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Report of Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available on our website at www.claritev.com. The charter describes in more detail the scope and nature of the responsibilities of the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement with the Company’s management. Based upon such review and the related discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
P. Hunter Philbrick, Chair
Anthony Colaluca, Jr.
Julie D. Klapstein
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides an overview of our executive compensation philosophy, the overall objectives of our executive compensation program, and each material element of compensation for fiscal year 2024 that we provided to each named executive officer. Our named executive officers for 2024 consist of each person who served as our principal executive officer or principal financial officer during 2024 and the next three most highly compensated other individuals that served as executive officers during 2024.
Our named executive officers for fiscal year 2024 were as follows:
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Travis S. Dalton | Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Dale A. White | Former Executive Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Douglas M. Garis | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
James M. Head | Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Jerome W. Hogge, III | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
Michael C. Kim | Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer |
Tiffani D. Misencik | Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer |
Leadership Changes in 2024 and 2025
On January 4, 2024, we announced a succession plan whereby Travis S. Dalton became our President and Chief Executive Officer succeeding Dale A. White on March 1, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Dalton serves as Chair of our Board, and Mr. White resigned his role as an employee of the Company. Mr. White continues to serve on our Board as a non-employee director.
In March 2024, Jerome W. Hogge, III assumed the roles of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
In August 2024, Douglas M. Garis assumed the roles of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, succeeding James M. Head who concurrently stepped down, and William B. Mintz assumed the role of Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs/Strategy.
In September 2024, Tara O'Neil assumed the roles of Senior Vice President and General Counsel, succeeding Jeffrey A. Doctoroff, who previously stepped down from the roles of Executive Vice President and General Counsel in June 2024.
In October 2024, Tiffani D. Misencik assumed the roles of Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer.
In February 2025, Michael C. Kim was promoted from Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer to Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer.
Executive Compensation Objectives and Philosophy
The goal of our executive compensation program is to create long-term value for our investors, while at the same time rewarding our executives for superior financial performance and encouraging them to remain with us for long, productive careers.
We believe the most effective way to achieve this objective is to design an executive compensation program rewarding the achievement of specific annual financial goals and aligning executives’ interests with those of our investors by further rewarding performance above established goals and granting long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity grants. We use this philosophy as the foundation for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of our executive pay program. The following are the core elements of our executive compensation philosophy:
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Market Competitive | Compensation levels and programs for executives, including the named executive officers, should be competitive relative to the marketplace in which we operate. It is important for us to leverage an understanding of what constitutes competitive pay in our market and build unique strategies to attract the high caliber talent we require to manage and grow Claritev. |
Performance-Based | A significant portion of executive compensation should be performance-based pay that is “at risk,” based on financial goals, which reward both organizational and individual performance. |
Investor Aligned | Incentives should be structured to create alignment between executives and investors. |
Financially Efficient | Pay programs and features should attempt to minimize the impact on our earnings and maximize our tax benefits, all other things being equal. |
By incorporating these elements, we believe our executive compensation program is responsive to our investors’ objectives and effective in attracting, motivating, and retaining the level of talent necessary to grow and manage our business successfully.
Process for Determining 2024 Compensation
Role of Compensation Consultant and Consultant Independence
The Compensation Committee engaged Korn Ferry to serve as its independent compensation consultant for 2024. Korn Ferry’s engagement is focused on:
•reviewing and evaluating our executive compensation program as a whole, each principal element, and the mix of compensation;
•analyzing and providing the Compensation Committee with competitive pay data with respect to other peer companies;
•advising the Compensation Committee on executive compensation trends and developments; and
•assessing the risks of our compensation policies and practices that may have a material impact on the Company and advising on ways to mitigate any undue risks.
Korn Ferry attends Compensation Committee meetings relating to our executive compensation program and also reviews management’s recommendations regarding our compensation program.
Korn Ferry reports directly to the Compensation Committee and does not provide any material services to the Company beyond the services described above. The Compensation Committee received a written statement from Korn Ferry detailing its independence criteria and, based on such statement and other factors, the Compensation Committee determined that Korn Ferry was independent under the applicable SEC rules and NYSE Listing Standards and that engaging Korn Ferry did not present any conflicts of interest.
Determination of Compensation for 2024
In 2024, the Compensation Committee: (1) reviewed and approved all of the compensation elements for the named executive officers; and (2) reviewed and approved the executive compensation program.
When setting named executive officer compensation, the Compensation Committee seeks to achieve an appropriate balance between immediate cash rewards and incentives for the achievement of both annual and long-term financial and non-financial objectives. The Compensation Committee determines the number of shares of common stock granted to our named executive officers through equity awards or the target levels of other incentive awards on a discretionary basis, rather than formulaically, by considering the executive’s position, responsibilities, accomplishments, achievements, and tenure with the Company. The Compensation Committee may modify the mix of base salary, annual awards, and long-term awards as it deems appropriate based on a named executive officer’s specific circumstances.
In connection with establishing the named executive officers’ compensation for 2024, the Compensation Committee reviewed the benchmark data for each of the named executive officers, the recommendations of our compensation consultant, and the recommendations of our CEO with respect to the compensation of our named executive officers other than our CEO.
After completing this review, the Compensation Committee approved the base salaries, the bonus plan, and equity awards for each of the named executive officers.
Benchmarking Compensation
Korn Ferry assisted the Compensation Committee in determining the appropriate peer group of companies that are similar to us in size (based on revenue, EBITDA, and market cap), industry, performance, and operational complexity in order to benchmark compensation in the competitive market.
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For 2024, the compensation peer group included the following companies:
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ACI Worldwide, Inc. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. Clarivate Plc Concentrix Corporation CSG Systems International, Inc. | Evolent Health, Inc. Fair Isaac Corporation HealthEquity, Inc. Maximus, Inc. Premier, Inc. | R1 RCM Inc. Veeva Systems Inc. Veradigm Inc. WEX Inc. |
The Compensation Committee considered the peer group benchmark data, data from published survey sources, and other relevant information when determining the appropriate compensation for the named executive officers, but did not benchmark to a prescribed percentage.
Considerations in Setting 2024 Compensation
The 2024 compensation of our named executive officers was set taking into account the named executive officers’ contributions to company-wide operating results and their individual performance objectives. The total target compensation (consisting of base salary, target annual incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentive compensation) for our named executive officers was designed to be competitive and based on actual achievement. A significant percentage of total target compensation in 2024 was allocated to variable compensation, paid only upon achievement of Claritev’s performance objectives.
Our compensation program provides increased pay opportunity correlated with superior performance. When evaluating base salary, the Compensation Committee reviews, among other factors, our overall financial and operating performance in the prior year as well as individual performance and the performance of the divisions, business units, or departments, as applicable, for which a named executive officer is responsible. The annual bonus plan was designed to emphasize and reward the named executive officers for corporate performance and hold them accountable for overall company results. The annual equity incentive awards were designed to incentivize the named executive officers to take prudent actions and increase our stockholder value in the long term.
Elements of Compensation
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| Element | Vehicle | Performance Period | Performance Measures | Purpose |
| Base Salary | Cash | Ongoing | Not Applicable | •Attract and retain individuals with superior talent and qualifications •Reflects individual performance, experience, and scope of responsibility |
| Annual Incentive | Cash | Annual | Revenue & Adjusted EBITDA | •Promotes our near-term performance objectives •Rewards individual contributions to the achievement of those objectives |
| Long-Term Incentive | Equity •Time Vested Stock Units •Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) •Stock Options
| Two to Four Years | Equity value of the Company
Revenue & Relative Total Stockholder Return (in the case of PSUs) | •Ensures that our executives have a continuing stake in our long-term success and have incentives to increase our equity value •Rewards management for taking prudent actions and achieving results that create stockholder value •With respect to performance stock units, incentivizes superior performance over an extended period |
The 2024 executive compensation program consisted of the following key elements: base salary, annual incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentive compensation in the form of time-vesting restricted stock units, performance stock units, and stock options. Each element, which is further discussed below, is intended to reward and motivate executives in different ways consistent with Claritev’s overall guiding principles for compensation as described above. In addition to these key compensation elements, the named executive officers are provided certain other compensation. See “— Other Compensation.”
We believe that offering each of the key components of our executive compensation program is necessary to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talented executives. Base salaries are designed to reward executives for their individual performance, experience, and scope of responsibility and to attract and retain individuals with superior talent and qualifications. The annual incentive program promotes our near-term performance objectives and rewards individual contributions to the achievement of those objectives. We believe that providing long-term incentive compensation ensures that our executives have a continuing stake in our long-term success and have incentives to increase our equity value. Total compensation for each named executive officer is reviewed annually to ensure that the proportions of the executive’s short-term incentives and long-term incentives are properly balanced. When reviewing compensation levels, each component of compensation is reviewed independently, and the total pay package is reviewed in the aggregate.
Our compensation policy provides for a mix of performance-based and fixed compensation elements and the Compensation Committee strives to achieve an appropriate balance between these two types of compensation, as well as an appropriate mix of cash and equity-based compensation. The mix of compensation elements is designed to reward individual and team performance and enterprise value growth and is weighted towards at-risk compensation, both in the form of performance-based annual cash bonuses and equity-based compensation. The charts below illustrate the total target direct compensation for 2024 for Mr. White and Mr. Dalton and the average of the other named executive officers.
Base Salary
Our base salary is designed to recognize the duties and responsibilities of each executive officer and the experience, knowledge, ability, and skill of the named executive officer that holds each such position. The base salaries are an important component of our executive compensation program and are critical in attracting and retaining executive talent. The named executive officers’ base salaries were initially set in their employment agreement or offer letter, as applicable, and are reviewed each year. In setting annual base salaries, the Compensation Committee takes into consideration our overall financial and operating performance in the prior year, our company-wide target for base salary increases for all employees, its members’ knowledge of market and competitive salary information, inflation, changes in the scope of an executive officer’s job responsibilities, other components of compensation, and other relevant factors. The Compensation Committee also reviews each named executive officer’s individual performance and the performance of the divisions, business units, or departments, as applicable, for which that person is responsible. For named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee receives an evaluation from the Chief Executive Officer on that person’s performance and a recommendation for a salary adjustment.
In 2024, Messrs. Head and Kim received a 3.0% merit increase, which was generally in line with the company-wide target for base salary increases for the general employee population. In March 2024, Mr. White's salary was decreased from $750,000 to $487,500 in connection with his transition from Chief Executive Officer to Executive Chair. None of our other named executive officers received increases in base salary in 2024, as each of Messrs. Dalton, Garis and Hogge and Ms. Misencik commenced employment with the Company in 2024.
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The 2024 year-end annual base salary for each of the named executive officers was as follows:
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Name(1) | 2024 Annual Base Salary ($) |
Mr. Dalton | $825,000 |
Mr. Garis | $535,000 |
Mr. Hogge | $500,000 |
Mr. Kim | $445,118 |
Ms. Misencik | $425,000 |
(1) Messrs. White and Head have been excluded from this table as they each ceased being employed by the Company on December 31, 2024.
Incentive Compensation
In addition to receiving base salaries, each of the named executive officers is eligible to receive an annual incentive payment each year pursuant to our annual bonus plan. Our annual bonus plan is designed to create a link between the executive officer’s annual cash compensation and Claritev’s annual performance, and to reward the named executive officers when we meet our annual performance goals. As such, for 2024, the annual incentive amount actually received by each named executive officer pursuant to our annual bonus plan is tied to our revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance during the year. In addition to the annual bonus plan, discretionary bonuses may be paid to our named executive officers from time to time.
2024 Annual Incentive Opportunity. For 2024, each named executive officer received an individualized target bonus percentage, represented as a percentage of earned base salary for the year. These target bonus percentages are initially set in the named executive officer’s employment agreement or offer letter, as applicable, and are reviewed each year. There were no increases in target bonus percentages from 2023 to 2024 for named executive officers whose employment continued from 2023 to 2024. The bonus that may be earned by a named executive officer ranges from 50% (at the threshold level of performance) to 150% (at the maximum level of performance) of the target bonus percentage multiplied by such named executive officer’s earned base salary for the year. For 2024, the bonus payable was based on the level of achievement of a revenue target of $1,021.1 million and an Adjusted EBITDA target of $646.7 million, with each performance target weighted at 50% of the overall potential bonus payout.
In order to be eligible to receive any payment under either the revenue or adjusted EBITDA component of the bonus, the Company must achieve at least 92% of such revenue performance target and 90% of such adjusted EBITDA target. For each performance target, if achieved at the target level of performance, the executive will receive a bonus amount equal to 50% multiplied by the executive’s target bonus percentage multiplied by such executive’s earned base salary for the year (each, a “target bonus”). In the event that the Company exceeds the threshold level of performance for a performance target, but not the target level of performance, the bonus amount paid will be prorated on a straight-line basis and the executive will receive an amount between 50% and 100% of the target bonus for that performance target. In the event that the Company exceeds the target level of performance for a performance target, the executive will receive instead a bonus, prorated on a straight-line basis up to 150% of the target bonus for that performance target, with that maximum payout being achieved if the target level of performance for the performance target is exceeded by 8% with respect to revenue and 10% with respect to adjusted EBITDA.
The target bonus percentage, earned 2024 base salary, and annual incentive target for each of the named executive officers were as follows:
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Name(1) | Annual Incentive Target Percentage of Base Salary (%) | Earned 2024 Base Salary ($) | Annual Incentive Target ($) |
Mr. Dalton | 125% | 653,654 | | 817,067 | |
Mr. Garis | 100% | 195,481 | | 195,481 | |
Mr. Hogge | 100% | 384,615 | | 384,615 | |
Mr. Kim | 70% | 442,624 | | 309,836 | |
(1) Messrs. White and Head have been excluded from this table as they each ceased being employed by the Company on December 31, 2024. Ms. Misencik has also been excluded as she was not eligible for a 2024 cash bonus based on her start date of October 14, 2024, however, her anticipated target bonus percentage commencing in 2025 is 75%.
Actual 2024 Annual Incentive Payout. For 2024, following adjustments permitted under our annual bonus plan that were made by the Compensation Committee to take into account the impact from a cyberattack at a major claims clearinghouse, which disrupted claims flows across the healthcare industry and ultimately downstream to our platform, as well as certain other extraordinary items, such as certain legal expenses and changes in our leadership team, the Company was deemed to have achieved revenue of $943.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $597.8 million, resulting in revenues of 92.4% of target and Adjusted EBITDA of 92.4% of target. Correspondingly, for each of the named executive officers, the 50% weighted revenue payout for 2024 was 52.5% of target and the 50% weighted Adjusted EBITDA payout was 62.2% of target, with the total payout based on adjusted financial results equal to 57.4% of target. The Compensation Committee then used its positive discretion to increase bonus payouts to 70.0% of base salary earned in 2024 in recognition of the transformative milestones achieved by the Company in 2024, including the refinancing of the Company's entire debt structure, the extension of one of the Company's largest clients, the establishment of key partnerships and the progress made with respect to new business, new products and expanded markets.
Therefore, the 2024 bonus payouts for named executive officers whose employment is continuing were as follows:
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Name(1) | Revenue Payout ($) | Adjusted EBITDA Payout ($) | Compensation Committee Positive Discretion ($) | Total Payout ($) |
Mr. Dalton | 214,480 | 254,108 | 103,359 | 571,947 |
Mr. Garis | 51,314 | 60,795 | 24,728 | 136,837 |
Mr. Hogge | 100,961 | 119,615 | 48,654 | 269,231 |
Mr. Kim | 81,332 | 96,359 | 39,194 | 216,885 |
(1) Ms. Misencik has been excluded from this table as she was not eligible for a 2024 cash bonus based on her start date of October 14, 2024.
Messrs. White and Head ceased being employed by the Company on December 31, 2024. As part of Mr. White's transition agreement, he was paid a cash bonus with respect to 2024 in an amount of $93,797. As part of Mr. Head's transition agreement, he was paid a cash bonus with respect to 2024 in line with other executives (i.e., 70% of target), prorated based on the number of days through his transition date of August 5, 2024. Given Mr. Head's target was 100% of base salary, he was paid $222,898 on this basis. Then, also pursuant to Mr. Head's transition agreement, he was entitled to a discretionary bonus equal to 100% of his base salary less any amounts paid pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence if certain goals were achieved with respect to the refinancing of the Company's debt. These goals were achieved and, therefore, Mr. Head was paid an additional cash bonus of $312,702, bringing his total cash bonus with respect to 2024 to $535,600. Lastly, Mr. Head received a discretionary bonus in early 2024 of $100,000 for his extraordinary efforts in support of the Chief Executive Officer transition.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation
The long-term incentive component of our executive compensation program is designed to provide compensation that motivates and rewards long-term performance, aligns the interests of our named executive officers with our stockholders, builds a culture of ownership, promotes retention, and balances long-term operating decisions with short-term goals. To accomplish these objectives, in 2024, the Compensation Committee granted equity awards in the form of restricted stock units and performance stock units to Messrs. Head, Hogge, and Kim. For Messrs. Head, Hogge, and Kim, the dollar amount of these equity awards granted in 2024 was a multiple of their 2023 year-end base salaries. The following table sets out these amounts.
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Name | 2023 Base Salary ($) | Multiple | 2024 Equity Award Amount ($) | |
Mr. Head | 520,000 | 4.0 | 2,080,000 | |
Mr. Hogge | 500,000 | 3.5 | 1,750,000 | |
Mr. Kim | 432,153 | 1.5 | 648,230 | |
Each of Messrs. Dalton and Garis and Ms. Misencik commenced employment with us in 2024 and did not receive grants as part of our annual program in 2024. However, upon commencing employment: (i) Mr. Dalton received an inducement grant on March 1 with a grant date fair value of $10,000,000, split evenly between stock options and restricted stock units; (ii) Mr. Garis received an inducement grant on August 5, 2024, with a grant date fair value of $2,000,000, split evenly between restricted stock units and stock options; and (iii) Ms. Misencik received an inducement grant on October 14, 2024 having a grant date fair value of $1,000,000, consisting of only restricted stock units. We anticipate that, going forward, Mr. Dalton will be eligible to receive annual long-term incentive compensation consistent with his employment agreement, as amended, and that Mr. Garis and Ms. Misencik will be eligible to receive grants in the future based on a multiple of their year-end base salaries, currently anticipated to be four times year-end base salary and two times year-end base salary, respectively. For additional detail, please see the section below entitled “Employment Agreements With Named Executive Officers”.
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Mr. White, as part of his transition from Chief Executive Officer to Executive Chair, received a grant of restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $750,000.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units. A restricted stock unit is a commitment by us to issue a share of our Class A common stock for each unit at the time the restrictions set forth in the award agreement lapse. The Compensation Committee believes that granting time-based restricted stock units aligns the interests of the named executive officers with the interests of our stockholders and encourages retention. Restricted stock units are forfeited upon termination of employment with us if the restrictions set forth in the award agreements are not satisfied (except as described below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control”). Time-based restricted stock units granted to the named executive officers vest ratably over four years except in special circumstances as determined by the Compensation Committee (such as a person nearing retirement age or as described below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control”). The number of restricted stock units granted is determined by taking the dollar value of a long-term incentive grant and dividing it by the grant date fair value of a restricted stock unit on the grant date, which is generally the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of grant or, if not a trading day, the most recent trading day.
Performance Stock Units. PSUs are denominated in restricted stock units and tied directly to the Company's financial and strategic performance over a three-year vesting period. The Compensation Committee believes that the use of performance stock units: (i) increases the portion of our executive compensation program that is performance-based; (ii) further aligns the interests of our senior leaders with our stockholders; (iii) incentivizes superior performance over an extended period; and (iv) promotes executive retention and succession planning.
For performance awards granted in 2024 to our named executive officers, the Committee used the following metrics: (i) relative total stockholder return, weighted at 50%; and (ii) revenue, weighted at 50%. If the PSUs are earned based on these performance metrics, the awards cliff vest after the end of the three-year performance period with no potential for vesting on an annual basis. The number of performance stock units that may be earned by a named executive officer ranges from 50% (at the threshold level of performance) to 150% (at the maximum level of performance) of the target number of performance stock units granted.
The target number of performance stock units granted is determined by taking the dollar value of a long-term incentive grant attributable to performance stock units and dividing it by the the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of grant or, if not a trading day, the most recent trading day. The grant date fair value of a performance stock unit on the date of grant may be different than the most recent closing price used to determine the number of performance stock units granted.
Stock Options. Nonqualified stock options provide our named executive officers with the opportunity to purchase our common stock at a price fixed on the grant date regardless of future market prices. Stock options become valuable only if (i) the holder of the option remains employed during the period required for the option to “vest” and (ii) the market price is above the exercise price. For this reason, stock options align the interests of our named executive officers and our stockholders by providing executives with an incentive to achieve long-term business goals and objectives and increase the market price of our stock and provide an incentive for an option holder to remain employed by us.
2024 Long Term Incentive Grants. In 2024, the Compensation Committee awarded restricted stock units, performance stock units, and stock options to our named executive officers as follows:
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Name | Award Date | Restricted Stock Units Award Date Value ($) | Restricted Stock Units Awarded (#) | Performance Stock Units Award Date Value ($) | Performance Stock Units Awarded (#) | Stock Options Award Date Value ($) | Stock Options Awarded (#) |
Mr. Dalton | March 1, 2024 | 5,000,000 | 112,612 | — | | — | | 5,000,000 | | 171,232 | |
Mr. White | March 1, 2024 | 750,000 | 16,891 | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Mr. Garis | August 5, 2024 | 1,000,000 | 89,285 | — | | — | | 1,000,000 | | 122,549 | |
Mr. Head | March 1, 2024 | 1,540,000 | 34,684 | 1,540,000 | 34,684 | — | | — | |
Mr. Hogge | March 11, 2024 | 875,000 | 26,041 | 875,000 | 26,041 | — | | — | |
Mr. Kim | March 1, 2024 | 324,115 | 7,299 | 324,115 | 7,299 | — | | — | |
Ms. Misencik | October 14, 2024 | 1,000,000 | 95,328 | — | | — | | — | | — | |
For additional discussion regarding the details of the grants made to the named executive officers in 2024, see “–Grants of Plan Based Awards Table.”
Other Compensation
Benefits
We provide various employee benefit programs to our named executive officers, including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, health savings accounts, and wellness programs. These benefit programs are generally available to all of our U.S.-based employees. For certain of these benefits, namely medical, vision and dental, we pay a portion of the required premiums and our employees pay the remainder of such premiums.
These benefits are provided to the named executive officers (and our other employees) to eliminate potential distractions from performing their regular job duties. We believe the cost of these programs is counterbalanced by an increase in productivity by the executives receiving access to them.
Defined Contribution Plan
We maintain a defined contribution plan that is tax-qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and that we refer to as the “401(k) Plan.” The 401(k) Plan is offered on a nondiscriminatory basis to our full-time regular employees, including our named executive officers, and our eligible part-time and temporary employees. Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, the 401(k) Plan permits eligible employees to defer receipt of portions of their eligible compensation by making contributions, including after-tax Roth contributions and catch-up contributions.
After an employee’s first anniversary of employment, we provide matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan in an amount equal to 50% of each participant’s contribution up to a maximum of 5% of the participant’s annual eligible salary, subject to certain other limits. Participants are 100% vested in their individual contributions and vest 20% per year of credited vesting service in the matching contributions until they are 100% vested in matching contributions at the completion of the fifth year of credited vesting service. Participants receive one year of vesting service for each plan year in which they have at least 1,000 hours of service, commencing after the first anniversary of employment.
We believe that matching contributions assist us in attracting and retaining talented employees and executives. The 401(k) Plan provides an opportunity for participants to save money for retirement on a tax-deferred basis and to achieve financial security, thereby promoting retention.
Severance Arrangements
We believe that reasonable and appropriate severance benefits are necessary in order to be competitive in our executive attraction and retention efforts. As discussed below, the employment agreements, offer letters and Company practices, as applicable, we entered into with, or potentially apply to, our named executive officers provide for certain payments, rights, and benefits to the named executive officers upon certain qualifying terminations from Claritev. See “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below for a description of these benefits.
Key 2025 Compensation Decisions
In connection with the annual review of compensation arrangements currently in place: (i) on February 27, 2025, we amended the Garis Employment Agreement (as defined below); (ii) also on February 27, 2025, we entered into letter agreements with Messrs. Hogge and Kim and Ms. Misencik to provide severance payments in connection with certain terminations of employment; and (iii) on February 28, 2025, we amended the Dalton Employment Agreement (as defined below). Each of these actions are described in further detail below.
•The amendments to the Dalton Employment Agreement and the Garis Employment Agreements provide that, if either of Messrs. Dalton or Garis is terminated by the Company without cause or resigns for good reason during the one-year period following a change in control (as such terms are defined in the applicable employment agreement amendment), subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims and compliance with non-competition, non-solicitation and other post-termination restrictions, Messrs. Dalton and Garis will receive two times and one and a half times the sum of his base salary plus target bonus, respectively, paid in twenty-four or eighteen monthly installments, respectively, and the Company will reimburse the executive for health insurance premiums for up to the duration of the severance payments. Mr. Dalton also acknowledged that his 2025 annual equity grant would be in the form of a grant of time-based restricted stock units subject to a four-year vesting period with a grant date fair value of $2,670,000, subject to the terms described in more detail below, and cash-settled restricted stock units, with a grant date fair value of $8,000,000, subject to the terms described in more detail below.
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•The severance letters provide Messrs. Hogge and Kim and Ms. Misencik with one-half times or one times the sum of the executive’s base salary and annual target bonus, as applicable, paid in six or twelve monthly installments (the “severance payments”), as applicable, if the executive is terminated without cause (as defined in the severance letters). If such termination occurs during the one-year period following a change in control (as defined in the severance letter), or if during such timeframe the executive resigns for good reason (as defined in the severance letter), the multiples for the severance payments will instead be one times or one and one-half times, as applicable, and the severance payments will be paid in twelve or eighteen monthly installments, respectively. In addition, we will reimburse the executives for health insurance premiums for up to the duration of the severance payments. These payments are subject to the executive’s execution and nonrevocation of a release of claims and the executive’s compliance with non-competition and other post-termination restrictions.
The Company determined that the 2025 annual awards granted to its executive officers will be granted as a combination of time-based restricted stock units subject to a four-year vesting schedule and cash-settled restricted stock units subject to a two-year vesting schedule, that, if vested prior to a change in control of the Company, are settled based on the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock at settlement, up to a maximum of four times the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “capped amount”). If settled at the capped amount, the executive officer will become entitled to receive a payment equal to the lesser of, if positive, (i) the price per share received by the Company’s stockholders in connection with a change in control and (ii) the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock at the original settlement date, less the per share cap that applied, so long as a change in control occurs on or prior to the fifth anniversary following grant. Any such excess will be paid on the earlier of the fifth anniversary of the date of grant and the change in control that meets certain requirements.
If the executive’s employment terminates as a result of death or disability (as defined in the applicable award agreement), their unvested time-based restricted stock units and cash-settled restricted stock units will become vested. If the executive’s employment is terminated without cause (as defined in the applicable award agreement) not during a change in control period, a pro-rata portion of the next vesting tranche of the unvested portion of the applicable award will vest. Mr. Dalton's 2025 awards will be afforded the same protections on a resignation of his employment for good reason (as defined in the applicable award agreement). If the Company undergoes a change in control (as defined in the applicable award agreement), and the 2025 awards are not assumed or continued in connection with such change in control, such awards will become vested, or if such awards are assumed or continued, and if the executive is terminated without cause during the one-year period (the “change in control period”) following a change in control, or during such period the executive resigns for good reason (as defined in the applicable award agreement), his or her unvested 2025 awards would vest. The executive’s right to receive the excess payment, if any, shall remain outstanding in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment due to death, disability or by the Company without cause.
Tax and Accounting Implications
We operate our compensation programs with the good faith intention of complying with Section 409A of the Code. We account for equity-based payments with respect to our long-term equity incentive award programs in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation.
Executive Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation earned during the last three fiscal years by the named executive officers.
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| | | | Stock Awards | | | Change in Pension Value and Non- qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | | | |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($)(7) | Bonus ($)(8) | Restricted Stock Awards ($)(9) | Performance Stock Awards ($)(10) | Option Awards ($)(11) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(12) | All Other Compensation ($)(13) | Total ($) | |
Mr. Dalton(1) President and Chief Executive Officer | 2024 | 653,654 | 500,000 | 5,000,000 | — | 5,000,000 | 571,947 | — | — | 11,725,601 | | |
Mr. White(2) Former President and Chief Executive Officer | 2024 | 656,940 | — | 750,000 | — | — | 93,797 | — | 8,625 | 1,509,362 | | |
2023 | 750,000 | — | 6,000,000 | — | — | 837,500 | — | 8,250 | 7,595,750 | | |
2022 | 719,436 | — | 3,000,000 | — | 6,757,427 | 246,094 | — | 7,625 | 10,730,582 | | |
Mr. Garis(3) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | 195,481 | — | 1,000,000 | — | 1,000,000 | 136,837 | — | — | 2,332,318 | | |
Mr. Head(4) Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | 532,600 | 100,000 | 1,540,000 | 1,623,211 | — | 535,600 | — | 8,625 | 4,340,036 | | |
2023 | 516,923 | — | 2,000,000 | — | — | 520,000 | — | 8,250 | 3,045,173 | | |
2022 | 500,000 | — | — | — | 2,000,000 | 262,500 | — | 962 | 2,763,462 | | |
Mr. Hogge(5) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | 2024 | 384,615 | — | 875,000 | 1,010,385 | — | 269,231 | — | — | 2,539,231 | | |
Mr. Kim Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer | 2024 | 442,624 | — | 324,115 | 341,596 | — | 216,886 | — | 8,625 | 1,333,846 | | |
2023 | 429,596 | — | 623,298 | — | — | 302,507 | — | 8,250 | 1,363,651 | | |
2022 | 414,278 | — | 305,538 | — | 305,538 | 109,077 | — | 7,625 | 1,142,056 | | |
Ms. Misencik(6) Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer | 2024 | 73,558 | 100,000 | 1,000,000 | — | — | — | — | — | 1,173,558 | | |
(1)Mr. Dalton became our President and Chief Executive Officer on March 1, 2024 and became Chair of our Board on December 31, 2024.
(2)Mr. White became our Executive Chairman on March 1, 2024. From February 1, 2022 to February 29, 2024, Mr. White was our President and Chief Executive Officer. From August 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022, Mr. White was our President and Chief Operating Officer.
(3)Mr. Garis commenced employment with us on August 1, 2024.
(4)Mr. Head stepped down from his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on August 1, 2024 and transitioned to a strategic advisor role through December 31, 2024.
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(5)Mr. Hogge commenced employment with us on March 11, 2024.
(6)Ms. Misencik commenced employment with us on October 14, 2024.
(7)The amounts in the “Salary” column represent the base salary earned by each named executive officer for the applicable fiscal year.
(8)The amounts in the “Bonus” column represent cash bonuses paid outside of our 2024 annual bonus plan. With respect to Mr. Dalton and Ms. Misencik, these amounts were sign-on bonuses paid as an inducement to employment. With respect to Mr. Head, this was a discretionary bonus paid based on his extraordinary efforts relating to the Chief Executive Officer transition.
(9)The amounts in the “Restricted Stock Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the applicable fiscal year in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation of Stock Awards granted in 2024, please see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
(10)The amounts shown in the “Performance Stock Awards” column reflect the grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation of Stock Awards granted in 2024, please see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
(11)The amounts shown in the “Option Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted during the applicable fiscal year in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation of stock options granted in 2024, please see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
(12)The amounts shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column represent an amount equal to the annual performance-based cash bonuses that were earned under our 2024 annual bonus plan, and paid in March 2025. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Elements of Compensation - Annual Incentive Compensation” for a description of the bonuses for 2024.
(13)The amounts in the “All Other Compensation” column represent Company contributions to our 401(k) Plan for each of the named executive officers. Messrs. Dalton, Garis, and Hogge and Ms. Misencik were not eligible for Company contributions to our 401(k) Plan in 2024 and, therefore, did not receive any such contributions in 2024.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table provides information with respect to grants of plan-based awards to our named executive officers during 2024. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Estimated Future Payout Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | Estimated Future Payout Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(3) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)(4) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) | Grant Date Fair value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(5) |
Name | Grant Date | Approval Date | Threshold ($)(1) | Target ($)(1) | Maximum ($)(1) | Threshold (#)(2) | Target (#)(2) | Maximum (#)(2) |
Mr. Dalton | 3/1/24 | 12/21/23 | 408,534 | | 817,067 | | 1,225,601 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
3/1/24 | 12/21/23 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 112,612 | | 171,232 | | 44.40 | | 10,000,000 | |
Mr. White | 2/27/24 | 2/27/24 | 178,740 | | 357,480 | | 536,220 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
3/1/24 | 2/27/24 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 16,891 | | — | | — | | 750,000 | |
Mr. Garis | 8/5/24 | 7/31/24 | 97,740 | | 195,481 | | 293,221 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
8/5/24 | 7/31/24 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 89,285 | | 122,549 | | 11.20 | | 2,000,000 | |
Mr. Head | 2/27/24 | 2/27/24 | 267,800 | | 535,600 | | 803,400 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
3/1/24 | 2/27/24 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 34,684 | | — | | — | | 1,540,000 | |
3/1/24 | 2/27/24 | — | | — | | — | | 17,342 | | 34,684 | | 52,026 | | — | | — | | — | | 1,623,211 | |
Mr. Hogge | 3/11/24 | 2/27/24 | 192,308 | | 384,615 | | 576,923 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
3/11/24 | 2/27/24 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 26,041 | | — | | — | | 875,000 | |
3/11/24 | 2/27/24 | — | | — | | — | | 13,020 | | 26,041 | | 52,082 | | — | | — | | — | | 1,010,385 | |
Mr. Kim | 2/27/24 | 2/27/24 | 154,918 | | 309,836 | | 464,754 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
3/1/24 | 2/27/24 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 7,299 | | — | | — | | 324,115 | |
3/1/24 | 2/27/24 | — | | — | | — | | 3,650 | | 7,299 | | 10,949 | | — | | — | | — | | 341,596 | |
Ms. Misencik | 10/14/24 | 9/25/24 | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 95,328 | | — | | — | | 1,000,000 | |
(1) Relates to our cash incentive award opportunity under the Company’s 2024 annual bonus plan, the terms of which are summarized under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Annual Incentive Compensation.” For 2024, the Compensation Committee approved a threshold eligibility requirement of $939.4 million in revenue and $582.0 million in Adjusted EBITDA and a revenue performance target of $1,021.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA performance target of $646.7 million. For purposes of this table, the columns assume that the threshold eligibility requirement is met and payouts are as follows: (A) Threshold: revenue performance target and Adjusted EBITDA performance target, each 50%; (B) Target: revenue performance target and Adjusted EBITDA performance target, each 100%; and (C) Maximum: revenue performance target and Adjusted EBITDA performance target, each 150%. For the actual amounts paid to the named executive officers pursuant to the Company’s 2024 annual bonus plan, see the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Relates to performance stock unit awards granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on March 1, 2024 for Messrs. Head and Kim and on March 11, 2025 for Mr. Hogge. These performance stock units are earned based on the achievement of a revenue goal and a relative total stockholder return goal (“rTSR”). For purposes of this table, the columns assume that the threshold eligibility requirement is met and payouts are as follows: (A) Threshold: revenue performance target and rTSR performance target, each 50%; (B) Target: revenue performance target and rTSR performance target, each 100%; and (C) Maximum: revenue performance target and rTSR performance target, each 150%.
(3)Relates to restricted stock unit awards granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on March 1, 2024 for Messrs. Dalton, White, Head, and Kim; on March 11, 2025 for Mr. Hogge; on August 5, 2024 for Mr. Garis; and on October 14, 2024 for Ms. Misencik. Each of these restricted stock unit awards vest 25% per year on the first four anniversaries of March 1, 2024, except that Mr. Dalton's restricted stock unit award vests 50% per year on the first two anniversaries of March 1, 2024, Mr. Garis's restricted stock unit award vests 33.33% per year on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversaries of August 5, 2024, and Ms. Misencik's restricted stock unit award vests 25% per year on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversaries of October 14, 2024. Mr. Dalton's and Mr. Garis's restricted stock unit awards were granted as an inducement award outside our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(4)Relates to option awards granted to Mr. Dalton as an inducement award outside our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on March 1, 2024, which, vests 33.33% per year on March 1, 2025, 2026, and 2027 and granted to Mr. Garis as an inducement award outside our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on August 5, 2024, which vests 33.33% per year on August 5, 2026, 2027, and 2028.
(5)Represents aggregate grant date fair value of the awards at target computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For additional information, including a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate these values, please see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
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48 | Claritev |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers
Messrs. Dalton, Garis, White, and Head have entered into employment agreements with Claritev and/or one of its affiliates and Messrs. Hogge and Kim and Ms. Misencik have entered into employment offer letters with Claritev and/or one of its affiliates. The employment agreements and offer letters provide the terms of the named executive officer’s compensation, including, if applicable, severance compensation and benefits in the event of a termination of employment, and the employment agreements contain restrictive covenants.
Mr. Dalton
Claritev is a party to an employment agreement with Mr. Dalton, dated December 28, 2023 (the “Dalton Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which, Mr. Dalton is entitled to:
•an annual base salary of $825,000, subject to adjustment by the Compensation Committee from time to time; provided that no decrease may be made except a proportionate decrease made in connection with Company-wide salary reductions for senior executives, as determined by the Board;
•a one-time sign-on bonus of $500,000;
•an annual bonus opportunity with a target amount equal to 125% of his annual base salary, with the annual bonus awards opportunity based on the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee; and
•beginning in 2025, an annual equity grant having a grant date fair value of not less than $8,000,000, in an equal mix of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units with the time-based restricted stock units vesting over the four-year period following the applicable date of grant and the performance-based restricted stock units having the same vesting conditions as applicable to other similarly situated executive officers receiving grants at the same time, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board.
On March 1, 2024 (the “CEO Transition Date”), Claritev granted to Mr. Dalton a number of stock options having a Black-Scholes value equal to $5,000,000, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock at market close on the CEO Transition Date. The stock options shall vest over a three-year period from the CEO Transition Date, in substantially equal annual installments, subject to Mr. Dalton’s continued employment and the terms and conditions of the Plan and the award agreement evidencing such grant.
On the CEO Transition Date, the Company also granted to Mr. Dalton a number of time-based restricted stock units with a fair market value, as of the CEO Transition Date, of $5,000,000. The restricted stock units shall vest over a two-year period from the CEO Transition Date, in substantially equal annual installments, subject to Mr. Dalton’s continued employment and the terms and conditions of the Plan and the award agreement evidencing such grant.
On February 28, 2025, Mr. Dalton and the Company entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which Mr. Dalton acknowledged that his 2025 annual equity grant would be in the form of a grant of time-based restricted stock units subject to a four-year vesting period with a grant date fair value of $2,670,000, and cash-settled restricted stock units subject to a two-year vesting period with a grant date fair value of $8,000,000.
For a description of the restrictive covenants contained in the Dalton Employment Agreement and benefits to which Mr. Dalton would be entitled under his employment agreement in connection with a qualifying termination, see “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
Mr. White
Claritev entered into an employment with Mr. White on January 31, 2022 (the “2022 White Employment Agreement”). In connection with Mr. White’s transition to Executive Chair of the Board, Mr. White and Claritev entered into a Transition Letter, dated December 28, 2023 (the “White Transition Letter”), which provided that Mr. White would continue to serve as Claritev’s President and Chief Executive Officer, until the CEO Transition Date, at which time he transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman until December 31, 2024. Under the White Transition Letter:
•During continued employment in calendar year 2024, (i) as Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. White was eligible to receive his base salary and a pro-rata portion of his 2024 annual bonus in accordance with the terms of the 2022 White Employment Agreement, and (ii) on and following the CEO Transition Date, Mr. White was eligible to receive: (a) an annual base salary of $487,500, pro-rated for any partial year (the “Executive Chair Base Salary”) and (b) a cash bonus with a target of fifty
(50%) percent of the Executive Chair Base Salary, pro-rated for any partial year. As specified in the Retirement Transition Letter (as defined below) between Claritev and Mr. White, effective December 31, 2024, Mr. White's cash bonus for 2024 with respect to both his time during the year in the role of President and Chief Executive Officer as well as Executive Chairman, was in the amount of $93,797.
•Following the cessation of Mr. White’s service as Executive Chair, for so long as he continues to provide services on the Board either as a regular member of the Board or as Non-Executive Chair, Mr. White shall be entitled to receive a $200,000 cash annual retainer.
•Subject to Mr. White’s continued employment or service on the Board, (i) he shall be eligible to receive a grant of restricted stock units under the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan with a grant date value of $750,000 (the “2024 Equity Grant”) that fully vests on the first anniversary of the grant date and (ii) any other equity awards granted to Mr. White under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan shall continue to be eligible to vest, subject to the other terms and conditions of such equity awards; provided that continued service as a director on the Board shall constitute continued employment under the equity awards.
•Upon the termination of Mr. White's employment with Claritev (including, for the avoidance of doubt, upon any transition from Executive Chairman to a regular member of the Board), subject to Mr. White's execution and delivery of a customary release of claims (without revocation of such release) and continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants (as defined in the White Transition Letter), Mr. White shall be entitled to a (i) lump sum payment equal to $1,500,000, and (ii) payment of, or reimbursement for, COBRA premiums for a period ending on the earlier of eighteen months following the termination date and the date Mr. White obtains other employment that offers group health benefits.
Further, in connection with Mr. White’s retirement from his role as Executive Chairman on December 31, 2024 (the “New Transition Date”), Mr. White and the Company entered into a letter agreement, effective December 31, 2024 (the “Retirement Transition Letter” and, together with the White Employment Agreement and the White Transition Letter, the “White Employment Documents”)), which provides that:
•Mr. White shall be entitled to receive separation compensation and benefits substantially as set forth in the White Transition Letter;
•Mr. White will continue to serve on the Board as a director following the New Transition Date, and for so long as Mr. White continues to serve on the Board, Mr. White shall be entitled to receive a $150,000 cash annual retainer, payable quarterly in arrears, pro-rated for any partial year of services on the Board;
•Immediately following the New Transition Date, the Company will engage Mr. White as a consultant to serve as a Strategic Advisor to the Company, which, subject to termination of the engagement by either Mr. White or the Company, will continue through the first anniversary of the New Transition Date and auto-renew for additional one-year periods on each subsequent anniversary of the New Transition Date. As a Strategic Advisor, Mr. White will have such duties as may be agreed upon between Mr. White and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company from time to time (the “Consulting Services”); and
•Mr. White’s sole compensation for the Consulting Services shall be $50,000 annually, payable monthly in arrears, and pro-rated for any partial month of service as a Strategic Advisor.
Mr. Garis
Claritev is party to an employment agreement (the “Garis Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Garis, dated August 1, 2024 (the “Garis Commencement Date”) . Pursuant to the Garis Employment Agreement, Mr. Garis is entitled to:
•an annual base salary of $535,000, subject to adjustment by the Compensation Committee from time to time;
•a sign-on bonus of $250,000, subject to forfeiture if Mr. Garis' employment is terminated by the Company for “cause” (as defined in the Garis Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Garis without “good reason” (as defined in the Garis Employment Agreement) prior to the second anniversary of August 5, 2024;
•an annual bonus opportunity with a target amount equal to 100% of his annual base salary, with a maximum annual bonus of 150% of his annual base salary, with such annual bonus opportunity being based on the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee; and
•beginning in 2025, an annual equity grant commensurate with Mr. Garis’ role at the Company, with the type, vesting terms and amount of such annual grant to be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion in respect of such applicable year.
In addition, within five business days following the Garis Commencement Date, Claritev granted to Mr. Garis (i) a number of stock options having a Black-Scholes value equal to $1,000,000, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s Class A common stock at market close on the date of grant, and (ii) a number of time-based restricted stock units equal to $1,000,000 divided by the fair market value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant. The stock options and time-based restricted stock units shall vest over a three-year period following the first anniversary of the Garis
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Commencement Date, in substantially equal annual installments, subject to Mr. Garis’s continued employment and the terms and conditions of the Plan and the award agreement evidencing such grant.
For a description of the restrictive covenants contained in the Garis Employment Agreement and benefits to which Mr. Garis would be entitled under his employment agreement in connection with a qualifying termination, see “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
Mr. Head
Claritev is party to an employment agreement with Mr. Head, dated November 15, 2021 (the “Head Employment Agreement”). The Head Employment Agreement provides for an initial five-year term, beginning on November 29, 2021, with automatic renewal of the employment term for successive one-year periods thereafter. Pursuant to the Head Employment Agreement, Mr. Head is entitled to:
•an annual base salary of $500,000, subject to adjustment by the Compensation Committee from time to time ($535,600 in 2024);
•commencing in 2022, an annual bonus opportunity with a target amount equal to 100% of his annual base salary, with the annual bonus awards opportunity based on the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee; and
•beginning in the first quarter of 2022, an annual equity grant having a grant date fair value of not less than 400% of his annual base salary, in the same form and proportion of award type and with the same vesting conditions as applicable to other similarly situated executive officers receiving grants at the same time, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
In connection with Mr. Head’s transition from Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to the role of Strategic Advisor on August 5, 2024 (the “CFO Transition Date”), Claritev and Mr. Head entered into a Transition Letter, effective July 31, 2024 (the “CFO Transition Letter”). Under the CFO Transition Letter:
•During Mr. Head’s continued employment in calendar year 2024 following the CFO Transition Date, Mr. Head continued to receive his Annual Base Salary and his Annual Bonus prorated based on the number of calendar days from January 1, 2024 through the CFO Transition Date at the payout percentage applied to other individuals subject to the 2024 Bonus Plan, to the extent earned and payable pursuant to the terms and financial performance objectives of the 2024 Incentive Compensation Plan for Senior Executives (the “2024 Bonus Plan”). Mr. Head will also be eligible to receive a discretionary bonus as determined by the Board (or Compensation Committee of the Board of Claritev) in its sole discretion.
•With respect to Mr. Head’s equity-based compensation granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, consisting of (i) Options (as defined in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan) granted on November 29, 2021; (ii) Options granted on March 1, 2022; (iii) Restricted Stock Units (as defined in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan) granted on March 1, 2023, and (iv) Restricted Stock Units granted on March 1, 2024 (collectively, the “Incentive Awards”), subject to (A) his continued employment through the December 31, 2024 (the “Separation Date”), (B) his continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants (as defined in the CFO Transition Letter) and (C) his execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of Claritev, the Incentive Awards that would have vested on March 1, 2025 had he remained employed by Claritev on March 1, 2025 shall vest on the Separation Date, and any then-unvested Incentive Awards shall be forfeited for no consideration on the Separation Date. Vested Incentive Awards (taking into account the acceleration on the Separation Date) shall otherwise continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the applicable award agreements.
For purposes of Mr. Head’s Employment Agreement, the compensation described in the Transition Letter superseded and replaced the compensation described in the Head Employment Agreement, and Mr. Head is not entitled to any severance payments set forth in the Head Employment Agreement upon any termination of his employment regardless of the reason for his termination.
Mr. Hogge
Claritev is party to an offer letter with Mr. Hogge, dated February 15, 2024 (the “Hogge Offer Letter”). Pursuant to the Hogge Offer Letter, Mr. Hogge serves in the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and is entitled to:
•an annual base salary of $500,000;
•an annual bonus opportunity with a target amount equal to 100% of his annual base salary (prorated for 2024); and
•a target annual equity grant of 350% of his annual base salary.
For a description of the benefits that the Company and Mr. Hogge would expect in connection with a qualifying termination, see “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
Mr. Kim
Claritev is party to an offer letter with Mr. Kim, dated October 31, 2013 (the “Kim Offer Letter”). Pursuant to the Kim Offer Letter, Mr. Kim serves in the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (now Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer) and is entitled to:
•an annual base salary of $350,000 ($445,117 in 2024); and
•an annual bonus opportunity with a target amount equal to 50% of his annual base salary (70% in 2024).
For a description of the benefits that the Company and Mr. Kim would expect in connection with a qualifying termination, see “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
Ms. Misencik
Claritev is party to an offer letter with Ms. Misencik, dated September 26, 2024 (the “Misencik Offer Letter”). Pursuant to the Misencik Offer Letter, Ms. Misencik serves in the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer and is entitled to:
•an annual base salary of $425,000;
•an inducement grant of restricted stock units with a grant date value equal to $1,000,000, vesting pro rata over four years on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to approval by our Compensation Committee;
•an annual bonus opportunity with a max payout of up to 150% of target (target is 75% of base salary) starting in fiscal year 2025;
•a sign-on bonus in the amount of $200,000, payable in two equal amounts on the dates following 60 days and 120 days of employment; and
•starting in 2025, participation in Claritev’s annual management equity plan, with a target grant amount commensurate with other members of management at her level, determined each year by our Compensation Committee.
For a description of the benefits that the Company and Ms. Misencik would expect in connection with a qualifying termination, see “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table
The following table includes information with respect to equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2024. None of the named executive officers had any equity awards granted prior to 2021 outstanding on December 31, 2024.
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| Option Awards | | Stock Awards |
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(7) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(8) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(9) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(10) |
Mr. Dalton | — | | 171,232 | | (1) | — | 44.40 | 3/1/34 | | 112,612 | | 1,664,405 | | — | — |
Mr. White | 12,600 | | 4,201 | | (2) | — | 371.60 | 6/23/31 | | 153,535 | | 2,269,247 | | — | — |
7,812 | | 7,813 | | (3) | — | 300.00 | 2/18/32 | | — | — | | — | — |
10,080 | | 10,081 | | (3) | — | 400.00 | 2/18/32 | | — | — | | — | — |
12,254 | | 12,255 | | (3) | — | 500.00 | 2/18/32 | | — | — | | — | — |
18,750 | | 18,750 | | (4) | — | 150.00 | 3/1/32 | | — | — | | — | — |
Mr. Garis | — | | 122,549 | | (5) | — | 11.20 | 8/5/24 | | 89,285 | | 1,319,632 | | — | — |
Mr. Head | 8,502 | | — | | (6) | — | 300.00 | 11/29/31 | | — | | — | | — | — |
10,683 | | — | | (6) | — | 400.00 | 11/29/31 | | — | — | | — | — |
13,020 | | — | | (6) | — | 500.00 | 11/29/31 | | — | — | | — | — |
18,750 | | — | | (4) | — | 150.00 | 3/1/32 | | — | — | — | — |
Mr. Hogge | — | | — | |
| — | | — | | — | | | 26,041 | 384,886 | 26,041 | 384,886 |
Mr. Kim | 1,509 | | 504 | | (2) | — | 371.60 | 6/23/31 | | 28,798 | | 425,634 | | 7,299 | 107,879 |
1,909 | | 1,910 | | (4) | — | 150.00 | 3/1/32 | | — | — | — | — |
Ms. Misencik | — | | — | | | — | — | | — | | | 95,328 | | 1,408,948 | — | — |
(1)Relates to option awards granted to Mr. Dalton as an inducement award outside our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on March 1, 2024, which vests 33.33% per year on March 1, 2025, 2026, and 2027.
(2)Relates to option awards granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on June 23, 2021 with respect to Messrs. White and Kim, each of which vest 25% per year on March 29, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
(3)Relates to option awards granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on February 18, 2022 to Mr. White in connection with his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer, which vest 25% per year on February 18, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
(4)Relates to option awards granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on March 1, 2022 with respect to Messrs. White, Head and Kim, each of which vest 25% per year on March 1, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
(5)Relates to option awards granted to Mr. Garis as an inducement award outside our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on August 5, 2024, which vests 33.33% per year on August 5, 2026, 2027, and 2028.
(6)Relates to option awards granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on November 29, 2021 to Mr. Head in connection with the commencement of his employment with the Company, which vest 25% per year on November 29, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
(7)Relates to restricted stock unit awards granted under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on: (i) June 23, 2021, which vest 25% per year on March 29, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025; (ii) on March 1, 2022, which vest 25% per year on March 1, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026; (iii) on March 1, 2023, which vest 25% per year on March 1, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027; (iv) on March 1, 2024, which vest 50% per year on March 1, 2025 and 2026 with respect to Mr. Dalton, 100% on March 1, 2025 with respect to Mr. White and 25% per year on March 1, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 with respect to Messrs. Hogge and Kim; (v) August 5, 2024, which vest 33.33% per year on August 5, 2026, 2027, and 2028 with respect to Mr. Garis; and (vi) October 14, 2024, which vest 25% per year on October 14, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 with respect to Ms. Misencik.
(8)Based on the closing price per share of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2023 of $14.78.
(9)Represents the number of performance stock units granted in 2024 that, as of December 31, 2024, may potentially vest if performance goals are met at target.
(10)Based on the closing price per share of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2023 of $14.78 multiplied by the number of performance stock units that, as of December 31, 2024, may potentially vest if the target performance goals are met.
Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Non-public Information
The Company does not schedule its equity grants in anticipation of the release of material, non-public information, nor does it release material, non-public information based on these grant dates or time the disclosure of material, non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. In the event material, non-public information becomes known to the Compensation Committee prior to granting an award, the Compensation Committee will take the existence of such information into consideration and use its business judgment to determine whether to delay the grant of equity to avoid any impropriety.
The following table presents information regarding equity grants issued to our named executive officers in 2024 during any period beginning four business days before the filing of Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, or the filing or furnishing of a Form 8-K that discloses material, non-public information (other than a Form 8-K disclosing a material new option grant under Item 5.02(e)), and ending one business day after the filing or furnishing of such report with the SEC.
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Name | Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying the Award | Exercise Price of the Award ($/Sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of the Award ($) | Percentage change in the closing market price of the securities underlying the award between the trading day ending immediately prior to the disclosure of material nonpublic information and the trading day beginning immediately following the disclosure of material nonpublic information |
Mr. Dalton | March 1, 2024 | 171,232 | | 44.40 | | 5,000,000 | | 0 | % |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
The following table includes information regarding the amounts realized (before any tax withholding) by each of our named executive officers upon vesting of restricted stock units during 2024. None of our named executive officers exercised stock options in 2024.
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| | Stock Awards |
Name(1) | | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) |
Mr. White | | 48,324 | | 2,125,600 | |
Mr. Head | | 36,449 | | 950,108 | |
Mr. Kim | | 5,036 | | 221,206 | |
(1)Messrs. Dalton, Garis, and Hogge and Ms. Misencik did not have any stock vest in 2024 and, therefore, they are omitted from this table.
(2)Value realized upon vesting is based upon closing price of our Class A common stock on the vesting date.
Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Our named executive officers do not participate in any pension or nonqualified deferred compensation plans and received no pension benefits or nonqualified deferred compensation during the year ended December 31, 2024.
CEO Pay Ratio
Under rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we are required to calculate and disclose the total compensation paid to our median paid employee, as well as the ratio of the total compensation paid to the median employee as compared to the total compensation paid to our CEO. The following describes our methodology for identifying and calculating the total compensation paid to our median employee and the resulting CEO pay ratio.
We identified the median employee using our employee population on October 22, 2024.
The applicable rules require us to identify the median employee by use of a “consistently applied compensation measure,” or CACM. For fiscal year 2024, we chose a CACM based on total cash compensation paid during the year. The cash compensation includes, base salary, overtime pay, any bonus or incentive compensation paid, as well as miscellaneous cash payments, such as recognition awards.
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We did not annualize the compensation paid to partial-year employees or employees who were on an unpaid leave of absence and we did not utilize any cost-of-living adjustment. In addition, our entire workforce is in the United States and exclusion of foreign workers was not necessary.
After applying the methodology described above, we concluded that our median employee works as an Analyst in our Information Technology department with an annual total compensation of $78,613 in fiscal year 2024. During 2024, Mr. White served as our CEO until March 1, 2024, and Mr. Dalton served as our CEO thereafter. For purposes of calculating the annual total compensation for our CEO, we combined the total compensation of Mr. White during 2024 with the total compensation of Mr. Dalton during 2024, bringing the annual total compensation for our CEOs in to $13,234,963 for fiscal year 2024. Based on the described methodology, our CEO to median employee pay ratio is 168:1.
This information is being provided for compliance purposes only. Neither the Compensation Committee nor management of the Company used the pay ratio measure in making compensation decisions. Also, as a result of our methodology used to determine the pay ratio, our pay ratio may not be comparable to the pay ratios of other companies because other companies may rely on different methodologies, estimates or assumptions, or may make adjustments that we do not make.
Pay versus Performance
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information regarding the relationship between “Compensation Actually Paid” (“CAP”) for Messrs. Dalton, White and Tabak, our principal executive officers (“PEOs”), and “Average Compensation Actually Paid” by the Company for our non-PEO named executive officers (“Non-PEO NEOs”), as each such term is defined in Item 402(v), and the financial performance and total stockholder return (“TSR”) of the Company for each of the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 fiscal years, calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(v). In determining CAP, we are required to make various adjustments to amounts that have been reported in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) for the applicable fiscal years, as Item 402(v)’s valuation methods for this table differ from those required in the SCT. For a more accurate description of our executive compensation program and the factors used by the Compensation Committee to determine pay for our named executive officers, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement.
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| | | | | Average SCT Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($)(5)(6) | Average CAP to Non-PEO NEOs ($)(5)(6) | Value of Fixed $100 Investment Based on: | | Company Selected Measure: Adjusted EBITDA ($ in thousands)(9) |
Year | SCT Total for PEO ($) | CAP to PEO ($)(4) | SCT Total for PEO ($) | CAP to PEO ($)(4) | TSR ($)(7) | Peer Group TSR ($)(7) | Net Income ($ in thousands)(8) |
2024(1) | | | 11,725,601 | | 4,822,077 | | 2,343,798 | (716,232) | | 3.82 | 93.53 | (1,645,831) | | 576,668 |
2024(2) | 1,509,362 | | (6,313,419) | | — | | — | | 2,343,798 | (716,232) | | 3.82 | 93.53 | (1,645,831) | | 576,668 |
2023(2) | 7,595,750 | | 11,626,661 | — | | — | | 1,733,031 | 2,356,239 | 14.88 | 85.22 | (91,697) | | 618,045 |
2022(2) | 10,730,582 | | 2,058,584 | — | | — | | 1,700,025 | 138,203 | 11.88 | 117.13 | (572,912) | | 768,878 |
2022(3) | — | | — | | 2,631,049 | 2,368,975 | 1,700,025 | 138,203 | 11.88 | 117.13 | (572,912) | | 768,878 |
2021(3) | — | | — | | 9,016,080 | 6,549,945 | 3,308,731 | 2,410,564 | | 45.76 | 137.40 | 102,080 | | 838,325 |
2020(3) | — | | — | | 5,974,236 | 5,974,236 | | 2,812,800 | 2,812,800 | 82.54 | 116.75 | (520,564) | | 706,313 |
(1) The PEO for this row is Mr. Dalton, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer on March 1, 2024 and continues to serve as our Chief Executive Officer.
(2) The PEO for this row is Mr. White, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer on February 1, 2022 and continued to serve as our Chief Executive Officer until March 1, 2024.
(3) The PEO for this row is Mr. Tabak, who served as our Chief Executive Officer until January 31, 2022, at which point he retired.
(4) In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v)(2)(iii), to determine CAP, we began with the totals disclosed in the SCT above and then made the following adjustments. For 2024: (a) with respect to Mr. Dalton, we deducted $10,000,000, which is the sum of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $3,096,476, which was the fair value at December 31, 2024 of restricted stock units and stock options granted in 2024 (all of which remained unvested as of December 31, 2024); and (b) with respect to Mr. White, we deducted $750,000, which is the sum of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $249,649, which was the fair value at December 31, 2024 of restricted stock units granted in 2024 (all of which remained unvested as of December 31, 2024), we then deducted 7,322,430, which was the change in fair value of stock options and restricted stock units granted prior to 2024 from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, in the case of such awards that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2024, or to the date of vesting, in the case of such awards that vested during 2024. For 2023, we deducted $6,000,000, which is the sum of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $9,599,999, which was the fair value at December 31, 2023 of restricted stock units granted in 2023 (all of which remain unvested), we then added $430,912, which was the change in fair value of stock options and restricted stock units granted prior to 2023 from December 31, 2022 to
December 31, 2023, in the case of such awards that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2023, or to the date of vesting, in the case of such awards that vested during 2023. For 2022: (a) with respect to Mr. White, we deducted $9,757,427, which is the sum of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $2,231,839, which was the fair value at December 31, 2022 of stock options and restricted stock units granted in 2022 (all of which remain unvested), we then deducted $1,146,410, which was the change in fair value of stock options and restricted stock units granted prior to 2022 from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022, in the case of such awards that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2022, or to the date of vesting, in the case of such awards that vested during 2022; (b) with respect to Mr. Tabak, we deducted $0, which is the sum of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we then deducted $262,074, which was the change in fair value of restricted stock units granted prior to 2022 from December 31, 2021 to the date of vesting for awards that vested during 2022. For 2021, we deducted $6,999,997, which is the sum of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $3,579,344, which was the fair value at December 31, 2021 of restricted stock units and shares of restricted stock granted in 2021 that remained unvested as of December 31, 2021, we then added $954,518, which was the change in fair value of restricted stock units granted in 2021 that vested in 2021 from the date of grant to the date of vest. For 2020, no adjustments were made the totals disclosed in the SCT to reach CAP as no equity awards were granted or outstanding in 2020.
(5) The Non-PEO NEOs included for 2024 are Messrs. Garis, Head, Hogge, and Kim and Ms. Misencik; for 2023 are Messrs. Head, Doctoroff, and Kim and Ms. Nutter; for 2022 are Messrs. Head, Doctoroff and Kim; for 2021 are Messrs. Head, White, Doctoroff, Kim, David L. Redmond, and Paul Galant; and for 2020 are Messrs. Redmond, White, Kim, and Doctoroff.
(6) To determine Average CAP, we began with the average of the totals disclosed in the SCT above for our non-PEO NEOs and then made the following adjustments. For 2024, we deducted $1,742,861, which is the sum of the average of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $995,142, which was the average fair value at December 31, 2024 of restricted stock units, performance stock units and stock options granted in 2024 that were not forfeited in 2024 (all of which remain unvested as of December 31, 2024 other than 25% of the restricted stock units granted to Mr. Head in 2024, which vested on December 31, 2024), we then deducted $421,461, which was the average change in fair value of stock options and restricted stock units granted prior to 2024 that were not forfeited in 2024 from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, in the case of such awards that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2024, or the date of vesting, in the case of such awards that vested during 2024, we finally deducted $1,890,850, which was the fair value as of December 31, 2023 of any awards granted prior to 2024 that were forfeited in 2024 consistent with Item 402(v)(2)(iii)(C)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. For 2023, we deducted $964,991, which is the sum of the average of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $1,543,985, which was the average fair value at December 31, 2023 of restricted stock units granted in 2023 (all of which remain unvested), we then added $55,918 which was the average change in fair value of stock options and restricted stock units granted prior to 2023 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, in the case of such awards that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2023, or the date of vesting, in the case of such awards that vested during 2023. For 2022, we deducted $1,111,262, which is the sum of the average of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $265,784, which was the average fair value at December 31, 2022 of stock options and restricted stock units granted in 2022 (all of which remain unvested), we then deducted $716,344 which was the average change in fair value of stock options and restricted stock units granted prior to 2022 from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022, in the case of such awards that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2022, or the date of vesting, in the case of such awards that vested during 2022. For 2021, we deducted $2,165,817, which is the sum of the average of the amounts reported in the SCT in the columns “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards”, we added $819,524, which was the average fair value at December 31, 2021 of stock options and restricted stock units granted in 2021 that remained unvested as of December 31, 2021, we then added $448,126, which was the average change in fair value of restricted stock units granted in 2021 that vested in 2021 from the date of grant to the date of vest. For 2020, no adjustments were made to the average of the totals disclosed in the SCT to reach Average CAP as no equity awards were granted or outstanding in 2020.
(7) The peer group used for this Pay versus Performance analysis is the S&P Composite 1500 Health Care Technology Index (the “HCT Index”). The table assumes that the value of the investment in our Class A common stock and the HCT Index was $100 at October 9, 2020, which was the first day our Class A common stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and that all dividends paid by those companies included in the HCT Index were reinvested. The table is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
(8) As reported in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, these amounts reflect “net income” of the Company.
(9) For purposes of Item 402(v)(2)(iii), we have identified adjusted EBITDA as our Company-Selected Measure. See the section below titled “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” for more information regarding how adjusted EBITDA is calculated. Although adjusted EBITDA is an important financial performance measure that the Compensation Committee considers when making executive compensation decisions with the intent of aligning compensation with Company performance and has been selected as a performance metric under our bonus plan, the Compensation Committee does not evaluate CAP as calculated pursuant to Item 402(v)(2) as part of its executive compensation determinations or use any financial performance measure specifically to link CAP to Company performance.
Narrative Disclosure to Pay versus Performance Table
The most important financial metrics used in determining compensation of our named executive officers are revenue and adjusted EBITDA, as each of these metrics are 50% weighted in determining payouts under our cash bonus plans in 2021 through 2024. Based on particular considerations with respect to 2024, revenue was also used as a performance metric for the performance units granted in 2024. Between these two metrics, the Compensation Committee believes that adjusted EBITDA is more important in determining compensation of our named executive officers.
We believe the above table reinforces our pay for performance philosophy. We first note that CAP is significantly less than the amounts reported in the SCT for each of 2024, 2022 and 2021. This is due to the decrease in the price of our common stock over
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the applicable time periods, as the year-end value of restricted stock units and stock options or, in the case of awards that have vested, the value at the date of vesting, was lower in those years than the value at grant date or end of the preceding year. In 2023, however, CAP is more than the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table. This is due to a TSR of over 25% during 2023 and a TSR of 60% from March 1, 2023 (the date of grant for our 2023 equity awards) through December 31, 2023. As a result, equity awards granted prior to 2023 generally increased in value over the year and the equity awards granted on March 1, 2023 significantly increased in value between March 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
In this way, our CAP is closely linked to our TSR, which as shown in the above table, has been negative in 2021, 2022 and 2024, and in those years lagged well behind the peer group used for purposes of this Pay versus Performance analysis. Conversely, our TSR was positive in 2023 and in line with the peer group used for purposes of this Pay versus Performance analysis. As such, we believe that when comparing TSR and CAP, our pay for performance philosophy is supported.
Net income, on the other hand, is much less linked to the CAP set forth in the above table given it does not have any impact on the adjustments made to reach CAP and does not play any role in how we determine named executive officers compensation. Although net income significantly increased from 2020 to 2021, it declined significantly from 2021 to 2022, in large part due to a $662.2 million impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets taken in 2022, primarily due to macroeconomic factors resulting in higher interest and discount rates in 2022. From 2022 to 2023, net income increased significantly given there was no similar impairment, although our 2023 net income fell short of 2021 net income. From 2023 to 2024, net income again declined significantly, which was also due to a $1.5 billion loss on impairment of goodwill and intangible assets primarily in 2024 due to the use of a higher discount rate in response to significant declines in our stock price, lower projected cash flows, and lower EBITDA multiples.
We believe that adjusted EBITDA is a more useful metric than net income in determining the performance of our business and, for this reason, we use it in determining compensation of our named executive officers and thus it has a direct impact on the figures in the above table. Our adjusted EBITDA increased from 2020 to 2021 and the Compensation Actually Paid for our PEO also increased over that time while the Average Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs remained generally flat. Our adjusted EBITDA fell short of our expectations in 2022 and CAP also decreased from 2021 to 2022, due to lower annual cash bonuses but, as discussed above, due in larger part to the negative TSR in 2022 and its corresponding impact on the value of outstanding equity awards in 2022. In 2023, although our adjusted EBITDA decreased as a result of market conditions and contractual rate changes with certain clients, it was generally in-line with our expectations. As such, annual cash bonuses payable to our named executive officers were generally paid out at target. Although this increase in annual cash bonus payouts contributed to CAP increasing year-over-year, our positive TSR in 2023 discussed above played a much larger role in this increase. Although adjusted EBITDA did influence CAP in 2024, and does therefore support our pay for performance philosophy, adjusted EBITDA is not as influential on CAP as TSR for 2023. In 2024, our adjusted EBITDA was below our expectations. As such, annual cash bonuses payable to our named executive officers were paid out at significantly less (i.e., 70%) than target and 2023 annual cash bonuses. Although this year-over-year decrease in annual cash bonus payouts contributed to CAP decreasing also decreasing year-over-year, our negative TSR in 2024 discussed above played a much larger role in this decrease. Although adjusted EBITDA did influence CAP for 2024, and does therefore support our pay for performance philosophy, adjusted EBITDA is not as influential on CAP as TSR for 2024.
Tabular List of Financial Performance Measures
In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v)(6), we have identified an unranked list of the most important financial performance measures, which the Compensation Committee considered when making executive compensation decisions for 2024. The use of each performance measure other than stock price is further described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement. The value of our equity awards is significantly impacted by the value of our common stock. Since equity awards are a key component of our named executive officers’ total target compensation, our stock price functionally serves as a third important financial metric in determining their compensation. Further, one of the two performance metrics for the performance stock units granted in 2024 is relative total stockholder return, which is also driven by stock price, among other factors.
•Revenue
•Adjusted EBITDA
•Stock Price
All information provided above under the “Pay Versus Performance” heading will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of our Company with the SEC, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Severance Benefits Upon Termination
Mr. Dalton
The severance payments and benefits due to Mr. Dalton in connection with certain terminations of employment with Claritev as of December 31, 2024 are set forth in the Dalton Employment Agreement.
Pursuant to the Dalton Employment Agreement, in the event of a termination of employment by Claritev without “cause” (as defined in the Dalton Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Dalton for “good reason” (as defined in the Dalton Employment Agreement), in each case, subject to Mr. Dalton's execution of a general release of claims in favor of Claritev and continued compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in the Dalton Employment Agreement, Mr. Dalton will receive: (i) a cash payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of Mr. Dalton’s annual base salary and target bonus opportunity, payable in 18 equal monthly installments, (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the product of: (A) the greater of (x) Mr. Dalton's annual bonus paid or payable in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the termination occurred; or (y) the target bonus opportunity, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed from the commencement of such fiscal year through the date of termination and the denominator of which is 365 (or 366, as applicable), and (iii) payment of, or reimbursement for, COBRA premiums for a period ending on the earlier of 18 months following the termination date and the date Mr. Dalton obtains other employment that offers group health benefits.
Further, pursuant to the terms of the Dalton Employment Agreement, if Mr. Dalton is terminated in connection with or following a change in control (as defined in the Dalton Employment Agreement), to the extent not already vested as of (or forfeited prior to) the date of termination, any remaining service-based vesting conditions of equity awards granted to Mr. Dalton upon commencing employment or as part of Mr. Dalton's annual equity grant (as more fully described in the Dalton Employment Agreement) will be deemed satisfied upon such termination.
Pursuant to the terms of the Dalton Employment Agreement, Mr. Dalton is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants that apply during his employment and the 18 months following termination of employment with Claritev, as well as indefinite covenants of confidentiality and non-disparagement.
In connection with its annual review of executive compensation arrangements, on February 28, 2025, the Company amended Mr. Dalton's employment agreement (the “Dalton Employment Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the terms of the Dalton Employment Agreement Amendment, if Mr. Dalton is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason during the one-year period following a change in control, his entitlement to 1.5 times the sum of his base salary plus target bonus is increased to 2.0 times such amounts, paid in twenty-four installments, and the Company will reimburse him for health insurance premiums for up to the duration of the severance payments.
Mr. White
Mr. White's employment with the Company ceased on December 31, 2024. In connection therewith (and as set out in the White Transition Letter and the Retirement Transition Letter, in connection with the cessation of employment, Mr. White is entitled to (i) a lump sum payment equal to $1,500,000, and (ii) payment of, or reimbursement for, COBRA premiums for a period ending on the earlier of eighteen months following the termination date and the date Mr. White obtains other employment that offers group health benefits.
Mr. White continues to serve on the Board for which he is paid cash fees of $150,000 per year. He is also currently serving as a consultant to the Company for which he is paid $50,000 per year.
Mr. White's outstanding equity awards remain outstanding and will continue to vest pursuant to the existing schedule so long as he continues to serve on the Board.
Mr. Garis
The severance payments and benefits due to Mr. Garis in connection with certain terminations of employment with Claritev as of December 31, 2024 are set forth in the Garis Employment Agreement.
Pursuant to the Garis Employment Agreement, in the event of a termination of employment by Claritev without “cause” (as defined in the Garis Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Garis for “good reason” (as defined in the Garis Employment Agreement), in each case, subject to Mr. Garis’s execution of a general release of claims in favor of Claritev and continued compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in the Garis Employment Agreement, Mr. Garis will receive: (i) a cash payment equal to the sum of
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58 | Claritev |
Mr. Garis’s annual base salary and target bonus opportunity, payable in 12 equal monthly installments and (ii) payment of, or reimbursement for, COBRA premiums for a period ending on the earlier of 18 months following the termination date and the date Mr. Garis obtains other employment that offers group health benefits.
Pursuant to the terms of the Garis Employment Agreement, Mr. Garis is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants that apply during his employment and the 12 months following termination of employment with Claritev, as well as indefinite covenants of confidentiality and non-disparagement.
In connection with its annual review of executive compensation arrangements, on February 27, 2025, the Company amended Mr. Garis's employment agreement (the “Garis Employment Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the terms of the Garis Employment Agreement Amendment, if Mr. Garis is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason during the one-year period following a change in control, his entitled to one times the sum of his base salary plus target bonus is increased to one and one half times times such amounts, paid in eighteen monthly installments, and the Company will reimburse him for health insurance premiums for up to the duration of the severance payments.
Mr. Head
As discussed above, on August 5, 2024, Mr. Head transitioned from Chief Financial Officer to Strategic Advisor for the remainder of 2024, during which period he continued to earn his pre-transition annual base salary of $535,600. On December 31, 2024, his employment with the Company ceased and from January 1, 2025 to January 31, 2025 he served as a consultant to the Company in order to finalize our debt refinancing. During this one-month consultancy period he earned $44,633, in line with his salary while employed. Mr. Head also received a cash bonus for 2024 of $535,600. Finally, we accelerated from March 1, 2025 to December 31, 2024 those portions of Mr. Head's unvested restricted stock units and stock options that were set to vest on March 1, 2025. All of Mr. Head's remaining unvested restricted stock units and stock options were forfeited. Other than as described in this paragraph, Mr. Head did not receive any other severance, benefits continuation or other payments in connection with the termination of his employment with the Company.
Mr. Hogge
Pursuant to the terms of the Hogge Offer Letter, in the event of a termination of employment by Claritev without “cause” as of December 31, 2024, Mr. Hogge would be entitled to 12 months’ salary continuation and payment of, or reimbursement for, COBRA premiums with respect to welfare benefits in effect at the time of termination for a period ending on the earlier of 12 months following the termination date and the date Mr. Hogge obtains other employment that offers group health benefit.
In connection with its annual review of executive compensation arrangements, on February 27, 2025, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Hogge to provide severance payments in connection with certain terminations of employment (the “Hogge Severance Letter”). Pursuant to the terms of the Hogge Severance Letter, if Mr. Hogge is terminated without cause (as defined in the Hogge Severance Letter), he will receive one times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, paid in twelve monthly installments, and if Mr. Hogge resigns for good reason (as defined in the Hogge Severance Letter) or the termination occurs during the one-year period following a change in control (as defined in the Hogge Severance Letter), he will receive one and one half times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, paid in eighteen monthly installments. The Company will also reimburse him for health insurance premiums for up to the duration of the severance payments.
Mr. Kim
In the event of a termination of employment by Claritev without “cause” as of December 31, 2024 and consistent with the treatment of similarly situated executives, both Mr. Kim and the Company would expect that Mr. Kim would receive six months’ salary continuation and payment of, or reimbursement for, COBRA premiums for a period ending on the earlier of six months following the termination date and the date Mr. Kim obtains other employment that offers group health benefits. The table below is consistent with these expectations.
In connection with its annual review of executive compensation arrangements, on February 27, 2025, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Kim to provide severance payments in connection with certain terminations of employment (the “Kim Severance Letter”). Pursuant to the terms of the Kim Severance Letter, if Mr. Kim is terminated without cause (as defined in the Kim Severance Letter), he will receive one-half times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, paid in six monthly installments, and if Mr. Kim resigns for good reason (as defined in the Kim Severance Letter) or the termination occurs during the one-year period following a change in control (as defined in the Kim Severance Letter), he will receive one times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, paid in twelve monthly installments. The Company will also reimburse him for health insurance premiums for up to the duration of the severance payments.
Ms. Misencik
In the event of a termination of employment by Claritev without “cause” as of December 31, 2024 and consistent with the treatment of similarly situation executives, both Ms. Misencik and the Company would expect that Ms. Misencik would receive six months’ salary continuation and payment of, or reimbursement for, COBRA premiums for a period ending on the earlier of six months following the termination date and the date Ms. Misencik obtains other employment that offers group health benefits. The table below is consistent with these expectations.
In connection with its annual review of executive compensation arrangements, on February 27, 2025, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Ms. Misencik to provide severance payments in connection with certain terminations of employment (the “Misencik Severance Letter”). Pursuant to the terms of the Misencik Severance Letter, if Ms. Misencik is terminated without cause (as defined in the Misencik Severance Letter), she will receive one-half times the sum of her base salary and target bonus, paid in six monthly installments, and if Ms. Misencik resigns for good reason (as defined in the Misencik Severance Letter) or the termination occurs during the one-year period following a change in control (as defined in the Misencik Severance Letter), she will receive one times the sum of her base salary and target bonus, paid in twelve monthly installments. The Company will also reimburse her for health insurance premiums for up to the duration of the severance payments.
Summary Table of Severance Benefits
The table below sets out what the specified named executive officers would have received assuming a termination of employment effective as of December 31, 2024 (i) by us without cause (including our non-extension of the term of the named executive officer’s employment agreement by Claritev, if applicable) and (ii) by the executive for good reason (solely for Messrs. Dalton and Garis).
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Name | Payment Type | Termination Without Cause Or For Good Reason (Including Non-Extension of Term)(9) ($) |
Mr. Dalton | Cash Severance(1) | 3,815,625 | |
| Benefit Continuation(2) | — | |
| Total | 3,815,625 | |
Mr. White | Cash Severance(3) | 1,500,000 | |
| Benefit Continuation(4) | 34,454 | |
| Total | 1,534,454 |
Mr. Garis | Cash Severance(5) | 1,070,000 | |
| Benefit Continuation(4) | 51,732 | |
| Total | 1,121,732 | |
Mr. Head | Cash Severance | — | |
| Benefit Continuation | — | |
| Total | — | |
Mr. Hogge | Cash Severance(6) | 500,000 | |
| Benefit Continuation(7) | 20,286 | |
| Total | 520,286 |
Mr. Kim | Cash Severance(8) | 222,559 | |
| Benefit Continuation(9) | 5,742 | |
| Total | 228,301 |
Ms. Misencik | Cash Severance(8) | 212,500 | |
| Benefit Continuation(9) | 9,394 | |
| Total | 221,894 |
(1)Amount represents 1.5 times annual base salary and target bonus opportunity, plus 1.0 times target bonus opportunity.
(2)Mr. Dalton waived welfare benefits in 2024.
(3) As set out in the White Transition Letter.
(4) Amounts represent monthly payments equal to the COBRA premiums required for 18 months.
(5) Amount represents 1.0 times annual base salary and target bonus opportunity.
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60 | Claritev |
(6) Amount represents 1.0 times annual base salary.
(7) Amounts represent monthly payments equal to the COBRA premiums required for 12 months.
(8) Amount represents 0.5 times annual base salary.
(9) Amounts represent monthly payments equal to the COBRA premiums required for 6 months.
(10) Only Messrs. Dalton and Garis are eligible for severance upon resignation for good reason.
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards Upon Termination or Change of Control
Except for equity awards granted to Mr. Dalton, no equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2024 are entitled to receive accelerated vesting upon termination of employment or a change in control; however, pursuant to the White Employment Agreement, in the event of a “Qualifying Retirement” (as defined in the White Employment Agreement), Mr. White is entitled to accelerated vesting of any portion of Mr. White’s then outstanding annual equity grants that were granted in 2022, 2023 or 2024 that would have vested on or prior to the first anniversary of the date of retirement. Such accelerated vesting does not apply to the premium priced options granted to Mr. White as inducement for his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer or any annual grants prior to 2022. Assuming a Qualifying Retirement on December 31, 2024, the following unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock units would vest prior to the first anniversary of the date of retirement and, therefore, such vesting would be accelerated: (i) 4,986 restricted stock units granted on March 1, 2022, (ii) 41,666 restricted stock units granted on March 1, 2023; (iii) 16,891 restricted stock units granted on March 1, 2023; and (iv) 9,375 stock options granted on March 1, 2022 with an exercise price of $150 per share. Because the exercise price for the above unvested stock options is greater than the trading price of the Company's Class A common stock on December 31, 2024, an acceleration of these stock options as of December 31, 2024 has no economic value. However, the accelerated vesting of the above unvested restricted stock units would have a value of $939,166 based on the closing price per share of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2023 of $14.78.
Further, pursuant to the terms of the Dalton Employment Agreement, if Mr. Dalton is terminated in connection with or following a change in control (as defined in the Dalton Employment Agreement), to the extent not already vested as of (or forfeited prior to) the date of termination, any remaining service-based vesting conditions of equity awards granted to Mr. Dalton upon commencing employment or as part of Mr. Dalton's annual equity grant will be deemed satisfied upon such termination. Assuming a termination following a change in control on December 31, 2024, the vesting of the following unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock units would be accelerated: (i) 171,232 stock options granted on March 1, 2024 with an exercise price of $44.40 per share; and (ii) 112,612 restricted stock units granted on March 1, 2024. Because the exercise price for all of the above unvested stock options is greater than the trading price of the Company's Class A common stock on December 31, 2024, an acceleration of these stock options as of December 31, 2024 has no economic value. However, the accelerated vesting of the above restricted stock units would have a value of $1,664,405 based on the closing price per share of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2023 of $14.78.
As noted above, in 2024 the Company granted performance stock units for the first time. The award agreement for these performance stock units states that if a participant’s employment is terminated due to death, disability or a qualifying retirement (all as defined in the award agreement) (i) on or following January 1, 2025 and prior to January 1, 2026, one third of any awarded units that would have otherwise become earned by way of performance goal achievement shall vest on the date they would have otherwise become vested if employment had not been terminated; (ii) on or following January 1, 2026 and prior to January 1, 2027, two thirds of any awarded units that would have otherwise become earned by way of performance goal achievement shall vest on the date they would have otherwise become vested if employment had not been terminated; and (iii) following January 1, 2027, any awarded units that would have otherwise become earned by way of performance goal achievement shall vest on the date they would have otherwise become vested if employment had not been terminated. Assuming a termination due to death, disability or a qualifying retirement of any named executive officer on December 31, 2024, no performance stock units held by such named executive officer would be eligible for vesting as such date is before January 1, 2025.
Amendment to 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
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| PROPOSAL 4 | |
| APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO CLARITEV CORPORATION 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN | |
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| | THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL. | |
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We are seeking stockholder approval of an amendment to the Claritev Corporation 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as previously amended, the “2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan”), in order to increase the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan by an additional 1,750,000 shares, to increase the aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan to 5,396,250 shares as described more fully below (the “Amendment”).
On February 20, 2025, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved the Amendment, subject to stockholder approval. If stockholders approve this proposal, the Amendment will become effective as of the date of stockholder approval. If stockholders do not approve this proposal, the Amendment will not take effect and the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan will continue in effect in its present form and we will continue to grant awards under the terms of such plan until the shares remaining available for issuance are exhausted.
The remainder of this discussion, when referring to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, refers to the amended 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan as if this proposal is approved by our stockholders, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise references the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan prior to the Amendment.
Our continuing ability to offer equity incentive awards under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is critical to our ability to attract, motivate and retain qualified personnel. The Amendment is essential to meet our forecasted needs in respect of equity incentives.
Corporate Governance Best Practices:
The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan provides for the following good corporate governance practices:
•Stockholder approval is required for any repricing of options or stock appreciation rights;
•Administered by a committee composed of independent directors;
•No automatic single-trigger vesting upon a change in control;
•Specific limits on total director compensation; and
•No dividends will be paid on any unvested award until the award vests.
The Amendment is necessary to promote our long-term success and the creation of stockholder value by:
•Enabling us to continue to attract and retain the services of key employees who would be eligible to receive grants
•Aligning participants’ interests with the interests of stockholders through incentives that are based upon the performance of our common stock;
•Motivating participants, through equity incentive awards, to achieve long-term growth in our business, in addition to short-term financial performance; and
•Providing a long-term equity incentive program that is competitive with those at companies with which we compete for talent.
We currently grant stock-based incentive awards to our employees under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. As of March 7, 2025, there are 304,851 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The remaining shares available for issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan will be insufficient to permit us to make annual incentive awards to our executives, directors and other employees. As a company focused on growth, we will need to hire additional employees to support our commercialization efforts and grow our business.
The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended by the Amendment, would authorize a total of 5,396,250 shares of our common stock for grants to participants, representing an increase of 1,750,000 shares of common stock that would be available under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Share Reserve Increase”).
Key Metrics
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Dilutive Effect of Share Reserve Increase | 8.5 | % |
Total Potential Dilution, including Outstanding Awards | 18.4 | % |
Three-Year Avg Burn Rate | 5.3 | % |
Dilutive Effect of Share Reserve Increase:
Share Reserve Increase 1,750,000 divided by the sum of shares of common stock outstanding 16,726,008, plus equity awards outstanding 1,711,291, plus the Share Reserve Increase 1,750,000, plus existing share reserve 304,851. Equity awards outstanding includes outstanding stock options and restricted stock units as of March 7, 2025, which includes: (i) grant of 171,232 stock options and 112,612 restricted stock units outside of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan to Travis S. Dalton upon his appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer; (ii) grant of 122,549 stock options and 89,285 restricted stock units outside of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan to Douglas M. Garis upon his appointment to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and (iii) grant of 48,214 restricted stock units outside of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan to William Mintz upon his appointment to Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Strategy ((i) through (iii) collectively, the “Inducement Grants”). Existing share reserve and common stock outstanding are as of March 7, 2025.
Potential Dilution Calculation:
The sum of equity awards outstanding 1,711,291, plus the Share Reserve Increase 1,750,000, plus existing share reserve 304,851; divided by the sum of shares of common stock outstanding 16,726,008, plus equity awards outstanding 1,711,291, plus the Share Reserve Increase 1,750,000, plus existing share reserve 304,851. Equity awards outstanding includes outstanding stock options and restricted stock units as of March 7, 2025, which includes the Inducement Grants. Existing share reserve and common stock outstanding are as of March 7, 2025.
Burn Rate Calculation:
The number of shares subject to time vesting equity awards granted in a fiscal year; divided by the basic weighted average common shares outstanding at the end of that fiscal year.
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• | Awards canceled or forfeited are not excluded from the calculation |
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Year | | | Time-Vesting Full-Value Shares Granted(1) | | | Options Granted | | | Total Awards | | | Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding as of 12/31 | | | Burn Rate = Total Awards/ Outstanding |
2024 | | | 1,233,332 | | | 293,781 | | | 1,527,113 | | | 16,147,506 | | | | 9.5 | % |
2023 | | | 762,503 | | | 0 | | | 762,503 | | | 16,128,366 | | | 4.7 | % |
2022 | | | 104,886 | | | 182,525 | | | 287,411 | | | 15,973,142 | | | 1.8 | % |
Three Year Avg | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5.3 | % |
(1) Includes shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units.
The Share Reserve Increase is intended to manage our equity compensation needs for the next 12 to 24 months, based on our past grant practices and the recent trading prices of our shares.
Total Outstanding Awards
The table below shows the total number of outstanding options and other awards granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and awards granted outside of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, each as of March 7, 2025.
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Plan Name | Awards |
2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan | 1,167,399 |
Inducement Grants | 543,892 |
As of March 14, 2025, the fair market value of a share of common stock (as determined by the closing price on the NYSE on that date) was $20.05 per share.
The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan will continue to permit the discretionary award of stock options, including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity-based awards and cash-based incentive awards to participants. Such awards may continue to be granted under the Share Reserve Increase beginning on the date of stockholder approval of the Amendment and continuing through July 12, 2030, or earlier termination of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Text of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
The text of the Amendment to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is attached as Annex A. Stockholders are urged to review the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan together with the following information, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to Annex A. If there is any inconsistency between this Proposal 4 and the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan terms, or if there is any inaccuracy in this Proposal 4, the terms of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan shall govern.
Key Features of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Purpose
The purpose of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to provide a means through which to attract, retain and motivate key personnel and to provide a means whereby our directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors can acquire and maintain an equity interest in us, or be paid incentive compensation, including incentive compensation measured by reference to the value of our common stock, thereby strengthening their commitment to our welfare and aligning their interests with those of our stockholders.
Persons Eligible to Participate
Awards under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be granted to any (i) individual employed by us or our subsidiaries (other than those U.S. employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement); (ii) director or officer of us or our subsidiaries; or (iii) consultant or advisor to us or our subsidiaries who may be offered securities registrable pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) may grant awards to any individual eligible to participate in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 2,700 employees (including each of our executive officers), eight non-employee directors and one consultant were eligible to participate in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Administration
The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to make all decisions and determinations with respect to the administration of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, and is permitted, subject to applicable law or exchange rules and regulations, to delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it in accordance with the terms of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Shares Subject to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan provides that the total number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is 5,396,250 shares (the “plan share reserve”). No more than the number of shares of common stock equal to the plan share reserve may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options. The maximum number of shares of common stock granted during a single fiscal year to any non-employee director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during the fiscal year, may not exceed $1,500,000 in total value. Except for substitute awards (as described below), in the event any award expires or is cancelled, forfeited or terminated without issuance to the participant of the full number of shares of common stock to which the award related, the unissued shares of common stock underlying such award will be returned to the plan share reserve and may be granted again under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Shares of common stock withheld in payment of an option exercise price or taxes relating to an award, and shares equal to the number of shares of common stock surrendered in payment of any option exercise price, a stock appreciation right’s base price, or taxes relating to an award will constitute shares of common stock issued to a participant and will thus reduce the plan share reserve and will not be returned to the plan share reserve. Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, be granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity directly or indirectly acquired by us or with which we combine (referred to as “substitute awards”), and such substitute awards will not be counted against the plan share reserve, except that substitute awards intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” will count against the limit on incentive stock options described above. No award may be granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
after the tenth anniversary of the effective date (as defined therein), but awards granted before then may extend beyond that date.
Vesting of Awards
All awards granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan will vest and, as applicable, become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Compensation Committee, including, without limitation, satisfaction of performance conditions, if any.
Types of Awards
Options. The Compensation Committee may grant non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options, under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, with terms and conditions determined by the Compensation Committee that are not inconsistent with the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. All stock options granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan are required to have a per share exercise price that is not less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock underlying such stock options on the date such stock options are granted (other than in the case of options that are substitute awards). All stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options must be granted pursuant to an award agreement expressly stating that the options are intended to qualify as incentive stock options and will be subject to the terms and conditions that comply with the rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”). The maximum term for stock options granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan will be ten years from the initial date of grant, or with respect to any stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options, such shorter period as prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. However, if a non-qualified stock option would expire at a time when trading of shares of our common stock is prohibited by our insider trading policy (or “blackout period” imposed by the Company), the term will automatically be extended to the 30th day following the end of such period. The purchase price for the shares of common stock as to which a stock option is exercised may be paid to the Company, to the extent permitted by law, (i) in cash, check or cash equivalent at the time the stock option is exercised; (ii) in shares of common stock having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price for the shares of common stock being purchased and satisfying any requirements that may be imposed by the Compensation Committee (so long as such shares have been held by the participant for at least six months or such other period established by the Compensation Committee to avoid adverse accounting treatment); or (iii) by such other method as the Compensation Committee may permit in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the purchase price, (B) if there is a public market for the shares of our common stock at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the shares of common stock being acquired upon the exercise of the stock option and to deliver to the Company the amount of the proceeds of such sale equal to the aggregate exercise price for the shares of common stock being purchased or (C) through a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the minimum number of shares of common stock needed to pay the exercise price and any applicable taxes that are statutorily required to be withheld. Any fractional shares of common stock will be settled in cash. Options will become vested and exercisable in such manner and on such date(s) or event(s) as determined by the Compensation Committee, including, without limitation, satisfaction of Performance Conditions, provided that the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of any options at any time for any reason.
Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units. The Compensation Committee may grant restricted shares of our common stock or restricted stock units, representing the right to receive, upon vesting and the expiration of any applicable restricted period, one share of common stock for each restricted stock unit, or, in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, the cash value thereof (or any combination thereof). As to restricted shares of our common stock, subject to the other provisions of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the holder will generally have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such restricted shares of common stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote such restricted shares of common stock. Participants generally have no rights or privileges as a stockholder with respect to restricted stock units. Restricted shares of our common stock and restricted stock units will become vested in such manner and on such date(s) or event(s) as determined by the Compensation Committee, including, without limitation, satisfaction of Performance Conditions, provided that the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of any restricted shares of our common stock or restricted stock units at any time for any reason. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, whether in an award agreement or otherwise, in the event of a participant’s termination for any reason prior to vesting of any restricted shares or restricted stock units, as applicable (i) all vesting with respect to the participant’s restricted shares or restricted stock units, as applicable, will cease and (ii) unvested restricted shares and unvested restricted stock units will be forfeited for no consideration on the date of termination.
Other Equity-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant other equity-based or cash-based awards under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, with terms and conditions, including, without limitation, satisfaction of Performance Conditions, determined by the Compensation Committee that are not inconsistent with the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Effect of Certain Events on 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and Awards
Other than with respect to cash-based awards, in the event of (i) any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of common stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of common stock or other securities, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of common stock or other securities, or other similar corporate transaction or event that affects the shares of common stock (including a change in control, as defined in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan), or (ii) unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, including changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements, that the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, could result in substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, participants (any event in (i) or (ii), an “Adjustment Event”), the Compensation Committee will, in respect of any such Adjustment Event, make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable, to any or all of: (A) the plan share reserve, or any other limit applicable under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan with respect to the number of awards which may be granted thereunder, (B) the number of shares of common stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) which may be issued in respect of awards or with respect to which awards may be granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan or any sub-plan and (C) the terms of any outstanding award, including, without limitation, (x) the number of shares of common stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding awards or to which outstanding awards relate, (y) the exercise price or base price with respect to any award, or (z) any applicable performance measures; it being understood that, in the case of any “equity restructuring,” the Compensation Committee will make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding awards to reflect such equity restructuring.
In connection with any change in control, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following: (i) a substitution or assumption of, acceleration of the vesting of, the exercisability of, or lapse of restrictions on, any one or more outstanding awards and (ii) cancellation of any one or more outstanding awards and payment to the holders of such awards that are vested as of such cancellation (including any awards that would vest as a result of the occurrence of such event but for such cancellation or for which vesting is accelerated by the Compensation Committee in connection with such event pursuant to clause (i) above) the value of such awards, if any, as determined by the Compensation Committee (which value, if applicable, may be based upon the price per share of common stock received or to be received by other holders of our common stock in such event), including, in the case of stock options and stock appreciation rights, a cash payment equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of common stock subject to the option or stock appreciation right over the aggregate exercise price or base price thereof.
Non transferability of Awards
Each award under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan will not be transferable or assignable by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance will be void and unenforceable against the Company or any of our subsidiaries. However, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit awards (other than incentive stock options) to be transferred, including transfers to a participant’s family members, any trust established solely for the benefit of a participant or such participant’s family members, any partnership or limited liability company of which a participant, or such participant and such participant’s family members, are the sole member(s), and a beneficiary to whom donations are eligible to be treated as “charitable contributions” for tax purposes.
Amendment and Termination
The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan or any portion thereof at any time; but no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination may be made without stockholder approval if (i) such approval is required under applicable law; (ii) it would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (except for adjustments in connection with certain corporate events); or (iii) it would materially modify the requirements for participation in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant or any holder or beneficiary of any award will not to that extent be effective without such individual’s consent.
The Compensation Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and any applicable award agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any award granted or the associated award agreement, prospectively or retroactively (including after a participant’s termination). However, except as otherwise permitted in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant with respect to such award will not to that extent be effective without such individual’s consent. In addition, without stockholder approval, except as otherwise permitted in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the exercise price of any option or the base price of any stock appreciation right; (ii) the Compensation Committee may not cancel any outstanding option or stock appreciation right and replace it with a new option or stock appreciation right (with a lower exercise price or base price, as the case may be) or other award or cash payment that is greater than the value of the
cancelled option or stock appreciation right; and (iii) the Compensation Committee may not take any other action which is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which our securities are listed or quoted.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
The Compensation Committee in its sole discretion may provide that any award under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan includes dividends or dividend equivalents, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise provided in the award agreement, any dividend payable in respect of any share of restricted stock that remains subject to vesting conditions at the time of payment of such dividend will be retained by the Company and remain subject to the same vesting conditions as the share of restricted stock to which the dividend relates. To the extent provided in an award agreement, the holder of outstanding restricted stock units will be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalents either in cash, or in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, in shares of common stock having a fair market value equal to the amount of the dividends (and interest may be credited, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, on the amount of cash dividend equivalents, at a rate and subject to terms determined by the Compensation Committee), which accumulated dividend equivalents (and any interest) will be payable at the same time as the underlying restricted stock units are settled following the lapse of restrictions (and with any accumulated dividend equivalents forfeited if the underlying restricted stock units are forfeited).
Clawback/Repayment
All awards are subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (i) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or the Compensation Committee and as in effect from time to time and (ii) applicable law. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, to the extent that a participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the participant should otherwise have received under the terms of the award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the participant will be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company. If a participant engages in any detrimental activity (as described below), as determined by the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for one or more of the following: (i) cancellation of any or all of a participant’s outstanding awards or (ii) forfeiture by the participant of any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of awards, and repayment of any such gain promptly to the Company. For purposes of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and awards thereunder, “detrimental activity” means: any unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential or proprietary information of the Company or its subsidiaries; any activity that would be grounds to terminate the participant’s employment or service for cause; the participant’s breach of any restrictive covenant (including, but not limited, to any non-competition or non-solicitation covenants); or fraud or conduct contributing to any financial restatements or irregularities, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The tax consequences of awards granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan are complex and may depend on the surrounding facts and circumstances. The following provides a brief summary of certain significant federal income tax consequences of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan to a participant who is a citizen or resident of the United States under existing U.S. law as of the date hereof. This summary is not a complete statement of applicable law and is based upon the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code as in effect on the date of this description. If federal tax laws, or the interpretations of such laws, change in the future, the information provided in this section may no longer be accurate. This section does not discuss state, local, or foreign tax consequences and does not discuss the loss of deduction provisions of Section 280G of the Code, the excise tax provisions of Section 4999 of the Code, or the consequences of a failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code, each of which may be applicable in the circumstances described below. This section also does not discuss the effect of gift, estate, or inheritance taxes, nor any state, local, employment or foreign taxes which may be applicable.
Non-Qualified Options: A participant generally will not have taxable income on the grant of a non-qualified option. A participant will have taxable income upon the exercise of a non-qualified option equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock over the option exercise price multiplied by the number of shares subject to exercise (referred to as the “option spread”), and we will generally be entitled to deduct that amount for federal income tax purposes (subject to the restrictions on deductibility pursuant to Code Section 162(m), described below). This taxable income will be taxed to a participant as ordinary compensation income.
Taxable income a participant recognizes from a participant’s award is subject to federal and applicable state and local income tax withholding. Federal Insurance Contributions Act, or FICA, taxes comprised of Social Security and Medicare taxes must also be withheld on the taxable income recognized at exercise.
A participant may incur a tax liability on the subsequent disposal of shares acquired from a participant’s option if these shares are sold at a gain. A participant will be responsible for paying any tax due and ensuring that any sale by a participant of the shares is
reported to the tax authorities as required by applicable law. When a participant sells or otherwise disposes of shares, an amount equal to the difference between the sale or other disposition price of these shares and the cost basis of these shares will be treated as a capital gain or loss. The cost basis is equal to the amount previously taxed to a participant as compensation income plus the option price.
If the shares that a participant sells at a gain have been held for less than one year, a short-term capital gain will be recognized, which gain is subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates. For shares that a participant sells at a gain that have been held one year or longer, a long-term capital gain will be recognized, which is currently subject to tax at reduced rates. If a participant sells the shares at a loss because the cost basis of the shares exceeds the disposition price of the shares, the loss will be a capital loss, the use of which is limited on a participant’s individual federal income tax return.
Incentive Stock Options: A participant will not have any taxable income upon the grant of an incentive stock option. In addition, when a participant exercises an incentive stock option, a participant generally will not recognize any taxable income on the option spread (there may, however, be alternative minimum tax consequences upon exercise as explained below). Instead, a participant will be subject to income taxation only when a participant disposes of the shares a participant acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option. If a participant disposes of the shares of common stock that a participant acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after exercise, a participant will realize a long-term capital gain (or loss) based on the difference between the sale price of the incentive stock option shares and the exercise price of the incentive stock option, and we will not be entitled to deduct that amount for federal income tax purposes. Otherwise, if a participant disposes of the incentive stock option shares before the expiration of two years from the date of the incentive stock option grant or one year from the date of incentive stock option exercise (also called a disqualified disposition), a participant will realize ordinary compensation income in the year a participant disposed of the incentive stock option shares in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of (A) the lesser of (1) the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise and (2) the amount realized on the sale over (B) the option exercise price, and the Company will be entitled to deduct that amount for federal income tax purposes. Any further gain (or loss) that a participant realizes upon the disqualified disposition of the common stock will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss), depending on how long a participant held the shares, and such gains will not result in any further tax deduction for the Company.
Although a participant’s exercise of an incentive stock option does not result in the recognition of regular taxable income, the option spread on an incentive stock option exercise is a preference item that is includible in the calculation of a participant’s federal alternative minimum taxable income. Therefore, the exercise of an incentive stock option may cause an increase in a participant’s federal income tax liability if the preference income from an incentive stock option exercise causes a participant’s alternative minimum tax to exceed (or further exceed) a participant’s regular federal income tax in the year of the exercise.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units: A participant will generally not be subject to tax when a participant receives a restricted stock or restricted stock unit award unless, in the case of restricted stock, a participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. Generally, a participant will recognize taxable income on the date an award of restricted stock becomes transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (i.e., the vesting date) or when a restricted stock unit is settled in shares of common stock, as applicable, and we will generally be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes in the same amount (subject to the restrictions on deductibility pursuant to Code Section 162(m), described below). The taxable income from a participant’s award will be equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on such date and the amount paid for such shares, if any. This income is taxed in the same manner and at the same rates as other compensation income. If a participant does make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a participant will have taxable income at the time of grant equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on such date and the amount paid for such shares, if any.
Taxable income that a participant recognizes from a participant’s award on the vesting date or date of settlement, as applicable, is subject to federal income tax withholding, as well as any applicable state and local income tax withholding. FICA taxes, which consist of Social Security and Medicare taxes, must be withheld on the value of any shares that vest for tax purposes.
A participant may incur a tax liability when a participant subsequently disposes of shares acquired from a participant’s award if those shares are sold at a gain. A participant will be responsible for paying any tax due from that sale and ensuring that any sale by a participant of our common stock is reported to the appropriate tax authorities as required by applicable law. When a participant sells or otherwise disposes of any shares of stock, an amount equal to the difference between the sale or other disposition price of such shares and the cost basis of such shares will be treated as a capital gain or loss. The cost basis of the shares is equal to the amount previously taxed as compensation income plus any amounts paid for the shares. The holding period of such shares begins on the date such shares are vested (or, where an election is made under Section 83(b), on the date they were issued). If the shares a participant sells at a gain are held for less than one year, a short-term capital gain will result and a participant will be subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates. For shares a participant sells at a gain that are held one year or longer, a long-term capital gain will result. If the shares a participant sells are sold at a loss because the cost basis of the shares exceeds the disposition price of the shares, the loss will be a capital loss, the use of which is limited on a participant’s individual federal income tax return.
THE DISCUSSION ABOVE IS INTENDED ONLY AS A SUMMARY AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX EFFECTS RELEVANT TO RECIPIENTS OF AWARDS UNDER THE INCENTIVE PLAN. AMONG OTHER ITEMS THIS DISCUSSION DOES NOT ADDRESS ARE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCALITY OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION, OR ANY TAX TREATIES OR CONVENTIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS. THIS DISCUSSION IS BASED UPON CURRENT LAW AND INTERPRETATIONAL AUTHORITIES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.
New Plan Benefits
Awards (including stock options) under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and any awards (including stock options) that may be made and any benefits and amounts that may be received or allocated under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan in the future are not determinable at this time. As such, we have omitted the New Plan Benefits table and the number of stock options that may be received under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan in the future.
Recommendation
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. FOUR – APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE CLARITEV CORPORATION 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN.
Stock Ownership Information
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the close of business on March 7, 2025, also referred to as the “Record Date”, by:
•Each person who is the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock;
•Each of our named executive officers and directors; and
•All of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Except as described in the footnotes below and subject to applicable community property laws and similar laws, we believe that each person listed above has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.
The beneficial ownership of our common stock is based on 16,726,008 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 7, 2025, excluding 742,859 shares held by the Company as treasury shares.
| | | | | | | | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Number of Shares | Percent Owned (%) |
Five Percent Holders: | | |
Ares Management(2) | 1,863,105 | | 11.1 | |
GIC Investor(3) | 1,240,319 | 7.4 | |
H&F Investors(4) | 5,387,858 | 32.2 | |
Michael S. Klein(5) | 964,029 | 5.6 | |
The Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(6) | 1,543,750 | 9.1 | |
Executive Officers and Directors: | | |
Travis S. Dalton(7) | 112,854 | | * |
Douglas M. Garis(8) | 37,669 | | * |
James M. Head(9) | 76,751 | * |
Jerome W. Hogge, III(10) | 4,731 | | * |
Michael C. Kim(11) | 59,724 | | * |
Tiffani D. Misencik | — | | * |
Richard A. Clarke(12) | 8,000 | | * |
Anthony Colaluca, Jr.(13) | 13,500 | | * |
C. Martin Harris(14) | 7,948 | | * |
Julie D. Klapstein(15) | 7,977 | | * |
Michael S. Klein(5) | 964,029 | | 5.6 | |
P. Hunter Philbrick(16) | — | | * |
John M. Prince(17) | 5,329 | | * |
Allen R. Thorpe(16) | — | | * |
Dale A. White(18) | 364,310 | | 2.2 | |
All executive officers and directors or nominees as a group (18 persons) | 1,678,851 | | 9.6 | |
* Less than 1%
(1)Unless otherwise noted, the address of each of the entities or individuals listed in this table is c/o Claritev Corporation, 7900 Tysons One Place, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102.
(2)The following information is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 7, 2025 by Ares Management Corporation (“Ares Management”) and the other reporting persons named therein. Interests shown consist of (i) 1,578,588 shares of Class A common stock held by ASOF II Holdings I, L.P. (“ASOF Holdings I”) and (ii) 284,517 shares of Class A common stock held by ASOF II A (DE) Holdings I, L.P. (together with ASOF Holdings I, the “Ares Holders”). Ares Partners Holdco LLC (“Ares Partners”) is the sole member of each of Ares Voting LLC and Ares
Management GP LLC, which are respectively the holders of the Class B and Class C common stock of Ares Management, which common stock allows them, collectively, to generally have the majority of the votes on any matter submitted to the stockholders of Ares Management if certain conditions are met. Ares Management is the sole member of Ares Holdco LLC, which is the general partner of Ares Management Holdings L.P., which is the sole member of Ares Management LLC, which is the sole member of ASOF Investment Management LLC, which is the manager of each of the Ares Holders. Each of the foregoing entities may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the interests shown above, but each disclaims any such beneficial ownership of securities not held of record by them. Ares Partners is managed by a board of managers, which is composed of Michael J. Arougheti, R. Kipp deVeer, David B. Kaplan, Antony P. Ressler, and Bennett Rosenthal (collectively, the “Ares Board Members”). Mr. Ressler generally has veto authority over the Ares Board Members' decisions. Each of these individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Ares Partners. The address for each of the Ares entities is 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
(3)The following information is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 11, 2022 by GIC Private Limited, GIC Special Investments Private Limited, and Viggo Investment Pte. Ltd. (collectively, the “GIC Investor”). Interests shown consist of 1,240,319 shares of Class A common stock held by Viggo Investment Pte. Ltd. Viggo Investment Pte. Ltd. shares the power to vote and the power to dispose of these shares with GIC Special Investments Private Limited and GIC Private Limited. GIC Special Investments Private Limited is wholly owned by GIC Private Limited and is the private equity investment arm of GIC Private Limited. The business address for the GIC Investor is 168 Robinson Road, #37-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912.
(4)Interests shown consist of 42,801 shares of Class A common stock held by Music Investments, L.P. (“Music Investments”), 2,814,835 shares of Class A common stock held by Hellman & Friedman Capital Partners VIII, L.P., 1,263,302 shares of Class A common stock held by Hellman & Friedman Capital Partners VIII (Parallel), L.P., 238,737 shares of Class A common stock held by HFCP VIII (Parallel-A), L.P., 73,840 shares of Class A common stock held by H&F Executives VIII, L.P. and 12,417 shares of Class A common stock held by H&F Associates VIII, L.P. (collectively, the “H&F VIII Funds”) and 941,926 shares of Class A common stock held by H&F Polaris Partners, L.P. (“Polaris Partners” and, collectively with Music Investments and the H&F VIII Funds, the “H&F Investors”) pursuant to a Schedule 13D filed by the H&F Investors on October 13, 2020, as amended through May 13, 2022 (the “H&F 13D”) and after giving effect to the reverse stock split effected on September 20, 2024. Pursuant to the H&F 13D, H&F Parallel-A is the managing member of Music Investments, GP, LLC, which is the general partner of Music Investments, H&F Polaris Partners GP, LLC (“Polaris Partners GP”) is the general partner of Polaris Partners; Hellman & Friedman Capital Partners VIII, L.P. is the managing member of Polaris Partners GP; Hellman & Friedman Investors VIII, L.P. (“H&F Investors VIII”) is the general partner of the H&F VIII Funds; H&F Corporate Investors VIII, Ltd. (“H&F VIII”) is the general partner of H&F Investors VIII; and as the general partner of H&F Investors VIII, H&F VIII may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares beneficially owned by the H&F Investors. Pursuant to the H&F 13D, voting and investment determinations with respect to shares held by the H&F Investors are made by the board of directors of H&F VIII, which consists of Philip U. Hammarskjold, David R. Tunnell and Allen R. Thorpe, and each of the members of the board of directors of H&F VIII disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Pursuant to the H&F 13D, the address of each entity named in this footnote is c/o Hellman & Friedman LLC, 415 Mission Street, Suite 5700, San Francisco, California 94105.
(5)Michael S. Klein. Interests shown consist of (i) 3,691 shares of Class A common stock owned directly by Mr. Klein, which settled upon the vesting of restricted stock units awarded to Mr. Klein for service on our Board, (ii) 310,102 shares of Class A common stock owned directly by Sponsor, (iii) 382,500 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants directly owned by Sponsor (with 200,000 of such warrants being subject to an option to purchase held by The PIF as noted in clause (iii) of footnote (6) of this table), (iv) 3,750 shares of Class A common stock owned directly by M. Klein Associates, Inc., (v) 191,740 shares of Class A common stock and 67,936 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of an equal number of warrants directly owned by an entity of which Mr. Klein is the managing member and (vi) 4,310 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days upon the vesting of the underlying equity award. All 310,102 of such shares of Class A common stock owned directly by the Sponsor and 120,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants owned directly by the Sponsor unvested as of October 8, 2020 and will revest at such time as, during the 4-year period starting on October 8, 2021 and ending on October 8, 2025, the closing price of our Class A common stock exceeds $500.00 for any 40 trading days in a 60 consecutive day period. Shares of Class A common stock owned by Sponsor and M. Klein Associates, Inc. may be deemed to be indirectly owned by Mr. Klein, who is the controlling stockholder of M. Klein Associates, Inc., the managing member of Sponsor. As a result of this relationship, Mr. Klein may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of the securities held directly by Sponsor and M. Klein Associates, Inc. Michael S. Klein is the controlling stockholder of M. Klein Associates, Inc., which is the managing member of Sponsor. The shares beneficially owned by Sponsor may also be deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Klein. The business address for Mr. Klein is c/o Churchill Sponsor III LLC, 640 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10019. Excludes 65,567 shares of our Class A common stock owned by M. Klein & Company, an entity in which Mr. Klein has a minority interest. The information in this footnote is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2024 by Mr. Klein.
(6)Interests shown consist of (i) 1,281,250 shares of Class A common stock, (ii) warrants to purchase 62,500 shares of Class A common stock, and (iii) an option to purchase warrants exercisable for 200,000 shares of Class A common stock held by The Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“The PIF”) pursuant to a Schedule 13G, as amended, filed by The PIF on February 12, 2024 (“The PIF 13G”). The option to purchase warrants referenced in clause (iii) above are held by the Sponsor and are also referenced in clause (iii) of footnote (5) of this table. Pursuant to The PIF 13G, the business address for The PIF is The Public Investment Fund Tower, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Al Aqiq District, Riyadh, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(7)Travis S. Dalton. Interests shown consist of (i) 55,776 shares of Class A common stock held and (ii) 57,078 shares related to vested but unexercised non-qualified stock options.
(8)Douglas M. Garis. Interests shown consist of 37,669 shares of Class A common stock held, of which 8,238 are held in Mr. Garis's spouse's IRA, 345 shares are held in Mr. Garis's son's IRA, 336 are are held in Mr. Garis's daughter's IRA and 28,750 are held in Mr. Garis's IRA.
(9)James M. Head. Interests shown consist of: (i) 25,796 shares of Class A common stock held; and (ii) 50,955 shares related to vested but unexercised non-qualified stock options.
(10)Jerome W. Hogge, III. Interests shown consist of 4,731 shares of Class A common stock held.
(11)Michael C. Kim. Interests shown consist of: (i) 54,647 shares of Class A common stock held; (ii) 200 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days of March 7, 2025 upon the vesting of the underlying equity award; (iii) 4,373 shares related to vested but unexercised non-qualified stock options; and (iv) 504 shares related to non-qualified stock options that will be acquired within 60 days of March 7, 2025 upon the vesting of the underlying equity award.
(12)Richard A. Clarke. Interests shown consist of: (i) 3,690 shares of Class A common stock held; and (ii) 4,310 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days upon the vesting of the underlying equity award.
(13)Anthony Colaluca, Jr. Interests shown consist of: (i) 3,690 shares of Class A common stock held by Mr. Colaluca; (ii) 5,500 shares of Class A common stock held by the Anthony Colaluca Jr. and Tanya M. Colaluca Joint Revocable Trust dated August 27, 2010, for which Mr. Colaluca is co-trustee with his spouse; and (iii) 4,310 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days upon the vesting of the underlying equity award.
(14)C. Martin Harris. Interests shown consist of: (i) 3,638 shares of Class A common stock held; and (ii) 4,310 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days upon the vesting of the underlying equity award.
(15)Julie D. Klapstein. Interests shown consist of: (i) 3,667 shares of Class A common stock held; and (ii) 4,310 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days upon the vesting of the underlying equity award.
(16)Business address is c/o Hellman & Friedman LLC, 415 Mission Street, Suite 5700, San Francisco, California 94105.
(17)John M. Prince. Interests shown consist of: (i) 1,019 shares of Class A common stock held; and (ii) 4,310 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days upon the vesting of the underlying equity award.
(18)Dale A. White. Interests shown consist of: (i) 272,494 shares of Class A common stock held; (ii) 1,671 shares related to restricted stock units that will be acquired within 60 days upon the vesting of the underlying equity award; (iii) 85,944 shares related to vested but unexercised non-qualified stock options; and (iv) 4,201 shares related to non-qualified stock options that will be acquired within 60 days of March 7, 2025 upon the vesting of the underlying equity award.
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63 | Claritev |
Stock Ownership Information
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets out the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights, the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, and the number of shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024.
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| (a) | (b) | (c) |
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights(1) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights(2) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
Equity compensation plans approved by securities holders | 304,626 | | $286.14 | 1,646,486 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by securities holders | — | | — | | — | |
Total | 304,626 | | $286.14 | 1,646,486 | |
(1) Includes exercisable stock options and outstanding performance stock units; excludes outstanding restricted stock units.
(2) Outstanding performance stock units are included in column (a) but excluded from the weighted-average exercise price in column (b).
Insider Trading and Hedging and Pledging Policies
It is the Company's policy to comply with applicable insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, and any NYSE listing standards when engaging in transactions in our securities. Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Insider Trading Policy, our directors, officers and employees are prohibited from trading in options, warrants, puts and calls or similar instruments on the Company’s securities or short-selling. No Claritev personnel may engage in any transactions (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds) that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Company’s equity securities.
Claritev directors, officers and employees are prohibited from purchasing the Company’s securities on margin, borrowing against any account in which the Company’s securities are held, or pledging the Company’s securities as collateral for a loan, without first obtaining pre-clearance from the Company’s General Counsel. The General Counsel is under no obligation to approve any request for pre-clearance and may determine not to permit the arrangement for any reason. Approvals will be based on the particular facts and circumstances of the request, including, but not limited to, the percentage amount that the securities being pledged represent of the total number of our securities held by the person making the request and the financial capacity of the person making the request.
As part of the administration of our Insider Trading Policy, we have policies and procedures in place that the Company believes are reasonably designed to govern the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of our securities by our directors, officers, and employees, and which the Company believes are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations and NYSE listing standards.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
In 2021, the Board of Directors adopted stock ownership guidelines for senior officers and non-executive directors, including our named executive officers. These guidelines reflect the Board of Director’s belief that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to build a culture of stock ownership within the Company and to align the financial interests of the Company’s senior officers and non-executive directors with those of the Company’s stockholders. Participants are expected to own shares of our common stock in accordance with the following schedule within five years of becoming subject to the guidelines:
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Executive Level | Required Ownership |
Non-Executive Director | Shares having a value equal to at least 5x the base annual cash retainer |
CEO | Shares having a value equal to at least 6x the executive’s base salary |
C-Suite/EVP Level Officers | Shares having a value equal to at least 3x the executive’s base salary |
SVP Level Officers | Shares having a value equal to at least 2x the executive’s base salary |
Ownership for purposes of this program will include shares of our common stock held as follows:
Stock Ownership Information
•Shares owned directly by participant;
•Shares owned directly by a participant’s spouse or children under age 25 who are living with the participant on the applicable measurement date;
•Time-vesting restricted stock or restricted stock units held as part of a participant’s long-term compensation or as fees paid to non-executive directors, whether or not vested;
•Performance-based restricted stock units following certification that all performance requirements have been achieved, whether or not vested;
•Net shares issuable upon exercise of vested, “in-the-money” stock option awards held as part of a participant’s long-term compensation; and
•Net economic beneficial interests in shares held indirectly, e.g. in trust, by participant, participant’s spouse or children under age 25 who are living with the participant on the applicable measurement date.
If the stock ownership of a non-executive director or senior executive is not in line with his or her ownership guideline within five years of becoming subject to such guideline, he or she will be expected to retain at least 50% of all net shares owned by or underlying any award of long-term compensation paid to the senior officer or payment of fees to a non-executive director until he or she achieves ownership at or above the guideline amount.
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65 | Claritev |
Stock Ownership Information
Voting and Other Information
Who is asking for my vote?
Our Board is soliciting proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Costs of the solicitation are being borne by the Company.
What is the quorum requirement for holding the Annual Meeting?
The holders of a majority of the total shares of our Class A common stock issued and outstanding on March 7, 2025, entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, must be present in person or represented by proxy for the meeting to be held. Virtual attendance at our Annual Meeting constitutes presence in person for purposes of a quorum at the meeting. The shares held by each stockholder who properly submits a proxy, shares represented by broker non-votes that are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and votes to “ABSTAIN” will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the meeting. As of the close of business on March 7, 2025, we had 16,726,008 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
What am I voting on and what is the vote required to pass?
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Voting Item | Board Recommendation | Voting Standard |
Election of the three Class II nominees named in this proxy statement to our Board | FOR each director nominee | Plurality |
Ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2025 | FOR | Majority of Shares Present and Entitled to Vote |
Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers | FOR | Majority of Shares Present and Entitled to Vote |
Approval of the Amendment to the Claritev Corporation 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan | FOR | Majority of Shares Present and Entitled to Vote |
Election of the Three Class II Nominees to our Board. Our bylaws require a plurality of the votes cast in respect of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. This means that the three director nominees who receive the most affirmative votes in respect of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote will be elected. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes with respect to the election of directors. You may vote either “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” your vote from any one or more of the nominees. Votes that are withheld and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors because only votes “FOR” a nominee will be counted.
All Other Proposals. Under our bylaws, the approval of each of the other proposals that do not relate to director elections requires the affirmative vote (i.e., a “FOR” vote) of a majority of the voting power of the shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter. In addition, on the proposal to approve the amendment to the Claritev Corporation 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the rules of the NYSE require the approval of a majority of the votes cast. A vote to “ABSTAIN” will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” these items under our bylaws, but will have no effect under the rules of the NYSE, and a broker non-vote will have no effect in determining whether these items are approved. Our Proposal 2 (to ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm) is the only proposal on which your broker is entitled to vote your shares if no instructions are received from you.
Are broker non-votes counted at the meeting?
Brokers and banks have discretionary authority to vote shares in the absence of instructions on matters the NYSE considers “routine,” such as the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm. They do not have discretionary authority to vote shares in the absence of instructions on “non-routine” matters, such as the election of directors, say-on-pay or approval of an employee stock purchase plan. Therefore, if you do not provide instructions to the record holder of your shares with respect to proposals other than Proposal 2, the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm, a broker non-vote as to your shares may result with respect to the other proposals. In that event, your shares will count towards a quorum but are not counted as vote cast and will have no effect on the outcome of a proposal.
Voting and Other Information
What happens if I abstain on a proposal?
If you choose to abstain on a proposal, your shares will count towards a quorum and, where applicable, will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” Proposals 2, 3 and 4. With respect to Proposal 1, directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in respect of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. You may vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” with respect to each nominee. Votes that are withheld will be excluded entirely from the vote with respect to the nominee from whom they are withheld. Votes that are withheld and broker non-votes (as described above) will not have any effect on the outcome of the election of the directors because directors are elected by plurality voting, but votes that are withheld and broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
You may vote if you were the holder of record of shares of our Class A common stock at the close of business on March 7, 2025, also referred to as the “Record Date.” Only holders of record at the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. You are entitled to one vote on each matter presented at the Annual Meeting for each share of our Class A common stock for which you were the holder of record on the Record Date. If you held shares of our Class A common stock in “street name” (usually through a bank, broker, or other nominee) on the Record Date, the record holder of your shares will generally vote those shares in accordance with your instructions.
How do I vote?
The process for voting your shares of our common stock depends on how your shares are held. Generally, you may hold shares in your name as a “record holder” (that is, in your own name) or in “street name” (that is, through a nominee, such as a broker or bank).
Record Holders. If you are a record holder, you may vote your shares using one of the following methods:
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| Over the Internet. Go to www.proxyvote.com. You can use the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to submit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 PM Eastern time on April 29, 2025. Have your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic voting instruction form. |
| By telephone. Call (800) 690-6903. You can use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 PM Eastern time on April 29, 2025. Have your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in hand when you call and follow the instructions. |
| By mail. If you received a printed copy of the proxy materials, you may submit your vote by completing, signing and mailing your proxy card and returning it in the prepaid envelope to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717. Sign your name exactly as it appears on the proxy card. Proxy cards submitted by mail must be received no later than April 29, 2025 to be voted at the Annual Meeting. |
| In person at the Annual Meeting. Record holders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and vote virtually at the Annual Meeting. You may vote and submit questions while attending the live audio webcast. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) in order to be able to enter the meeting. |
If you vote via the Internet or by telephone, your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies in the same manner as if you signed, dated and returned a proxy card. If you vote via the Internet or by telephone, do not return a proxy card.
Held in Street Name. If you hold shares of our Class A common stock in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or voting instructions provided by the broker, bank or other nominee to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your shares. Your broker, bank or other nominee is permitted to vote your shares with respect the “routine” proposal to ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm without your instruction as to how to vote but will not be permitted to vote your shares with respect to any of the other proposals at the Annual Meeting without your instructions as to how to vote.
Can I vote in person at the Annual Meeting?
To vote at the Annual Meeting, log in at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CTEV2025. You will need your unique 16-digit control number shown on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card or voting instructions you received in the mail. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held through a broker, or other nominee, please follow the instructions provided by your broker, trustee or nominee.
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67 | Claritev |
Voting and Other Information
Why is the meeting being held virtually this year?
The annual meeting is being held on a virtual-only basis to enable participation by a broader number of stockholders. We believe that hosting a virtual meeting under the current environment will facilitate stockholder attendance by enabling stockholders to safely participate in the Annual Meeting. We have designed the virtual meeting to provide stockholders substantially the same opportunities to participate as they would have at an in-person meeting.
How do I participate in the Annual Meeting?
The live audio webcast of the annual meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Online access to the audio webcast will open approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to allow time for you to log in and test the computer audio system. To attend the virtual annual meeting, log in at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CTEV2025. You will need your 16-digit control number shown on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy card or voting instructions you received in the mail. If you do not have a control number, please contact your bank, broker or other nominee as soon as possible so you can be provided with a control number and gain access to the meeting.
The format of the virtual meeting has been designed to ensure that our stockholders who attend our Annual Meeting will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting and to enhance stockholder access, participation and communication through online tools. You will be able to submit questions during the meeting by typing in your question into the “ask a question” box on the meeting page. We will read and respond to appropriate questions during the meeting. Questions pertinent to meeting matters will be answered during the meeting, subject to time constraints. Questions regarding personal matters, including those related to employment or service issues, are not pertinent to meeting matters and therefore will not be answered.
We will provide a toll-free technical support “help line” that can be accessed by any stockholder who is having challenges logging into or participating in the virtual annual meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support line number that will be posted on the Virtual Shareholder Meeting login page.
What if I do not specify a choice for a matter when returning a proxy?
If you did not indicate otherwise (excluding broker non-votes), the persons named as proxies on the proxy card will vote your shares of our Class A common stock in accordance with the Board recommendations indicated above.
Can I revoke my proxy or change my vote?
Yes, you may revoke your proxy or change your vote if you are a record holder by:
•delivering a written notice of revocation to us at or prior to the Annual Meeting;
•signing a proxy bearing a later date than the proxy being revoked and delivering it to us before the Annual Meeting; or
•voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
If your shares of our Class A common stock are held in street name through a broker, bank, or other nominee, you should contact the record holder of your shares regarding how to revoke your proxy or change your vote.
Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?
We have elected to take advantage of SEC rules that allow us to provide stockholders access to our proxy materials over the Internet. We believe furnishing proxy materials through the Internet will allow us to provide our stockholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting. As a result, instead of a paper copy of our proxy materials, a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials will be delivered to all of our stockholders, except for those who have previously requested to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. This notice explains how you can access our proxy materials over the Internet and also describes how to request a printed copy of these materials. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials only identifies the items to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. You cannot vote by marking the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and returning it. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials provides instructions on how to cast your vote.
How can I access the proxy materials over the Internet?
You can access this proxy statement and our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K at https://investors.claritev.com. If you wish to help reduce the costs incurred by us in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all proxy materials for future annual meetings of stockholders electronically by e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. The information contained on or available through this website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement.
Voting and Other Information
How may I obtain a paper or e-mail copy of the proxy materials?
If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, you will find instructions about how to obtain a paper or e-mail copy of the proxy materials and our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K in your notice. We will mail paper copies of these documents to all stockholders to whom we do not send a Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
What should I do if I receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or more than one paper copy of the proxy materials?
Certain stockholders may receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or more than one paper copy of the proxy materials, including multiple proxy cards. For example, if you hold shares of our Class A common stock in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate notice or a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares of our Class A common stock are registered in more than one name, you may receive a separate notice or a separate set of paper proxy materials and proxy card for each name in which you hold shares. To vote all of your shares of our Class A common stock, you must complete, sign, date, and return each proxy card you receive or vote the shares to which each proxy card relates. If you hold shares of our Class A common stock in one or more street names, you must complete, sign, date, and return to each bank, broker or other nominee through whom you hold shares each instruction card received from that bank, broker or other nominee.
Where can I find the voting results for the Annual Meeting?
We will report the voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days following our 2025 Annual Meeting. You can access this report at https://investors.claritev.com under “Financials - SEC Filings.”
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69 | Claritev |
Miscellaneous Matters
Submitting Proposals for 2026 Annual Meeting
The table below summarizes the requirements for stockholders to submit proposals, including director nominations, for next year’s annual meeting. Stockholders are encouraged to consult SEC Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, SEC Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act or our bylaws, as applicable, to see all applicable requirements. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any director nomination or stockholder proposal that does not comply with our bylaws and other applicable requirements. Our bylaws are included as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on February 26 , 2025.
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| Proposals for Inclusion in the 2026 Proxy Statement | Other Proposals/Nominees to be Presented at 2026 Annual Meeting |
Type of Proposal | SEC rules permit stockholders to submit proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement by satisfying the requirements specified in SEC Rule 14a-8 | Stockholders may present proposals or director nominations directly at the annual meeting (and not for inclusion in our proxy statement) by notifying the Company in advance and satisfying the requirements specified in our bylaws. Stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than those nominated by the Board must also comply with the requirements of SEC Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. |
When Proposal Must Be Received by the Company | No later than close of business on November 19, 2025, which is 120 calendar days before the anniversary of the date on which our proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual general meeting, or, if the date of our 2026 annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after April 30, 2026, then the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials | No earlier than December 31, 2025 and no later than close of business on January 30, 2026, unless our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders is to be held more than 30 days before, or more than 70 days after, April 30, 2026, in which case the notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the 2026 annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the 2026 annual meeting or the 10th day after public announcement of the date of the 2026 annual meeting is first made. |
What to Include | The information required by SEC Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act | The information required by our bylaws and, in the case of stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than those nominated by the Board, the information required by SEC Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. |
Where to Send | Claritev Corporation, 535 E. Diehl Road, Suite 100, Naperville, Illinois 60563, Attention: Secretary |