UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
Commission file number: 001-31972
TELKONET, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Utah | 87-0627421 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 20800 Swenson Drive Suite 175, Waukesha, WI | 53186 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(414) 223-0473
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
| Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| None | None |
Securities Registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.001 par value
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. o Yes x No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(b) of the Act. o Yes x No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | |
| Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company x | |
| (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) o Yes x No
Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates (based upon the closing sale price of $0.19 per share on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board) of the registrant as of June 30, 2016: $23,332,666.
Number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s par value $0.001 common stock as of March 22, 2017: 132,774,475.
Parts I and II incorporate information by reference from the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Part III is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 1, 2017.
TELKONET, INC.
FORM 10-K
INDEX
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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.
Some of the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or financial condition or state other “forward-looking” information. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Telkonet, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) and our management team. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “may,” and variations of these words, as well as similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth, trends in our businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those risks and uncertainties set forth in Item 1A of this report. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this report, the inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved.
GENERAL
Business
Telkonet, Inc. (the “Company”, “Telkonet”), formed in 1999 and incorporated under the laws of the state of Utah, is the creator of the EcoSmart Platform of intelligent automation solutions designed to optimize energy efficiency, comfort and analytics in support of the emerging Internet of Things (“IoT”). Telkonet’s growth is focused on EcoSmart, its IoT division offering intelligent automation solutions.
In October of 2016, the Company, under the direction and authority of the Board of Directors, committed to a plan to offer for sale Ethostream LLC, High-Speed Internet Access (“HSIA”) subsidiary. While EthoStream is one of the largest public HSIA providers in the world, providing services to more than 12.0 million users monthly across a network of approximately 1,800 locations, the Company will focus on its higher growth potential EcoSmart Platform line. As a result of this decision to sell Ethostream LLC, the operating results of Ethostream for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been reclassified as discontinued operations and as assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated financial statements. The sale closed on March 29, 2017.
Unless otherwise noted, all financial information in this Form 10-K will reflect results from the Company’s continuing operations.
ECOSMART
Telkonet’s EcoSmart Platform is comprised of four main pillars.
| · | EcoSmart Suite: The suite of intelligent hardware products designed and developed to provide monitoring, management, command and control over individual and grouped energy consumption throughout building environments. |
| · | EcoCentral: The cloud-based dashboard and analytics platform that provides visualization and remote management of Telkonet’s monitoring, reporting and analytics through deployed EcoSmart and integrated products. |
| · | EcoCare: Telkonet’s full offering of professional support and maintenance services including 24/7 monitoring, engineering, analytics, reporting, software and hardware updates, extended warranty, project and relationship management and onsite support. |
| · | EcoSmart Mobile: Native iOS and Android applications provided by Telkonet to its partners, customers and end users and guests enabling provisioning, management and access and control over EcoSmart deployments and functionality. |
The EcoSmart Platform provides comprehensive energy and operational savings, management monitoring, reporting, analytics and virtual engineering of a customer’s portfolio and/or property’s room-by-room energy consumption and increased comfort and productivity through a more intelligent and automated environment. Telkonet has deployed more than a half million intelligent devices worldwide in properties and buildings within the hospitality, military, educational, healthcare and other commercial markets. The EcoSmart Platform is rapidly being recognized as a leading solution for reducing energy consumption, operational costs and carbon footprints, and eliminating the need for new energy generation in these markets – all while improving occupant comfort and convenience.
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Controlling energy consumption can make a significant impact on a building owner’s bottom line, as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) costs represent a substantial portion of a facility’s overall utility bill. Hospitality is a key market for Telkonet. According to the EPA EnergySTAR for Hospitality analysis, the median hotel uses approximately 70,000 Btu/ft2 from all energy sources. 1 On average, America’s approximately 53,000 hotels spend $2,196 per available room each year on energy. 2 This represents about 6% of all operating costs. Through a strategic approach to energy efficiency, a 10% reduction in energy consumption would have the same financial effect as increasing the average daily room rate by $0.60 in limited-service hotels and by $2.00 in full-service hotels.
Energy is very often wasted through the lighting, powering, heating and cooling of unoccupied spaces. These spaces with intermittent occupancy constitute Telkonet’s target markets, and our experience, supported by independent research and customer data, suggests these rooms are unoccupied as much as 70% of the time.
EcoSmart Suite
| · | EcoTouch: One of the newest additions to Telkonet’s suite of hardware, the EcoTouch is an all touch capacitive thermostat interface available in wired and wireless models offering a premium aesthetic. The EcoTouch allows building owners to match the thermostat with the design of their room by changing the color of the metal band or by selecting black or white options. |
| · | EcoAir: A wireless thermostat interface mirroring the EcoInsight footprint while enabling the relocation of in room controls without the usual construction expense and downtime. |
| · | EcoSource: The remote HVAC control device associated with Telkonet’s thermostat interfaces allowing control while removing the need for expensive rewiring and construction. The EcoSource may also be used for third-party integrations, monitoring and control scenarios. |
| · | EcoSmart VRF Controller: The newest product in the EcoSmart Suite, the VRF Controller works with most of the new variable refrigerant systems coming to market. The devices replace the EcoSource where discrete relays are not available. |
| · | EcoInsight: A programmable and controllable wired thermostat with over 125 configurable settings used to control the efficiency of HVAC through the use of environment variables and triggers. |
| · | EcoConnect: An Ethernet to Zigbee bridge that serves as the coordinator for all EcoSmart devices connected to the intelligent automation network, managing approximately 30 - 70 device connections each. |
| · | EcoCommander: EcoSmart’s network-edge gateway server that provides real-time proactive data aggregation, analytics, reporting and management of the EcoSmart product suite. |
| · | EcoSense: A remote occupancy sensor that monitors environments with ultra, high-sensitive sensors designed to detect motion or body heat. All sensors are programmed to ensure accurate occupancy detection. EcoSense may be hardwired or programmed to communicate wirelessly and may be battery operated or utilize external power. |
| · | EcoSwitch: The EcoSmart energy management product with the appearance of a traditional ‘rocker’ light switch. Turning lights off, even for a short time, saves energy and extends lamp life. The EcoSwitch can be used to compose and automate dramatic lighting scenes in a room. |
| · | EcoGuard: The EcoSmart control that acts as the replacement for an in-wall outlet and has the ability to monitor and control the flow of power to one or both outlets. Based on occupancy, it can turn off lamps, televisions, appliances, and any other energy-consuming loads that are plugged in, preventing a property from consuming power in an empty room. The EcoGuard completely disconnects devices from the power supply, preventing lights and other in-room electronics from needlessly consuming energy as well as providing monitoring of energy flow and efficiency when a plug is enabled. |
| · | EcoContact: A remote, wireless door/window contact with the ability to provide additional occupancy data and control HVAC operability and other consumption measures when doors or windows are open. |
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1 Facility Type: Hotels & Motels - http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/EPA_BUM_CH12_HotelsMotels.pdf
2 AH&LA 2013 At-a-Glance Statistical Figures - http://www.ahla.com/content.aspx?id=36332
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EcoCentral
Telkonet’s EcoSmart Platform functions as a comprehensive solution for intelligent automation and energy management. The platform has a well-developed upgrade path with the final and complete version of the platform offering real-time control and analytics provided through a cloud computing platform called EcoCentral. EcoCentral earns its name through its ability to direct user resources where they add the most value. From monitoring equipment operation to determining where engineering efforts are needed to notifying staff when performance is degrading, EcoCentral creates a comprehensive tool for providing insight and access into EcoSmart Platform deployments either individually or across an entire building portfolio.
EcoCare
EcoCare is Telkonet’s complete offering of professional services including call support, repair and replacement services, periodic reporting, communication with customers’ utility and Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) partners and more. Telkonet provides three packages of EcoCare services as well as allows customers to create their own package of services ala carte. EcoCare allows EcoSmart customers to ensure that they continue to recognize the savings estimated and benefit from the intended return on investment (ROI). Standard EcoCare contracts range from three to five years and have automatic renewal terms built into the individual contract.
EcoSmart Mobile
Telkonet’s EcoMobile tools provide native iOS and Android applications for use by partners, customers and end users or guests. These mobile tools extend the value of the EcoSmart Platform and give greater functionality and more efficient commissioning and deployment abilities to the user. We have identified where, by providing more accessibility, we can create additional charged-for services that increase customer savings, improve guest experience and integrate more fully with customer environments to create a tight relationship with our customers.
Target Markets
Rooms with intermittent occupancy are most commonly found in the following market sectors:
| · | Hospitality : hotels, motels, resorts, timeshares, casinos. |
| · | Educational : residence halls, dormitories and other campus living options. Also K-12 environments with distributed and portable classrooms. |
| · | Military : residence halls, barracks, apartments and other campus living options. |
| · | Health care : medical office buildings, assisted and independent living facilities. |
| · | Public Housing : apartments and other public living options. |
Intelligent Energy Management
Telkonet’s EcoSmart energy management platform is a leading intelligent and advanced automation solution designed to deliver at all levels by controlling a building’s lighting, plugload and HVAC usage and improving energy efficiency one room at a time. All data may be presented on a grouped, property or room-by-room basis, allowing very granular management of in-room energy use and environmental conditions. The platform achieves this by using a combination of wired and wireless technology components, including occupancy sensors and intelligent programmable thermostats connected with packaged terminal air conditioner (“PTAC”) controllers or any other terminal equipment HVAC products, managed wireless light switches and in wall electrical plugs to adjust and maintain energy consumption including a room’s temperature according to occupancy, eliminating wasteful heating and cooling of unoccupied rooms. All of these things can be done from the in-room devices or via any web-connected device, such as smart phones, tablets and laptop computers.
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EcoSmart is an energy management platform that delivers optimal, individual room energy savings without compromising occupant comfort, due to a proprietary technology named – “Recovery Time”.
Recovery Time Technology
EcoSmart’s HVAC controls feature Recovery Time, technology designed to maximize energy efficiency without sacrificing occupant comfort. When a room is occupied, the temperature selected by the occupant will be maintained by the EcoSmart system. However, whenever the occupancy sensor determines that the room is unoccupied, the system adjusts the room temperature using Recovery Time. Unlike other systems, Recovery Time technology constantly performs calculations that evaluate how far each individual room’s temperature can drift from the occupant’s preferred setting (“set-point”), to harvest energy savings while still being able to return to the occupant’s set-point within a customer’s pre-defined period of time.
When determining the temperature setting, Recovery Time technology considers how long it will take to return the temperature to the occupant’s set-point once they return to their room. The temperature will only drift far enough to ensure the system will return to the occupant’s preferred temperature setting within minutes upon their return to the room. The specific length of the time is selected by property management at the time of the installation; however, it can be altered at any time by management.
How do others do it?
The occupant selects a set-point when the room is occupied. When the occupant leaves, the thermostat reverts to an energy-saving set-point which is a fixed number of degrees different than the occupant set-point (lower in winter and higher in summer). In some products the set-point is a fixed temperature selected by the property owner. Each room will take a different amount of time to return to the occupant set-point and variables such as the outdoor temperature and the room orientation to sun or wind will dramatically affect the length of time the HVAC unit has to run to recover the room temperature to set-point. Maintenance condition of the HVAC unit will also affect the time as a dirty filter or coil offers less heat transfer and will take longer causing the unit to work harder. Other variables affect time as well, like whether the drapes are open or closed. The result is a very uneven distribution of temperatures from room to room and ultimately an unsatisfied occupant or guest.
EcoSmart Delivers Room-by-Room Savings
Telkonet’s approach is different, since each room’s environment is different. Every room is evaluated independently in real-time to determine its energy efficient temperature, or setback. Recovery Time technology constantly calculates in real-time how far the room temperature can drift by taking into consideration all the environmental characteristics that impact the temperature in the room, including:
| · | The occupant’s preferred temperature setting; |
| · | The location of the room within the building; |
| · | The window placement – facing the sun or shade; | |
| · | If the drapes are open or closed; |
| · | If the climate is dry or humid; |
| · | The varying weather conditions throughout the day; and |
| · | The condition of the HVAC unit, such as age and efficiency. |
Through the constant monitoring of the HVAC unit’s ability to drive the temperature and the real-time adjustment of the setback temperature, rooms are never excessively hot or cold when an occupant returns to the room. The room will always be just minutes away from an occupant’s desired comfort setting. As a result, Recovery Time technology delivers room-by-room, occupant-by-occupant savings.
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Our EcoSmart Platforms maximize energy reductions while at the same time ensuring occupant comfort, maximizing energy savings and extending equipment life expectancy – often by more than 40%. This technology is particularly attractive to customers in the hospitality industry, as well as the education, healthcare, public housing and government/military markets, who are continually seeking ways to reduce costs and meet federal and state mandates without impacting building occupant comfort. By reducing energy consumption automatically when a space is unoccupied, our customers are able to realize significant cost savings without diminishing occupant comfort.
Telkonet’s EcoSmart technology may also be integrated with utility controls, property management systems and building automation systems to be used in load shedding initiatives using industry standard communication protocols to ensure widespread adoption and easy to use interfaces. This feature provides management companies and utilities enhanced opportunities for cost savings, environmental protections and energy management. Telkonet’s energy management systems are lowering HVAC costs in hundreds of thousands of rooms worldwide and qualify for most state and federal energy efficiency and rebate programs.
Competitive Advantages
We believe our intelligent automation platform, with our proprietary Recovery Time technology, delivers extensive benefits over competing products, including:
| · | Maximum energy savings - evaluating each room’s environmental conditions, including room location, window placement, humidity, time-of-day, weather conditions, and operating efficiency of HVAC equipment; |
| · | Longer life and reduced maintenance of HVAC units through reduced run times and proactive equipment monitoring; |
| · | Increased occupant control & comfort; |
| · | Simple to use and easy to read thermostat options. Backlight friendly for visually impaired; |
| · | Web-based access with extremely powerful yet simple to use EcoCentral dashboard web interface; |
| · | Speed and ease of installation of in-room devices and network infrastructure; |
| · | Extensive range of HVAC system compatibility; |
| · | Adaptive learning and system programming; |
| · | Utility-integrated events capabilities; |
| · | Remote HVAC control network; |
| · | 24/7 EcoCare remote monitoring and diagnostics services; |
| · | Plug load, lighting and HVAC controls; |
| · | Extensive 3rd-party integrations; |
| · | Based on industry standard software and communication protocols (Linux, ZigBee); |
| · | Offers rapid return on investment, typical ROI of two to three years; and |
| · | Mobile applications facilitating installation, management and end-user accessibility. |
Our open, scalable and standards-based architecture allows the EcoSmart Platform to integrate seamlessly with back-office management systems, property management systems, building automation systems and utility demand/response programs as well as additional third-party network architecture to recognize increased efficiency and savings. This approach enables the development of customized energy management deployments while protecting existing investments.
Based on these platform features and capabilities, we’ve been awarded, and continue to receive, contracts in the hospitality, military, educational, multiple dwelling unit (“MDU”), healthcare and utility industries. In addition, we believe our relationships with utility-sponsored direct install and rebate-funded programs provide us with a significant advantage over our competitors in the commercial occupancy-based energy management market.
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Our EcoSmart Platform has been developed to maximize energy efficiency and savings. Our technology allows users to decrease heating and cooling, lighting and plugload energy consumption and extend equipment life without diminishing occupant comfort. By providing Internet-based remote management over in-room energy efficiency, EcoSmart decreases the cost to operate an enterprise-wide system by improving the efficiency and operational effectiveness of onsite engineering resources.
Given the population growth in the United States and the increasing demand for energy, we believe additional energy-related infrastructure will be needed. We believe the use of Smart Grid technologies and energy efficiency management platforms are affordable alternatives to building additional power generation through leveraging existing resources and providing enhanced energy savings. While requiring investments that are not typical for most utilities, we believe the long-term savings resulting from these investments will outweigh the costs.
Industry and Market Overview
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 18% of all the energy produced in the United States is employed to cool, heat, light, or accomplish other functions within commercial buildings. 3 In an effort to remain competitive and manage expenses, governments, building owners, building tenants, and companies in general are looking for ways to become more efficient both fiscally and environmentally. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy reported that the cost of saving one unit of energy through energy efficiency is one-fifth (1/5) the cost required to generate that same unit of energy. As a result, we feel that the growth opportunities in the energy management market are in their infancy.
A 2014 report issued by Navigant Research, titled, “Energy Efficient Buildings: Global Outlook”, stated that the global market for energy efficient building products and services is on the rise. 4 With buildings being one of the largest sources of energy consumption, the opportunity to improve efficiency is significant, ranging from high-efficiency HVAC systems to the utilization of energy-efficient lighting technologies to business models such as energy performance contracting as employed by energy service companies (“ESCOs”) around the world. According to the Navigant report, the total market for energy efficiency in buildings will reach $623 billion by 2023, an increase of more than 100% from the 2014 market value of $307 billion.
Simply put, all industries are prime candidates for energy management and the industries that are most ripe for undertaking these initiatives are those that utilize energy “on-demand” or intermittently, such as those in the hospitality, educational, military, MDU and healthcare industries. Providing energy, and engaging the equipment to supply it, to those rooms and spaces only when occupied results in significant energy savings in addition to affording longer life and reduced maintenance to the HVAC systems.
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3 Center for Climate and Energy Efficiency - http://www.c2es.org/technology/overview/buildings
4 Energy Efficient Buildings: Global Outlook - https://www.navigantresearch.com/research/energy-efficient-buildings-global-outlook
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Education Industry
Telkonet’s most rapidly emerging market is the educational industry where we continue to expand our presence in this space through a concerted and focused approach, which involves strategic relationships with enterprise ESCOs throughout the USA. Telkonet partners with ESCOs to include our EcoSmart energy management platform for deployment within residence halls on university campuses. The ESCOs bundle our technology with other facility improvement measures designed to reduce operating costs across the entire campus. Some of these initiatives provide attractive returns on customer investments, such as EcoSmart for dormitories and lighting upgrades, while others such as roofs and windows have poor returns on investment but are needed infrastructure improvements. ESCOs bundle these facility improvements into a project that has acceptable returns and meets state mandated guidelines. The ESCOs then structure self-funding financial transactions called “Performance Contracts” in which the savings are greater than the repayment costs. The ESCOs will typically guarantee the financial and operational performance in this type of engagement. This approach removes many of the capital funding issues that stand in the way of implementing energy efficient technologies and shifts the technology and performance risk from the institution to the ESCOs.
In July 2008, we entered into an agreement with New York University to implement Telkonet’s networked energy management platform to centrally manage energy consumption in its dormitories. Telkonet worked with the University to use its existing building infrastructure to remotely manage and track energy consumption. Approximately 4,600 rooms across 14 dormitories have been completed and have yielded run-time and energy consumption reductions, operational savings from reduced field labor expenses and extension of equipment lifecycle. Since this time, we have grown our educational deployments to include such customers as the University of California Davis, Northern Oklahoma College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kansas State University, North Carolina State University, University of Akron, University of Notre Dame, Fordham University, Military Academy at West Point, Columbia University, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and others.
The opportunities in this market are not limited to higher education institutions. A report by EnergySTAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, showed that our nation’s 17,450 K-12 schools spend more than $6 billion on energy and that as much as 30% of a district’s total energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily. 5
We believe that our EcoSmart Platform is an important tool for participants in the education industry seeking to control student-related energy costs. We have focused our sales efforts on members of the education industry who are seeking to expand their energy efficiency initiatives as well as the ESCOs who target the educational marketplace and have thus far had success with at least one school district installing EcoSmart in each classroom throughout the district.
Hospitality Industry
According to EnergySTAR, the cost of energy for America's 47,000 hotels averages $2,196 per available room each year. As the cost of energy continues to increase, energy efficiency projects can provide an immediate and significant reduction in energy expenses. A 10% reduction in energy costs is equivalent to increasing revenue per available room by $0.60 for limited service hotels and by more than $2.00 for full-service hotels. 6 With EcoSmart, Telkonet can also reduce equipment runtime in unoccupied rooms by 20% to 45% while maintaining guest comfort, making the solution uniquely suited for energy management projects in the hospitality market. The Company has proven that its EcoSmart Platform can deliver a return on investment in less than three years for hospitality customers.
Any successful hotelier must focus on achieving the critical balance between guest comfort and operating margins and maintaining this balance in the long-term. Telkonet's proprietary Recovery Time technology allows EcoSmart to maximize energy savings without compromising guest comfort. In fact, hoteliers with EcoSmart can guarantee an indoor environment unique for each property or brand, where each room returns to the guest set-point within six minutes, regardless of room assignment. This dynamic technology sets Telkonet apart from fixed setback energy management systems, where the setback temperature is a fixed temperature or a fixed deviation. Both fixed setback approaches make it extremely difficult to predict how long it will take the room to return to the set-point after the guest re-enters the room, resulting in potentially lower energy savings and uncomfortable room temperatures.
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5 https://www.energystar.gov/ia/news/downloads/K-12_Challenge.pdf
6 http://www4.eere.energy.gov/alliance/sites/default/files/uploaded-files/better-buildings-alliance-annual-report-2013.pdf
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Military Industry
With the Department of Defense (“DOD”) being the single largest energy consumer in the United States, accounting for about 90 percent of the federal government’s energy use and using over 30 million mega-watt hours of electricity per year, we view this market as strategically significant to Telkonet’s interests. 7
Our energy management platform is already successfully incorporated into the energy initiatives in several military housing sites, military academies and barracks. In October 2009, Executive Order 13514, "Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance," was signed and set into action numerous energy requirements in areas such as Sustainable Buildings and Communities, Greenhouse Gas Management and Pollution Prevention and Waste Reduction, among others. 8 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA”) jump-started energy management throughout US government and military facilities by providing $4.26 billion in funding for the Department of Defense Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization Program. Telkonet benefited and continues to make use of government funding and other government contracts to provide EcoSmart for use on military bases and other facilities, helping both the DOD and the government as a whole achieve their long-term energy efficiency goals.
Healthcare Industry
Healthcare is an emerging market for energy management as currently healthcare organizations in the United States spend over $6.5 billion on energy each year and that number continues to rise to meet patients’ needs. 9 Although hospitals have many specific regulatory mandates, we have been working closely with operators and developers of healthcare support facilities, like medical office buildings, assisted living and other similar facilities, to integrate our EcoSmart energy management initiatives into efficiency opportunities supported by state and federal energy programs. These types of facilities offer a commercial environment similar to the hospitality or educational housing markets, and the increasing growth of the elderly and assisted living markets presents attractive potential for energy efficiency. This market is expected to grow rapidly over the next several years due to its energy savings capabilities. For example, hospital energy managers can use energy efficiency strategies to offset high costs caused by growing plug loads and rising energy prices. A typical 200,000-square-foot, 50-bed hospital in the U.S. annually spends $680,000—or roughly $13,611 per bed—on electricity and natural gas. By increasing energy efficiency, hospitals can improve the bottom line and free up funds to invest in new technologies and improve patient care.
Utility Industry
Strategic relationships with regional ESCOs are key to the continued expansion of energy efficiency initiatives. In Pike’s 2011 research report, it was estimated that the ESCO market will represent the largest segment of the energy efficient buildings industry in the coming years, with revenues more than doubling from $30.1 billion in 2011 to $66.0 billion worldwide by 2017, a projected compound annual growth rate of 14%.
We continue to strengthen our focus on our targeted market segments in order to expand market share and take advantage of existing incentives for energy management. We expect continued expansion in the space, and specifically in commercial segments due to increasing state and federal programs promoting energy efficiency. Our residential initiatives are also key to the future expansion of Telkonet’s EcoSmart programs within the developing Smart Grid environment.
Public Housing
Another emerging market for Telkonet’s platform is public housing, which are properties owned and managed by the government. The tenants occupying these properties must meet specific eligibility requirements, and their utility bills are typically paid for by government programs. Many of the ESCO clients that Telkonet supports today have dedicated teams pursuing opportunities with the owners and operators of government-subsidized housing. Our solutions are tailor made for these applications to conserve energy, enable remote monitoring control and improve occupant comfort.
Competition
We currently compete primarily within commercial and industrial markets, including the hospitality, education, healthcare, public housing, MDU, government, utility and military sectors. Within each target market, we offer savings through our intelligent automation platform. Our products offer significant competitive and complementary benefits when compared with alternative offerings including Building Automation Systems (“BAS”) or Building Management Systems (“BMS”), static temperature occupancy-based systems, scheduling/programmable thermostats and high-efficiency HVAC systems.
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7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_usage_of_the_United_States_military
8 https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/sustainability
9 http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/topics/commercial-industrial.html
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We participate in a relatively small competitive field within the hospitality industry, with the majority of the energy management sales handled by fewer than seven manufacturers. The key competitors in the market segment are Inncom and Schneider Electric, with each offering some level of comparable products to our standalone and/or networked products. Telkonet’s key differentiators in the hospitality segment include:
· Recovery Time technology;
· Mesh-networked environment;
· Comprehensive four pillar platform;
· Integration with property and building management systems (PMS & BMS);
· Utility demand-based program integration;
· Existing customer relationships through extensive history in the market; and
· Broad HVAC compatibility.
The educational space is a relatively new market for occupancy-based controls. We’ve introduced our EcoSmart Platform for use within student dormitories, which traditionally had few, if any, controls. More recently we have also been requested to install our products into classrooms, which traditionally have been an environment for building automated systems or building management systems. Since the dormitory environment is very similar to the hospitality market, we believe we offer similarly scaled energy savings. Since the market is still in its infancy, very few comparable offerings have entered the market but competitors within the hospitality segment are beginning to respond. Our EcoSmart Platform provides a significant advantage within the educational industry through:
· Reduced cost as compared to BAS/BMS systems;
· Ease of installation relative to traditional wired systems;
· Range of product compatibility;
· Centralized platform management with room by room performance reporting; and
· Data that is widely and easily available to promote student engagement.
The healthcare and government/military markets are very similar in scope when relating to energy management systems. A key differentiator in these environments is the specific implementation that is being considered. Each market utilizes BAS/BMS for wide scale energy management initiatives. When specifically addressing housing environments including elderly care and assisted living facilities and military dormitories or barracks, Telkonet’s EcoSmart Platform is able to provide increased energy savings and efficiency. Competitors operating in the BAS/BMS space include Honeywell, Schneider Electric, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Trane and others, many of whom Telkonet partners with to provide a comprehensive and integrated energy management solution to effectively address energy efficiency opportunities in all types of facilities.
Inventory
While we are dependent, in certain situations, on a limited number of vendors to provide certain inventory and components, we’ve not experienced significant problems or issues purchasing any essential materials, parts or components. We contract the majority of our inventory with ATR Manufacturing, a Chinese company, which provides substantially all the manufacturing requirements for Telkonet’s energy management platform.
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Customers
We are neither limited to, nor reliant upon, a single or narrowly segmented customer base to derive our revenues. Our current primary focus is in the hospitality, commercial, education, utility, MDU, healthcare and government/military markets and expanding into the consumer market as part of our long term strategic growth.
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, no single customer represented 10% or more of our net revenues from continuing operations.
Intellectual Property
We acquired certain intellectual properties by acquisition, including but not limited to, Patent No. D569, 279, titled “Thermostat.” Patent No. D569279 issued by the USPTO in May 2008 was granted on the ornamental design of a thermostat device and will expire in May of 2022. The expiration of this patent could allow third parties to launch competing products. While we viewed this patent as valuable, we do not view any single patent as material to the Company as a whole.
There can be no assurance that any of our current or future patent applications will be granted, or, if granted, that such patents will provide necessary protection for our technology or our product offerings, or be of commercial benefit to us.
Government Regulation
We are subject to regulation in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). FCC rules permit the operation of unlicensed digital devices that radiate radio frequency emissions if the manufacturer complies with certain equipment authorization procedures, technical requirements, marketing restrictions and product labeling requirements.
Future products designed by us will require testing for compliance with FCC and European Commission (“EC”) standards. Moreover, if in the future, the FCC or EC changes its technical requirements, further testing and/or modifications may be necessary in order to achieve compliance.
Research & Development
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we spent $1,658,640 and $1,605,667, respectively, on research and development activities. Telkonet’s EcoSmart related development efforts in 2016 and continuing into 2017 are focused on three major areas. The first is around continuous software improvements to maintain compatibility with changing industry equipment and standards as well as moving towards a more mobile platform. The second area is a focus on development with third party device providers for integrated solutions. The growth in connected devices is driving demand for a smart hotel room with many devices working together. This new smart room requires working closely with strategic partners to build a more tightly integrated solution. The final area we continue to focus on is new product development. Telkonet is preparing new product releases and is continuing to innovate with hardware development beyond its current EcoSmart Platform.
Other Information
Employees
As of March 22, 2017, we had 101 full-time employees, of which 52 employees will remain with the Company following the sale of Ethostream LLC on March 28, 2017. We will continue to hire additional personnel as necessary to meet future operating requirements. We anticipate that we may need to hire additional staff in the areas of customer support, field services, engineering, sales and marketing, and administration.
Environmental Matters
We do not anticipate any material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position due to compliance with government regulations involving environmental matters.
Discontinued Operations
In October of 2016, the Company decided to offer for sale its Ethostream High-Speed Internet Access (“HSIA”) subsidiary. While EthoStream is one of the largest public HSIA providers in the world, providing services to more than 12.0 million users monthly across a network of approximately 1,800 locations, the Company will focus on its higher growth potential EcoSmart Platform line. The operating results of Ethostream for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been reclassified as discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations and as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 as assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company closed the sale of EthoStream, LLC on March 29, 2017 and the impact on the Company’s liquidity as a result of the proceeds from the sale is expected to allow for greater strategic investment in marketing and research and development by the Company.
| 10 |
Our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows can be adversely affected by various risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the principal factors listed below and the other matters set forth in this annual report on Form 10-K. You should carefully consider all of these risks.
Risks Relating to the Ownership of Our Common Stock
The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile.
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors. Some of the factors that may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate include:
| · | fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us; |
| · | changes in estimates of our financial results or recommendations by securities analysts; |
| · | potential deterioration of investor confidence resulting from material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; |
| · | our ability to raise and generate working capital to meet our obligations in the ordinary course of business; |
| · | changes in general economic, industry and market conditions; |
| · | failure of any of our products to achieve or maintain market acceptance; |
| · | changes in market valuations of similar companies; |
| · | failure of our products to operate as advertised; |
| · | success of competitive products; |
| · | changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt; |
| · | announcements by us or our competitors of significant products, contracts, acquisitions or strategic alliances; |
| · | regulatory developments in the United States, foreign countries or both; |
| · | litigation involving our Company, our general industry or both; |
| · | additions or departures of key personnel; and |
| · | investors’ general perception of us. |
In addition, if the market for technology stocks or the stock market in general experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to class action lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and a distraction to management.
| 11 |
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Utah law could discourage delay or prevent a change of control of our Company and may affect the trading price of our common stock.
We are a Utah corporation and the anti-takeover provisions of the Utah Control Shares Acquisition Act may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control by limiting the voting rights of control shares acquired in a control share acquisition. In addition, our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that shareholders may consider favorable. Among other things, our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws:
| · | authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors in response to a takeover attempt; |
| · | provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including newly created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office, except a vacancy occurring by reason of the removal of a director without cause shall be filled by vote of the shareholders; and |
| · | limit who may call special meetings of shareholders. |
These provisions could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, whether or not it is desired by, or beneficial to, our shareholders.
We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, the ability to achieve a return on an investment in our common stock will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.
We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any future dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, business opportunities, anticipated cash needs, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We may not generate sufficient cash from operations in the future to pay dividends on our common stock.
Our common stock is thinly traded and there may not be an active trading market for our common stock.
Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB, operated by the OTC Markets Group. However, there is no guarantee that our common stock will be actively traded on the OTCQB, or that the volume of trading will be sufficient to allow for timely trades. Investors may not be able to sell their shares quickly or at the latest market price if trading in our stock is not active or if trading volume is limited. In addition, if trading volume in our common stock is limited, trades of relatively small numbers of shares may have a disproportionate effect on the market price of our common stock.
Our common stock is subject to “Penny Stock” restrictions .
As long as the price of our common stock remains at less than $5 per share, we will be subject to so-called “penny stock rules” which could decrease our stock’s market liquidity. The Security and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has adopted regulations which define a “penny stock” to include any equity security that has a market price of less than $5 per share or an exercise price of less than $5 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require the delivery to and execution by the retail customer of a written declaration of suitability relating to the penny stock, which must include disclosure of the commissions payable to both the broker/dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, the broker/dealer must send monthly statements disclosing recent price information for the penny stocks held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. Those requirements could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock. There can be no assurance that the price of our common stock will rise above $5 per share so as to avoid these regulations.
Further issuances of equity securities may be dilutive to current stockholders.
It is possible that we will be required to seek additional capital in the future. This capital funding could involve one or more types of equity securities, including convertible debt, common or convertible preferred stock and warrants to acquire common or preferred stock. Such equity securities could be issued at or below the then-prevailing market price for our common stock. Any issuance of additional shares of our common stock will be dilutive to existing stockholders and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
| 12 |
The exercise of conversion rights, options and warrants outstanding and available for issuance may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2016, we had outstanding employee options to purchase a total of 2,832,725 shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $0.14 to $1.00 per share, with a weighted average exercise price of $0.18. As of December 31, 2016, we had warrants outstanding to purchase a total of 300,000 shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $0.18 to $0.20 per share, with a weighted average exercise price of $0.20. The exercise of outstanding options and warrants and the sale in the public market of the shares purchased upon such exercise will be dilutive to existing stockholders and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Risks Related to Our Business
The industry within which we operate is intensely competitive and rapidly evolving.
We operate in a highly competitive, quickly changing environment, and our future success will depend on our ability to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements that achieve broad market acceptance in the markets within which we compete. We will also need to respond effectively to new product announcements by our competitors by quickly introducing competitive products.
Delays in product development and introduction could result in:
| · | loss of or delay in revenue and loss of market share; and |
| · | negative publicity and damage to our reputation and the reputation of our product offerings; and |
| · | decline in the average selling price of our products. |
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls as of December 31, 2016 that, if not properly remediated, could result in material misstatements in our financial statements.
Based on an evaluation of our disclosure of internal controls and procedures as of December 31, 2016, our management has concluded that, as of such date, there were material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting related to a lack of segregation of duties, failure to implement adequate internal control over financial reporting and the need for a stronger internal control environment.. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or a combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements would not be prevented or detected. We are actively engaged in developing a remediation plan designed to address the material weaknesses. As disclosed in Item 9A of Part II of this report, because of the material weaknesses identified by the Company, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements that would require restatement of the Company’s financial results in this report. We have taken, and continue to take, the actions discussed in this report to remediate the identified material weaknesses.
Until these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting are remediated, there is reasonable possibility that material misstatements of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements could occur and not be prevented or detected by our internal controls in a timely manner.
Government regulation of our products could impair our ability to sell such products in certain markets.
The rules of the FCC permit the operation of unlicensed digital devices that radiate radio frequency emissions if the manufacturer complies with certain equipment authorization procedures, technical requirements, marketing restrictions and product labeling requirements. Differing technical requirements apply to “Class A” devices intended for use in commercial settings, and “Class B” devices intended for residential use to which more stringent standards apply. An independent, FCC-certified testing lab has verified that our iWire System product suite complies with the FCC technical requirements for Class A and Class B digital devices. No further testing of these devices is required, and the devices may be manufactured and marketed for commercial and residential use. Additional devices designed by us for commercial and residential use will be subject to the FCC rules for unlicensed digital devices. Moreover, if in the future, the FCC changes its technical requirements for unlicensed digital devices, further testing and/or modifications of devices may be necessary. Failure to comply with any FCC technical requirements could impair our ability to sell our products in certain markets and could have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.
| 13 |
Products sold by our competitors could become more popular than our products or render our products obsolete.
The market for our products and services is highly competitive. Some of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition and substantially greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources. These competitors may, among other things, undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, obtain more favorable pricing from suppliers and manufacturers and exert more influence on the sales channel than we can. As a result, we may not be able to compete successfully with these competitors, and these competitors may develop or market technologies and products that are more widely accepted than those being developed by us or that would render our products obsolete or noncompetitive. We anticipate that competitors will also intensify their efforts to penetrate our target markets. These competitors may have more advanced technology, more extensive distribution channels, stronger brand names, bigger promotional budgets and larger customer bases than we do. These companies could devote more capital resources to develop, manufacture and market competing products than we could. If any of these companies are successful in competing against us, our sales could decline, our margins could be negatively impacted, and we could lose market share, any of which could seriously harm our business, results of operations, and prospects.
Infringement by third parties on our proprietary technology and development of substantially equivalent proprietary technology by our competitors could negatively impact our business.
Our success depends partly on our ability to maintain patent and trade secret protection, to obtain future patents and licenses and to operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties. There can be no assurance that the measures we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights, including intellectual property rights of third parties integrated into our Telkonet iWire System product suite and our EcoSmart Suite of products will prevent misappropriation or circumvention. A patent associated with our Recovery Time technology expired in February 2014. To the extent any competitors are successful in creating competing technologies, this could have an adverse impact on our business and financial results. In addition, there can be no assurance that any patent application, when filed, will result in an issued patent, or that our existing patents, or any patents that may be issued in the future, will provide us with significant protection against competitors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that any patents issued to, or licensed by, us will not be infringed upon or circumvented by others. Infringement by third parties on our proprietary technology could negatively impact our business. Moreover, litigation to establish the validity of patents, to assert infringement claims against others, and to defend against patent infringement claims can be expensive and time-consuming, even if the outcome is in our favor. We also rely on unpatented proprietary technology, and no assurance can be given that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information, techniques or processes or that we can meaningfully protect our rights to such unpatented proprietary technology. If our competitors develop substantially equivalent technology and we are unable to enforce any intellectual property rights with respect to such technology in a cost-effective manner or at all, our business and operations would suffer significant harm.
We may incur substantial damages due to litigation.
We cannot be certain that our products do not and will not infringe issued patents or other intellectual property rights of others. If it were determined that our products infringe the intellectual property rights of another, we could be required to pay substantial damages or be enjoined from licensing or using the infringing products or technology. Additionally, if it were determined that our products infringe the intellectual property rights of others, we would need to obtain licenses from these parties or substantially re-engineer our products in order to avoid infringement. We might not be able to obtain the necessary licenses on acceptable terms or at all, or to re-engineer our products successfully. Any of the foregoing could cause us to incur significant costs and prevent us from selling our products.
We depend on a small team of senior management and may have difficulty attracting and retaining additional personnel.
Our future success will depend in large part upon the continued services and performance of senior management and other key personnel. If we lose the services of any member of our senior management team, our overall operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our future success will depend on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and motivate other highly skilled technical, managerial, marketing, purchasing and customer service personnel when they are needed. Competition for these individuals is intense. We cannot ensure that we will be able to successfully attract, integrate or retain sufficiently qualified personnel when the need arises. Any failure to attract and retain the necessary technical, managerial, marketing, purchasing and customer service personnel could have a negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
| 14 |
Any acquisitions we make could result in difficulties in successfully managing our business and consequently harm our financial condition.
We may seek to expand by acquiring complementary businesses in our current or ancillary markets. We cannot accurately predict the timing, size and success of our acquisition efforts and the associated capital commitments that might be required. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities available to us and may lead to higher acquisition prices. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, acquire or profitably manage additional businesses or successfully integrate acquired businesses, if any, without substantial costs, delays or other operational or financial difficulties. In addition, acquisitions involve a number of other risks, including:
| · | failure of the acquired businesses to achieve expected results; |
| · | diversion of management’s attention and resources to acquisitions; |
| · | failure to retain key customers or personnel of the acquired businesses; |
| · | disappointing quality or functionality of acquired equipment and people; and |
| · | risks associated with unanticipated events, liabilities or contingencies. |
Client dissatisfaction or performance problems at a single acquired business could negatively affect our reputation. The inability to acquire businesses on reasonable terms or successfully integrate and manage acquired companies, or the occurrence of performance problems at acquired companies, could result in dilution, unfavorable accounting treatment or one-time charges and difficulties in successfully managing our business.
Our inability to obtain capital, use internally generated cash or debt, or use shares of our common stock to finance our operations or future acquisitions could impair the growth and expansion of our business.
Reliance on internally generated cash or debt to finance our operations or complete acquisitions could substantially limit our operational and financial flexibility. The extent to which we will be able or willing to use shares of our common stock to consummate acquisitions will depend on the market value of our common stock which will vary, and our liquidity. Using shares of our common stock for this purpose also may result in significant dilution to our then existing stockholders. To the extent that we are unable to use our common stock to make future acquisitions, our ability to grow through acquisitions may be limited by the extent to which we are able to raise capital through debt or additional equity financings. No assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain the necessary capital to finance any acquisitions or our other cash needs. If we are unable to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, we may be required to reduce the scope of any expansion or redirect resources committed to internal purposes. In addition to requiring funding for acquisitions, we may need additional funds to implement our internal growth and operating strategies or to finance other aspects of our operations. Our failure to: (i) obtain additional capital on acceptable terms; (ii) use internally generated cash or debt to complete acquisitions because it significantly limits our operational or financial flexibility; or (iii) use shares of our common stock to make future acquisitions, may hinder our ability to actively pursue any acquisitions.
Potential fluctuations in operating results could have a negative effect on the price of our common stock.
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a variety of factors, most of which are outside our control, including:
| · | the level of use of the Internet; |
| · | the demand for high-tech goods; |
| · | the amount and timing of capital expenditures and other costs relating to the expansion of our operations; |
| · | price competition or pricing changes in the industry; |
| · | technical difficulties or system downtime; |
| · | changes in governmental policies; |
| · | economic conditions specific to the internet and communications industry; and |
| · | general economic conditions. |
| 15 |
Our financial results may also be significantly impacted by certain accounting treatment of acquisitions, financing transactions or other matters. Such accounting treatment could have a material impact on our results of operations and have a negative impact on the price of our common stock.
We rely on a limited number of third party suppliers. If these companies fail to perform or experience delays, shortages, or increased demand for their products or services, we may face shortages, increased costs, and may be required to suspend deployment of our products and services.
We depend on a limited number of third party suppliers to provide the components and the equipment required to deliver our solutions. If these providers fail to perform their obligations under our agreements with them or we are unable to renew these agreements, we may be forced to suspend the sale and deployment of our products and services and enrollment of new customers, which would have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Our management and operational systems might be inadequate to handle our potential growth.
We may experience growth that could place a significant strain upon our management and operational systems and resources. Failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect upon our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our ability to compete effectively and to manage future growth will require us to continue to improve our operational systems, organization and financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures. We may fail to make these improvements effectively. Additionally, our efforts to make these improvements may divert the focus of our personnel. We must integrate our key executives into a cohesive management team to expand our business. If new hires perform poorly, or if we are unsuccessful in hiring, training and integrating these new employees, or if we are not successful in retaining our existing employees, our business may be harmed. To manage the growth we will need to increase our operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. Our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support our future operations. We may not be able to effectively manage such growth, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be affected if the United States participates in wars or other military action or by international terrorism.
Involvement in a war or other military action or acts of terrorism may cause significant disruption to commerce throughout the world. To the extent that such disruptions result in (i) delays or cancellations of customer orders, (ii) a general decrease in consumer spending on information technology, (iii) our inability to effectively market and distribute our services or products or (iv) our inability to access capital markets, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We are unable to predict whether the involvement in a war or other military action will result in any long-term commercial disruptions or if such involvement or responses will have any long-term material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and suppliers may adversely affect our financial results.
We sell our products to customers that have in the past, and may in the future, experience financial difficulties. If our customers experience financial difficulties, we could have difficulty recovering amounts owed to us from these customers. While we perform credit evaluations and adjust credit limits based upon each customer’s payment history and credit worthiness, such programs may not be effective in reducing our exposure to credit risk. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable, and based on this evaluation make adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts for expected losses. Actual bad debt write-offs may differ from our estimates, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
Our suppliers may also experience financial difficulties, which could result in our having difficulty sourcing the materials and components we use in producing our products and providing our services. If we encounter such difficulties, we may not be able to produce our products for our customers in a timely fashion which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Changes in the economy and credit markets may adversely affect our future results of operations.
Our operations and performance depend to some degree on general economic conditions and their impact on our customers’ finances and purchase decisions. As a result of economic events, potential customers may elect to defer purchases of capital equipment items, such as the products we manufacture and supply. Additionally, the credit markets and the financial services industry are subject to change. While the ultimate outcome of these events cannot be predicted, it may have a material adverse effect on our customers’ ability to fund their operations thus adversely impacting their ability to purchase our products or to pay for our products on a timely basis, if at all. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products, the collection of payments for our products and on our financial condition and operating results.
| 16 |
We may not be able to obtain payment and performance bonds, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our ability to deploy our EcoSmart Suite of products into the energy management initiatives in federally funded or assisted projects may rely on our ability to obtain payment and performance bonds which may be an essential element to work orders for the installation of our products and services. If we are unable to obtain payment and performance bonds in a timely fashion as required by an applicable work order, we may not be entitled to payment under the work order until such bonds have been provided or until such a requirement is expressly waived. In addition, any delays due to a failure to furnish bonds may not entitle us to a price increase for the work or an extension of time to complete the work and may entitle the other party to terminate our work order without liability and to indemnify such party from damages suffered as a result of our failure to deliver the bonds and the termination of the work order. As a result, the failure to obtain bonds where required could negatively impact our business, results of operations, and prospects.
Risks Relating to Our Financial Results and Need for Financing
We have a limited number of shares of common stock available for future issuance which could adversely affect our ability to raise capital or consummate acquisitions.
We are currently authorized to issue 190,000,000 shares of common stock under our Amended Restated and Articles of Incorporation. As of March 2017, we have issued 132,774,475 shares of common stock and have approximately 7,680,887 shares of common stock committed for issuance giving effect to the assumed exercise of all outstanding warrants and options and assumed conversion of preferred stock. Due to the limited number of authorized shares available for issuance and because of the significant competition for acquisitions, we may not able to consummate an acquisition until we increase the number of shares we are authorized to issue. To facilitate the possibility and flexibility of raising additional capital or the completion of potential acquisitions, we would need to seek stockholder approval to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock. We can provide no assurance that we will succeed in amending our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue.
We have a history of operating losses and an accumulated deficit and may incur losses in the foreseeable future.
Since inception through December 31, 2016, we have incurred cumulative losses of $123,471,034 and have never generated enough funds through operations to support our business. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we had an operating cash flow deficit of $910,130 from continuing operations. As of December 31, 2016, we have working capital deficit (current liabilities in excess of current assets) from continuing operations of $916,099 excluding the Ethostream, LLC assets and liabilities held for sale. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with our technology, the industry in which we operate, and other factors, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or if we will become profitable. If we are unable to generate sufficient revenues from our operations to meet our working capital requirements, we expect to finance our future cash needs through public or debt financings. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all.
Our business activities might require additional financing that might not be obtainable on acceptable terms, if at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity and our ability to operate going forward.
The actual amount of capital required to fund our operations and development may vary materially from our estimates. If our operations fail to generate the cash that we expect, we may have to seek additional capital to fund our business. If we are required to obtain additional funding in the future, we may have to sell assets, seek debt financing or obtain additional equity capital. In addition, any indebtedness we incur in the future could subject us to restrictive covenants limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to changes in, our business. If we do not comply with such covenants, our lenders could accelerate repayment of our debt or restrict our access to further borrowings.
If we raise funds by selling more stock, your ownership in us will be diluted, and we may grant future investors rights superior to those of the common stock that you hold. If we are unable to obtain additional capital when needed, we may have to delay, modify or abandon some of our expansion plans. This could slow our growth, negatively affect our ability to compete in our industry and adversely affect our financial condition.
| 17 |
Our failure to comply with covenants under debt instruments could trigger prepayment obligations or other penalties.
Our failure to comply with the covenants under our debt instruments could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in us being required to repay these borrowings before their due date or could result in other penalties. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by increased costs and rates.
If we fail to remain current on our reporting requirements, we could be removed from the OTC Bulletin Board, which would limit the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market .
Companies trading on the OTC Bulletin Board, such as us, must be reporting issuers under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), and must be current in their reports under Section 13 of the Exchange Act in order to maintain price quotation privileges on the OTC Bulletin Board. If we fail to remain current on our reporting requirements, we could be removed from the OTC Bulletin Board. As a result, the market liquidity for our securities could be adversely affected by limiting the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
In October 2013, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 6,362 square feet of commercial office space in Waukesha, Wisconsin for its corporate headquarters. The Waukesha lease expires in April 2021.
The Company presently leases approximately 14,000 square feet of office space in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for its operations facility. The Milwaukee lease expires in March 2020.
Until December 2015, the Company leased 16,416 square feet of commercial office space in Germantown, Maryland. The lease commitments expired in December 2015. On July 15, 2011, Telkonet executed a sublease agreement for 11,626 square feet of the office space in Germantown, Maryland. The subtenant received one month rent abatement and had the option to extend the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015. On June 27, 2012 the subtenant exercised the option to extend the expiration of the term of the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015.
In January 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 2,237 square feet of commercial office space in Germantown, Maryland for its Maryland employee’s. The Germantown lease was set to expire at the end of January 2017. In December 2016, the Company entered into a first amendment to the lease agreement extending the lease through the end of January 2018 .
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company believes that the final disposition of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
None.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “TKOI.”
| 18 |
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low bid prices for our common stock for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
| High | Low | |||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||
| First Quarter | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.13 | ||||
| Second Quarter | 0.23 | 0.18 | ||||||
| Third Quarter | 0.25 | 0.18 | ||||||
| Fourth Quarter | 0.19 | 0.12 | ||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2015 | ||||||||
| First Quarter | $ | 0.23 | $ | 0.13 | ||||
| Second Quarter | 0.25 | 0.16 | ||||||
| Third Quarter | 0.28 | 0.18 | ||||||
| Fourth Quarter | 0.28 | 0.18 | ||||||
Record Holders
As of March 22, 2017, we had 215 record holders of our common stock and 132,774,475 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information concerning securities authorized for issuance pursuant to equity compensation plans approved by the Company’s stockholders and equity compensation plans not approved by the Company’s stockholders as of December 31, 2016.
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | ||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
3,132,725 |
$ | 0.18 | 4,725,053 | ||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | – | – | – | |||||||||
| Total |
3,132,725 |
$ | 0.18 | 4,725,053 | ||||||||
Dividend Policy
The Company has never paid dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. It is also subject to certain contractual restrictions on paying dividends on its common stock under the terms of its Series A and B preferred stock.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
This item is not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and related notes thereto.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates significant estimates used in preparing its consolidated financial statements including those related to revenue recognition and allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory obsolescence, recovery of long-lived asset valuations, income tax provisions and related valuation allowance, stock-based compensation, and contingencies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, underlying run rates and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The following are critical judgments, assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
For revenue from product sales, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605-10, “Revenue Recognition” and ASC 605-10-S99 guidelines that require that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the selling price is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered and the collectability of those amounts. Assuming all conditions for revenue recognition have been satisfied, product revenue is recognized when products are shipped and installation revenue is recognized when the services are completed. Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. The guidelines also address the accounting for arrangements that may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets.
Multiple-Element Arrangements (“MEAs”): The Company accounts for contracts that have both product and installation under the MEAs guidance in ASC 605-25. Arrangements under such contracts may include multiple deliverables consisting of a combination of equipment and services. The deliverables included in the MEAs are separated into more than one unit of accounting when (i) the delivered equipment has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and (ii) delivery of the undelivered service element(s) is probable and substantially in the Company’s control. Arrangement consideration is then allocated to each unit, delivered or undelivered, based on the relative selling price of each unit of accounting based first on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if it exists, second on third-party evidence (“TPE”) if it exists and on estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE or TPE exist.
| • | VSOE – In most instances, products are sold separately in stand-alone arrangements. Services are also sold separately through renewals of contracts with varying periods. The Company determines VSOE based on pricing and discounting practices for the specific product or service when sold separately, considering geographical, customer, and other economic or marketing variables, as well as renewal rates or stand-alone prices for the service element(s). |
| • | TPE – If the Company cannot establish VSOE of selling price for a specific product or service included in a multiple-element arrangement, the Company uses third-party evidence of selling price. The Company determines TPE based on sales of comparable amount of similar product or service offered by multiple third parties considering the degree of customization and similarity of product or service sold. |
| • |
ESP – The estimated selling price represents the price at which the Company would sell a product or service if it were sold on a stand-alone basis. When neither VSOE nor TPE exists for all elements, the Company determines ESP for the arrangement element based on sales, cost and margin analysis, as well as other inputs based on the Company’s pricing practices. Adjustments for other market and Company-specific factors are made as deemed necessary in determining ESP. |
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Under the estimated selling price method, revenue is recognized in MEAs based on estimated selling prices for all of the elements in the arrangement, assuming all other conditions for revenue recognition have been satisfied. To determine the estimated selling price, the Company establishes the selling price for its products and installation services using the Company’s established pricing guidelines, which the proceeds are allocated between the elements and the arrangement.
When MEAs include an element of customer training, the Company determined it is not essential to the functionality, efficiency or effectiveness of the MEA due to its perfunctory nature in relation to the entire arrangement. Therefore the Company has concluded that this obligation is inconsequential and perfunctory. As such, for MEAs that include training, customer acceptance of said training is not deemed necessary in order to record the related revenue, but is recorded when the installation deliverable is fulfilled. Historically, training revenues have not been significant.
The Company provides call center support services to properties installed by the Company. The Company receives monthly service fees from such properties for its services. The Company recognizes the service fee ratably over the term of the contract. The prices for these services are fixed and determinable prior to delivery of the service. The fair value of these services is known due to objective and reliable evidence from standalone executed contracts. The Company reports such revenues as recurring revenues. Deferred revenue includes deferrals for the monthly support service fees. Long-term deferred revenue represents support service fees to be earned or provided beginning after December 31, 2017. Revenue recognized that has not yet been billed to a customer results in an asset as of the end of the period. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was $214,821 and $170,000 recorded within accounts receivable, respectively, related to revenue recognized that has not yet been billed.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The Company records allowances for doubtful accounts based on customer-specific analysis and general matters such as current assessment of past due balances and economic conditions. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. Management identifies a delinquent customer based upon the delinquent payment status of an outstanding invoice, generally greater than 30 days past due date. The delinquent account designation does not trigger an accounting transaction until such time the account is deemed uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined by examining the reserve history and any outstanding invoices that are over 30 days past due as of the end of the reporting period. Accounts are deemed uncollectible on a case-by-case basis, at management’s discretion based upon an examination of the communication with the delinquent customer and payment history. Typically, accounts are only escalated to “uncollectible” status after multiple attempts at collection have proven unsuccessful.
Inventory Obsolescence
Inventories consist of thermostats, sensors and controllers for Telkonet’s EcoSmart product platform. These inventories are purchased for resale and do not include manufacturing labor and overhead. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market determined by the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The Company’s inventories are subject to technological obsolescence. Management evaluates the net realizable value of its inventories on a quarterly basis and when it is determined that the Company’s carrying cost of such excess and obsolete inventories cannot be recovered in full, a charge is taken against income for the difference between the carrying cost and the estimated realizable amount.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for the fair value of financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, which defines fair value for accounting purposes, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as an exit price, which is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Financial assets and liabilities with readily available, actively quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and require less judgment in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial assets and liabilities that are rarely traded or not quoted have less price observability and are generally measured at fair value using valuation models that require more judgment. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency of the asset, liability or market and the nature of the asset or liability. We have categorized our financial assets and liabilities that are recurring and non-recurring, at fair value into a three-level hierarchy in accordance with these provisions.
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Guarantees and Product Warranties
The Company records a liability for potential warranty claims. The amount of the liability is based on the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales. The products sold are generally covered by a warranty for a period of one year. In the event the Company determines that its current or future product repair and replacement costs exceed its estimates, an adjustment to these reserves would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company experienced approximately between 1% and 3% of returns related to product warranties. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded warranty liabilities in the amount of $49,149 and $28,702, respectively, using this experience factor range.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10. Under this method, deferred income taxes (when required) are provided based on the difference between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating losses at the statutory rates enacted for future periods. The Company has a policy of establishing a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefits of its deferred income tax assets in the future.
Stock Based Compensation
We account for our stock based awards in accordance with ASC 718, which requires a fair value measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors, including employee stock options and restricted stock awards.
We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model. This model requires us to make estimates and assumptions including, among other things, estimates regarding the length of time an employee will retain vested stock options before exercising them and the estimated volatility of our common stock price. The fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can materially affect the determination of the fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized in our consolidated statements of operations.
Recovery of Long -Lived Assets
We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360-10. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount to the future net undiscounted cash flows which the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its fair value.
Contingent Liabilities - Sales Tax
During 2012, the Company engaged a sales tax consultant to assist in determining the extent of its potential sales tax exposure. Based upon this analysis, management determined the Company had probable exposure for certain unpaid obligations, including interest and penalty, of approximately $1,100,000 including and prior to the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company had approximately $227,000 and $190,000 accrued for this exposure as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company continues to manage the liability by establishing voluntary disclosure agreements (VDAs) with the applicable states, which establishes a maximum look-back period and payment arrangements. However, if the aforementioned methods prove unsuccessful and the Company is examined or challenged by taxing authorities, there exists possible exposure of an additional $30,000, not including any applicable interest and penalties.
Prior to 2016, the Company successfully executed and paid in full VDAs in thirty one states totaling approximately $695,000 and is current with the subsequent filing requirements.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company executed five VDA’s totaling approximately $70,000.
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During the year ended December 31, 2016, the State of Wisconsin performed a sales and use tax audit covering the period from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015. The Company estimates the audit could result in approximately $120,000 in additional use tax and interest and have appropriately accrued and expensed this amount in the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of operations as of December 31, 2016.
Results of Continuing Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Revenues
The table below outlines our product versus recurring revenues from continuing operations for comparable periods:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product | $ | 7,796,319 | 94% | $ | 7,242,503 | 96% | $ | 553,816 | 8% | |||||||||||||||||
| Recurring | 459,695 | 6% | 285,114 | 4% | 174,581 | 61% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,256,014 | 100% | $ | 7,527,617 | 100% | $ | 728,397 | 10% | |||||||||||||||||
Product Revenue
Product revenue principally arises from the sale and installation of EcoSmart energy management platform. The EcoSmart Suite of products consists of thermostats, sensors, controllers, wireless networking products switches, outlets and a control platform.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, product revenue increased $0.55 million, or 8% when compared to the prior year. Product revenue from the hospitality market increased $0.4 million to $6.30 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $5.90 million for the prior year. Product revenue from the residential market increased $0.2 million to $0.60 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $0.40 million for the prior year period. Product revenue from the education, commercial and government markets remained unchanged at $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company’s distribution channel through resellers and value added distribution partners while not as robust as in the year ended December 31, 2015, still remains a significant percentage of product revenue. Product revenue attributed to sales from channel partnerships and value added resellers decreased for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $4.10 million or 52.6% of total product revenue compared to $4.80 million or 66.8% in 2015.
Recurring Revenue
Recurring revenue is attributed to our call center support services. The Company recognizes revenue ratably over the service month for monthly support revenues and defers revenue for annual support services over the term of the service period. Recurring revenue consists of Telkonet’s EcoCare service and support program.
For the year end comparison, recurring revenue increased $0.17 million to $0.46 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $0.29 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Cost of Sales
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product | $ | 4,024,675 | 52% | $ | 3,600,407 | 50% | $ | 424,268 | 12% | |||||||||||||||||
| Recurring | 124,842 | 27% | 151,958 | 53% | (27,116 | ) | -18% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 4,149,517 | 50% | $ | 3,752,365 | 50% | $ | 397,152 | 11% | |||||||||||||||||
Costs of Product Revenue
Costs of product revenue include equipment and installation labor related to EcoSmart technology. For the year ended December 31, 2016, product costs increased by 12% compared to the prior year. The Company’s increased use of outside contractors for installations resulted in a $0.25 million increase in contractor services. A material cost increase of $0.19 million was the result of the increase in product revenue. Warranty and freight expenses increased $0.05 million and $0.04 million, respectively. The increase use of outside contractors resulted in a decrease of $0.07 million in salary, wages and travel expense. Inventory adjustments accounted for a $0.04 decrease.
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Costs of Recurring Revenue
Recurring costs are comprised of labor and telecommunication services for our customer service department. For the year ended December 31, 2016, costs of recurring revenue decreased by 18% when compared to the prior year. The decrease of $0.03 million was for salaries. Customer service department personnel was reduced by one person during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Gross Profit
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | Variance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product | $ | 3,771,644 | 48% | $ | 3,642,096 | 50% | $ | 129,548 | 4% | |||||||||||||||
| Recurring | 334,853 | 73% | 133,156 | 47% | 201,697 | 151% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 4,106,497 | 50% | $ | 3,775,252 | 50% | $ | 331,245 | 9% | |||||||||||||||
Gross Profit on Product Revenue
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by 4% when compared to the prior year. The actual gross profit percentages decreased slightly during 2016, 48% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to 50% for the year ended December 31, 2015. Contributing to the 2% decrease in gross profit percentage was a 12% increase in product cost of goods sold.
Gross Profit on Recurring Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2016, our gross profit increased by 151% when compared to the prior year. The variance was mainly attributed to an increase in sales and a decrease in support staff wages and benefits as discussed above.
Operating Expenses
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | Variance | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,029,808 | $ | 6,757,917 | $ | 1,271,891 | 19% | |||||||||||
The Company’s operating expenses are comprised of research and development, selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expense. During the year ended December 31, 2016, operating expenses increased by 19% when compared to the prior year as outlined below.
Research and Development
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | Variance | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,658,640 | $ | 1,605,667 | $ | 52,973 | 3% | |||||||||
Research and development costs are related to both present and future products and are expensed in the period incurred. Current research and development costs are associated with product development and integration. During the year ended December 31, 2016, research and development costs increased 3% when compared to the prior year. The majority of the variance is due to an approximate $0.14 million increase in expenditures for salaries and consulting. The additional personnel were needed for product development and engineering. Certification expenses increased $0.04 million when compared to the prior year. Research and development expense related to retooling and design charges decreased $0.13 million from the prior year. The majority of the expenses in 2015 were related to the EcoTouch thermostat introduced in fiscal 2015.
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | Variance | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 6 ,336,879 | $ | 5,123,027 | $ | 1,213,852 | 24% | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2016 over the prior year by 24%. For the year end comparison, $0.29 million of the variance is attributed to the costs associated with the 2016 contested proxy contest. The challenger was successful in obtaining a majority of shareholder votes to seat three new Board of Director members. Stated in the challengers proxy statement was listed that if successfully elected, the challengers would seek to recover from the Company, expenditures that were incurred for the contested proxy. The expenditures were $0.16 million. Additional proxy related costs the Company incurred included solicitation services of $0.03 million, stock transfer agent fees of $0.05 million and legal fees of $0.05 million. Also contributing to the variance were salary, benefits, consulting and temporary staffing of $0.28 million, due to the addition of a controller, two channel account managers and an accounting staff position. Sales and use tax increased $0.25 million from the prior year. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the state of Wisconsin performed a sales and use tax audit covering the period from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015. The audit resulted in an additional charge of $0.12 million for sales and use tax for those periods audited. In addition, sales and use tax for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $0.04 million over the prior year period. Also contributing to the variance was a $0.10 million increase for legal fees, $0.03 million for bad debt expense, $0.08 million in public company fees, $0.03 million for accounting fees and $0.04 million in stock option expense. These increases were offset by a decrease of $0.03 million in director fees.
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | Variance | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,627,758 | $ | 2,859,788 | $ | (232,030) | -8% | |||||||||
Income from discontinued operations decreased $0.23 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 over the prior year or 8%. For the year end comparison, $0.13 million of the variance is attributed to reduced sales revenue from the prior year. Also contributing to the variance were increases in recurring cost of goods sold of $0.07 million, the majority of which was salary, payroll taxes and benefits. Cost of non-recurring revenues increased $0.11 million, the majority from salaries, payroll taxes and benefits. Selling, general and administrative costs increased $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The majority of the increase was $0.06 million for commissions, $0.06 million for salaries, payroll taxes and benefits offset by a decrease in rent and utilities of $0.02 million.
EBITDA from Continuing Operations
Management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in certain instances to provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is a metric used by management and frequently used by the financial community. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations provides insight into an organization’s operating trends and facilitates comparisons between peer companies, since interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation can differ greatly between organizations as a result of differing capital structures and tax strategies. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is one of the measures used for determining our debt covenant compliance. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations excludes certain items that are unusual in nature or not comparable from period to period. While management believes that non-GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our GAAP financial results. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is not, and should not be considered, an alternative to net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, or any other measure for determining operating performance of liquidity, as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). In assessing the overall health of its business for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company excluded items in the following general category described below:
| · | Stock-based compensation: The Company believes that because of the variety of equity awards used by companies, varying methodologies for determining stock-based compensation and the assumptions and estimates involved in those determinations, the exclusion of non-cash stock-based compensation enhances the ability of management and investors to understand the impact of non-cash stock-based compensation on our operating results. Further, the Company believes that excluding stock-based compensation expense allows for a more transparent comparison of its financial results to the previous year. |
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RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS FROM
CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (4,003,671 | ) | $ | (3,048,892 | ) | ||
| Interest expense, net | 60,246 | 69,441 | ||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 20,114 | (3,214 | ) | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 34,289 | 29,223 | ||||||
| EBITDA – continuing operations | (3,889,022 | ) | (2,953,442 | ) | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 55,050 | 14,383 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA – continuing operations | $ | (3,833,972 | ) | $ | (2,939,059 | ) | ||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have financed our operations since inception primarily through private and public offerings of our equity securities, the issuance of various debt instruments and asset based lending.
The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $4,003,671 for the year ended December 31, 2016, had cash used in operating activities from continuing operations of $910,130, had an accumulated deficit of $123,471,034 and total current liabilities in excess of current assets from continuing operations of $916,099 as of December 31, 2016, excluding the Ethostream, LLC assets and liabilities held for sale. Since inception, the Company’s primary sources of ongoing liquidity for operations have come through private and public offerings of equity securities, and the issuance of various debt instruments and asset-based lending.
On March 28, 2017, the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, EthoStream LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with DCI, whereby DCI would acquire all of the assets and certain liabilities of EthoStream for a cash purchase price of $12.75 million, subject to an adjustment based on the net working capital of EthoStream on the closing date of the sale transaction. The Company’s liquidity plan includes reviewing options for raising additional capital including, but not limited to, asset-based or equity financing, private placements, and the net proceeds received from the Ethostream LLC sale.
Working Capital
Our working capital (current assets in excess of current liabilities) from continuing operations decreased by $976,495 during the year ended December 31, 2016 from a working capital surplus of $60,396 at December 31, 2015, to a working capital deficit of $916,099 at December 31, 2016.
Business Loan
On September 11, 2009, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000 with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (the “Department”). The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 2%. Payment of interest and principal was made in the following manner: (a) payment of any and all interest that accrued from the date of disbursement commencing on January 1, 2010 and continuing on the first day of each consecutive month thereafter through and including December 31, 2010; (b) commencing on January 1, 2011 and continuing on the first day of each consecutive month thereafter through and including November 1, 2016, the Company was required to pay equal monthly installments of $4,426; followed by a final installment on December 1, 2016, which included all remaining principal, accrued interest and other amounts owed by the Company to the Department under the Loan Agreement. The Company could prepay amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement in whole or in part at any time without penalty. The Loan Agreement was secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. On September 24, 2014, the Department signed a subordination agreement of all the Company’s security interests. The proceeds from this loan were used for the working capital requirements of the Company. The Loan Agreement contained covenants which required, among other things, that the Company keep and maintain 75 existing full-time positions and create and fill 35 additional full-time positions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by December 31, 2012. On June 18, 2012, the Department agreed to permanently waive all penalties associated with the Company’s noncompliance with this covenant. The outstanding borrowings under the agreement as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were zero and $52,579, respectively.
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Promissory Note
On March 4, 2011, the Company sold all its Series 5 PLC product line assets to Wisconsin-based Dynamic Ratings, Inc. (“Purchaser”) under an Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”). Per the APA, the Company signed an unsecured Promissory Note (the “Note”) due to Purchaser in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000. The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 6% and was originally due on March 31, 2014. The Note may be prepaid in whole or in part , without penalty at any time. Payments not made when due, by maturity acceleration or otherwise, shall bear interest at the rate of 12 % per annum from the date due until fully paid . Effective April 30, 2013, Purchaser approved an amendment to certain terms of the Note. Telkonet commenced a monthly payment of principal and interest of $20,000 to be applied against the outstanding balance starting May 1, 2013. The interest rate remained unchanged at 6% and the maturity date was extended to January 1, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company made additional payments of $20,000 in aggregate beyond the required monthly payments of principal and interest. The outstanding principal balance of the Note as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was zero and $40,761, respectively.
Kross Promissory Note
On August 4, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to reimburse Peter T. Kross (“Mr. Kross”), $161,075 for expenses incurred related to his successful contested proxy. Effective June 27, 2016, Mr. Kross is a director of the Company and considered a related party. On August 30, 2016, Mr. Kross accepted an unsecured promissory note (“Kross Note”) for $161,075 from the Company. The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 3.00%. Payment of interest and principal began on September 1, 2016 and will continue monthly on the first day of each month thereafter through and including June 1, 2017. The Company is required to pay equal monthly installments of $16,330 which includes all remaining principal and accrued interest owed by the Company to Mr. Kross under the Kross Note. The Company may prepay in advance any unpaid principal or interest due under the Kross Note without premium or penalty. The principal balance of the Kross Note as of December 31, 2016 was $97,127.
Revolving Credit Facility
On September 30, 2014, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, EthoStream, as co-borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Heritage Bank Loan Agreement”), with Heritage Bank of Commerce, a California state chartered bank (“Heritage Bank”), governing a new revolving credit facility in a principal amount not to exceed $2,000,000 (the “Credit Facility”). Availability of borrowings under the Credit Facility from time to time is subject to a borrowing base calculation based on the Company’s eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory each multiplied by an applicable advance rate, with an overall limitation tied to the Company’s eligible accounts receivable. The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement is available for working capital and other general business purposes. The outstanding principal balance of the Credit Facility bears interest at the Prime Rate plus 3.00%, which was 6.75% at December 31, 2016 and 6.50% at December 31, 2015. On October 9, 2014, as part of the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement, Heritage Bank was granted a warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of Telkonet common stock. The warrant has an exercise price of $0.20 and expires October 9, 2021. On February 17, 2016, an amendment to the Credit Facility was executed extending the maturity date to September 30, 2018, unless earlier accelerated under the terms of the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement.
The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement also contains financial covenants that place restrictions on, among other things, the incurrence of debt, granting of liens and sale of assets. The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement also contains financial covenants that require the Borrowers to maintain a minimum EBITDA level, measured quarterly, and a minimum asset coverage ratio, measured monthly. A violation of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event of default or certain other customary events of defaults, payment of any outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility may be accelerated and Heritage Bank’s commitment to extend credit under the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement may be terminated. The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement contains other representations and warranties, covenants, and other provisions customary to transactions of this nature. As of June 30, 2016, the Company was in violation of a financial performance covenant. Heritage Bank granted a waiver of that violation on August 11, 2016. By waiving the violation, Heritage Bank is not surrendering any of its other rights set forth in the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement. On October 27, 2016, an amendment to the Credit Facility was executed modifying the required minimum EBITDA level financial covenant as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with the modified financial covenants. The outstanding balance on the Credit Facility was $1,062,129 and $901,771 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The remaining available borrowing capacity was approximately $107,000 at December 31, 2016.
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On March 28, 2017, the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, EthoStream LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with DCI-Design Communications LLC, whereby DCI would acquire all of the assets and certain liabilities of EthoStream. Heritage Bank has provided the Company with its consent to the sale transaction. Upon closing of the sale transaction on March 29, 2017, the entire balance outstanding on the Credit Facility was repaid. The Company will work with Heritage Bank to execute a new agreement with the remaining operations of the Company as the sole borrower.
Cash Flow from Continuing Operations Analysis
Cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $910,130 and $194,713 during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, our primary capital needs included costs incurred to increase energy management sales, inventory procurement, and managing current liabilities. The working capital changes during the year ended December 31, 2016 were primarily related to an approximate $512,000 decrease in accounts receivable, a $125,000 increase in inventory, a $649,000 decrease in accounts payable offset by a $61,000 increase in deferred revenue, a $119,000 increase in customer deposits and a $80,000 increase in accrued liabilities and expenses. The primary working capital change during the year ended December 31, 2015 was related to an approximate increase of $757,000 in accounts receivable, a $292,000 decrease in inventory, a $61,000 increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets, offset by a $225,000 increase in accounts payable and a $187,000 increase in deferred revenue and a $120,000 increase in accrued liabilities and expenses. Accounts receivable fluctuates based on the negotiated billing terms with customers and collections. We purchase inventory based on forecasts and orders, and when those forecasts and orders change, the amount of inventory may also fluctuate. Accounts payable fluctuates with changes in inventory levels, volume of inventory purchases, and negotiated supplier and vendor terms.
Cash used in investing activities was $5,352 and cash provided by investing activities was $10,358 during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company purchased $36,629 of computer equipment. These assets will be depreciated over their respective estimated useful life. Restricted cash of $31,277 related to a bonding requirement was released during the period once the performance bonds were cancelled.
Cash provided by financing activities was $744,519 and $235,455 during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, 5,211,542 warrants were exercised for an aggregate of 5,211,542 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.13 per share. These warrants were originally granted to shareholders of the April 8, 2011 Series B preferred stock issuance. Total proceeds received were $677,501. Net cash used in financing activities to repay indebtedness was $93,340 and net proceeds from the line of credit were $160,358 during the year ended December 31, 2016. Cash used in financing activities to repay indebtedness was $300,612, shareholders exercised 2,019,236 warrants at $0.13 resulting in proceeds of $262,500 and cash borrowed on the line of credit was $273,567 during the year ended December 31, 2015.
We are working to manage our current liabilities while we continue to make changes in operations to improve our cash flow and liquidity position.
Management expects that global economic conditions, in particular the decreasing price of energy, along with competition will continue to present a challenging operating environment through 2017; therefore working capital management will continue to be a high priority for 2017. The Company’s estimated cash requirements for our operations for the next 12 months is not anticipated to differ significantly from our present cash requirements for our continuing operations.
Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
| 28 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note B of the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
This item is not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
See the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto commencing on Page F-1.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
This item is not applicable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Due to the lack of a segregation of duties and the failure to implement adequate internal control over financial reporting, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
With the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Based on our evaluation and the material weaknesses described below, management concluded that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 based on the COSO framework criteria. Management has identified control deficiencies regarding the lack of segregation of duties due to the limited size of the Company’s accounting department, a failure to implement adequate internal control over financial reporting including in our IT general control environment, and the need for a stronger internal control environment particularly in our financial reporting and close process. We lack sufficient personnel resources and technical accounting and reporting expertise to appropriately address certain accounting and financial reporting matters in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We did not have an adequate process or appropriate controls in place to support the accurate reporting of our financial results and disclosures on our Form 10-K. Management of the Company believes that these material weaknesses are due to the small size of the Company’s accounting staff. The small size of the Company’s accounting staff may prevent adequate controls in the future, such as segregation of duties, due to the cost/benefit of such remediation. We do expect to hire additional personnel to remediate these control deficiencies in the future.
These control deficiencies could result in a misstatement of account balances resulting in a more than remote likelihood that a material misstatement to our financial statements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Accordingly, we have determined that these control deficiencies as described above constitute material weaknesses.
| 29 |
In light of these material weaknesses, we performed additional analyses and procedures in order to conclude that our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K were fairly stated in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, management believes that despite our material weaknesses, our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are fairly stated, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP.
We are reviewing actions to take to remediate the identified material weaknesses. As we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal controls over financial reporting, our senior management may determine to take additional measures to address control deficiencies or modify the remediation efforts. Until remediation efforts that our senior management identifies as necessary, are completed, tested, and determined effective, the material weaknesses described above will continue to exist.
Under applicable Securities Law, the Company is not required to obtain an attestation report from the Company's independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting, and accordingly, such an attestation has not been obtained or included in this Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Controls
Other than the material weaknesses discussed above, during the year ended December 31, 2016, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.
None.
| 30 |
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3), information on directors and executive officers of the Registrant and corporate governance matters is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the annual shareholder meeting to be held on June 1, 2017.
Code of Ethics
The Board has approved, and Telkonet has adopted, a Code of Ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics was filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004). In addition, the Company will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics free of charge upon request to any person submitting a written request to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3), information on executive compensation is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the annual shareholder meeting to be held on June 1, 2017.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Pursuant to General Instructions G(3), information on security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters are incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the annual shareholder meeting to be held on June 1, 2017.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3), information on certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the annual shareholder meeting to be held on June 1, 2017.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3), information on principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the annual shareholder meeting to be held on June 1, 2017.
| 31 |
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
| 32 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are included herein or incorporated by reference:
|
Exhibit Number |
Description Of Document |
|
| 2.1 | Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Smart Systems International, dated as of February 23, 2007 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2007) | |
| 2.2 | Unit Purchase Agreement by and among Telkonet, Inc., EthoStream, LLC and the members of EthoStream, LLC dated as of March 15, 2007 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2007) | |
| 2.3 | Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Telkonet Inc. and Dynamic Ratings, Inc. dated as of March 4, 2011(incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2011) | |
| 3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 000-27305), filed on August 31, 2000 and our Form S-8 (No. 333-47986), filed on October 16, 2000) | |
| 3.2 | Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-108307), filed on August 28, 2003 | |
| 3.3 | Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 001-31972), filed November 18, 2009) | |
| 3.4 | Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2010) | |
| 3.5 | Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2011) | |
| 3.6 | Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-108307), filed on August 28, 2003) | |
| 3.7 | Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Utah (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2011) | |
| 4.1 | Senior Convertible Note by Telkonet, Inc. in favor of Portside Growth & Opportunity Fund (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 001-31972), filed on October 31, 2005) | |
| 4.2 | Warrant to Purchase Common Stock by Telkonet, Inc. in favor of Kings Road Investments Ltd. (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 001-31972), filed on October 31, 2005) | |
| 4.3 | Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 001-31972), filed on September 6, 2006) | |
| 4.4 | Form of Accelerated Payment Option Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-137703), filed on September 29, 2006) | |
| 4.5 | Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 001-31972) filed on May 12, 2008) | |
| 4.6 | Promissory Note, dated September 11, 2009, by and between Telkonet Inc. and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 001-31972) filed on September 17, 2009) | |
| 4.7 | Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2009) | |
| 4.8 | Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2010) | |
| 4.9 | Promissory Note, dated March 4, 2011, issued by Telkonet Inc. to Dynamic Ratings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2011) | |
| 4.10 | Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2011) |
| 10.1 | Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-161909), filed on September 14, 2009) | |
| 10.2 | Loan Agreement, dated September 11, 2009, by and between Telkonet, Inc. and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 001-31972) filed on September 17, 2009) | |
| 10.3 | General Business Security Agreement, dated September 11, 2009, by and between Telkonet, Inc. and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K (No. 001-31972) filed on September 17, 2009) | |
| 10.4 | Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock Securities Purchase Agreement, dated November 16, 2009 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2009) | |
| 10.5 | Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 16, 2009 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2009) | |
| 10.6 | Form of Executive Officer Reimbursement Agreement (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2009) |
| 33 |
| 10.7 | Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2010) | |
| 10.8 | Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 4, 2010 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2010) | |
| 10.9 | Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 4, 2010 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2010) | |
| 10.10 | Form of Director Reimbursement Agreement (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2010) | |
| 10.11 | Form of Transition Agreement and Release (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2010) | |
| 10.12 | 2010 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement filed on September 29, 2010) | |
| 10.13 | Distribution Agreement by and between, Telkonet Inc. and Dynamic Ratings, Inc., dated as of March 4, 2011(incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2011) | |
| 10.14 | Consulting Agreement by and between Telkonet Inc. and Dynamic Ratings, Inc, dated as of March 4, 2011 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2011) | |
| 10.15 | Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 8, 2011, by and among Telkonet, Inc. and the parties listed therein, (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2011) | |
| 10.16 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 8, 2011, by and among Telkonet, Inc. and the parties listed therein, (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2011) | |
| *10.17 | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Jason L. Tienor, dated as of January 3, 2016 (incorporated by reference as an exhibit to Form 10-K filed March 31, 2017) | |
| *10.18 | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Jeffrey J. Sobieski, dated as of January 3, 2016 (incorporated by reference as an exhibit to Form 10-K filed March 31, 2017) | |
| *10.19 | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Matthew P. Koch, dated as of January 3, 2016 (incorporated by reference as an exhibit to Form 10-K filed March 31, 2017) | |
| *10.20 | Employment Agreement by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Gerrit J. Reinders, dated as of May 1, 2015 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed June 6, 2015) | |
| *10.21 | Employment Agreement by and between Telkonet, Inc. and F. John Stark III, dated as of November 14, 2015 (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed November 17, 2015) | |
| 10.22 | Amendment to Consulting Agreement, dated April 30, 2013, by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Dynamic Ratings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed May 6, 2013) | |
| 10.23 | Business Financing Agreement, dated May 31, 2013, by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Bridge Bank N.A.(incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed June 6, 2013) | |
| 10.24 | Loan and Security Agreement, dated September 30, 2014, by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Heritage Bank of Commerce(incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed October 2, 2014) | |
| 10.25 | First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated February 17, 2016, by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Heritage Bank of Commerce(incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed February 23, 2016) | |
| 10.26 | Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated October 27, 2016, by and between Telkonet, Inc. and Heritage Bank of Commerce(incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K filed October 28, 2016) | |
| 10.27 | 2010 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (amended and restated effective as of November 17, 2016, incorporated by reference as an exhibit to Form 10-K filed March 31, 2017) | |
| 14 | Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to our Form 10-KSB (No. 001-31972), filed on March 30, 2004) | |
| 21 | Telkonet, Inc. Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K (No. 001-31972) filed March 16, 2007) | |
| 23.1 | Consent of BDO USA, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
| 31.1 | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Jason L. Tienor | |
| 31.2 | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Richard E. Mushrush | |
| 32.1 | Certification of Jason L. Tienor pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
| 32.2 | Certification of Richard E. Mushrush pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | |
| 101.SCH | XBRL Schema Document | |
| 101.CAL | XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document | |
| 101.DEF | XBRL Definition Linkbase Document | |
| 101.LAB | XBRL Label Linkbase Document | |
| 101.PRE | XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document |
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
| 34 |
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| TELKONET, INC. | |
| Dated: April 3, 2017 | /s/ Jason L. Tienor |
|
Jason L. Tienor Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | Position | Date | ||
| /s/ Jason L. Tienor | Chief Executive Officer and Director | April 3, 2017 | ||
| Jason Tienor | (principal executive officer) | |||
| /s/ Richard E. Mushrush | Chief Financial Officer | April 3, 2017 | ||
|
(principal financial officer) |
||||
| /s/Arthur E. Byrnes | Chairman of the Board | April 3, 2017 | ||
|
Arthur E. Byrnes |
||||
| /s/ Tim S. Ledwick | Director | April 3, 2017 | ||
|
Tim S. Ledwick
|
||||
| /s/ Peter T. Kross | Director | April 3, 2017 | ||
| Peter T. Kross | ||||
| /s/ Leland D. Blatt | Director | April 3 , 2017 | ||
|
Leland D. Blatt |
| 35 |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
FORMING A PART OF ANNUAL REPORT
PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
TELKONET, INC.
| F- 1 |
TELKONET, INC.
Index to Financial Statements
| F- 2 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Telkonet, Inc.
Waukesha, Wisconsin
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Telkonet, Inc., (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Telkonet, Inc. at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 3, 2017
| F- 3 |
TELKONET, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
|
December 31, 2016 |
December 31, 2015 |
|||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 685,115 | $ | 679,803 | ||||
| Restricted cash on deposit | – | 31,277 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,403,772 | 1,948,069 | ||||||
| Inventories | 777,202 | 652,493 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 205,328 | 146,219 | ||||||
| Current assets held for sale | 7,256,714 | 757,564 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 10,328,131 | 4,215,425 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 143,907 | 141,567 | ||||||
| Other assets: | ||||||||
| Deposits | – | 23,871 | ||||||
| Deferred financing costs, net | – | 14,633 | ||||||
|
Long-term assets held for sale |
– | 6,582,254 | ||||||
| Total other assets | – | 6,620,758 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 10,472,038 | $ | 10,977,750 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 765,617 | $ | 1,414,648 | ||||
| Accrued liabilities and expenses | 774,645 | 695,027 | ||||||
| Notes payable – current | – | 93,340 | ||||||
| Related party payable | 97,127 | – | ||||||
| Line of credit | 1,062,129 | 901,771 | ||||||
| Deferred revenues-current | 184,793 | 243,804 | ||||||
| Deferred lease liability – current | 3,942 | 2,420 | ||||||
| Customer deposits | 165,830 | 46,455 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes - current | 933,433 | – | ||||||
| Current liabilities held for sale | 1,020,540 | 851,273 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities |
5,008,056 |
4,248,738 | ||||||
| Long-term liabilities: | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue - long term | 120,421 | – | ||||||
| Deferred lease liability - long term | 23,761 | 27,707 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes - long-term | – | 734,047 | ||||||
| Long-term liabilities held for sale | – | 76,096 | ||||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 144,182 | 837,850 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Series A, par value $.001 per share; 215 shares issued, 185 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, preference in liquidation of $1,452,114 and $1,377,886 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively | 1,340,566 | 1,340,566 | ||||||
| Series B, par value $.001 per share; 538 shares issued, 52 and 55 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, preference in liquidation of $393,435 and $394,055 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively | 362,059 | 382,951 | ||||||
| Common stock, par value $.001 per share; 190,000,000 shares authorized; 132,774,475 and 127,054,848 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively | 132,774 | 127,054 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 126,955,435 | 126,135,712 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (123,471,034 | ) | (122,095,121 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 5,319,800 | 5,891,162 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ |
10,472,038 |
$ | 10,977,750 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
| F- 4 |
TELKONET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Revenues, net: | ||||||||
| Product | $ | 7,796,319 | $ | 7,242,503 | ||||
| Recurring | 459,695 | 285,114 | ||||||
| Total Net Revenues | 8,256,014 | 7,527,617 | ||||||
| Cost of Sales: | ||||||||
| Product | 4,024,675 | 3,600,407 | ||||||
| Recurring | 124,842 | 151,958 | ||||||
| Total Cost of Sales | 4,149,517 | 3,752,365 | ||||||
| Gross Profit | 4,106,497 | 3,775,252 | ||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 1,658,640 | 1,605,667 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 6,336,879 | 5,123,027 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 34,289 | 29,223 | ||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 8,029,808 | 6,757,917 | ||||||
|
Operating Loss |
(3,923,311 | ) | (2,982,665 | ) | ||||
| Other (Expenses) Income: | ||||||||
| Interest (expense), net | (60,246 | ) | (69,441 | ) | ||||
| Total Other (Expenses) | (60,246 | ) | (69,441 | ) | ||||
| Loss from Continuing Operations before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes | (3,983,557 | ) | (3,052,106 | ) | ||||
| Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes | 20,114 | (3,214 | ) | |||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | (4,003,671 | ) | (3,048,892 | ) | ||||
| Discontinued Operations: | ||||||||
| Income from Discontinued Operations (net of tax) | 2,627,758 | 2,859,788 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,375,913 | ) | $ | (189,104 | ) | ||
| Accretion of preferred dividends and discount | – | (18,253 | ) | |||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (1,375,913 | ) | $ | (207,357 | ) | ||
| Net income (loss) per common share: | ||||||||
|
Basic - continuing operations |
$ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | ||
|
Basic - discontinued operations |
$ | 0.02 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
| Basic - net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | ||
| Diluted - continuing operations | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | ||
| Diluted - discontinued operations | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
| Diluted - net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | ||
|
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding used in computing basic net loss per share |
132,774,475 | 125,859,903 | ||||||
|
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding used in computing diluted net loss per share |
132,774,475 | 125,859,903 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
| F- 5 |
TELKONET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
| Series A Preferred Stock | Series A Preferred Stock |
Series B
Preferred Stock |
Series B
Preferred Stock |
Common |
Common
Stock |
Additional
Paid-in |
Accumulated |
Total
Stockholders’ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2015 | – | $ | – | 55 | $ | 372,030 | 125,035,612 | $ | 125,035 | $ | 125,908,476 | $ | (121,906,017 | ) | $ | 4,499,524 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued to preferred stockholders for warrants exercised at $0.13 per share | – | – | – | – | 2,019,236 | 2,019 | 260,481 | – | 262,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options | – | – | – | – | – | – | 14,383 | – | 14,383 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of redeemable preferred stock dividends | – | 18,454 | – | 10,921 | – | – | (47,628 | ) | – | (18,253 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification from temporary equity to permanent equity | 185 | 1,322,112 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,322,112 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (189,104 | ) | (189,104 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2015 | 185 | $ | 1,340,566 | 55 | $ | 382,951 | 127,054,848 | $ | 127,054 | $ | 126,135,712 | $ | (122,095,121 | ) | $ | 5,891,162 | ||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
| F- 6 |
TELKONET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
| Series A Preferred Stock | Series A Preferred Stock |
Series
B
Preferred Stock |
Series
B
Preferred Stock |
Common |
Common
Stock |
Additional
Paid-in |
Accumulated |
Total
Stockholders’ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2016 | 185 | $1,340,566 | 55 | $ | 382,951 | 127,054,848 | $ | 127,054 | $ | 126,135,712 | $ | (122,095,121 | ) | $ | 5,891,162 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued to directors at $0.18 per share | – | – | – | – | 392,700 | 393 | 71,607 | – | 72,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options | – | – | – | – | – | – | 55,050 | – | 55,050 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued to preferred stockholders for warrants exercised at $0.13 per share | – | – | – | - | 5,211,542 | 5,212 | 672,289 | – | 677,501 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued on conversion of preferred stock at $0.13 per share | – | – | (3 | ) | (15,000 | ) | 115,385 | 115 | 14,885 | – | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued dividends adjustment due to preferred stock conversion | – | – | – | (5,892 | ) | – | – | 5,892 | – | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (1,375,913 | ) | (1,375,913 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2016 | 185 | $1,340,566 | 52 | $ | 362,059 | 132,774,475 | $ | 132,774 | $ | 126,955,435 | $ | (123,471,034 | ) | $ | 5,319,800 | |||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
| F- 7 |
TELKONET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (4,003,671 | ) | $ | (3,048,892 | ) | ||
| Net income from discontinued operations | 2,627,758 | 2,859,788 | ||||||
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to cash used in operating activities of continuing operations: |
||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 55,050 | 14,383 | ||||||
| Stock issued to directors as compensation | 72,000 | – | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 14,633 | 18,949 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 34,289 | 29,223 | ||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries | 32,047 | (102,721 | ) | |||||
| Related party payable | 161,075 | – | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 199,386 | 199,386 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 512,250 | (756,961 | ) | |||||
| Inventories | (124,709 | ) | 292,102 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (59,109 | ) | (61,549 | ) | ||||
| Deposits and other long term assets | 23,871 | – | ||||||
| Accounts payable | (649,031 | ) | 225,283 | |||||
| Accrued liabilities and expenses | 79,618 | 120,130 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue | 61,410 | 186,958 | ||||||
| Related party payable | (63,948 | ) | – | |||||
| Customer deposits | 119,375 | (157,230 | ) | |||||
| Deferred lease liability | (2,424 | ) | (13,562 | ) | ||||
| Net Cash Used In Operating Activities of Continuing Operations | (910,130 | ) | (194,713 | ) | ||||
| Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities of Discontinued Operations | 176,275 | 54,018 | ||||||
| Net Cash Used In Operating Activities | (733,855 | ) | (140,695 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | (36,629 | ) | (42,081 | ) | ||||
| Change in restricted cash | 31,277 | 31,723 | ||||||
| Net Cash Used In Investing Activities of Continuing Operations | (5,352 | ) | (10,358 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Payments on notes payable | (93,340 | ) | (300,612 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 677,501 | 262,500 | ||||||
| Net proceeds from line of credit | 160,358 | 273,567 | ||||||
| Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities of Continuing Operations | 744,519 | 235,455 | ||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 5,312 | 84,402 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 679,803 | 595,401 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | $ | 685,115 | $ | 679,803 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
| F- 8 |
TELKONET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||
| Cash transactions: | ||||||||
| Cash paid during the year for interest | $ | 57,266 | $ | 54,428 | ||||
| Cash paid during the year for income taxes, net of refunds | 15,090 | (10,431 | ) | |||||
| Non-cash transactions: | ||||||||
| Accretion of dividends on redeemable preferred stock | – | 47,628 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
| F- 9 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
NOTE A – SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows.
Business and Basis of Presentation
Telkonet, Inc. (the “Company”, “Telkonet”), formed in 1999 and incorporated under the laws of the state of Utah, is the creator of the EcoSmart Platform of intelligent automation solutions designed to optimize energy efficiency, comfort and analytics in support of the emerging Internet of Things (“IoT”). Telkonet’s growth is focused on EcoSmart, its IoT division offering intelligent automation solutions.
In 2007, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Smart Systems International (“SSI”), which was a provider of energy management products and solutions to customers in the United States and Canada and the precursor to the Company’s EcoSmart platform. The EcoSmart platform provides comprehensive savings, management reporting, analytics and virtual engineering of a customer’s portfolio and/or property’s room-by-room energy consumption. Telkonet has deployed more than a half million intelligent devices worldwide in properties within the hospitality, military, educational, healthcare and other commercial markets. The EcoSmart platform is rapidly being recognized as a leading solution for reducing energy consumption, operational costs and carbon footprints, and eliminating the need for new energy generation in these marketplaces – all whilst improving occupant comfort and convenience.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Telkonet Communications, Inc., and EthoStream, LLC. The current year and prior year accounts of Ethostream LLC have been classified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet and as discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of operations and the consolidated statement of cash flows. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company operates in one reportable segment based on management’s view of its business for purposes of evaluating performance and making operating decisions. The Company utilizes shared services including but not limited to, human resources, payroll, finance, sales, support services, as well as certain shared assets and sales, general and administrative costs. The Company’s approach is to make operational decisions and assess performance based on delivering products and services that together provide solutions to its customer base, utilizing a functional management structure and shared services where possible. Based upon this business model, the chief operating decision maker only reviews consolidated financial information.
Unless otherwise noted, all financial information in the consolidated financial statement footnotes reflect the Company’s results from continuing operations.
Liquidity and Financial Condition
The Company reported a net loss of $4,003,671 from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2016, had cash used in operating activities from continuing operations of $910,130, had an accumulated deficit of $123,471,034 and total current liabilities in excess of current assets from continuing operations of $916,099 as of December 31, 2016 excluding the Ethostream, LLC assets and liabilities held for sale. Since inception, the Company’s primary sources of ongoing liquidity for operations have come through private and public offerings of equity securities, and the issuance of various debt instruments and asset-based lending.
On February 17, 2016, an amendment to the revolving credit facility with Heritage Bank of Commerce was executed extending the maturity date of the revolving credit facility to September 30, 2018, unless earlier accelerated under the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”). The Loan Agreement is available for working capital and other lawful general corporate purposes. The outstanding principal balance of the revolving credit facility bears interest at the Prime Rate plus 3.00%. The outstanding balance was $1,062,129 as of December 31, 2016 and the remaining available borrowing capacity was approximately $107,000. As of December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.
On March 28, 2017, the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, EthoStream LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with DCI-Design Communications LLC (“DCI”), whereby DCI would acquire all of the assets and certain liabilities of EthoStream for a cash purchase price of $12,750,000, subject to an adjustment based on the net working capital of EthoStream on the closing date of the sale transaction. The Company’s liquidity plan includes reviewing options for raising additional capital including, but not limited to, asset-based or equity financing, private placements, and the net proceeds received from the Ethostream LLC sale.
| F- 10 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with credit quality institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. With respect to trade receivables, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial conditions and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary. The Company provides credit to its customers primarily in the United States in the normal course of business. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and, as a consequence, believes its trade receivables credit risk exposure is limited.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash on Deposit
During 2014, the Company was awarded a contract with a bonding requirement. The Company satisfied this requirement during the year ended December 31, 2014 with cash collateral supported by an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of $63,000. The Company continues to execute contracts with bonding requirements and maintains this cash collateral on deposit for current and future projects. The amount which was presented as restricted cash on deposit on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 was released in 2016. The outstanding balance as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was zero and $31,277, respectively.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The Company records allowances for doubtful accounts based on customer-specific analysis and general matters such as current assessment of past due balances and economic conditions. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $34,573 and $13,299 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Management identifies a delinquent customer based upon the delinquent payment status of an outstanding invoice, generally greater than 30 days past due date. The delinquent account designation does not trigger an accounting transaction until such time the account is deemed uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined by examining the reserve history and any outstanding invoices that are over 30 days past due as of the end of the reporting period. Accounts are deemed uncollectible on a case-by-case basis, at management’s discretion based upon an examination of the communication with the delinquent customer and payment history. Typically, accounts are only escalated to “uncollectible” status after multiple attempts at collection have proven unsuccessful.
The allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 13,299 | $ | 25,973 | ||||
| Provision charged to expense | 32,047 | 6,618 | ||||||
| Deductions | (10,773 | ) | (19,292 | ) | ||||
| Ending balance | $ | 34,573 | $ | 13,299 | ||||
Inventories
Inventories consist of thermostats, sensors and controllers for Telkonet’s EcoSmart product platform. These inventories are purchased for resale and do not include manufacturing labor and overhead. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market determined by the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The Company’s inventories are subject to technological obsolescence. Management evaluates the net realizable value of its inventories on a quarterly basis and when it is determined that the Company’s carrying cost of such excess and obsolete inventories cannot be recovered in full, a charge is taken against income for the difference between the carrying cost and the estimated realizable amount. The charge (benefit) taken against income was approximately $(18,900) and $(2,000) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Property and Equipment
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ASC 360 “Property Plant and Equipment ” , property and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives range from 2 to 10 years.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash on deposit, accounts receivable, accounts payable, line of credit, notes payable, and certain accrued liabilities. The carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments (Level 1 instruments), except for the line of credit and notes payable. The carrying amount of the line of credit and notes payable approximates fair value due to the interest rate and terms approximating those available to the Company for similar obligations (Level 2 instruments).
| F- 11 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
The Company accounts for the fair value of financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, which defines fair value for accounting purposes, established a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as an exit price, which is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Financial assets and liabilities with readily available, actively quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and require less judgment in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial assets and liabilities that are rarely traded or not quoted have less price observability and are generally measured at fair value using valuation models that require more judgment. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency of the asset, liability or market and the nature of the asset or liability. The Company categorizes financial assets and liabilities that are recurring, at fair value into a three-level hierarchy in accordance with these provisions.
| ● | Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; | |
| ● | Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; or | |
| ● | Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and are unobservable. |
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360-10. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount to the future net cash flows which the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value. Based on the annual assessment for impairment performed during 2016 and 2015, no impairment was recorded.
Income (Loss) per Common Share
The Company computes earnings per share under ASC 260-10, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes that the proceeds to be received on exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants are used to repurchase shares of the Company at the average market price of the common shares for the year. Dilutive common stock equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of the Company's outstanding stock options and warrants. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were 3,132,725 and 7,463,635 shares of common stock underlying options and warrants excluded due to these instruments being anti-dilutive, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States of America (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters such as revenue recognition and allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory obsolescence, depreciation and amortization, long-lived and intangible asset valuations, impairment assessments, taxes and related valuation allowance, income tax provisions, stock-based compensation, and contingencies. The Company believes that the estimates, judgments and assumptions are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10 “Income Taxes.” Under this method, deferred income taxes (when required) are provided based on the difference between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating losses at the statutory rates enacted for future periods. The Company has a policy of establishing a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefits of its deferred income tax assets in the future.
| F- 12 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
The Company adopted ASC 740-10-25, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740-10-25 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, treatment of interest and penalties, and disclosure of such positions.
Revenue Recognition
For revenue from product sales, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605-10, “Revenue Recognition” and ASC 605-10-S99 guidelines that require that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the selling price is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered and the collectability of those amounts. Assuming all conditions for revenue recognition have been satisfied, product revenue is recognized when products are shipped and installation revenue is recognized when the services are completed. Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. The guidelines also address the accounting for arrangements that may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets.
Multiple-Element Arrangements (“MEAs”): The Company accounts for contracts that have both product and installation under the MEAs guidance in ASC 605-25. Arrangements under such contracts may include multiple deliverables consisting of a combination of equipment and services. The deliverables included in the MEAs are separated into more than one unit of accounting when (i) the delivered equipment has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and (ii) delivery of the undelivered service element(s) is probable and substantially in the Company’s control. Arrangement consideration is then allocated to each unit, delivered or undelivered, based on the relative selling price of each unit of accounting based first on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if it exists, second on third-party evidence (“TPE”) if it exists and on estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE or TPE exist.
| • | VSOE – In most instances, products are sold separately in stand-alone arrangements. Services are also sold separately through renewals of contracts with varying periods. The Company determines VSOE based on pricing and discounting practices for the specific product or service when sold separately, considering geographical, customer, and other economic or marketing variables, as well as renewal rates or stand-alone prices for the service element(s). |
| • | TPE – If the Company cannot establish VSOE of selling price for a specific product or service included in a multiple-element arrangement, the Company uses third-party evidence of selling price. The Company determines TPE based on sales of a comparable amount of similar product or service offered by multiple third parties considering the degree of customization and similarity of product or service sold. |
| • | ESP – The estimated selling price represents the price at which the Company would sell a product or service if it were sold on a stand-alone basis. When neither VSOE nor TPE exists for all elements, the Company determines ESP for the arrangement element based on sales, cost and margin analysis, as well as other inputs based on the Company’s pricing practices. Adjustments for other market and Company-specific factors are made as deemed necessary in determining ESP. |
Under the estimated selling price method, revenue is recognized in MEAs based on estimated selling prices for all of the elements in the arrangement, assuming all other conditions for revenue recognition have been satisfied. To determine the estimated selling price, the Company establishes the selling price for its products and installation services using the Company’s established pricing guidelines, and the proceeds are allocated between the elements and the arrangement.
When MEAs include an element of customer training, the Company determined it is not essential to the functionality, efficiency or effectiveness of the MEA due to its perfunctory nature in relation to the entire arrangement. Therefore the Company has concluded that this obligation is inconsequential and perfunctory. As such, for MEAs that include training, customer acceptance of said training is not deemed necessary in order to record the related revenue, but is recorded when the installation deliverable is fulfilled. Historically, training revenues have not been significant.
The Company provides call center support services to properties installed by the Company. The Company receives monthly service fees from such properties for its services. The Company recognizes the service fee ratably over the term of the contract. The prices for these services are fixed and determinable prior to delivery of the service. The fair value of these services is known due to objective and reliable evidence from standalone executed contracts. The Company reports such revenues as recurring revenues. Deferred revenue includes deferrals for the monthly support service fees. Long-term deferred revenue represents support service fees to be earned or provided beginning after December 31, 2017. Revenue recognized that has not yet been billed to a customer results in an asset as of the end of the period. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was $214,821 and $170,000 recorded within accounts receivable, respectively, related to revenue recognized that has not yet been billed.
| F- 13 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Sales Taxes
Unless provided with a resale or tax exemption certificate, the Company assesses and collects sales tax on sales transactions and records the amount as a liability. It is recognized as a liability until remitted to the applicable state. Total revenues do not include sales tax as the Company is considered a pass through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes.
Guarantees and Product Warranties
The Company records a liability for potential warranty claims in cost of sales at the time of sale. The amount of the liability is based on the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim, new product introductions and other factors. The products sold are generally covered by a warranty for a period of one year. In the event the Company determines that its current or future product repair and replacement costs exceed its estimates, an adjustment to these reserves would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company experienced returns of approximately 1% to 3% of material’s included in the cost of sales. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded warranty liabilities in the amount of $49,149 and $28,702, respectively, using this experience factor range.
Product warranties for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 28,702 | $ | 23,500 | ||||
| Warranty claims incurred | (50,353 | ) | (16,434 | ) | ||||
| Provision charged to expense | 70,800 | 21,636 | ||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 49,149 | $ | 28,702 | ||||
Advertising
The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expenses as incurred. The Company incurred $31,573 and zero in advertising costs from continuing operations during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Research and Development
The Company accounts for research and development costs in accordance with the ASC 730-10, “Research and Development”. Under ASC 730-10, all research and development costs must be charged to expense as incurred. Accordingly, internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed or as milestone results have been achieved. Company-sponsored research and development costs related to both present and future products are expensed in the period incurred. Total expenditures on research and product development for 2016 and 2015 were $1,658,640 and $1,605,667, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based awards in accordance with ASC 718-10, “Share-Based Compensation”, which requires a fair value measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to the Company’s employees and directors, including employee stock options and restricted stock awards. The Company’s estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model. This model requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions including, among other things, estimates regarding the length of time an employee will hold vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to vesting. The fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can materially affect the determination of the fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
The expected term of the options represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. For 2015 and prior years, expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for the related vesting periods.
Stock-based compensation expense in connection with options granted to employees for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $55,050 and $14,383, respectively.
| F- 14 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Deferred Lease Liability
Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Rent escalations and rent abatement periods during the term of the lease create a deferred lease liability which represents the excess of cumulative rent expense recorded to date over the actual rent paid to date.
NOTE B – NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The guidance for this standard was initially effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, however in August 2015 the FASB delayed the effective date of the standard for one full year. Companies will adopt the standard using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). The Company expects to adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018, and continues to deliberate on the transition method. The Company continues to evaluate if there will be any effect on the timing and pattern of revenue recognition, and additional disclosures may be required. The Company will continue assessing the impact of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements through the date of adoption.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330) (“ASU 2015-11”) ASU 2015-11 requires inventory to be subsequently measured using the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby eliminating the market value approach. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. ASU 2015-11 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2015-11 on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect that the adoption will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU 2015-17”), which requires deferred tax liabilities and assets of the same tax jurisdiction or a tax filing group, as well as any related valuation allowance, be offset and presented as a single noncurrent amount in the consolidated balance sheets. ASU No. 2015-17 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2015-17 may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company does not believe this guidance will have a material impact on the Company's future statement of operations or financial position.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of operations. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements Upon adoption, the Company expects that the ROU asset and lease liability will be recognized in the balance sheets in amounts that will be material.
| F- 15 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). The new standard provides guidance on the classification of certain transactions in the statement of cash flows, such as contingent consideration payments made in connection with a business combination and debt prepayment or extinguishment costs. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that fiscal year. When adopted, the new guidance will be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2016-15 on its consolidated financial statements.
NOTE C – GOODWILL
Total goodwill acquired and its carrying values at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are:
| Cost | Accumulated Impairment | Carrying Value | ||||||||||
| Asset: | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill – SSI | $ | 5,874,016 | $ | (5,874,016 | ) | $ | – | |||||
| Total Goodwill | $ | 5,874,016 | $ | (5,874,016 | ) | $ | – | |||||
The Company did not amortize goodwill. The Company recorded goodwill in the amount of $5,874,016 as a result of the acquisition of Smart Systems International (“SSI’) during the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company evaluated goodwill for impairment based on the fair value of the reporting unit to which this goodwill related to at least once a year. The Company utilized a discounted cash flow valuation methodology (income approach) to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. At December 31, 2011, the Company determined that a portion of the value for Smart Systems International’s goodwill was impaired based upon management’s assessment of operating results and forecasted discounted cash flow and wrote off $3,100,000 in connection with the impairment. At December 31, 2013, the Company determined that the remainder of Smart Systems International’s goodwill was impaired based upon management’s assessment of operating results and forecasted discounted cash flow and recorded an additional impairment charge of $2,774,016. Since acquisition, the Company has written off $5,874,016 of goodwill for Smart Systems International.
As of December 31, 2016, the goodwill associated with EthoStream of $5,796,430 was reclassified to current assets held for sale based on the Company’s decision to sell EthoStream in the fourth quarter of 2016. The goodwill as of December 31, 2015 for EthoStream of $5,796,430 was reclassified to long-term assets held for sale based on the Company’s decision to sell EthoStream in the fourth quarter of 2016.
NOTE D – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Components of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable | $ | 1,438,345 | $ | 1,961,368 | ||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | (34,573 | ) | (13,299 | ) | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | $ | 1,403,772 | $ | 1,948,069 | ||||
NOTE E – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The Company’s property and equipment as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 consists of the following:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Development test equipment | $ | 19,110 | $ | 19,110 | ||||
| Computer software | 76,134 | 55,677 | ||||||
| Office equipment | 36,904 | 20,731 | ||||||
| Office fixtures and furniture | 151,330 | 151,330 | ||||||
| Total | 283,478 | 246,848 | ||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (139,571 | ) | (105,281 | ) | ||||
| Total property and equipment | $ | 143,907 | $ | 141,567 | ||||
Depreciation expense included as a charge to income was $34,289 and $29,223 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
| F- 16 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
NOTE F – ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND EXPENSES
Accrued liabilities and expenses as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows :
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Accrued liabilities and expenses | $ | 218,629 | $ | 186,762 | ||||
| Accrued payroll and payroll taxes | 279,199 | 289,575 | ||||||
| Accrued sales taxes, penalties, and interest | 227,415 | 189,697 | ||||||
| Accrued interest | 253 | 291 | ||||||
| Product warranties | 49,149 | 28,702 | ||||||
| Total accrued liabilities and expenses | $ | 774,645 | $ | 695,027 | ||||
NOTE G – DEBT
Business Loan
On September 11, 2009, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000 with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (the “Department”). The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 2%. Payment of interest and principal is to be made in the following manner: (a) payment of any and all interest that accrues from the date of disbursement commenced on January 1, 2010 and continued on the first day of each consecutive month thereafter through and including December 31, 2010; (b) commencing on January 1, 2011 and continuing on the first day of each consecutive month thereafter through and including November 1, 2016, the Company is required to pay equal monthly installments of $4,426; followed by a final installment on December 1, 2016 which shall include all remaining principal, accrued interest and other amounts owed by the Company to the Department under the Loan Agreement. The Company may prepay amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement in whole or in part at any time without penalty. The Loan Agreement was secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. On September 24, 2014, the Department signed a subordination agreement of all the Company’s security interests. The proceeds from this loan were used for the working capital requirements of the Company. The Loan Agreement contains covenants which required, among other things, that the Company keep and maintain 75 existing full-time positions and create and fill 35 additional full-time positions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by December 31, 2012. On June 18, 2012, the Department agreed to permanently waive all penalties associated with the Company’s noncompliance with this covenant. The outstanding borrowings under the agreement as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were zero and $52,579, respectively.
Promissory Note
On March 4, 2011, the Company sold all its Series 5 PLC product line assets to Wisconsin-based Dynamic Ratings, Inc. (“Purchaser”) under an Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”). Per the APA, the Company signed an unsecured Promissory Note (the “Note”) due to Purchaser in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000. The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 6% and was originally due on March 31, 2014. The Note may be prepaid in whole or in part , without penalty at any time. Payments not made when due, by maturity acceleration or otherwise, shall bear interest at the rate of 12 % per annum from the date due until fully paid . Effective April 30, 2013, Purchaser approved an amendment to certain terms of the Note. Telkonet commenced a monthly payment of principal and interest of $20,000 to be applied against the outstanding balance starting May 1, 2013. The interest rate remains unchanged at 6% and the maturity date was extended to January 1, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company made additional payments of $20,000 in aggregate beyond the required monthly payments of principal and interest. The outstanding principal balance of the Note as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was zero and $40,761, respectively.
Kross Promissory Note
On August 4, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to reimburse Peter T. Kross (“Mr. Kross”), $161,075 for expenses incurred related to his successful contested proxy. Effective June 27, 2016, Mr. Kross is a director of the Company and considered a related party. On August 30, 2016, Mr. Kross accepted an unsecured promissory note (“Kross Note”) for $161,075 from the Company. The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 3.00%. Payment of interest and principal began on September 1, 2016 and will continue monthly on the first day of each month thereafter through and including June 1, 2017; the Company is required to pay equal monthly installments of $16,330 which includes all remaining principal and accrued interest owed by the Company to Mr. Kross under the Kross Note. The Company may prepay in advance any unpaid principal or interest due under the Kross Note without premium or penalty. The principal balance of the Kross Note as of December 31, 2016 was $97,127.
| F- 17 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Revolving Credit Facility
On September 30, 2014, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, EthoStream, as co-borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Heritage Bank Loan Agreement”), with Heritage Bank of Commerce, a California state chartered bank (“Heritage Bank”), governing a new revolving credit facility in a principal amount not to exceed $2,000,000 (the “Credit Facility”). Availability of borrowings under the Credit Facility from time to time is subject to a borrowing base calculation based on the Company’s eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory each multiplied by an applicable advance rate, with an overall limitation tied to the Company’s eligible accounts receivable. The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement is available for working capital and other general business purposes. The outstanding principal balance of the Credit Facility bears interest at the Prime Rate plus 3.00%, which was 6.75% at December 31, 2016 and 6.50% at December 31, 2015. On October 9, 2014, as part of the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement, Heritage Bank was granted a warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of Telkonet common stock. The warrant has an exercise price of $0.20 and expires October 9, 2021. On February 17, 2016, an amendment to the Credit Facility was executed extending the maturity date to September 30, 2018, unless earlier accelerated under the terms of the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement.
The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement also contains financial covenants that place restrictions on, among other things, the incurrence of debt, granting of liens and sale of assets. The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement also contains financial covenants that require the Borrowers to maintain a minimum EBITDA level, measured quarterly, and a minimum asset coverage ratio, measured monthly. A violation of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event of default or certain other customary events of defaults, payment of any outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility may be accelerated and Heritage Bank’s commitment to extend credit under the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement may be terminated. The Heritage Bank Loan Agreement contains other representations and warranties, covenants, and other provisions customary to transactions of this nature. As of June 30, 2016, the Company was in violation of a financial performance covenant. Heritage Bank granted a waiver of that violation on August 11, 2016. By waiving the violation, Heritage Bank did not surrendering any of its other rights set forth in the Heritage Bank Loan Agreement. On October 27, 2016, an amendment to the Credit Facility was executed modifying the required minimum EBITDA level financial covenant as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with the modified financial covenants. The outstanding balance on the Credit Facility was $1,062,129 and $901,771 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The remaining available borrowing capacity was approximately $107,000 at December 31, 2016.
On March 28, 2017, the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, EthoStream LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with DCI-Design Communications LLC, whereby DCI would acquire all of the assets and certain liabilities of EthoStream. Heritage Bank has provided the Company with its consent to the sale transaction. Upon closing of the sale transaction on March 29, 2017, the entire balance outstanding on the Credit Facility was repaid. The Company will work with Heritage Bank to execute a new agreement with the remaining operations of the Company as the sole borrower.
NOTE H – PREFERRED STOCK
Series A
The Company has designated 215 shares of preferred stock as Series A Preferred Stock (“Series A”). Each share of Series A is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time, into shares of common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.363 per share. In the event of a change of control (as defined in the purchase agreement with respect to the Series A), or at the holder’s option, on November 19, 2014 and for a period of 180 days thereafter, provided that at least 50% of the shares of Series A issued on the Series A Original Issue Date remain outstanding as of November 19, 2014, and the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A provide written notice requesting redemption of all shares of Series A, the Company was required to redeem the Series A for the purchase price of $5,000 per share, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. By way of the redemption option available to holders of the Company’s Series A shares having expired on May 18, 2015 with no Series A holders requesting redemption of their shares, the redemption feature at the option of the holders was eliminated, thereby, resulting in the reclassification of $1,322,112 from temporary equity, which was classified as “redeemable preferred stock” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, to permanent equity during the year ended December 31, 2015.
On November 16, 2009, the Company sold 215 shares of Series A with attached warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,628,800 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.33 per share. The Series A shares were sold at a price per share of $5,000 and each Series A share is convertible into approximately 13,774 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.363 per share. The Company received $1,075,000 from the sale of the Series A shares.
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded accrued dividends for Series A in the amount of zero and $36,707, respectively. The recorded accrued dividends have been charged to additional paid-in capital (since there is a deficit in retained earnings) and an increase to the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and the net unpaid recorded accrued dividends have been added to the carrying value of the preferred stock.
| F- 18 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Series B
The Company has designated 538 shares of preferred stock as Series B Preferred Stock (“Series B”). Each share of Series B is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time, into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.13 per share. As a result of the Series B conversions during the year ended December 31, 2013, the outstanding Series B shares are not redeemable at the option of the holders. The Series B accrues dividends at an annual rate of 8% of the original purchase price, payable only when, as, and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors.
On August 4, 2010, the Company sold 267 shares of Series B with attached warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,134,626 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.13 per share. The Series B shares were sold at a price per share of $5,000 and each Series B share was convertible into approximately 38,461 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.13 per share. The Company received $1,335,000 from the sale of the Series B shares. Up and until the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Series B were redeemable at the option of the holder, the carrying value of the preferred stock, net of discount and including accumulated dividends, had been classified as redeemable preferred stock on the consolidated balance sheets. During the year ended December 31, 2011, shareholders converted 45 redeemable preferred shares issued on August 4, 2010, to, in aggregate 1,730,762 shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2013, shareholders converted 167 redeemable preferred shares issued on August 4, 2010, to, in aggregate, 6,423,072 shares of common stock.
A portion of the proceeds from the August 4, 2010 offering was allocated to the warrants based on their relative fair value, which totaled $394,350 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Further, the Company attributed a beneficial conversion feature of $394,350 to the Series B preferred shares based upon the difference between the effective conversion price of those shares and the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model were as follows: (1) dividend yield of 0%; (2) expected volatility of 123%, (3) weighted average risk-free interest rate of 1.76%, (4) expected term of approximately 4 years, and (5) estimated fair value of Telkonet common stock of $0.109 per share. The expected term of the warrants represents the estimated period of time until exercise and was based on historical experience of similar awards and giving consideration to the contractual terms. The amounts attributable to the warrants and beneficial conversion feature, aggregating $788,700, were recorded as a discount and deducted from the face value of the preferred stock. The discount is being amortized over the period from issuance to November 19, 2014 (the initial redemption date) as a charge to additional paid-in capital (since there is a deficit in retained earnings). During the year ended December 31, 2013, a portion of the discount of approximately $123,100 was accelerated and recognized immediately as a charge to additional paid-in capital and accretion of preferred stock discounts and an increase to the net loss attributable to common stockholders for the 167 redeemable preferred shares converted to common stock.
On April 8, 2011, the Company sold 271 additional shares of Series B with attached warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,211,542 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.13 per share. The Series B shares were sold at a price per share of $5,000 and each Series B share was convertible into approximately 38,461 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.13 per share. The Company received $1,355,000 from the sale of the Series B shares. During the year ended December 31, 2013, all 271 of the redeemable preferred shares issued on April 8, 2011, were converted to, in aggregate, 10,423,067 shares of common stock.
As a result of the Series B conversions during the year ended December 31, 2013, fewer than 50% of the Series B shares issued on the Series B Original Issuance Date, August 4, 2010, remain outstanding, and the balance of the outstanding Series B shares will not become redeemable at the option of the holders. The redemption feature at the option of the holders is eliminated, thereby, resulting in the reclassification of $324,063 from temporary equity, which was classified as “redeemable preferred stock” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, to permanent equity during the year ended December 31, 2013.
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company accrued dividends for Series B in the amount of zero and $10,921, respectively, The recorded accrued dividends had been charged to additional paid-in capital (since there is a deficit in retained earnings) and the net unpaid recorded accrued dividends have been added to the carrying value of the preferred stock.
Preferred stock carries certain preference rights as detailed in the Company’s Amended Articles of Incorporation related to both the payment of dividends and as to payments upon liquidation in preference to any other class or series of capital stock of the Company. As of December 31, 2016, the liquidation preference of the preferred stock is based on the following order: first, Series B with a preference value of $393,435, which includes cumulative accrued unpaid dividends of $133,435, and second, Series A with a preference value of $1,452,114, which includes cumulative accrued unpaid dividends of $527,114. As of December 31, 2015, the liquidation preference of the preferred stock is based on the following order: first, Series B with a preference value of $394,055, which includes cumulative accrued unpaid dividends of $119,055, and second, Series A with a preference value of $1,377,886, which includes cumulative accrued unpaid dividends of $452,886. Both series of preferred stock are equal in their dividend preference over common stock.
| F- 19 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
NOTE I – CAPITAL STOCK
The Company has authorized 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock (designated and undesignated), with a par value of $.001 per share. The Company has designated 215 shares as Series A preferred stock and 538 shares as Series B preferred stock. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were 185 shares of Series A and 52 and 55 shares of Series B outstanding, respectively.
The Company has authorized 190,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $.001 per share. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had 132,774,475 and 127,054,848 common shares issued and outstanding, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, 5,211,542 warrants were exercised for an aggregate of 5,211,542 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.13 per share. These warrants were originally granted to shareholders of the April 8, 2011 Series B preferred stock issuance. The Company received proceeds of $677,501 from the exercise of warrants.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 392,700 shares of common stock to directors for services performed during 2016. These shares were valued at $72,000, which approximated the fair value of the shares when they were issued.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, 3 shares of Series B preferred stock were converted to, in aggregate, 115,385 shares of common stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, 2,019,236 warrants were exercised for an aggregate of 2,019,236 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.13 per share. These warrants were originally granted to shareholders of the August 4, 2010 Series B preferred stock issuance. The Company received proceeds of $262,500 from the exercise of warrants.
NOTE J – STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Stock Options
The Company maintains an equity incentive plan, (the “Plan”). The Plan was established in 2010 as an incentive plan for officers, employees, non-employee directors, prospective employees and other key persons. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or the compensation committee, which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent. A total of 10,000,000 shares of stock were reserved and available for issuance under the Plan. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a stock option granted shall be determined by the administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the fair market value on the date of grant. The term of each stock option shall be fixed by the administrator, but no stock option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the stock option is granted. As of December 31, 2016, there were approximately 4,725,053 shares remaining for issuance in the Plan.
It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a better alignment of their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders.
The following table summarizes the changes in options outstanding and the related prices for the shares of the Company’s common stock issued to employees of the Company under the Plan as of December 31, 2016.
| Options Outstanding | Options Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise Prices |
Number
Outstanding |
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Weighted Average
Exercise Price |
Number
Exercisable |
Weighted Average
Exercise Price |
|||||||||||||||||
| $ | 0.01 - $0.15 | 175,000 | 0.81 | $ | 0.14 | 175,000 | $ | 0.14 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 0.16 - $1.00 | 2,657,725 | 4.05 | 0.18 | 2,305,821 | 0.18 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2,832,725 | 3.85 | $ | 0.18 | 2,505,821 | $ | 0.18 | ||||||||||||||||
| F- 20 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Transactions involving stock options issued to employees are summarized as follows:
|
Number of
Shares |
Weighted Average Exercise
Price Per Share |
|||||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2015 | 1,930,225 | $ | 0.40 | |||||
| Granted | 50,000 | 0.18 | ||||||
| Exercised | – | – | ||||||
| Cancelled or expired | (155,000 | ) | 1.81 | |||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2015 | 1,825,225 | $ | 0.28 | |||||
| Granted | 1,300,000 | 0.17 | ||||||
| Exercised | – | – | ||||||
| Cancelled or expired | (292,500 | ) | 0.69 | |||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2016 | 2,832,725 | $ | 0.18 | |||||
The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The Company determines the expected life based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules, exercise patterns and pre-vesting and post-vesting forfeitures. The Company estimates the volatility of the Company’s common stock based on the calculated historical volatility of the Company’s common stock using the trailing 36 months of share price data prior to the date of the award. The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award. The Company has not paid any cash dividends on the Company’s common stock and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record share-based compensation for those awards that are expected to vest. In accordance with ASC 718-10, the Company calculates share-based compensation for changes to the estimate of expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience.
The following table summarizes the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the years ended December 2016 and 2015, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Expected life of option (years) | 3 | 10 | ||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | 0.96% | 1.28% | ||||||
| Assumed volatility | 83% | 135% | ||||||
| Expected dividend rate | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Expected forfeiture rate | 25% | 32% | ||||||
The total estimated fair value of the options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $99,742 and $8,481. The total fair value of underlying shares related to options that vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $160,923 and $14,383. Future compensation expense related to non-vested options at December 31, 2016 was $34,310 and will be recognized over the next 4.5 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of the vested options was zero as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $55,050 and $14,383, respectively.
| F- 21 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Warrants
The following table summarizes the changes in warrants outstanding and the related exercise prices for the warrants issued to non-employees of the Company.
| Warrants Outstanding | Warrants Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise Prices |
Number Outstanding |
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Number Exercisable |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|||||||||||||||||
| $ | 0.18 | 50,000 | 0.90 | $ | 0.18 | 50,000 | $ | 0.18 | ||||||||||||||
| 0.20 | 250,000 | 4.77 | 0.20 | 250,000 | 0.20 | |||||||||||||||||
| 300,000 | 4.13 | $ | 0.20 | 300,000 | $ | 0.20 | ||||||||||||||||
Transactions involving warrants are summarized as follows:
|
Number of
Shares |
Weighted Average Exercise
Price Per Share |
|||||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2015 | 7,915,533 | $ | 0.27 | |||||
| Issued | – | – | ||||||
| Exercised | (2,019,236 | ) | 0.13 | |||||
| Cancelled or expired | (257,887 | ) | 3.00 | |||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2015 | 5,638,410 | 0.20 | ||||||
| Issued | – | – | ||||||
| Exercised | (5,211,542 | ) | 0.13 | |||||
| Cancelled or expired | (126,868 | ) | 3.00 | |||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2016 | 300,000 | $ | 0.20 | |||||
There were no warrants granted, 5,211,542 warrants exercised and 126,868 cancelled or forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2016. There were no warrants granted, 2,019,236 warrants exercised and 257,887 cancelled or forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2015.
NOTE K – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On May 18 and June 4, 2015, now former director, William Davis and current Chief Executive Officer Jason Tienor each signed a General Indemnity Agreement pledging personal property on behalf of the Company for a customer contract that required bonding. The Company agreed to compensate each in the amount of $3,000, grossed up to accommodate their 2015 federal income tax liability associated with the payments.
On July 15 and July 17, 2015, Messrs. Davis and Tienor each signed a General Indemnity Agreement pledging personal property on behalf of the Company for another customer contract that required bonding. The Company agreed to compensate each in the amount of $2,000, grossed up to accommodate their 2015 federal income tax liability associated with the payments. The amounts owed to Messrs. Davis and Tienor as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, were zero and $11,994, respectively, and were recorded in accrued liabilities and expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
On August 4, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to reimburse Peter T. Kross (“Mr. Kross”), $161,075 for expenses incurred related to his successful contested proxy. Effective June 27, 2016, Mr. Kross is a director of the Company and considered a related party. On August 30, 2016, Mr. Kross accepted an unsecured promissory note (“Kross Note”) for $161,075 from the Company. The outstanding principal balance bears interest at the annual rate of 3.0%. Payment of interest and principal began on September 1, 2016 and will continue monthly on the first day of each month thereafter through and including June 1, 2017; the Company is required to pay equal monthly installments of $16,330 which includes all remaining principal and accrued interest owed by the Company to Mr. Kross under the Kross Note. The Company may prepay in advance any unpaid principal or interest due under the Kross Note without premium or penalty. The principal balance of the Kross Note as of December 31, 2016 was $97,127. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company made principal and interest payments of $65,319 to Mr. Kross.
| F- 22 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company agreed to issue common stock in the amount of $72,000 to the Company’s non-employee directors as compensation for their attendance and participation in the Company’s Board of Director and committee meetings.
On July 1, 2016, each newly elected Board of Director member, Mr. Kross, Mr. Blatt and Mr. Byrnes were each granted 100,000 stock options per the Company’s Board of Director compensation plan. These options have an expiration period of ten years, vest quarterly over five years and have an exercise price of $0.19.
From time to time the Company may receive advances from certain of its officers in the form of salary deferment, cash advances to meet short term working capital needs. These advances may not have formal repayment terms or arrangements. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no such arrangements.
NOTE L – INCOME TAXES
The Company follows ASC 740-10 “Income Taxes” which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statement or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
A reconciliation of tax expense computed at the statutory federal tax rate on income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes to the actual income tax (benefit) / expense is as follows:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Tax provision (benefits) computed at the statutory rate | $ | (1,304,289 | ) | $ | (1,092,230 | ) | ||
| State taxes | (26,981 | ) | 12,921 | |||||
| Book expenses not deductible for tax purposes | 16,380 | 18,960 | ||||||
| Expired capital losses | – | 110,291 | ||||||
| Other | 2,747 | (14,272 | ) | |||||
| (1,312,143 | ) | (964,330 | ) | |||||
| Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets | 1,332,257 | 961,116 | ||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 20,114 | $ | (3,214 | ) | |||
During 2016, approximately $900,000 of state net operating loss carryforwards expired and the Company lowered its effective state tax rate. The aggregate effect of these items resulted in a reduction to the allowance of approximately $80,000.
Deferred income taxes include the net tax effects of net operating loss (NOL) carry forwards and the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets are as follows:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Deferred Tax Assets: | ||||||||
| Net operating loss carry forwards | $ | 34,458,920 | $ | 32,979,306 | ||||
| Intangibles | 781,920 | 908,461 | ||||||
| Other | 580,125 | 534,646 | ||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | 35,820,965 | 34,422,413 | ||||||
| Deferred Tax Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Intangibles | (933,433 | ) | (734,047 | ) | ||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (933,433 | ) | (734,047 | ) | ||||
| Valuation allowance | (35,820,965 | ) | (34,422,413 | ) | ||||
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | (933,433 | ) | $ | (734,047 | ) | ||
A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability of the Company to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future and in the appropriate taxing jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company’s valuation allowance, established for the tax benefit that may not be realized, totaled approximately $35,820,000 and $34,420,000, respectively. The overall increase in the valuation allowance is related to the federal and state losses generated for the year ended December 31, 2016, less the federal and state loss carryforwards that expired as of December 31, 2016.
| F- 23 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
At December 31, 2016 the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $97,200,000 and $51,100,000 for federal and state income tax purposes, respectively, which will expire at various dates from 2017 – 2036.
The Company has indefinite-lived goodwill, which is not amortized for financial reporting purposes. However, this asset is amortized over 15 years for tax purposes. As such, income tax expense and a deferred income tax liability arise as a result of the tax-deductibility of this asset. The resulting deferred income tax liability, which is expected to continue to increase over time, will have an indefinite life, resulting in what is referred to as a “naked tax credit.” This deferred income tax liability could remain on the Company’s balance sheet permanently unless there is an impairment of the related asset (for financial reporting purposes), or the business to which those assets relate were to be disposed. Due to the fact that the aforementioned deferred income tax liability could have an indefinite life, it is not netted against the Company’s deferred tax assets when determining the required valuation allowance. Doing so would result in the understatement of the valuation allowance and related income tax expense.
The Company’s NOL and tax credit carryovers may be significantly limited under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). NOL and tax credit carryovers are limited under Section 382 when there is a significant “ownership change” as defined in the IRC. During 2005 and in prior years, the Company may have experienced such ownership changes that could have imposed such limitations.
The limitation imposed by Section 382 would place an annual limitation on the amount of NOL and tax credit carryovers that can be utilized. When the Company completes the necessary studies, the amount of NOL carryovers available may be reduced significantly. However, since the valuation allowance fully reserves for all available carryovers, the effect of the reduction would be offset by a reduction in the valuation allowance.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is generally no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012 and various states before 2012. Although these years are no longer subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and various state taxing authorities, net operating loss carryforwards generated in those years may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS or state taxing authorities if they have been or will be used in a future period.
The Company follows the provisions of uncertain tax positions as addressed in FASB Accounting Standards Codification 740-10-65-1. The Company recognized no change in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company has no tax positions at December 31, 2016 or 2015 for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expense. No such interest or penalties were recognized during the periods presented. The Company had no accruals for interest and penalties at December 31, 2016 or 2015. The Company’s utilization of any net operating loss carryforwards may be unlikely due to its continuing losses.
NOTE M – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Office Leases Obligations
In October 2013, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 6,362 square feet of commercial office space in Waukesha, Wisconsin for its corporate headquarters. The Waukesha lease expires in April 2021.
The Company leased 16,416 square feet of commercial office space in Germantown, Maryland. The lease commitments expired in December 2015. On July 15, 2011, Telkonet executed a sublease agreement for 11,626 square feet of the office space in Germantown, Maryland. The subtenant received one month rent abatement and had the option to extend the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015. On June 27, 2012 the subtenant exercised the option to extend the expiration of the term of the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015.
In January 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 2,237 square feet of commercial office space in Germantown, Maryland for its Maryland employee’s. The Germantown lease was set to expire at the end of January 2017. In December 2016, the Company entered into a first amendment to the lease agreement extending the lease through the end of January 2018.
| F- 24 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Commitments for minimum rentals under non-cancelable leases as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:
| Years ending December 31, | ||||||
| 2017 | $ | 80,604 | ||||
| 2018 | 79,065 | |||||
| 2019 | 80,646 | |||||
| 2020 | 82,259 | |||||
| 2021 | 34,880 | |||||
| Total | $ | 357,454 | ||||
Rental expenses charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $169,807 and $206,307, respectively. Sub-rental income received for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was zero and $136,666, respectively.
Employment and Consulting Agreements
The Company has employment agreements with certain of its key employees which include non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions for protection of the Company’s proprietary information.
Jason L. Tienor, President and Chief Executive Officer, is employed pursuant to an amended and restated employment agreement with us dated January 3, 2016, which was executed in January, 2017. The agreement amends and restates an employment agreement dated May 1, 2015. Mr. Tienor’s amended and restated employment agreement has a term of one (1) year, which may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties thereto, and provides, among other things, for an annual base salary of $212,200 per year and bonuses and benefits based on the Company’s internal policies and participation in our incentive and benefit plans. The agreement also calls for a bonus to be paid upon the sale of the Company’s subsidiary resulting in a purchase price (before any closing costs or working capital adjustments) equal to or greater than twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000). The bonus will be equal to twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) plus one third of five percent of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of twelve million five hundred dollars ($12,500,000). Upon execution of the employment agreement in 2017, 1,000,000 stock options were granted at their fair market value and vest over a three year period. However, the stock options vest immediately upon the sale of the Company’s subsidiary, Ethostream LLC, in March 2017.
Jeffrey J. Sobieski, Chief Technology Officer, is employed pursuant to an amended and restated employment agreement with us dated January 3, 2016, which was executed in January, 2017. The agreement amends and restates an employment agreement dated May 1, 2015. Mr. Sobieski’s amended and restated employment agreement has a term of one (1) year, which may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties thereto, and provides for a base salary of $201,575 per year and bonuses and benefits based upon the Company’s internal policies and participation in the Company’s incentive and benefit plans. The agreement also calls for a bonus to be paid upon the sale of the Company’s subsidiary resulting in a purchase price (before any closing costs or working capital adjustments) equal to or greater than twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000). The bonus will be equal to twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) plus one third of five percent of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of twelve million five hundred dollars ($12,500,000). Upon execution of the employment agreement in 2017, 1,000,000 stock options were granted at their fair market value and vest over a three year period. However, the stock options vest immediately upon the sale of the Company’s subsidiary, Ethostream LLC, in March 2017.
Matthew P. Koch, Chief Operations Officer, is employed pursuant to an amended and restated employment agreement with us dated January 3, 2016, which was executed in January, 2017. Mr. Koch’s amended and restated employment agreement has a term of one (1) year, which may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties thereto, and provides for a base salary of $143,900 per year and bonuses and benefits based upon the Company’s internal policies and participation in the Company’s incentive and benefit plans. The agreement also calls for a bonus to be paid upon the sale of the Company’s subsidiary resulting in a purchase price (before any closing costs or working capital adjustments) equal to or greater than twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000). The bonus will be equal to twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) plus one third of five percent of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of twelve million five hundred dollars ($12,500,000). Upon execution of the employment agreement in 2017, 1,000,000 stock options were granted at their fair market value and vest over a three year period. However, the stock options vest immediately upon the sale of the Company’s subsidiary, Ethostream LLC, in March 2017.
In addition to the foregoing, stock options are periodically granted to employees under the Company’s 2010 equity incentive plan at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Executives of the Company are eligible to receive stock option grants, based upon individual performance and the performance of the Company as a whole.
| F- 25 |
TELKONET, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
Litigation
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company believes that the final disposition of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Indemnification Agreements
On March 31, 2010, the Company entered into Indemnification Agreements with director William H. Davis, and executives Jason L. Tienor, President and Chief Executive Officer and Jeffrey J. Sobieski, then Chief Operating Officer. On April 24, 2012, the Company entered into an Indemnification Agreement with director Timothy S. Ledwick. On July 1, 2016, the Company entered into Indemnification Agreements with director’s Arthur E. Byrnes, Peter T. Kross and Leland D. Blatt. On January 1, 2017, the Company entered into an Indemnification Agreements with Chief Financial Officer Richard E. Mushrush.
The Indemnification Agreements provide that the Company will indemnify the Company's officers and directors, to the fullest extent permitted by law, relating to, resulting from or arising out of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation by reason of the fact that such officer or director (i) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or (ii) is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In addition, the Indemnification Agreements provide that the Company will make an advance payment of expenses to any officer or director who has entered into an Indemnification Agreement, in order to cover a claim relating to any fact or occurrence arising from or relating to events or occurrences specified in this paragraph, subject to receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such officer or director to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized under the Indemnification Agreement.
Sales Taxes
During 2012, the Company engaged a sales tax consultant to assist in determining the extent of its potential sales tax exposure. Based upon this analysis, management determined the Company had probable exposure for certain unpaid obligations, including interest and penalty, of approximately $1,100,000 including and prior to the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company had approximately $227,000 and $190,000 accrued for this exposure as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company continues to manage the liability by establishing voluntary disclosure agreements (VDAs) with the applicable states, which establishes a maximum look-back period and payment arrangements. However, if the aforementioned methods prove unsuccessful and the Company is examined or challenged by taxing authorities, there exists possible exposure of an additional $30,000, not including any applicable interest and penalties.
Prior to 2016, the Company successfully executed and paid in full VDAs in thirty one states totaling approximately $695,000 and is current with the subsequent filing requirements.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company executed and paid five VDA’s totaling approximately $70,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the state of Wisconsin perform a sales and use tax audit covering the period from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015. The Company estimates the audit could result in approximately $120,000 in additional use tax and interest and have appropriately accrued and expensed this amount in the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of operations as of December 31, 2016.
The following table sets forth the change in the sales tax accrual during the years ended December 31:
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Balance, Beginning of year | $ | 189,697 | $ | 35,951 | ||||
| Sales tax collected | 310,823 | 175,044 | ||||||
| Provisions | 151,000 | 164,593 | ||||||
| Payments | (424,105 | ) | (185,891 | ) | ||||
| Balance, End of year | $ | 227,415 | $ | 189,697 | ||||
| F- 26 |
NOTE N – BUSINESS CONCENTRATION
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, no single customer represented 10% or more of the Company’s total net revenues from continuing operations.
As of December 31, 2016, two customers accounted for 24% of the Company’s net accounts receivable from continuing operations. As of December 31, 2015, two customers accounted for accounted for 20% of the Company’s net accounts receivable from continuing operations.
Purchases from one supplier approximated $2,235,000, or 62%, of total purchases for the year ended December 31, 2016 and approximately $2,117,000, or 70%, of total purchases for the year ended December 31, 2015 from continuing operations. Total due to this supplier, net of deposits, was $45,037 and $437,520 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
NOTE O – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
The Company has an employee savings plan covering substantially all employees who are at least 21 years of age and have completed at least 6 months of service. Effective January 1, 2012, the plan provides for matching contributions equal to 100% of each dollar contributed by the employee up to 4% of the employee’s salary. The Company’s matching contributions vest immediately. The Company may also elect to make discretionary contributions. The Company made contributions to the plan of approximately $172,000 and $153,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
NOTE P – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In October of 2016, the Company, under the direction and authority of the Board of Directors, committed to a plan to offer for sale Ethostream LLC, High-Speed Internet Access (“HSIA”) subsidiary. While EthoStream is one of the largest public HSIA providers in the world, providing services to more than 12.0 million users monthly across a network of approximately 1,800 locations, the Company will focus on its higher growth potential EcoSmart Platform line. As a result of this decision to sell Ethostream LLC, the operating results of Ethostream for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been reclassified as discontinued operations and as assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated financial statements as detailed in the table below.
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 106,743 | $ | 271,446 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 456,478 | 315,278 | ||||||
| Inventories | 350,506 | 159,559 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 12,980 | 11,281 | ||||||
| Other asset - goodwill | 5,796,430 | – | ||||||
| Other asset – intangible asset, net | 533,577 | – | ||||||
| Current assets held for sale | 7,256,714 | 757,564 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | – | 437 | ||||||
| Goodwill | – | 5,796,430 | ||||||
| Intangible asset, net | – | 775,257 | ||||||
| Deposits | – | 10,130 | ||||||
| Long-term assets held for sale | – | 6,582,254 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 465,346 | 339,918 | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities and expenses | 241,123 | 187,015 | ||||||
| Deferred revenues | 37,509 | 48,161 | ||||||
| Customer deposits | 200,466 | 263,384 | ||||||
| Deferred lease liability | 76,096 | 12,795 | ||||||
| Current liabilities held for sale | 1,020,540 | 851,273 | ||||||
| Deferred lease liability | – | 76,096 | ||||||
| Long-term liabilities held for sale | – | 76,096 | ||||||
| Net assets of discontinued operations | $ | 6,236,174 | $ | 6,412,449 | ||||
| F-27 |
The following table summarizes the statements of operations information for discontinued operations.
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Revenues, net: | ||||||||
| Product | $ | 3,529,012 | $ | 3,666,201 | ||||
| Recurring | 3,894,998 | 3,890,108 | ||||||
| Total Net Revenues | 7,424,010 | 7,556,309 | ||||||
| Cost of Sales: | ||||||||
| Product | 2,235,641 | 2,134,547 | ||||||
| Recurring | 925,212 | 858,704 | ||||||
| Total Cost of Sales | 3,160,853 | 2,993,251 | ||||||
| Gross Profit | 4,263,157 | 4,563,058 | ||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 2,511 | – | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,191,385 | 1,258,700 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 242,117 | 244,284 | ||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 1,436,013 | 1,502,984 | ||||||
| Income from Discontinued Operations before Provision for Income Taxes | 2,827,144 | 3,060,074 | ||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 199,386 | 200,286 | ||||||
| Income from Discontinued Operations (net of tax) | $ | 2,627,758 | $ | 2,859,788 | ||||
The consolidated statements of cash flows do not present the cash flows from discontinued operations for investing activities or financing activities because there were no investing or financing activities associated with the discontinued operations in the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
NOTE Q – SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On March 28, 2017, the Company, and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, EthoStream LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“EthoStream”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with DCI-Design Communications LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“DCI”), whereby DCI would acquire all of the assets and certain liabilities of EthoStream for a cash purchase price of $12,750,000. The Purchase Agreement includes that proceeds of $900,000 are to be withheld from the $12,750,000 cash purchase price and placed into an escrow account to support potential indemnification obligations of up to $800,000 and net working capital adjustments of up to $100,000. The escrow amount, net of potential claims, would be fully released after an escrow period not to exceed 12 months after closing. The assets included, among other items, certain inventory, contracts and intellectual property. DCI acquired only the liabilities provided for in the Purchase Agreement. On March 29, 2017, pursuant to the terms and the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, the Company closed on the sale. Further details of the transaction can be referenced in our Form 8-K filed with the Security and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2017.
| F- 28 |
Exhibit 10.17
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated January 3, 2016 by and between Telkonet, Inc, a Utah corporation ("Telkonet" or "Company") and Jason L. Tienor ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company previously entered into an employment agreement dated as of May 1, 2015 (the ''Prior Employment Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate the Prior Employment Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, Telkonet desires to employ Executive and to secure for itself the experience, abilities and services of Executive in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer of Telkonet upon the terms and conditions specified herein; and
WHEREAS, Executive will continue to provide services to Telkonet, now pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which will supersede and replace the Prior Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for such other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby conclusively acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Duties and Scope of Employment .
| (a) | Positions and Duties . Telkonet hereby employs Executive in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer of Telkonet to perform such executive, management and administrative services and other customary duties consistent with Executive's position as a senior executive officer within the Company as set forth in the Telkonet by-laws and as Telkonet, by action of its Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors ("Board"), may request from time to time. |
| (b) | Location . Executive's place of work shall be 20800 Swenson Dr., Suite 175, Waukesha, WI 53186. The Company shall be entitled to require the Executive to travel to work at such other places as business needs require. |
2. Term . The Initial Term of the Executive's employment hereunder (the "Initial Term") shall commence on January 3, 2016 (the "Effective Date"), and will continue for one (1) year from the Effective Date. If neither the Company nor the Executive has provided the other with written notice of an intention to terminate this Agreement at least thirty (30) days before the end of the Initial Term (or any subsequent renewal period), this Agreement will automatically renew for a twelve (12) month period. For purposes of this Agreement, the word "Term" means the Initial Term and any renewal period pursuant to the preceding sentence and any extension pursuant to clause (ii) of the following sentence. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences (i) this Agreement may be terminated earlier as provided pursuant to Section 6 and (ii) if a Sale of the Company occurs during the Term, then the Term shall not end before the first anniversary of the date of the Sale of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Sale of the Company" means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50% of the outstanding voting capital stock of Company) of the equity interests of Company (or any direct or indirect parent of Company), or the majority of Company's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed by a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether Company has control of said joint venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of Company.
| 1 |
3. Extent of Services . During the Term and any extension thereof, Executive shall devote his full time, ability, attention and efforts to the performance, to the best of his abilities, of such duties and responsibilities, as described in Section 1 above, and as the Chief Executive Officer shall determine, consistent therewith.
4. Compensatio n .
| (a) | Salary . Executive shall be paid $212,200.00 on an annualized basis in accordance with Telkonet's normal payroll practices, and be subject to all lawfully required withholdings. The base salary may be increased, at any time, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board. |
| (b) | Annual Performance Bonus . The Chief Executive Officer, the Board and the Executive will agree upon terms and conditions. The actual annual performance bonus amount will be based on metrics provided by the Board of Directors. |
| (c) | Bonuses Upon Sale of the Subsidiary and/or Sale of the Company . In the event of the Sale of the Subsidiary and/or the Sale of the Company (as defined in the Exhibit A attached hereto), Executive shall be entitled to a bonus pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit A. · |
| (d) | Executive Participation in Telkonet Staff Benefits Plans . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in any group health programs and other benefit plans, which may be instituted from time-to time for Telkonet employees, and for which Executive qualifies under the terms of such plans. All such benefits shall be provided on the same terms and conditions as generally apply to all other Telkonet employees under these plans and may be modified by Telkonet from time-to-time. |
| (e) | Expenses . Executive shall be reimbursed by Telkonet for all ordinary, reasonable, customary and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties and responsibilities. Executive agrees to prepare documentation for such expenses as may be necessary for Telkonet to comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service and Telkonet's existing policy. Telkonet will provide a stipend equal to $323 per pay period to Executive for the purpose of obtaining an auto for the Executive's business use. |
| (f) | Equity . Executive is eligible to participate in the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan, in accordance with the terms of such plan and awards as granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board. |
| (g) | Stock Option . Upon execution of this Agreement (the "Execution Date"), Executive shall receive a grant of One Million (1,000,000) stock options (the "Stock Options''), subject to Executive's execution of a Stock Option Agreement, and granted pursuant to the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan. The Stock Options shall be granted at fair market value as of the date of this Agreement, and shall vest over a three (3) year period, with 33% of the shares vesting on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Execution Date, 33% of the shares vesting on the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the Execution Date, and the remaining 34% of the shares 011 the thirty-six (36) month anniversary of the Execution Date.. Provided, however, that 100% of the Stock Options shall immediately vest upon the Sale of the Subsidiary or the Sale of the Company (as those terms are defined in Exhibit A), regardless of whether Executive remains employed by Telkonet as of the date of such sale. Executive shall have twelve (12) months from the date of termination of his employment with the Company to exercise any Stock Options. |
| 2 |
5. Vacation . At full pay and without any adverse effect to his compensation, provided that all other terms and conditions of this Agreement are satisfied, Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of vacation for each full calendar year during the term of this Agreement. Executive agrees to schedule his vacation leave in advance upon written notice to Chief Executive Officer or other designated individuals. Carryover of vacation days shall be consistent with Company's existing policy.
6. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement, or upon the first to occur of any of the following events:
| (a) | The death of Executive. |
| (b) | The mutual consent of Executive and Telkonet. Executive shall then receive (i) an amount equal to Executive's base salary for the period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination in accordance with the Company's payroll schedule applicable to all employees and (ii) if the Executive elects to participate, in a timely manner, in the Company's group health insurance plan in accordance with the mandates of the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), the Company will, pay for any applicable health insurance premiums for such COBRA coverage, for a period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. If the Executive becomes eligible for similar benefits from another employer, Telkonet will reimburse Executive for the Employee's share of current employer's health insurance premium ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination; should the Executive wish to continue COBRA coverage after the period of time during which the Company has agreed to pay the normal employer's share of COBRA coverage, the Executive agrees and acknowledges that he will be solely responsible for payment of any amounts required by the Company to continue health insurance coverage in accordance with COBRA. The Executive agrees to notify the Company in the event he obtains other health insurance coverage within ten (10) business days of becoming eligible for such coverage. |
| (c) | "Cause" exists for termination. For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (1) theft, fraud, embezzlement, or any other act of intentional dishonesty by Executive; (2) any material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement which breach is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed fourteen (14) days) after written notification thereof to Executive by Telkonet; (3) any habitual neglect of duty or misconduct of Executive in discharging any of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement after a written demand for performance was delivered to Executive that specifically identified the manner in which the Board believed the Executive had failed to discharge his duties and responsibilities, and the Executive failed to resume substantial performance of such duties and responsibilities on a continual basis immediately following such demand; (4) commission by Executive of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude; or (5) any default of Executive's obligations hereunder, or any failure or refusal of Executive to comply with the policies, rules and regulations of Telkonet generally applicable to Telkonet employees, which default, failure or refusal is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed fourteen (14) days) after written notification thereof to Executive by Telkonet. If cause exists for termination, Executive shall be entitled to no further compensation, except for accrued leave and vacation and except as may be required by applicable law. |
| (d) | "Good reason" exists for Executive to terminate his employment with Telkonet. For purposes of this Agreement, "good reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (1) any material adverse reduction in the scope of Executive's authority or responsibilities; (2) any reduction in the amount of Executive's compensation or participation in any employee benefits; or (3) Executive's principal place of employment is actually or constructively moved to any office or other location 75 miles or more outside of Milwaukee, WI. If Executive terminates his employment with Telkonet for "good reason," then, upon notice to Telkonet by Executive of such termination, Telkonet shall continue to pay Executive's base salary and provide Executive with continued participation in each employee benefit plan, in accordance with the mandates of COBRA (see Section 6.(b)(ii)), in which Executive participated immediately prior to the termination date for the period starting on the first day after the termination date and ending upon expiration of the Term, or if such period is less than twelve (12) months, for a period of twelve (12) months from such notice. |
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| (e) | I f Executive is terminated by Telkonet for any reason other than for "cause", unless such termination occurs in connection with the Sale of the Company as defined in the attached Exhibit A, Executive shall receive: (i) an amount equal to Executive's base salary for the period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination in accordance with the Company's payroll schedule applicable to all employees and (ii) pay for any applicable health insurance premiums, in accordance with the mandates of COBRA (see Section 6.(b)(ii)), for a period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. If the Executive becomes eligible for similar benefits from another employer, Telkonet will reimburse Executive for the Employee's share of current employer's health insurance premium ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. |
| (f) | In the event of a termination under (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this paragraph 6, within thirty (30) days of the separation date, Telkonet shall make a lump sum payment of any back pay, Executive loans or deferments then due and owing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement shall not terminate or expire under (e) of this paragraph six unless and until (iii) Executive is reimbursed for any back pay, Executive loans or deferments then due and owing. |
| (g) | If Executive's employment terminates by reason of death or disability, then (i) Executive will be entitled to receive benefits only in accordance with the Company's then applicable plans, policies, and arrangements. |
| (h) | Separation Agreement and Release of Claims . The receipt of any severance pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims (the "Release") in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, which becomes effective within thirty (30) days following Executive's separation from service. The Release will provide (among other things) that Executive will not disparage the Company, its directors, or its executive officers for 12 months following the date of termination and the Company will instruct its officers and directors not to disparage the Executive. No severance pursuant to this Agreement will be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective. |
| (i) | No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment. |
| (j ) | No-Inducement . In the event of a termination of Executive's employment that otherwise would entitle Executive to the receipt of severance and other benefits pursuant to this Agreement, Executive agrees that as a condition to receipt of such severance, during the 12 month period following termination of employment, Executive, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, owner, sole proprietor, partner, director, founder or otherwise, will not, solicit, induce, or influence any person to modify their employment or consulting relationship with the Company (the "No Inducement"). If Executive breaches the No-Inducement, all payments and benefits to which Executive otherwise may be entitled pursuant to this Section 6 will cease immediately. |
7. Surrender of Books and Papers . Upon termination of this Agreement (irrespective of the time, manner, or cause of termination, be it for cause or otherwise), Executive shall immediately surrender to Telkonet all books, records, or other written papers or documents entrusted to him or which he has otherwise acquired pertaining to Telkonet and all other Telkonet property in Executive's possession, custody or control.
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8. Inventions and Patents . Executive agrees that Executive will promptly, from time-to time, fully inform and disclose to Telkonet any and all ideas, concepts, copyrights, copyrightable material, developments, inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries of whatever nature that Executive may have or produced during the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement that pertain or relate to the then current business of Telkonet (the "Creations"), whether conceived by Executive alone or with others and whether or not conceived during regular working hours. All Creations shall be the exclusive property of Telkonet and shall be "works made for hire" as defined in 17 U.S.C. §101, and Telkonet shall own all rights in and to the Creations throughout the world, without payment of royalty or other consideration to Executive or anyone claiming through Executive. Executive hereby transfers and assigns to Telkonet (or its designee) all right, title and interest in and to every Creation. Executive shall assist Telkonet in obtaining patents or copyrights on all such inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries being patentable or copyrightable by Executive or Telkonet and shall execute all documents and do all things reasonably necessary (at Telkonet's sole cost and expense) to obtain letters of patent or copyright, vest Telkonet with full and exclusive title thereto, and protect the same against infringement by third parties, and such assistance shall be given by Executive, if needed, after termination of this Agreement for whatever cause or reason. Executive hereby represents and warrants that Executive has no current or future obligation with respect to the assignment or disclosure of any or all developments, inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries of whatever nature to any previous Employer, entity or other person and that Executive does not claim any rights or interest in or to any previous unpatented or uncopyrighted developments, inventions, designs, improvements or discoveries.
9. Trade Secrets, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .
| (a) | Trade Secrets . Contemporaneous with the execution of this Agreement and during the term of employment under this Agreement, Telkonet shall deliver to Executive or permit Executive to have access to and become familiar with various confidential information and trade secrets of Telkonet, including without limitation, data, production methods, customer lists, product format or developments, other information concerning the business of Telkonet and other unique processes, procedures, services and products of Telkonet, which are regularly used in the operation of the business of Telkonet (collectively, the "Confidential Information''). For purposes of the preceding sentence, information is not treated as being Confidential Information if it: (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by Executive in violation of this Agreement; (ii) is obtained by Executive in good faith from a third party who discloses such information to Executive on a non-confidential basis without violating any obligation of confidentiality or secrecy relating to the information disclosed; (iii) is independently developed by Executive outside the scope of his employment without use of Confidential Information; or (iv) is Executive's personnel information. Executive shall not disclose any of the Confidential Information that he receives from Telkonet or their clients and customers in the course of his employment with Telkonet, directly or indirectly, nor use it in any way, either during the term of this Agreement or for a period of five (5) years thereafter, except as required in the course of employment with Telkonet. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes Telkonet, a fiduciary duty to preserve and protect all Confidential Information from unauthorized disclosure or unauthorized use. All files, records, documents, drawings, graphics, processes, specifications, equipment and similar items relating to the business of Telkonet, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise coming into Executive's possession in the course of his employment with Telkonet, shall remain the exclusive property of Telkonet and shall not be removed from the premises of Telkonet without the prior written consent of Telkonet unless removed in relation to the performance of Executive’s duties under this. Agreement. Any such files, records, documents, drawings, graphics, specifications, equipment and similar items, and any and all copies of such materials which have been removed from the premises of Telkonet, shall be returned by Executive to Telkonet. For purposes of this Section 9, "Telkonet" means Telkonet, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates and all successors and predecessors in interest to Telkonet. |
| (b) | Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that he will be provided with and have access to the Confidential Information, the unauthorized use or disclosure of which would cause irreparable injury to Telkonet, that Telkonet's willingness to enter into this Agreement is based in material part on Executive's agreement to the provisions of this Section 9(b) and that Executive's breach of the provisions of this Section would materially and irreparably damage Telkonet. In consideration for Telkonet's disclosure of Confidential Information to Executive, Executive's access to the Confidential Information, and the salary paid to executive hereunder, Executive agrees that during the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement and for one (1) year after the termination of Executive's employment and regardless whether such termination is with or without cause, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an executive, employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director, advisor or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Restricted Business (as defined herein) in North America. "Restricted Business" means any business conducted by Telkonet at the time of separation of the Executive from Telkonet. |
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| (c) | Reasonableness of Restrictions . Executive acknowledges that the restrictions set forth in Section 9(b) of this Agreement are reasonable in scope and necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of Telkonet. Executive agrees that should any portion of the covenants in Section 9 be unenforceable because of the scope thereof or the period covered thereby or otherwise, the covenant shall be deemed to be reduced and limited to enable it to be enforced to the maximum extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in the jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. |
| (d) | Injunctive Relief; Ext ension of Restrictive Period. In the event of a breach of any of the covenants, by Executive or Telkonet contained in this Agreement, it is understood that damages will be difficult to ascertain, and either party may petition a court of law or equity for injunctive relief in addition to any other relief which Executive or Telkonet may have under the law, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees. |
10. Indemnification and Insurance . Executive will be covered under the Company's insurance policies and, subject to applicable law, will be provided indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by the Company's bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and standard form of Indemnification Agreement, with such insurance coverage and indemnification to be in accordance with the Company's standard practices for senior executive officers but on terms no less favorable than provided to any other Company senior executive officer or director.
11. Miscellaneous .
| (a) | This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Executive shall not assign any part of his rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Telkonet. |
| (b) | This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes any and all prior understandings and agreements between the parties regarding Executive's employment. |
| (c) | No modification hereof shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced, unless it can be shown through custom, usage or course of action. |
| (d) | This Agreement is executed in, and it is the intention of the parties hereto that it shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to applicable conflict of laws provisions. |
| (e) | The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. |
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| (f) | Any notice or communication permitted or required by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall become effective upon personal service, or service by wire transmission, which has been acknowledged by the other party as being received, or two (2) days after its mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid addressed as follows; |
| (1) | If to Telkonet: |
Attn; Chief Executive Officer
20800 Swenson Dr., Suite 175
Waukesha, WI 53186.
| (2) | If to Executive: |
To the last residential address known
by the Company as provided by
Executive in writing.
| (g) | Acknowledgment . Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement. |
| (h) | Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Telkonet and Executive have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
| TELKONET,INC. | EXECUTIVE | ||
| By: | /s/ Gene Mushrush | /s/ Jason L. Tienor | |
| Gene Mushrush | Jason L. Tienor, an individual | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||
| Date: | 1/3/17 | Date: January 3, 2017 | |
[Signature Page- Employment Agreement]
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EXHIBIT A
1. Bonus Upon Sale of the Subsidiary . Contemporaneously with Telkonet's consummation of any Sale of the Subsidiary (as defined below), and conditioned upon the Sale of the Subsidiary resulting in a purchase price (before any closing costs or working capital adjustments) equal to or greater than Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000) and Executive remaining employed by Telkonet through at least the date of the Sale of the Subsidiary, Executive shall be entitled to a base bonus of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) plus one third of five percent of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Sale of the Subsidiary'' means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50%) of the outstanding voting capital stock of EthoStream LLC or the equity interests of EthoStream LLC, or the majority of EthoStream LLC's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed to a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether EthoStream LLC has control of said join venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of EthoStream LLC. For the avoidance of doubt, an example of the bonus calculation identified in this paragraph is set forth below:
| Examples | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (all numbers in $000s) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales Price | $ | 12,400 | $ | 12,500 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 13,500 | $ | 14,000 | ||||||||||
| Base Bonus (Total for All Executives) | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | ||||||||||||
| Over-performance Bonus (Total for All Executives) | $ | 25.0 | $ | 50.0 | $ | 75.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Bonus Paid to All Executives by Company | $ | 75.0 | $ | 100.0 | $ | 125.0 | $ | 150.0 | ||||||||||||
| % Sales Price | NA | 0.6% | ~0.8% | ~0.9% | ~1.0% | |||||||||||||||
| Per Executive | $ | 25.0 | $ | 33.3 | $ | 41.7 | $ | 50.0 | ||||||||||||
2. Bonus for Events After Sale of the Subsidiary . After the Sale of the Subsidiary, the Company may pay Executive a bonus for additional Company related events that Executive may be involved with following the Sale of the Subsidiary.
3. Bonus Upon Sale of the Company . Contemporaneously with Telkonet's consummation of any Sale of the Company (as defined below), and conditioned upon Executive remaining employed by Telkonet through at least the date of the Sale of the Company, Company shall pay Executive a base bonus equal to six (6) months of Executive's then current base salary, plus two percent (2%) of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of Twenty Seven Million Dollars ($27,000,000). Such bonus shall be paid in one lump sum upon the closing of that transaction. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Sale of the Company" means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50% of the outstanding voting capital stock of Company) of the equity interests of Company (or any direct or indirect parent of Company), or the majority of Company's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed by a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether Company has control of said joint venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of Company.
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Exhibit 10.18
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated January 3, 2016 by and between Telkonet, Inc, a Utah corporation ("Telkonet" or "Company") and Jeffrey Sobieski ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company previously entered into an employment agreement dated as of May 1, 2015 (the ''Prior Employment Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate the Prior Employment Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, Telkonet desires to employ Executive and to secure for itself the experience, abilities and services of Executive in the capacity of Chief Technology Officer of Telkonet upon the terms and conditions specified herein; and
WHEREAS, Executive will continue to provide services to Telkonet, now pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which will supersede and replace the Prior Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for such other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby conclusively acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Duties and Scope of Employment .
| (a) | Positions and Duties . Telkonet hereby employs Executive in the capacity of Chief Technology Officer of Telkonet to perform such executive, management and administrative services and other customary duties consistent with Executive's position as a senior executive officer within the Company as set forth in the Telkonet by-laws and as Telkonet, by action of its Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors ("Board"), may request from time to time. |
| (b) | Location . Executive's place of work shall be 20800 Swenson Dr., Suite 175, Waukesha, WI 53186. The Company shall be entitled to require the Executive to travel to work at such other places as business needs require. |
2. Term . The Initial Term of the Executive's employment hereunder (the "Initial Term") shall commence on January 3, 2016 (the "Effective Date"), and will continue for one (1) year from the Effective Date. If neither the Company nor the Executive has provided the other with written notice of an intention to terminate this Agreement at least thirty (30) days before the end of the Initial Term (or any subsequent renewal period), this Agreement will automatically renew for a twelve (12) month period. For purposes of this Agreement, the word "Term" means the Initial Term and any renewal period pursuant to the preceding sentence and any extension pursuant to clause (ii) of the following sentence. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences (i) this Agreement may be terminated earlier as provided pursuant to Section 6 and (ii) if a Sale of the Company occurs during the Term, then the Term shall not end before the first anniversary of the date of the Sale of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Sale of the Company" means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50% of the outstanding voting capital stock of Company) of the equity interests of Company (or any direct or indirect parent of Company), or the majority of Company's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed by a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether Company has control of said joint venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of Company.
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3. Extent of Services . During the Term and any extension thereof, Executive shall devote his full time, ability, attention and efforts to the performance, to the best of his abilities, of such duties and responsibilities, as described in Section 1 above, and as the Chief Executive Officer shall determine, consistent therewith.
4. Compensatio n .
| (a) | Salary . Executive shall be paid $201,575.00 on an annualized basis in accordance with Telkonet's normal payroll practices, and be subject to all lawfully required withholdings. The base salary may be increased, at any time, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board. |
| (b) | Annual Performance Bonus . The Chief Executive Officer, the Board and the Executive will agree upon terms and conditions. The actual annual performance bonus amount will be based on metrics provided by the Board of Directors. |
| (c) | Bonuses Upon Sale of the Subsidiary and/or Sale of the Company . In the event of the Sale of the Subsidiary and/or the Sale of the Company (as defined in the Exhibit A attached hereto), Executive shall be entitled to a bonus pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit A. · |
| (d) | Executive Participation in Telkonet Staff Benefits Plans . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in any group health programs and other benefit plans, which may be instituted from time-to time for Telkonet employees, and for which Executive qualifies under the terms of such plans. All such benefits shall be provided on the same terms and conditions as generally apply to all other Telkonet employees under these plans and may be modified by Telkonet from time-to-time. |
| (e) | Expenses . Executive shall be reimbursed by Telkonet for all ordinary, reasonable, customary and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties and responsibilities. Executive agrees to prepare documentation for such expenses as may be necessary for Telkonet to comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service and Telkonet's existing policy. Telkonet will provide a stipend equal to $323 per pay period to Executive for the purpose of obtaining an auto for the Executive's business use. |
| (f) | Equity . Executive is eligible to participate in the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan, in accordance with the terms of such plan and awards as granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board. |
| (g) | Stock Option . Upon execution of this Agreement (the "Execution Date"), Executive shall receive a grant of One Million (1,000,000) stock options (the "Stock Options''), subject to Executive's execution of a Stock Option Agreement, and granted pursuant to the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan. The Stock Options shall be granted at fair market value as of the date of this Agreement, and shall vest over a three (3) year period, with 33% of the shares vesting on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Execution Date, 33% of the shares vesting on the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the Execution Date, and the remaining 34% of the shares 011 the thirty-six (36) month anniversary of the Execution Date.. Provided, however, that 100% of the Stock Options shall immediately vest upon the Sale of the Subsidiary or the Sale of the Company (as those terms are defined in Exhibit A), regardless of whether Executive remains employed by Telkonet as of the date of such sale. Executive shall have twelve (12) months from the date of termination of his employment with the Company to exercise any Stock Options. |
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5. Vacation . At full pay and without any adverse effect to his compensation, provided that all other terms and conditions of this Agreement are satisfied, Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of vacation for each full calendar year during the term of this Agreement. Executive agrees to schedule his vacation leave in advance upon written notice to Chief Executive Officer or other designated individuals. Carryover of vacation days shall be consistent with Company's existing policy.
6. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement, or upon the first to occur of any of the following events:
| (a) | The death of Executive. |
| (b) | The mutual consent of Executive and Telkonet. Executive shall then receive (i) an amount equal to Executive's base salary for the period starting 011 the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination in accordance with the Company's payroll schedule applicable to all employees and (ii) if the Executive elects to participate, in a timely manner, in the Company's group health insurance plan in accordance with the mandates of the Consolidated Onmibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), the Company will, pay for any applicable health insurance premiums for such COBRA coverage, for a period starting 011 the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. If the Executive becomes eligible for similar benefits from another employer, Telkonet will reimburse Executive for the Employee's share of current employer's health insurance premium ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination; should the Executive wish to continue COBRA coverage after the period of time during which the Company has agreed to pay the normal employer's share of COBRA coverage, the Executive agrees and acknowledges that he will be solely responsible for payment of any amounts required by the Company to continue health insurance coverage in accordance with COBRA. The Executive agrees to notify the Company in the event he obtains other health insurance coverage within ten (10) business days of becoming eligible for such coverage. |
| (c) | "Cause" exists for termination. For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (1) theft, fraud, embezzlement, or any other act of intentional dishonesty by Executive; (2) any material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement which breach is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed fourteen (14) days) after written notification thereof to Executive by Telkonet; (3) any habitual neglect of duty or misconduct of Executive in discharging any of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement after a written demand for performance was delivered to Executive that specifically identified the matter in which the Board believed the Executive had failed to discharge his duties and responsibilities, and the Executive failed to resume substantial performance of such duties and responsibilities on a continual basis immediately following such demand; (4) commission by Executive of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude; or (5) any default of Executive's obligations hereunder, or any failure or refusal of Executive to comply with the policies, rules and regulations of Telkonet generally applicable to Telkonet employees, which default, failure or refusal is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed fourteen (14) days) after written notification thereof to Executive by Telkonet. If cause exists for termination, Executive shall be entitled to no further compensation, except for accrued leave and vacation and except as may be required by applicable law. |
| (d) | "Good reason" exists for Executive to terminate his employment with Telkonet. For purposes of this Agreement, "good reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (1) any material adverse reduction in the scope of Executive's authority or responsibilities; (2) any reduction in the amount of Executive's compensation or participation in any employee benefits; or (3) Executive's principal place of employment is actually or constructively moved to any office or other location 75 miles or more outside of Milwaukee, WI. If Executive terminates his employment with Telkonet for "good reason," then, upon notice to Telkonet by Executive of such termination, Telkonet shall continue to pay Executive's base salary and provide Executive with continued participation in each employee benefit plan, in accordance with the mandates of COBRA (see Section 6.(b)(ii)), in which Executive participated immediately prior to the termination date for the period starting on the first day after the termination date and ending upon expiration of the Term, or if such period is less than twelve (12) months, for a period of twelve (12) months from such notice. |
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| (e) | I f Executive is terminated by Telkonet for any reason other than for "cause", unless such termination occurs in connection with the Sale of the Company as defined in the attached Exhibit A, Executive shall receive: (i) an amount equal to Executive's base salary for the period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination in accordance with the Company's payroll schedule applicable to all employees and (ii) pay for any applicable health insurance premiums, in accordance with the mandates of COBRA (see Section 6.(b)(ii)), for a period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. If the Executive becomes eligible for similar benefits from another employer, Telkonet will reimburse Executive for the Employee's share of current employer's health insurance premium ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. |
| (f) | In the event of a termination under (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this paragraph 6, within thirty (30) days of the separation date, Telkonet shall make a lump sum payment of any back pay, Executive loans or defendants then due and owing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement shall not terminate or expire under (e) of this paragraph six unless and until (iii) Executive is reimbursed for any back pay, Executive loans or deferments then due and owing. |
| (g) | If Executive's employment terminates by reason of death or disability, then (i) Executive will be entitled to receive benefits only in accordance with the Company's then applicable plans, policies, and arrangements. |
| (h) | Separation Agreement and Release of Claims . The receipt of any severance pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims (the "Release") in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, which becomes effective within thirty (30) days following Executive's separation from service. The Release will provide (among other things) that Executive will not disparage the Company, its directors, or its executive officers for 12 months following the date of termination and the Company will instruct its officers and directors not to disparage the Executive. No severance pursuant to this Agreement will be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective. |
| (i) | No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment. |
| (j ) | No-Inducement . In the event of a termination of Executive's employment that otherwise would entitle Executive to the receipt of severance and other benefits pursuant to this Agreement, Executive agrees that as a condition to receipt of such severance, during the 12 month period following termination of employment, Executive, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, owner, sole proprietor, partner, director, founder or otherwise, will not, solicit, induce, or influence any person to modify their employment or consulting relationship With the Company (the "No Inducement"). If Executive breaches the No-Inducement, all payments and benefits to which Executive otherwise may be entitled pursuant to this Section 6 will cease immediately. |
7. Surrender of Books and Papers . Upon termination of this Agreement (irrespective of the time, manner, or cause of termination, be it for cause or otherwise), Executive shall immediately surrender to Telkonet all books, records, or other written papers or documents entrusted to him or which he has otherwise acquired pertaining to Telkonet and all other Telkonet property in Executive's possession, custody or control.
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8. Inventions and Patents . Executive agrees that Executive will promptly, from time-to time, fully inform and disclose to Telkonet any and all ideas, concepts, copyrights, copyrightable material, developments, inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries of whatever nature that Executive may have or produced during the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement that pertain or relate to the then current business of Telkonet (the "Creations"), whether conceived by Executive alone or with others and whether or not conceived during regular working hours. All Creations shall be the exclusive property of Telkonet and shall be "works made for hire" as defined in 17 U.S.C. §101, and Telkonet shall own all rights in and to the Creations throughout the world, without payment of royalty or other consideration to Executive or anyone claiming through Executive. Executive hereby transfers and assigns to Telkonet (or its designee) all right, title and interest in and to every Creation. Executive shall assist Telkonet in obtaining patents or copyrights on all such inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries being patentable or copyrightable by Executive or Telkonet and shall execute all documents and do all things reasonably necessary (at Tekonet's sole cost and expense) to obtain letters of patent or copyright, vest Telkonet with full and exclusive title thereto, and protect the same against infringement by third parties, and such assistance shall be given by Executive, if needed, after termination of this Agreement for whatever cause or reason. Executive hereby represents and warrants that Executive has no current or future obligation with respect to the assignment or disclosure of any or all developments, inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries of whatever nature to any previous Employer, entity or other person and that Executive does not claim any rights or interest in or to any previous unpatented or uncopyrighted developments, inventions, designs, improvements or discoveries.
9. Trade Secrets, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .
| (a) | Trade Secrets . Contemporaneous with the execution of this Agreement and during the term of employment under this Agreement, Telkonet shall deliver to Executive or permit Executive to have access to and become familiar with various confidential information and trade secrets of Telkonet, including without limitation, data, production methods, customer lists, product format or developments, other information concerning the business of Telkonet and other unique processes, procedures, services and products of Telkonet, which are regularly used in the operation of the business of Telkonet (collectively, the "Confidential Information''). For purposes of the preceding sentence, information is not treated as being Confidential Information if it: (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by Executive in violation of this Agreement; (ii) is obtained by Executive in good faith from a third party who discloses such information to Executive on a non-confidential basis without violating any obligation of confidentiality or secrecy relating to the information disclosed; (iii) is independently developed by Executive outside the scope of his employment without use of Confidential Information; or (iv) is Executive's personnel information. Executive shall not disclose any of the Confidential Information that he receives from Telkonet or their clients and customers in the course of his employment with Telkonet, directly or indirectly, nor use it in any way, either during the term of this Agreement or for a period of five (5) years thereafter, except as required in the course of employment with Telkonet. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes Telkonet, a fiduciary duty to preserve and protect all Confidential Information from unauthorized disclosure or unauthorized use. All files, records, documents, drawings, graphics, processes, specifications, equipment and similar items relating to the business of Telkonet, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise coming into Executive's possession in the course of his employment with Telkonet, shall remain the exclusive property of Telkonet and shall not be removed from the premises of Telkonet without the prior written consent of Telkonet unless removed in relation to the performance of Executive’s duties under this. Agreement. Any such files, records, documents, drawings, graphics, specifications, equipment and similar items, and any and all copies of such materials which have been removed from the premises of Telkonet, shall be returned by Executive to Telkonet. For purposes of this Section 9, "Telkonet" means Telkonet, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates and all successors and predecessors in interest to Telkonet. |
| (b) | Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that he will be provided with and have access to the Confidential Information, the unauthorized use or disclosure of which would cause irreparable injury to Telkonet, that Telkonet's willingness to enter into this Agreement is based in material part on Executive's agreement to the provisions of this Section 9(b) and that Executive's breach of the provisions of this Section would materially and irreparably damage Telkonet. In consideration for Telkonet's disclosure of Confidential Information to Executive, Executive's access to the Confidential Information, and the salary paid to executive hereunder, Executive agrees that during the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement and for one (1) year after the termination of Executive's employment and regardless whether such termination is with or without cause, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an executive, employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director, advisor or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Restricted Business (as defined herein) in North America. "Restricted Business" means any business conducted by Telkonet at the time of separation of the Executive from Telkonet. |
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| (c) | Reasonableness of Restrictions . Executive acknowledges that the restrictions set forth in Section 9(b) of this Agreement are reasonable in scope and necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of Telkonet. Executive agrees that should any portion of the covenants in Section 9 be unenforceable because of the scope thereof or the period covered thereby or otherwise, the covenant shall be deemed to be reduced and limited to enable it to be enforced to the maximum extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in the jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. |
| (d) | Injunctive Relief; Ext ension of Restrictive Period. In the event of a breach of any of the covenants, by Executive or Telkonet contained in this Agreement, it is understood that damages will be difficult to ascertain, and either party may petition a court of law or equity for injunctive relief in addition to any other relief which Executive or Telkonet may have under the law, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees. |
10. Indemnification and Insurance . Executive will be covered under the Company's insurance policies and, subject to applicable law, will be provided indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by the Company's bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and standard form of Indemnification Agreement, with such insurance coverage and indemnification to be in accordance with the Company's standard practices for senior executive officers but on terms no less favorable than provided to any other Company senior executive officer or director.
11. Miscellaneous .
| (a) | This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Executive shall not assign any part of his rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Telkonet. |
| (b) | This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes any and all prior understandings and agreements between the parties regarding Executive's employment. |
| (c) | No modification hereof shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced, unless it can be shown through custom, usage or course of action. |
| (d) | This Agreement is executed in, and it is the intention of the parties hereto that it shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to applicable conflict of laws provisions. |
| (e) | The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. |
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| (f) | Any notice or communication permitted or required by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall become effective upon personal service, or service by wire transmission, which has been acknowledged by the other party as being received, or two (2) days after its mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid addressed as follows; |
| (1) | If to Telkonet: |
Attn; Chief Executive Officer
20800 Swenson Dr., Suite 175
Waukesha, WI 53186.
| (2) | If to Executive: |
To the last residential address known
by the Company as provided by
Executive in writing.
| (g) | Acknowledgment . Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement. |
| (h) | Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Telkonet and Executive have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
| TELKONET,INC. | EXECUTIVE | ||
| By: | /s/ Jason L. Tienor | /s/ Jeffrey Sobieski | |
| Jason L. Tienor | Jeffrey Sobieski | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||
| Date: | January 3, 2017 | Date: 1-3-17 | |
[Signature Page- Employment Agreement]
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EXHIBIT A
1. Bonus Upon Sale of the Subsidiary . Contemporaneously with Telkonet's consummation of any Sale of the Subsidiary (as defined below), and conditioned upon the Sale of the Subsidiary resulting in a purchase price (before any closing costs or working capital adjustments) equal to or greater than Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000) and Executive remaining employed by Telkonet through at least the date of the Sale of the Subsidiary, Executive shall be entitled to a base bonus of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) plus one third of five percent of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Sale of the Subsidiary'' means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50%) of the outstanding voting capital stock of EthoStream LLC or the equity interests of EthoStream LLC, or the majority of EthoStream LLC's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed to a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether EthoStream LLC has control of said join venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of EthoStream LLC. For the avoidance of doubt, an example of the bonus calculation identified in this paragraph is set forth below:
| Examples | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (all numbers in $000s) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales Price | $ | 12,400 | $ | 12,500 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 13,500 | $ | 14,000 | ||||||||||
| Base Bonus (Total for All Executives) | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | ||||||||||||
| Over-performance Bonus (Total for All Executives) | $ | 25.0 | $ | 50.0 | $ | 75.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Bonus Paid to All Executives by Company | $ | 75.0 | $ | 100.0 | $ | 125.0 | $ | 150.0 | ||||||||||||
| % Sales Price | NA | 0.6% | ~0.8% | ~0.9% | ~1.0% | |||||||||||||||
| Per Executive | $ | 25.0 | $ | 33.3 | $ | 41.7 | $ | 50.0 | ||||||||||||
2. Bonus for Events After Sale of the Subsidiary . After the Sale of the Subsidiary, the Company may pay Executive a bonus for additional Company related events that Executive may be involved with following the Sale of the Subsidiary.
3. Bonus Upon Sale of the Company . Contemporaneously with Telkonet's consummation of any Sale of the Company (as defined below), and conditioned upon Executive remaining employed by Telkonet through at least the date of the Sale of the Company, Company shall pay Executive a base bonus equal to six (6) months of Executive's then current base salary, plus two percent (2%) of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of Twenty Seven Million Dollars ($27,000,000). Such bonus shall be paid in one lump sum upon the closing of that transaction. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Sale of the Company" means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50% of the outstanding voting capital stock of Company) of the equity interests of Company (or any direct or indirect parent of Company), or the majority of Company's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed by a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether Company has control of said joint venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of Company.
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Exhibit 10.19
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated January 3, 2016 by and between Telkonet, Inc, a Utah corporation ("Telkonet" or "Company") and Matthew P. Koch ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company previously entered into an employment agreement dated as of May 1, 2015 (the ''Prior Employment Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate the Prior Employment Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, Telkonet desires to employ Executive and to secure for itself the experience, abilities and services of Executive in the capacity of Chief Operations Officer of Telkonet upon the terms and conditions specified herein; and
WHEREAS, Executive will continue to provide services to Telkonet, now pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which will supersede and replace the Prior Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for such other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby conclusively acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Duties and Scope of Employment .
| (a) | Positions and Duties . Telkonet hereby employs Executive in the capacity of Chief Operations Officer of Telkonet to perform such executive, management and administrative services and other customary duties consistent with Executive's position as a senior executive officer within the Company as set forth in the Telkonet by-laws and as Telkonet, by action of its Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors ("Board"), may request from time to time. |
| (b) | Location . Executive's place of work shall be 20800 Swenson Dr., Suite 175, Waukesha, WI 53186. The Company shall be entitled to require the Executive to travel to work at such other places as business needs require. |
2. Term . The Initial Term of the Executive's employment hereunder (the "Initial Term") shall commence on January 3, 2016 (the "Effective Date"), and will continue for one (1) year from the Effective Date. If neither the Company nor the Executive has provided the other with written notice of an intention to terminate this Agreement at least thirty (30) days before the end of the Initial Term (or any subsequent renewal period), this Agreement will automatically renew for a twelve (12) month period. For purposes of this Agreement, the word "Term" means the Initial Term and any renewal period pursuant to the preceding sentence and any extension pursuant to clause (ii) of the following sentence. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences (i) this Agreement may be terminated earlier as provided pursuant to Section 6 and (ii) if a Sale of the Company occurs during the Term, then the Term shall not end before the first anniversary of the date of the Sale of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Sale of the Company" means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50% of the outstanding voting capital stock of Company) of the equity interests of Company (or any direct or indirect parent of Company), or the majority of Company's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed by a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether Company has control of said joint venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of Company.
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3. Extent of Services . During the Term and any extension thereof, Executive shall devote his full time, ability, attention and efforts to the performance, to the best of his abilities, of such duties and responsibilities, as described in Section 1 above, and as the Chief Executive Officer shall determine, consistent therewith.
4. Compensatio n .
| (a) | Salary . Executive shall be paid $143,900.00 on an annualized basis in accordance with Telkonet's normal payroll practices, and be subject to all lawfully required withholdings. The base salary may be increased, at any time, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board. |
| (b) | Annual Performance Bonus . The Chief Executive Officer, the Board and the Executive will agree upon terms and conditions. The actual annual performance bonus amount will be based on metrics provided by the Board of Directors. |
| (c) | Bonuses Upon Sale of the Subsidiary and/or Sale of the Company . In the event of the Sale of the Subsidiary and/or the Sale of the Company (as defined in the Exhibit A attached hereto), Executive shall be entitled to a bonus pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit A. · |
| (d) | Executive Participation in Telkonet Staff Benefits Plans . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in any group health programs and other benefit plans, which may be instituted from time-to time for Telkonet employees, and for which Executive qualifies under the terms of such plans. All such benefits shall be provided on the same terms and conditions as generally apply to all other Telkonet employees under these plans and may be modified by Telkonet from time-to-time. |
| (e) | Expenses . Executive shall be reimbursed by Telkonet for all ordinary, reasonable, customary and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties and responsibilities. Executive agrees to prepare documentation for such expenses as may be necessary for Telkonet to comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service and Telkonet's existing policy. Telkonet will provide a stipend equal to $323 per pay period to Executive for the purpose of obtaining an auto for the Executive's business use. |
| (f) | Equity . Executive is eligible to participate in the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan, in accordance with the terms of such plan and awards as granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board. |
| (g) | Stock Option . Upon execution of this Agreement (the "Execution Date"), Executive shall receive a grant of One Million (1,000,000) stock options (the "Stock Options''), subject to Executive's execution of a Stock Option Agreement, and granted pursuant to the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan. The Stock Options shall be granted at fair market value as of the date of this Agreement, and shall vest over a three (3) year period, with 33% of the shares vesting on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Execution Date, 33% of the shares vesting on the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the Execution Date, and the remaining 34% of the shares 011 the thirty-six (36) month anniversary of the Execution Date.. Provided, however, that 100% of the Stock Options shall immediately vest upon the Sale of the Subsidiary or the Sale of the Company (as those terms are defined in Exhibit A), regardless of whether Executive remains employed by Telkonet as of the date of such sale. Executive shall have twelve (12) months from the date of termination of his employment with the Company to exercise any Stock Options. |
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5. Vacation . At full pay and without any adverse effect to his compensation, provided that all other terms and conditions of this Agreement are satisfied, Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of vacation for each full calendar year during the term of this Agreement. Executive agrees to schedule his vacation leave in advance upon written notice to Chief Executive Officer or other designated individuals. Carryover of vacation days shall be consistent with Company's existing policy.
6. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement, or upon the first to occur of any of the following events:
| (a) | The death of Executive. |
| (b) | The mutual consent of Executive and Telkonet. Executive shall then receive (i) an amount equal to Executive's base salary for the period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination in accordance with the Company's payroll schedule applicable to all employees and (ii) if the Executive elects to participate, in a timely manner, in the Company's group health insurance plan in accordance with the mandates of the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), the Company will, pay for any applicable health insurance premiums for such COBRA coverage, for a period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. If the Executive becomes eligible for similar benefits from another employer, Telkonet will reimburse Executive for the Employee's share of current employer's health insurance premium ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination; should the Executive wish to continue COBRA coverage after the period of time during which the Company has agreed to pay the normal employer's share of COBRA coverage, the Executive agrees and acknowledges that he will be solely responsible for payment of any amounts required by the Company to continue health insurance coverage in accordance with COBRA. The Executive agrees to notify the Company in the event he obtains other health insurance coverage within ten (10) business days of becoming eligible for such coverage. |
| (c) | "Cause" exists for termination. For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (1) theft, fraud, embezzlement, or any other act of intentional dishonesty by Executive; (2) any material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement which breach is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed fourteen (14) days) after written notification thereof to Executive by Telkonet; (3) any habitual neglect of duty or misconduct of Executive in discharging any of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement after a written demand for performance was delivered to Executive that specifically identified the manner in which the Board believed the Executive had failed to discharge his duties and responsibilities, and the Executive failed to resume substantial performance of such duties and responsibilities on a continual basis immediately following such demand; (4) commission by Executive of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude; or (5) any default of Executive's obligations hereunder, or any failure or refusal of Executive to comply with the policies, rules and regulations of Telkonet generally applicable to Telkonet employees, which default, failure or refusal is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed fourteen (14) days) after written notification thereof to Executive by Telkonet. If cause exists for termination, Executive shall be entitled to no further compensation, except for accrued leave and vacation and except as may be required by applicable law. |
| (d) | "Good reason" exists for Executive to terminate his employment with Telkonet. For purposes of this Agreement, "good reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (1) any material adverse reduction in the scope of Executive's authority or responsibilities; (2) any reduction in the amount of Executive's compensation or participation in any employee benefits; or (3) Executive's principal place of employment is actually or constructively moved to any office or other location 75 miles or more outside of Milwaukee, WI. If Executive terminates his employment with Telkonet for "good reason," then, upon notice to Telkonet by Executive of such termination, Telkonet shall continue to pay Executive's base salary and provide Executive with continued participation in each employee benefit plan, in accordance with the mandates of COBRA (see Section 6.(b)(ii)), in which Executive participated immediately prior to the termination date for the period starting on the first day after the termination date and ending upon expiration of the Term, or if such period is less than twelve (12) months, for a period of twelve (12) months from such notice. |
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| (e) | I f Executive is terminated by Telkonet for any reason other than for "cause", unless such termination occurs in connection with the Sale of the Company as defined in the attached Exhibit A, Executive shall receive: (i) an amount equal to Executive's base salary for the period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination in accordance with the Company's payroll schedule applicable to all employees and (ii) pay for any applicable health insurance premiums, in accordance with the mandates of COBRA (see Section 6.(b)(ii)), for a period starting on the first day after the termination and ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. If the Executive becomes eligible for similar benefits from another employer, Telkonet will reimburse Executive for the Employee's share of current employer's health insurance premium ending upon the twelve (12) month anniversary date of the termination. |
| (f) | In the event of a termination under (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this paragraph 6, within thirty (30) days of the separation date, Telkonet shall make a lump sum payment of any back pay, Executive loans or deferments then due and owing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement shall not terminate or expire under (e) of this paragraph six unless and until (iii) Executive is reimbursed for any back pay, Executive loans or deferments then due and owing. |
| (g) | If Executive's employment terminates by reason of death or disability, then (i) Executive will be entitled to receive benefits only in accordance with the Company's then applicable plans, policies, and arrangements. |
| (h) | Separation Agreement and Release of Claims . The receipt of any severance pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims (the "Release") in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, which becomes effective within thirty (30) days following Executive's separation from service. The Release will provide (among other things) that Executive will not disparage the Company, its directors, or its executive officers for 12 months following the date of termination and the Company will instruct its officers and directors not to disparage the Executive. No severance pursuant to this Agreement will be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective. |
| (i) | No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment. |
| (j ) | No-Inducement . In the event of a termination of Executive's employment that otherwise would entitle Executive to the receipt of severance and other benefits pursuant to this Agreement, Executive agrees that as a condition to receipt of such severance, during the 12 month period following termination of employment, Executive, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, owner, sole proprietor, partner, director, founder or otherwise, will not, solicit, induce, or influence any person to modify their employment or consulting relationship with the Company (the "No Inducement"). If Executive breaches the No-Inducement, all payments and benefits to which Executive otherwise may be entitled pursuant to this Section 6 will cease immediately. |
7. Surrender of Books and Papers . Upon termination of this Agreement (irrespective of the time, manner, or cause of termination, be it for cause or otherwise), Executive shall immediately surrender to Telkonet all books, records, or other written papers or documents entrusted to him or which he has otherwise acquired pertaining to Telkonet and all other Telkonet property in Executive's possession, custody or control.
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8. Inventions and Patents . Executive agrees that Executive will promptly, from time-to time, fully inform and disclose to Telkonet any and all ideas, concepts, copyrights, copyrightable material, developments, inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries of whatever nature that Executive may have or produced during the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement that pertain or relate to the then current business of Telkonet (the "Creations"), whether conceived by Executive alone or with others and whether or not conceived during regular working hours. All Creations shall be the exclusive property of Telkonet and shall be "works made for hire" as defined in 17 U.S.C. §101, and Telkonet shall own all rights in and to the Creations throughout the world, without payment of royalty or other consideration to Executive or anyone claiming through Executive. Executive hereby transfers and assigns to Telkonet (or its designee) all right, title and interest in and to every Creation. Executive shall assist Telkonet in obtaining patents or copyrights on all such inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries being patentable or copyrightable by Executive or Telkonet and shall execute all documents and do all things reasonably necessary (at Telkonet's sole cost and expense) to obtain letters of patent or copyright, vest Telkonet with full and exclusive title thereto, and protect the same against infringement by third parties, and such assistance shall be given by Executive, if needed, after termination of this Agreement for whatever cause or reason. Executive hereby represents and warrants that Executive has no current or future obligation with respect to the assignment or disclosure of any or all developments, inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries of whatever nature to any previous Employer, entity or other person and that Executive does not claim any rights or interest in or to any previous unpatented or uncopyrighted developments, inventions, designs, improvements or discoveries.
9. Trade Secrets, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .
| (a) | Trade Secrets . Contemporaneous with the execution of this Agreement and during the term of employment under this Agreement, Telkonet shall deliver to Executive or permit Executive to have access to and become familiar with various confidential information and trade secrets of Telkonet, including without limitation, data, production methods, customer lists, product format or developments, other information concerning the business of Telkonet and other unique processes, procedures, services and products of Telkonet, which are regularly used in the operation of the business of Telkonet (collectively, the "Confidential Information''). For purposes of the preceding sentence, information is not treated as being Confidential Information if it: (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by Executive in violation of this Agreement; (ii) is obtained by Executive in good faith from a third party who discloses such information to Executive on a non-confidential basis without violating any obligation of confidentiality or secrecy relating to the information disclosed; (iii) is independently developed by Executive outside the scope of his employment without use of Confidential Information; or (iv) is Executive's personnel information. Executive shall not disclose any of the Confidential Information that he receives from Telkonet or their clients and customers in the course of his employment with Telkonet, directly or indirectly, nor use it in any way, either during the term of this Agreement or for a period of five (5) years thereafter, except as required in the course of employment with Telkonet. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes Telkonet, a fiduciary duty to preserve and protect all Confidential Information from unauthorized disclosure or unauthorized use. All files, records, documents, drawings, graphics, processes, specifications, equipment and similar items relating to the business of Telkonet, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise coming into Executive's possession in the course of his employment with Telkonet, shall remain the exclusive property of Telkonet and shall not be removed from the premises of Telkonet without the prior written consent of Telkonet unless removed in relation to the performance of Executive’s duties under this. Agreement. Any such files, records, documents, drawings, graphics, specifications, equipment and similar items, and any and all copies of such materials which have been removed from the premises of Telkonet, shall be returned by Executive to Telkonet. For purposes of this Section 9, "Telkonet" means Telkonet, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates and all successors and predecessors in interest to Telkonet. |
| (b) | Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that he will be provided with and have access to the Confidential Information, the unauthorized use or disclosure of which would cause irreparable injury to Telkonet, that Telkonet's willingness to enter into this Agreement is based in material part on Executive's agreement to the provisions of this Section 9(b) and that Executive's breach of the provisions of this Section would materially and irreparably damage Telkonet. In consideration for Telkonet's disclosure of Confidential Information to Executive, Executive's access to the Confidential Information, and the salary paid to executive hereunder, Executive agrees that during the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement and for one (1) year after the termination of Executive's employment and regardless whether such termination is with or without cause, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an executive, employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director, advisor or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the Restricted Business (as defined herein) in North America. "Restricted Business" means any business conducted by Telkonet at the time of separation of the Executive from Telkonet. |
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| (c) | Reasonableness of Restrictions . Executive acknowledges that the restrictions set forth in Section 9(b) of this Agreement are reasonable in scope and necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of Telkonet. Executive agrees that should any portion of the covenants in Section 9 be unenforceable because of the scope thereof or the period covered thereby or otherwise, the covenant shall be deemed to be reduced and limited to enable it to be enforced to the maximum extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in the jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. |
| (d) | Injunctive Relief; Ext ension of Restrictive Period. In the event of a breach of any of the covenants, by Executive or Telkonet contained in this Agreement, it is understood that damages will be difficult to ascertain, and either party may petition a court of law or equity for injunctive relief in addition to any other relief which Executive or Telkonet may have under the law, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees. |
10. Indemnification and Insurance . Executive will be covered under the Company's insurance policies and, subject to applicable law, will be provided indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by the Company's bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and standard form of Indemnification Agreement, with such insurance coverage and indemnification to be in accordance with the Company's standard practices for senior executive officers but on terms no less favorable than provided to any other Company senior executive officer or director.
11. Miscellaneous .
| (a) | This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Executive shall not assign any part of his rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Telkonet. |
| (b) | This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes any and all prior understandings and agreements between the parties regarding Executive's employment. |
| (c) | No modification hereof shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced, unless it can be shown through custom, usage or course of action. |
| (d) | This Agreement is executed in, and it is the intention of the parties hereto that it shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to applicable conflict of laws provisions. |
| (e) | The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. |
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| (f) | Any notice or communication permitted or required by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall become effective upon personal service, or service by wire transmission, which has been acknowledged by the other party as being received, or two (2) days after its mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid addressed as follows; |
| (1) | If to Telkonet: |
Attn; Chief Executive Officer
20800 Swenson Dr., Suite 175
Waukesha, WI 53186.
| (2) | If to Executive: |
To the last residential address known
by the Company as provided by
Executive in writing.
| (g) | Acknowledgment . Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement. |
| (h) | Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Telkonet and Executive have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
| TELKONET,INC. | EXECUTIVE | ||
| By: | /s/ Jason L. Tienor | /s/ Matthew P. Koch | |
| Jason L. Tienor | Matthew P. Koch | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||
| Date: | January 3, 2017 | Date: 1/3/17 | |
[Signature Page- Employment Agreement]
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EXHIBIT A
1. Bonus Upon Sale of the Subsidiary . Contemporaneously with Telkonet's consummation of any Sale of the Subsidiary (as defined below), and conditioned upon the Sale of the Subsidiary resulting in a purchase price (before any closing costs or working capital adjustments) equal to or greater than Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000) and Executive remaining employed by Telkonet through at least the date of the Sale of the Subsidiary, Executive shall be entitled to a base bonus of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) plus one third of five percent of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Sale of the Subsidiary'' means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50%) of the outstanding voting capital stock of EthoStream LLC or the equity interests of EthoStream LLC, or the majority of EthoStream LLC's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed to a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether EthoStream LLC has control of said join venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of EthoStream LLC. For the avoidance of doubt, an example of the bonus calculation identified in this paragraph is set forth below:
| Examples | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (all numbers in $000s) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales Price | $ | 12,400 | $ | 12,500 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 13,500 | $ | 14,000 | ||||||||||
| Base Bonus (Total for All Executives) | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | $ | 75.0 | ||||||||||||
| Over-performance Bonus (Total for All Executives) | $ | 25.0 | $ | 50.0 | $ | 75.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Bonus Paid to All Executives by Company | $ | 75.0 | $ | 100.0 | $ | 125.0 | $ | 150.0 | ||||||||||||
| % Sales Price | NA | 0.6% | ~0.8% | ~0.9% | ~1.0% | |||||||||||||||
| Per Executive | $ | 25.0 | $ | 33.3 | $ | 41.7 | $ | 50.0 | ||||||||||||
2. Bonus for Events After Sale of the Subsidiary . After the Sale of the Subsidiary, the Company may pay Executive a bonus for additional Company related events that Executive may be involved with following the Sale of the Subsidiary.
3. Bonus Upon Sale of the Company . Contemporaneously with Telkonet's consummation of any Sale of the Company (as defined below), and conditioned upon Executive remaining employed by Telkonet through at least the date of the Sale of the Company, Company shall pay Executive a base bonus equal to six (6) months of Executive's then current base salary, plus two percent (2%) of each dollar in excess of a purchase price of Twenty Seven Million Dollars ($27,000,000). Such bonus shall be paid in one lump sum upon the closing of that transaction. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Sale of the Company" means any transaction or related series or combination of transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of a majority (defined as greater than 50% of the outstanding voting capital stock of Company) of the equity interests of Company (or any direct or indirect parent of Company), or the majority of Company's business or assets is acquired, leased or licensed by a third party in a sale or exchange of stock, merger or consolidation, sale, lease or license of assets or joint venture (regardless of whether Company has control of said joint venture or is a minority owner), including by way of an exchange or tender offer, a leveraged buyout, a recapitalization, restructuring or reorganization of Company.
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Exhibit 10.27
TELKONET, INC.
2010 AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
(amended and restated effective as of November 17, 2016)
| SECTION | 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS |
The following sets forth the terms and conditions of the 2010 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) adopted by the Board of Directors of Telkonet, Inc., a Utah corporation (the “Company”), effective November 17, 2016. The Plan was originally adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on September 23, 2010, subject to the approval by the stockholders of the Company. Such stockholder approval was obtained on November 17, 2010. The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and other key persons (including Consultants and prospective employees) of the Company and its Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.
The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
“Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Administrator” means either the Board or the compensation committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the compensation committee and which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent.
“Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, Performance Share Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights.
“Award Certificate” means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. Each Award Certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cash-Based Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.
“Consultant” means any natural person that provides bona fide services to the Company, and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.
“Covered Employee” means an employee who is a “Covered Employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
“Dividend Equivalent Right” means an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to and held by the grantee.
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“Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is approved by stockholders as set forth in Section 21.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Stock is admitted to quotation on NYSE Amex, LLC or another national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to market quotations. If there are no market quotations for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there are market quotations.
“Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.
“Performance-Based Award” means any Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Administrator selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for an individual for a Performance Cycle. The Performance Criteria (which shall be applicable to the organizational level specified by the Administrator, including, but not limited to, the Company or a unit, division, group, or Subsidiary of the Company) that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of the Stock, economic value-added, funds from operations or similar measure, sales or revenue, acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income (loss), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, stockholder returns, return on sales, gross or net profit levels, productivity, expense, margins, operating efficiency, customer satisfaction, working capital, earnings (loss) per share of Stock, sales or market shares and number of customers, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.
“Performance Cycle” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Criteria will be measured for the purpose of determining a grantee’s right to and the payment of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award. Each such period shall not be less than 12 months.
“Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Cycle, the specific goals established in writing by the Administrator for a Performance Cycle based upon the Performance Criteria.
“Performance Share Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals.
“Restricted Stock Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at such purchase price (which may be zero) as determined by the Administrator, shares of Stock subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.
“Restricted Stock Units” means an Award of phantom stock units to a grantee.
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“Sale Event” shall mean (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) immediately upon completion of such transaction, or (iii) the sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated person or entity.
“Sale Price” means the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable, or otherwise to be received by stockholders, per share of Stock pursuant to a Sale Event.
“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.
“Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has at least a 50 percent interest, either directly or indirectly.
“Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation.
“Unrestricted Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Stock free of any restrictions.
| SECTION | 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS |
(a) Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator, provided that the amount, timing and terms of the grants of Awards to Non-Employee Directors shall be determined by the compensation committee or similar committee comprised solely of Non-Employee Directors.
(b) Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:
(i) to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, Performance Share Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;
(iii) to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;
(iv) to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the forms of Award Certificates;
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(v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award provided that the Administrator generally shall not exercise such discretion to accelerate Awards subject to Sections 7 and 8 except in the event of the grantee’s death, disability or retirement, or a change in control (including a Sale Event);
(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(b), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and
(vii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan grantees.
(c) Delegation of Authority to Grant Options. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of Options to individuals who are (i) not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and (ii) not Covered Employees. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of Options that may be granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price and the vesting criteria. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.
(d) Award Certificate. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Certificates that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the event employment or service terminates.
(e) Indemnification. Neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Administrator (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Company’s articles or bylaws or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.
(f) Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.
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| SECTION | 3. STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION |
(a) Stock Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 10,000,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 3. For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled, held back upon exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, reacquired by the Company prior to vesting, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. In the event the Company repurchases shares of Stock on the open market, such shares shall not be added to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, shares of Stock may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to no more than 10 percent of the total number of shares of Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan may be granted in the form of Unrestricted Stock Awards and no more than 1,500,000 shares of the Stock may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Company.
(b) Effect of Awards. The grant of any full value Award (i.e., an Award other than an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right) shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 3(a), as an Award of two shares of Stock for each such share of Stock actually subject to the Award. The grant of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 3(a), as an Award for one share of Stock for each such share of Stock actually subject to the Award. Any forfeitures, cancellations or other terminations (other than by exercise) of such Awards shall be returned to the reserved pool of shares of Stock under the Plan in the same manner.
(c) Changes in Stock. Subject to Section 3(d) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company’s capital stock, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that can be granted to any one individual grantee and the maximum number of shares that may be granted under a Performance-Based Award, (iii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iv) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (v) the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable. The Administrator shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.
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(d) Mergers and Other Transactions. Except as the Administrator may otherwise specify with respect to particular Awards in the relevant Award Certificate, in the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, all other Awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event and all Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and nonforfeitable in connection with a Sale Event in the Administrator’s discretion, unless, in any case, the parties to the Sale Event agree that Awards will be assumed or continued by the successor entity. Upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the Plan and all outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate, unless provision is made in connection with the Sale Event in the sole discretion of the parties thereto for the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards with new Awards of the successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder). In the event of such termination, (i) the Company shall have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a cash payment to the grantees holding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A) the Sale Price multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder) at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights; or (ii) each grantee shall be permitted, within a specified period of time prior to the consummation of the Sale Event as determined by the Administrator, to exercise all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by such grantee.
(e) Substitute Awards. The Administrator may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees, directors or other key persons of another corporation in connection with the merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the employing corporation. The Administrator may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate in the circumstances. Any substitute Awards granted under the Plan shall not count against the share limitation set forth in Section 3(a).
| SECTION | 4. ELIGIBILITY |
Grantees under the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other employees, Non-Employee Directors and key persons (including Consultants and prospective employees) of the Company and its Subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
| SECTION | 5. STOCK OPTIONS |
Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.
Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. If the Administrator so determines, Stock Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may establish.
(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the option price of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date.
(b) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.
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(c) Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.
(d) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods to the extent provided in the Option Award Certificate:
(i) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;
(ii) Through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock that have been purchased by the optionee on the open market or that have been beneficially owned by the optionee for at least six months and that are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date;
(iii) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or
(iv) With respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.
Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Certificate or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of attested shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
(e) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
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| SECTION | 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
(a) Exercise Price of Stock Appreciation Rights. The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.
(b) Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Administrator independently of any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan.
(c) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined from time to time by the Administrator. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed ten years.
| SECTION | 7. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS |
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Award at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such Award Certificate shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.
(b) Rights as a Stockholder. Upon the grant of the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Restricted Stock shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Restricted Stock are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and (ii) certificated Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Stock is vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe.
(c) Restrictions. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, if a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, any Restricted Stock that has not vested at the time of termination shall automatically and without any requirement of notice to such grantee from or other action by or on behalf of, the Company be deemed to have been reacquired by the Company at its original purchase price (if any) from such grantee or such grantee’s legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or other service relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Company by the grantee or rights of the grantee as a stockholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of unvested Restricted Stock that are represented by physical certificates, a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration.
(d) Vesting of Restricted Stock. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Stock and the Company’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any such Restricted Stock granted to employees shall have a performance-based goal, the restriction period with respect to such shares shall not be less than one year, and in the event any such Restricted Stock granted to employees shall have a time-based restriction, the total restriction period with respect to such shares shall not be less than three years; provided, however, that Restricted Stock with a time-based restriction may become vested incrementally over such three-year period. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Restricted Stock and shall be deemed “vested.” Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in any shares of Restricted Stock that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries and such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7(c) above.
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| SECTION | 8. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS |
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Unit at the time of grant Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such Award Certificate shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any such Restricted Stock Units granted to employees shall have a performance-based goal, the restriction period with respect to such Award shall not be less than one year, and in the event any such Restricted Stock Units granted to employees shall have a time-based restriction, the total restriction period with respect to such Award shall not be less than three years; provided, however, that any Restricted Stock Units with a time-based restriction may become vested incrementally over such three-year period. At the end of the deferral period, the Restricted Stock Units, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form of shares of Stock. To the extent that an award of Restricted Stock Units is subject to Section 409A, it may contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order for such Award to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
(b) Election to Receive Restricted Stock Units in Lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of an award of Restricted Stock Units. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of Restricted Stock Units based on the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate. Any Restricted Stock Units that are elected to be received in lieu of cash compensation shall be fully vested, unless otherwise provided in the Award Certificate.
(c) Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a stockholder only as to shares of Stock acquired by the grantee upon settlement of Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the phantom stock units underlying his Restricted Stock Units, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine.
(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
| SECTION | 9. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS |
Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock Award under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.
| SECTION | 10. CASH-BASED AWARDS |
Grant of Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Cash-Based Awards to any grantee in such number or amount and upon such terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Administrator shall determine at the time of grant. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash or in shares of Stock, as the Administrator determines.
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| SECTION | 11. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS |
(a) Nature of Performance Share Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Performance Share Awards independent of, or in connection with, the granting of any other Award under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be granted, the Performance Goals, the periods during which performance is to be measured, which may not be less than one year, and such other limitations and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.
(b) Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee receiving a Performance Share Award shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares actually received by the grantee under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the Award but not actually received by the grantee. A grantee shall be entitled to receive shares of Stock under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in the Performance Share Award Certificate (or in a performance plan adopted by the Administrator).
(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
| SECTION | 12. PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS TO COVERED EMPLOYEES |
(a) Performance-Based Awards. Any employee or other key person providing services to the Company and who is selected by the Administrator may be granted one or more Performance-Based Awards in the form of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Awards or Cash-Based Award payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Administrator and relate to one or more of the Performance Criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for any Performance Cycle. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business unit, or an individual. The Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Cycle in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of an individual (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development, (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or (iii) in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions provided however, that the Administrator may not exercise such discretion in a manner that would increase the Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee. Each Performance-Based Award shall comply with the provisions set forth below.
(b) Grant of Performance-Based Awards. With respect to each Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee, the Administrator shall select, within the first 90 days of a Performance Cycle (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) the Performance Criteria for such grant, and the Performance Goals with respect to each Performance Criterion (including a threshold level of performance below which no amount will become payable with respect to such Award). Each Performance-Based Award will specify the amount payable, or the formula for determining the amount payable, upon achievement of the various applicable performance targets. The Performance Criteria established by the Administrator may be (but need not be) different for each Performance Cycle and different Performance Goals may be applicable to Performance-Based Awards to different Covered Employees.
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(c) Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Following the completion of a Performance Cycle, the Administrator shall meet to review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Cycle have been achieved and, if so, to also calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance-Based Awards earned for the Performance Cycle. The Administrator shall then determine the actual size of each Covered Employee’s Performance-Based Award, and, in doing so, may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance-Based Award for a Covered Employee if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.
(d) Maximum Award Payable. The maximum Performance-Based Award payable to any one Covered Employee under the Plan for a Performance Cycle is 300,000 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof) or $25,000 in the case of a Performance-Based Award that is a Cash-Based Award.
| SECTION | 13. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS |
(a) Dividend Equivalent Rights. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any grantee as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Award or Performance Share Award or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Certificate. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Award or Performance Share Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon settlement or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of a Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Award or Performance Share Award may also contain terms and conditions different from such other Award.
(b) Interest Equivalents. Any Award under this Plan that is settled in whole or in part in cash on a deferred basis may provide in the grant for interest equivalents to be credited with respect to such cash payment. Interest equivalents may be compounded and shall be paid upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the grant.
(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights or interest equivalents granted as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Award or Performance Share Award that has not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
| SECTION | 14. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS |
(a) Transferability. Except as provided in Section 14(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.
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(b) Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 14(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award Certificate regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) may transfer his or her Awards (other than any Incentive Stock Options or Restricted Stock Units) to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award. In no event may an Award be transferred by a grantee for value.
(c) Family Member. For purposes of Section 14(b), “family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.
(d) Designation of Beneficiary. Each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.
| SECTION | 15. TAX WITHHOLDING |
(a) Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or stock certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.
(b) Payment in Stock. Subject to approval by the Administrator, a grantee may elect to have the Company’s minimum required tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due.
| SECTION | 16. SECTION 409A AWARDS |
To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.
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| SECTION | 17. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC. |
For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:
(a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or
(b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.
| SECTION | 18. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION |
The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. Except as provided in Section 3(c) or 3(d), without prior stockholder approval, in no event may the Administrator exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or effect repricing through cancellation and re-grants or cancellation of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash. To the extent required under the rules of any securities exchange or market system on which the Stock is listed, to the extent determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, or to ensure that compensation earned under Awards qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Nothing in this Section 18 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(c) or 3(d).
| SECTION | 19. STATUS OF PLAN |
With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.
| SECTION | 20. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
(a) No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.
(b) Delivery of Stock Certificates. Stock certificates to grantees under this Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company. Uncertificated Stock shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a Stock transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book entry” records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary or advisable), that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded. All Stock certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.
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(c) Stockholder Rights. Until Stock is deemed delivered in accordance with Section 20(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a stockholder will exist with respect to shares of Stock to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock Option or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award.
(d) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(e) Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.
(f) Forfeiture of Awards under Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any grantee who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall reimburse the Company for the amount of any Award received by such individual under the Plan during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be, of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement.
| SECTION | 21. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN |
This Plan shall become effective upon stockholder approval in accordance with applicable state law, the Company’s bylaws and articles of incorporation, and applicable stock exchange rules. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date and no grants of Incentive Stock Options may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the Board.
| SECTION | 22. GOVERNING LAW |
This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Utah, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.
DATE APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: September 23, 2010
DATE APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: November 17, 2010
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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Telkonet, Inc.
Waukesha, Wisconsin
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-161909 and 333-175737) of Telkonet, Inc. of our report dated April 3, 2017, relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appear in this Form 10-K.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 3, 2017
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Jason L. Tienor, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Telkonet, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: April 3, 2017
By: /s/ Jason L. Tienor
Jason L. Tienor
Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Gene Mushrush, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Telkonet, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: April 3, 2017
By: /s/ Gene Mushrush
Gene Mushrush
Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Telkonet Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Jason L. Tienor, Chief Executive Officer of Telkonet, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Jason L. Tienor
Jason L. Tienor
Chief Executive Officer
April 3, 2017
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Telkonet Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Gene Mushrush, Chief Financial Officer of Telkonet, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Gene Mushrush
Gene Mushrush
Chief Financial Officer
April 3, 2017