Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and
Procedures
We maintain disclosure
controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules
and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer
and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing disclosure
controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship
of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon
certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving
its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated,
can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
Our management, with
the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design
and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation
and subject to the foregoing, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, our disclosure controls
and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2025, due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting
described below.
Management’s Report on Internal
Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible
for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over
financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of its principal executive and principal financial officer to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of its consolidated financial statements
for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Because of its inherent
limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Material Weaknesses in Internal Control
over Financial Reporting
Management assessed
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on the framework
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2025, was not effective.
63
A material weakness,
as defined in the standards established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), is a deficiency,
or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that
a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely
basis.
The ineffectiveness
of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was due to the following material weaknesses:
●
Inadequate segregation of duties consistent with control objectives;
●
Lack of formal policies and procedures;
●
Lack of a functioning audit committee and independent directors on the Company’s board of directors to oversee financial reporting responsibilities; and
●
Lack of risk assessment procedures on internal controls to detect financial reporting risks on a timely manner.
Management’s Plan to Remediate
the Material Weakness
Management has been
implementing and continues to implement measures designed to ensure that control deficiencies contributing to the material weakness
are remediated, such that these controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively. The remediation actions planned
include:
●
Continue to search for and evaluate qualified independent outside directors;
●
Identify gaps in our skills base and the expertise of our staff required to meet the financial reporting requirements of a public company; and
●
Continue to develop policies and procedures on internal control over financial reporting and monitor the effectiveness of operations on existing controls and procedures.
We are committed to
maintaining a strong internal control environment and believe that these remediation efforts will deliver improvements in our control
environment. Our management will continue to monitor and evaluate the relevance of our risk-based approach and the effectiveness
of our internal controls and procedures over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and is committed to taking further action
and implementing additional enhancements or improvements, as necessary and as funds allow.
This Annual Report
does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal
control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide
only management’s report in this Annual Report, which may increase the risk that weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal
control over financial reporting go undetected.
64
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
There were no changes
in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected,
or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months
ended December 31, 2025, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement”
or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN
JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
65
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,
AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Officers
and Directors
The following table
sets forth information regarding our current directors and executive officers:
Name
Age
Position
William R. Downs
66
Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman, Director
Jeffrey J. Guzy
74
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Director
William Allan Bradley
58
Director
Our directors hold office until the next
annual meeting of stockholders of the Company and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Our officers are elected
by the Board and serve at the discretion of the Board.
Biographies
William R. Downs, age
66, has more than 43 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry, specifically in generating, evaluating and managing oil and
gas exploration, development and acquisition projects of private, independent and public companies in the area of North and South
Louisiana, East Texas, South Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama and Montana. He also owned and managed several oilfield service
companies.
Prior to joining CoJax,
between February 2022 and October 2023, Mr. Downs served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Topcat Companies,
an oilfield service company, where he was responsible for the management of the workover rigs, saltwater transportation and disposal,
drilling fluids disposal, financial and safety oversight, oversight of individual vice presidents and their team management. Between
August 2020 and October 2023, Mr. Downs served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Topcat Waste Management
Facility and was responsible for managing of the drilling fluids and solids waste disposal site in Waskom, Texas, saltwater disposal
and transportation and workover rigs.
In August 2017, Mr.
Downs founded Downs Energy Acquisitions and Downs Operating Company, an oil and gas production acquisition and operating company,
which he managed and owned between August 2017 and December 2020. This company operated three gas field in East Texas and North
Louisiana, and Mr. Downs managed the operational, financial and personnel activities of the Company. In December 2020, Mr. Downs
divested his ownership in this company.
Mr. Downs is a Certified
Petroleum Geologist, a member of American Association of Petroleum Geologists, a former Convention Chairman and President of the
GCAGS and a member of Division of Professional Affairs. Mr. Downs earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1981 from Centenary
College of Louisiana.
Jeffrey J. Guzy, age
74, served as our Chief Executive Officer from January 22, 2020 to January 10, 2024, and as a director since November 17, 2017.
He served as our Chief Financial Officer from November 17, 2017, through March 16, 2020, and effective, January 10, 2024, is currently
serving as the Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Guzy has served
as an outside director of Leatt Corp. (OTC Trading Symbol: LEAT), since April 2007. Mr.
Guzy also served, from October 2007 to August 2010, as Leatt Corp’s President. Mr. Guzy has served as an executive manager
or consultant for business development, sales, customer service, and management in the telecommunications industry, specifically,
with IBM Corp., Sprint International, Bell Atlantic Video Services, Loral CyberStar, and FaciliCom International. Mr. Guzy has
also started his own telecommunications company providing Internet services in Western Africa. He serves as an independent director
and chairman of the audit committee of Capstone Companies, Inc. (OTC Trading Symbol: CAPC), Since 2020, he has also served as an
independent director of Brownies Marine Group, Inc. (OTC Trading Symbol: BWMG). Mr. Guzy has an MBA in Strategic Planning and Management
from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania;
a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University; and a Certificate in Theology from Georgetown University. Mr.
Guzy’s management and extensive experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director.
William
Bradley, age 58, has served as our director since March 7, 2022. Mr. Bradley has over fifteen years of leadership, business consulting,
financial, and management experience for publicly traded and private companies. Since June 2011, Mr. Bradley served as M&A/Business
Consulting Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at Global Advisors Inc. where he provided business consulting services,
reviewed client’s financial positions and managed relationships, conducted financial reviews, including the PCAOB or IFRS
audit process, and provided his consulting business advice on restructuring and potential mergers and acquisitions. Since September
2018 he has served as the Chairman of the Board of Magagram Social Media Inc., a Toronto-based private company, from December 2006
to June 2011 as Chief Executive Officer of Ocean to Ocean Inc., and from January 2002 until November 2006, as Vice President of
Gourmet Foods International. Mr. Bradley graduated from York University in 1998 in Finance and Economics and received his undergraduate
degree with honors in 1991 in Business Finance from Sandford College.
66
Board Committees
We currently do not have
any committees of our Board of Directors.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among
any of our officers or directors.
Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted
a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to our principal executive, financial and
accounting officers (or persons performing similar functions).
On March 6, 2025,
our Board of Directors adopted a stand-alone insider trading policy (the “Insider Trading Policy”) to update and expand
the scope of the insider trading policy included in the Code of Ethics. The Insider Trading Policy is applicable to all officers,
directors, employees and other covered persons and governs the purchase, sale and other disposition of our securities that we believe
are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and any applicable OTC Markets Group
standards. A copy of our Insider Trading Policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To our knowledge, our directors and executive
officers have not been involved in any of the following events during the past ten years:
1.
any bankruptcy petition filed by or against such person or any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
2.
any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
3.
being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities or to be associated with any person practicing in banking or securities activities;
4.
being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action, the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a Federal or State securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
5.
being subject of, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of any Federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
6.
being subject of or party to any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
The Company is not aware of any reporting person that failed
to file on a timely basis reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the most recent fiscal year.
67
Compensation of Directors
2025 Director Compensation Table
Name
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
Stock
Awards
Option Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation Earnings
All Other
Compensation
Total
William R. Downs
2025
—
—
—
—
—
—
2024
—
—
—
—
—
—
Jeffrey J. Guzy
2025
—
—
—
—
—
—
2024
—
—
—
—
—
—
William A. Bradley
2025
—
—
—
—
—
—
2024
—
—
—
—
—
—
For the years ended
December 31, 2025, and 2024, no compensation has been paid to our directors in consideration for their services rendered in their
capacities as directors.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal
Year-End
There are no current
outstanding equity awards to our executive officers as of December 31, 2025.
Long-Term Incentive Plans
There are no arrangements
or plans in which we provide pension, retirement, or similar benefits for directors or executive officers.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table
sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our Chief Executive Officer
and the other executive officer with compensation exceeding $100,000 during 2025 and 2024 (each a “Named Executive Officer”).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Option
Awards
($)(2)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
William R. Downs(1)
2025
$ 150,000
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ 12,000
2024
$ 150,000
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
Jeffrey J. Guzy(2)
2025
$ 100,000
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ 10,000
2024
$ 100,000
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
Wm. Barrett Wellman (3)
2025
$
$ —
$ 340,232
$ —
$ —
2024
$ 100,000
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
(1) Mr. Downs was appointed
as the Chief Executive Officer on January 10, 2024 and serves in this capacity as of the date of this filing. William Down’s
base annual salary of $150,000 is payable on a semi-monthly basis in equal installments, but the base salary is deferred until
the Company has sufficient cash flow to pay the base salary. Further, the base salary can either be paid in total when the Company
is adequately funded, or the accrued unpaid base salary can be converted into shares of the CoJax Common Stock at the lower conversion
price of the initial public offering price of $2.00 or current market price at the time of conversion by Mr. Downs.
(2) Mr.
Guzy was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on January 22, 2020 and served in this capacity until January 10, 2024. Jeffrey
Guzy’s base annual salary of $120,000 is payable on a semi-monthly basis in equal installments, but the base salary is deferred
until the Company has sufficient cash flow to pay the base salary. Further, the base salary can either be
paid in total when Company is adequately funded, or the accrued unpaid base salary can be converted into shares of the CoJax Common
Stock at the lower conversion price of the initial public offering price of $2.00 or current market price at the time of conversion
by Mr. Guzy.
68
(3) Mr. Wellman was appointed Chief Financial
Officer on March 16, 2020. He resigned from this position on January 10, 2024. Mr. Wellman’s base salary of $100,000
is payable semi-monthly in equal installments, but the base salary is deferred until the Company has sufficient cash flow to pay
the base salary. Alternatively, the accrued unpaid base salary can be converted into shares of the CoJax Common Stock at
the lower conversion price of the initial public offering price of $2.00 or current market price at the time of conversion by Mr.
Wellman. On April 10, 2025 the accrued unpaid base salary was converted to 170,116 shares at $2.00 per share.
69
Employment Agreements with Key Executives
On February 20, 2020, the Company entered
into an initial employment agreement with Jeffrey Guzy. The term of that agreement was 3 years. This initial employment agreement
was terminated on February 14, 2023, on the date the Company entered into a second employment agreement with Mr. Guzy (the “Guzy
2023 Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Guzy continued serving the Company as Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chairman of the Company. The Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement has a 3-year term through February 14, 2026, unless terminated
earlier pursuant to the terms of the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement, Mr.
Guzy will be paid a base salary of $120,000 per annum, which salary will accrue and can either be paid in total when the Company
is adequately funded or, alternatively, the accrued unpaid base salary can be converted into shares of the Company’s common
stock at the lower conversion price of the initial public offering price of $2.00 or current market price at the time of conversion
by Mr. Guzy. Pursuant to the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement, Mr. Guzy may participate in any incentive compensation and other benefit
plans may be granted bonus performance bonus payments to be paid in cash, stock, or both. In addition, the Guzy 2023 Employment
Agreement includes provisions for paid vacation time and expense reimbursement.
The Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement provided
for termination (i) immediately upon Mr. Guzy’s death or Disability; (ii) by the Company for Cause; (iii) by Mr. Guzy for
Good Reason (as these terms are defined in the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement or (iv) other than for Cause or Good Reason, by Mr.
Guzy or the Company upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice of termination. If Mr. Guzy terminates the employment
for a Good Reason, then he would be entitled to: a cash payment, payable in equal installments over a six (6) month period after
Mr. Guzy terminates employment, equal to the sum of the following: (a) subject to the payment of the following sums not causing
the insolvency of the Company, the equivalent of the greater of (i) twenty-four (24) months of Mr. Guzy’s then-current
base salary or (ii) the remainder of the term of the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement; plus (b) any previously earned but unpaid
salary through Mr. Guzy’s final date of employment, being Mr. Guzy’s termination of employment. On January 10, 2024,
the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement was terminated in connection with Mr. Guzy’s resignation from serving as Chief Executive
Officer, President and Chairman. On the same date, in connection with the appointment of Mr. Guzy to serve as Chief Financial Officer,
the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Guzy for his services as Chief Financial Officer.
The Company entered into an employment
agreement with Wm. Barrett Wellman on March 16, 2020, for his service as Chief Financial Officer. That agreement had an initial
3-year term and was extended until August 16, 2024. This employment agreement provided for the following:
(1)
a base annual salary of $100,000 to be paid semi-monthly in equal installments, but the base salary can either be paid in total when CoJax is adequately funded or, alternatively, the accrued unpaid base salary can be converted into shares of the CoJax common stock at the lower conversion price of the initial public offering price of $2.00 or current market price at the time of conversion by Mr. Wellman;
(2)
Mr. Wellman is eligible for an ad hoc performance bonus if and in an amount approved by the disinterested directors;
(3)
Mr. Wellman may participate in any incentive compensation and other benefit plans to the extent that he is eligible to do so;
(4)
continuation of Mr. Wellman’s benefits under CoJax’s health insurance and other benefit plans for 24 months after any termination of his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement);
(5)
imposes confidentiality and non-recruitment of Company employees’ obligations on Mr. Wellman for one year after end of employment, and
(6)
the employment agreement provides for CoJax to terminate Mr. Wellman’s employment for cause (as defined in the employment agreement) and for Mr. Wellman to terminate the employment agreement for ”good reason” (as defined in the employment agreement).
Mr. Wellman’s unpaid base salary
is deferred if unpaid at the time due.
70
If Mr. Wellman terminates the employment
for a good reason, then he would be entitled to: A cash payment, payable in equal installments over a six (6) month period after
Mr. Wellman terminates employment, equal to the sum of the following:
Base Annual Salary. Subject
to the payment of the following sums subject to not causing the insolvency of the Company , the equivalent of the greater
of (i) twenty-four (24) months of Mr. Wellman’s then-current base salary or (ii) the remainder of the term of the employment
agreement (the "Severance Period"); plus
Earned but Unpaid Amounts. Any
previously earned but unpaid salary through Mr. Wellman’s final date of employment, Mr. Wellman’s termination of employment.
The employment agreement also provided
the following indemnification to Mr. Wellman: The Company shall indemnify and save harmless Mr. Wellman for any liability
incurred by reason of any act or omission performed by Mr. Wellman while acting in good faith on behalf of the Company. No indemnification
barred by regulations or policies of the SEC or in clear violation of public policy will be permitted under the employment agreement.
Mr. Wellman’s Employment Agreement
was terminated on January 10, 2024 upon his resignation as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.
Director Compensation
William R. Downs did not receive any cash
compensation for his role as a director for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Jeffrey Guzy did not receive any cash compensation
for his role as a director for the year ended December 31, 2025.
William A. Bradley did not receive any
cash compensation for his role as a director for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company currently has no employee benefit
plans.
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
Our Board of Directors and stockholders
approved the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan on December 31, 2018 (“2018 Plan”), which replaced the 2017 Equity Incentive
Plan (“2017 Plan”) that was approved by the Board of Directors and stockholders on January 2, 2018. The Board
of Directors terminated the 2017 Plan on December 31, 2018. No options or awards were granted under the 2017 Plan.
No options or other incentive compensation
has been granted as of December 31, 2025.
71
The following is a summary of the 2018
Plan:
2018 Plan Purpose .
The 2018 Plan will allow us to grant equity awards, including performance awards, to incentivize high levels of performance and
productivity by individuals who provide services to us and to further align the interests of our employees with those of CoJax
and its stockholders. The use of our common stock as part of our compensation program is intended to foster a pay-for-performance
culture that is an essential element of our overall compensation philosophy. Our equity will be used to retain our officers and
other employees and promote a focus on sustained enhancement through improved performance. The 2018 Plan is intended to be “performance-based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”), to be exempt from the tax
deduction limits of Section 162(m) if they meet the other requirements of Section 162(m).
2018 Plan Administration. The
Board of Directors, or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors when formed by the Board of Directors, has the authority
to administer our 2018 Plan. Subject to the terms of the 2018 Plan, the Board of Directors or the authorized board committee, referred
to as the “plan administrator,” determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers and types of stock awards to be
granted, and the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting schedule applicable
to a stock award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan administrator will also determine the exercise price, strike
price, or purchase price of awards granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award. The plan administrator has
the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2018 Plan. Subject to the terms of our 2018 Plan, the plan administrator has
the authority, without stockholder approval, to reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding stock award, cancel
any outstanding stock award in exchange for new stock awards, cash, or other consideration, or take any other action that is treated
as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles; provided, that, stockholders must approve any repricing of SAR’s.
2018 Plan Share
Reserve . Three million shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under grants or awards made pursuant to
the 2018 Plan. If a stock award granted under our 2018 Plan expires or otherwise terminates without being exercised
in full, or is settled in cash, the shares of our common stock not acquired pursuant to the stock award again will become available
for subsequent issuance under our 2018 Plan. The following types of shares under our 2018 Plan may become available for the grant
of new stock awards under our 2018 Plan: (1) shares that are forfeited to or repurchased by us before becoming fully vested;
(2) shares withheld to satisfy income or employment withholding taxes; or (3) shares used to pay the exercise or purchase
price of a stock award. Shares issued under our 2018 Plan may be previously unissued shares or reacquired shares bought by us on
the open market.
2018 Plan Stock
Awards. Our 2018 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (“Code”)), non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, or SARs,
restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance-based stock awards and other forms of equity compensation, which
are collectively referred to as stock awards. Our 2018 Plan also provides for the grant of performance cash awards. Incentive stock
options may be granted only to employees. All other awards may be granted to employees, including officers, and to non-employee
directors and consultants . Incentive and non-statutory stock options are evidenced by stock option agreements adopted
by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for a stock option, within the terms and conditions
of our 2018 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value
of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under our 2018 Plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under our 2018 Plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the
terms of an option holder’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an option holder’s service relationship with
us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability, death, or cause, the option holder may generally exercise
any vested options for three months following the cessation of service. The option term will automatically be extended in
the event that exercise of the option following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our
insider trading policy.
72
Acceptable consideration for the purchase
of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include (1) cash,
check, bank draft, or money order, (2) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (3) the tender of shares of our common stock
previously owned by the option holder, (4) a net exercise of the option if it is a nonqualified stock option, and (5) other
legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.
Unless the plan administrator provides
otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic
relations order.
Tax Limitations
on Incentive Stock Options. The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with
respect to incentive stock options that are exercisable for the first time by an option holder during any calendar year under all
of our stock plans, may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will be treated as nonqualified
stock options. No incentive stock option may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock
possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise
price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant and (2) the term of
the incentive stock option does not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Restricted Stock
Awards. Restricted stock awards are evidenced by restricted stock award agreements adopted by the plan administrator.
Restricted stock awards may be granted in consideration for (1) cash, check, bank draft, or money order, (2) services
rendered to us or our affiliates, or (3) any other form of legal consideration. Common stock acquired under a restricted stock
award may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in our favor in accordance with a vesting schedule as determined
by the plan administrator. Rights to acquire shares under a restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such terms and
conditions as set by the plan administrator. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock unit
awards that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for any reason.
Restricted Stock
Unit Awards. Restricted stock unit awards are evidenced by restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the plan
administrator. Restricted stock unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration or no consideration.
A restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate
by the plan administrator, or in any other form of the consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Additionally,
dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted stock unit award. Rights under a restricted stock
units award may be transferred only upon such terms and conditions as set by the plan administrator. Restricted stock unit awards
may be subject to vesting as determined by the plan administrator. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement,
restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for
any reason.
73
Stock Appreciation
Rights or “SARs .” SARs are evidenced by SAR grant agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator
determines the strike price for a SAR, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on
the date of grant. Upon the exercise of a SAR, we will pay the participant an amount in cash or stock equal to (1) the excess
of the per-share fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise over the strike price, multiplied by (2) the
number of shares of common stock with respect to which the SAR is exercised. A SAR granted under our 2018 Plan vests at the rate
specified in the SAR agreement as determined by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator determines the term
of SARs granted under our 2018 Plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of a participant’s SAR agreement provides
otherwise, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause,
disability, or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested SAR for a period of three months following the cessation
of service. The SARs’ term will be further extended in the event that applicable securities laws prohibit the exercise of
the SAR following such a termination of service. In no event may a SAR be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
Unless the plan administrator provides
otherwise, SARs generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic
relations order. A SAR holder may designate a beneficiary, however, who may exercise the SAR following the holder’s death.
Performance Awards. Our
2018 Plan permits the grant of performance-based stock and cash awards. Our compensation committee can structure such awards so
that stock or cash will be issued or paid pursuant to such award only after the achievement of certain pre-established performance
goals during a designated performance period. The plan administrator determines the performance goals. The performance goals
may be based on company-wide performance or performance of one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments.
They may be either absolute or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more
relevant indices.
Other Stock Awards. The
plan administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our common stock. The plan administrator will
set the number of shares under the stock award and all other terms and conditions of such awards.
Changes to Capital
Structure. In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split or recapitalization,
appropriate adjustments will be made to (1) the class and a maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under our 2018
Plan, (2) the class and a maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase each year automatically, (3) the
class and a maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of incentive stock options and (4) the class and
number of shares and exercise price, strike price or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.
Change in Control. The
plan administrator may provide, in an individual award agreement or any other written agreement between a participant and us, that
the stock award will be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability or settlement in the event of a change
in control. Under our 2018 Plan, a change in control is generally (1) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50%
of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation, or similar transaction, (2) a consummated merger, consolidation,
or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
surviving entity or (3) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of
our consolidated assets.
74
Amendment and Termination. Board
of Directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate our 2018 Plan, provided that such action does not materially impair
the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent and provided further that certain types
of amendments will require the approval of stockholders. No incentive stock options may be granted after the tenth anniversary
of the date that the Board of Directors adopts the 2018 Plan.
Outstanding Equity Awards
There were no outstanding equity awards
to our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2025.
ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table
lists, as of the date of this Annual Report, the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by (i) each person, entity
or group (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) known to the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock; (ii) each of our directors (iii) each of our Named Executive Officers and
(iv) all executive officers and directors as a group. Information relating to beneficial ownership of common stock by our principal
stockholders and management is based upon information furnished by each person using “beneficial ownership” concepts
under the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person directly
or indirectly has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of the security, or investment
power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial
owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under the SEC rules, more
than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner
of securities as to which he or she may not have any pecuniary interest. Except as noted below, each person has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned and each stockholder’s address is c/o CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation,
4830 Line Avenue, Suite 152, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71106. The percentages below are calculated based on 14,168,755 shares of
common stock issued and outstanding as of March 20, 2026.
Name of Beneficial Owner
Shares
Percentage
Executive Officers and Directors:
Jeffrey J. Guzy
1,121,241
7.9 %
William R. Downs
135,000
1.0 %
William Allan Bradley
10,000
0.1 %
Total Directors and Executive Officers (3 persons)
1,266,241
9.0 %
5% Beneficial Owners
Roger Allums McLeod
2,920,000
20.61 %
Rosswood Capital LLC(1)
1,350,000
9.53 %
Stone Creek Properties, LLC (2)
889,559
6.28 %
Stonefield Fund LLC (3)
755,000
5.33 %
Lamar Resources, LLC (4)
1,035,909
7.31 %
Lazaro Resources, LLC (5)
729,954
5.15 %
75
(1) Peter Biglane is the Manager of Rosswood Capital
LLC and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Rosswood Capital LLC.
(2) David Sullivan is the Manager of Stone Creek Properties
LLC and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Stone Creek Properties LLC.
(3) Alfonso Rivera Revilla is the Manager of Stonefield
Fund LLC and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Stonefield Fund LLC.
(4) Marty Rutland is the Owner of Lamar Resources,
LLC and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Lamar Resources, LLC.
(5) John Young is the Owner of Lazaro Resources, LLC
and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Lazaro Resources, LLC.
Changes in Control Agreements.
As of December 31,
2025, we are not aware of any arrangements that may result in “changes in control”, as that term is defined by the
provisions of Item 403(c) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
In addition to the
executive officer compensation arrangements discussed in “Executive Compensation,” below we describe transactions since
incorporation, in which we have been a participant, in which the amount involved in the transaction is material to our Company,
and in which any of the following is a party:
(a)
enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by, or are under common control with, our Company;
(b)
associates;
(c)
individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in the voting power of our Company that gives them significant influence over our Company, and close members of any such individual’s family;
(d)
key management personnel, that is, those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of our Company, including directors and senior management of companies and close members of such individuals’ families; and
(e)
enterprises in which a substantial interest in the voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (c) or (d) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence.
Review, Approval, and Ratification of
Related Party Transactions
Given our small size
and limited financial resources, we have not adopted formal policies and procedures for the review, approval, or ratification of
transactions, such as those described above, with our executive officer(s), Director(s), and significant stockholders. We intend
to establish formal policies and procedures in the future, once we have sufficient resources and have appointed additional Directors,
so that such transactions will be subject to the review, approval, or ratification of our Board of Directors, or an appropriate
committee thereof. On a moving forward basis, our Directors will continue to approve any related party transaction.
On January 10, 2024,
the Company issued 100,000 common shares at $0.99 per share to William R. Downs in connection with his appointment as the Company’s
new Chief Financial officer. The issuance of 100,000 shares was recognized at the share price on the date of the employment agreement.
On January 26, 2024,
Mr. Guzy and Mr. Wellman, being the holders of all of the Company’s Series A Stock converted all 105,000 shares issued and
outstanding into common shares at a conversion rate of one to ten. The conversion occurred at the rate specified in the initial
issuance agreement and therefore no gain or loss was recognized on the conversion. In connection with the exercise of the conversion
option, the Company issued 575,000 and 475,000 common shares to Jeffrey J. Guzy and Wm. Barrett Wellman, respectively.
On August 20, 2024,
Mr. Guzy purchased 475,000 shares of common stock from Mr. Wellman in a negotiated transaction. The transfer had no financial impact
on the Company during the year ended December 31, 2024.
On April 11, 2025,
the Company issued 170,116 shares of Common Stock at $2.00 per share to Mr. Wellman in lieu of the accrued salary liability of
$340,232 for services performed by Mr. Wellman in his previous role as Chief Financial Officer. The issuance of these shares did
not involve any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions or any public offering and we believe is exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.
76
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING
FEES AND SERVICES
Audit and Accounting Fees
Effective as of January
4, 2024, Sadler, Gibb & Associates, LLC resigned as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and the
Board of the Company appointed M&K CPAs, PLLC (“M&K”) as our independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The following table sets forth the fees billed to the Company for professional services
rendered by M&K and S|G for each of the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively:
Services
2025
2024
Audit fees
$ 60,500
$ 97,000
Audit related fees
—
—
Tax fees
—
—
All other fees
—
—
Total fees
$ 60,500
$ 97,000
Audit Fees
The aggregate audit
fees billed and unbilled for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024 were for professional services rendered by M&K
and S|G, respectively, for the audits of our annual consolidated financial statements, the audit of our consolidated financial
statements included in our registration statement on Form 10-K.
Tax Fees
The Company did not
incur any aggregate tax fees billed and unbilled for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024.
Other Fees
The Company did not
incur any other fees related to services rendered by our principal accountant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and
2024.
Effective May 6, 2003,
the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules that require that before our auditor is engaged by us to render any auditing
or permitted non-audit related service, the engagement be:
●
approved by our audit committee; or
●
entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the audit committee, provided that the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the audit committee is informed of each service, and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the audit committee’s responsibilities to management.
77
We do not have an audit committee. Our
entire board of directors pre-approves all services provided by our independent auditors.
All of the above services and fees were
reviewed and approved by the entire board of directors before the respective services were rendered.
78
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES
The
following exhibits are included with this Annual Report:
Exhibit
No.
Description
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
3.2
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
3.3
Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation with the Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, dated January 23, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 31, 2020)
3.4
Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation dated June 12, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 25, 2020)
3.5
By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
4.2
Description of Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
10.1
Employment Agreement between CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation and Jeffrey J. Guzy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 22, 2020)
10.2
Employment Agreement by CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation and Jeffrey Delancey dated May 15, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
10.3
Acquisition Agreement, dated June 16, 2020, by and among CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, Barrister Energy, LLC., and all of the Members of Barrister Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 22, 2020)
10.4
2018 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
10.5
Investment Banking/Corp Advisory Agreement by Newbridge Securities Corporation and CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, dated March 14, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
10.6
Employment Agreement by CoJax Oil and Gas Corp. and Wm. Barrett Wellman, dated March 16, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed with Commission on March 23, 2020)
10.9
Assignment and Assumption of Promissory Note, dated June 16, 2020, by CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation and Barrister Energy, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 22, 2020)
79
10.10
Debt Exchange Agreement, dated November 16, 2021, by and between the Company and Central Operating, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 19, 2021)
10.11
Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated January 4, 2021, by CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation and Jeffrey Guzy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 7, 2021)
10.12
Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated January 4, 2021, by CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation and Wm. Barrett Wellman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 7, 2021)
10.13
Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated January 4, 2022, by CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation and Jeffrey Guzy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 4, 2022)
10.14
Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated January 4, 2022, by CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation and Wm. Barrett Wellman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 4, 2022)
10.15
NONOP purchase and sale agreement dated November 8, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022 filed with the Commission on November 20, 2023)
10.16
BUCKLEY purchase and sale agreement dated October 15, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022 filed with the Commission on November 20, 2023)
10.17
Employment Agreement between William R. Downs and the Company dated January 10, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 16, 2024)
10.18
Employment Agreement between Jeffrey J. Guzy and the Company dated January 10, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 16, 2024)
14
Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 26, 2019)
19.1
Insider Trading Policy
21.1
Subsidiaries of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Form S-1 Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 24, 2021)
23.1*
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
31.1**
Certification of William R. Downs, Chief Executive Officer and President of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2**
Certification of Jeffrey J. Guzy, Chief Financial Officer of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
Certification of William R. Downs, Chief Executive Officer and President of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*
Certification of Jeffrey J. Guzy, Chief Financial Officer of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.1
Barrister Energy, LLC Oil Leases (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on May 14, 2021)
99.2*
Reserve
Report, Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-2699
* Filed Herewith
** Filed Herewith as amended
ITEM 16. FORM 10–K SUMMARY
None.
80
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
COJAX OIL AND GAS CORPORATION
By:
/s/ William R. Downs
William R. Downs
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:
March 24, 2026
By:
/s/ Jeffrey J. Guzy
Jeffrey J. Guzy
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
Date:
March 24, 2026
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By:
/s/ William R. Downs
William R. Downs
Chief Executive Officer, President and
director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:
March 24, 2026
By:
/s/ Jeffrey J. Guzy
Jeffrey J. Guzy
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
and director
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
Date:
March 24, 2026
By:
/s/ William Allan Bradley
William Allan Bradley
Date: March 24, 2026
81