Name: Tod Wagenhals

 

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Supplemental Information For

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Dated July 1, 2022

 

The following is a list of Exhibits to the above referenced Agreement, not attached herewith. Any omitted information will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

1.Exhibit “A” Employee Employment Agreement Job Description/Duties & Responsibilities

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into June 27, 2022 (the “Effective Date”) between AMMO, Inc., a Delaware corporation together with its wholly owned subsidiary SpeedLight Group I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together, the “Company”), and Beth Cross (“Employee”). Company and Employee are sometimes referred to individually as “Party” and collectively as “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Company is a public company and its securities are quoted in the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol “POWW”; and

 

B. The Employee and Company previously entered into an employment agreement dated May 21, 2022 (“Prior Agreement”);

 

C.

 

D. The Employee has experience in sales and operations and the Company desires to hire Employee to serve as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of GunBroker.com.

 

E. The Company and Employee desire to embody the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment in a written agreement, which will supersede all prior agreements of employment, whether written or oral, between the Company and Employee, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual covenants and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

EMPLOYMENT DUTIES AND TERM

 

Section 1.1 Employment.

 

(a) The Company shall employ Employee as COO of GunBroker.com. In this capacity, Employee shall perform such duties, assume such responsibilities and devote such time, attention and energy to the business of the Company at such locations as the Company’s officers or Employee’s supervisor shall from time to time require, including but not limited to the job duties set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.

 

(b) Employee shall not, during the term of Employee’s employment hereunder, be engaged in any other activities if such activities materially interfere with Employee’s duties and responsibilities for the Company.

 

(c) Employee shall perform all such duties as instructed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and or his/her direct supervisor as appointed from time to time.

 

Section 1.2 Term. The Employment is on at-will basis, terminable by either party at any time for cause or no cause. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue, unless sooner terminated, until three (3) years thereafter (the “Initial Term”). The Company, in its discretion, shall have the right to extend this Agreement for up to three (3) additional one (1) year terms (the “Additional Terms,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”) subject to sixty (60) advance written agreement by parties.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

COMPENSATION

 

Section 2.1 Compensation. During the Term of Employment, Company shall pay and Employee shall receive the following compensation:

 

(a) Salary. The Company shall pay Employee the following base salary per year beginning on the Effective Date, as follows: $185,000 during year 1 of the Term, $195,000 during year 2 of the Term, and $205,000 during year 3 of the Term, paid in accordance with Company’s normal payroll practices (“Salary”). Employee shall be eligible for annual increase in Salary of up to 6% per year based upon performance in the discretion of the CEO.

 

(b) Stock Incentive Compensation; Performance Based Stock Grant. Employee shall earn an aggregate 225,000 shares of restricted stock in the Company during the Initial Term (the “Shares”) so long as Employee meets certain performance metrics payable as follows: (i) 75,000 shares year (the “Restricted Shares Compensation”). Restricted Share Compensation are earned quarterly, issuable in accordance with the Company’s regular issuance practices at close of each respective quarter end (the “Shares Delivery Date”). Company and Employee agree that Employee may file a Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service in a form to be agreed to prior to the Commencement of Employment (the “Shares Grant Date”) and which shall be filed by Employee within thirty (30) days of the Shares Grant Date.

 

(c) Performance Bonus. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive performance based bonus compensation which shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from time to time.

 

Section 2.2 Removed and reserved.

 

Section 2.3 Restricted Stock. The Shares that may be issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement will not be registered and are being issued pursuant to a specific exemption under the Securities Act, as well as under certain state securities laws for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or in reliance on limited federal preemption from such state securities registration laws. The shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement must be held and may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of for value unless such securities are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available, and that the certificates representing the shares of AMMO, Inc. Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement will bear a legend in substantially the following form so restricting the sale of such securities:

 

The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. The securities have been acquired for investment and may not be sold or transferred without complying with Rule 144 in the absence of an effective registration or other compliance under the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.4 Participation in Employee Benefit Plans; Incentive Programs. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans, the Company may establish or adopt for the benefit of employees of the Company. During the Term the Company shall provide Employee with health and medical insurance benefits with 100% of monthly premiums paid for by Company for the Employee and his/her immediate family.

 

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Section 2.5 Time Off. Employee shall be entitled to 3 weeks of paid time off per year, whether because of sickness, vacation or to service Employee’s outside business interest as Employee shall determine (“Time Off”). The timing of vacations shall be scheduled in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Company. Accrued but unused Time Off shall roll over to the next fiscal year and shall not be ‘use it or lose it’ Time Off.

 

Section 2.6 Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee’s reasonable and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Employee which are approved in advance by the Company in the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Section 3.1 Death & Disability of Employee. In the event of the Employee’s death during the Term of Employment, this Agreement shall terminate immediately. If, during the Term, the Employee shall suffer a “Disability” within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Company may terminate the Employee’s employment. Section 22(e)(3) provides, in relevant part: “An individual is permanently and totally disabled if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” In the event the Employee is terminated due to death or Disability, the Employee (or his estate in the event of his death) shall be receive (i) all of Employee’s unpaid Salary and a severance benefit of one (1) month’s pay, (ii) all reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the date of Employee’s death together with any benefits payable under any life insurance program in which Employee is a participant, if applicable, and (iii) Employee’s estate shall be entitled to any vested or earned Commission, payable at the end the respective fiscal year.

 

Section 3.2 Termination With Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Term for “Cause” upon written notice to Employee, upon which termination shall be effective immediately. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means the following, without limitation:

 

  (a) Willful misconduct or willful failure by the Employee to perform his responsibilities to the Company or
  (b) The conviction for any major felony involving moral turpitude that reflects adversely upon the standing of the Company in the community.

 

Section 3.3 Termination Without Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Term without “Cause” upon 15 days written notice to Employee.

 

Section 3.4 Termination By Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing the Company 30 days’ written notice, with or without “Good Reason.” For purposes hereof, the term “Good Reason” shall exist upon (i) a material diminution in the Employees’ Salary; (ii) a material diminution in the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a material change in geographic location at which the Employee performs services; or (iv) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement. “Good Reason Process” means the following series of actions: (i) the Employee reasonably determines in good faith that Good Reason exists, (ii) the Employee notifies the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation (if applicable) in writing of the existence of Good Reason within 60 days of the occurrence of the event that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason, (iii) the Employee cooperates in good faith with the Company’s (or the acquiring or succeeding corporations, if applicable) efforts to remedy the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason for a period of 30 days following such notice (such 30 day period, the “Cure Period”), (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, Good Reason continues to exist and (v) the Employee terminates his employment within 30 days after the end of the Cure Period. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation successfully remedies the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have existed. In the event the Employee terminates employment under this Agreement for Good Reason, the Employee shall be eligible to receive the severance benefits set forth in Section 3.6

 

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Section 3.5 Termination by the Employee without Good Reason. The Employee may terminate the Employee’s employment with the Company without Good Reason at any time subject to the Employee’s provision of thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company (the “Applicable Notice Period”), provided, however, that the Company may, in its sole discretion, in lieu of all or part of the Applicable Notice Period, pay the Employee an amount equal to the Salary that would otherwise have been payable to the Employee had the Employee remained employed for the duration of the Applicable Notice Period. In such instance, the Employee’s termination will become effective on the date set forth in a written notice of termination to be provided by the Company (the “Early Termination Date”), and the Employee will be paid an amount equal to the base Salary the Employee would have received had the Employee remained employed by the Company between the Early Termination Date and the end of the Applicable Notice Period (the “Early Termination Payment”), with the Early Termination Payment to be made no later than the 30th day following the end of the Applicable Notice Period.

 

Section 3.6 Compensation upon Termination.

 

(a) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination for Cause or the Employee voluntarily terminates employment with the Company without Good Reason, the Employee shall be entitled to accrued but unpaid Salary, reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the day on which Employee is terminated, and pro-rata Commissions through date of termination.

 

(b) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination without Cause or Employee terminates the employment hereunder for Good Reason, Employee shall be entitled to compensation, including Base Salary and insurance benefits for a period of one (1) month from the effective date of termination (the “Severance Period”), and Restricted Shares Compensation earned through date of termination. The Employee’s reimbursable expenses shall be paid within 15 days of Termination. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, Employee will not be entitled to any other compensation upon termination of this Agreement.

 

(c) The salary and fringe benefits to be paid are referred to herein as the “Termination Compensation.” Employee shall not be entitled to any Termination Compensation unless, Employee complies with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that Employee may have signed and Employee’s execution of a standard release of claims in favor of the Company or its successor.

 

(d) If Employee terminates this Agreement by providing appropriate notice, the Company, at its election, Company may (i) require Employee to continue to perform duties hereunder for the full notice period, or (ii) terminate Employee employment at any time during such notice period, provided that any such termination shall not be deemed to be a termination without cause of Employee’s employment by the Company. Unless otherwise provided by this Section, all compensation and benefits paid by Company to Employee shall cease upon his last day of employment.

 

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Section 3.7 Change in Control. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Employee’s continuous status as an employee of the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or Employee terminates the employment with the Company for Good Reason, in either case upon or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control (“CoC”) as defined below then, subject to Employee’s execution of a standard release of claims in favor of the Company or its successor, (i) Employee shall receive the Salary for the duration of the Term, (ii) 100% of any remaining unvested Restricted Shares Compensation shall immediately become vested and issuable, (iii) Employee shall be entitled to the Bonus for the duration of the Term, if applicable, and (iv) Employee shall be released from any restriction on Non-Competition as set forth in Section 4.2 herein.

 

As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) a liquidation of the Company; and specifically excluding any spin-off or reorganization of the Company.

 

ARTICLE IV.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 4.1 Confidentiality.

 

(a) Employee recognizes and acknowledges that Employee has had and will continue to have access to various trade secrets and/or proprietary information (collectively, the “Confidential Information”) concerning the Company. Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information has been developed solely through the substantial efforts of the Company over a long period of time, and that such Confidential Information is valuable and unique and constitutes a trade secret of the Company.

 

(b) Employee agrees to keep all Confidential Information of the Company in strict confidence and agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information to any other person, firm, association, company, corporation or other entity for any reason except as such disclosure may be required in connection with his employment hereunder. Employee further agrees not to use any Confidential Information for any purpose except on behalf of the Company.

 

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean any information, process or idea that is not generally known in the industry, that the Company considers confidential and/or that gives the Company a competitive advantage, including, without limitation: (i) books and records relating to operation, finance, accounting, sales, personnel and management, (ii) policies and matters relating particularly to operations such as customer service requirements, costs of providing service and equipment, operating costs, and price matters, and (iii) various trade or business secrets, including business opportunities, marketing or business diversification plans, business development and bidding techniques, methods of processes, financial data and the like. If Employee is unsure whether certain information or material is Confidential Information, Employee shall treat that information or material as confidential unless Employee is informed by the Company, in writing, to the contrary. “Confidential Information” shall not include any information which: (i) is or becomes publicly available through no act or failure of Employee; (ii) was or is rightfully learned by Employee from a source other than the Company before being received from the Company; (iii) becomes independently available to Employee as a matter of right from a third Party having lawful right to make such communication; or (iv) is developed by Employee independently of any Confidential Information.

 

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(d) Employee further agrees that upon termination of his employment with the Company, for whatever reason, Employee will surrender to the Company all of the property, notes, manuals, reports, documents and other things in Employee’s possession, including copies or computerized records thereof, which relate directly or indirectly to Confidential Information.

 

4.2 Non-Competition. Beginning on the date hereof and through the date that is six (6) months following the Termination Date (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party, in any territory which the Company operates as of the time Employee is no longer employed by, consulting for, serving as a board member of, or no longer otherwise works for, the Company, (i) engage in, market, sell, or provide any products or services which are the same or similar to or otherwise competitive with the products and services sold or provided by the Company or (ii) own, acquire, or control any interest, financial or otherwise, in a third party or business or manage, participate in, consult with, render services for or otherwise, any business, that in each case is engaged in selling or providing the same, similar or otherwise competitive services or products which the Company is selling or providing, other than ownership of one percent or less of the equity of a publicly traded company. Upon a Change in Control in which Employee continues employment under this Agreement, the Restricted Period shall be reduced to five (5) business days.

 

4.3 Non-Solicitation.

 

(a) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) call on, solicit, or service, engage or contract with, or take any action which may interfere with, impair, subvert, disrupt, or alter the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company and any current or prospective customer, supplier, distributor, agent, contractor, developer, service provider, licensor, or licensee or other material business relation of the Company, (2) divert or take away the business or patronage (with respect to products or services of the kind or type developed, produced, marketed, furnished, or sold by the Company) of any of the clients, customers, or accounts, or prospective clients, customers, or accounts, of the Company or (3) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

(b) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) solicit, induce, recruit, or encourage any employees or independent contractors of or consultants to the Company to terminate their relationship with the Company or take away or hire such employees, independent contractors, or consultants or (2) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

Section 4.4 No Derogatory Statements. Employee shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or goodwill of the Company, its competitors or its management.

 

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Section 4.5. Remedies. If the provisions of this Article are violated, or threatened to be violated, in whole or in part, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction restraining or enjoining Employee from using or disclosing, in whole or in part, such Confidential Information, without prejudice to any other remedies the Company may have at law or in equity. If Employee violates this Article, Employee agrees that the Company would be irreparably harmed.

 

ARTICLE V.

PROPERTY; INVENTIONS AND PATENTS

 

Section 5.1 Property. Employee agrees that all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos, products, equipment, and all similar or related information and materials (whether patentable or unpatentable) (collectively, “Inventions”) which relate to the Company’s actual or anticipated business, research and development, or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed, or made by Employee or any other employee or person at his direction, advice or assistance (whether during usual business hours and whether alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed (and for the Restricted Period if and to the extent such Inventions result from any work performed for the Company, any use of the Company’s premises or property or any use of the Company’s Confidential Information) by the Company (including those conceived, developed, or made prior to the date of this Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, brands, tradename and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights, and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing (collectively referred to herein as, the “Work Product”), belong in all instances to the Company. Employee will promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Term) to establish and confirm the Company’s ownership of such Work Product (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney, and other instruments) and to provide reasonable assistance to the Company (whether during or after the Term) in connection with the prosecution of any applications for patents, trademarks, brands, trade names, service marks, or reissues thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Work Product. Employee recognizes and agrees that the Work Product, to the extent copyrightable, constitutes works for hire under the copyright laws of the United States and that to the extent Work Product constitutes works for hire, the Work Product is the exclusive property of the Company, and all right, title, and interest in the Work Product vests in the Company. To the extent Work Product is not works for hire, the Work Product, and all of Employee’s right, title, and interest in Work Product, including without limitation every priority right, is hereby assigned to the Company.

 

Section 5.2 Cooperation. Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, assist and cooperate fully with the Company in obtaining for the Company the grant of letters patent, copyrights, and any other intellectual property rights relating to the Work Product in the United States and/or such other countries as the Company may designate. With respect to Work Product, Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, execute all applications, statements, instruments of transfer, assignment, conveyance or confirmation, or other documents, furnish all such information to the Company and take all such other appropriate lawful actions as the Company requests that are necessary to establish the Company’s ownership of such Work Product. Employee will not assert or make a claim of ownership of any Work Product, and Employee will not file any applications for patents or copyright or trademark registration relating to any Work Product.

 

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Section 5.3 No Designation as Inventor; Waiver of Moral Rights. Employee agrees the Company shall not be required to designate Employee as the inventor or author of any Work Product. Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and releases, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all of Employee’s rights to such designation and any rights concerning future modifications to any Work Product. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee hereby waives all claims to moral rights in and to any Work Product.

 

Section 5.4 Pre-Existing and Third-Party Materials. Employee will not, in the course of employment with the Company, incorporate into or in any way use in creating any Work Product any pre-existing invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, works, or other proprietary right or information owned by Employee or in which Employee has an interest without the Company’s prior written permission. Employee hereby grants the Company a nonexclusive, royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use, sell, copy, and distribute, and to use or exploit in any way and in any medium, whether or not now known or existing, such item as part of or in connection with such Work Product. Employee will not incorporate any invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, intellectual property, or other proprietary information owned by any party other than Employee into any Work Product without the Company’s prior written permission.

 

Section 5.5 Attorney-in-Fact. Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on Employee’s behalf to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright, trademark, and mask work registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee, if the Company is unable because of Employee’s unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Employee’s signature for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright or trademark registrations covering the Work Product owned by the Company pursuant to this Section.

 

ARTICLE VI.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.1 Assignment; Binding Effect; Amendment. This Agreement and the rights of the Parties under it may not be assigned (except by operation of law and except that it may be assigned by the Company to an Affiliated Entity) and shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and assigns. This Agreement, upon execution and delivery, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Parties enforceable in accordance with its terms and may be modified or amended only by a written instrument executed by all Parties hereto.

 

Section 6.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement and expression of the agreement among the Parties hereto with relation to the subject matter of this Agreement, it being understood that there are no oral representations, understandings or agreements covering the same subject matter as this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes, and cannot be varied, contradicted or supplemented by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous discussions, correspondence, or oral or written agreements of any kind.

 

Section 6.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

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Section 6.4 Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and may be given by depositing the same in United States mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, by nationally recognized overnight courier or by delivering the same in person to such Party.

 

(a) If to Employee, addressed to Employee’s last known address of record

 

(b) If to the Company, addressed to it at:

 

Ammo, Inc.

Attn: Fred Wagenhals

7681 E. Gray Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

 

Notice shall be deemed given and effective the day personally delivered, the day after being sent by overnight courier, subject to signature verification, and three business days after the deposit in the U.S. mail of a writing addressed as above and sent first class mail, certified, return receipt requested, or when actually received , if earlier. Any Party may change the address for notice by notifying the other Parties of such change in accordance with this Section.

 

Section 6.5 Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Arizona, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Arizona or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Arizona; provided, however, that the following provisions shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act:

 

(a) Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association for employment disputes as then in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that this Agreement to arbitrate includes any and all claims and disputes, including, without limitation, as to arbitrability, with respect to Employee’s employment with the Company or the termination of such employment, including, without limitation, any claim for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status, veteran status, alienage, citizenship, disability or handicap, or any other legally protected status, and any alleged violation of any federal, state, or other governmental law, statute or regulation, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, other civil rights statutes including, without limitation, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1982, and 42 U.S.C. § 1985, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or any state or local law, statute or regulation, as such statutes, laws, and regulations are amended. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.

 

Section 6.6 No Waiver. No delay of or omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing to any Party as a result of any breach or default by any other Party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of or in any similar breach or default occurring later; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default occurring before or after that waiver.

 

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Section 6.7 Captions. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement or be used to construe or interpret any provision hereof.

 

Section 6.8 Severability. In case any prov1s1on of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall, to the extent possible, be modified in such manner as to be valid, legal and enforceable but so as most nearly to retain the intent of the Parties. If such modification is not possible, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement. In either case the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 6.9 Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute shall be deemed to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The word “including” means including, without limitation. The Parties intend that representations, warranties and covenants contained herein shall have independent significance. If any Party has breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) that the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact the Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant.

 

Section 6.10 No Derogatory Statement. The Company shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity or reputation of Employee.

 

Section 6.11 Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold Employee harmless from any liabilities, obligations, claims, penalties, fines or losses resulting from any unauthorized or unlawful acts of the Company which contravene any applicable statute, rule, regulation or order of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.

 

Section 6.12 Headings. The headings used herein are for convenience only and do not limit the contents of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

  AMMO, INC.
   
  /s/ Fred Wagenhals
  By: Fred Wagenhals
  Its: Chief Executive Officer
     
  EMPLOYEE:
   
  /s/ Beth Cross
  By: Beth Cross

 

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Supplemental Information For

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Dated July 27, 2022

 

The following is a list of Exhibits to the above referenced Agreement, not attached herewith. Any omitted information will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

1.Exhibit “A” Job Duties And Responsibilities

 

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Exhibit 10.11

 

 

January 8, 2024

 

Dear Paul Kasowski:

 

After taking several qualified candidates through our interview process, we feel that you would make an excellent addition to the team. I am pleased to extend to you this official offer of employment for an Executive Vice President position as Chief Compliance & Transformation Officer at AMMO, Inc.

(“AMMO” or the “Company”).

 

Your employment will be subject to an introductory period of ninety (90) days, during which time you and your supervisor will assess your performance and the appropriateness of your employment with our company. All employment at AMMO is considered “at-will,” meaning either the employer or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any lawful reason. The terms of this offer letter, therefore, do not and are not intended to create either an express and/or implied contract of employment with AMMO.

 

Our objective is for you to start on January 15th, 2024. You will report to Jared Smith, CEO. Your compensation and benefits package will include the following:

 

  Annual base rate of $275,000.00 as an FLSA exempt (e.g. salaried) employee.
  A 90-day review of performance followed by annual reviews thereafter.
  Employee will be entered into the new Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Stock program upon approval of the program by the Board of Directors. This will consist of 50% Restricted Stock and 50% Stock Options. Employee will receive the following stock incentive - For each quarter Employee works, Employee will earn 15,000 shares of restricted common stock in the Company (the “Shares”). To be entitled to the Shares, the Employee must work the entire quarter excluding the first quarter worked. The first 15,000 Shares will be issued to Employee on April 1st, 2024, and continue until such time the new LTI program is approved and in place.
  Eligible for an annual bonus of up to 50% of employee base salary ($137,500) dependent on achieving company and personal goals set forth upon employment with the company.
  Eligible for 1-year severance after completing 90-day performance review successfully. Details are to be outlined in the Severance Agreement document.
  Medical, Supplemental Medical, Accident, Critical Illness Composite, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Voluntary Life, STD and LTD per the company plan (eligible first of the month following thirty days from date of hire).
  Eligible for the Company 401(k) plan on the first of the month following active employment (3% employer match after 60 days; vesting of matching funds after 1 year).
  160 hours of PTO. Accrued but unused Time Off shall roll over to the next fiscal year and shall not be “use it or lose it” Time Off
  Paid holidays provided per Company policy.

 

 
 

 

This offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. While we do not anticipate any concerns with this process, should any findings not meet standards for employment, continuation of your employment will be jeopardized at that time.

 

On your first day, you will be required to present documents proving your identity and authorization to work in the United States, in order to complete Form I-9. This is a requirement of the Department of Homeland Security.

 

Additionally, upon your acceptance and completion of hiring paperwork, you will be provided with the Company’s Employee Handbook. This document will provide further information regarding the Company’s policies, procedures, and benefits.

 

By signing this letter below, you acknowledge receipt and acceptance of our offer. The terms described in this letter replace all prior agreements and/or discussions pertaining to your offer of employment with AMMO.

 

We look forward to having you as part of the team. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Schreiner

VP of Human Resource

AMMO, Incorporated

 

Acknowledged and Accepted:

 

/s/ Paul J Kasowski    

1/9/2024

Paul J Kasowski  

Date

 

***WE ARE AN AT-WILL, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER***

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into January 20, 2022 (the “Effective Date”) between Enlight Group II, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ammo, Inc., (the “Company”), and James Patrick Mann (“Employee”). Company and Employee are sometimes referred to individually as “Party” and collectively as “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ammo, Inc., a public company and its securities are quoted in the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol “POWW”; and

 

B. The Employee has experience in management and ammunition brass casing and components and has worked for the Company in the past; the Company desires to reflect terms of Employee’s employment as Vice President of Operations.

 

C. The Company and Employee desire to embody the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment in a written agreement, which will supersede all prior agreements of employment, including specifically that certain employment agreement dated March 15, 2019 (“Prior Contract”), whether written or oral, between the Company and Employee, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual covenants and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

EMPLOYMENT DUTIES AND TERM

 

Section 1.1 Employment.

 

(a) The Company shall employ Employee as Vice President of Operations In this capacity, Employee shall perform such duties, assume such responsibilities, and devote such time, attention and energy to the business of the Company at such locations as the Company’s officers or Employee’s supervisor shall from time to time require, including but not limited to the job duties set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.

 

(b) Employee shall not, during the term of Employee’s employment hereunder, be engaged in any other activities if such activities materially interfere with Employee’s duties and responsibilities for the Company.

 

(c) Employee shall perform all such duties as instructed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 1.2 Term. The Employment is on at-will basis, terminable by either party at any time for cause or no cause. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue, unless sooner terminated, until three (3) years thereafter (the “Initial Term”). The Company, in its discretion, shall have the right to extend this Agreement for up to three (3) additional one (1) year terms (the “Additional Terms,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”) subject to sixty (60) advance written agreement by parties.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE II.

COMPENSATION

 

Section 2.1 Compensation. During the Term of Employment, Company shall pay and Employee shall receive the following compensation:

 

(a) Salary. The Company shall pay Employee $170,000 in 2022, $180,000 in 2023, $190,000 in 2024/ base salary during the Term paid in accordance with Company’s normal payroll practices (“Salary”).

 

(b) Stock Incentive Compensation; Performance Based Stock Grant. Employee shall earn an aggregate 250,000 shares of restricted stock of Ammo Inc. during the Initial Term (the “Shares”), as follows: calendar year 2022- 70,000 shares per year (or 17,500 shares per quarter beginning quarter ended March 31, 2022); calendar year 2023- 80,000 shares per year (or 20,000 shares per quarter), calendar year 2024 - 100,000 shares per year (or 25,000 shares per quarter) (the “Restricted Shares Compensation”). Restricted Shares Compensation vests pro-rata quarterly and shall be issued at the close of each quarter during the year (the “Shares Delivery Date”). For the avoidance of doubt, Employee shall receive 33,000 shares on or about March 15, 2022 for prior year service pursuant to the Prior Contract.

 

(c) Annual Cash Bonus. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus, on terms and conditions as determined by the CEO and/or Compensation Committee in its (their) sole and absolute discretion, taking into account the Company’s and Employee’s individual performance.

 

Section 2.2 Removed and reserved.

 

Section 2.3 Restricted Stock. The Shares that may be issued by the Company or Ammo Inc. pursuant to this Agreement will not be registered and are being issued pursuant to a specific exemption under the Securities Act, as well as under certain state securities laws for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or in reliance on limited federal preemption from such state securities registration laws. The shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement must be held and may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of for value unless such securities are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available, and that the certificates representing the shares of AMMO, Inc. Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement will bear a legend in substantially the following form so restricting the sale of such securities:

 

The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. The securities have been acquired for investment and may not be sold or transferred without complying with Rule 144 in the absence of an effective registration or other compliance under the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.4 Participation in Employee Benefit Plans; Incentive Programs. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans, the Company may establish or adopt for the benefit of employees of the Company.

 

Section 2.5 Time Off. Employee shall be entitled to 180 hours of paid time off per year that is credited at beginning of each year (increasing by 4 hours per year in accordance with normal Company practices), whether because of sickness, vacation or as Employee shall determine (“Time Off”). The timing of vacations shall be scheduled in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Company. Accrued but unused Time Off shall not roll over to the next calendar year and is paid to Employee at or around close of the calendar year.

 

Section 2.6 Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee’s reasonable and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Employee which are approved in advance by the Company in the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE III.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Section 3.1 Death & Disability of Employee. In the event of the Employee’s death during the Term of Employment, this Agreement shall terminate immediately. If, during the Term, the Employee shall suffer a “Disability” within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Company may terminate the Employee’s employment. Section 22(e)(3) provides, in relevant part: “An individual is permanently and totally disabled if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” In the event the Employee is terminated due to death or Disability, the Employee (or his estate in the event of his death) shall be receive (i) all of Employee’s unpaid Salary and a severance benefit of three (3) months pay, (ii) all reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the date of Employee’s death together with any benefits payable under any life insurance program in which Employee is a participant, if applicable, and (iii) Employee’s estate shall be entitled to any vested or earned Shares or Bonus, payable.

 

Section 3.2 Termination With Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Term for “Cause” upon written notice to Employee, upon which termination shall be effective immediately. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means the following, without limitation:

 

(a)Willful misconduct or willful failure by the Employee to perform his responsibilities to the Company.
(b)The conviction for any major felony involving moral turpitude that reflects adversely upon the standing of the Company in the community.
(c)Breach of fiduciary duties.
(d)Employee becomes a Prohibited Person as defined by the Gun Control Act or other applicable state or federal law the Company must comply with in the ordinary course of business.

 

Section 3.3 Termination Without Cause By Company. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Term without “Cause” upon 30 days written notice to Employee.

 

Section 3.4 Termination By Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing the Company 30 days’ written notice, with or without “Good Reason.” For purposes hereof, the term “Good Reason” shall exist upon (i) a material diminution in the Employees’ Salary; (ii) a material diminution in the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a material change in geographic location at which the Employee performs services; or (iv) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement. “Good Reason Process” means the following series of actions: (i) the Employee reasonably determines in good faith that Good Reason exists, (ii) the Employee notifies the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation (if applicable) in writing of the existence of Good Reason within 60 days of the occurrence of the event that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason, (iii) the Employee cooperates in good faith with the Company’s (or the acquiring or succeeding corporations, if applicable) efforts to remedy the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason for a period of 30 days following such notice (such 30 day period, the “Cure Period”), (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, Good Reason continues to exist and (v) the Employee terminates his employment within 30 days after the end of the Cure Period. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation successfully remedies the conditions that gave rise to the existence of Good Reason during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have existed. In the event the Employee terminates employment under this Agreement for Good Reason, the Employee shall be eligible to receive the severance benefits set forth in Section 3.6.

 

Section 3.5 Termination by the Employee without Good Reason. The Employee may terminate the Employee’s employment with the Company without Good Reason at any time subject to the Employee’s provision of thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company (the “Applicable Notice Period”), provided, however, that the Company may, in its sole discretion, in lieu of all or part of the Applicable Notice Period, pay the Employee an amount equal to the Salary that would otherwise have been payable to the Employee had the Employee remained employed for the duration of the Applicable Notice Period. In such instance, the Employee’s termination will become effective on the date set forth in a written notice of termination to be provided by the Company (the “Early Termination Date”), and the Employee will be paid an amount equal to the base Salary the Employee would have received had the Employee remained employed by the Company between the Early Termination Date and the end of the Applicable Notice Period (the “Early Termination Payment”), with the Early Termination Payment to be made no later than the 30th day following the end of the Applicable Notice Period.

 

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Section 3.6 Compensation upon Termination.

 

(a) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination for Cause or the Employee voluntarily terminates employment with the Company without Good Reason, the Employee shall be entitled to accrued but unpaid Salary, reimbursable expenses and benefits owing to Employee through the day on which Employee is terminated, and pro-rata Commissions, Bonus, Shares through date of termination.

 

(b) In the event that the Company terminates the Employee’s employment hereunder due to a Termination without Cause, Employee shall be entitled to compensation, including Base Salary and insurance benefits for a period of three (3) months from the effective date of termination (the “Severance Period”), and Commissions/Shares/Bonus earned through date of termination, if any. The Employee’s reimbursable expenses shall be paid within 15 days of Termination. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, Employee will not be entitled to any other compensation upon termination of this Agreement.

 

(c) The salary and fringe benefits to be paid are referred to herein as the “Termination Compensation.” Employee shall not be entitled to any Termination Compensation unless, Employee complies with all surviving provisions of any confidentiality agreement that Employee may have signed.

 

(d) If Employee terminates this Agreement by providing appropriate notice, the Company, at its election, Company may (i) require Employee to continue to perform duties hereunder for the full notice period, or (ii) terminate Employee employment at any time during such notice period, provided that any such termination shall not be deemed to be a termination without cause of Employee ‘s employment by the Company. Unless otherwise provided by this Section, all compensation and benefits paid by Company to Employee shall cease upon his last day of employment.

 

Section 3.7 Change in Control. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Employee’s continuous status as an employee of the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or Employee terminates the employment with the Company for Good Reason, in either case upon or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control (“CoC”) as defined below then, subject to Employee’s execution of a standard release of claims in favor of the Company or its successor, (i) Employee shall receive the Salary equivalent to one (1) month pay, (ii) Stock Compensation in Section 2.1 shall accelerate and vest immediately.

 

As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) a liquidation of the Company.

 

ARTICLE IV.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 4.1 Confidentiality.

 

(a) Employee recognizes and acknowledges that Employee has had and will continue to have access to various trade secrets and/or proprietary information (collectively, the “Confidential Information”) concerning the Company. Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information has been developed solely through the substantial efforts of the Company over a long period of time, and that such Confidential Information is valuable and unique and constitutes a trade secret of the Company.

 

(b) Employee agrees to keep all Confidential Information of the Company in strict confidence and agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information to any other person, firm, association, company, corporation or other entity for any reason except as such disclosure may be required in connection with his employment hereunder. Employee further agrees not to use any Confidential Information for any purpose except on behalf of the Company.

 

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(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean any information, process or idea that is not generally known in the industry, that the Company considers confidential and/or that gives the Company a competitive advantage, including, without limitation: (i) books and records relating to operation, finance, accounting, sales, personnel and management, (ii) policies and matters relating particularly to operations such as customer service requirements, costs of providing service and equipment, operating costs, and price matters, and (iii) various trade or business secrets, including business opportunities, marketing or business diversification plans, business development and bidding techniques, methods of processes, financial data and the like. If Employee is unsure whether certain information or material is Confidential Information, Employee shall treat that information or material as confidential unless Employee is informed by the Company, in writing, to the contrary. “Confidential Information” shall not include any information which: (i) is or becomes publicly available through no act or failure of Employee; (ii) was or is rightfully learned by Employee from a source other than the Company before being received from the Company; (iii) becomes independently available to Employee as a matter of right from a third Party having lawful right to make such communication; or (iv) is developed by Employee independently of any Confidential Information.

 

(d) Employee further agrees that upon termination of his employment with the Company, for whatever reason, Employee will surrender to the Company all of the property, notes, manuals, reports, documents and other things in Employee’s possession, including copies or computerized records thereof, which relate directly or indirectly to Confidential Information.

 

4.2 Non-Competition. Beginning on the date hereof and through the date that is one (1) year following the Termination Date (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party, in any territory which the Company operates as of the time Employee is no longer employed by, consulting for, serving as a board member of, or no longer otherwise works for, the Company, (i) engage in, market, sell, or provide any products or services which are the same or similar to or otherwise competitive with the products and services sold or provided by the Company or (ii) own, acquire, or control any interest, financial or otherwise, in a third party or business or manage, participate in, consult with, render services for or otherwise, any business, that in each case is engaged in selling or providing the same, similar or otherwise competitive services or products which the Company is selling or providing, other than ownership of one percent or less of the equity of a publicly traded company.

 

4.3 Non-Solicitation.

 

(a) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) call on, solicit, or service, engage or contract with, or take any action which may interfere with, impair, subvert, disrupt, or alter the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company and any current or prospective customer, supplier, distributor, agent, contractor, developer, service provider, licensor, or licensee or other material business relation of the Company, (2) divert or take away the business or patronage (with respect to products or services of the kind or type developed, produced, marketed, furnished, or sold by the Company) of any of the clients, customers, or accounts, or prospective clients, customers, or accounts, of the Company or (3) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

(b) During the Restricted Period, Employee will not, and will cause his or her affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, through or in association with any third party (1) solicit, induce, recruit, or encourage any employees or independent contractors of or consultants to the Company to terminate their relationship with the Company or take away or hire such employees, independent contractors, or consultants or (2) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for Employee’s own purposes or for any other third party.

 

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Section 4.4 No Derogatory Statements. Employee shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or goodwill of the Company, its competitors or its management.

 

Section 4.5. Remedies. If the provisions of this Article are violated, or threatened to be violated, in whole or in part, the Company shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction restraining or enjoining Employee from using or disclosing, in whole or in part, such Confidential Information, without prejudice to any other remedies the Company may have at law or in equity. If Employee violates this Article, Employee agrees that the Company would be irreparably harmed.

 

ARTICLE V.

PROPERTY; INVENTIONS AND PATENTS

 

Section 5.1 Property. Employee agrees that all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos, products, equipment, and all similar or related information and materials (whether patentable or unpatentable) (collectively, “Inventions”) which relate to the Company’s actual or anticipated business, research and development, or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed, or made by Employee or any other employee or person at his direction, advice or assistance (whether during usual business hours and whether alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed (and for the Restricted Period if and to the extent such Inventions result from any work performed for the Company, any use of the Company’s premises or property or any use of the Company’s Confidential Information) by the Company (including those conceived, developed, or made prior to the date of this Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, brands, tradename and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights, and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing (collectively referred to herein as, the “Work Product”), belong in all instances to the Company. Employee will promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Term) to establish and confirm the Company’s ownership of such Work Product (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney, and other instruments) and to provide reasonable assistance to the Company (whether during or after the Term) in connection with the prosecution of any applications for patents, trademarks, brands, trade names, service marks, or reissues thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Work Product. Employee recognizes and agrees that the Work Product, to the extent copyrightable, constitutes works for hire under the copyright laws of the United States and that to the extent Work Product constitutes works for hire, the Work Product is the exclusive property of the Company, and all right, title, and interest in the Work Product vests in the Company. To the extent Work Product is not works for hire, the Work Product, and all of Employee’s right, title, and interest in Work Product, including without limitation every priority right, is hereby assigned to the Company.

 

Section 5.2 Cooperation. Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, assist and cooperate fully with the Company in obtaining for the Company the grant of letters patent, copyrights, and any other intellectual property rights relating to the Work Product in the United States and/or such other countries as the Company may designate. With respect to Work Product, Employee shall, during the Term and at any time thereafter, execute all applications, statements, instruments of transfer, assignment, conveyance or confirmation, or other documents, furnish all such information to the Company and take all such other appropriate lawful actions as the Company requests that are necessary to establish the Company’s ownership of such Work Product. Employee will not assert or make a claim of ownership of any Work Product, and Employee will not file any applications for patents or copyright or trademark registration relating to any Work Product.

 

Section 5.3 No Designation as Inventor; Waiver of Moral Rights. Employee agrees the Company shall not be required to designate Employee as the inventor or author of any Work Product. Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and releases, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all of Employee’s rights to such designation and any rights concerning future modifications to any Work Product. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee hereby waives all claims to moral rights in and to any Work Product.

 

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Section 5.4 Pre-Existing and Third-Party Materials. Employee will not, in the course of employment with the Company, incorporate into or in any way use in creating any Work Product any pre-existing invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, works, or other proprietary right or information owned by Employee or in which Employee has an interest without the Company’s prior written permission. Employee hereby grants the Company a nonexclusive, royalty-free, fully-paid, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use, sell, copy, and distribute, and to use or exploit in any way and in any medium, whether or not now known or existing, such item as part of or in connection with such Work Product. Employee will not incorporate any invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery, intellectual property, or other proprietary information owned by any party other than Employee into any Work Product without the Company’s prior written permission.

 

Section 5.5 Attorney-in-Fact. Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on Employee’s behalf to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright, trademark, and mask work registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee, if the Company is unable because of Employee’s unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Employee’s signature for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright or trademark registrations covering the Work Product owned by the Company pursuant to this Section.

 

ARTICLE VI.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.1 Assignment; Binding Effect; Amendment. This Agreement and the rights of the Parties under it may not be assigned (except by operation of law and except that it may be assigned by the Company to an Affiliated Entity) and shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and assigns. This Agreement, upon execution and delivery, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Parties enforceable in accordance with its terms and may be modified or amended only by a written instrument executed by all Parties hereto.

 

Section 6.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement and expression of the agreement among the Parties hereto with relation to the subject matter of this Agreement, it being understood that there are no oral representations, understandings or agreements covering the same subject matter as this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes, and cannot be varied, contradicted or supplemented by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous discussions, correspondence, or oral or written agreements of any kind.

 

Section 6.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Section 6.4 Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and may be given by depositing the same in United States mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, by nationally recognized overnight courier or by delivering the same in person to such Party.

 

(a)If to Employee, addressed to Employee’s last known address of record
   
 (b)If to the Company, addressed to it at:

 

 Enlight Group, c/o Ammo Inc.
 Attn: Fred Wagenhals
 7681 E. Gray Road
 Scottsdale, AZ 85260

 

Notice shall be deemed given and effective the day personally delivered, the day after being sent by overnight courier, subject to signature verification, and three business days after the deposit in the U.S. mail of a writing addressed as above and sent first class mail, certified, return receipt requested, or when actually received , if earlier. Any Party may change the address for notice by notifying the other Parties of such change in accordance with this Section.

 

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Section 6.5 Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Arizona, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Arizona or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Arizona; provided, however, that the following provisions shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act:

 

(a) Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association for employment disputes as then in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that this Agreement to arbitrate includes any and all claims and disputes, including, without limitation, as to arbitrability, with respect to Employee’s employment with the Company or the termination of such employment, including, without limitation, any claim for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status, veteran status, alienage, citizenship, disability or handicap, or any other legally protected status, and any alleged violation of any federal, state, or other governmental law, statute or regulation, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, other civil rights statutes including, without limitation, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1982, and 42 U.S.C. § 1985, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or any state or local law, statute or regulation, as such statutes, laws, and regulations are amended. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.

 

Section 6.6 No Waiver. No delay of or omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing to any Party as a result of any breach or default by any other Party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of or in any similar breach or default occurring later; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default occurring before or after that waiver.

 

Section 6.7 Captions. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement or be used to construe or interpret any provision hereof.

 

Section 6.8 Severability. In case any prov1s1on of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall, to the extent possible, be modified in such manner as to be valid, legal and enforceable but so as most nearly to retain the intent of the Parties. If such modification is not possible, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement. In either case the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 6.9 Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute shall be deemed to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The word “including” means including, without limitation. The Parties intend that representations, warranties and covenants contained herein shall have independent significance. If any Party has breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) that the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact the Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant.

 

Section 6.10 No Derogatory Statement. The Company shall not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity or reputation of Employee.

 

Section 6.11 Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold Employee harmless from any liabilities, obligations, claims, penalties, fines or losses resulting from any unauthorized or unlawful acts of the Company which contravene any applicable statute, rule, regulation or order of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.

 

Section 6.12 Headings. The headings used herein are for convenience only and do not limit the contents of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Enlight Group II, LLC d/b/a Jageman Munition Components.
     
   
  By: Fred Wagenhals
  Its: Chief Executive Officer of Ammo, Inc. as its Manager
     
  EMPLOYEE:
     
  By: James P. Mann
     
  Acknowledged and accepted by Ammo, Inc.
     
   
  By: Fred Wagenhals
  Its: Chief Executive Officer

 

9
 

 

Supplemental Information For

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Dated January 20, 2022

 

The following is a list of Exhibits to the above referenced Agreement, not attached herewith. Any omitted information will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

1.Exhibit “A” Job Duties And Responsibilities

 

10

 

 

Exhibit 14.1

 

AMMO, INC

CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE CEO AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS

 

Effective as of June 6, 2024

 

AMMO, Inc (the “Company”) has a Code of Conduct applicable to all of its directors and employees. The Chief Executive Officer and all senior financial officers, including the Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer (“Senior Financial Officers”), are bound by the provisions set forth therein relating to ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, and compliance with law. In addition to the Code of Conduct, the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers are subject to the following additional specific policies:

 

1.The Chief Executive Officer and all Senior Financial Officers are responsible for full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in the periodic reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer and each Senior Financial Officer promptly to bring to the attention of the Disclosure Committee, if applicable, and to the Audit Committee any material information of which he or she may become aware that affects the disclosures made by the Company in its public filings or otherwise assist the Disclosure Committee, if applicable, and the Audit Committee in fulfilling their responsibilities.
   
2.The Chief Executive Officer and each Senior Financial Officer shall promptly bring to the attention of the Disclosure Committee, if applicable, and the Audit Committee any information he or she may have concerning (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data or (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures, or internal controls.
   
3.The Chief Executive Officer and each Senior Financial Officer shall promptly bring to the attention of the Audit Committee any information he or she may have concerning any violation of this Code or the Company’s Code of Conduct, including any actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships, involving any management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures, or internal controls.
   
4.The Chief Executive Officer and each Senior Financial Officer shall promptly bring to the attention of the Disclosure Committee, if applicable, and the Audit Committee any information he or she may have concerning evidence of a material violation of the securities or other laws, rules, or regulations applicable to the Company and the operation of its business, by the Company or any agent thereof, or of violation of the Code of Conduct or of these additional procedures.
   
5.The Board of Directors shall determine, or designate appropriate persons to determine, appropriate actions to be taken in the event of violations of the Code of Conduct or of these additional procedures by the Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Senior Financial Officers. Such actions shall be reasonably designed to deter wrong doing and to promote accountability for adherence to the Code of Conduct and to these additional procedures, and may include written notices to the individual involved that the Board has determined that there has been a violation, censure by the Board, demotion or re-assignment of the individual involved, suspension with or without pay or benefits (as determined by the Board), and termination of the individual’s employment. In determining the appropriate action in a particular case, the Board of Directors or such designee shall take into account all relevant information, including the nature and severity of the violation, whether the violation was a single occurrence or repeated occurrences, whether the violation appears to have been intentional or inadvertent, whether the individual in question had been advised prior to the violation as to the proper course of action, and whether or not the individual in question had committed other violations in the past.
   
  This Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers may be amended, modified or waived only by the Board of Directors of the Company. Any such amendments, modifications or waivers shall be disclosed to the Company’s stockholders and the public as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the applicable rules thereunder and applicable Nasdaq rules. Any waiver granted will be made only when circumstances warrant such a grant, and then only in conjunction with appropriate monitoring of the particular situation.

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.3

 

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

EXCHANGE ACT RULES 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a),

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF2002

 

I, Jared R. Smith, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Amendment No.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMMO, Inc.; and

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

 

Date: July 29, 2024 By: /s/ Jared R. Smith
  Name: Jared R. Smith
  Title: Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.4

 

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

EXCHANGE ACT RULES 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a),

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF2002

 

I, Robert D. Wiley, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Amendment No.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMMO, Inc.; and

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

 

Date: July 29, 2024 By: /s/ Robert D. Wiley
  Name: Robert D. Wiley
  Title: Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

v3.24.2
Cover - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Jul. 26, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Document Type 10-K/A    
Amendment Flag true    
Amendment Description On June 13, 2024, Ammo, Inc. filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (“Original Form 10-K”). The Original Form 10-K omitted portions of Part III, Items 10 (Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance), 11 (Executive Compensation), 12 (Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters), 13 (Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence), and 14 (Principal Accountant Fees and Services) in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, which provides that such information may be either incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement or included in an amendment to Form 10-K, in either case filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Transition Report false    
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2024    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2024    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --03-31    
Entity File Number 001-13101    
Entity Registrant Name AMMO, Inc.    
Entity Central Index Key 0001015383    
Entity Tax Identification Number 83-1950534    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Address, Address Line One 7681 E Gray Road    
Entity Address, City or Town Scottsdale    
Entity Address, State or Province AZ    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 85260    
City Area Code (480)    
Local Phone Number 947-0001    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 179,118,089
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   118,756,733  
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] false    
Auditor Firm ID 342    
Auditor Name PANNELL KERR FORSTER OF TEXAS, P.C    
Auditor Location Houston, Texas    
Common Stock, $0.001 par value [Member]      
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $0.001 par value    
Trading Symbol POWW    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    
8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value [Member]      
Title of 12(b) Security 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value    
Trading Symbol POWWP    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    

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