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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Information Statement

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

SPAR Group, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

No fee required.

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held July 12, 2022

 

To the Stockholders of SPAR Group, Inc.:

 

The 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2022 Annual Meeting") of SPAR Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SGRP" or the "Corporation"), will be held virtually on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 12:00 PM (noon), Eastern Time.  You are invited to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting virtually or by proxy (but not in person).  The 2022 Annual Meeting is being held for the following purposes:

 

1.       To reelect six (6) Directors of SGRP (all incumbents on May 20, 2022) to serve on SGRP's Board of Directors (the "Board") during the ensuing year and until their successors are elected and qualified;

 

2.       To ratify, on an advisory basis, the appointment of BDO USA, LLP, as the independent registered accounting firm for the Corporation and its subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 2022;

 

3.       To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement (i.e., "say on pay"); and

 

4.       To select, on an advisory basis, whether the Corporation should request an advisory vote from its stockholders respecting compensation of the Named Executive Officers every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years (i.e., "say on frequency").

 

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. Only the stockholders of record at the close of business on May 20, 2022 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2022 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

A copy of SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 15, 2022 and May 2, 2022 respectively (the "2021 Annual Report"), together with a letter to its stockholders from SGRP's Chief Executive Officer and President, is being mailed with this Notice; but the 2021 Annual Report and the letter is not, and should not be considered to be part of the attached Proxy Statement or other proxy soliciting mailed copy of the 2021 Annual Report does not contain the filed exhibits. 

 

  

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 /s/Fay DeVriese

 

Fay DeVriese

Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

June 13, 2022
Auburn Hills, Michigan

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY ON JULY 12, 2022: THE PROXY STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE AT investors.sparinc.com/sec-filings. YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE UPON THE MATTERS PRESENTED AND TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, OR CAST YOUR PROXY VOTES BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, AS PROVIDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. PROXIES ARE REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME AND THE EXECUTION OF YOUR PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ARE VIRTUALLY PRESENT AT THE MEETING. REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF PROXY MATERIALS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO MS. FAY DEVRIESE, SECRETARY, TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AT THE OFFICES OF THE CORPORATION: SPAR GROUP, INC., 1910 OPDYKE COURT, AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN 48326.

 

 

 

 

SPAR GROUP, INC.
1910 Opdyke Court
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326

 

PROXY STATEMENT

Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on July 12, 2022

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

This Proxy Statement (this "Proxy Statement") is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of SPAR Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SGRP" or the "Corporation", and together with its subsidiaries, "SPAR", "SPAR Group" or the "Company"), for use at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2022 Annual Meeting") to be held virtually on July 12, 2022, at 12:00 PM (noon), Eastern Time. This Proxy Statement and the form of proxy to be utilized at the 2022 Annual Meeting were mailed or delivered to the stockholders of SGRP on or about June 13, 2022 together with a conformed copy (excluding exhibits) of SGRP's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the "2021 Annual Report"), as filed on April 15, 2022 and May 2, 2022 respectively, with the SEC. All such filings are available on SGRP's website at investors.sparinc.com/sec-filings.

 

Information Regarding Virtual Attendance at 2022 Annual Meeting

 

This Proxy Statement concerns the 2022 Annual Meeting, which will be held virtually and not in person.  Please follow the instructions on the notice or proxy card that you received.  Further details and frequently asked questions regarding the 2022 Annual Meeting are available on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://investors.sparinc.com.

 

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED

 

The 2022 Annual Meeting has been called to: (1) reelect six (6) Directors of SGRP (all incumbents at May 20, 2022) to serve on SGRP's Board of Directors (the "Board") during the ensuing year and until their successors are elected and qualified (See Proposal 1, below); (2) ratify, on an advisory basis, the appointment of BDO USA, LLP, as the independent registered accounting firm for the Corporation and its subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 2022 (See Proposal 2, below); (3) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement (i.e., "say on pay") (See Proposal 3, below); and (4) select, on an advisory basis, whether the Corporation should request an advisory vote from its stockholders respecting compensation of the Named Executive Officers every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years (i.e., "say on frequency") (See Proposal 4, below).

 

RECORD DATE AND VOTING

 

The Board has fixed the close of business on May 20, 2022 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the 2022 Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the Record Date, there were 21,845,414 shares outstanding of SGRP's common stock, $0.01 par value (the "Common Stock"). On January 25, 2022, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Elimination for its “Certificate of Designation of Series “A” Preferred Stock of SPAR Group, Inc.” (the “Certificate of Elimination”). Pursuant to the Certificate of Elimination, the Series “A” Preferred Stock was cancelled and withdrawn. As a result, all 3,000,000 shares of the previously authorized Series “A” Preferred Stock were returned to the Corporation’s authorized “blank check” preferred stock. There were no shares of Series “A” Preferred Stock outstanding at the time of the cancellation.

 

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QUORUM AND VOTING REQUIREMENTS

 

Each stockholder of record is entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock on any matter coming before the 2022 Annual Meeting. The holders of record of at least one-half of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the 2022 Annual Meeting (10,922,707 shares) must be present at the 2022 Annual Meeting (virtually or by proxy) and will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Shares of Common Stock entitled to vote and represented by properly executed, returned and unrevoked proxies, including shares with respect to which specific votes are withheld or inconclusive or abstentions, including "broker non-votes" (as discussed below), will be considered present at the 2022 Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

Brokers holding shares of Common Stock for beneficial owners in "street name" must vote those shares according to any specific instructions they receive from the beneficial owner of the shares. However, brokers have discretionary authority to vote on "routine" proposals, (e.g., the vote to ratify the selection of the independent registered accounting firm), which means that a broker may vote on behalf of a beneficial owner for such "routine" proposals in the broker's discretion if the beneficial owner does not provide specific instructions to the broker. Under applicable rules, if you hold your shares through a broker and do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to each of the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, your broker may not vote with respect to any such proposals.

 

To the greatest extent permitted by applicable law and SGRP's By-Laws (to the extent not inconsistent with applicable law): (i) proxies with no specific voting instructions on a matter (including broker non-votes and unchecked boxes) will be voted by the proxy agent as provided below (and when then voted are not considered Inconclusive Votes as defined below); (ii) inconclusive votes (i.e., multiple boxes checked, and the like) respecting any candidate or matter are not counted as votes "FOR" or "AGAINST" (each an " Inconclusive Vote"); (iii) Abstentions and Inconclusive Votes are considered a vote but not counted as votes cast with respect to any matter; and (iv) and consequently Inconclusive Votes and abstentions will have no effect on the vote on such matter.  Inconclusive Votes and abstentions do not affect any director removal since an affirmative majority of stockholder shares is required.

 

A majority of votes must be cast "FOR" a nominee at the 2022 Annual Meeting virtually or by proxy for the election of each nominee to serve as a director. Accordingly, any director receiving a majority of "AGAINST" votes is denied reelection and has agreed to immediately retire (see below). Abstentions and Inconclusive Votes are not considered votes cast with respect to this matter, and consequently, will have no effect on the vote on this matter.

 

SGRP stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes.  If there were cumulative voting, in a field of more than six (6) nominees, the six (6) nominees receiving the most votes would be elected as directors.

 

The affirmative vote (i.e., "FOR") of a majority of votes cast at the 2022 Annual Meeting virtually or by proxy is required to ratify, on an advisory basis, the selection of BDO USA, LLP as SGRP's independent registered accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022. Abstentions and Inconclusive Votes are not considered votes cast with respect to this matter, and consequently, will have no effect on the vote on this matter.

 

The affirmative vote (i.e., "FOR") of a majority of votes cast at the 2022 Annual Meeting virtually or by proxy is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the SGRP's Named Executive Officers. Abstentions and Inconclusive Votes are not considered votes cast with respect to this matter, and consequently, will have no effect on the vote on this matter.

 

With respect to the vote on the frequency that SGRP holds the advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, the alternative (i.e., "one", "two" or "three" years) receiving the greatest number of votes virtually or by proxy shall be deemed approved on an advisory basis. Abstentions and Inconclusive Votes are not considered votes cast with respect to this matter, and consequently, will have no effect on the vote on this matter.

 

To the greatest extent permitted by applicable law and SGRP's By-Laws (to the extent not inconsistent with applicable law), all proxies that are properly completed, signed and returned (or registered, completed, authenticated and submitted if by telephone or internet) prior to the 2022 Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the specific directions made thereon or, in the absence of directions: (a) for the reelection of all nominees named herein and serving as a director on May 20, 2022, to serve as directors (See Proposal 1, below); (b) in favor of the proposal to ratify, on an advisory basis, the appointment of BDO as the Company's independent registered accounting firm (See Proposal 2, below); (c) in favor of the proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in "Executive Compensation" below (See Proposal 3, below); and (d) in favor of "One Year" respecting the proposal to select, on an advisory basis, whether the Corporation should obtain an advisory vote from its stockholders respecting executive compensation every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years (See Proposal 4, below).

 

Management does not intend to bring before the 2022 Annual Meeting any matters other than those specifically described above and knows of no other matters to come before the 2022 Annual Meeting. If any other matters or motions come before the 2022 Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of Proxy to vote Proxies in accordance with their judgment on those matters or motions to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, including any matter dealing with the conduct of the 2022 Annual Meeting. Proxies may be revoked at any time prior to their exercise: (1) by written notification to the Secretary of SGRP at SGRP's principal executive offices located at 1910 Opdyke Court, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326; (2) by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date; or (3) by the stockholder virtually attending the 2022 Annual Meeting and voting his or her shares electronically.

 

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PROXY STATEMENT PROPOSALS

 

YOU HAVE A VOTE, WE ARE ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY, AND YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SEND US A PROXY

WITH RESPECT TO THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED UPON AT THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING

 

PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Six (6) Directors are to be elected at the 2022 Annual Meeting to serve on SGRP's Board of Directors (the "Board") until the next annual meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.

 

The nominees for election as a Director are Mr. William H. Bartels, Mr. Peter W. Brown, Mr. Robert G. Brown, Mr. Sean M. Whelan, Mr. Michael Wager and Mr. Michael R. Matacunas.  The age, principal occupation and certain other information respecting each nominee are stated under the caption The Board of Directors of the Corporation, below. The nominees were approved and nominated by the Governance Committee (see below) on April 13, 2022 and nominated by a majority of the Board's independent directors (as required by Nasdaq Rules) at a meeting on April 19, 2022.

 

In the absence of instructions to the contrary, proxies covering shares of Common Stock will be voted in favor of the election of each of the nominees.

 

Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement as a nominee for Director and has agreed to serve as a Director of SGRP if elected. In the event that any nominee for election as Director should become unavailable to serve, it is intended that votes will be cast, pursuant to the enclosed proxy, for such substitute nominee as may be nominated by SGRP. Management has no present knowledge that any of the persons named will be unable to serve.

 

Except for the CIC Agreement (See Board Size, Quorum and Voting and Director Nominations: Experience, Integrity, Diversity and other Criteria, below), no arrangement or understanding exists between any nominee and any other person or persons pursuant to which any nominee was or is to be selected as a Director or nominee. Except as set forth below, none of the nominees has any family relationship to any other nominee or to any executive officer of the Corporation. However, Mr. Michael R. Matacunas is an Executive and Officer of SGRP and Mr. Peter W. Brown is the nephew of Robert G. Brown (who is a Director and a significant stockholder of SGRP).

 

As provided in the 2022 By-Laws pursuant to the Settlement (See 2022 By-Laws, below), each Director has signed and delivered to the Corporation a written irrevocable letter of resignation and retirement (which shall constitute an irrevocable resignation for purposes of DGCL Section 141(b)), pursuant to which the departing Director shall be deemed to have retired for all purposes (including all plans and other benefits, but excluding indemnification and severance rights) which letter shall be effective as and when, and effective upon, such person failing to be re-elected by the required majority affirmative vote of the voting stockholders at which such person is subject to re-election.  Accordingly, that retirement could be triggered if a majority of the votes are "no", and a majority of the voting stockholders have the power to together vote "no" and effectively remove any Director.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES IDENTIFIED ABOVE (PROPOSAL 1).

 

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PROPOSAL 2 -- RATIFICATION, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE APPOINTMENT OF

 BDO USA, LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE

CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022

 

The Audit Committee of the Board, on April 10, 2022, appointed BDO USA, LLP ("BDO"), an independent registered accounting firm, as the Company's independent registered accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for its year ending December 31, 2022, subject to the Audit Committee's review of the final terms of BDO's engagement and plans for their audit. BDO audits certain foreign subsidiaries of SGRP through BDO's affiliates in those countries. A resolution will be submitted to stockholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting for the ratification of such appointment on an advisory (i.e., non-binding) basis. Stockholder ratification of the appointment of BDO or anyone else for non-audit services is not required and will not be sought.

 

BDO has served as the Company's independent registered accounting firm since October 2013.

 

Audit Fees

 

The aggregate fees billed to us for professional accounting services by BDO USA, LLP, including the audit of our 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.

 

Anticipated Attendance by BDO USA, LLP at the 2022 Annual Meeting

 

BDO has indicated to the Corporation that it intends to have representatives available, virtually, during the 2022 Annual Meeting who will respond to appropriate questions. These representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement during the meeting if they so desire.

 

Advisory Vote

 

A resolution will be submitted to stockholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting for the ratification, on an advisory basis, of the Audit Committee's appointment of BDO as the Company's independent registered accounting firm to audit the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2022. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the 2022 Annual Meeting in person or by proxy will be required to adopt this resolution. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted in favor of ratification unless stockholders specify otherwise. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal. We do not expect any broker non-votes on this proposal because brokers have discretion under applicable rules to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal. In any event, broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

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If the advisory resolution ratifying BDO as the Company's independent registered accounting firm is adopted by the stockholders, the Audit Committee and Board nevertheless retain the discretion to select a different independent registered accounting firm should they subsequently conclude that doing so is in the Company's best interests. Any such future selection need not be submitted to a vote of stockholders.

 

If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, on an advisory basis, of BDO, or if BDO should decline to act or otherwise become incapable of acting, or if BDO's engagement with SGRP is discontinued, SGRP's Audit Committee will appoint another independent registered accounting firm to act as the Company's independent registered accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022 (which may nevertheless be BDO should the Audit Committee subsequently conclude that BDO's appointment is in the Company's best interests).

 

Mr. Robert G. Brown opposes this Proposal.

 

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EACH BELIEVE THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO USA, LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022, IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS, AND EACH RECOMMENDS THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS "FOR" APPROVAL THEREOF. PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THIS PROPOSAL UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY INDICATED (PROPOSAL 2).

 

PROPOSAL 3 -- ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") added Section 14A to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which requires that the Corporation provide its stockholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a nonbinding advisory basis, the compensation of the Corporation's Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. For clarity, the Named Executive Officers are Michael R. Matacunas, the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, Fay DeVriese, the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer, Kori G. Belzer, the Corporation's Chief Global Operating Officer, Ron Lutz, the Corporation's Chief Global Commercial Officer, and William Linnane, the Corporation's Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, and the term does not include any of the other persons listed below in Executive Compensation.

 

Compensation Policy

 

The Corporation believes that its compensation packages should: (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 Corporation's performance objectives; and (iv) align the interests of its directors, executives and employees with those of its stockholders (the "Corporation's Compensation Objectives"). To endeavor to meet the Corporation's Compensation Objectives, the Compensation Committee oversees the existing and proposed compensation plans, policies and practices of the Corporation, reviews and approves all director and executive officer compensation, and recommends to the Board all director and executive officer compensation for approval.

 

The Corporation believes that the interests of its executives should be closely aligned with those of its stockholders. The Corporation's executive compensation program has three primary elements, which are fixed-base salaries, annual performance-based bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards. In balancing these elements, the Corporation endeavors to strike an appropriate balance among the Corporation's annual performance, its long-term growth objectives, its ability to attract and retain qualified executive officers and the expense of such compensation. The Corporation believes it should compensate executives for their individual work and achievements, which it endeavors to do through the salaries and individual discretionary bonuses described below. In addition, the Corporation rewards executives for their contributions to the Corporation's achievement of short-term business objectives and operational and performance goals, through the annual cash and stock-based incentive bonuses described below. Grants of restricted stock units, stock options and other stock-based awards under the Corporation's 2021 Plan, 2020 Plan and 2018 Plan and proposed under the 2022 Plan (as such Plans are defined and described below) are incentives for each executive to make long-term contributions to the value of the Corporation. The Corporation considers all elements of compensation when determining the total salaries and incentives for its executives, but once determined for a particular year such elements are generally independent of each other (e.g., salary will not be affected by the size of bonuses or value of stock-based awards).

 

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Determining Compensation

 

Each year the Compensation Committee receives compensation recommendations for base salary, bonuses and possible stock-based awards for its non-CEO Named Executive Officers from the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, and carefully reviews and (to the extent they deem appropriate) adjusts them before approving them. These recommendations are developed by management through employee evaluations, development of business goals and input from its executives. The Corporation also provides a stock purchase plan, 401(k) plan, healthcare plan and certain other benefits to all of the Company's employees (including its executives). The Corporation believes that it pays competitive compensation packages that allow it to attract and retain quality executives.

 

In setting base salaries, the Corporation considers individual performance (including the satisfaction of duties and accomplishment of previously established short-term and long-term objectives) and various subjective criteria (including initiative, dedication, growth, leadership and contributions to overall department and corporate performance). 

 

The Corporation's Named Executive Officers are eligible for annual cash and stock-based award bonuses based upon their individual performance, and the Corporation's achievements of certain specific operating results.  During or before the beginning of each year, the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee, establish bonus criteria for each of those officers based principally on the Corporation's achievement of specific performance goals during the year. The type of goal, thresholds and awards may vary among the executives based on their specific area of expertise and responsibilities. However, each goal is specifically designed to generate additional profit, increase revenue or otherwise increase stockholder value. Ranges are generally specified for the goals with corresponding cash and stock-based award bonuses specified for achievement. If a specified level for a goal is achieved, as determined by the Corporation and reviewed by the Compensation Committee, the applicable executives are entitled to the corresponding cash and stock-based award bonuses. All Named Executive Officer bonus plans are recommended by the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee.

 

Please see "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION" below for the compensation and benefits received by the Corporation's Named Executive Officers during 2021.

 

Advisory Vote

 

The vote on Proposal 3 is advisory, which means that the vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers is not binding on the Corporation, the Board or its Compensation Committee. The vote on this proposal is not intended to address any specific element of compensation, but rather relates to the overall compensation paid to the Corporation's Named Executive Officers in 2021, as described in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. To the extent there is a significant vote against the Corporation's Named Executive Officers, as described in this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address the Corporation's stockholders' concerns.

 

Accordingly, the Corporation asks its stockholders to vote on the following resolution at the 2022 Annual Meeting:

 

"RESOLVED, that the Corporation's stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure."

 

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THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EACH RECOMMENDS THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS "FOR" THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY'S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT (PROPOSAL 3).

 

PROPOSAL 4 -- ADVISORY VOTE ON WHETHER THE CORPORATION

SHOULD REQUEST AN ADVISORY VOTE FROM ITS STOCKHOLDERS RESPECTING

COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS EVERY ONE (1), TWO (2) OR THREE (3) YEARS

 

As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, Section 14A of the Exchange Act requires that the Corporation provide its stockholders with the opportunity to vote, on a nonbinding advisory basis, for their preference as to how frequently they vote in the future on the compensation of the Corporation's Named Executive Officers as disclosed in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. Although it is not required to do so, the Corporation currently intends to hold this "frequency vote" every year.

 

The Corporation's stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer to conduct future advisory votes on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers once every one (1), two (2), or three (3) years. Stockholders also may abstain from casting a vote on this proposal.

 

The Board has determined that an annual advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers will permit the Corporation's stockholders to provide direct input each year on the Corporation's executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, which is consistent with the Corporation's efforts to engage in an ongoing dialogue with the its stockholders on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers.

 

This vote is advisory, which means that this frequency vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers is not binding on the Corporation, the Board or its Compensation Committee. The Corporation recognizes that the stockholders may have different views as to the best approach for the Corporation, and therefore the Corporation looks forward to hearing from the stockholders as to their preference on the frequency that the Corporation should hold an advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers.

 

The Board and its Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the frequency vote. However, when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, the Board and its Compensation Committee may decide that it is in the best interests of the Corporation's stockholders and the Corporation to hold an advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers more or less frequently than the frequency receiving the most votes cast by the Corporation's stockholders.

 

Stockholders may cast a vote on the preferred voting frequency by selecting the option of one (1) year, two (2) years or three (3) years (or abstain) when voting in response to the resolution set forth below.

 

The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options (to hold the compensation vote every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years, or to abstain from voting) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

 

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EACH RECOMMENDS THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS FOR "ONE (1) YEAR" AS THE PREFERRED FREQUENCY FOR THE OPTION OF HOLDING THE ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (PROPOSAL 4).

 

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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.

 

8

 

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.

 

9

 

 

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. 

 

10

 

 

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. 

 

11

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of SGRP's Common Stock as of May 20, 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 

  5,953,256     (1) (2)     25.2 %

Common Shares

William H. Bartels 

  4,875,823     (1) (3)     20.6

%

Common Shares

Michael R. Matacunas 

  656,315     (1) (4)     2.8 %

Common Shares

Peter W. Brown 

  172,017     (1) (5)     *

 

Common Shares

Kori G. Belzer 

  68,227     (1) (6)     *

 

Common Shares

James R. Brown, Sr. 

  43,084     (1)     *  
Common Shares Fay DeVriese    2     (1)     *  

Common Shares

All Executives and Directors

  11,768,723     -     49.8

%

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

The address of such owners is c/o SPAR Group, Inc. 1910 Opdyke Court, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326.

(2) Mr. Robert G. Brown's beneficial ownership includes 949,331 shares from CIC Agreement vested on May 30, 2022 (See Related Party Transactions, Domestic Related Party Transactions, Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement, below).
(3) Mr. William H. Bartels' beneficial ownership includes 100,671 shares from CIC Agreement vested on May 30, 2022 (See Related Party Transactions, Domestic Related Party Transactions, Change of Control, Voting and Restricted Stock Agreement, below). 

(4)

Mr. Matacunas' beneficial ownership includes 630,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options and 26,315 restricted stock units.

(5)

Mr. Peter Brown's beneficial ownership includes 80,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.

(6)

Ms. Belzer's beneficial ownership includes 67,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options.

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS, PROMOTERS AND CERTAIN CONTROL PERSONS

 

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, below).

 

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).

 

12

 

 

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.

 

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 2022 By-Laws.  See Corporate Governance 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 Significant Stockholder Governance Limitations, below. 

 

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.

 

13

 

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.

 

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.

 

14

 

 

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. 

 

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.

 

15

 

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).

 

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.

 

16

 

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.

 

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.

 

17

 

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.

 

18

 

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 2022 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 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).

 

19

 

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 will be entitled (when there are three (3) Super Independent Directors out of seven (7) on the Board) to nominate two (2) directors (including himself) and currently is entitled to nominate one (1) director (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.

 

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 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.

 

20

 

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.

 

21

 

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).

 

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.

 

22

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

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.  

 

23

 

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.

 

24

 

       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.

 

    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.

 

25

 

 

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.

 

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

        $ -           $ -  

 

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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:

 

                   

Weighted-

         
           

Weighted-

   

Average

   

Aggregate

 
           

Average

   

Remaining

   

Intrinsic

 
           

Exercise

   

Contractual

   

Value

 

Option Awards

 

Shares

   

Price

   

Term (Years)

   

(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.

 

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. 

 

27

 

        The following table summarizes the activity for restricted stock Awards during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

           

Weighted-

 
           

Average

 
           

Grant Date

 
           

Fair Value

 
   

Shares

   

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.

 

28

 

 

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 TransactionsBartels' Retirement and Director Compensation, above for a description of the benefits that he will receive as a director.)

 

29

 

 

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.

 

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, all of which are still in effect.

 

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).

 

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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

Exercise

Price ($)

 

Option

Expiration

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.

 

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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.

 

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.

 

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COMPENSATION PLANS

 

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        

 

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, above).

 

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The following is the Audit Committee's report submitted to the Board.

 

Report

 

Management is responsible for the Company's internal controls and the financial reporting process (as more fully described below). BDO USA, LLP ("BDO"), the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management of the Company and BDO the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and, for the years then ended, (the "Consolidated Financial Statements"), as included in the Company's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for that period as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2022 and May 2, 2022, respectively (the "2021 Annual Report").

 

In addition, the Audit Committee has also received from and discussed with BDO the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 1301 (Communications with Audit Committees) and Rule 2-07 of SEC Regulation S-X.

 

The Audit Committee received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from BDO required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has discussed BDO's independence from the Company with BDO. The Audit Committee also discussed with management of the Company and BDO such other matters and received such assurances from them, as the Audit Committee deemed appropriate.

 

Based on the foregoing review and discussions and a review of the report of BDO with respect to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and relying thereon, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Company's Board of Directors that the Consolidated Financial Statements be included in the Company's 2021 Annual Report.

     

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE (for the period that began on January 1, 2021, and ended December 31, 2021)

 

Sean M. Whelan, its Chairman, and Michael Wager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

NO OTHER BUSINESS

 

In accordance with SGRP's 2022 By-Laws, no proposals or matters other than those specifically described above are permitted to come before the 2022 Annual Meeting.  If any other matters or motions are attempted to be presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting, they will be ruled out of order and denied.  It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of Proxy to vote Proxies in accordance with their judgment on those matters or motions to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, including any matter dealing with the conduct of the 2022 Annual Meeting.

 

STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

 

Communications with SGRP and the Directors

 

Generally, a stockholder who has a question or concern regarding the business or affairs of SGRP should contact the Chief Financial Officer of SGRP. However, if a stockholder would like to address any such question directly to the Board, to a particular Committee, or to any individual director(s), the stockholder may do so by sending his or her question(s) in writing addressed to such group or person(s), SPAR Group, Inc., 1910 Opdyke Court, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, and marked "Stockholder Communication".

 

SGRP has a policy of generally responding in writing to each bona fide, non-frivolous, written communication from an individual stockholder. This policy is reflected in the SPAR Group, Inc. Statement of Policy Respecting Stockholder Communications with Directors dated as of May 18, 2004, 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.

 

In addition, questions may be asked of any director before the Special Meeting and all of SGRP's directors are expected to attend the Special Meeting. Additionally, the Corporation believes its directors should attend all possible meetings of the Board and its committees and stockholders, but has not specified any required minimum attendance.

 

Submission of Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for Annual Meetings

 

For any business, nominee or proposal to be properly brought before any annual meeting by a stockholder (acting in his or her capacity as stockholder), the 2022 By-Laws require that such stockholder must give timely written notice thereof by physical delivery to the Secretary of SGRP. Any stockholder who wishes to present any business, nominee or proposal for action at the 2023 Annual Meeting of SGRP stockholders (the "2023 Annual Meeting") must notify SGRP by no later than December 15, 2022. Such stockholder's notice shall be in the form and contain the substance required under the 2022 By-Laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, notices of stockholder proposals and nominations submitted after December 15, 2022, or that do not conform to the requirements of the 2022 By-Laws or Rule 14a-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (relating to proposals to be presented at the meeting but not included in SGRP's Proxy Statement and form of proxy) will be considered untimely or incomplete, respectively, and thus such matters will not be brought before the 2023 Annual Meeting.

 

Stockholder proposals submitted under Rule 14a-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (relating to proposals to be presented at the meeting but not included in SGRP's Proxy Statement and form of proxy) can be submitted by no later than the 90th day preceding the scheduled stockholder meeting. Since such a proposal does not have to be in the Proxy Statement, this provision was added to the 2022 By-Laws pursuant to the Settlement (See 2022 By-Laws, above) and principally benefits those who make such a proposal and have sufficient votes to approve it, such as the Majority Stockholders. However, the Corporation may choose to voluntarily include such a proposal in its Proxy Statement to provide actual notice to all of its stockholders.

 

The 2022 By-Laws provide that a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the 2023 Annual Meeting: (i) a brief description of the business, nominee or proposal desired to be brought before the 2023 Annual Meeting and the reasons for considering the same at the 2023 Annual Meeting; (ii) the name and address, as they appear on SGRP's books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any other stockholders known by such stockholder to be supporting such proposal; (iii) the class and number of shares of SGRP's stock which are beneficially owned by the stockholder on the date of such stockholder notice and by any other stockholders known by such stockholder to be supporting such proposal on the date of such stockholder notice; and (iv) any financial interest of such stockholder (or any affiliate or family member of such stockholder), whether current or at any time within the past three (3) years, in such business, nominee or proposal. In addition, if the notice is a nomination of a candidate for director, the stockholder's notice also must contain: (A) the proposed nominee's name and qualifications, including five-year employment history with employer names and a description of the employer's business, whether such individual can read and understand basic financial statements, and board memberships (if any); (B) the reason for such recommendation; (C) the number of shares of stock of SGRP that are beneficially owned by such nominee; (D) a description of any business or other relationship, whether current or at any time within the past three (3) years, between such nominee (or any affiliate or family member of such nominee) and either the Company, any of its directors or officers, its auditor, or any of its customers or vendors; and (E) a description of any financial or other relationship, whether current or at any time within the past three (3) years, between the stockholder (or any affiliate or family member of such stockholder) and such nominee (or any affiliate or family member of such nominee).

 

If it is determined by the Governance Committee or the presiding officer of the 2023 Annual Meeting that a stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the terms of the 2022 By-Laws or the applicable SEC Rules or is not under the circumstances required to be considered thereunder, such proposal will not be acted upon at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

 

DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS TO HOUSEHOLDS

 

Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, services that deliver the Company's communications to stockholders that hold their stock through a bank, broker or other holder of record may deliver to multiple stockholders sharing the same address a single copy of any Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and/or a printed version of the 2021 Annual Report to stockholders and this Proxy Statement. Upon oral or written request, the Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of the above materials to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was delivered. Stockholders sharing an address may also request delivery in the future of a single copy of such documents if they are currently receiving multiple copies of such documents. Stockholder may notify SGRP of their requests by writing to: Spar Group, Inc., 1910 Opdyke Court, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, Attn: Fay DeVriese, Chief Financial Officer.

 

Q&A/Information Regarding Virtual Attendance at the 2022 Annual Meeting

 

Further details and frequently asked questions regarding the 2022 Annual Meeting are available on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://investors.sparinc.com/.

 

35

 

OTHER REPORTS

 

A COPY OF THE 2021 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND 10-K/A FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 (THE "2021 ANNUAL REPORT") FILED WITH THE SEC ON APRIL 15, 2022 AND MAY 2, 2022, RESPECTIVELY, AND SGRPs QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, FILED WITH THE SEC ON MAY 16, 2022 (THE "2022 Q1 REPORT"), AND THE CURRENT REPORTS ON FORM 8-K REFERENCED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE AT INVESTORS.SPARINC.COM/SEC-FILINGS.

 

SGRP WILL PROVIDE EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS DELIVERED, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON AND BY FIRST CLASS MAIL OR OTHER EQUALLY PROMPT MEANS WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY OF RECEIPT OF SUCH REQUEST, A COPY OF ANY AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT (EXCLUDING ALL EXHIBITS NOT EXPLICITLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN). REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF THE 2021 ANNUAL REPORT MUST BE SENT TO SPAR GROUP, INC., 1910 OPDYKE COURT, AUBURN HILLS, MI 48326, ATTN: FAY DEVRIESE, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

 

THE 2021 ANNUAL REPORT AND THE CURRENT REPORTS ON FORM 8-K REFERENCED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT ARE NOT PART OF SGRP'S SOLICITING MATERIAL.

 

PROXIES AND SOLICITATION

 

The proxy accompanying this Proxy Statement is solicited on behalf of the SGRP's Board of Directors. Proxies for the 2022 Annual Meeting are being solicited by mail directly and through brokerage and banking institutions. SGRP will pay all expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies. In addition to the use of mails, proxies may be solicited by directors, officers and regular employees of SGRP (who will not be specifically compensated for such services) personally or by telephone. SGRP will reimburse banks, brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for any reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

 

All stockholders are urged to complete, sign and promptly return the enclosed proxy card.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Fay DeVriese

 

 

 

Fay DeVriese

 

 

 

Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Auburn Hills, Michigan
June 13, 2022

 

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