ftlf20250619_def14a.htm
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

FITLIFE BRANDS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a‑6(i)(1) and 0‑11.

 

 

 

 

 

FITLIFE BRANDS, INC.

5214 S. 136th Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68137

(402) 991-5618

 

June 24, 2025

 

Dear Stockholders of FitLife Brands, Inc.:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting) of FitLife Brands, Inc. (the “Company”), which will be held at the offices of the Company located at 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on August 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., local time.

 

The accompanying proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) details information regarding the Annual Meeting, including a description of the proposals to be considered by stockholders at the Meeting and instructions for submitting your vote. To conserve environmental resources and prevent unnecessary corporate expense, we are using the “Notice and Access” method of providing proxy materials to you via the Internet pursuant to the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We believe this process will provide you with a convenient and efficient way to access your proxy materials and vote your shares. On or about June 27, 2025, we will mail to our stockholders a one-page Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access the Proxy Statement and submit your vote. The Notice will also contain instructions on how to receive a paper copy of your proxy materials. In addition to the Proxy Statement, we have also included a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Annual Report”), which we encourage you to read. It includes our audited financial statements and provides important information about our business.

 

Your vote is very important to us. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please read the accompanying Proxy Statement and then vote by Internet, telephone or mail as promptly as possible. Please refer to the Notice for instructions on submitting your vote. Voting promptly will save us additional expense in soliciting proxies and will ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you will be able to vote in person, even if you have previously submitted your proxy. Voting at the Annual Meeting will supersede any votes previously cast.

 

Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved the proposals set forth in the Proxy Statement and we recommend that you vote in favor of each such proposal.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

 

 

Sincerely,

   
 
djudd.jpg
 

Dayton Judd

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

 

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT


All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. However, to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to vote by Internet, telephone or mail as promptly as possible. Submitting your vote assures that a quorum will be present at the Annual Meeting and avoid the additional expense of duplicate proxy solicitations. Any stockholder attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person, even if he or she has returned a proxy.

 

 

 

 

FITLIFE BRANDS, INC.

5214 S. 136th Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68137

(402) 991-5618

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on August 12, 2025

 

 

Dear Stockholders of FitLife Brands, Inc.:

 

We are pleased to invite you to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of FitLife Brands, Inc. (the “Company”), a Nevada corporation, which will be held at the offices of the Company located at 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on August 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

 

 

1.

to elect five directors to our Board of Directors, each to serve until our next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successor is elected and qualified;

   

 

 

2.

to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers;

   

 

 

3.

to conduct an advisory vote to indicate how frequently stockholders believe we should conduct a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers;

   

 

 

4.

to ratify the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025; and

   

 

 

5.

such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

 

These matters are more fully discussed in the attached proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”).

 

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials primarily electronically via the Internet, pursuant to the “Notice and Access” method regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We believe this method is efficient, expedites our stockholders’ safe receipt of proxy materials, conserves natural resources, and significantly reduces the Company’s overall cost for the Annual Meeting. On or about June 27, 2025, we will mail a one-page Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to each of our stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Notice contains instructions for accessing the Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Annual Report”), via the Internet, as well as Annual Meeting voting instructions. The Notice also includes instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of your proxy materials. The Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are both available on the Internet at: www.colonialstock.com/FTLF2025.

 

The close of business on June 13, 2025 (the “Record Date”) has been fixed as the Record Date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. A complete list of these stockholders will be available for examination by any of our stockholders for purposes pertaining to the Annual Meeting at our corporate offices, 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, during normal business hours for a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, and at the time and place of the Annual Meeting.  

 

Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to vote your shares as promptly as possible by Internet, telephone or mail so that your shares may be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. For instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received by postal mail or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, your enclosed proxy card. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other fiduciary, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the record holder.

 

 

 

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each of the Director nominees identified in Proposal No. 1, and FOR Proposals No. 2 and 4, and for every THREE YEARS in Proposal No. 3, each of which are described in detail in the accompanying Proxy Statement. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 12, 2025:

 

THE ANNUAL REPORT AND PROXY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: WWW.COLONIALSTOCK.COM/FTLF2025.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

   
 
djudd.jpg

Omaha, Nebraska

Dayton Judd

June 24, 2025

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

 

 

 

 

FITLIFE BRANDS, INC.

5214 S. 136th Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68137

(402) 991-5618

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of FitLife Brands, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), for use at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) to be held on August 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, at the offices of the Company located at 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska.  

 

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials primarily electronically via the Internet, pursuant to the “Notice and Access” method regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We believe this method is efficient, expedites our stockholders’ safe receipt of proxy materials, conserves natural resources, and significantly reduces the Company’s overall cost for the Annual Meeting. On or about June 27, 2025, we will mail a one-page Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to each of our stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Notice contains instructions for accessing the Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Annual Report”), via the Internet, as well as Annual Meeting voting instructions. The Notice also includes instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of your proxy materials. The Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are both available on the Internet at: www.colonialstock.com/FTLF2025.

 

Voting

 

The specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at our Annual Meeting are described in more detail in this Proxy Statement.  Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 13, 2025 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the close of business on the Record Date, the Company had 9,391,072 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), issued and outstanding. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of the Record Date.

 

Stock Split

 

On February 7, 2025, the Company effected a 2-for-1 stock split of its Common Stock. All share and per share information throughout this Proxy Statement have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split

 

Quorum

 

In order for any business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, the holders of more than 50% of the shares entitled to vote must be represented at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by properly executed proxy. If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time of the Annual Meeting, the Chairman (or other person presiding at the Annual Meeting) may adjourn the Annual Meeting until a quorum is present. The time and place of the adjourned Annual Meeting will be announced at the time the adjournment is taken, and no other notice will be given. An adjournment will have no effect on the business that may be conducted at the Annual Meeting.

 

Required Vote for Approval

 

Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors.

 

For the five nominees who receive the greatest number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote will be elected.

     

Proposal No. 2: Approval, on a Non-Binding Advisory Basis, of the Compensation Paid to our Named Executive Officers. 

 

This proposal calls for a non-binding, advisory vote regarding the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (“Say-on-Pay”). Accordingly, there is no “required vote” that would constitute approval of this Proposal. However, our Board, including the Compensation Committee of the Board, values the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the result of the vote when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation policies and practices. The affirmative “FOR” vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, excluding abstentions, is required to approve this non-binding, advisory proposal. Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the approval of this non-binding, advisory proposal.

 

 

 

Proposal No. 3: Advisory Vote to Approve the Frequency of Non-Binding Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation. 

 

This proposal provides a choice among three frequency periods (every one, two or three years) for future advisory Say-on-Pay proposals (“Say-on-Frequency”). The frequency period that receives the most votes will be deemed to be the recommendation of our stockholders. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on our Board of Directors or management, we may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders to hold a Say-on-Pay proposals more or less frequently than the frequency period selected by our stockholders. Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted for every “THREE YEARS.”

     

Proposal No. 4: Ratification of Appointment of Auditors.

 

To ratify the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the number of votes cast “FOR” must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” this Proposal.

 

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

 

All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. An abstention is the voluntary act of not voting by a stockholder who is present at a meeting and entitled to vote. A broker “non-vote” occurs when a broker nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, your broker or nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to be acted upon.  If you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions regarding such matters, your proxy will be deemed a “broker non-vote.”

 

Under Nevada law and our Bylaws, each matter (other than the election of directors) requires the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast by stockholders present or represented by proxy (meaning the number of shares voted “FOR” a proposal must exceed the number of shares “AGAINST” such proposal). Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and, therefore, do not have any effect on the outcome of these matters.

 

Proxies

 

If your proxy is properly returned to the Company, the shares represented thereby will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions specified thereon. If you return your proxy without specifying how the shares represented thereby are to be voted, the proxy will be voted (i) FOR the election of five directors nominated by our Board, (ii) FOR the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers; (iii) for the frequency of non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation to be held every “THREE YEARS”, (iv) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as our independent auditors for fiscal year 2025, and (v) at the discretion of the proxy holders on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting by filing with our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices at 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, a notice of revocation or another signed proxy with a later date. You may also revoke your proxy by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.  Attendance at the Annual Meeting alone will not revoke your proxy.  If you are a stockholder whose shares are not registered in your own name, you will need additional documentation from your broker or record holder to vote personally at the Annual Meeting.

 

Solicitation

 

We will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of the Notice, as well as the preparation and posting on the Internet of this Proxy Statement, the Company’s Annual Report and any additional solicitation materials furnished to the stockholders. Copies of any solicitation materials will be furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in their names that are beneficially owned by others so that they may forward this solicitation material to such beneficial owners. In addition, we may reimburse such persons for their costs in forwarding the solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. The original solicitation of proxies may be supplemented by a solicitation by telephone, e-mail or other means by our directors, officers or employees. No additional compensation will be paid to these individuals for any such services. Except as described above, we do not presently intend to solicit proxies other than by email, telephone and mail.

 

 

 

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT ANNUAL MEETING

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

General

 

Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than one, nor more than nine directors, and that upon any change in the number of directors, any newly created directorships or eliminated directorships shall be apportioned by the remaining members of the Board of Directors or by stockholders. The Company’s Board of Directors currently consists of five directors.

 

Five directors are nominated for election at the Annual Meeting to serve until our next annual meeting of stockholders, or until her or his successor is duly elected and qualified. Each nominee has confirmed that they will be able and willing to continue serving as a director if elected. If any of the nominees becomes unable or unwilling to serve, your proxy will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee recommended by the current Board of Directors. 

 

Upon recommendation of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors has nominated the following directors for election at our Annual Meeting:

 

Dayton Judd

Seth Yakatan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Independent Director

   

Grant Dawson

Shannon Pappas

Independent Director

Independent Director

   

Matt Lingenbrink

 

Independent Director

 

 

Required Vote and Recommendation

 

The election of directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast (meaning the five nominees receiving the highest number of shares voted “FOR” their election will be elected). “WITHHOLD” votes and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose and will have no effect on the election of the nominees. Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the election of the nominees.

 

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The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the election of Messrs. Judd, Dawson, Yakatan and Lingenbrink, and Ms. Pappas.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The following sections set forth certain information regarding the nominees for election as directors of the Company. There are no family relationships between any of the directors and the Company’s executive officers.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Title

Dayton Judd

 

53

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Grant Dawson

 

56

 

Director

Matt Lingenbrink

 

43

 

Director

Shannon Pappas

 

51

 

Director

Seth Yakatan

 

54

 

Director

 

 

 

Each of the Company’s executive officers and directors will hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.  The background and principal occupations of each director nominee are as follows:

 

Dayton Judd has served as a director of the Company since June 2017, is currently the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and began serving as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on February 18, 2018. Mr. Judd is the founder and Managing Partner of Sudbury Capital Management (“Sudbury”). Prior to founding Sudbury, Mr. Judd worked from 2007 through 2011 as a Portfolio Manager at Q Investments, a multi-billion dollar hedge fund in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to Q Investments, he worked with McKinsey & Company from 1996 through 1998, and again from 2000 through 2007. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree, summa cum laude, and a Master’s Degree, both in accounting. He also earned an M.B.A. with high distinction from Harvard Business School in 2000, where he was a Baker Scholar. Mr. Judd is a Certified Public Accountant. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of LifeVantage Corp (Nasdaq: LFVN) and Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: OPXS).

 

The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Judd’s significant experience in investing in microcap companies, together with his substantial ownership position in the Company’s Common Stock, assists the Board of Directors in the management of the Company and setting goals and objectives to build stockholder value.

 

Grant Dawson has served as a director of the Company since November 2013 and is currently a Portfolio Manager of Fixed Income Investments for Polar Asset Management Partners (“Polar”), where he has worked since 2014. Mr. Dawson brings more than 20 years of experience in finance and has significant board-level experience in corporate governance for public companies. Prior to Polar, he was Managing Director of Fixed Income Investments for Manulife Asset Management, a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation and Vice President and Lead Analyst responsible for corporate debt ratings with Dominion Bond Rating Agency. Prior to that, Mr. Dawson held various senior management positions in credit management and corporate finance with Nortel and in equity research with Dain Rauscher Ltd. Mr. Dawson earned an M.B.A. from the SMU Cox School of Business, a B.Comm in Finance from the University of Windsor, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Additionally, Mr. Dawson is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds the ICD.D designation.

 

The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Dawson’s extensive expertise and knowledge regarding corporate finance and investment banking matters, as well as corporate governance, provides the Company with valuable insight.

 

Matthew Lingenbrink has served as a director of the Company since August 2024 and currently leads the marketing organization of Interstate Batteries as Vice President, Marketing and E-commerce since April 2024. Prior to his time at Interstate Batteries, he held various roles leading corporate strategy, business development, and route-to-market at Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., and its predecessor Dr Pepper Snapple Group, from August 2017 to April 2024. Prior to that, Mr. Lingenbrink worked with Bain & Company from September 2007 to August 2017, consulting with large clients across the consumer packaged goods industry and other industries on growth strategy, corporate diligence, and post-merger integration. Mr. Lingenbrink received his Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

 

The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Lingenbrink’s broad experience with consumer products strategy, marketing, and distribution will provide management and the Board of Directors with valuable perspectives relating to enhancing the value of the Company’s brands. 

 

Shannon Pappas has served as a director of the Company since April 2025. Ms. Pappas has over 25 years of experience in beauty, skincare, health, fitness, and consumer goods, with functional expertise in strategic growth, digital commerce, financial management, and market expansion for public and private companies. Most recently, Ms. Pappas served as Consumer President & Head of Digital Commerce at Beauty Industry Group, a global hair extensions and beauty company from March 2023 to January 2025. Prior to that, as President and General Manager of The Proactiv Company, a skincare brand, she managed commercial operations, finance, and market expansion from August 2019 to November 2022. Ms. Pappas led the sale of The Proactiv Company and its integration into Taro Pharmaceuticals. Ms. Pappas also has management experience in the fitness industry, first at Beachbody LLC and then at the International Sports Sciences Association, where she achieved revenue growth through strategic digital marketing, lead optimization, and an expanded brand presence. Earlier, Ms. Pappas worked in strategy roles at The Wonderful Company and Boston Consulting Group, focusing on corporate growth and post-merger integration. Ms. Pappas holds an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Arizona, where she was a Division I athlete, varsity soccer captain, and varsity women’s basketball competitor.

 

 

 

The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Ms. Pappas’s 25 years of experience in the health, fitness, and consumer goods, including her experience with strategic growth, digital commerce and market expansion, will provide management and the Board of Directors with valuable perspectives relating to the strategic growth and market expansion opportunities for the Company.

 

Seth Yakatan has served as a director of the Company since September 2015, and as a Partner of Katan Associates, Inc., a corporate strategy and finance advisory group, since April 2001. Prior to joining the Company’s Board of Directors, Mr. Yakatan served as a director for iSatori, Inc. from September 2014 until the completion of the Company’s acquisition of iSatori. Prior to founding Katan Associates, Inc. in 2001, Mr. Yakatan worked in merchant banking at the Union Bank of California, N.A. in the Specialized Lending Media and Telecommunications Group, and as a venture capital analyst with Ventana Growth Funds and Sureste Venture Management. Mr. Yakatan holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Public Affairs from the University of Denver.

 

The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Yakatan’s 25 years of experience as a life sciences business development and corporate finance professional, including actively supporting small cap and major companies in achieving corporate, financing, and asset monetization objectives, provides the Board of Directors with valuable guidance and expertise based on his extensive knowledge and understanding of banking matters.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, BOARD COMPOSITION AND BOARD COMMITTEES

 

Term of Office

 

Pursuant to our Bylaws, each member of the Board serves from the date they are duly elected and qualified, until the Company’s following annual meeting of stockholders or until their death, resignation or removal from office.

 

Board Member Independence

 

The Board believes that a majority of its members are independent directors. The Board has determined that, with the exception of Mr. Judd who also serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, all directors are independent as defined by the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Board Structure

 

The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board, as the Board believes it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to make that determination based on the position and direction of the Company and the membership of the Board, from time to time. Currently, Mr. Judd serves as both the Chief Executive Officer and as Chair of the Board. At this time, the Board believes that these combined roles are beneficial to both the daily operations of the Company and the strategic perspective of the Board.

 

Board Risk Oversight

 

Our Board administers its oversight function through both regular and special meetings and by frequent telephonic updates with our senior management. A key element of these reviews is gathering and assessing information relating to risks of our business. All businesses are exposed to risks, including unanticipated or undesired events or outcomes that could impact an enterprise’s strategic objectives, organizational performance and stockholder value. A fundamental part of risk management is not only understanding such risks that are specific to our business but also understanding what steps management is taking to manage those risks and what level of risk is appropriate. In setting our business strategy, our Board assesses the various risks being mitigated by management and determines what constitutes an appropriate level of risk.

 

Although our Board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for our risk management process, various committees of our Board also have responsibility for risk management. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including internal controls, and the assessments of risks reflected in audit reports. Legal and regulatory compliance risks are also reviewed by our Audit Committee. Risks related to our compensation programs are reviewed by the Compensation Committee. Our Board is advised by the committees of significant risks and management’s response via periodic updates.

 

 

 

Board Meetings

 

The Board held four meetings during the year ended December 31, 2024, supplemented by additional discussions by and among a majority of the Board, and actions effectuated by unanimous written consent in lieu of a formal motion and vote during an official meeting. In 2024, each director attended at least 75 percent of the number of meetings of the Board and the standing committees of the Board of Directors of which such director was a member. The Board also holds independent executive sessions without members of management on an as-needed basis.

 

Board Committees and Charters

 

The Board has three standing committees, which consists of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board appoints the members and committee chair of each committee (based upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee). Each independent director also serves as a member of the standing committees of the Board. Copies of each committee charter are available upon request to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137.

 

Board Committees and Charters

 

Audit Committee

 

Members:

 

Matthew Lingenbrink (Chair)

Grant Dawson

Shannon Pappas

Seth Yakatan

     

Number of Meetings Held:

 

The Audit Committee held four meetings during 2024 and handled other matters via unanimous written consent or in Board meetings. 

     

Functions:

 

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations in matters involving our accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions by approving the services performed by our independent accountants and reviewing their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee also oversees the audit efforts of our independent accountants and takes those actions as it deems necessary to satisfy it that the accountants are independent of management.

     

Independence

 

The members of the Audit Committee each meet the independence standards established by the Nasdaq Capital Market and by the SEC for audit committees. In addition, the Board has determined that Messrs. Dawson and Lingenbrink each satisfy the definition of an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules and regulations. These designations do not impose any duties, obligations or liabilities on Messrs. Dawson and Lingenbrink that are greater than those generally imposed on them as members of the Audit Committee and the Board, and their designation as audit committee financial experts does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Members:

 

Grant Dawson (Chair)

Matthew Lingenbrink

Shannon Pappas

Seth Yakatan

     

Number of Meetings Held:

 

The Compensation Committee held one meeting during 2024 and handled other matters via unanimous written consent or in Board meetings. 

     

Functions:

 

The Compensation Committee determines our general compensation policies and the compensation provided to our directors and officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and determines bonuses for our officers and other employees. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews and determines equity-based compensation for our directors, officers, employees and consultants and administers our stock option plans and employee stock purchase plan.

     

Independence

 

We believe that the composition of our Compensation Committee meets the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of our Compensation Committee complies with, the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and current SEC rules and regulations.

 

 

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

Members:

 

Seth Yakatan (Chair)

Grant Dawson

Matthew Lingenbrink 

Shannon Pappas

     

Number of Meetings Held:

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held one meeting during 2024 and handled other matters via unanimous written consent or in Board meetings.

     

Functions:

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding director candidates and the size and composition of the Board and its committees. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance guidelines and reporting and making recommendations to the Board concerning corporate governance matters.

     

Independence

 

We believe that the composition of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee complies with, the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and current SEC rules and regulations.

 

Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities with the SEC on Forms 3 (Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership), 4 (Statement of Changes of Beneficial Ownership of Securities) and 5 (Annual Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities).  Directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

 

To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, management believes that all necessary reports were filed in a timely manner and all filings are current as of the date of this filing.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our executive officers, directors and employees, which sets forth the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business. This document will be made available in print, free of charge, to any stockholder requesting a copy in writing from the Company. A form of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is filed with the SEC as Exhibit 14.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

 

 

Insider Trading Policy

 

We have adopted an Insider Trading and Unauthorized Disclosure Policy (“Insider Trading Policy”) governing the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of the Company’s securities by directors, officers, employees, and consultants and contractors to the Company, designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and Nasdaq listing standards. A form of the Insider Trading Policy is filed with the SEC as Exhibit 19.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

 

 

 

 

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

As permitted by Nevada law, the Company will indemnify its directors and officers against expense and liabilities they incur to defend, settle, or satisfy any civil or criminal action brought against them on account of their being or having been Company directors or officers unless, in any such action, they are adjudged to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

Exclusion of Liability

 

The Nevada Business Corporation Act excludes personal liability for directors for monetary damages based upon any violation of their fiduciary duties as directors, except as to liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, acts in violation of the Nevada Business Corporation Act, or any transaction from which a director receives an improper personal benefit. This exclusion of liability does not limit any right that a director may have to be indemnified and does not affect any director's liability under federal or applicable state securities laws. 

 

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors provides stockholders with the ability to send communications to the Board of Directors, and stockholders may do so at their convenience. In particular, stockholders may send their communications to:

 

Board of Directors

c/o Corporate Secretary

FitLife Brands, Inc.

5214 S. 136th Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68137

 

All communications received by the Corporate Secretary are relayed to the Board of Directors of the Company. Members of the Board of Directors are not required to attend our Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2

 

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

General

 

We are providing our stockholders with the opportunity to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. This Say-on-Pay Vote is required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which added Section 14A to the Exchange Act. Section 14A of the Exchange Act also requires that stockholders have the opportunity to cast an advisory vote with respect to whether future executive compensation advisory votes will be held every one, two or three years. The Board of Directors previously determined to hold advisory votes regarding executive compensation every three years.

 

Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain our executive officers, who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our Named Executive Officers are rewarded for the achievement of our near- and longer-term financial and strategic goals, and for driving corporate financial performance and stability. The programs contain elements of cash and equity-based compensation and are designed to align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders.

 

As an advisory vote, this Proposal is not binding. The outcome of this advisory vote does not overrule any decision by the Company or the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof), create or imply any change to the fiduciary duties of the Company or the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof), or create or imply any additional fiduciary duties for the Company or the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof). However, Management and the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in their vote on this Proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for Named Executive Officers.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING ADVISORY RESOLUTION:

 

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company's Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the disclosure under “Executive Compensation”, the compensation tables and accompanying narrative disclosure, and any related material disclosed in this Proxy Statement, is hereby approved.

 

Required Vote and Recommendation

 

On this advisory, non-binding matter, the adoption of the advisory resolution above requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast, either present or represented by proxy (meaning the number of shares voted “FOR” this Proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” this Proposal). Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal.  Unless otherwise instructed in the proxy or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the adoption of the advisory resolution above, approving of the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

 

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The Board recommends that stockholders vote FOR the advisory resolution above, approving of the compensation paid to the Companys Named Executive Officers.

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE NON-BINDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ADVISORY VOTES

 

General

 

In Proposal No. 2, we are providing our stockholders the opportunity to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. In this Proposal No. 3, we are asking our stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote regarding the frequency of future executive compensation advisory votes. Stockholders may vote for a frequency of every one, two, or three years, or may abstain.

 

The Board will take into consideration the outcome of this vote in determining the frequency of future Say-on-Pay proposals. However, because this vote is advisory and non-binding, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold the required Say-on-Pay vote more or less frequently, but no less frequently than once every three years, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. In the future, we will propose an advisory vote on the frequency of the Say-on-Pay Vote at least once every six calendar years as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.

 

After careful consideration, the Board believes that a Say-on-Pay vote should be held every three years, and therefore our Board recommends that you vote for a frequency of “THREE YEARS” for future Say-on-Pay proposals. The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options (holding the vote once every year, every two years or every three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board.

 

Vote Required and Recommendation

 

On this non-binding matter, a stockholder may vote to set the frequency of the Say-on-Pay votes to occur every year, every two years, or every three years, or the stockholder may vote to abstain. The choice among those four choices that receives the highest number of votes will be deemed the choice of the stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the Say-on-Pay vote.

 

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The Board recommends that stockholders vote to hold advisory Say-on-Pay votes on executive compensation every THREE YEARS.

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 4

 

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF

WEINBERG & COMPANY, P.A. TO SERVE AS OUR

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR

 

The Board of Directors has appointed Weinberg & Company, P.A. (“Weinberg”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year and hereby recommends that the stockholders ratify such appointment.

 

The Board of Directors may terminate the appointment of Weinberg as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm without the approval of the stockholders whenever the Board of Directors deems such termination necessary or appropriate.

 

Representatives of Weinberg will be present at the Annual Meeting, or available by telephone, and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders. 

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

   

Year ended December 31,

 
   

2024

   

2023

 

Audit fees

  $ 232,000     $ 243,000  

Audit-related fees

    4,000       6,000  

Tax fees

    -       -  

All other fees

    -       34,000  

Total

  $ 236,000     $ 283,000  

 

As defined by the SEC, (i) “audit fees” are fees for professional services rendered by our principal accountant for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our Form 10-K, or for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years; (ii) “audit-related fees” are fees for assurance and related services by our principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “audit fees”; (iii) “tax fees” are fees for professional services rendered by an external consultant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning; and (iv) “all other fees” are fees for products and services provided by our principal accountant, other than the services reported under “audit fees”, “audit-related fees”, and “tax fees”.

 

Audit Fees

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, audit fees were approximately $232,000 and $243,000, respectively.

 

Tax Fees

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not retain Weinberg for any tax services.

 

All Other Fees

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Company did not retain Weinberg for other services. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, all other fees for other services were $34,000.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

Under the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in order to ensure that they do not impair the auditors’ independence. The SEC’s rules specify the types of non-audit services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client and establish the Audit Committee’s responsibility for administration of the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

 

 

Consistent with the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee Charter requires that the Audit Committee review and pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to us or any of our subsidiaries. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to a member of the Audit Committee and if it does, the decisions of that member must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Accordingly, 100% of audit services and non-audit services described in this Proposal were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

There were no hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.

 

Required Vote and Recommendation

 

Ratification of the selection of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast, either present or represented by proxy (meaning the number of shares voted “FOR” this Proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” this Proposal). Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose and will have no effect on the vote for this Proposal. Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the ratification of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

 

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The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the selection of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD

 

The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board and is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of the Company’s accounting functions and internal controls. It is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management is responsible for the Company’s financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent registered certified public accountants are responsible in their report for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 with the Company’s management and its independent registered certified public accountants. The Audit Committee met privately with the independent registered certified public accountants and discussed issues deemed significant by the independent registered certified public accountants, including those matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards). In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures from the independent registered certified public accountants required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and discussed with the independent registered certified public accountants their independence from the Company.

 

Based upon the reviews and discussions outlined above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, for filing with the SEC.

 

Audit Committee

 

Matthew Lingenbrink (Chairman)

Grant Dawson

Shannon Pappas

Seth Yakatan

 

The information contained above under the caption “Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors” shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers of the Company:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Title

Dayton Judd

 

53

 

Chief Executive Officer

Jakob York

 

48

 

Chief Financial Officer

Patrick Ryan

 

46

 

Chief Retail Officer

Jenna Sinnett

 

46

 

Chief Operating Officer

Ryan Hansen

 

37

 

Executive Vice President

 

The Chief Executive Officer and other officers of the Company hold their respective offices at the discretion of the Board.  

 

Dayton Judd. The background and principal occupations of Mr. Judd is set forth above in Proposal No. 1.

 

Jakob York has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since he joined the Company in August 2022.  Prior to joining FitLife, he served as Controller for Greenidge Generation Holdings (“Greenidge”, Nasdaq: GREE).  Prior to Greenidge, Mr. York worked in various controller and financial reporting capacities, primarily at Allied Motion Technologies (now Allient Inc. Nasdaq: ALNT).  Prior to joining Allied Motion, he worked at Pricewaterhouse Coopers as an auditor from 2002 to 2007.  Mr. York received both his Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University.  Mr. York is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Patrick Ryan has served as the Company’s Chief Retail Officer since his appointment in June 2016. He brings over 23 years of experience in the retail and wholesale business both domestically and internationally. Since February 2009, Mr. Ryan served as the Company’s Vice President of Sales during which time he oversaw multiple retail and wholesale branches and worked collaboratively with key members of management to drive strategic initiatives in sales, employee training and the overall growth of the Company. Prior to that, he served in various sales positions of increasing responsibility since joining the Company in 2004. Mr. Ryan received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations from Kansas State University.

 

Jenna Sinnett has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since her appointment in October 2015.  She brings over 18 years of operations experience in the wholesale business, managing domestic inventories, regulatory compliance, and product management.  In 2012, Ms. Sinnett was appointed Vice President of Supply Chain where she controlled all matters tied to procurement, including inventory management, logistics, and vendor relations. Over the course of her tenure, she has held senior positions in Project Management as well.  Ms. Sinnett received both her Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Science Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

 

Ryan Hansen has served as Executive Vice President since he joined the Company in November 2023. Prior to joining FitLife, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Pearl Street Dental Partners ("Pearl Street"), a private equity backed dental platform headquartered in Dallas, TX, from February 2021 to June 2023.  Prior to Pearl Street, Mr. Hansen worked at Bain & Company from July 2017 to February 2021.  He earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School in 2017.  Prior to receiving his M.B.A., he worked at Worthington Industries (NYSE: WOR) in Product Management and Business Analyst roles from 2012 to 2015.  Mr. Hansen graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting from Brigham Young University in 2012.

 

There have been no events under any bankruptcy act, no criminal proceedings and no judgments or injunctions material to the evaluation of the ability and integrity of any of the Company’s executive officers or directors during the past ten years.

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s two most highly compensated executive officers other than its Chief Executive Officer who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2024 and whose annual compensation exceeded $100,000 during such year (collectively the “Named Executive Officers”).

 

Name and principal position   Year     Salary       Bonus      

Stock

awards

      Warrants/
option
awards (1)
     

All other

compensation (2)

      Total  
                                                     

Dayton Judd

 

2024

  $ 398,000     $ 180,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 578,000  

Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board

 

2023

  $ 372,000     $ 160,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 532,000  
                                                     

Ryan Hansen (3)

 

2024

  $ 253,692     $ 50,000     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 303,692  

Executive Vice President

 

2023

  $ 14,423     $ -     $ -     $ 963,480     $ -     $ 977,903  
                                                     

Patrick Ryan

 

2024

  $ 156,667     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 139,286     $ 295,953  

Chief Retail Officer

 

2023

  $ 148,077     $ 5,000     $ -     $ -     $ 151,669     $ 304,746  

 

(1)

The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of stock option awards computed in accordance with FASB guidance, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures under which the Named Executive Officer has the right to purchase, subject to vesting, shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

 

(2)

Amounts reflect commissions paid to the Named Executive Officer.

 

 

(3)

Ryan Hansen joined the Company as Executive Vice President in November 2023.

 

Employment Arrangements

 

Dayton Judd. Dayton Judd currently serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Effective August 28, 2023, the Board approved an increase of Mr. Judd’s salary from $364,000 to $390,000. Effective August 29, 2024, the Board approved an increase of Mr. Judd’s salary from $390,000 to $416,000. Mr. Judd serves as an at-will employee without a formal employment agreement.

 

Ryan Hansen. Ryan Hansen joined the Company as Executive Vice President on November 27, 2023 with an annual base salary of $250,000. Upon joining the Company, Mr. Hansen also received options to acquire 222,000 shares with an exercise price of $9.60. One-third of the options vested immediately, with the remainder vesting in two equal annual installments thereafter. Effective August 29, 2024, the Board approved an increase of Mr. Hansen’s base salary from $250,000 to $262,000. Mr. Hansen serves as an at-will employee without a formal employment agreement.

 

Patrick Ryan. Under the terms of an Employment Agreement dated June 13, 2019, Patrick Ryan served in the capacity of Chief Retail Officer until the termination of the Agreement on June 7, 2022. Subsequent to June 7, 2022, Mr. Ryan serves in the same capacity as an at-will employee without a formal employment agreement. In addition to a base salary, Mr. Ryan is paid a commission of 2.5% of the adjusted gross profit from the sale of certain of the Company’s products to the GNC franchise community. Effective August 28, 2023, the Board approved an increase of Mr. Ryan’s base salary from $145,000 to $155,000. Effective August 29, 2024, the Board approved an increase of Mr. Ryan’s base salary from $155,000 to $160,000.

 

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table sets forth information regarding unexercised options and stock that had not vested and equity incentive awards held by each of the Named Executive Officers outstanding as of December 31, 2024:

 

 

Grant

date

 

Number of

securities

underlying

unexercised

options

exercisable

   

Number of

securities

underlying

unexercised

options

unexercisable

   

Equity
incentive

plan
awards:

Number of

underlying

unexercised

unearned
options

   

Option

exercise

price

 

Option

expiration

date

                                     

Dayton Judd

7/31/2018

    430,400       -       -     $ 0.35  

7/31/2028

Chief Executive

2/5/2021

    144,000       -       -     $ 2.62  

2/5/2026

Officer and Chairman

2/5/2021

    112,000       -       -     $ 2.38  

2/5/2031

                                     

Ryan Hansen

11/27/2023

    148,000 (1)      74,000       -     $ 9.60  

11/27/2028

Executive Vice President

                                   

 

(1)

One-third of the stock options vested on the grant date of November 27, 2023, with the remainder vesting in two equal annual installments thereafter, becoming fully vested on November 27, 2025.

 

Description of Equity Compensation Plan

 

The 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) was adopted by the Board on July 3, 2019, as approved by a majority of the Company’s stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders on August 16, 2019. The 2019 Plan reserves for issuance of 800,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock as one of four types of equity incentive awards: (i) stock options, (ii) stock appreciation rights, (iii) restricted stock, and (iv) stock units. The 2019 Plan permits the qualification of awards under the plan as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Upon becoming effective, the Plan replaced and no further awards were made under the Company’s 2010 Incentive Plan.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2024, with respect to the shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and other rights under our existing equity compensation plans and arrangements. The information includes the number of shares covered by and the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options and other rights and the number of shares remaining available for future grants, excluding the shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and other rights.

 

   

Number of

Securities to

be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights

   

Weighted-

average

exercise

price of

outstanding

options,
warrants

and rights

   

Number of

securities

remaining

available

for future
issuance

under equity

compensation

plans

(excluding

securities

reflected in

first column)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

    977,122     $ 3.74       268,000  

 

 

 

 

Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Non-Public Information

 

Option grants to employees, executive officers and non-employee directors are made by the Compensation Committee under the 2019 Plan from time to time, as determined by the Compensation Committee.  We do not have any formal policy that requires the Company to grant, or avoid granting, equity-based compensation at certain times. We do not grant equity awards in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information that is likely to result in changes to the price of our Common Stock, and do not time the public release of such information based on award grant dates. The timing of any equity grants to executive officers or directors in connection with new hires, promotions, or other non-routine grants is tied to the event giving rise to the award (such as an executive officer’s commencement of employment or promotion effective date).

 

During the year ended December 31, 2024, there were no equity grants made to our executive officers during any period beginning four business days before the filing of a periodic report or current report disclosing material non-public information and ending one business day after the filing or furnishing of such report with the SEC.

 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

All members of the Compensation Committee are independent directors, and no member is an employee or former employee of the Company. None of our executive officers serve on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or board of directors of another entity where one of our Compensation Committee members is an executive officer.

 

 

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

 

The following table presents certain information regarding compensation paid to the Company’s Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and other Named Executive Officers (“Other NEOs” or “Non-PEOs”), and certain measures of financial performance, for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. The amounts shown below are calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The Compensation Committee believes that 2024 compensation decisions for the PEO and Non-PEOs are reflective of the firm’s overall operating, strategic, financial and stock price performance and thus aligned with shareholders.

 

Pay Versus Performance Table

 

Year

 

Summary

Compensation

Table

Total for

PEO (1)

   

Compensation

Actually

Paid to

PEO (1)

   

Average

Summary

Compensation

Total for

Non-PEO

Named

Executive

Officers (2)

   

Average Compensation Actually Paid

to Non-PEO

Named

Executive

Officers (2)

   

Value of

Initial

$100

Investment

based on Total

Shareholder

Return (3)

   

Net Income

($)

 
                                                 

2024

  $ 578,000     $ 634,600     $ 299,823     $ 702,013     $ 204     $ 8,984,000  

2023

  $ 532,000     $ 637,120     $ 282,711     $ 282,711     $ 119     $ 5,296,000  

2022

  $ 475,462     $ 411,022     $ 241,526     $ 241,526     $ 100     $ 4,429,000  

 

 

(1)

Dayton Judd served as the Company’s PEO during the fiscal years presented. The following amounts were added and deducted from the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) amount to determine the compensation actually paid to the PEO in accordance with SEC regulations

 

Adjustments to Determine Compensation “Actually Paid”

 

2024

   

2023

   

2022

 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Stock Awards” column in the SCT

  $ -     $ -     $ -  

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT

    -       -       -  

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain unvested as of year-end

    -       -       -  

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain vested as of year-end

    -       -       -  

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to current year-end of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were outstanding and unvested as of year-end

    -       86,980       (36,720 )

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted prior to year-end that vested during year

    56,600       18,140       (27,720 )

Total Adjustments

  $ 56,600     $ 105,120     $ (64,440 )

 

 

 

 

(2)

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Ryan Hansen and Patrick Ryan were our other NEOs. The following amounts were added and deducted from the Average Summary Compensation Total amount to determine the average compensation actually paid to the our other NEOs in accordance with SEC regulations:

 

 

Adjustments to Determine Average Compensation “Actually Paid”

 

2024

 

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Stock Awards” column in the SCT

  $ -  

Deduction for Amount Reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT

    -  

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain unvested as of year-end

    -  

Increase for the Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that remain vested as of year-end

    -  

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to current year-end of Awards Granted prior to year-end that were outstanding and unvested as of year-end

    192,400  

Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted prior to year-end that vested during year

    209,790  

Total Adjustments

  $ 402,190  

 

 

(3)

Represents the cumulative shareholder return of a fixed investment of $100 made at the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock at December 31 for the measurement period beginning on such date and continuing through and including the end of the applicable fiscal year reflected in the table.

 

Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table 

 

We generally seek to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore do not specifically align our performance measures with “compensation actually paid” ​(as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table.

 

PEO

 

From 2023 to 2024, compensation actually paid to the PEO decreased by $2,520 or less than 1%. Over the same period, the Company’s Total Shareholder Return increased by 71%. Key factors that drove the decrease in pay during this period were smaller increases in the fair value of options as well as fewer unvested options being measured based on the compensation actually paid calculation prescribed by the SEC.

 

 

 

Other NEOs         

 

From 2023 to 2024, average compensation paid to the Other NEOs increased by $437,062 or 165%. Over the same period, the Company’s Total Shareholder Return increased by 71%. Key factors that drove the increase in pay during this period were increases in the fair value of options to the Other NEOs.

 

Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income

 

Our Company has historically looked to net income as a performance measure for our executive compensation program. In fiscal 2024, our net income increased $3.7 million, or 70%, as compared to fiscal 2023. The compensation actually paid for our PEO decreased between 2023 and 2024, whereas compensation actually paid for non-PEOs increased between 2023 to 2024.

 

Compensation Actually Paid and Cumulative Total Stockholder Return (TSR) 

 

Historically we have not used financial performance measures such as TSR to align with compensation actually paid to our NEO’s. As described in more detail above, part of the compensation our NEOs are eligible to receive consists of annual performance-based cash bonuses and equity awards that are designed to provide appropriate incentives to our executives to achieve defined annual corporate goals.

 

All information provided above under the Pay Versus Performance heading will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of our Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

 

 

 

 

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

We currently have five directors, four of whom are considered independent. Non-independent directors who are also employees of the Company do not receive compensation for their services as a director on the Board. The compensation paid to our non-employee directors is $50,000 per annum (the “Retainer Amount”). The Director Stock Purchase Program adopted by the Board on August 29, 2024 requires that each Independent Director purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to 20% of the Retainer Amount received by each independent director (a “Purchase”), which Purchase may be made on either a quarterly or annual basis, provided that each Purchase is made either (i) in a transaction satisfying the requirements under the Company’s Insider Trading Policy, or (ii) pursuant to a plan adopted under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.

 

The table below summarizes the compensation paid to our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024:

 

Name (1)

 

Fees earned
or paid in
cash

   

Stock
awards

   

Option
awards

   

Total

 
                                 

Grant Dawson

  $ 50,000     $ -     $ -     $ 50,000  

Matthew Lingenbrink (2)

  $ 18,750     $ -     $ -     $ 18,750  

Todd Ordal

  $ 50,000     $ -     $ -     $ 50,000  

Seth Yakatan

  $ 50,000     $ -     $ -     $ 50,000  

 

(1)

Shannon Pappas was appointed to the Board in April 2025, subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2024, and has therefore been excluded from the table above.

 

 

(2)

Matthew Lingenbrink was appointed to the Board in August 2024.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

 

There were no transactions between the Company and any of its directors, executive officers or any other related persons during the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

 

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following tables set forth information regarding shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned as of June 20, 2025, by:  

 

 

(i)

each of our officers and directors;

 

 

(ii)

all officers and directors as a group; and

 

 

(iii)

each person known by us to beneficially own five percent or more of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Percent ownership is calculated based on 9,391,072 shares of our Common Stock outstanding at June 20, 2025.

 

Beneficial Ownership of our Common Stock

 

Name and address of owner (1)

Title of class

 

Number of

shares

owned

   

Percentage

of class

 
                   

Executive Officers and Directors:

                 
                   

Dayton Judd, Chair and Chief Executive Officer (2)

Common Stock

    5,831,058       58.7 %
                   

Ryan Hansen, Executive Vice President (3)

Common Stock

    152,878       1.6 %
                   

Jakob York, Chief Financial Officer (4)

Common Stock

    30,968       *  
                   

Jenna Sinnett, Chief Operating Officer (5)

Common Stock

    13,200       *  
                   

Patrick Ryan, Chief Retail Officer

Common Stock

    -       *  
                   

Grant Dawson

Common Stock

    155,000       1.7 %
                   

Matthew Lingenbrink

Common Stock

    5,800       *  
                   

Seth Yakatan

Common Stock

    -       *  
                   

Shannon Pappas

Common Stock

    -       *  
                   

All Officers and Directors as a group (nine persons)

Common Stock

    6,188,904       61.4 %
                   

5% Stockholders:

                 
                   

Askeladden Capital Management, LLC (6)

Common Stock

    498,041       5.3 %

1452 Hughes Road, Suite 200 #582

Grapevine, Texas 76051

                 

 

* Less than 1%

 

(1)

The address of each of the officers and directors is c/o FitLife Brands, Inc., 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, NE 68137.

 

 

(2)

Consists of 1,152,402 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Judd personally, including shares in IRA accounts; 430,400 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options at $0.35 per share, exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 2025; 112,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options at $2.38 per share, exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 2025; and 4,136,256 shares of Common Stock held by Sudbury Holdings, LLC.

 

 

 

(3)

Consists of 25,678 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Hansen personally, and 127,200 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options at $9.60 per share, exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 2025.

 

 

(4)

Consists of 6,968 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. York in IRA accounts, 20,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options at $7.83 per share exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 2025, 3,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options at $9.08 per share exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 2025, and 1,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options at $16.60 per share exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 2025.

 

 

(5)

Consists of 11,200 shares of Common Stock held by Ms. Sinnett personally, and 2,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options at $16.60 per share, exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 2025.

 

 

(6)

Reported holdings based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed by Askeladden Capital Management, LLC (“Askeladden”) on February 14, 2025. As the investment adviser to separately managed accounts holding the securities reported herein, Askeladden may be deemed to beneficially own the securities reported herein. As managing member of Askeladden, Samir Patel may be deemed to beneficially own securities owned by Askeladden.

 

Changes in Control

 

The Company is not aware of any arrangements that may result in a change in control of the Company.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals

 

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, stockholder proposals to be presented at our 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and included in our Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that annual meeting must be received by us at our principal executive offices at 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, addressed to our Corporate Secretary, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting and must contain specific information concerning the matter to be brought before such meeting and concerning the stockholder proposing such matter. These proposals must comply with applicable Nevada law, the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the procedures set forth in our Bylaws.

 

We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and all other applicable requirements.

 

Householding of Proxy Materials

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

 

A number of brokers with account holders who are stockholders of the Company will be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. A single set of the Company’s proxy materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate set of the Company’s proxy materials, please notify your broker or direct a written request to the Corporate Secretary at 5214 S. 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, or by calling (402) 991-5618. The Company undertakes to deliver promptly, upon any such oral or written request, a separate copy of its proxy materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of these documents was delivered. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Company’s proxy materials at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker, bank or other nominee, or contact the Company at the above address or phone number. 

 

 

 

Other Matters

 

At the date of this Proxy Statement, the Company knows of no other matters, other than those described above, that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other business should come before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the proxy holders will vote all proxies using their best judgment in the interest of the Company and the stockholders.

 

The Notice, mailed to stockholders on or about June 27, 2025, contains instructions on how to access the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The Annual Report, which includes audited financial statements, does not form any part of the material for the solicitation of proxies.

 

The Board of Directors invites you to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please submit your vote by Internet, telephone or mail as promptly as possible so that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting.

 

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT AND THEN VOTE BY INTERNET, TELEPHONE OR MAIL AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.  VOTING PROMPTLY WILL SAVE US ADDITIONAL EXPENSE IN SOLICITING PROXIES AND WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 

 

By order of the Board of Directors, 

 

 

 

djudd.jpg

 

Dayton Judd

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

 

 

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