Jack Steenstra
DNA XAbout Jack Steenstra
Independent director at Sonim Technologies since 2022, age 62 as of June 20, 2024. Former Qualcomm VP of Engineering (1995–2015), currently CTO of Meta Technologies Inc. (since Aug 2017). Education: BS Electrical & Electronics Engineering (University of Michigan) and MS Electrical & Electronics Engineering (USC). Committee roles include Audit and Compensation member and Chair of Nominating & Corporate Governance .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualcomm | Vice President of Engineering | 1995–2015 | Led cross-functional department developing new products for new business opportunities |
| VRx Medical and other startups | Freelance technology consultant | Nov 2015–Aug 2017 | Contributed to technical, business, product innovation for new wireless devices |
| Abbott Laboratories | Engineer | Prior to 1995 | Developed digital surveillance systems, software, medical devices |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Technologies Inc. (wellness tech) | Chief Technology Officer | Aug 2017–present | Software and hardware leadership |
| Stepping Stone San Diego (non-profit) | Board Member | Jan 2012–Dec 2023 | LGBT-focused rehabilitation program governance |
Board Governance
- Committee assignments: Audit Committee member; Compensation Committee member; Chair, Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee .
- Independence: Board determined Steenstra is independent under Nasdaq rules (CEO Peter Liu is not independent) .
- Attendance/engagement: In FY2023 each director attended at least 75% of Board and committee meetings; Board met 5x, Audit 5x, Compensation 3x, Nominating 1x .
- Board leadership and process: Independent Chair (Mike Mulica); Board holds regular executive sessions without executive officers .
Fixed Compensation
| Component (Policy) | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Board cash retainer | $35,000 | Annual cash retainer for non-employee directors |
| Audit Committee member fee | $7,500 | Annual member fee |
| Compensation Committee member fee | $5,000 | Annual member fee |
| Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee chair fee | $7,500 | Annual chair fee |
| Total cash fees (2024 actual) | $55,000 | Matches policy components above |
Performance Compensation
| Year | Grant Type | Grant Date/Units | Grant Date Fair Value | Vesting | Change-of-Control Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | RSUs | 7,895 RSUs (June 20, 2024) | $60,000 | One installment on earlier of 1-year anniversary or immediately prior to 2025 annual meeting | Director RSUs fully vest upon change of control or death/disability |
| 2023 | RSUs | 89,525 RSUs (Sep 28, 2023) | $60,000 | (Policy provides annual RSUs; vest mechanics consistent with director grants) | Director RSUs fully vest upon change of control or death/disability |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Category | Disclosure |
|---|---|
| Public company boards | None disclosed for Steenstra |
| Potential interlocks/conflicts | Related party disclosures focus on AJP Holding/Orbic Group and Jeffrey Wang’s interests; no mention of Steenstra in related party transactions section |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Deep engineering leadership (Qualcomm VP Engineering; CTO Meta Technologies) with wireless devices and product development expertise .
- Governance experience via non-profit board service (Stepping Stone San Diego) .
- Technical credentials (BS, MS in EE) align with Sonim’s device and mobility domain .
Equity Ownership
| As-of Date | Beneficial Ownership (Shares) | % of Outstanding | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2025 | 49,139 | <1% (asterisk denoted in filing) | Company outstanding shares: 17,781,919 |
| May 30, 2024 | 199,805 | (not explicitly stated) | Includes 120,799 shares issuable via RSUs vesting within 60 days ; Company outstanding shares: 46,717,887 |
Governance Assessment
- Committee influence: As Chair of Nominating & Corporate Governance and member of Audit and Compensation, Steenstra is positioned to impact board composition, oversight, and pay practices—an effectiveness signal for governance-focused investors .
- Independence and engagement: Independent status with board-wide attendance at or above 75% in FY2023 enhances confidence in oversight .
- Compensation alignment: Director pay mix stable YoY (cash ~$55k; equity $60k), with RSUs vesting annually; overall director awards capped by plan ($600k annual limit) indicating pay discipline .
- Clawbacks and hedging: Equity awards subject to clawback per plan and Nasdaq rules; Insider Trading Policy prohibits hedging, short sales, options, margin accounts, and pledges—mitigating misalignment risks .
- RED FLAG (change-of-control vesting): Director RSUs fully vest upon change of control (single-trigger for directors), which can be shareholder-unfriendly in contested transactions; investors should monitor transaction context and board rationale .
- Control dynamics: Significant ownership concentrated with AJP/Orbic group and Jeffrey Wang, potentially influencing governance; no related-party transactions disclosed involving Steenstra .
Notes:
- Say-on-pay voting and compensation peer group details are not required/disclosed given Sonim’s emerging growth company status; no director-specific ownership guidelines disclosed in filings reviewed .
