Form 4: Castellum CEO Glen Ives Granted 500,000 Stock Options

Castellum, Inc. CEO Glen R. Ives received a grant of 500,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.19, vesting over twenty months.

Summary

• Glen R. Ives, President and Chief Executive Officer of Castellum, Inc. (CTM), was granted 500,000 stock options.
• The options have an exercise price of $1.19 per share.
• The grant occurred on November 11, 2025, and was issued pursuant to the Castellum, Inc. Second Amended 2021 Stock Incentive Plan.
• These options will vest ratably over twenty months, commencing December 1, 2025.
• The expiration date for these stock options is November 10, 2032.
• Mr. Ives is also identified as a Director and a 10% Owner of the company.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reports a standard executive compensation event (stock option grant), which is generally viewed as a neutral to slightly positive development as it aligns management incentives with shareholder interests, assuming the terms are reasonable.

Positives

• The grant of stock options aligns the interests of the CEO, Glen R. Ives, with those of shareholders, incentivizing long-term company performance.
• The options are issued under an existing, approved plan (Second Amended 2021 Stock Incentive Plan), indicating a structured approach to executive compensation.

Negatives

• Potential for future dilution of existing shareholders if the options are exercised, although this is a standard aspect of stock-based compensation.

Future Outlook

The 500,000 stock options granted to Glen R. Ives will vest ratably over a twenty-month period, beginning December 1, 2025, and will expire on November 10, 2032. This provides a long-term incentive structure for the CEO.

Industry Context

Granting stock options to executive leadership is a common practice across industries, particularly in publicly traded companies, to incentivize performance and align management's financial interests with those of shareholders. This filing reflects a standard executive compensation mechanism.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of stock options to a CEO is a widely accepted form of executive compensation, aligning with practices seen in comparable companies within the defense and government contracting sectors.
• While specific grant sizes and vesting schedules vary, the use of equity incentives like options is a global benchmark for attracting and retaining top talent and motivating long-term value creation.
• Similar incentive structures are observed at companies like SAIC, Leidos, or CACI International, where executive compensation packages frequently include substantial equity components tied to performance and tenure.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• Grant of 500,000 stock options to Glen R. Ives, the President and CEO of Castellum, Inc., with an exercise price of $1.19 per share, under the company's Second Amended 2021 Stock Incentive Plan.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potential for future dilution if options are exercised, but also benefit from aligned management incentives for long-term value creation.
• Employees: The existence of a stock incentive plan (Second Amended 2021 Stock Incentive Plan) suggests a broader framework for employee incentives, potentially impacting morale and retention.

Next Steps

• The stock options will begin vesting ratably over twenty months, commencing December 1, 2025.
• Glen R. Ives may exercise these options at the specified price of $1.19 per share once they vest, up until the expiration date of November 10, 2032.

Key Dates

Keywords

Castellum Inc., CTM, Stock Options, Executive Compensation, Insider Transaction, Glen R. Ives, CEO, Form 4, SEC Filing, Equity Grant, Incentive Plan