In December 2019, our Board approved the 2019 HireQuest, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). Subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the 2019 Plan, no more than 1.5 million shares of common stock are available in the aggregate for the grant of awards under the 2019 Plan. No more than 1 million shares may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options. In addition, no more than 250 thousand shares may be issued in the aggregate to any employee or consultant, and no more than 50 thousand shares may be issued in the aggregate to any non-employee director in any twelve-month period. Shares of common stock available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner. The 2019 Plan was approved by our shareholders in June 2020 and became effective as of that date.

In September 2019, our Board approved a share purchase match program to encourage ownership and further align the interests of key employees and directors with those of our shareholders. Under this program, we will match 20% of any shares of our common stock purchased on the open market by or granted in lieu of cash compensation to key employees and directors up to $25 thousand in aggregate value per individual within any calendar year. These shares vest on the second anniversary of the date on which the matched shares were purchased if the individual is still employed by the Company or still serves as a director and certain other vesting criteria are met. During 2024, we issued 10,761 shares valued at approximately $155 thousand under this program. During 2023, we issued 9,375 shares valued at approximately $158 thousand under this program.

In 2024, we issued 60,731 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $758 thousand to members of our Board of Directors for their services in lieu of cash compensation. Of these, 57,277 shares vested equally over the three months post grant and 3,454 shares vest two years after their grant date pursuant to our share match program for director compensation. Also in 2024, we issued 5,270 shares pursuant to our share purchase match program valued at approximately $80 thousand to match 20% of open market purchases made by members of our Board of Directors. Also in 2024, we issued 2,037 shares pursuant to our share purchase match program to key employees valued at approximately $29 thousand.

We also issued 7,500 shares of restricted common stock in 2024 pursuant to the 2019 Plan that vest over 4 years and were valued at approximately $101 thousand to a key employee for services in lieu of cash compensation.

In 2023, we issued 12,498 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $231 thousand to members of our Board of Directors for their services in lieu of cash compensation. Of these, 10,413 shares vested equally over the three months post grant. The remaining 2,085 shares were issued pursuant to our share purchase match program. Also in 2023, we issued 6,131 shares pursuant to our share purchase match program related to open market purchases by members of our Board of Directors.

Also in 2023, we issued 65,431 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $1.3 million to key employees for their services in lieu of cash compensation. Of these, 9,272 shares were issued to our CEO and vest equally over the three months post grant. Of the remaining shares, 55,000 vest over 4 years and 1,159 shares were issued pursuant to our share purchase match program and vest the second anniversary of the date of grant.

The following table summarizes our restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2022, and changes during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024:

At December 31, 2024, there was unrecognized stock-based compensation expense totaling approximately $746 thousand relating to non-vested restricted stock grants that will be recognized over the next 3.7 years.

Stock options that were outstanding at Command Center were deemed to be issued on the date of the Merger. Outstanding awards continue to remain in effect according to the terms of the 2008 Plan, the 2016 Plan, and the corresponding award documents. There were approximately 13 thousand stock options vested at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. All outstanding stock options were vested at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There were no options issued in 2024 or 2023.

The following table summarizes our stock options outstanding at December 31, 2022, and changes during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024:

The following table summarizes additional information about our outstanding stock options, and reflects the intrinsic value recalculated based on the closing price of our common stock of $14.16 on December 31, 2024: