☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |||||||
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |||||||
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |||||||
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials | |||||||
☐ | Soliciting Material Under §240.14a-12 |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) |
☒ | No fee required. | |||||||||||||
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PAGE | |||||
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING | |||||
VOTING AND OTHER INFORMATION | |||||
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | |||||
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |||||
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | |||||
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | |||||
PROPOSAL 2 - RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | |||||
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT | |||||
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | |||||
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | |||||
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | |||||
GENERAL INFORMATION | |||||
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS |
Proposal | Board Voting Recommendation | ||||
1.Election of nine directors | FOR each nominee | ||||
2.Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. | FOR |
Proposal | Vote Required | Broker Discretionary Voting Allowed | ||||||
1.Election of nine directors | The plurality of the votes cast. This means that the nine nominees receiving the highest number of FOR votes will be elected as directors. | No | ||||||
2.Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. | The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of Common Stock which are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal. | Yes |
Name (1) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Option Awards ($) (2) (3) | Total Compensation ($) | |||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth Seigenthaler Courtney | 50,000 | 115,166 | 165,166 | |||||||||||||||||
John Harrison | 40,000 | 115,166 | 155,166 | |||||||||||||||||
Burton Harvey | 40,000 | 115,166 | 155,166 | |||||||||||||||||
Timothy McKenna | 52,500 | 115,166 | 167,666 | |||||||||||||||||
David Morgan | 55,000 | 115,166 | 170,166 | |||||||||||||||||
David Wilds | 55,000 | 115,166 | 170,166 | |||||||||||||||||
Decosta Jenkins(4) | 44,239 | 177,604 | 221,843 |
(1) | Messrs. Daily and Whitson have been excluded from this table because they do not receive additional compensation for serving as a director and their compensation is fully reflected in the Summary Compensation Table for executive officers. | |||||||
(2) | Amounts reflect the grant-date Black-Scholes value of the stock options granted during 2022, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. For a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the value of all option awards made to our non-employee directors, see Note 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. | |||||||
(3) | As of September 30, 2022, the aggregate number of outstanding options to purchase Class A common stock in the Company held by our non-employee directors was as follows: 59,303 for each of Ms. Courtney and Mr. Morgan, 49,303 for each of Messrs. Harrison, Harvey, McKenna and Wilds, and 15,109 for Mr. Jenkins. | |||||||
(4) | Decosta Jenkins joined the board in November 2021 and received a prorated annual cash payment. Mr. Jenkins also received options to purchase Class A common stock in the Company having a grant date Black-Scholes value equal to a pro-rata portion of the amount granted to the other directors for the same period. |
Name | Age | Position | ||||||||||||
Gregory Daily | 63 | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | ||||||||||||
Clay Whitson | 65 | Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||||||||||||
Elizabeth Seigenthaler Courtney | 59 | Director | ||||||||||||
John Harrison | 65 | Director | ||||||||||||
Burton Harvey | 59 | Director | ||||||||||||
Decosta Jenkins | 67 | Director | ||||||||||||
Timothy McKenna | 69 | Director | ||||||||||||
David Morgan | 70 | Director | ||||||||||||
David Wilds | 82 | Lead Independent Director |
i3 Verticals, Inc. Board Diversity Matrix as of January 20, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
Total Number of Directors | 9 | |||||||||||||
Female | Male | Non-Binary | Did not disclose gender | |||||||||||
Part I: Gender Identity | ||||||||||||||
Directors | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Part II: Demographic Information | ||||||||||||||
Asian | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Black or African American | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Hispanic/Latinx | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Native American or Alaskan Native | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
White | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Two or more Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
LGBTQ+ | 0 | |||||||||||||
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | 0 |
Name | Age | Position | ||||||||||||
Gregory Daily | 63 | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | ||||||||||||
Clay Whitson | 65 | Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||||||||||||
Rick Stanford | 61 | President | ||||||||||||
Pete Panagakis | 51 | Chief Technology Officer | ||||||||||||
Paul Maple | 49 | General Counsel and Secretary | ||||||||||||
Geoff Smith | 36 | Principal Accounting Officer | ||||||||||||
Paul Christians | 64 | Chief Operating Officer | ||||||||||||
Chris Laisure | 43 | President - Public Sector |
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | (in thousands) | ||||||||||
Audit fees (1) | $ | 670 | $ | 782 | |||||||
Audit-related fees (2) | — | — | |||||||||
Tax fees (3) | — | — | |||||||||
All other fees (4) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 672 | $ | 784 |
(1) | Audit fees include (a) the audit of the Company’s financial statements, (b) the reviews of the Company’s unaudited condensed interim financial statements (quarterly financial statements) and (c) services that are provided by Deloitte related to regulatory filings and equity offerings. | |||||||
(2) | Audit-related fees include fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit and the review of our financial statements and which are not reported under “Audit Fees”. | |||||||
(3) | Tax fees include professional services in connection with tax compliance, planning and advice. | |||||||
(4) | All other fees include all other fees for services performed by Deloitte, including software and technology fees. |
Executive | Position | |||||||
Gregory Daily | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | |||||||
Clay Whitson | Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
Rick Stanford | President |
Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary ($) | Bonus(1) ($) | Stock Awards(3) ($) | Option Awards(2) ($) | All Other Compensation(4) ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gregory Daily | 2022 | 325,000 | — | — | — | 9,114 | 334,114 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | 2021 | 300,000 | — | — | — | 8,338 | 308,338 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clay Whitson | 2022 | 250,000 | 25,000 | 561,250 | 491,683 | 23,222 | 1,351,155 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | 2021 | 225,000 | 22,500 | — | 648,813 | 19,135 | 915,448 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rick Stanford | 2022 | 300,000 | 30,000 | 561,250 | 491,683 | 8,739 | 1,391,672 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President | 2021 | 275,000 | 27,500 | — | 648,813 | 8,561 | 959,874 |
(1) | Please refer to “Executive Compensation—Narrative to Summary Compensation Table—Annual Cash Incentive Awards.” | |||||||
(2) | Amounts reflect the grant-date Black-Scholes value of the stock options granted during 2021 and 2022, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. For a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the value of all option awards made to our named executive officers, see Note 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. | |||||||
(3) | Amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) granted during 2022, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Such PSUs are subject to performance and service-vesting requirements, and the amounts included above assume that the performance conditions will be satisfied during the performance period. See Note 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. | |||||||
(4) | Represents health insurance premiums, health savings account and 401k matching contributions paid by the Company. |
Name | Grant Date | Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price($) | Option Expiration Date | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares or Units That Have not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Shares or Units That Have Not Vested ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gregory Daily | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clay Whitson | 6/20/2018 | 76,924(1) | — | $13.00 | 6/20/2028 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/19/2019 | 50,000(2) | — | $21.65 | 2/19/2029 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2020 | 21,334(3) | 10,666(3) | $32.25 | 2/13/2030 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/11/2021 | 11,667(4) | 23,333(4) | $34.20 | 2/11/2031 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/11/2022 | — | 35,000(5) | $26.53 | 2/11/2032 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9/2/2022 | — | — | — | — | 25,000(6) | $500,750(6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rick Stanford | 6/20/2018 | 100,000(1) | — | $13.00 | 6/20/2028 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/19/2019 | 50,000(2) | — | $21.65 | 2/19/2029 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2020 | 21,334(3) | 10,666(3) | $32.25 | 2/13/2030 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/11/2021 | 11,667(4) | 23,333(4) | $34.20 | 2/11/2031 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/11/2022 | — | 35,000(5) | $26.53 | 2/11/2032 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9/2/2022 | — | — | — | — | 25,000(6) | $500,750(6) |
(1) | Amount reflects options to purchase Class A common stock in the Company granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan. | |||||||
(2) | Amount reflects options to purchase Class A common stock in the Company granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan. | |||||||
(3) | Amount reflects options to purchase Class A common stock in the Company granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan. The options vest ratably in three equal annual installments beginning on February 13, 2021, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with the Company. | |||||||
(4) | Amount reflects options to purchase Class A common stock in the Company granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan. The options vest ratably in three equal annual installments beginning on February 11, 2022, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with the Company. | |||||||
(5) | Amount reflects options to purchase Class A common stock in the Company granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan. The options vest ratably in three equal annual installments beginning on February 11, 2023, subject to the executive officer’s continued service with the Company. | |||||||
(6) | Amount reflects PSU awards which vest in equal installments over a five-year period, beginning on November 1, 2023, provided the executive officer is employed by the Company on the applicable vesting date and certain year-over-year EPS growth performance conditions are met. The market value is based upon the closing share price of our Class A common stock as of September 30, 2022 of $20.03. |
Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) | Shares of Class B Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) | Combined Voting Power(2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name of beneficial owner | Number | Percent (%) | Number | Percent (%) | Percent (%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
5% Stockholders: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (3) | 1,554,650 | 6.7 | % | — | * | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Geneva Capital Management LLC (4) | 1,800,626 | 7.8 | % | — | * | 5.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc. (5) | 1,520,925 | 6.6 | % | — | * | 4.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Named executive officers and directors: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gregory Daily (6) | 7,399,575 | 24.4 | % | 7,221,892 | 71.4 | % | 22.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Clay Whitson (7) | 518,955 | 2.2 | % | 298,862 | 3.0 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Rick Stanford (8) | 334,578 | 1.4 | % | 117,577 | 1.2 | % | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth Seigenthaler Courtney (9) | 50,162 | * | — | * | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
John Harrison (10) | 118,435 | * | 81,606 | * | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Burton Harvey (11) | 123,154 | * | 86,325 | * | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Decosta Jenkins (12) | 5,968 | * | — | * | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Timothy McKenna (13) | 75,416 | * | 38,587 | * | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
David Morgan (14) | 60,162 | * | — | * | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
David Wilds (15) | 583,779 | 2.5 | % | 546,950 | 5.4 | % | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)(16) | 10,462,854 | 33.2 | % | 8,419,693 | 83.2 | % | 31.5 | % |
(1) | For the reasons described above, in this table, beneficial ownership of common units has been reflected as beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock for which such common units may be exchanged. When a common unit is exchanged by a Continuing Equity Owner who holds our Class B common stock, a corresponding share of Class B common stock will be cancelled. | |||||||
(2) | Represents the percentage of voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock voting as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock and each share of Class B common stock entitles the registered holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters presented to stockholders for a vote generally, including the election of directors. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote as a single class on all matters except as required by law or the amended and restated certificate of incorporation. | |||||||
(3) | Based on information obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2022, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. has sole voting power over 464,696 shares of Class A common stock and sole dispositive power over 1,554,650 shares of Class A common stock. The address of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. | |||||||
(4) | Based on information obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 11, 2022, Geneva Capital Management LLC has shared voting power over 1,714,142 shares of Class A common stock and shared dispositive power over 1,800,626 shares of class A common stock. The address of Geneva Capital Management LLC is 100 E Wisconsin Ave., Suite 2550, Milwaukee, WI 53202. | |||||||
(5) | Based on information obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 3, 2022, Blackrock, Inc. has sole voting power over 1,502,784 shares of Class A common stock and sole dispositive power over 1,520,925 shares of Class A common stock. The address of Blackrock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. | |||||||
(6) | Includes (a) 1,259,388 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Gregory Daily directly, (b) 3,419,293 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Gregory Daily and Collie Daily, as joint tenants by the entirety, of which 1,403,604 shares were pledged as collateral to secure a securities based line of credit account to Raymond James Bank, N.A., (c) 10,796 shares of Class A common stock held of record by Courtney Daily, Mr. Daily’s daughter, (d) 84,800 shares of Class A common stock held by GSD Family Investments, LLC, (e) 2,543,211 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Daily Family Investments, LLC, of which Mr. Daily serves as tax matters member, and (f) 82,087 shares of Class A common stock held by Hardsworth, LLC. Decisions regarding the voting or disposition of the shares held by GSD Family Investments, LLC and Daily Family Investments, LLC are made by their sole manager, Austin S. Daily. Mr. Daily disclaims beneficial ownership of the Class A common stock held by GSD Family Investments, LLC, Daily Family Investments, LLC and by his daughter, Courtney Daily, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The address of Daily Family Investments, LLC, GSD Family Investments, LLC and Hardsworth, LLC is 5353 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN. | |||||||
(7) | Includes (a) 26,168 shares of Class A common stock and 258,660 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Clay Whitson directly of which 78,564 shares were pledged as collateral to secure a securities based line of credit account to Raymond James Bank, N.A., (b) 40,202 shares of Class A common stock held by the Clay M. Whitson 2018 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, of which Mr. Whitson is trustee and beneficiary and (c) options to purchase 193,925 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023 held by Mr. Whitson directly. | |||||||
(8) | Includes (a) 117,577 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Rick Stanford and Stephanie Stanford, as joint tenants by the entirety, and (b) options to purchase 217,001 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023 held by Mr. Stanford directly. | |||||||
(9) | Includes options to purchase 50,162 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023. | |||||||
(10) | Includes (a) options to purchase 36,829 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023 and (b) 81,606 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by HMP III Equity Holdings, LLC. Decisions regarding the voting or disposition of the shares held by HMP III Equity Holdings, LLC are made by an investment committee or committees (or authorized sub-committees or designees thereof). The current voting members of these committees are: John Harrison, Rob Bourquin, John Scott, Mike Luce, Sonja Keeton and Trey Ferguson. Each of Mr. Harrison, Mr. Bourquin, Mr. Scott, Mr. Luce, Ms. Keeton and Mr. Ferguson disclaims beneficial ownership of the common units and shares of Class B common stock held by HMP III Equity Holdings, LLC. The address of HMP III Equity Holdings, LLC is 2100 3rd Ave N, Ste 600, Birmingham, Alabama. | |||||||
(11) | Includes (a) 11,716 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Burton Harvey directly, (b) options to purchase 36,829 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023, (c) 41,910 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by CCSD II, L.P., (d) 28,012 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Claritas Capital Specialty Debt Fund, L.P., and (e) 4,687 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by CF i3 Corporation. CCSD GP II, LLC is the general partner of CCSD II, L.P. and CCSD GP LLC is the general partner of Claritas Capital Specialty Debt Fund, L.P. Decisions regarding the voting or disposition of the shares held by the CCSD II, L.P. and Claritas Capital Specialty Debt Fund, L.P. are made by an investment committee or committees (or authorized sub-committees or designees thereof). The current voting members of these committees are: Burton Harvey, Lee Ballew and Mark McManigal. Decisions regarding the voting or disposition of the shares held by the CF i3 Corporation are made by its officers, Mr. Harvey and Mr. Ballew. Each of Mr. Harvey, Mr. Ballew and Mr. McManigal disclaims beneficial ownership of the common units and shares of Class B common stock held by CCSD II, L.P., Claritas Capital Specialty Debt Fund, L.P. and CF i3 Corporation. The address of CCSD II, L.P., Claritas Capital Specialty Debt Fund, L.P., CF i3 Corporation, CCSD GP, LLC and CCSD GP II, LLC is 40 Burton Hills Blvd, Ste 250, Nashville, Tennessee. | |||||||
(12) | Includes options to purchase 5,968 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023. | |||||||
(13) | Includes (a) 38,587 common units and shares of Class B common stock and (b) options to purchase 36,829 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023. | |||||||
(14) | Includes (a) 10,000 shares of Class A common stock and (b) options to purchase 50,162 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023. | |||||||
(15) | Includes (a) 270,636 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by David Wilds directly, (b) 7,839 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Lucinda Beveridge, Mr. Wilds’ spouse, (c) options to purchase 36,829 shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023 held by David Wilds directly, (d) 226,761 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by First Avenue Partners II, L.P. and (e) 41,714 common units and shares of Class B common stock held by Front Street Equities, LLC (together with First Avenue Partners II, L.P., “First Avenue Partners”). Front Street Equities, LLC is the General Partner of First Avenue Partners II, L.P. Mr. Wilds serves as a limited partner and the managing member of First Avenue Partners II, L.P. and as the sole member of Front Street Equities, LLC. Decisions regarding the voting or disposition of the shares held by First Avenue Partners are made by Mr. Wilds. The address of First Avenue Partners is 30 Burton Hills Blvd, Ste 550, Nashville, Tennessee. | |||||||
(16) | Includes (a) 836,623 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 8,419,693 common units and shares of Class B common stock, and (c) 1,206,538 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of January 13, 2023. |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)(1) | Available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)(2) | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity Compensation plans approved by security holders | 6,751,989 | $ | 24.09 | 834,807 | ||||||||||||||||
Equity Compensation plans not approved by security holders (3) | 1,993,652 | 29.07 | 992,848 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 8,745,641 | $ | 25.23 | 1,827,655 |
(1) | Restricted stock units and PSUs granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans do not have exercise prices and therefore are not reflected in the weighted-average exercise price. | |||||||
(2) | Our 2018 Plan provides that the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder will increase automatically on the first trading day of January each calendar year, in an amount equal to 4% of the outstanding shares of all classes of the Company’s Common Stock on the last trading day in December of the immediately preceding calendar year, unless the Board determines that the increase will be less than 4%. As of January 1, 2023, an additional 1,325,173 shares became available under the 2018 Plan. | |||||||
(3) | Amounts relate to the Acquisition Plan. |