Consulting agreement with Kathy McDermott

EX-10.3 2 beam_ex1003.htm CONSULTING AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.3

BEAM GLOBAL

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of November 11, 2024, (the “Effective Date”) by and between, Beam Global with principal place of business located at 5660 Eastgate Dr, San Diego, CA, 92121 (the “Client”) and Katherine McDermott located at 7428 Las Lunas, San Diego, CA 92127 (the “Consultant”). The Client and the Consultant are also hereinafter referred to as the "Party" or "Parties".

WHEREAS, Client is a supplier of clean technology solutions and desires to engage Consultant to provide the Services (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, Consultant has relevant expertise, contacts and knowledge of Client’s business and financial information and is available to provide professional financial services to support the Client.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

TERM AND SCOPE:

1.1

This Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall remain in full force through December 31, 2024. Provided that this Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to Section 7 or otherwise, the Initial Term may be extended based on agreement by both parties. The Initial Term and any subsequent renewals shall collectively be referred to as the “Term”.

1.2

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Client hereby retains Consultant as a consultant to the Client to provide financial services (the “Services”) and Consultant agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to render such Services during the Term of this Agreement. The Consultant shall always use its best efforts in providing such Services. The Consultant shall create and deliver any deliverables or work products associated with the Services in a format and at a time reasonably acceptable to the Client and consistent with the provision of the Services. The Consultant will report to Client’s CEO or CFO, or such other individual(s) or department(s) as may be designated by the Client from time to time.

1.3

Consultant shall provide Client, on a weekly basis, an update of activities, milestones, requirements and other information relevant to the furtherance of the Services. Consultant shall not approach organizations or entities or otherwise perform Services under this Agreement without the prior written permission of the Client.

1.4

The Consultant shall regularly report to the Client regarding its efforts on Client’s behalf.

1.5

The Consultant shall provide all of its own equipment, tools, and office space necessary to perform the Services under this Agreement. Client may provide limited resources including a laptop and access to the Company’s systems, if needed.

1.6

Throughout the Term of this Agreement, the Consultant agrees to devote its best efforts to performing the Services with diligence and care on behalf of the Client. The Parties each individually represent and acknowledge that the performance of the Services under this Agreement does not conflict with any duties or obligations that such Party may have to any third party and does not violate any other agreement to which such Party is already a party. Each Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other Party, its employees, directors, agents and assigns against any claims, liability, loss, cost, actions or demands (including without limitation reasonable attorney fees) arising out of or relating to any conflict or violation of any third-party agreement by such Party.

1.7

The Parties each individually represent and warrant that any and all information, code, programs, processes, practices or techniques which such Party will describe, demonstrate, divulge, use, or in any other manner make known to the other Party during the performance of Services (collectively, the "Property") may be divulged and freely used by such divulging Party, without any obligation to, or violation of, any right of others, and without violation of any law or payment of any royalty.

1.8

Throughout the Term of this Agreement, the Consultant and its directors, officers, representatives, agents and employees shall comply with all federal, state, local, foreign and/or international laws and regulations applicable to the Consultant ’s business, including but not limited to any state and federal security laws and regulations, and its performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES:

2.1

It is understood and agreed that Consultant will act under this Agreement as an independent contractor and that nothing in this Agreement or the nature of any services rendered in connection herewith shall be deemed to create an agency relationship between Consultant and the Client. Consultant has no authority to, and agrees not to, assume or create any obligation or liability, express or implied, on the Client’s behalf, or to bind the Client in any manner or to anything whatsoever. The Consultant represents and warrants that it will not make any warranties or representations regarding the Client or Client’s products or services except as expressly stated in this Agreement or as otherwise may be authorized in writing by Client from time to time.

2.2

Payments made to Consultant hereunder may be subject to applicable federal, state, and local tax withholding laws. The Client makes no representations regarding the tax implications of the compensation provided for in this Agreement. The Client advises Consultant to consult with a tax professional and/or its attorney regarding such implications and the Consultant’s responsibilities regarding fulfillment of its taxation obligations. Consultant specifically acknowledges and agrees that: (i) Consultant shall be liable for all taxes assessed by any federal, state, or local authorities with respect to the compensation provided herein; and (ii) that to the extent required by law the Client is authorized to withhold such taxes from compensation due Consultant hereunder.

COMPENSATION, INVOICING AND PAYMENT:

3.1

In consideration for the Services to be provided by Consultant to Client, Consultant will bill for services on an hourly basis at a rate of $225 per hour. Consultant will submit invoices on a bi-weekly basis. Payment shall be made within 15 days. In addition to the above cash compensation, in connection with entering into this Agreement, Client agrees to issue Consultant shares of Client’s common stock in an amount equal to $300,000 which will be payable as follows: commencing on Monday, November 11, 2024 such number of shares of Client’s common stock in an amount equal to by $300,000 divided by the closing price of Client’s common stock on the preceding trading day. Consultant agrees and acknowledges that the shares of common stock being issued to Consultant are in lieu of a cash bonus of $300,000 that was payable to Consultant in 2024.

3.2

Aside from that compensation specifically described in this Section 3, no other compensation of any kind shall be due or payable to Consultant by the Client for any Services rendered hereunder.

CONFIDENTIALITY; INSIDER TRADING:

Client and Consultant are parties to a certain Mutual Confidentiality Agreement dated December 29, 2023 attached hereto as Exhibit “B” (the “Confidentiality Agreement”). The terms and provisions of such Confidentiality Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Confidentiality Agreement, the Consultant will not publish, disclose to third parties, utilize for the Consultant’s own benefit, or otherwise make use of any of the Client’s (or Client’s customers) trade secrets or other confidential information concerning the Client or its customers, except with the prior written consent of the Client (and/or Client’s customer, as applicable). For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall have the meaning prescribed in the Confidentiality Agreement and shall include, without limitation, any financial or accounting information regarding the business of the Client that has not been publicly reported or released, including information regarding revenues, anticipated revenues, expenses and costs, profit margins and cash flow, information regarding the Client’s customers, the Client’s business plans and strategies, forecasts and projections, pricing information, customer proposals and contracts, employee information and any other information developed, in the possession of or owned by the Client that the Client does not disclose publicly.

Consultant acknowledges that it is aware that the United States securities laws prohibit any person who has material, non-public information concerning Client from purchasing or selling securities of Client or from communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to purchase or sell such securities. Consultant agrees that it will not violate any provisions of this paragraph or the United States securities laws or the analogous laws of any state or foreign government.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND WORK PRODUCT:

5.1

All work performed by the Consultant for the Client under this Agreement is in the nature of “work for hire”. Consultant expressly agrees that all data, electronic or paper documents, models, programs, methods, inventions, innovations, reports or other work product of any kind and all works based upon, derived from, or incorporating the foregoing which have been, or will be, prepared by the Consultant within the scope of the consulting services provided hereunder, including any contribution (whether individual or collaborative) to such materials created by the Consultant in the course of providing the Services (collectively “Innovations”) shall be deemed “works for hire” and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Client. “Innovations” shall also include any work product incorporating, utilizing or based-upon any of the Client’s confidential information. The Consultant hereby irrevocably assigns and/or agrees to irrevocably assign to the Client, its successors and assigns, any and all of its right, title and interest in and to any and all Innovations and to any copyright, trademark, patent applications or Letters Patent thereon developed for and during the performance of the Services for the Client. The Consultant agrees to execute whatever documents may be reasonably necessary at the Client’s request, and without further compensation, in order to assign the rights in any such Innovations to the Client. Notwithstanding the foregoing and those confidentiality requirements set forth above, nothing in this clause shall affect the Consultant’s rights to any data, electronic or paper documents, models, programs, methods, inventions, innovations, reports or other work product, independently developed by the Consultant while not engaged in or for the performance of the Services, whether during, before or after the term of this agreement.

5.2

The Consultant agrees to promptly turn over to the Client, immediately upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, all notes, reports, data and other work product containing Confidential Information of the Client or the Client’s customers and/or produced in connection with any work performed under this Agreement (and all copies thereof), whether in paper or electronic form that the Consultant has in its possession upon the written request of the Client. Following termination or expiration of this Agreement, Consultant shall neither make nor retain any copies (whether in paper, electronic or other format) of any property or work product belonging to the Client or containing Confidential Information relating to the Client or Client’s customers. Each Party’s property and contacts before the signing of this Agreement shall remain their property and contacts after the expiration or termination of this Agreement. Any property and/or contacts jointly developed during the course of this Agreement shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Client.

NON-SOLICITATION, NON-DEFAMATION:

Consultant agrees that while this Agreement is in effect and for a period of two years thereafter, Consultant will not for itself or any third party, directly or indirectly divert or attempt to divert from the Client (or any affiliate of it that might be formed) any business of any kind in which the Client is engaged including, without limitation, the solicitation of or interference with any of Client’s customers, clients, vendors, contractors or employees to terminate its business relationship with Client. During the term of this Agreement and for one (1) year thereafter, Consultant will not encourage or solicit any employee, independent contractor or contractor of the Client (or any of its affiliates) to leave Client for any reason. The Parties agree that they will not make or disseminate any defamatory comments or communications about the other Party.

TERMINATION:

7.1

Client may terminate this Agreement at any time in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Consultant by providing at least ten (10) calendar day’s written notice to Consultant.

7.2

In the event of termination, neither Party shall be discharged for any antecedent obligations or liabilities to the other Party under this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing. On and after termination or expiration of this Agreement, whether pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7, Section 1.1 or otherwise, Consultant shall immediately cease performance of all Services and inform Client of any and all contacts and/or other relevant data, information or processes that Consultant was pursuing at the time of termination or expiration.

GENERAL PROVISIONS:

8.1

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of laws principles. Each party irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of federal and state courts located in San Diego, California, as applicable, for any matter arising out of or relating to this Agreement. No provision in this Agreement is to be interpreted against such party because that party drafted such provision. In the event of any action or proceeding arising out of the subject matter hereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

8.2

If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of law to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) that provision shall be deemed amended to achieve as nearly as possible the same economic effect as the original provision, and (b) the legality, validity enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

8.3

The parties acknowledge and agree that the performance of the Services hereunder by the Consultant constitutes personal services that may not be assigned or delegated to a third party without the written consent of the Client. The Consultant shall not subcontract or assign the performance of any portion of the Services without the Client’s prior written consent. Any purported subcontract or agreement not approved by the Client shall be void. The Consultant hereby agrees that the Client may assign this Agreement to its designated representatives or affiliates.

8.4

Waiver by the Parties of any default hereunder shall not be deemed a waiver of any other default. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended or modified by either party, unless such waiver, amendment or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of each party.

8.5

The Parties acknowledge that because of the unique nature of any Innovations and the confidential information that may be revealed during the performance of the Services under this Agreement, the Client would suffer irreparable harm if the Consultant failed to comply with any of its obligations under Sections 5 through 7 of this Agreement, and monetary damages would be inadequate to fully compensate the harmed Party. The Parties shall, in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, be entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the terms of Sections 5 through 7 of this Agreement.

8.6

This Agreement, together with all Exhibits and other documents attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties relating to its subject matter and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements concerning the subject matter hereof.

8.7

All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals, and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be (i) personally served, (ii) deposited in the mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or (iv) transmitted by hand delivery or email, addressed as set forth below each Party’s signature or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be deemed effective (a) upon hand delivery or delivery by email, with accurate confirmation generated by the transmitting email account, at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur or (c) if given by email, upon receipt by the sending party of an email from the receiving party confirming receipt

8.8

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different signatories hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signature and delivered by electronic transmission.

NO PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO INDUCE EITHER PARTY TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT. THE PARTIES SIGN THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND FREELY.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto execute the Agreement on the date and year written below.

“CONSULTANT”		“CLIENT”
Katherine McDermott		Beam Global
7428 Las Lunas		5660 Eastgate Dr.
San Diego, CA 92127		San Diego, CA 92121
949 ###-###-####		858 ###-###-####

By:

/s/ Katherine McDermott

Date: 11/11/24

By:

Date:

Print Name: Katherine McDermott	Lisa A. Potok
	Chief Financial Officer