View:
Download DOC Bytes
Download PDF Bytes
Download XLS Bytes
Download XBRL Bytes
sgrp20211231_10ka.htm
true 0001004989 0001004989 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0001004989 2021-06-30 0001004989 2022-04-08 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K/A
Amendment No.1
 
(Mark One)
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021
--12-31FY2021
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 0-27408
SPAR GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
33-0684451
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
1910 Opdyke Court, Auburn Hills, MI
48326
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (248) 364-7727
 
333 Westchester Avenue, South Building, Suite 204, White Plains, NY 10604
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
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, par value $.01 per share
SGRP
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 twelve 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.). (Check one):
 
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. ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes ☐ No ☒
 
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on June 30, 2021, based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq Capital Market on such date, was approximately $13 million.
 
The number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of April 8, 2022, was 21,845,414 shares.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2022, as amended is hereby incorporated by reference into this Amendment to SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
 
 
 
 
SPAR GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-K/A
Amendment No.1
 
 
 
INDEX
     
     
PART III
     
Item 10
-3-
Item 11
-12-
Item 12
-19-
Item 13
-19-
Item 14
-22-
     
PART IV
     
Item 15
-23-
 
-24-
 
 
 
 
FIRST AMENDMENT ON FORM 10-K/A
 
SPAR Group, Inc. (the "Corporation" or "SGRP", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (this "Amendment") to amend SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 ("Form 10-K"), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 15, 2022, to include the information required by Part III of our Form 10-K and to make corresponding changes in the table of contents. This information was previously omitted from our Form 10-K in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, which permits the information in the above referenced items to be incorporated in our Form 10-K by reference from our definitive proxy statement if such statement is filed no later than 120 days after our fiscal year-end. We are filing this Amendment to include Part III information in our Form 10-K because a definitive proxy statement containing such information will not be filed within that period. References to the Annual Report in Form 10-K and in this Amendment shall mean SGRP's 10-K as amended by this Amendment.
 
In accordance with Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, new Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 are annexed hereto and filed herewith. Except as described above, this Amendment does not amend or otherwise update any other information in or Exhibit to our Form 10-K. Accordingly, this Amendment should be read in conjunction with our Form 10-K and with our filings with the SEC subsequent to the filing of our Form 10-K.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This Annual Report (including the 10-K and this Amendment) contains forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, made by, or respecting, SPAR Group, Inc. ("SGRP" or the "Corporation",) and its subsidiaries (and SGRP together with its subsidiaries may be referred to as "SPAR Group" and the "Company"). There also are "forward-looking statements" contained in SGRP's definitive Proxy Statement respecting its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held later in 2022 (the "Proxy Statement"), which SGRP expects to file approximately 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and SGRP's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports and statements as and when filed with the SEC (including this Annual Report Amendment and the Proxy Statement, each a "SEC Report"). "Forward-looking statements" are defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and other applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, as amended (together with the Securities Act and Exchange Act, the "Securities Laws").
 
Readers can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "project," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements made by the Company in this Annual Report may include (without limitation) statements regarding: risks, uncertainties, cautions, circumstances and other factors ("Risks"); the potential continuing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business; the Company's potential non-compliance with applicable Nasdaq director independence; bid price or other rules; the Company's cash flow or financial condition; and plans, intentions, expectations, guidance or other information respecting the pursuit or achievement of the Company's corporate objectives. The Company's forward-looking statements also include (without limitation) those made in this Annual Report in "Business," "Risk Factors," "Legal Proceedings," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance," "Executive Compensation," "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters," and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence."
 
You should carefully review and consider the Company's forward-looking statements (including all risk factors and other cautions and uncertainties) and other information made, contained or noted in or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, but you should not place undue reliance on any of them. The results, actions, levels of activity, performance, achievements or condition of the Company (including its affiliates, assets, business, clients, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial condition, income, legal costs, liabilities, liquidity, locations, marketing, operations, performance, prospects, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievement, results, risks, trends or condition) and other events and circumstances planned, intended, anticipated, estimated or otherwise expected by the Company (collectively, "Expectations"), and our forward-looking statements (including all Risks) and other information reflect the Company's current views about future events and circumstances. Although the Company believes those Expectations and views are reasonable, the results, actions, levels of activity, performance, achievements or condition of the Company or other events and circumstances may differ materially from our Expectations and views, and they cannot be assured or guaranteed by the Company, since they are subject to Risks and other assumptions, changes in circumstances and unpredictable events (many of which are beyond the Company's control). In addition, new Risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these matters or how they may arise or affect the Company. Accordingly, the Company cannot assure you that its Expectations will be achieved in whole or in part, that it has identified all potential Risks, or that it can successfully avoid or mitigate such Risks in whole or in part, any of which could be significant and materially adverse to the Company and the value of your investment in the Company's Common Stock.
 
These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's Expectations, views, Risks and assumptions only as of the date of this Annual Report, and the Company does not intend, assume any obligation, or promise to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements (including any Risks or Expectations) or other information (in whole or in part), whether as a result of new information, new or worsening Risks or uncertainties, changed circumstances, future events, recognition, or otherwise.
 
Please see Parts I and II of SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 ("Form 10-K"), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 31, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
 
PART III
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The Board of Directors of the Corporation
 
The Board is responsible for overseeing the management, policies and direction of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), both directly and through its committees (See "Corporate Governance", below). The members of the Board and referenced Committees as of December 31, 2021, were as set forth below:
 
Name
Age
Position with SPAR Group, Inc.
William H. Bartels
77
Director
James R. Brown, Sr. (3) (4)
75
Director
Peter W. Brown (2) (4) (6)
40
Vice Chairman, Director and Chairman of the Governance Committee
Robert G. Brown (1)
78
Chairman of the Board and Director
Panagiotis ("Panos") N. Lazaretos (3) (4) (5) (6)
49
Director
Michael R. Matacunas
54
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Michael Wager (4) (5)
70
Director
Sean M. Whelan (4) (6)
51
Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee
 
(1)
Ceased to be eligible to be Chairman of the Board on January 25, 2022, pursuant to the 2022 By-Laws (See By-Laws, below).
(2)
Ceased to be eligible to be Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Governance Committee on January 25, 2022, pursuant to the 2022 By-Laws.
(3)
Retired from the Board and its Committees on January 25, 2022.
(4)
Member of the Governance Committee on December 31, 2021.
(5)
Member of the Audit Committee on December 31, 2021.
(6)
Member of the Compensation Committee on December 31, 2021.
 
William H. Bartels has served as Director of SGRP since July 8, 1999. As one (1) of the two (2) founders of the Company, he was responsible for sales, marketing and developing client relationships across the globe for more than 40 years. He was also responsible for marketing/sales for the SPARLINE technology and its related consulting business for evaluating trade promotion spending and strategies for top tier CPG companies, domestic and international. He gained industry-wide recognition as reported through numerous industry publications and guest speeches at major industry conferences, while also negotiating partnerships with research companies in the U.K. and Australia for using the SPARLINE system. Prior to July 8, 1999, Mr. Bartels served as Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Senior Vice President of the SPAR Marketing Companies, since 1967. He retired as an employee of the Company on January 1, 2020.
 
James R. Brown, Sr. joined the Board of SGRP in January 2021 and retired from the Board and its Committees on January 25, 2022. Until his retirement, he was a member of the Governance Committee of the SGRP Board. He retired in 2015 from his position as Labor Counsel for the Public Massachusetts Community College System, a system comprised of fifteen individual colleges. Mr. Brown represented the community college system in labor and other areas of law, including serving as chief spokesperson and negotiator during collective bargaining contract negotiations, impact bargaining, grievance hearings, and arbitrations at the American Arbitration Association. He represented the community colleges before administrative agencies in both state and appellate courts and advised on labor and employee matters including discipline and appointments. Mr. Brown also advised the community colleges regarding business contracts, compliance with the commonwealth's ethics' and public records' laws, and campus safety. Mr. Brown served in his position as Labor Counsel since 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Brown was a part-time labor and employment consultant to individual public higher education community colleges as well as Boston State University. James R. Brown Sr. received a BS in Finance and an MBA from Boston University. Mr. Brown received a JD from New England Law-Boston.
 
Peter W. Brown joined the Board of SGRP in May 2018, and was Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Governance Committee on December 31, 2021.  He served as a Board Observer to the Corporation's Board of Directors from 2014 through December 2016. Mr. Brown also serves as a director of and is a consultant to the Corporation's Brazilian subsidiary, SPAR BSMT, and owns EILLC (which owns 10% of SPAR BSMT). Mr. Brown received a BS from the University of Massachusetts's School of Natural Science and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts's Isenberg School of Management.
 
Robert G. Brown rejoined the Board on April 24, 2020 and was serving as the Chairman of the Board on December 31, 2021.  As one (1) of the two (2) founders of the company, Mr. Brown served as Director of SGRP from July 8, 1999 until his retirement on May 3, 2018. Prior to 1999, Mr. Robert G. Brown served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the SPAR Companies since certain of its predecessors were formed in 1979. During his tenure, Mr. Brown oversaw the change from a software and consulting company into a merchandising company in the 1980's and in the 1990's converted the reporting and data collection work to the Internet from mainframes and PC's which gave SPAR a strategic cost and quality advantage. In 1999, he executed a reverse merger making SPAR a public company. Mr. Brown implemented a strategy to expand internationally, and today, SPAR is in countries with over 50% of the world's population.
 
Panagiotis ("Panos") N. Lazaretos joined the SGRP Board on December 10, 2019 and retired from the Board and its Committees on January 25, 2022. Until his retirement, Mr. Lazaretos was a member of the Audit Committee, Governance Committee and Compensation Committee of the SGRP Board. Mr. Lazaretos has over 15 years of international business development experience focusing on retail service operations. Mr. Lazaretos was a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thenablers, Inc. from November 2017 through February 2020. From February 2017 to June 2019, Mr. Lazaretos was a Director of Business Development at Sales Service International. From June 2013 to November 2016, Mr. Lazaretos was a Regional Director for Field Marketing Services for Adecco Group. From June 2002 to May 2013, Mr. Lazaretos was a Vice President of International Operations for SGRP. From July 1999 to June 2002, Mr. Lazaretos was a Director of Technology at SGRP, and held the same position with one of its pre-merger predecessors from June 1997 to July 1999, where he began his career and helped them transition from a paper process to a web-based data collection and reporting platform. Mr. Lazaretos received a BS in Computer Science from the State University of New York.
 
-3-
 
 
Michael R. Matacunas serves as the Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director of SGRP and has held such positions since his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of SGRP on February 16, 2021. He is a Fortune 500 veteran with more than 30 years of relevant leadership experience. He has worked in public and private companies, developed and led international business growth, driven exceptional operational results and built world-class teams. Mr. Matacunas was previously the Chief Administrative Officer at Dollar Tree, Inc., where he helped lead the successful multi-billion-dollar acquisition and integration of Family Dollar Stores, including, among other things, merchandising, sourcing, operational and executive improvements. Prior to this, Mr. Matacunas was CEO of a successful retail professional services business that transformed leading global retailers, wholesalers and consumer packaged goods companies. Mike's experience also includes strategy, consulting and world-wide roles at leading technology companies, including IBM and Manhattan Associates. Mr. Matacunas earned a BA in Economics from Boston University and an MBA from the College of William & Mary Mason School of Business.
 
Michael Wager was appointed on October 21, 2021, as a Director and a member of the Audit Committee by the Board. Mr. Wager is an attorney who has specialized in securities, reorganizations, M&A and regulatory compliance throughout his career. He is currently a Senior Counsel with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP serving in an advisory role and the Chief Strategy Officer for Byrna Technologies. Mr. Wager is also currently a member of the board and has served as the Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committees for Michael Anthony Holdings. Mr. Wager earned his Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Degree at the American University, College of Public Affairs, his Master of Arts, Political Science Degree at Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and his Juris Doctor Degree at New York University School of Law.
 
Sean M. Whelan was appointed on October 21, 2021, as a Director and a member of the Audit Committee by the Board, and on October 25, 2021, the Audit Committee elected him as its Chairman. Mr. Whelan is currently the Chief Executive Officer, and was previously the Chief Financial Officer, for Encore Rehabilitation Services. He has also held the Chief Financial Officer role for several other public and private companies including Smile America Partners, Bedrock Manufacturing, LLC, Diplomat Pharmacy and InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. Mr. Whelan is currently a Board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee with Zomedica Corp (NYSE American: ZOM) and also a Board member with OptioRx; he previously served as an Executive Board member with Diplomat Pharmacy and InfuSystem Holding, Inc. Mr. Whelan earned his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and his Master of Accounting Degree at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and is a CPA.
 
Executives and Officers of the Corporation
 
Set forth in the table below are the names, ages and offices held by all Executives and Officers of the Corporation as of December 31, 2021. For biographical information regarding Michael R. Matacunas, See the Board of Directors of the Corporation, above.
 
Name
Age
Position with SPAR Group, Inc. (1) (2)
Kori G. Belzer
56
Global Chief Operating Officer
Fay DeVriese
56
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
William Linnane
47
Chief Strategy and Growth Officer
Ron Lutz
62
Chief Global Commercial Officer
Michael R. Matacunas
54
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
 
(1)
Under the Corporation's By-Laws and the resolutions of the Board, each of the following individuals have been designated as both an "Executive" and an "Officer" of the Corporation except as otherwise noted below. An Executive is generally an executive officer of the Corporation and part of its senior management.
(2)
Each named individual is an "at will" employee of the Company. Their nominal terms as Executives and Officers are for one (1) year, lasting from one (1) annual stockholder meeting to the next. However, see Potential Severance Payments upon a Change-In-Control and Termination, below.
 
Kori G. Belzer became the Global Chief Operating Officer of SGRP in July 2021 and served as Chief Operating Officer of SGRP since January 1, 2004. From 2000 through 2003, Ms. Belzer served as the Chief Operating Officer of SPAR Administrative Services, Inc. (then known as SPAR Management Services, Inc.) ("SAS"), and SPAR Business Services, Inc. (then known as SPAR Marketing Services, Inc.), each an affiliate of SGRP (see Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons, below). From 1997 to 2000, Ms. Belzer served as Vice President Operations of SAS and as Regional Director of SAS from 1995 to 1997. Prior to 1995, she served as Client Services Manager for SPAR/Servco, Inc.
 
Fay DeVriese serves as the Chief Financial Officer of SGRP and has done so since August 2020. Prior to joining SGRP, she served as Chief Financial Officer at Letica Corporation and has served in financial leadership roles at DSM Engineering Plastics, Eaton Corporation, Continental Automotive Systems and Motorola. Ms. DeVriese is a certified public accountant, licensed in the State of New York. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the State University of New York.
 
William Linnane joined SGRP in July 2021 as its Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. He is an internationally experienced business, merchandising, retail, and finance leader with more than 20 years of relevant leadership experience. He has worked in the US, in Europe and in Australia; leading multi-billion-dollar businesses and driving exceptional operational results with different market conditions. He was recently the CEO of a successful advisory and investment firm focused on M&A and retail restructurings. Prior to that, Mr. Linnane was President of Kmart's Pharmacy, Drugstore and Grocery businesses in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Chief Merchant at a leading book retailer in Europe, and led the Beverage, Candy and Snacks business for Tesco in the UK, working with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, Mars, Mondelez and others to drive branded growth opportunities via merchandising and other initiatives, including digital strategies. Mr. Linnane is a qualified accountant and started his career in finance working in the UK and Ireland at Kingfisher PLC (LSE: KGFL) and Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO). He has strong experience in strategy, finance, operations, merchandising, sourcing, and leadership roles. Mr. Linnane holds an MA in Economics from Trinity College, University of Dublin.
 
Ron Lutz joined SGRP joined SGRP in July 2021 as its Chief Global Commercial Officer. He built a 35-year executive career guiding Fortune 100 companies and private organizations in the retail customer experience space. He has led retail organizations through transformational growth, change management and market expansions. Throughout his career he has held responsibilities in the areas of sales, operations, strategy, marketing, omni-channel customer experience development, international expansion, and acquisitions. Most recently, Ron was consulting as an international strategic retail advisor. Prior to this, he was the Chief Client Officer at a private retail services and solutions company. With his extensive background in the industry, Ron has served in the capacity and/or held titles such as Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Customer Officer, VP Customer Experience Deployment, VP New Store – Remerchandising, VP Enterprise Print /Fixtures, and VP Store Service Solutions. Earlier in his career, he served as a Vice President with Lowe's Companies (NYSE: LOW), where he led the deployment of an omni-channel customer experience solution across 2,000+ North American retail store locations. He also had responsibility for new store development in emerging markets and store renovations across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
 
-4-
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Board Structure, Leadership and Risk Oversight
 
The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board") is responsible for overseeing the Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), both directly and through its committees (as described below), pursuant to the authority conferred by the Corporation's By-Laws, charters and policies and by applicable law. The Board's responsibilities include (without limitation) the appointment and oversight of the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Board also provides oversight of risks that could affect the Company, both directly and through its committees with respect to the most significant risks facing the Company (including material operational or financial risks). Pursuant to their respective charters, the Board has established and delegated various oversight and other responsibilities to the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee, as such committees are defined and more fully described below under the headings "Audit Committee", "Compensation Committee" and "Governance Committee".
 
The Board is comprised of Independent Directors, Super Independent Directors (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, Director Nominations: Experience, Integrity, Diversity and other Criteria and 2022 By Laws, below) and Non- Independent Directors. The Governance Committee is responsible for determining and recommending to the full Board whether a Director satisfies the applicable Nasdaq independent requirements or the more comprehensive super-independence requirements established in the 2022 By-Laws. The super-independence requirement establishes specific criteria to ensure a Director is unaffiliated with any specific significant stockholder or management. In addition, the Board has established the position of Chairman of the Board, which is a non-executive position, and Chief Executive Officer (who is also President). Per the By-Laws, the Chairman, the Vice Chairman and Chairman of any Committee must be Super Independent Directors. The Board believes these definitions and criteria ensure a strong, experienced and independent Board to provide oversight on behalf of all stockholders.
 
To assist the Board and its Committees in their respective oversight roles, the Company's Chief Executive Officer brings members of the Company's management from various business or administrative areas into meetings of the Board or applicable Committee from time to time to make presentations, answer questions and provide insight to the members, including insights into areas of potential risk. Each Committee endeavors to satisfy its responsibilities through: (i) its receipt and review of regular reports directly from officers responsible for oversight of particular risks within the Company; (ii) direct communications by the Committee or its Chairman with the Corporation's senior management; (iii) independent registered public accounting firm (in the case of the Audit Committee) and counsel respecting such matters and related risks; (iv) its executive sessions; (v) its reports (generally through its Chairman) to the full Board respecting the Committee's considerations; and (vi) if applicable, actions and recommendations regarding such matters and risks as deemed appropriate.
 
Risk oversight is conducted primarily through the Audit Committee, but also is conducted through the Compensation Committee or Governance Committee, as applicable. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the accounting, auditing and financial reporting and disclosure principles, policies, practices and controls of the Company and regularly considers (among other things) financial, reporting, internal control, related party, legal and other issues and related risks and uncertainties material to the Company. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and regularly considers the performance and compensation of the executives, director compensation and the other compensation, equity incentive, related policies, and benefits of the Company. The Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing and regularly considers the finding, vetting and nomination of directors and committee members for the Board and senior Executives for SGRP, and the content and application of the 'Ethics Code, corporate documents and governance policies and practices.
 
Each of the Committee charters requires the Board to determine that each of its members satisfy applicable Nasdaq requirements for the respective Committee and be free from any relationship which may interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member. The By-Laws also require that the Chairman of each Committee and at least two (2) of its members be a Super Independent Director (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, and Director Nominations: Experience, Integrity, Diversity and other Criteria, below). Mr. Sean M. Whelan is Chairman of the Audit Committee.
 
Board Meetings
 
The Board meets regularly to receive and discuss operating and financial reports presented by management of SGRP and its advisors. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Board held nine (9) meetings. Each incumbent Director is required to attend 75% of the board meetings. In 2021, all then current members attended at least 75% of the meetings.
 
Board Size, Quorum and Voting
 
Under the 2022 By-Laws: The current Board size was fixed at seven (7) directors on January 25, 2022; the Chairman and at least three (3) of the Board members must be Super Independent Directors (as defined therein), and the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman of each Committee and at least two (2) of each Committee's members must be a Super Independent Director.
 
The Board size can only be changed from time to time by amending the By-Laws.
 
Board meetings require an attendance quorum of at least 70% of its members, including a majority of the Super Independent Directors.
 
-5-
 
 
Except as noted below: each director shall be entitled to one (1) vote; and the vote of the majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.
 
However, in the event the Board:
 
 
(i)
Includes two (2) Super Independent Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, the director with the least tenure on the Board who is not a Super- Independent Director (other than the Chief Executive Officer) shall lose the right to vote on any matters that come before the Board;
 
 
(ii)
Includes one (1) Super Independent Director and the Chief Executive Officer, then two (2) of the then-serving directors who have the least tenure on the Board and are not Super Independent Directors (other than the Chief Executive Officer) shall lose the right to vote on any matters that come before the Board; or
 
 
(iii)
Includes no Super Independent Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, all of the then-serving directors who are not Super Independent Directors (other than the Chief Executive Officer) shall lose the right to vote on any matters that come before the Board.
 
In addition, Section 3.12 of the 2022 By-Laws requires that certain actions by the Board be approved by a super-majority of the Board consisting of at least 70% of the directors then in office, including a majority of the Super Independent Directors. Those super-majority actions include any amendment to the By-Laws, any Committee Charter, or SGRP's Ethics Code, and the issuance of more than 250,000 shares of SGRP's Common Stock or any right to acquire them.
 
Board Committees
 
From time to time the Board may establish permanent standing committees and temporary special committees to assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities, and may delegate Board power and authority pursuant to charters approved by the Board. Under the By-Laws (see below), a "super majority" vote of at least 70% of all SGRP directors is now required for any new committee, change in any committee charter, or certain other actions (meaning any such Board action brought before a Board consisting of seven directors can be blocked by any three (3) directors), and an absolute majority of the Board is now required for the appointment to or removal of any director from any committee (meaning any such Board action brought before a Board consisting of seven directors can be blocked by any four (4) directors). Currently, SGRP has three (3) permanent standing committees; the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Governance Committee. An audit committee is required by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq"), the SEC, and applicable law. While SGRP is not similarly required to have either a compensation committee or governance committee, certain responsibilities assigned to these committees in their respective charters are required to be fulfilled by independent directors by Nasdaq Rules or SEC Rules.
 
Each of the Committee charters requires the Board to determine that each of its members satisfy applicable Nasdaq requirements for such a Committee and be free from any relationship would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member. The By-Laws also require that the Chairman of each Committee and at least two (2) of the members of the Audit Committee and Governance Committee be a Super Independent Director (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above, and Director Nominations: Experience, Integrity, Diversity and other Criteria, and By-Laws, below).
 
The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee of the Board (the "Audit Committee"), the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation Committee"), and the Governance Committee of the Board (the "Governance Committee"), as provided in the Corporation's By-Laws and their respective charters (See Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters, below).
 
-6-
 
 
Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities respecting the accounting, auditing and financial reporting and disclosure principles, policies, practices and controls of the Company, the integrity of the Company's consolidated financial statements, the audits of the financial statements of the Company and the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and disclosure. The specific functions and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in the written Amended and Restated Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of SPAR Group, Inc., dated (as of) May 18, 2004 (the "Audit Charter"), approved and recommended by the Audit Committee and Governance Committee and adopted by the Board on May 18, 2004. The Audit Committee also is given specific functions and responsibilities by and is subject to Nasdaq Rules, SEC Rules, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("Sarbanes-Oxley"), and other applicable law, which are reflected in the Audit Charter. You can obtain and review a current copy of the Audit Charter on the Company's web site (www.sparinc.com), on which it is posted and available to stockholders and the public under the Investor Relations tab and Corporate Governance sub-tab. The Audit Charter was amended and restated to reflect the evolution of the Audit Committee's expanding responsibilities, the adoption of Sarbanes-Oxley, and changes in Nasdaq Rules, SEC Rules, securities laws and other applicable law pertaining to all audit committees. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the Audit Charter annually and recommends any needed changes to the Board for approval. The Audit Committee's most recent review made and submitted and recommended by it to and approved by the Board as of August 2020. The changes made were largely clarifications and technical updates.
 
The Audit Committee (among other things and as more fully provided in the Audit Charter):
 
 
(a)
 Serves as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company's financial reporting process and internal accounting and disclosure control system and their adequacy and effectiveness;
     
 
(b)
Is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company;
     
 
(c)
 Resolves disagreements between the Company's senior management and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm regarding financial reporting;
     
 
(d)
 Communicates directly with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm;
     
 
(e)
 Reviews and appraises the audit efforts of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, including the plans for and scope of the audit, the audit procedures to be utilized and results of the audit;
     
 
(f)
 Provides an open avenue of communication among the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, the Company's financial and senior management and the Board;
     
 
(g)
 Reviews and approves, in advance, all non-audit services to be performed by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, either individually or through policies and procedures for particular types of services to be performed within specified periods;
     
 
(h)
 Reviews the performance, qualifications and independence of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm;
     
 
(i)
Reviews the financial reports and other financial information provided by SGRP to any governmental body or the public;
     
 
(j)
 Encourages continuous improvement of, and fosters adherence to, the Company's accounting controls, disclosure controls, risk management and similar policies, procedures and practices at all levels;
     
 
(k)
 Reviews and approves the overall fairness to the Company of all material related-party transactions; and
     
 
(l)
May retain independent counsel, accountants or others to assist it in the conduct of an investigation or such other action as the Audit Committee may otherwise determine as necessary to carry out its duties under its Charter and applicable law, the fees and expenses of all of which will be paid by the Corporation.
 
As of January 25, 2022, the Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Sean M. Whelan (its Chairman), and Mr. Michael Wager, each of whom has been determined by the Governance Committee and the Board to meet the independence requirements for Audit Committee members under Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules and the By-Laws require that its Chairman and at least two (2) of the members of the Audit Committee and Governance Committee be Super Independent Directors. In connection with his appointment as a Director, the Governance Committee and the Board determined that Mr. Whelan was qualified to be the "Audit Committee financial expert" as required by Nasdaq Rules, SEC Rules and other applicable law.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Audit Committee met nine (9) times. All then current members attended at least 75% of the meetings.
 
-7-
 
 
Compensation Committee
 
The Compensation Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities respecting the compensation of the named executive officers and the other related policies of the Company, through which the Company endeavors to attract, motivate and retain the executive talent needed to optimize stockholder value in a competitive environment while facilitating the business strategies and long-range plans of the Company. The specific functions and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are set forth in the written Charter of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of SPAR Group, Inc., dated (as of) May 18, 2004, and amended through August 12, 2020 (the "Compensation Charter"), approved and recommended by the Compensation Committee and Governance Committee and adopted by the Board on May 18, 2004, and amended on August 12, 2020. The Compensation Committee also is given specific functions and responsibilities by and is subject to Nasdaq Rules, SEC Rules, Sarbanes-Oxley and other applicable law. You can obtain and review a current copy of the Compensation Charter on the Company's web site (www.sparinc.com), on which it is posted and available to stockholders and the public under the Investor Relations tab and Corporate Governance sub-tab. The Compensation Charter was adopted to reflect the evolution of the Compensation Committee's informal responsibilities, the adoption of Sarbanes- Oxley, and changes in Nasdaq Rules, SEC Rules, securities laws and other applicable law pertaining to compensation committees. The Compensation Committee reviews and reassesses the Compensation Charter annually and recommends any needed changes to the Board for approval. The Compensation Committee's most recent review of its charter made and submitted and recommended by it to and approved by the Board on August 12, 2020. The changes made were largely to require Board review and approval (or modification or rejection) of the Compensation Committee's determinations of named executive compensation, equity awards, and compensation objectives.
 
The Compensation Committee (among other things and as more fully provided in the Compensation Charter):
 
 
(a)
Reviews the existing and proposed compensation plans, policies and practices of the Company, and reviews and recommends any desirable changes or additions to any such plan, policy or practice, all in order to: (i) attract and retain quality directors, executives and employees; (ii) provide total compensation competitive with similar companies; (iii) reward and reinforce the attainment of the Company's performance objectives; and (iv) align the interests of SGRP's directors and the Company's executives and employees with those of SGRP's stockholders (the "Company's Compensation Objectives");
 
 
(b)
Reviews the Company's existing and proposed Compensation Objectives from time to time;
 
 
(c)
Reviews the performance of and establishes the compensation for the Company's named executive officers;
 
 
(d)
Oversees the Company's equity awards, employee stock purchase plan and other benefit plans and severance policies, and reviews and recommends any necessary or desirable changes or additions to any such plan, policy or practice; and
 
 
(e)
May retain independent counsel, accountants or others to assist it in the conduct of an investigation or such other action as the Compensation Committee may otherwise determine as necessary to carry out its duties under its Charter and applicable law, the fees and expenses of all of which will be paid by the Corporation.
 
As of January 25, 2022, the Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Sean M. Whelan and Mr. Peter W. Brown, each of whom has been determined by the Governance Committee and the Board to meet the independence requirements for Compensation Committee members under Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules. Mr. Sean M. Whelan also has been determined by the Governance Committee and the Board to be a Super Independent Director satisfying the new stricter requirements of the By-Laws. See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above, and By-Laws, below.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Compensation Committee met eight (8) times. All then current members attended at least 75% of the meetings.
 
Governance Committee
 
The Governance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities respecting the nomination of directors and committee members for the Board and the corporate documents and governance policies and practices of the Corporation. The specific functions and responsibilities of the Governance Committee are set forth in the written Charter of the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of SPAR Group, Inc., Dated (as of) May 18, 2004 (the "Governance Charter"), approved and recommended by the Governance Committee and adopted by the Board on May 18, 2004, and amended on March 18, 2021. The Governance Committee also is given specific functions and responsibilities by and is subject to the Nasdaq Rules, SEC Rules, Sarbanes-Oxley, and other applicable law, which are reflected in the Governance Charter. You can obtain and review a current copy of the Governance Charter on the Company's web site (www.sparinc.com), on which it is posted and available to stockholders and the public under the Investor Relations tab and Corporate Governance sub-tab. The Governance Charter was adopted to reflect the evolution of the Governance Committee's informal responsibilities, the adoption of Sarbanes-Oxley, and changes in Nasdaq Rules, SEC Rules, securities laws, and other applicable law pertaining to governance committees. The Governance Committee reviews and reassesses the Governance Charter, Nomination Policy and Ethics Code (as such terms are defined below), as well as the By-Laws of the Corporation and the other Committee Charters, annually and recommends any needed changes to the Board for approval. The Governance Committee's most recent review of the Nomination Policy, Ethics Code, and the By-Laws of the Corporation was in November of 2019, when it determined no changes were then needed. The March 18, 2021, changes were largely to require Board review and approval (or modification or rejection) of the Governance Committee's determinations of director nominations to the Board and to the boards its foreign joint venture subsidiaries, determinations of independence and other matters. The Board's review and approval (or modification or rejection) is not expressly limited to its independent directors as required by Nasdaq for director nominations, but its Charter provides that: "For clarity, "approval by the Board" shall mean approval by the applicable directors of the Board as and to the extent required by Nasdaq rules or other Applicable Law."
 
The Governance Committee (among other things and as more fully provided in the Governance Charter):
 
 
(a)
Oversees the identification, vetting and nomination of candidates for directors of SGRP and the selection of committee members, reviews their qualifications (including outside director independence) and recommends any proposed nominees to the Board;
 
 
(b)
Oversees SGRP's organizational documents and policies and practices on corporate governance and recommends any proposed changes to the Board for approval;
 
 
(c)
Oversees the Ethics Code and other internal policies and guidelines and monitors the Corporation's enforcement of them and incorporation of them into the Corporation's culture and business practices; and
 
 
(d)
May retain independent counsel, accountants or others to assist it in the conduct of an investigation or such other action as the Governance Committee may otherwise determine as necessary to carry out its duties under its Charter and applicable law, the fees and expenses of all of which will be paid by the Corporation.
 
-8-
 
 
As of January 25, 2022, the Governance Committee currently consists of Mr. Michael Wager and Mr. Peter Brown, each of whom has been determined by the Governance Committee and the Board to meet the independence requirements for Governance Committee members under Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules. Mr. Michael Wager also has been determined by the Governance Committee and the Board to be a Super Independent Director satisfying the new stricter requirements of the By-Laws. The By-Laws require that the Governance Committee's Chairman and at least two (2) of the members of the Audit Committee and Governance Committee to be a Super Independent Director.   See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above, and 2022 By-Laws, below.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Governance Committee met twelve (12) times. All then current members attended at least 75% of the meetings.
 
Director Nominations: Experience, Integrity, Diversity and other Criteria
 
The Governance Committee oversees the identification, vetting and nomination of candidates for directors and the selection of committee members, the review of their qualifications (including outside director independence), and recommends any proposed nominees to the Board in accordance with the Governance Charter and with the SPAR Group, Inc. Statement of Policy Regarding Director Qualifications and Nominations dated as of May 18, 2004 (the "Nomination Policy"), as approved and recommended by the Governance Committee and adopted by the Board on May 18, 2004. You can obtain and review a current copy of this policy on the Company's web site (www.sparinc.com), on which it is posted and available to stockholders and the public under the Investor Relations tab and Corporate Governance sub-tab.
 
The Nomination Policy, applicable law and exchange rules require that a majority of the directors satisfy the independence requirements under the applicable Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules and Delaware law. Each of the Committee charters requires the Board to determine that each of the members satisfy applicable Nasdaq requirements for such a Committee and be free from any relationship would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member. The By- Laws also require that the Chairman of the Board, at least three (3) Board members and the Chairman and at least two (2) members of each Committee be a Super- Independent Director (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above).
 
The Nomination Policy identifies numerous characteristics believed important by the Board for any nominee for director and provides that each nominee for director should possess as many of them as practicable. These desirable characteristics include (among other things) the highest professional and personal ethics and integrity, sufficient time and attention to devote to Board and Committee duties and responsibilities, strong relevant business and industry knowledge and contacts, and business and financial sophistication, common sense and wisdom, the contribution to the diversity of perspectives in the Board and its Committees, and the ability to make informed judgments on a wide range of issues, the ability and willingness to exercise and express independent judgments, and the apparent ability and willingness to meet or exceed the Board's performance expectations. The Nomination Policy specifically recognizes the desirability of ethnic, racial, gender and geographic diversity for the Board but does not specify any metrics for evaluating potential candidates in that regard. However, the Governance Committee takes all relevant factors (including such diversity) into account when identifying and evaluating candidates for Board membership.
 
Performance expectations for each director have also been established by the Board in the Nomination Policy, including (among other things) the director's regular preparation for, attendance at and participation in all meetings (including appropriate questioning), support and advice to management in his areas of expertise, maintenance of focus on the Board's agenda, understanding the business, finances, plans and strategies of Company, professional and collegial interaction, acting in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders, and compliance with the Company's Ethics Code.
 
Candidates for vacant positions on the Board may be suggested to the Governance Committee from time to time by its members or by officers or other directors of the Corporation. The Governance Committee from time to time also has used and may use recruiting firms to consider as director candidates. The Governance Committee generally will consider recommending the re-nomination of incumbent directors in accordance with the Nomination Policy, provided that they continue to satisfy the applicable personal characteristic criteria and performance expectations. The Nomination Policy reflects the Board's belief that qualified incumbent directors are generally uniquely positioned to provide stockholders the benefit of continuity of leadership and seasoned judgment gained through experience as a director of SGRP, and that the value of these benefits may outweigh many other factors. However, the Governance Committee is not required to recommend to the Board the nomination of any eligible incumbent director for re-election (See Stockholder Communications - Submission of Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations, below).
 
Each nominee for director was required to complete and submit a Directors' and Officers' Questionnaire as part of the process for making director nominations and preparation of this Proxy Statement.
 
In considering the potential director nominee slate (including incumbent directors) to recommend to the Board, the Nomination Policy directs the Governance Committee to take into account: (i) the benefits of incumbency, as noted above; (ii) any perceived needs of Board, any Committee or the Company at the time for business contacts, skills or experience or other particular desirable personal characteristics; (iii) the collegiality of Board members; (iv) the need for independent directors or financial experts under that Policy or applicable law for the Board or its Committees; (v) any other requirements of applicable law or exchange rules; and (vi) the desirability of ethnic, racial, gender and geographic diversity. The Governance Committee will consider proposed nominees from any source, including those properly submitted by stockholders (See Stockholder Communications - Submission of Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations, below).
 
Under the CIC Agreement (See Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement in Domestic Related Party Transactions, and Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above), Mr. Robert G. Brown is entitled to nominate two (2) directors (including himself), and Mr. William H. Bartels is entitled to nominate one (1) director (including himself). Under the terms of his employment, Michael R. Matacunas is entitled to be a director.
 
There is currently one vacancy on the SGRP Board, which under the By-Laws must be filled with a Super Independent Director.  See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above, and By-Laws, below.
 
-9-
 
 
Based on the prior Directors' and Officers' Questionnaires of each director, as required by the Nominations Policy and the committee charters, the Governance Committee and Board each determined that: (i) Mr. Sean M. Whelan and Mr. Michael Wager each satisfies the independence requirements for Audit Committee members under Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules and the Audit Committee Charter, and Mr. Sean M. Whelan is an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC Rules, as required by such rules and the Audit Charter; (ii) Mr. Sean M. Whelan and Mr. Michael Wager are Super Independent Directors under the By-Laws (See Board Size, Quorum, and Voting, above); (iii) Mr. Michael Wager and Mr. Peter W. Brown each satisfies the independence requirements for Governance Committee members under Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules and the Governance Committee Charter; (iv) Mr. Sean M. Whelan and Mr. Peter W. Brown each satisfies the independence requirements for Compensation Committee members under Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules and the Compensation Committee Charter; and (v) Mr. Robert G. Brown satisfies the general independence requirements for independent directors of the Board under Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules and the By-Laws. Mr. Robert G. Brown, Mr. William H. Bartels, and Mr. Peter W. Brown are by definition excluded from being a Super Independent Director and accordingly cannot serve as the Chairman of the Board or any Committee.
 
By-Laws
 
On January 25, 2022, the Board adopted and approved amendments to SGRP's then existing Amended By-Laws in connection with the entry into the CIC Agreement (the "Amendments", and as amended, the "By-Laws"). The Amendments include the following:
 
 
(i)
The size of the Board is set at seven (7) directors, which shall include at least three (3) "Super Independent Directors", as defined in the 2022 By-Laws (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above).The Amendments remove the authority for the stockholders of the Corporation to change the size of the Board.
 
 
(ii)
The By-Laws now require 70% (or five (5) of seven (7)) of the directors, including a majority of Super Independent Directors to establish quorum, set the annual meeting agenda, issue or sell more than 250,000 shares of common stock (other than through stockholder approved plans) or any preferred stock, declare dividends, amend SGRP's certificate of incorporation, the 2022 By-Laws, any committee charter or SGRP's Ethics Code (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above).
 
 
(iii)
The threshold for the stockholders to amend the By-Laws is increased from a majority to 75% of the outstanding stock of the Corporation.
 
 
(iv)
Officers are allowed to adjourn shareholder meetings at their discretion.
 
 
(v)
The 2022 By-Laws establish voting rules to maintain "super" independence if there are less than three (3) Super Independent Directors (effectively reducing the votes held by certain other directors - See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above).
 
 
(vi)
The 2022 By-Laws establish that only Super Independent Directors can be the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board or the Chairman of a committee.
 
 
(vii)
The Chairman no longer automatically holds the position of Chief Executive Officer upon a vacancy.
 
 
(viii)
On or before December 31, 2026, the threshold to call a special meeting of the Corporation is increased from 20% to 75% of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote. On or after January 1, 2027, the threshold to call a special meeting of the Corporation is decreased from 75% to 25% of the outstanding stock of the Corporation.
 
The By-Laws continue to require that each candidate for director sign a written irrevocable letter of resignation and retirement effective upon such person failing to be re-elected by the required majority stockholder vote.
 
The foregoing description is only a summary of the Amendments and is qualified in its entirety by reference to a copy of 2022 By-Laws, which is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report as Exhibit 3.3 hereto.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters
The Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, eliminates the liability of all directors to the Corporation and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duties as directors to the maximum extent such liability can be eliminated or limited under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the "DGCL"), which applies to the Corporation as a Delaware corporation. The DGCL permits a certificate of incorporation to include a provision eliminating such personal liability of its directors, and such elimination is effective under the DGCL, except that such liability currently may not be eliminated or limited under the DGCL: (i) for any breach of their duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
The 2022 By-Laws (unchanged in this regard by the latest restatement) provide that the Corporation must indemnify each of its current and former directors, executive officers and other designated persons (including those serving its affiliates in such capacities at the Corporation's request), and may in the Board's discretion indemnify the other current and former officers, employees and other agents of the Company, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding against them in such capacity to the fullest extent permitted by DGCL. The 2022 By-Laws also provide that the Corporation must advance the expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by any director in defending any such action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition, subject to such person's agreement to the extent required by the DGCL under the circumstances to reimburse the Corporation if such person is not entitled to indemnification. The 2022 By-Laws and these mandatory indemnification provisions were approved and recommended by the Governance Committee and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in order to conform to the current practices of most public companies and to attract and maintain quality candidates for its directors and management, and are included in the 2022 By-Law is (see above). A current copy of the By-Laws is posted and available to stockholders and the public on the Corporation's web site (www.sparinc.com).
 
-10-
 
 
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that the Corporation (as a Delaware corporation) has the power to indemnify under various circumstances anyone who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or (at its request) another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, which includes indemnification against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), but only if: (i) such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; (ii) in the case of any criminal action or proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; and (iii) in the case of any suit by or in the right of the Corporation in which the person is adjudged to be liable to the Corporation, the applicable court determines such person is nevertheless fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnification under the circumstances. Section 145 of the DGCL also permits the Corporation to pay or advance the expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by any such person in defending any such action, suit or proceeding, and requires that the Corporation indemnify such person for such unpaid expenses upon a successful defense of such action, suit or proceeding.
 
The Company maintains director and officer liability insurance that (subject to deductibles, maximums and exceptions) covers most liabilities arising out of the acts or omissions of any officer, director, employee or other covered person, both for the benefit of the Company and the direct benefit of its directors and officers, regardless of whether the By-Laws or DGCL Section 145 would permit indemnification of the matters covered by such insurance. The By-Laws (and DGCL Section 145) expressly permit the Corporation to secure such insurance and expressly provide that their respective indemnification provisions are not exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled, including such insurance.
 
There is no pending action, suit or proceeding involving any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company in such capacity in which advancement or indemnification may be required or permitted.
 
Ethics Codes
 
SGRP has adopted codes of ethical conduct applicable to all of its directors, officers and employees, as approved and recommended by the Governance Committee and Audit Committee and adopted by the Board, in accordance with Nasdaq Rules and SEC Rules. These codes of conduct (collectively, the " Ethics Code") consist of: (1) the SPAR Group Code of Ethical Conduct for its Directors, Executives, Officers, Employees, Consultants and other Representatives Amended and Restated (as of) March 15, 2018 (the "Restated Ethical Code"); and (2) Statement of Policy Regarding Personal Securities Transactions in SGRP Stock and Non-Public Information, as amended and restated on May 1, 2004, and as further amended through March 10, 2011. Both Committees were involved because general authority over the Ethics Codes shifted from the Audit Committee to the Governance Committee with the adoption of the committee charters on May 18, 2004. However, the Audit Committee retained the express duty to review and approve the overall fairness of all material related-party transactions. You can obtain and review current copies of such code and policy on the Company's web site (www.sparinc.com), which are posted and available to stockholders and the public under the Investor Relations tab and Corporate Governance sub-tab.
 
The Ethics Code is intended to promote and reward honest, ethical, respectful and professional conduct by each director, executive, officer, employee, consultant and other representative of any of SGRP and its subsidiaries (together with SGRP, the "Company") and each other Covered Person (as defined in the Ethics Code) in his or her position with the Company anywhere in the world, including (among other things) serving each customer, dealing with each vendor and treating each other with integrity and respect, and behaving honestly, ethically and professionally with each customer, each vendor, each other and the Company. Article II of the Ethics Code specifically prohibits various forms of self-dealing (including dealing with relatives) and collusion and Article V of the Ethics Code generally prohibits each "Covered Person" (including SGRP's officers and directors) from using or disclosing the Confidential Information of the Company or any of its customers or vendors, seeking or accepting anything of value from any competitor, customer, vendor, or other person relating to doing business with the Company, or engaging in any business activity that conflicts with his or her duties to the Company, and directs each "Covered Person" to avoid any activity or interest that is inconsistent with the best interests of the SPAR Group, in each case except for any "Approved Activity" (as such terms are defined in the Ethics Code). Examples of violations include (among other things) having any ownership interest in, acting as a director or officer of or otherwise personally benefiting from business with any competitor, customer or vendor of the Company other than pursuant to any Approved Activity. Approved Activities include (among other things) any contract with an affiliated person (each an "Approved Affiliate Contract") or anything else disclosed to and approved by SGRP's Audit Committee, as well as the ownership, board, executive and other positions held in and services and other contributions to affiliates of SGRP and its subsidiaries by certain directors, officers or employees of SGRP, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective family members. The Company's senior management is generally responsible for monitoring compliance with the Ethics Code and establishing and maintaining compliance systems, including those related to the oversight and approval of conflicting relationships and transactions, subject to the review and oversight of SGRP's Governance Committee as provided in Part I Sections 2, 3, 11 and 12 of the Governance Committee's Charter, and SGRP's Audit Committee as provided in Part IV Section 15 of the Audit Committee's Charter.
 
Significant Stockholder Governance Limitations
 
In consideration and as part of the CIC Agreement, the Majority Stockholders agreed that they and their affiliates will not directly or indirectly take any of the listed actions (the "Covered Matters") during the term of the CIC Agreement respecting their SGRP Shares (including voting, consents, proxies or other corporate actions), alone or in conjunction with other stockholders of the Corporation, unless any of the matters are the subject of a vote at a meeting of the Corporation's stockholders called by the Board.
 
The Covered Matters include taking or attempting any of the following:
 
 
(i)
Action by written stockholder consent;
 
 
(ii)
Submission of any stockholder proposals in advance of any annual or special stockholders meeting of the Corporation;
 
 
(iii)
Stockholder call for any special meetings of the Corporation's stockholders;
 
 
(iv)
Continuation or commencement any legal claims against the Company;
 
 
(v)
Changing the size of the Board;
 
 
(vi)
Appointing or removing any director or officer of the Corporation, except as expressly permitted in the CIC Agreement;
 
 
(vii)
Amending the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws; or
 
 
(viii)
Entering any agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or otherwise) with any other Person in an effort to take any action in furtherance of the foregoing.
 
-11-
 
 
The foregoing description is only a summary of the CIC Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to a copy of the CIC Agreement, which is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report as Exhibit 10.9.
 
Item 11. Executive Compensation
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
The following table sets forth all compensation for services rendered to the Company in all capacities for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (but See - Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons, below), by: (i) the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer; and (ii) each of the other persons named below, which include the two (2) most highly compensated Executives or other Officers of the Company. "Named Executive Officers" shall mean each of the individuals listed below, other than Mr. Bartels. The Company does not have any Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Plans other than as part of its individual Incentive Bonus Plans, any pension plans or any non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and accordingly those columns have been omitted.
 
Effective as of February 22, 2021, SPAR Group appointed Mr. Mike Matacunas the President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of SGRP. Effective July 13, 2021, SPAR Group Appointed Ron Lutz as Chief Global Commercial Officer and William Linnane as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer of SGRP. Effective as of August 31, 2020, Fay DeVriese became the Chief Financial Officer of SGRP. Mr. Steven J. Adolph resigned as President International of SGRP effective April 23, 2021. Mr. Gerard Marrone retired as Chief Revenue Officer of SGRP effective June 15, 2021. Mr. Christiaan M. Olivier resigned as Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), President and a director of SGRP, and from all positions with SGRP's subsidiaries, effective August 7, 2020, and Mr. James R. Segreto retired as Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer), Treasurer and Secretary of SGRP, and from all positions with SGRP's subsidiaries, effective August 7, 2020.
 
 
 
Name and Principal Positions
 
 
Year
 
 
Salary ($)
 
 
Bonus ($)
 
Stock Awards
($) (1)
 
Option Awards
($)(1)
All Other
Compensation
($) (2)
 
Total ($)
Steven J. Adolph
2021
74,970
--
--
49,020
  
123,990
President International
2020
206,000
20,600
--
--
--
226,600
William H. Bartels (3)
2021
100,000
--
--
--
45,719
145,719
Director
2020
100,000
--
--
--
20,588
120,588
Kori Belzer
2021
261,848
--
--
94,026
4,800
360,674
Global Chief Operating Officer
2020
255,567
208,632
--
5,250
4,800
474,249
Fay DeVriese
2021
278,750
--
--
37,445
2,400
318,595
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
2020
85,365
--
--
--
--
85,365
William Linnane
2021
110,833
50,000
--
--
2,400
163,233
Chief Strategy and Growth Officer
              
Ron Lutz
2021
110,833
50,000
--
--
2,400
163,233
Chief Global Commercial Officer
              
Gerard Marrone
2021
100,920
--
--
61,516
--
162,436
Chief Revenue Officer
2020
206,000
250,401
--
--
--
456,401
Mike Matacunas
2021
250,000
50,000
–
–
4,086
304,086
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
              
Christiaan M. Olivier
2020
215,704
414,814
–
3,204
23,200
656,922
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
              
James R. Segreto
2020
154,000
181,839
    
3,600
339,439
 
(1)
These are not amounts actually paid to or received by the Named Executive or Officer. These are "compensation expenses" for restricted stock or stock option awards recognized by the Corporation under generally accepted accounting principles computed in accordance with ASC-718- 10.
(2)
"Other Compensation" primarily represents automobile allowance, except for: (1) $16,000 paid to Christiaan Olivier for living expenses; and (2) $47,719 paid to Mr. William Bartels for health care benefits and reimbursement for legal fees.
(3)
Mr. Bartels was and continues to be a director of SGRP, but retired as Vice Chairman on July 17, 2020, and retired as an employee of SGRP as of January 1, 2020. Accordingly, Mr. Bartels is now a non-employee director. (See Other Domestic Related Party Transactions - Bartels' Retirement and Director Compensation, below for a description of the benefits that he will receive as a director.)
 
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
 
Compensation Elements
 
As indicated in the Summary Compensation Table above, in addition to base salary, we provide the following compensation and benefits to our Named Executive Officers:
 
 
●
Cash Bonuses. Annually, the Company enters into bonus plans with key management and administrators based on specified goals. The bonuses noted in the above table that were paid in 2020 were in fact earned in 2019.
 
 
●
Stock and Option Awards. The Corporation grants our Named Executive Officers awards of stock options and restricted stock units from time to time. Such options were issued with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant and vest and become exercisable 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, provided that the recipient remains employed through the vesting date.
 
 
●
Retirement Benefits. The only retirement plan the Company maintains in the United States is its 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, which is which is a tax-qualified defined contribution plan that is available to all of its eligible employees, including the Named Executive Officers. Although it is not required to do so, the Corporation makes discretionary contributions to plan participants from time to time. In 2020, the Corporation contributed a total of $75,000 to that plan, which was shared by its 197 participants in proportion to their respective contributions. The amounts that the Corporation contributed to each of the Named Executive Officers is included in the "All Other Compensation" column above. The Corporation does not maintain any defined benefit pension plans, supplemental retirement plans, or nonqualified deferred compensation plans. However, See Bartels' Retirement and Director Compensation, below.
 
 
●
Other Benefits and Perquisites. Other than providing car allowances and paying for life and long-term disability benefits, each as described in footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table above, the Corporation does not provide any perquisites or other benefits to its Named Executive Officers. The Corporation provides standard healthcare benefits to its eligible employees, including the Named Executive Officers.
 
-12-
 
 
Potential Severance Payments upon a Change-In-Control and Termination
 
In order to retain and motivate certain highly qualified executives in the event of a "Change-in-Control", the Corporation entered into a separate Change in Control Severance Agreements (each a "CICSA") with Messrs. Michael R. Matacunas, Fay DeVriese, William Linnane, Ron Lutz and Kori Belzer.
 
Each CICSA provides that the applicable executive will receive a lump sum severance payment if both: (1) a "Change in Control" occurs; and (2) within the "Protected Period" the executive is terminated other than in a "Termination For Cause". The Protected Period is equal to the Term or 24 months from the then most recent Change in Control. The term is 36 months and automatically extends daily for another day unless the Corporation gives notice of non-renewal (in which case the Term ends on the third anniversary of such notice). The CICSA severance payment is equal to the sum of: (i) two (2) (Mr. Matacunas), 1.5 (Ms. DeVriese) or one (1) times the executive's annual salary (or in the case of Ms. Belzer, her monthly salary times the number of remaining months in the Protected Period following the applicable resignation or termination); plus (ii) the maximum bonus paid to such executive in either of the last two (2) years (although the bonus calculation is somewhat different for Ms. Belzer).
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
 
The following table sets forth unexercised options, unvested stock options and certain related information for each Named Officer outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
 
Stock Option Awards
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name
 
 
 
 
 
Grant
Date
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
at 12/31/20 (#)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options Not
Exercisable
at 12/31/20 (#)
 
 
 
 
 
Option
Price ($)
 
 
 
 
 
Option
Date
Kori Belzer
08/06/13
35,000
--
$              2.14
08/06/23
 
05/07/17
6,250
--(1)
$              0.90
05/17/27
 
05/03/18
15,000
5,000(1)
$              1.23
05/03/28
 
04/05/19
--
12,500(2)
$              0.64
04/05/29
Fay Devriese
08/31/20
--
150,000(3)
$              0.85
08/31/30
Michael Matacunas 02/22/21 -- 630,000(1) $              1.90 02/22/31
James Segreto 08/06/13 35,000 -- $              2.14 08/06/23
 
(1)
Amounts vest on the anniversary of the grant date in 2022.
(2)
Amounts vest on the anniversary of the grant date, one half in 2022 and 2023.
(3)
Amounts vest on the anniversary of the grant date, one third in each 2022, 2023, and 2024.
 
Compensation of Directors
 
The following table sets forth all compensation costs of the Corporation for services rendered to it by its directors (other than any Named Officer), and certain other amounts that may have been received by or allocated to them, for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Corporation has not given restricted stock awards to its directors and does not have pension plans or non-qualified deferred compensation plans for its directors, so those columns have been omitted.
 
 
 
Name
 
 
Year
Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
 
Option Awards
($)(1)
 
All Other
Compensation ($)
 
 
Total ($)
Arthur H. Baer (6)
2021
39,986
--
--
39,986
William H. Bartels
2021
105,000
--
--
105,000
James R. Brown, Sr. (2)
2021
52,250
--
--
52,250
Peter W. Brown (5)
2021
62,060
--
113,000
175,060
Robert G. Brown
2021
82,514
--
--
82,514
Panagiotis N. Lazaretos (7)
2021
69,482
--
--
69,482
Jeffrey A. Mayer (6)
2021
32,500
37,238
--
69,738
Igor Novgorodtsev (6)
2021
32,000
--
--
32,000
Michael Wager (3)
2021
11,807
--
--
11,807
Sean M. Whelan (4)
2021
13,954
--
--
13,954
 
(1)
These are not amounts actually paid to or received by the named director. These are "compensation expenses" for restricted stock or stock option awards recognized by the Corporation under generally accepted accounting principles computed in accordance with ASC- 718-10.
(2)
Mr. James R. Brown, Sr.'s tenure as a director of SGRP started on January 19, 2021 and ended on January 25, 2022.
(3)
Mr. Michael Wager tenure as a director of SGRP started on October 21, 2021.
(4)
Mr. Sean M. Whelan tenure as a director of SGRP started on October 21, 2021.
(5)
Mr. Peter W. Brown received other compensation of $47,000 for consulting work, and $66,000 for dividend declared and paid by Corporation's Brazilian subsidiary, SPAR BSMT.
(6)
Mr. Arthur H. Baer, Jeffery A. Mayer, and Igor Novgorodtsev resigned from SGRP effective June 9, 2021.
(7)
Mr. Panagiotis N. Lazaretos retired from SGRP effective January 25, 2022.
 
-13-
 
 
Discussion of Directors' Compensation
 
The Compensation Committee administers the compensation of directors pursuant to SGRP's Director Compensation Plan for its outside Directors, as approved and amended by the Committee from time to time (the "Directors Compensation Plan"), as well as the compensation for SGRP's executives. The Directors Compensation Plan was modified in the March 16, 2017, quarterly meeting of the Compensation Committee, effective April 1, 2017.
 
Under the Directors Compensation Plan taking effect for all periods on and after April 1, 2017: (i) each Independent Director and Non- Employee Director is entitled to receive director's fees of $55,000 per annum; (ii) each applicable Independent Director is entitled to receive for chairing the applicable committee an additional $10,000 per annum fee in the case of the Audit Committee Chairman; and (iii) an additional $7,500 per annum fee in the case of the Chairman of each of the Governance, Compensation, Strategic and Technology Committees in each case payable quarterly in cash. The Compensation Committee in May 2018 approved total compensation of $90,000 per year for the Corporation's Chairman.
 
In addition to their cash compensation, in the past, each Independent Director received options to purchase 10,000 SGRP Shares upon acceptance of the directorship, options to purchase 10,000 additional SGRP Shares after one (1) year of service, and options to purchase 10,000 additional SGRP Shares for each additional year of service thereafter (typically granted by the Corporation at the regularly scheduled board meeting which coincided with the Annual Meeting). All such options have an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of a SGRP Share at the date of grant and prior to 2020 vested 100% on the first anniversary of the Award's grant date and for grants in 2020 or later over four (4) years, with one fourth of the original grant amount vesting on each anniversary of the grant date, if the Participant 's relationship as a director of SGRP or employee of the Company has not terminated by such anniversary.
 
All stock options and restricted stock awards to Independent Directors have been granted under the 2018 Plan and Prior Plans, under which each member of the Board is eligible to participate. Independent Directors will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred during the course of their duties. There is no additional compensation for committee participation, phone meetings, or other Board activities.
 
Compensation Plan
 
Equity Compensation Plans
 
The following table contains a summary of the number of shares of Common Stock of SGRP to be issued upon the exercise of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2021, under the Inducement Plans, 2020 Plan, 2018 Plan, 2008 Plan and the Prior Plans, the weighted-average exercise price of those outstanding stock options, and the number of additional shares of Common Stock remaining available for future issuance of stock options and other stock-based awards.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
 
 
 
 
Plan Category
 
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding stock
options and
stock rights (#)
 
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding stock
options and
stock rights ($)
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance of
options, rights and 
other stock- based 
awards (#)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:      
2008 Plan
691,162
1.53
–
2018 Plan
160,000
.93
–
2020 Plan
385,000
1.55
–
CFO Inducement
150,000
.85
–
CEO Inducement
630,000
1.90
–
Restricted Stock Awards
80,079
1.87
–
 
Stock-Based Compensation Plan
 
2021 Plan
 
On June 4, 2021, the Board and the Board's Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") approved the revised proposed 2021 Stock Compensation Plan of SPAR Group, Inc. (the "2021 Plan") for submission, approval and ratification by the Company's stockholders at their Annual Meeting on August 12, 2021. At that meeting, the 2021 Plan was ratified and approved by the Company's stockholders and became effective immediately on August 12, 2021 (the "2021 Plan Effective Date"), and its term continues through May 31, 2022 (the "2021 Plan Period"). The 2021 Plan terminates on May 31, 2022.
 
The 2021 Plan provides for the issuance of Awards for NQSOs and RSUs (as defined below) respecting shares of SGRP's Common Stock ("SGRP Shares") covering up to a total of 400,000 SGRP Shares ("Maximum Award") under the 2021 Plan ("New Awards") to, in or otherwise respecting SGRP Shares ("New Award Shares") so long as the New Award Shares covered by each proposed New Award or group of New Awards in the aggregate (NQSOs plus RSUs) do not at the time of the proposed issuance exceed the Maximum Award and the RSU component does not exceed 150,000 New Award Shares.
 
As of December 31, 2021, RSU Awards for 58,011 SGRP Shares had been granted under the 2021 Plan, all of which remain outstanding and none of which have been registered under the Securities Act.
 
-14-
 
 
2020 Plan
 
The Board authorized and approved the revised proposed 2020 stock compensation plan of SGRP (the "2020 Plan"), which was submitted to and approved by SGRP's stockholders at the Special Meeting of SGRP's stockholders on January 19, 2021 (the "2020 Plan Effective Date"). The 2020 Plan became effective immediately upon such approval.
 
The 2020 Plan: (a) had a four-month term from the 2020 Plan Effective Date (as defined below) through May 1, 2021 (the "2020 Plan Period"); and (b) provided for the issuance of "non-qualified" option awards to purchase shares of SGRP's Common Stock ("SGRP Shares") aggregating: (i) 550,000 SGRP Shares; plus (ii) 50,000 SGRP Shares for each of up to the first three (3) additional new Directors during the period December 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 (for a possible total of 700,000 SGRP Shares) available for future Awards during the 2020 Plan Period as outlined below (the "20-21 Maximum") under 2020 Plan. Since one (1) new director joined the Board on the 2020 Plan Effective Date, 600,000 SGRP Shares were available for Awards on the 2020 Plan Effective Date.
 
The 2020 Plan required the Company to issue as of the plan effective date new awards for options to purchase: (i) an aggregate of 125,000 SGRP Shares to 19 employees (other than the Named Executive Officers) in individual amounts designated by the Board; (ii) 10,000 SGRP Shares to each of Panagiotis N. Lazaretos, Igor Novgorodtsev, Robert G. Brown and Arthur H. Baer (each a director); and (iii) 50,000 SGRP Shares to each member of the Board of Directors on the Effective Date of the Plan. Those option awards were granted by the Board on February 4, 2021. The 2020 Plan terminated on May 1, 2021, and no further option awards were available or granted under it.
 
Inducement Stock Award Summary
 
Nasdaq Rules permit the grant of options, RSUs and other stock-based awards outside of stockholder approved plans to induce executives to accept employment with the Corporation. Such inducement awards require Board approval, but do not require stockholder approval. See Recent Inducement Awards, below.
 
On August 2, 2021, as an inducement to Ron Lutz to become the Corporation's Chief Global Commercial Officer, the Corporation granted to Mr. Lutz RSU Awards issued and effective on that date having a fair market value of $50,000 (i.e., respecting 26,882 SGRP Shares at $1.86 per share) as of that date and vesting in one (1) year.
 
On August 2, 2021, as an inducement to William Linnane to become the Corporation's Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, the Corporation granted to Mr. Linnane RSU Awards issued and effective on that date having a fair market value of $50,000 (i.e., respecting 26,882 SGRP Shares at $1.86 per share) as of that date and vesting in one (1) year.
 
On February 22, 2021, as an inducement to Michael R. Matacunas to become the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and a Director, the Corporation granted to Mr. Matacunas Awards consisting of: (a) nonqualified option Awards to acquire 630,000 SGRP shares at $1.90 per share; and (b) RSU Awards issued and effective: (i) on that date having a fair market value of $50,000 (i.e., respecting 26,315 SGRP Shares at $1.90 per share) as of that date and vesting in one (1) year; and (ii) on May 15, 2022, and on May 15th of each following year through 2031, provided that Grantee is then still employed as the CEO of the Corporation on such date, RSUs having a Fair Market Value of $100,000 on each such date, which shall be automatically issued and effective and shall be recorded by the Corporation on its books and records on each such date. Each of his RSU Awards vests one (1) year after issuance. His Option Award vests on February 22, 2022.
 
On August 31, 2020, as an inducement to Fay DeVriese to become the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer and a Director, the Corporation granted to Ms. DeVriese an Award consisting of nonqualified options to acquire 200,000 SGRP shares at $0.85 per share, vesting twenty-five percent (25%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock subject hereto on August 31, 2021, and the balance of the Option shall thereafter vest and become exercisable in a series of three (3) successive equal annual installments upon the Optionee's completion of each additional year of employment over the three-year period following August 31, 2021, such that the balance of the Option will be fully vested on August 31, 2024.
 
2008 Plan Summary
 
2008 Plan Stock option award activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is summarized below:
 
     
Weighted-
  
 
Weighted-
  
Average
  
Aggregate
 
Average
  
Remaining
  
Intrinsic
 
Exercise
  
Contractual
  
Value
Option Awards
Shares
  
Price
  
Term (Years)
  
(Thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2020
2,227,211
  
$                  1.22
  
4.83
  
$                 452
Granted
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Exercised/cancelled
57,500
  
1.00
  
–
  
–
Forfeited or expired
711,775
  
–
  
–
  
–
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
1,457,936
  
$                  1.31
  
3.63
  
$                  113
Granted
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Exercised
87,712
  
1.08
  
–
  
–
Forfeited or expired
679,062
  
–
  
–
  
–
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
691,162
  
$                  1.53
  
2.60
  
$                   72
Exercisable at December 31, 2021
691,162
  
$                  1.53
  
2.60
  
$                   72
 
No stock options were granted in 2021 under the 2008 Plan. The total intrinsic value of stock option awards exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $295,000 and $6,000, respectively.
 
The Company recognized $13,000 and $37,000 in stock-based compensation expense relating to stock option awards during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The recognized tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, was approximately $3,000 and $23,000, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $0.
 
-15-
 
 
2018 Plan Summary
 
2018 Plan Stock option award activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below:
 
     
Weighted-
  
 
Weighted-
  
Average
  
Aggregate
 
Average
  
Remaining
  
Intrinsic
 
Exercise
  
Contractual
  
Value
Option Awards
Shares
  
Price
  
Term (Years)
  
(Thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2020
555,000
  
0.89
  
8.88
  
–
Granted
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Exercised/cancelled
18,750
  
1
  
–
  
–
Forfeited or expired
106,250
  
–
  
–
  
–
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
430,000
  
$                  0.90
  
7.87
  
$                     8
Granted
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Exercised
60,000
  
0.85
  
–
  
–
Forfeited or expired
210,000
  
–
  
–
  
–
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
160,000
  
$                  0.93
  
6.82
  
$                   31
Exercisable at December 31, 2021
118,750
  
$                  0.97
  
6.60
  
$                   31
 
No stock options were granted in 2021 under the 2018 Plan. The total intrinsic value of stock option awards exercised during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $235,000 and $3,000.
 
The Company recognized $23,000 and $28,000 in stock-based compensation expense relating to stock option awards during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The recognized tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $6,000 and $8,000, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $8,000. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.0 years and will be adjusted for changes in estimated forfeitures.
 
2020 Plan Summary
 
Following are the specific valuation assumptions used for options granted in 2021 and 2020 for the 2020 Plan:
 
 
2021
 2020
Expected volatility
52.8%
0.0%
Expected dividend yields
0.0%
0.0%
Expected term (in years)
5
0
Risk free interest rate
1.0%
0.0%
Expected forfeiture rate
4.0%
0.0%
 
2020 Plan Stock option award activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below:
 
     
Weighted-
  
 
Weighted-
  
Average
  
Aggregate
 
Average
  
Remaining
  
Intrinsic
 
Exercise
  
Contractual
  
Value
Option Awards
Shares
  
Price
  
Term (Years)
  
(Thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2020
–
  
–
  
–
   –
Granted
–
  
–
  
–
   –
Exercised/cancelled
–
  
–
  
–
   –
Forfeited or expired
–
  
–
  
–
   –
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
–
  
$                      –
  
–
   $                               –
Granted
565,000
  
1.55
  
4.10
   –
Exercised
–
  
–
  
–
   –
Forfeited or expired
180,000
  
–
  
–
   –
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
385,000
  
$                  1.55
  
4.10
   $                     –
Exercisable at December 31, 2021 –   $                       –   –   $                     –
 
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock option awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1.55. The total intrinsic value of stock option awards exercised during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.
 
The Company recognized $57,000 and $0 in stock-based compensation expense relating to stock option awards during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The recognized tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $16,000 and $0, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $188,000. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.0 years, and will be adjusted for changes in estimated forfeitures.
 
-16-
 
 
CFO Inducement Plan Summary
 
CFO Inducement Plan Stock option award activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below:
 
     
Weighted-
  
 
Weighted-
  
Average
  
Aggregate
 
Average
  
Remaining
  
Intrinsic
 
Exercise
  
Contractual
  
Value
Option Awards
Shares
  
Price
  
Term (Years)
  
(Thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2020
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Granted
200,000
  
0.85
  
9.67
  
–
Exercised/cancelled
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Forfeited or expired
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
200,000
  
$                  0.85
  
9.67
  
$                   60
Granted
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Exercised
50,000
  
0.85
  
–
  
–
Forfeited or expired
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
150,000
  
$                  0.85
  
8.67
  
$                   57
Exercisable at December 31, 2021
–
  
$                       –
  
–
  
$                     –
 
The total intrinsic value of stock option awards exercised during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $37,000 and $0.
 
The Company recognized $22,000 and $7,000 in stock-based compensation expense relating to stock option awards during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The recognized tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, was approximately $5,000 and $2,000, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $52,000. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.0 years, and will be adjusted for changes in estimated forfeitures.
 
CEO Inducement Plan Summary
 
Following are the specific valuation assumptions used for options granted in 2021 and 2020 for the CEO Plan:
 
 
2021
 2020
Expected volatility
52.7%
0.0%
Expected dividend yields
0.0%
0.0%
Expected term (in years)
1
0
Risk free interest rate
0.76%
0.0%
Expected forfeiture rate
6.0%
0.0%
 
CEO Inducement Plan Stock option award activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below:
 
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
  
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Terms (Years)
  
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(Thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
–
  
$                      –
  
–
  
$                    –
Granted
630,000
  
1.90
  
9.15
  
–
Exercised
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Forfeited or expired
–
  
–
  
–
  
–
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
630,000
  
$                  1.90
  
9.15
  
$                    –
Exercisable at December 31, 2021
–
  
$                       –
  
–
  
$                    –
 
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock option awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1.90. There were no stock option awards exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021.
 
The Company recognized $509,000 in stock-based compensation expense relating to stock option awards during the years ended December 31, 2021. The recognized tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021, was approximately $126,000.
 
As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $85,000. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.1 years, and will be adjusted for changes in estimated forfeitures.
 
-17-
 
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
The restricted stock awards issued vest over one (1) year following issuance so long as the holder continues to be employed by the Company. Restricted stock granted is measured at fair value on the date of the grant, based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock. The shares of stock are issued and value is recognized as compensation expense ratably over the requisite service period which generally is the award's vesting period.
 
The following table summarizes the activity for restricted stock Awards during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
  
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
per Share
Unvested at January 1, 2020
--
  
                  --
Granted
 --  
--
Vested
--
  
--
Forfeited
--
  
--
Unvested at December 31, 2020 --   --
Granted 80,079 $ 1.87
Vested --   --
Forfeited
--
  
             --
Unvested at December 31, 2021
80,079
 $
            1.87
 
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized approximately $87,000 and $0, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock. The recognized tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $21,000 and $0, respectively.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the total fair value of restricted stock vested was $0.
 
As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $66,000.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
 
In 2001, SGRP adopted its 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESP Plan"), which replaced its earlier existing plan, and its 2001 Consultant Stock Purchase Plan (the "CSP Plan"). These plans were each effective as of June 1, 2001. The ESP Plan allows employees of the Company, and the CSP Plan allows employees of the affiliates of the Company to purchase SGRP's Common Stock from SGRP without having to pay any brokerage commissions. On August 8, 2002, the Board approved a 15% discount for employee purchases of Common Stock under the ESP Plan and recommended that its affiliates pay 15% of the value of the stock purchased as a cash bonus for affiliate consultant purchases of Common Stock under the CSP Plan.
 
Audit and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
No member of the Board's Audit Committee, Compensation Committee or Governance Committee was at any time during the year ended December 31, 2021, or at any other time an officer or employee of the Company. No executive officer of the Company or Board member (including any member of SGRP's Board, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee or Governance Committee) serves as a member of the board of directors, audit, compensation or governance committee of any other entity, except for the positions of Messrs. Brown and Bartels as directors of SGRP and as directors and officers of certain of its affiliates, including SBS, SAS and Infotech (See Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons, below).
 
-18-
 
 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of SGRP's Common Stock as of April 8, 2022, by: (i) each person who is known by SGRP to own beneficially more than 5% of SGRP's Common Stock; (ii) each of SGRP's directors; and (iii) each of the Named Executive Officers in the Summary Compensation Table. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table, based on information provided by such persons, have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.
 
 
Title of Class
Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
See
Note #
 
Percentage
Common Shares
Robert G. Brown
5,003,925
(1)
22.2%
Common Shares
William H. Bartels
4,795,355
(1)
21.3%
Common Shares
Michael R. Matacunas
656,315
(1) (2)
2.9%
Common Shares
Peter W. Brown
172,017
(1) (3)
1%
Common Shares
Kori G. Belzer
72,798
(1) (4)
*
Common Shares
James R. Brown, Sr.
43,084
(1)
*
Common Shares
William Linnane
26,882
(1)
*
Common Shares
Ronald Lutz
26,882
(1)
*
Common Shares
Fay DeVriese
2
(1)
*
Common Shares
All Executives and Directors
10,797,260
-
47.8%
 
*       Less than 1%
(1)
The address of such owners is c/o SPAR Group, Inc. 1910 Opdyke Court, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326.
(2)
Mr. Matacunas' beneficial ownership includes 630,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options and 26,315 restricted stock units.
(3)
Mr. Peter Brown's beneficial ownership includes 80,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.
(4)
Ms. Belzer's beneficial ownership includes 67,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Related Party Transactions
 
SPAR's policy respecting approval of transactions with related persons, promoters and control persons is contained in the Ethics Code (See Ethics Code, below) The Company's senior management is generally responsible for monitoring compliance with the Ethics Code and establishing and maintaining compliance systems, including those related to the oversight and approval of conflicting relationships and transactions, subject to the review and oversight of SGRP's Governance Committee as provided in Part I Sections 2, 3, 11 and 12 of the Governance Committee's Charter, and SGRP's Audit Committee as provided in Part IV Section 15 of the Audit Committee's Charter. The Governance Committee and Audit Committee each consist solely of independent directors. The 2022 By-Laws require that the Chairman of each such Committee and at least two (2) of its members be a Super Independent Director (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting, above).
 
SPAR's Audit Committee has the specific duty and responsibility to review and approve the overall fairness to the Company and terms of all material related- party transactions and payments. The Audit Committee reviews all related party transactions, in accordance with the Audit Committee Charter, the Ethics Code, the Nasdaq rules and other applicable law to ensure that the overall economic and other terms will be (or continue to be) no less favorable to the Company than would be the case in an arms-length contract with an unrelated provider of similar services (i.e., its overall fairness to the Company, including pricing, payments to related parties and the ability to provide services at comparable performance levels).
 
Domestic Related Party Transactions
 
Mr. Robert G. Brown and Mr. William H. Bartels are directors and significant stockholders of SGRP, and thus each is a related party and affiliate of SGRP.  Mr. Robert G. Brown was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SGRP (the "Board"), but ceased to be eligible to hold that position when the 2022 By-Laws became effective on January 25, 2022. SPAR Business Services, Inc. ("SBS"), SPAR InfoTech, Inc. ("Infotech"), and SPAR Administrative Services, Inc. ("SAS"), are related parties and affiliates of SGRP, but are not under the control or part of the Company. SBS is a related party and affiliate of SGRP because it is owned by SBS LLC, which in turn is beneficially owned by Mr. Robert G. Brown. Infotech is a related party and affiliate because it is owned principally by Mr. Robert G. Brown. SAS is a related party and affiliate of SGRP because it is owned principally by Mr. William H. Bartels and entities owned by affiliates of Mr. Robert G. Brown.
 
-19-
 
 
Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement
 
Approved by the majority of the Board and the Audit Committee and accepted by the Majority Stockholders defined below on December 31, 2021, and signed and effective January 28, 2022, SGRP entered into the Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement ("CIC Agreement"), by and among SGRP, Robert G. Brown, ("Mr. Brown"), William H. Bartels, ("Mr. Bartels"), SBS and SAS ("Majority Stockholders"), each of whom are affiliates and related parties of the Company (see above). In connection with the CIC Agreement, on January 25, 2022, the Board adopted the By-Laws. See Corporate Governance 2022 By-Laws, below. 
 
The financial terms of the CIC Agreement to the Majority Stockholders, totaling $4,477,585, consists of the following:
 
 
a.
The Corporation will issue to the Majority Stockholders 2,000,000 restricted shares of Series B Preferred Stock which are convertible into SGRP Shares subject to the conversion ratio as set forth in the CIC Agreement of 1:1.5 basis, subject to adjustment for a forward or reverse share split, share dividend, or similar transactions. These shares will vest over time upon execution of the CIC Agreement through November 10, 2023 in five (5) phases, assuming the Majority Stockholders' ongoing compliance with the terms and conditions of the CIC Agreement. Series B Preferred Shares may only be transferred to affiliates and certain related parties of the Majority Stockholders if those affiliates and certain related parties execute a joinder to the CIC Agreement. The Series B Preferred Stock was valued at $3,690,000 in total, based on the SGRP stock price on December 31, 2021 of $1.23 per share over 3,000,000 SGRP shares.
 
 
b.
The Corporation made a $250,000 cash payment to Mr. Brown and agreed to reimburse up to $35,000 of the legal expenses of the Majority Stockholders that were incurred after January 1, 2021 in connection with the negotiation and execution of the CIC Agreement.
 
 
c.
The Corporation assumed financial responsibility for, and will pay directly to Affinity Insurance Company, Ltd., $502,585 to settle SAS obligations and the related claim for the 2014-2015 plan year.
 
In consideration and as part of the CIC Agreement, the Majority Stockholders and the Corporation mutually released each other and affiliates of all claims, including related potential and future claims. See also CIC Limits on Majority Stockholder Actions, above.
 
The foregoing description is only a summary of the CIC Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to a copy of the CIC Agreement, which is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report as Exhibit 10.16.
 
James R. Brown, Sr. Advisor Agreement
 
On January 25, 2022, SGRP entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. James R. Brown, Sr., effective January 26, 2022, following his retirement as a director of SGRP on January 25, 2021, pursuant to which Mr. Brown will serve as a Board advisor to SGRP from time to time for a term of one (1) year (the "Brown Advisor Agreement"). As compensation for his services, Mr. Brown is entitled to receive compensation at a rate of $55,000 for the term of the Brown Advisor Agreement. Payments will be made in equal quarterly installments and will be pro-rated for partial quarters. This transaction has been approved as a related party transaction by SGRP's Audit Committee.
 
Panagiotis Lazaretos Consulting Agreement
 
On January 27, 2022, SGRP entered into a consulting agreement with Thenablers, Ltd. effective February 1, 2022 (the " Lazaretos Consulting Agreement"). Thenablers, Ltd. is wholly owned by Mr. Panagiotis Lazaretos, a retired director of SGRP. Following Mr. Lazaretos' retirement as a director on January 25, 2021, Thenablers, Ltd. agreed to provide the consulting services of Mr. Lazaretos to SGRP regarding global sales and new markets' expansion. The Lazaretos Consulting Agreement cannot be terminated by the consent of either party for the first twelve (12) months, and automatically expires on January 31, 2024. As compensation for its services, Thenablers, Ltd. is entitled to receive: (i) base compensation at a rate of $10,000 per month for the term of the Consulting Agreement; (ii) incentive based compensation as calculated in Exhibit A of the Lazaretos Consulting Agreement; and (iii) the outstanding options granted to Mr. Panagiotis ("Panos") N. Lazaretos on February 4, 2021 will continue to be outstanding and vest according to their terms under the agreement. This transaction has been approved as a related party transaction by SGRP's Audit Committee.
 
Other Domestic Related Party Transactions
 
National Merchandising Services, LLC ("NMS"), is a consolidated domestic subsidiary of the Company and is owned jointly by SGRP through its indirect ownership of 51% of the NMS membership interests and by National Merchandising of America, Inc. ("NMA"), through its ownership of the other 49% of the NMS membership interests. Mr. Edward Burdekin is the Chief Executive Officer and President and a director of NMS and also is an executive officer and director of NMA. Ms. Andrea Burdekin, Mr. Burdekin's wife, is the sole stockholder and also a director of both NMA and NMS. NMA is an affiliate of the Company but is not under the control of or consolidated with the Company. Mr. Burdekin also owns 100% of National Store Retail Services ("NSRS"). Since September 2018 through June of 2021, NSRS provided substantially all of the domestic merchandising specialist field force used by NMS. For those services, NMS agrees to reimburse NSRS certain costs for providing those services plus a premium ranging from 4.0% to 10.0% of certain costs. Starting in July of 2021, the domestic merchandising specialist field force services provided by NSRS was transitioned to National Remodel & Setup Services, LLC ("NRSS") with the same financial arrangement. Mrs. Andrea Burdekin is the owner of NRSS. NMS also leases office space from Mr. Burdekin's Personal property.
 
Resource Plus of North Florida, Inc. ("Resource Plus"), is a consolidated domestic subsidiary of the Company and is owned jointly by SGRP through its indirect ownership of 51% of the Resource Plus membership interests and by Mr. Richard Justus through his ownership of the other 49% of the Resource Plus membership interests. Mr. Justus has a 50% ownership interest in RJ Holdings which owns the buildings where Resource Plus is headquartered and operates. Both buildings are subleased to Resource Plus.
 
-20-
 
 
International Related Party Services
 
SGRP Meridian (Pty), Ltd. ("Meridian") is a consolidated international subsidiary of the Company and is owned 51% by SGRP, 23% by Friedshelf 401 Proprietary Limited and 26% by Lindicom Empowerment Holdings Proprietary Limited. Mr. Adrian Wingfield, who is a Director of CMR Meridian, is one of the beneficial owners of Merhold Holding Trust ("MHT"). MHT owns the building where Meridian is headquartered.
 
The Corporation's principal Brazilian subsidiary, SPAR BSMT, is owned 51% by the Company, 39% by JK Consultoria Empresarial Ltda.-ME, a Brazilian limitada ("JKC"), and 10% by EILLC. JKC is owned by Mr. Jonathan Dagues Martins, a Brazilian citizen and resident ("JDM") and his sister, Ms. Karla Dagues Martins, a Brazilian citizen and resident. JDM is the Chief Executive Officer and President of each SPAR Brazil subsidiary pursuant to a Management Agreement between JDM and SPAR BSMT dated September 13, 2016. JDM also is a director of SPAR BSMT. Accordingly, JKC and JDM are each a related party respecting the Company. EILLC is owned by Mr. Peter W. Brown, a director of SPAR BSMT and SGRP, and is the nephew of Robert G. Brown.
 
SPARFACTS is a consolidated international subsidiary of the Company and is owned 51% by SGRP and 49% by Ms. Lynda Chapman. Ms. Chapman is a director of SPARFACTS. Her various companies provide office lease, accounting and consultant services to SPARFACTS.
 
Summary of Certain Related Party Transactions
 
The following costs of affiliates were charged to the Company (in thousands):
 
Year Ended December 31, 
 
 2021
 
 2020
Services provided by affiliates:
        
National Store Retail Services (NSRS)
$
3,799
$
4,805
National Remodel & Setup Services (NRSS)
  
3,484
  
-
Consulting and administrative services (RJ Holdings)
  
567
  
939
Office lease expenses (RJ Holdings)
  
248
  
248
Office and vehicle rental expenses (MPT, MCPT, MHT)
  
115
  
1,470
Consulting and administrative fees (SPARFACTS)
  
325
  
210
Other
  
151
  
201
Total services provided by affiliates
$
8,689
$
7,873
 
Due to affiliates consists of the following (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
 2021
 
 2020
Loans to local investors:
        
China (included in other receivables)
$
-
$
613
         
Loans from local investors:(1)
        
China
$
1,784
$
1,746
Mexico
  
623
  
623
Australia
  
597
  
586
South Africa
  
-
  
415
Resource Plus
  
266
  
266
Brazil
  
-
  
139
Total due to affiliates
$
3,270
$
3,775
 
(1)
Represent loans from the local investors into the Company's subsidiaries (representing their proportionate share of working capital loans). The loans have no payment terms and are due on demand and as such have been classified as current liabilities in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
Bartels' Retirement and Director Compensation
 
William H. Bartels retired as an employee of the Company as of January 1, 2020. However, he continues to serve as a member of SPAR's Board.
 
Effective as of January 18, 2020, SPAR's Governance Committee proposed and unanimously approved retirement benefits for the five-year period commencing January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2024 (the "Five-Year Period"), for Mr. Bartels. The aggregate value of benefits payable to Mr. Bartels is approximately $220,558 per year and a total of $1,102,790 for the Five-Year Period. The Company recognized $700,000 of retirement benefits during the year ended December 31, 2020, representing the present value of the future Retirement Compensation, Supplemental Fees and Medical Benefits payments due Mr. Bartels. $404,667 remains outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and is included within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.
 
-21-
 
 
Other Related Party Transactions and Arrangements
 
In July 1999: SPAR Marketing Force, Inc., a subsidiary of SGRP ("SMF"), SBS and Infotech (See Domestic Related Party Transactions, above) entered into a perpetual software ownership agreement providing that each party independently owned an undivided share of and has the right to unilaterally license and exploit certain portions of the Company's proprietary scheduling, tracking, coordination, reporting and expense software are co-owned with SBS and Infotech and each entered into a non-exclusive royalty-free license from the Company to use certain "SPAR" trademarks in the United States.
 
Director Independence
 
See Board Size, Quorum and Voting and Director Nominations: Experience, Integrity, Diversity and other Criteria, and By-Laws, above.
 
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The aggregate fees billed to us for professional accounting services by BDO USA, LLP, including the audit of the Company's annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, are set forth in the table below (amounts in thousands):
 
 
 
 2021
 
 2020
Audit fees
$
640
$
625
Audit-related fees
  
50
  
45
Tax fees
  
187
  
157
Total
$
877
$
827
 
For purposes of the preceding table professional fees are classified as follows:
 
 
●
Audit fees — These are fees for professional services performed for the audit of our annual financial statements and the required review of quarterly financial statements and other procedures performed by the independent registered accounting firm in order for them to be able to form an opinion on our consolidated financial statements. These fees also cover services that are normally provided by independent registered accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
 
 
●
Audit-related fees — These are fees for assurance and related services that traditionally are performed by independent registered accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements. Audit related fees in the above table represent fees for a 401(k) audit and fees for a stand-alone audit of a subsidiary requested by the Company.
 
 
●
Tax fees — These are fees for all professional services performed by professional staff in our independent registered accounting firm's tax division, except those services related to the audit of our financial statements. These include fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice, including federal, state and local issues. Services may also include assistance with tax audits and appeals before the IRS and similar state and local agencies, as well as federal, state and local tax issues related to due diligence.
 
Since the Audit Committee's formation in 2003, as required by applicable law and Nasdaq rules, each audit-related or tax or other non-audit service performed by the Company's independent registered accounting firm either: (i) was approved in advance on a case-by-case basis by SGRP's Audit Committee; or (ii) fit within a pre-approved "basket" of audit-related or tax and other non-audit services of limited amount, scope and duration established in advance by SGRP's Audit Committee. In connection with the standards for independence of the Company's independent registered accounting firm promulgated by the SEC, the Audit Committee considers (among other things) whether the provision of such services would be compatible with maintaining the independence of the Company's registered independent accounting firm.
 
-22-
 
 
PART IV
 
15.
Amended Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
     
31.1
  
     
31.2
  
     
32.1
  
     
32.2
  
 
Please see SGRP's Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules in Part IV in SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 ("Form 10-K"), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 15, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
SGRP's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is BDO USA, LLP; Troy, Michigan; PCAOB ID#243.
 
-23-
 
 
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.
 
 
SPAR Group, Inc.
  
       
 
By:
/s/ Michael R. Matacunas
  
   
Michael R. Matacunas
  
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
  
       
 
Dated as of:  May 2, 2022
  
 
KNOW ALL THESE PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael R. Matacunas and Fay DeVriese and each of them, jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, for them in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.
 
SIGNATURE
  
TITLE
     
/s/ Michael R. Matacunas
   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director,
     Michael R. Matacunas   (Principal Executive Officer)
Dated as of: April 15, 2022    
     
     Robert G. Brown   Director
     Robert G. Brown    
Dated as of: April 15, 2022    
     
/s/ Sean M. Whelan   Director
     Sean M. Whelan    
Dated as of: April 15, 2022    
     
/s/ Michael Wager
   Director
     Michael Wager
    
Dated as of: April 15, 2022
    
     
/s/ William H. Bartels
  
Director
     William H. Bartels
    
Dated as of: April 15, 2022
    
     
/s/ Peter W. Brown
  
Director
     Peter W. Brown 
    
Dated as of: April 15, 2022
    
     
/s/ Fay DeVriese
  
Chief Financial Officer,
     Fay DeVriese
  
Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated as of: April 15, 2022
    
 
Please see Parts I and II and SGRP's Financial Statement Schedules in Part IV in SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 ("Form 10-K"), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 15, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
-24-
ex_365019.htm

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Michael R. Matacunas, certify that:

 

1.           I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2021, of SPAR Group, Inc.;

 

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;

 

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.           The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)     Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)     Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.        The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)     All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

   

Date:  May 2, 2022

/s/ Michael R. Matacunas

  

Michael R. Matacunas, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 
ex_365020.htm

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Fay DeVriese, certify that:

 

1.           I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2021 of SPAR Group, Inc.;

 

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;

 

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.           The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)     Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)     Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.         The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)     All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  May 2, 2022

/s/ Fay DeVriese

  

Fay DeVriese, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary

 

 
ex_365021.htm

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2021 (this "report"), of SPAR Group, Inc. (the "registrant"), the undersigned hereby certifies that, to his knowledge:

 

1.            The report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

 

2.            The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

 

 

 

/s/ Michael R. Matacunas

  

 

 

Michael R. Matacunas

  

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

  May 2, 2022  

 

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to SPAR Group, Inc. and will be retained by SPAR Group, Inc., and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 
ex_365022.htm

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2021 (this "report"), of SPAR Group, Inc. (the "registrant"), the undersigned hereby certifies that, to his knowledge:

 

1.            The report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

 

2.            The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

 

 

 

/s/ Fay DeVriese

  

 

 

Fay DeVriese

  

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

May 2, 2022

  

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to SPAR Group, Inc. and will be retained by SPAR Group, Inc., and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.