UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): February 29, 2016
RESONANT INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware
001-36467
45-4320930
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
110 Castilian Drive, Suite 100
 
 
Goleta, California
93117
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
    
(805) 308-9803
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
    
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 5.02      Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Officer Appointment
On February 29, 2016, George B. Holmes commenced employment with Resonant Inc. as our President and Chief Commercial Officer pursuant to an employment offer letter dated February 9, 2016. Mr. Holmes’ duties will consist primarily of sales, marketing, public relations, investor relations and certain general and administrative activities, and he will report directly to Terry Lingren, our Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Holmes (age 53) brings to Resonant more than 30 years’ leadership experience in sales, marketing and management spanning a broad range of technologies, including semiconductor, optical components and systems and sub-systems for telecom and CATV. Mr. Holmes most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer for Tigo Energy, where he was responsible for creating the company’s customer acquisition and expansion strategy. From 2013 to 2015, he worked for Energous Corporation, a developer of wire-free charging technology for electronic devices, first as Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing then as Chief Commercial Officer where he was responsible for securing development and licensing agreements, overseeing IP strategy and process, spearheading regulatory strategy and tactics and public and investor relations. From 2011 to 2013, he served as Vice President of Sales at SolarBridge Technologies, overseeing all sales, business development and sales operations. His prior experience includes serving as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PureEnergy Solutions, a developer and manufacturer of wireless power products as well as senior sales executive roles at Agere Systems (formerly Lucent MicroElectronics), Ortel Corp (acquired by Lucent), Level One Communications and Symmetricom. Mr. Holmes holds a B.A. in Business from the University of Puget Sound and a Diploma in international business from Nyenrode University, Netherlands.
Mr. Holmes’ offer letter provides that he will be employed by Resonant “at will” and contains the following additional terms:
He will receive an annual base salary of $295,000;
He will be eligible to receive annual incentive compensation pursuant to bonus performance criteria established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors;
He will receive a signing bonus of $100,000, which will be applied against and reduce any other bonus to which he is entitled for calendar year 2016 and which he must repay in full if he voluntarily terminates his employment with Resonant other than for good reason prior to March 1, 2017;
He will receive an inducement award of restricted stock units for 216,000 shares of common stock upon commencement of employment, and will receive an additional inducement award of restricted stock units upon consummation of the Company’s next qualified financing for a number of shares of common stock that, when combined with 216,000 shares, equals three percent of the Company’s outstanding shares immediately following such qualified financing, which inducement awards will vest over four years, 12.5% on the date of grant and on each of the subsequent three quarters and the remainder in twelve equal quarterly amounts through the balance of the vesting period;
He is a recipient of a Severance and Change in Control Agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.41 to Resonant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 27, 2015, which agreement provides Mr. Holmes with the severance benefits extended to other executive officers of Resonant; and
He will be eligible to participate in Resonant’s other benefits programs.

2



The RSU awards to Mr. Holmes were made in accordance with the employment inducement award exemption provided by NASDAQ Rule 5635(c)(4) and thus were not awarded under Resonant’s stockholder approved equity plan.
A copy of the offer letter is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the restricted stock unit agreement providing for the initial award of 216,000 RSUs is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing descriptions of the offer letter and initial award of 216,000 RSUs are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the offer letter and restricted stock unit agreement, respectively.
Mr. Holmes also is expected to enter into Resonant’s standard indemnification agreement, a copy of the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with SEC on January 24, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference, which would require Resonant to indemnify Mr. Holmes, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, against certain expenses and liabilities incurred by Mr. Holmes by reason of his position as an officer of Resonant.
Director Appointment
In connection with his appointment as President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective as of February 29, 2016, our board of directors increased the size of the board from seven to eight directors, and appointed George B. Holmes as a director to fill the vacancy created upon the expansion in the size of the board. As an employee director, Mr. Holmes will not be entitled to compensation in addition to what he receives as an employee for his service on our board of directors.
Prior to his appointment as a member of our board of directors, Mr. Holmes did not have any material relationship with us and no such relationship is currently proposed other than his employment as an executive officer of Resonant as described elsewhere in this report. Mr. Holmes does not have any family relationships with any of our other directors or executive officers. There are no understandings or arrangements between Mr. Holmes and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Holmes was selected as a director, other than his employment offer letter with Resonant which provides for his appointment to the board, his nomination by the board for reelection as a director at our 2016 annual stockholders’ meeting, and his agreement to resign from the board if he is no longer serving as an executive officer of Resonant.
A press release announcing Mr. Holmes’ appointment as an executive officer and director was issued by us on February 29, 2016, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 3.02      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
In connection with his appointment as an executive officer of Resonant, effective as of February 29, 2016, our board of directors awarded George B. Holmes restricted stock units, or RSUs, for 216,000 shares of common stock, of which 27,000 shares were immediately vested and issued to Mr. Holmes effective as of February 29, 2016. The issuance of the RSUs and the 27,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Holmes was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of Section 4(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering. Mr. Holmes represented his intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and an appropriate legend was placed upon the stock certificate for the 27,000 shares issued in the transaction. Mr. Holmes had adequate access to information about Resonant, and the issuance of the securities was made without any general solicitation or advertising.

3



Item 9.01      Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
10.1
Offer Letter between the Registrant and George B. Holmes, dated February 9, 2016.
10.2
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, with a grant date of February 29, 2016, between the Registrant and George B. Holmes.
99.1
Press release dated February 29, 2016.

4



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 4, 2016
Resonant Inc.
 
By:
 
/s/ John Philpott     
 
 
 
John Philpott
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


5



EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.1
Offer Letter between the Registrant and George B. Holmes, dated February 9, 2016.
10.2
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, with a grant date of February 29, 2016, between the Registrant and George B. Holmes.
99.1
Press release dated February 29, 2016.


6



February 9, 2016
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
George B. Holmes
10416 Milky Way Drive
Austin, TX 78730


Re:      Employment Terms
Dear George:
I am pleased to extend this formal offer of full-time employment to join Resonant Inc. (“Resonant” or the “Company”) as President and Chief Commercial Officer. Your duties will consist primarily of Sales, Marketing, Public Relations, Investor Relations and General and Administrative activities, but they may also include other assignments consistent with your talents. This is a key position reporting directly to myself, Terry Lingren, Chief Executive Officer. In addition, you will be appointed to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) as soon as practicable following your start date, and you will be nominated by the Board for reelection as a director at the 2016 annual stockholders’ meeting. You agree to resign as a director as soon as practicable following the date you are no longer serving as an executive officer of the Company. I’m excited to have you joining us! This letter sets out the terms and conditions of your employment with Resonant.
Your first day of employment will be February 29, 2016. We will pay you a base salary at an annualized rate of $295,000.00. Your base salary is payable in accordance with our regular payroll schedule which is currently every two weeks. You will participate in the executive bonus plan, which is payable at the sole discretion of our Board in accordance with the terms of the executive bonus plan, if any.
You will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with our vacation policy as generally applicable to all employees. You may take your vacation at times mutually acceptable to you and the Company. In this regard, we would appreciate as much advance warning of your vacations as reasonably possible so that your duties can be covered by others in your absence. You also will be entitled to our normal paid holidays (typically not fewer than ten (10) days per year).
Your place of employment will be based out of your Austin, Texas, office. Due to the nature of your responsibilities, you may need to travel weekly on the Company’s behalf and if necessary, you should spend a minimum of one week per month at the Company’s headquarters in Santa Barbara. You will be required to devote all of your business time, energy, skill, and efforts to faithfully and diligently further the business interests of the Company, except as agreed to by the Company in writing in advance.






You will be entitled to participate in all of our employee benefit plans. These include, among other things, group health insurance and a 401K plan. We match 100% of contributions under our 401K plan up to a maximum of 5% of your base salary. Please note that, as with all companies, we reserve the right to change our employee benefit plans from time to time.
Subject to approval from our Board, we will grant you (i) a restricted stock unit award (the “RSU”) for 216,000 shares of our common stock (the “Initial Shares”), which represents three percent (3%) of the company’s outstanding shares at the time of the grant plus (ii) at the consummation of the Company’s next equity or equity-linked financing in which we raise at least $2 to $5 million, if your RSU award represents less than three percent (3%) of the Company’s outstanding shares, the Company will issue you a second RSU award (the “Additional Shares”), the number of shares of our common stock such that the two RSU awards combined represent three percent (3%) of the Company’s outstanding shares. The second RSU award will be granted to you as an “inducement” award that is exempt from shareholder approval rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, and will be subject to your execution of our standard equity award agreement. The second RSU award is also subject to “vesting” which means that you must be employed by us (or otherwise still rendering services to us) on the applicable vesting date. The Initial Shares will vest according to the following schedule:
27,000 of the Initial Shares vesting on the date of the grant;
27,000 of the Initial Shares vesting on first business day of each of the next three calendar quarters (total vesting of 81,000 of the Initial Shares); and
9,000 of the Initial Shares vesting on first business day of each subsequent calendar quarter until fully vested.
The initial 108,000 of the Initial Shares will accelerate and be fully vested upon signing of a contract with a major (top five) mobile phone manufacturer or with a tier one module manufacturer (Skyworks, Avago, or Qorvo). The contract must have a minimum value to Resonant of $20 million over two years. The remaining 108,000 of the Initial Shares will continue to vest as defined above.
The Additional Shares will vest according to the following schedule:
12.5% of the Additional Shares vesting on the date of consummation of the equity financing;
12.5% of the Additional Shares vesting on first business day of each of the next three calendar quarters following consummation of the equity financing; and
4.2% of the Additional Shares vesting on first business day of each subsequent calendar quarter until fully vested.
In addition to the above, we are also offering you a sign-on bonus of $100,000 ( less all required tax withholdings and other applicable deductions) , payable no later than the first pay period payment date following your Start Date. You agree to repay this bonus in full if you voluntarily terminate (other than for good reason as defined in the Change in Control Agreement) your employment with the Company prior to the first anniversary of your Start Date. This sign-on bonus amount will be subtracted from the amount of any annual or other bonus to which you may




be entitled for the 2016 calendar year. For clarity, if your sign-on bonus exceeds the amount of any annual or other bonus you earn for the 2016 calendar year, you will not be required to refund the excess amount unless you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company (other than for good reason) prior to the first anniversary of your Start Date.
The Company will present an Earn-Up plan to our Board of Directors’ Compensation Committee for consideration and approval, which approval won’t be unreasonably withheld as the Company intends to have an Earn-Up plan for its executive staff. If approved by the Compensation Committee, we anticipate placing this plan on our next annual proxy for shareholder approval. The plan proposes paying certain members of the executive staff predetermined numbers of shares which will be granted quarterly based on achieving certain stock price targets. The details are still to be determined, but you will be directly involved in the plan’s formulation.
Your employment will be on an at-will basis. This means that you will have the right to terminate your employment at any time with or without cause or notice, and the Company will reserve for itself an equal right. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. Upon any termination of your employment, you will be entitled to receive:
Any base salary earned but unpaid as of your termination or resignation date;
Payment in lieu of any vacation accrued but unused as of the date of your termination or resignation;
Any business expenses incurred but not reimbursed (in accordance with Company policy) as of your termination or resignation date; and
Any amounts or benefits under any Company compensation, incentive, severance, change in control or benefit plans due and owing and/or vested but not paid as of your termination or resignation date (according to the payment provisions of such plans).
Your employment is conditioned on your signing and returning the enclosed copies of our standard Employee Invention, Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreement (the “ Invention Agreement ”) and Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims (the “ Arbitration Agreement ”). This Letter, the Invention Agreement and the Arbitration Agreement, as well as the Severance and Change in Control Agreement, equity incentive plan agreements, bonus agreements, the aAgave Solutions Consent to be signed by me and any other agreements referred to in this offer letter including agreements that will be drafted after you begin employment, will together form the entire agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and these agreements together supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to such matters . The terms of your employment may only be changed by written agreement, although the Company may from time to time, in its sole discretion, adjust the benefits provided to you and its other employees.
This employment letter is valid for ten (10) business days and will expire if we have not received by that date signed copies of this letter, the Invention Agreement and the Arbitration Agreement.
We look forward to working with you!




Regards,
 
Regards,
 
 
 
/s/ Terry Lingren
 
 
 
Terry Lingren, CEO
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
/s/ George B. Holmes
 
 
 
George B. Holmes
 

Enclosures (Invention Agreement, aAgave Solutions Consent and Arbitration Agreement)
cc:
John Philpott, CFO
 
Barb Harlow, Director of Administration
 
Lisa Wolf, Controller





aAgave Solutions Consent

George B. Holmes represents that he is a Founder and Partner at aAgave Solutions and will from time to time provide consulting and advisory services to third parties through this entity during his employment with Resonant, which services will be in fields unrelated to the development of radio-frequency filter designs.
The Company hereby provides its approval and consent to my continued involvement in these activities during my employment with Resonant so long as such services do not conflict with the business with Resonant in normal business hours, without prior written approval.
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:
/s/ Terry Lingren
 
 
 
 
 
Terry Lingren, CEO
 



Inducement Award




















RESONANT INC.
 
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT





































Inducement Award



RESONANT INC.
NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT
You have been granted the following Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”) for shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ Common Stock ”), of Resonant Inc. (“ Resonant ” or the “ Company ”):
Name of Recipient:
George B. Holmes
 
 
Total Number of RSUs:
For 216,000 shares of Common Stock
 
 
Value of Stock on Grant Date:
$1.95 per share
 
 
Grant Date:
February 29, 2016
 
 
Vesting Commencement Date:
February 29, 2016
 
 
Vesting Schedule:
27,000 shares will vest on the Vesting Commencement Date; 27,000 shares will vest on each of July 1, 2016, October 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, subject to accelerated vesting as described below; and 9,000 Shares will vest on the first business day of each subsequent calendar quarter, commencing April 1, 2017, until fully vested.
 
 
Partial Accelerated Vesting:
With respect to the shares scheduled to vest on July 1, 2016, October 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, such 81,000 shares, to the extent then unvested, will accelerate and become fully vested upon the achievement of the following performance objective:
 
 
 
The Company enters into a binding written agreement with one of the five largest mobile phone manufacturers (measured by volume of mobile devices) or with Skyworks Solutions, Inc., Avago Technologies or Qorvo, Inc., which agreement has a minimum value to Resonant of at least $20 million within the first two years of the agreement. Accelerated vesting will occur on the date the Board certifies the achievement of the performance objective.



Inducement Award

By your signature below, you represent and warrant to and agree with the Company as follows:
(a)      The RSUs and the shares of Common Stock to be acquired upon their conversion are being and will be acquired for investment for your account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).
(b)      You are an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. You have experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledge that you can bear the economic risk of your investment in the RSUs and their underlying securities and have such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that you are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of your investment in the RSUs and their underlying securities and/or have a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables you to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.
(c)      You have received or have had full access to all the information you consider necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of the RSUs and their underlying securities.
(d)      You understand that the RSUs and the underlying securities issuable upon conversion thereof have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of your investment intent as expressed herein. You understands that the RSUs and underlying securities issued upon any conversion thereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. All certificates evidencing securities issued upon conversion of the RSUs shall, unless and until the issuance thereof is registered under the Securities Act, bear a restrictive legend in such form as is required or deemed advisable by the Company under the Securities Act.
By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company agree that the RSUs are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, which is attached hereto and made a part of this document.

Recipient:
Resonant Inc.
 
 
 
By:     /s/ George B. Holmes
By:
/s/ Terry Lingren
 
 
 
Name: George B. Holmes
Its:
Chief Executive Officer



Inducement Award

RESONANT INC.
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
1.    Terms . Unless provided otherwise in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (“ Notice of Grant ”), the following standard terms and conditions (“ Standard Terms ”) apply to Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”) granted to you. Your Notice of Grant and these Standard Terms constitute the entire understanding between you and Resonant. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Resonant Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “ 2014 Plan ”).

2.    Vesting of RSUs .
(a)    Provided that you continuously provide Service (as defined below) to the Company from the Grant Date specified in the Notice of Grant through each vesting date specified in the Notice of Grant, the RSUs shall vest and be converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Common Stock specified on the Notice of Grant with respect to such vesting date, except as otherwise provided in these Standard Terms. If a vesting date falls on a weekend or any other day on which The Nasdaq Stock Market (“ NASDAQ ”) is not open, affected RSUs shall vest on the next following NASDAQ business day.
(b)    RSUs will vest to the extent provided in and in accordance with the terms of the Notice of Grant and these Standard Terms. Upon termination of your Service for any reason, any unvested RSUs (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting resulting from such termination of Service) will be cancelled.
(c)    For the purposes of these Standard Terms, the term “ Service ” means service to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as an Employee, Director or Consultant.
3.    Conversion into Common Stock .
(a)    Shares of Common Stock will be issued or become free of restrictions as soon as practicable following vesting of the RSUs, provided that you have satisfied your tax withholding obligations as specified under Section 11 of these Standard Terms and you have completed, signed and returned any documents and taken any additional action that the Committee deems appropriate to enable it to accomplish the delivery of the shares of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock will be issued in your name (or may be issued to your executor or personal representative, in the event of your death or Disablement), and may be effected by recording shares on the stock records of the Company or by crediting shares in an account established on your behalf with a brokerage firm or other custodian, in each case as determined by the Committee. In no event will the Company be obligated to issue a fractional share.
(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock during any period when the Committee determines that the conversion of an RSU or the delivery of shares hereunder would violate any federal, state or other applicable laws and/or may issue shares subject to any restrictive legends that, as determined by the Company’s counsel, is necessary to comply with securities or other regulatory requirements, and (ii) the date on which shares are issued may include a delay in order to provide the Company such time as it determines appropriate to address tax withholding and other administrative matters.
(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Standard Terms or the applicable Notice of Grant, the Committee may reduce your unvested RSUs if you change your employment classification from a full-time employee to a part-time employee.



Inducement Award

(d)    In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, dividend or distribution (whether in cash, shares or other property, other than a regular cash dividend), stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting shares of Common Stock or the value thereof, such adjustments and other substitutions shall be made to the number of shares of Common Stock into which RSUs convert as specified in the Notice of Grant as the Committee deems equitable or appropriate taking into consideration the accounting and tax consequences, including such adjustments in the aggregate number, class and kind of securities that may be delivered hereunder (including, if the Committee deems appropriate, the substitution of similar awards denominated in the shares of another company) as the Committee may determine to be appropriate; provided, however, that the number of shares of Common Stock into which RSUs convert shall always be a whole number.
4.    Change in Control . In the event that your Service is terminated for Good Reason (as defined below) or for reasons other than an act of misconduct (as described in Section 6 below) upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or within three (3) months prior thereto or twelve (12) months thereafter (a “ Termination Event ”), all unvested RSUs will vest immediately prior to the effective date of such Termination Event. For purposes hereof, “ Good Reason ” means any of the following (without your express written consent and provided you provide written notice stating in reasonable detail the basis for termination and a thirty (30)-day opportunity to cure to the Company): (i) a material reduction in your responsibilities or duties as such responsibilities or duties exist on the date that is three (3) months prior to the Change in Control, except in the event of a termination for an act of misconduct (as described in Section 6 below), death or disability or your resignation other than for Good Reason; (ii) a reduction of your base salary as it exists on the date that is three (3) months prior to the Change in Control unless such reduction (x) is in connection with concurrent and proportional reductions in the salaries of other employees of the Company, which reductions have been approved by the Board, and (y) reduce your base salary to no less than 80% of your base salary immediately before such reduction; or (iii) any relocation by the Company of your place of employment that would increase your one-way commute to the place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles when compared to your commute immediately prior to the relocation. The rights provided for in this Section 4 are in addition to any other rights provided for in any other agreement you have with the Company.
5.    Leaves of Absence . For any purpose under these Standard Terms, your Service shall be deemed to continue while you are on a bona fide leave of absence, to the extent required by applicable law. To the extent applicable law does not require such a leave to be deemed to continue your Service such Service shall be deemed to continue if, and only if, expressly provided in writing by the Committee or an executive officer of the Company or Subsidiary for whom you provide Service.
6.    Suspension or Termination of RSUs for Misconduct . If at any time the Committee reasonably believes that you have committed an act of misconduct as described in this Section 6, the Committee may suspend the vesting of your RSUs pending a determination of whether an act of misconduct has been committed. If the Committee determines that you have committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of any obligation owed to the Company, breach of fiduciary duty or deliberate disregard of Company rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company, or if you make an unauthorized disclosure of any Company trade secret or confidential information, engage in any conduct constituting unfair competition, induce any customer to breach a contract with the Company or induce any principal for whom the Company acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship, all RSUs not vested as of the date the Committee was notified that you may have committed an act of misconduct shall be cancelled and neither you nor any beneficiary shall be entitled to any claim with respect to the RSUs whatsoever. Any determination by the Committee with respect to the foregoing shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all interested parties.



Inducement Award

7.    Termination of Service .
(a)    Except as expressly provided otherwise in these Standard Terms, if your Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, other than on account of death, Disablement (defined below), Retirement (defined below) or discharge for misconduct, all unvested RSUs shall be cancelled on the date of Service termination, regardless of whether such Service termination is voluntary or involuntary.
(b)    For purposes of this Section 7 , your Service is not deemed terminated if, prior to sixty (60) days after the date of termination of your Service, you are re-engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary on a basis that would make you eligible for future RSU grants, nor would your transfer from the Company to any Subsidiary or from any one Subsidiary to another, or from a Subsidiary to the Company be deemed a termination of your Service. Further, your provision of service as an employee, director or consultant to any partnership, joint venture or corporation not meeting the requirements of a Subsidiary in which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party shall be considered Service for purposes of this provision if either (a) the entity is designated by the Committee as a Subsidiary for purposes of this provision or (b) you are specifically designated as providing Service for purposes of this provision.
8.    Death . If you die while you are a Service provider, your RSUs will become one hundred percent (100%) vested.
9.    Disability .
(a)    Except as expressly provided otherwise in these Standard Terms, if your Service terminates as a result of Disablement, your RSUs will become one hundred percent (100%) vested upon the later of the date of termination of your Service due to your Disablement or the date of determination of your Disablement.
(b)    For purposes of these Standard Terms, “Disablement” means your inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and functions of your position with the Company or a Subsidiary for a continuous period of one hundred eighty (180) days as a result of any mental or physical disability or incapacity, as determined under the definition of disability in the Company’s long-term disability plan so as to qualify you for benefits under the terms of that plan or as determined by the Committee to the extent that no such plan is then in effect. You shall cooperate in all respects with the Company if a question arises as to whether you have become disabled (including, without limitation, submitting to an examination by a medical doctor or other health care specialist selected by the Company and authorizing such medical doctor or such other health care specialist to discuss your condition with the Company).
10.    Retirement . For purposes of these Standard Terms, “ Retirement ” shall mean either Standard Retirement (as defined below) or the Rule of 75 (as defined below). Upon your Retirement, the vesting of your RSUs, to the extent that they had not vested on or prior to the date of your Retirement, shall be accelerated as follows:
(a)    If you retire at or after age sixty (60) (“Standard Retirement”), you will receive one (1) year of additional vesting from your date of Retirement for every five (5) years that you have provided Service (measured in complete, whole years). No vesting acceleration shall occur for any periods of Service of less than five (5) years; or
(b)    If, when you terminate Service, your age plus years of Service (in each case measured in complete, whole years) equals or exceeds seventy-five (75) (“Rule of 75”), you will receive accelerated vesting of any portion of the RSUs that would have vested prior to one (1) year from the date of your Retirement.
You will receive vesting acceleration pursuant to either Standard Retirement or the Rule of 75, but not both. Remaining unvested RSUs shall be cancelled as of the date of your Retirement.



Inducement Award

11.    Tax Withholding .
(a)    To the extent required by applicable federal, state or other law, you shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of vesting of an RSU and, if applicable, any sale of shares of Common Stock. The Company shall not be required to issue or lift any restrictions on shares of Common Stock or to recognize any purported transfer of shares of Common Stock until such obligations are satisfied. The Committee may permit these obligations to be satisfied by having the Company withhold a portion of the shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be issued to you upon vesting of the RSUs, or to the extent permitted by the Committee, by tendering shares of Common Stock previously acquired.
(b)    You are ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed by you in connection with your RSUs, regardless of any action the Committee or the Company takes or any transaction pursuant to this Section 11 with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with your RSUs. The Company makes no representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the grant, issuance, vesting or settlement of your RSUs or the subsequent sale of any of the shares of Common Stock underlying your RSUs that vest. The Company does not commit and is under no obligation to administer the Plan in a manner that reduces or eliminates your tax liability.
12.    Transferability; Rights as a Stockholder .
(a)    Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, each RSU shall be transferable only:
(i)    pursuant to your will or upon your death to your beneficiaries;
(ii)    by gift to your Immediate Family (defined below), corporations whose only shareholders are you or members of your Immediate Family, partnerships whose only partners are you or members of your Immediate Family, limited liability companies whose only members are you or members of your Immediate Family, or trusts established solely for the benefit of you or members of your Immediate Family;
(iii)    by gift to a foundation in which you and/or members of your Immediate Family control the management of the foundation’s assets; or
(iv)    for charitable donations;
provided that such permitted assignee shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Notice of Grant and these Standard Terms relating to the transferred RSUs and shall execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations; and provided, further, that you shall remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Notice of Grant and these Standard Terms.
(b)    For purposes of these Standard Terms, “ Immediate Family ” is defined as your spouse or domestic partner, children, grandchildren (including any adopted and step children or grandchildren), parents, grandparents or siblings. Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance that does not qualify under Section 12(a) above shall be void and unenforceable against the Company. Any RSU transferred by you pursuant to this section shall not be transferable by the recipient except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The transferability of RSUs is subject to any applicable laws of your country of residence or employment.
(c)    You will have the rights of a stockholder only after shares of Common Stock have been issued to you following vesting of your RSUs and satisfaction of all other conditions to the issuance of those shares as set forth in these Standard Terms. RSUs shall not entitle you to any rights of a stockholder of Common Stock and there are no voting or dividend rights with respect to your RSUs. RSUs shall remain terminable



Inducement Award

pursuant to these Standard Terms at all times until they vest and convert into shares. As a condition to having the right to receive shares of Common Stock pursuant to your RSUs, you acknowledge that unvested RSUs shall have no value for purposes of any aspect of your Service relationship with the Company.
13.    Disputes . Any question concerning the interpretation of these Standard Terms, your Notice of Grant or the RSUs, any adjustments required to be made thereunder, and any controversy that may arise under the Standard Terms, your Notice of Grant or the RSUs shall be determined by the Committee (including any person(s) to whom the Committee has delegated its authority) in its sole and absolute discretion. Such decision by the Committee shall be final and binding unless determined pursuant to Section 15(g) to have been arbitrary and capricious.
14.    Amendments . The RSUs may be amended or altered by the Committee to the same extent as the Committee may amend or alter Awards granted pursuant to the 2014 Plan.
15.    Other Matters .
(a)    Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the RSUs are superseded by these Standard Terms and your Notice of Grant. The grant of RSUs to you in any one year, or at any time, does not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to make a grant in any future year or in any given amount and should not create an expectation that the Company or any Subsidiary might make a grant in any future year or in any given amount.
(b)    RSUs are not part of your Service contract (if any, unless otherwise specified therein), your salary, your normal or expected compensation, or other remuneration for any purposes, including for purposes of computing severance pay or other termination compensation or indemnity.
(c)    Notwithstanding any other provision of these Standard Terms, if any changes in the financial or tax accounting rules applicable to the RSUs covered by these Standard Terms shall occur which, in the sole judgment of the Committee, may have an adverse effect on the reported earnings, assets or liabilities of the Company, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify these Standard Terms or cancel and cause a forfeiture with respect to any unvested RSUs at the time of such determination.
(d)    Nothing contained in these Standard Terms creates or implies an employment contract or term of employment upon which you may rely.
(e)    Notwithstanding any provision of these Standard Terms or the Notice of Grant to the contrary, if, at the time of your termination of Service with the Company, you are a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, and one or more of the payments or benefits received or to be received by you pursuant to the RSUs would constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, no such payment or benefit will be provided under the RSUs until the earliest of (A) the date which is six (6) months after your “separation from service” for any reason, other than death or “disability” (as such terms are used in Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code), (B) the date of your death or “disability” (as such term is used in Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code) or (C) the effective date of a “change in the ownership or effective control” of the Company (as such term is used in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code). The provisions of this Section 15(e) shall only apply to the extent required to avoid your incurrence of any penalty tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code or any regulations or Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder. In addition, if any provision of the RSUs would cause you to incur any penalty tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code or any regulations or Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder, the Committee may reform such provision to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.



Inducement Award

(f)    Notwithstanding any provision of these Standard Terms or the Notice of Grant to the contrary, if the Company determines, based upon the advice of the tax advisors for the Company, that part or all of the consideration, compensation or benefits to be paid to you pursuant to the RSUs constitute “parachute payments” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, then, if the aggregate present value of such parachute payments, singularly or together with the aggregate present value of any consideration, compensation or benefits to be paid to you under any other plan, arrangement or agreement which constitute “parachute payments” (collectively, the “ Parachute Amount ”) exceeds 2.99 times your “base amount,” as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code (the “ Base Amount ”), the amounts constituting “parachute payments” which would otherwise be payable to you or for your benefit shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that the Parachute Amount is equal to 2.99 times the Base Amount (the “ Reduced Amount ”). In the event of a reduction of the payments that would otherwise be paid to you, then the Company may elect which and how much of any particular entitlement shall be eliminated or reduced and shall notify you promptly of such election; provided , however , that the aggregate reduction shall be no more than as set forth in the preceding sentence of this Section 15(f) . Within ten (10) days following such election, the Company shall pay you such amounts as are then due pursuant to the RSUs and shall pay you in the future such amounts as become due pursuant to the RSUs. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the Code at the time of a determination hereunder, it is possible that payments will be made by the Company which should not have been made (“ Overpayment ”) or that additional payments which are not made by the Company pursuant to this Section 15(f) should have been made (“ Underpayment ”). In the event of a final determination by the Internal Revenue Service, a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in the provisions of the Code or regulations or tax law, that an Overpayment has been made, any such Overpayment shall be treated for all purposes as a loan to you that you shall repay to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code. In the event of a final determination by the Internal Revenue Service, a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in the provisions of the Code or regulations or tax law pursuant to which an Underpayment arises under this Agreement, any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to you or for your benefit, together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
(g)    Because these Standard Terms relate to terms and conditions under which you may be issued shares of Common Stock, an essential term of these Standard Terms is that it shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to choice of law principles of Delaware or other jurisdictions. Any action, suit, or proceeding relating to these Standard Terms or the RSUs granted hereunder shall be brought in the state or federal courts of competent jurisdiction in the State of California.
(h)    Copies of the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders for its latest fiscal year and the Company’s latest quarterly report are available, without charge, at the Company’s business office.
(i)    Any notice required by these Standard Terms shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to you at the address set forth in the records of the Company. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at:
 
Resonant Inc.
 
 
110 Castilian Drive., Suite 100
 
 
Goleta, CA 93117
 
 
Attention: Compensation Committee
 











For Immediate Release

Resonant Names George B. Holmes to the Newly Created Post of President
and Chief Commercial Officer and Joins its Board
-- Seasoned Executive Brings Sales & Marketing and Broad Management Expertise to RF Front End Innovator --

GOLETA, Calif.-February 29, 2016 -- Resonant Inc. (NASDAQ: RESN), a late-stage development company creating innovative filter designs for radio frequency front-ends (RFFEs) for the mobile device industry, today announced it named George B. Holmes to the newly created post of President and Chief Commercial Officer and appointed him to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Mr. Holmes brings to Resonant more than 30 years’ leadership experience in sales & marketing and management spanning a broad range of technologies, including semiconductor, optical components and systems and sub-systems for telecom and CATV.

Prior to joining Resonant, Mr. Holmes served as Chief Commercial Officer for Tigo Energy, where he was responsible for expanding the company’s demand creation and market expansion activities. From 2013 to 2015, he worked for Energous, first as Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing then as Chief Commercial Officer where he was responsible for securing development and licensing agreements, overseeing IP strategy and process and spearheading regulatory strategy and tactics. From 2011 to 2013, he served as Vice President of Sales at SolarBridge Technologies, overseeing all sales, business development and sales operations. His prior experience includes senior sales executive roles at Agere Systems (formerly Lucent MicroElectronics), Ortel Corp (acquired by Lucent), Level One Communications and Symmetricom. Mr. Holmes holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound and a Diploma in international business from Nyenrode University, Netherlands.

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Terry Lingren, stated, “We are gaining traction in our go-to-market strategy, as evidenced by our most recent announcement of an MOU, and we think George can help propel us toward our goal of having numerous joint development agreements in place that increase our licensing and revenue opportunities. George has a track record of sales and marketing success in addition to his management development expertise. We look forward to benefiting from his leadership.”

George Holmes, added, “This is a tremendous opportunity. As we’ve seen the industry-wide explosion in the complexity of the mobile device’s RF front-end, Resonant’s vision of bringing smaller, cheaper and simpler solutions to the market using its technology, tools and expertise, is truly compelling. I look forward to driving the commercialization of this disruptive change and helping to shape the future of the Company and its mark on the industry.”


In connection with his appointment as President and Chief Commercial Officer, on February 29, 2016, the Company issued to Mr. Holmes an inducement award of restricted stock units for 216,000 shares of common stock. In addition, the Company approved the issuance to Mr. Holmes of an additional inducement award of restricted stock units upon consummation of the Company’s next qualified financing for a number of shares of common stock that, when combined with 216,000 shares, equals three percent of the Company’s outstanding shares immediately





following such qualified financing.  Each of the inducement awards will vest over four years, 12.5% on the date of grant and on each of the subsequent three quarters and the remainder in twelve equal quarterly amounts through the balance of the vesting period.

About Resonant Inc.
Resonant is a late-stage development company creating innovative filter designs for the RF front-end for the mobile device industry. The RFFE is the circuitry in a mobile device responsible for analog signal processing and is located between the device’s antenna and its digital baseband. Filters are a critical component of the RFFE that selects the desired radio frequency signals and rejects unwanted signals.

Resonant has developed and patented a fundamentally new method of designing RF filters it calls Infinite Synthesized Networks ® (ISN ® ). Utilizing tools built using ISN as applied by its highly experienced team of developers, the Company can improve Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters to work in difficult, Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) bands with performance that is competitive with best in class products that exist on the market today. Of late, the Company is also addressing the need for more complex products, including quadplexers and higher-order multiplexers.  Resonant is also developing a filter design that are reconfigurable, or will tune, to multiple bands and replace several existing filters while significantly reducing the overall size and cost of the RFFE.  For more information, please visit www.resonant.com .

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Mr. Holmes’ expected contributions to the commercialization of Resonant’s designs. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following: Resonant’s ability to complete designs that meet customer specifications; the ability of its customers (or their manufacturers) to fabricate Resonant’s designs in commercial quantities; dependence on a small number of customers; the ability of Resonant’s designs to significantly lower costs compared to other designs and solutions; the risk that the intense competition and rapid technological change in its industry renders Resonant’s designs less useful or obsolete;; and general market, economic and business conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by Resonant’s forward-looking statements are under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Resonant’s most recent Annual Report (Form 10-K) or Quarterly Report (Form 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and Resonant expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update forward-looking statements.

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IR Contacts:
Resonant
Ina McGuinness
1-805-308-9488
IR@resonant.com

MZ North America
Matt Hayden
1-949-259-4986
matt.hayden@mzgroup.us