Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2023, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023 in providing a reasonable level of assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable SEC rules and forms, including providing a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. However, in evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable assurance of necessarily achieving the desired control objectives, and management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Refer to Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting located in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
c) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
Refer to the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm located in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, no officer or director of the Company adopted or terminated any “Rule 10b5-1 trading agreement” or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading agreement,” as each item is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
PART III
We will file a definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”) with the SEC, pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after December 31, 2023. Accordingly, certain information required by Part III has been omitted under General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K. Only those sections of the 2024 Proxy Statement that specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2024 Proxy Statement under the captions “ Election of Directors to Class of 2027, ” “ Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance, ” “ Compensation Committee Report, ” “ Executive Officers ,” and sub-caption “ Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, ” as well as from the information disclosed under the caption “Code of Ethics” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2024 Proxy Statement under the captions “ Executive Compensation, ” “ Director Compensation, ” and “ Compensation Committee Report, ” and sub-caption “ Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. ”
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2024 Proxy Statement under the caption “ Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. ”
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2024 Proxy Statement under the captions “ Transactions with Related Persons ” and “ Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance. ”
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2024 Proxy Statement under the sub-captions “ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees ” and “ Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures ” under the caption “ Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. ”
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
a. DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT
1 The following financial statements are filed herewith:
Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2 Financial statement schedules
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation is filed herewith.
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or because the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3 Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or hereby incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the SEC:
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
3.1 Articles of Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed January 12, 2017.
3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-106024), filed June 11, 2003.
3.3 First Amendment to Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed July 10, 2007.
3.4 Second Amendment to Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed December 1, 2016.
3.5 Third Amendment to Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed October 10, 2023.
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3.6 Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed April 12, 2018.
3.7 Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed April 12, 2018.
3.8 Articles Supplementary for 6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed on September 27, 2019.
3.9 Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed December 3, 2019.
3.10 Articles Supplementary for 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed February 20, 2020.
3.11 Articles Supplementary for 6.00% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed June 24, 2021.
3.12 Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33097), filed August 9, 2021.
4.1 Form of Certificate for Common Stock of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-106024), filed August 8, 2003.
4.2 Form of Certificate for 6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed September 27, 2019.
4.3 Form of Certificate for 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed February 20, 2020.
4.4 Form of Certificate for 6.00% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed June 24, 2021.
4.5 Form of Indenture, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-268549), filed November 23, 2022.
4.6 Description of the Registrant’s securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (filed herewith).
10.1 Administration Agreement between the Registrant and Gladstone Administration, LLC, dated January 1, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed January 3, 2007.
10.2 Escrow Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2020, by and between Gladstone Commercial Corporation and UMB Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Escrow Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2020, by and between Gladstone Commercial Corporation and UMB Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed February 20, 2020.
10.3 Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed July 11, 2018.
10.4 Exhibit SEP to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership: Designation of 6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed September 27, 2019.
10.5 First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Gladstone Commercial Operating Partnership, dated December 2, 2019, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed December 3, 2019.
10.6 Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, including Exhibit SFP thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed February 20, 2020.
10.7 Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, including Exhibit SGP thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed June 24, 2021.
10.8 Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33097), filed August 9, 2021.
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10.9 Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Other Loan Documents, dated as of February 11, 2021, by and among Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, as borrower, Gladstone Commercial Corporation and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, each of the financial institutions initially a signatory thereto together with their successors and assignees, as lenders, and KeyBank National Association, as lender and agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-33097), filed February 16, 2021.
10.10 Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Other Loan Documents, dated as of August 18, 2022 by and among Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, as borrower, Gladstone Commercial Corporation and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, each of the financial institutions initially a signatory thereto together with their successors and assignees, as lenders, and KeyBank National Association, as lender and agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33097), filed August 19, 2022.
10.11 Sixth Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2020, by and between the Registrant and Gladstone Management Corporation. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33097), filed July 27, 2020.
10.12 Seventh Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement by and between the Registrant and Gladstone Management Corporation , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-33097), filed February 22, 2023.
10.13 Eighth Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement, dated July 11, 2023, by and between the Registrant and Gladstone Management Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33097), filed August 8, 2023.
21 List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith).
23 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (filed herewith).
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
97.1 Gladstone Commercial Corporation Compensation Recoupment Policy (filed herewith).
99.1 Estimated Value Methodology for Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock as of December 31, 2023 (filed herewith).
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* XBRL Definition Linkbase
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the following materials, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
Not applicable.
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.
Gladstone Commercial Corporation
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Gary Gerson
Gary Gerson
Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ David Gladstone
David Gladstone
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors
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.
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Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ David Gladstone
David Gladstone
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Directors (principal executive officer)
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Terry Lee Brubaker
Terry Lee Brubaker
Chief Operating Officer and Director
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Gary Gerson
Gary Gerson
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Anthony W. Parker
Anthony W. Parker
Director
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Michela A. English
Michela A. English
Director
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Paul Adelgren
Paul Adelgren
Director
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ John Outland
John Outland
Director
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr.
Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr.
Director
Date: February 21, 2024 By: /s/ Paula Novara
Paula Novara
Director
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