Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas D. Brisbin, and our Chief Financial Officer, Creighton K. Early, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 30, 2022. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at a reasonable assurance level, as of December 30, 2022.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2022. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Our management has concluded that, as of December 30, 2022, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Crowe LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the fiscal year 2022 consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2022, which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Controls
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 30, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
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PART II I
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2022 fiscal year.
We have posted our Code of Ethical Conduct on our website, www.willdan.com, under the heading “Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents.” The Code of Ethical Conduct applies to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Upon request and free of charge, we will provide any person with a copy of the Code of Ethical Conduct. See “Item 1. Business—Available Information.” To the extent required by rules adopted by the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market, we intend to promptly disclose future amendments to certain provisions of the code, or waivers of such provisions granted to executive officers and directors on our website at www.willdan.com under “Investors—Corporate Governance.”
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2022 fiscal year.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2022 fiscal year.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2022 fiscal year.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT ING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2022 fiscal year.
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PART I V
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS , FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements
The financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this document are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2. Financial Statements Schedules
All required schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or the accompanying notes.
3. Exhibits
The exhibits filed as part of this annual report are listed in Item 15(b).
(b) Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
2.1‡
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2019, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., Willdan Energy Solutions, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc., each of the stockholders of Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc., and Ren Orans, as seller representative of the stockholders of Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2019) .
3.1
First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Willdan Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006, as amended (File No. 333-136444)) .
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Willdan Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2020) .
4.1
Specimen Stock Certificate for shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006, as amended (File No. 333-136444)) .
4.2*
Description of Willdan Group, Inc.’s Capital Stock.
4.3
The Company agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request a copy of each instrument with respect to issues of long-term debt of Willdan Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, the authorized principal amount of which does not exceed 10% of the consolidated assets of Willdan Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
10.1
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2019, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), the Lenders (as defined therein) and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2019) .
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Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
10.2
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2019, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors signatory thereto, the Lenders signatory thereto and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2020).
10.3
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2019, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors signatory thereto, the Lenders signatory thereto and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2020).
10.4
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2020, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors signatory thereto, the Lenders signatory thereto and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 8, 2020).
10.5
Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2021, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors signatory thereto, the Lenders signatory thereto and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 3, 2021) .
10.6
Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2022, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors signatory thereto, the Lenders signatory thereto and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 11, 2022) .
10.7
Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2022, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors signatory thereto, the Lenders signatory thereto and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 5, 2022) .
10.8
Seventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2022, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the Guarantors signatory thereto, the Lenders signatory thereto and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 4, 2022) .
10.9
Security Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2018, by and among Willdan Group, Inc. the other Debtors (as defined therein) and BMO Harris Bank N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2018) .
10.10
Master Reaffirmation of and Amendment to Collateral Documents, dated as of June 26, 2019, by and among Willdan Group, Inc., the other Debtors (as defined therein) and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2019).
10.11†
Willdan Group, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006, as amended (File No. 333-136444)) .
10.12†
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006, as amended (File No. 333-136444)) .
10.13†
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006, as amended (File No. 333-136444)) .
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Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
10.14†
Form of Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2020).
10.15*
Form of Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
10.16*
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
10.17†
Willdan Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Performance Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 17, 2019) .
10.18†
Willdan Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Performance Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 10, 2022) .
10.19†
Amended and Restated Willdan Group, Inc. 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 9, 2017) .
10.20†
Form of Indemnification Agreement between Willdan Group, Inc. and its Directors and Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 13, 2016) .
10.21†
Employment Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2011 by and between Willdan Group, Inc. and Thomas D. Brisbin (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2011) .
10.22†
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2014, by and between Willdan Group, Inc. and Mike Bieber (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 7, 2015) .
10.23†
Separation Agreement, dated January 19, 2023, between Willdan Group, Inc. and Paul Whitelaw (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Willdan Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 24, 2023).
21.1*
Subsidiaries of Willdan Group, Inc.
23.1*
Consent of Crowe LLP .
24.1*
Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto) .
31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to § 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 .
31.2*
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to § 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 .
32.1**
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 .
101.INS*
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104*
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*
Filed herewith.
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**
Furnished herewith.
‡
Portions of the referenced exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K because it (i) is not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.
†
Indicates a management contract or compensating plan or arrangement.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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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.
WILLDAN GROUP, INC.
/s/ creighton k. early
Creighton K. Early
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
March 9, 2023
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Creighton K. Early his/her attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him/her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with Exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Thomas D. Brisbin
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
March 9, 2023
Thomas D. Brisbin
/s/ Creighton K. Early
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
March 9, 2023
Creighton K. Early
/s/ Steven A. Cohen
Director
March 9, 2023
Steven A. Cohen
/s/ Cynthia A. Downes
Director
March 9, 2023
Cynthia A. Downes
/s/ Dennis V. McGinn
Director
March 9, 2023
Dennis V. McGinn
/s/ Wanda K. Reder
Director
March 9, 2023
Wanda K. Reder
/s/ Keith W. Renken
Director
March 9, 2023
Keith W. Renken
/s/ Mohammad Shahidehpour
Director
March 9, 2023
Mohammad Shahidehpour
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