NOTE 9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Guarantees Related Party Advances

The Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) provided cash advances witnessed by interest-bearing notes totaling $0 and $536, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and provided cash advances totaling $0 and $80, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Additionally, the CEO provided a personal credit card account for the purchase of goods and services by FTE. While the credit card balances are reflected in the Company’s books and records, the CEO is personally liable for the payment of the entire amount of the open credit obligation, which was $0 and $12 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Additionally, the Company entered into several secured equipment financing arrangements with total obligations of approximately $47 and $345 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, that required the guaranty of a Company officer, which was provided by him.

The Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) provided an unsecured, interest-bearing note totaling $150 during the year ended December 31, 2017. The balance on the note was $0 and $80 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Additionally, the CFO personally guaranteed several secured equipment financing arrangements with total obligations of approximately $69 and $562 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The CFO also provides a personal credit card account for the purchase of goods and services by FTE. While the credit card balances are reflected in the Company’s books and records, the CFO is personally liable for the payment of the entire amount of the open credit obligation, which was $0 and $14 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Mr. Chris Ferguson, a member of the Board of Directors, has provided cash advances totaling $147 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Benchmark Acquisition

On April 20, 2017, the Company issued Series A convertible promissory notes, in the aggregate principal amount of $12,500 to the former owners of Benchmark and significant shareholders of the Company, maturing on April 20, 2019. Interest is computed at the rate of 5% percent per annum on the outstanding principal, is payable in arrears quarterly, commencing June 30, 2017 by capitalizing it to the outstanding principal amount. Interest expense was $168 and $491 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $159 and $281 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

On April 20, 2017, the Company issued Series B Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $30,000 to the former owners of Benchmark and significant shareholders of the Company, which mature on April 20, 2020. Interest is computed at the rate of 3% per annum on the outstanding principal is payable in arrears quarterly, commencing June 30, 2017 by capitalizing it to the outstanding principal amount. Interest expense was $236 and $694 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $228 and $403 for the three and nine months ended of September 30, 2017, respectively.

On April 20, 2017, the Company issued Series C Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $7,500 to the former owners of Benchmark and significant shareholders of the Company, which mature on October 20, 2018. See Note 17. Interest computes at the rate of 3% per annum on the outstanding principal, is payable in arrears quarterly, commencing June 30, 2017 by capitalizing it to the outstanding principal amount. Interest expense was $37 and $129 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $55 and $97 for the three and nine months ended of September 30, 2017, respectively.

Total related party notes consisted of the following: