Note 9 — Equity-based Compensation

 

2016 and 2017 Equity Incentive Plans

 

The Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2017 Incentive Plan, as amended in June 2023 (collectively, the “Plans”), provide for the issuance of up to 397,473 shares and 750,000 shares, respectively. In addition, unless the Compensation Committee specifically determines otherwise, the maximum number of shares available under the Plans and the awards granted under the Plans will be subject to appropriate adjustment in the case of any stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, exchanges or other changes in capitalization affecting the Company’s common stock. The awards may be made in the form of restricted stock awards or stock options, among other things. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, 195,223 and 312,973 shares were available to be granted in the Plans, respectively.

 

On February 1, 2020, a total of 35,000 shares of restricted stock were issued to employees. The restricted shares vested 25% per year over a four-year period. The grant date fair value of $4.11 per share was recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. During the year ended December 31, 2024, 2,500 shares of common stock vested. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 5,000 shares of common stock vested, and 10,000 shares of unvested common stock were forfeited due to the termination of three employees. As of December 31, 2024, the shares issued on February 1, 2020 were fully vested.

 

On July 21, 2021, a total of 130,000 shares of restricted stock were issued to employees and board members. The restricted shares vested 25% at grant date and 25% per year over a three-year period. The grant date fair value of $3.84 per share was being recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. During each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, 32,500 shares of common stock vested. As of December 31, 2024, the shares issued on July 21, 2021 were fully vested.

 

 

On December 19, 2022, a total of 77,000 shares of restricted stock were issued to employees. The restricted shares vest 25% per year over a four-year period. The fair value of $6.40 per share, the stock price on grant date, is being recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. During the year ended December 31, 2024, 17,500 shares of common stock vested, and 2,250 shares of unvested common stock were forfeited due to the termination of three employees. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 18,250 shares of common stock vested, and 4,000 shares of unvested common stock were forfeited due to the termination of four employees.

 

On January 26, 2023, 10,000 shares of common stock were issued to an employee and were recorded at the fair value of $8.96 per share, the stock price on the grant date. The shares were fully vested on the grant date.

 

On January 11, 2024, 20,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $2.65 per share, the stock price on the grant date, were issued to an employee. 10,000 of the shares vested and the expense related to these shares was recognized on the grant date. The remaining 10,000 shares vested in January 2025. The grant date fair value of $2.65 per share is being recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

 

On December 17, 2024, 100,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $7.78 per share, the stock price on the grant date, were issued to employees and directors. 10,000 of the shares issued to one individual vested and the expense related to these shares was recognized on the grant date. The remaining 30,000 shared issued to the same individual vest over a three-year period. The remaining 60,000 shares issued to other individuals vest 25% per year over a four-year period. The grant date fair value of $7.78 per share is being recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

 

Restricted Stock

 

Restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is summarized below:

 

Outstanding at  Restricted Stock   Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value 
December 31, 2022   159,500   $5.11 
Granted   10,000    8.96 
Vested   (65,750)   5.35 
Forfeited   (14,000)  $4.76 
December 31, 2023   89,750   $5.41 
Granted   120,000    6.93 
Vested   (72,500)   4.85 
Forfeited   (2,250)  $6.40 
December 31, 2024   135,000   $7.04 

  

The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. The reduction of stock compensation expense related to the forfeitures was $2 thousand and $31 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

Stock compensation expense related to restricted stock, excluding the recognition of forfeitures, was $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

Unrecognized stock compensation expense was $0.9 million as of December 31, 2024, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.4 years.

 

 

Stock Options

 

Stock options expire 10 years after the grant date. Options that have been granted are exercisable and vest based on the terms of the related agreements.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock options activity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

 

    Number of Options   Weighted-Average Exercise Price   Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term  (In Years) 
Outstanding - December 31, 2022    97,884   $5.55    5.08 
Granted             
Exercised    (8,334)   5.55     
Expired             
Outstanding - December 31, 2023    89,550   $5.55    4.08 
Granted             
Exercised    (12,000)   5.55     
Expired             
Outstanding - December 31, 2024    77,550   $5.55    3.08 
Exercisable – December 31, 2023    89,550   $5.55    4.08 
Exercisable – December 31, 2024    77,550   $5.55    3.08 

  

As of December 31, 2024, the stock options have been fully vested. The stock options outstanding had an intrinsic value of $0.1 million and $0 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

About Stock Compensation Disclosures

Stock-based compensation disclosures detail the equity awards granted to employees and executives — including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance shares — along with the valuation methods and assumptions used to expense them. This section reveals the true cost of talent retention and the alignment between management incentives and shareholder interests.

Key signals: total unrecognized compensation expense and its expected recognition period signal future earnings headwinds from already-granted awards. For stock options, examine Black-Scholes assumptions — expected volatility, risk-free rate, and expected term — as understating any of these reduces reported compensation expense. Compare stock compensation expense as a percentage of revenue against peers to assess dilution cost. Watch vesting schedules for acceleration clauses tied to change-of-control events. Performance-based awards with undemanding targets may indicate weak governance. Add back stock compensation to operating cash flow to calculate a more conservative free cash flow figure.