def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing. |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
32000 AURORA ROAD
SOLON, OHIO 44139
April 29, 2011
Dear Shareholder:
This years Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at
1:00 P.M., local time, at the principal executive offices of Energy Focus, Inc., 32000
Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139. You are cordially invited to attend.
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and a Proxy Statement, which describe the
formal business to be conducted at the meeting, have been made a part of this invitation.
After reading the Proxy Statement, please promptly mark, date, sign and return the
enclosed proxy in the pre-paid envelope to ensure that your shares will be represented.
YOUR SHARES CANNOT BE VOTED UNLESS YOU DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY OR ATTEND
THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. Regardless of the number of shares you own, your careful
consideration of, and vote on, the matters before our shareholders are important.
Please also note that if you hold your shares in street name through a bank or
broker, that custodian cannot vote your shares on the election of directors without your
specific instructions.
The Proxy Statement and related proxy form, as well as a copy of the Companys 2010
Annual Report on Form 10-K, are being sent on or about May 10, 2011.
The Board of Directors and management look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.
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Very truly yours,
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Joseph G. Kaveski |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
32000 AURORA ROAD
SOLON, OHIO 44139
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 15, 2011
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting)
of Energy Focus, Inc. (the Company) will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at 1:00
P.M., local time, at the principal executive offices of Energy Focus, Inc., 32000 Aurora
Road, Solon, Ohio, for the following purposes:
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To elect five directors to serve for the ensuing year or until their successors are
elected and qualified, the nominees for which are as follows: John M. Davenport, J.
James Finnerty, Joseph G. Kaveski, Paul von Paumgartten, and R. Louis Schneeberger; |
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To approve an amendment to the Companys 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase
the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan from
150,000 to 400,000; |
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To consider and act upon any other matters that may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement
accompanying this Notice.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2011 are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Eric Hilliard |
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Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Interim
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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Solon, Ohio
April 29, 2011
IMPORTANT: Please mark, date, sign and promptly mail the enclosed proxy card
at your earliest convenience in the accompanying postage-paid envelope to
ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting. If you attend the
meeting, you may choose to vote in person even if you have previously sent
in your proxy card.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Information Concerning Solicitation and Voting of Proxies |
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General |
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Revocability of Proxies |
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Record Date and Share Ownership |
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Voting |
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Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors |
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Nominees |
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Corporate Governance |
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Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation |
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Proposal No. 2: Approval of Amendment to 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
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General |
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Description of Plan |
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Summary of United States Federal Income Tax Consequences |
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Changed Plan Benefits |
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Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation |
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Report of the Audit and Finance Committee |
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Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders and Management |
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Executive Compensation and Other Matters |
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis |
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Summary Compensation Table |
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Total Realized Compensation Table |
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2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2010 |
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Option Exercises |
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Equity Compensation Plan Information |
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Employment Agreements |
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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control |
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Compensation Committee Report |
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Director Compensation |
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
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Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures |
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Certain Relationship and Related Transactions |
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance |
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Deadline for Receipt of Shareholder Proposals for the 2012 Annual Meeting |
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Householding Information |
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Other Matters |
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Annual Report on Form 10-K |
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PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
32000 AURORA ROAD
SOLON, OHIO 44139
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING OF PROXIES
General
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Energy Focus, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (Energy Focus or the Company), for use at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) to be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 1:00 P.M., local
time, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at the
principal executive offices of Energy Focus, Inc., 32000 Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being mailed to shareholders
on or about May 10, 2011. The cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne by the Company.
Regular employees and directors of the Company may solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by
mail. No additional compensation will be given to employees or directors for such solicitation.
The Company will request brokers and nominees who hold stock in their names to furnish proxy
material to the beneficial owners of the shares and will reimburse such brokers and nominees for
their reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners.
Revocability of Proxies
Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any
time before its use either by delivering to Energy Focus, Inc., Attention: Eric Hilliard, 32000
Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139, a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a
later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. If a proxy is properly signed
and not revoked, the shares it represents will be voted in accordance with the instructions of the
shareholder.
Record Date and Share Ownership
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2011 (the Record Date),
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. The Company had 24,756,517 shares of Common Stock, par value $.0001 per
share (Common Stock), issued and outstanding as of that date.
Voting
Each share of Common Stock held as of the Record Date entitles its holder to one vote on
matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, including the election of directors. Votes cast by
proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the Inspectors of Election.
Representatives of Cowden & Humphrey Co. LPA will act as the Inspectors of Election. The
Inspectors of Election will also determine whether or not a quorum is present. Except with respect
to the election of directors and except in certain other specific circumstances, the affirmative
vote of a majority of shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is
present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the required
quorum) is required under Delaware law for approval of proposals presented to shareholders.
Withholding authority to vote on one or more nominees for election as directors will have the
practical effect of voting against the election of such nominees for director, because withheld
votes will be treated as votes cast under Delaware law. If shares are held in street name
through a broker, bank or other nominee and beneficial owners do not provide instructions on how to
vote, the broker or other nominee may have authority to vote these shares on certain matters,
excluding the election of directors. When a broker cannot vote on behalf of the beneficial owners
pursuant to law or the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, the un-voted shares are commonly
referred to as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes on one or more matters are not considered
votes cast for voting purposes (although broker non-votes are counted for purposes of establishing
a quorum).
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The shares represented by the proxies received, properly marked, dated, signed and not revoked
will be voted at the Annual Meeting. Where such proxies specify a choice with respect to any
matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the specifications made. Any
proxy in the enclosed form which is returned but is not marked will be voted FOR the election of
the five nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement and FOR the approval of the amendment
to the 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. If a broker indicates on the enclosed proxy or its
substitute that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a
particular matter (broker non-votes), those shares will not be considered as voting with respect
to that matter. Under Delaware law, a non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of any of the
matters referred to in this Proxy Statement.
If a shareholder holds shares in street name through a bank or broker, that custodian cannot
vote those shares on the election of directors without the shareholders specific instructions.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011: This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2010, are available on our website at
https://www.proxydocs.com/efoi.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the
nominees named below, regardless of whether any other names are placed in nomination by anyone
other than one of the proxy holders. If the candidacy of any one or more of such nominees should,
for any reason, be withdrawn, the proxy holders will vote in favor of the remainder of those
nominated and for such substituted nominees, if any, as shall be designated by the Board of
Directors, taking into account any recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, or the number of directors to be elected at this time may be reduced by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the persons named will be
unable or unwilling to serve as a nominee or as a director if elected.
If a quorum is present and voting, the nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be
elected as directors at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting or until their
respective successors are duly elected or appointed.
The Companys Bylaws provide that the number of directors of the Company shall be no less than
five and no more than nine, with the exact number within such range to be fixed by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors has fixed the current number at five. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee has recommended, and the Board of Directors has designated, the five
nominees listed below. Biographical information concerning each nominee is set forth below:
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Director Since |
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Background |
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John M. Davenport
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2005 |
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Mr. Davenport joined the
Company in November 1999 as
Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer and was
appointed Chief Operating
Officer in July 2003 and
President in July 2005. He
also served as Chief
Executive Officer from July
2005 until May 2008. Prior
to joining Energy Focus,
Mr. Davenport served as
President of Unison Fiber
Optic Lighting Systems,
LLC, from 1998 to 1999.
Mr. Davenport began his
career at GE Lighting in
1972 as a research
physicist and thereafter
served 25 years in various
capacities including GE
Lightings research and
development manager and as
development manager for
high performance LED
projects. He is a
recognized expert in light
sources, lighting systems
and lighting applications,
with special emphasis in
low wattage discharge
lamps, electronic ballast
technology and distributed
lighting systems. |
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J. James Finnerty
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2008 |
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Mr. Finnerty is currently a
Managing Director of Terra
Nova Capital, a New York
City-based boutique
investment bank, where he
focuses on raising capital
for emerging growth
companies in the energy,
technology, life sciences,
and specialty consumer
sectors. Mr. Finnertys
career has spanned more
than 30 years in the
institutional money
management community having
worked for Kidder Peabody,
Hambrecht and Quist,
Deutsche Bank and Merriman,
Curhan, and Ford. Mr.
Finnerty has focused his
efforts in the Boston
institutional financial
marketplace where he
successfully covered all
the major accounts
including Fidelity, Putnam,
Wellington, etc. He has
been involved in countless
financings including Adobe,
Pixar, Genzyme, Amazon,
Starbucks, and The North
Face to name a few. Mr.
Finnerty has a Masters in
Business Administration
from Cornell University and
a Bachelor of Arts in
Economics from Boston
College. Mr. Finnerty is
NASD Series 7 and 63
licensed. |
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Joseph G. Kaveski
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50 |
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2008 |
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Mr. Kaveski joined the
Company in April 2008 as
Vice President for Business
Development and Global
Marketing. On May 6, 2008
the Companys Board of
Directors appointed him as
Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to joining Energy
Focus, Mr. Kaveski led his
own strategic engineering
consulting business, TGL
Company. As a consultant,
he worked with Energy Focus
on strategic planning
initiatives from September
2007 to April 2008. From
November 2004 through
February 2006, Mr. Kaveski
was Vice President of
Energy Management Services
and Strategic Projects and
a member of the senior
management team at Johnson
Controls, Inc., a global
leader in automotive
experience, building
efficiency and power
solutions. |
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Director Since |
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Background |
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Paul von Paumgartten
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2004 |
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Mr. von Paumgartten was
appointed Lead Director in
October 2008. Mr. von
Paumgartten is an expert in
high performance green
buildings and is currently
an independent consultant.
From 1982 through 2009, he
held various positions at
Johnson Controls, Inc., most
recently serving as
Director, Energy &
Environment. Prior to that,
he was Director of
Performance Contracts at
Johnson Controls, Inc. Mr.
von Paumgartten also was
instrumental in the
formation of
LEEDTM
(Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design), the
energy efficiency
qualification program of the
United States Green Building
Council. This is a
qualification program for
sustainable design developed
by an industry coalition
representing many segments
of the building industry.
Mr. von Paumgartten serves
as treasurer for LEED
TM. |
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R. Louis Schneeberger
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56 |
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2009 |
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Mr. Schneeberger is
currently the Chief
Financial Officer of Panther
Expedited Services, Inc.
Mr. Schneeberger has been an
owner, major shareholder,
and Chief Financial Officer
of Olympic Steel, Inc. He
has also served as Chairman
of the Board of Royal
Appliance Manufacturing
Company, Inc. and Chief
Financial Officer of OM
Group, Inc. Mr.
Schneeberger has also
assisted many other
companies such as Libra
Industries, Inc., Austin
Powder Company, Peco II,
Inc. and Knowledge
Investment Partners and as a
board member or consultant.
Mr. Schneeberger began his
career with Arthur Andersen,
LLP where his tenure spanned
ten years with a focus on
Mergers and Acquisitions and
SEC matters. |
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Corporate Governance
Director Independence
The Board of Directors has determined each of the following directors to be an Independent
Director as that term is defined by applicable listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market and
SEC rules:
David Anthony
J. James Finnerty
Michael A. Kasper
Paul von Paumgartten
R. Louis Schneeberger
David Gelbaum
In this proxy statement these six directors are referred to individually as an Independent
Director and collectively as the Independent Directors. Each of these directors served as a
director throughout 2010 and still serves as a director, except for the following persons. Mr.
Gelbaum resigned as a director on February 25, 2010. On April 23, 2011 Mr. Anthony and Mr. Kasper
notified the Company that they would not stand for re-election at the 2011 Annual Meeting and
resigned effective April 25, 2011.
Board Meetings and Committees; Annual Meeting Attendance
The Board of Directors held a total of five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2010. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of
Directors and of the committees on which such directors serve. In 2010, Mr. Kaveski and Mr.
Davenport represented the Board at the Annual Meeting held June 16, 2010. The Board of Directors
has appointed a Compensation Committee, an Audit and Finance Committee, and a Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has determined that each director who serves on these
committees is an Independent Director. The Board has approved a charter for the Compensation
Committee, the Audit and Finance Committee, and the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee,
and has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines for itself.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which currently consists of Messrs.
Finnerty (Chairman), Schneeberger, and von Paumgartten, held four meetings in 2010. The
Compensation Committees primary functions are to discharge the responsibilities of the Board of
Directors relating to compensation of the Companys executive officers and to produce a report on
executive compensation for inclusion in the Companys annual proxy statement. Other specific
duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to: review and recommend to the Board
corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluate
his performance in light of such goals and objectives and set his compensation level based on this
evaluation; develop and monitor compensation arrangements for executive officers of the Company,
including review and approval of individual compensation; recommend to the Board guidelines for the
review of the performance and establishment of compensation and benefit policies for all other
employees; make recommendations regarding compensation plans and policies; administer the Companys
stock option plans and other compensation plans; and make recommendations to the Board regarding
compensation of the Board of Directors.
The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, which currently consists of Messrs.
Schneeberger (Chairman), Finnerty, and von Paumgartten, held four meetings in 2010. The Audit and
Finance Committees primary functions are to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the
integrity of the Companys financial statements and other financial information, the Companys
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications, independence and performance
of the Companys independent auditors and the performance of the Companys internal audit function.
Other specific duties and responsibilities of the Audit and Finance Committee are to: appoint,
compensate, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Companys independent auditors; review and
pre-approve audit and permissible non-audit services; review the scope of the annual audit; monitor
the independent auditors relationship with the Company; and meet with the independent auditors and
management to discuss and review the Companys financial statements, internal controls, and
auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, which currently
consists of Messrs. von Paumgartten (Chairman), Finnerty, and Schneeberger, held two meetings in
2010. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees primary functions are to seek, evaluate
and recommend nominees for election to the Board of Directors and to oversee matters of corporate
governance. Other specific duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee are to: determine the composition of the committees of the Board; make recommendations
regarding candidates for director proposed by shareholders; consider and plan for executive officer
succession as well as review management development and succession programs; review on an annual
basis the performance of the Board and of management; and consider and make recommendations on
matters related to the practices, policies and procedures of the Board.
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The Company does not have a policy regarding attendance by the Directors at the Companys
Annual Meeting. Only Messrs. Kaveski and Davenport were present at the last Annual Meeting held
June 16, 2010.
Compensation Committee
The Company has a standing Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, currently
consisting of Messrs. Finnerty (Chairman), Schneeberger, and von Paumgartten. The Board has
approved a charter for the Compensation Committee. A copy of this charter can be found on the
Companys website at http://www.efoi.com.
The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the Board corporate goals and objectives
relevant to compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluates his performance in light of such
goals and objectives, and sets his compensation level based on this evaluation; develops and
monitors compensation arrangements for executive officers of the Company, including review and
approval of individual compensation; recommends to the Board guidelines for the review of the
performance and establishment of compensation and benefit policies for all other employees; makes
recommendations regarding compensation plans and policies; administers the Companys stock option
plans and other compensation plans; and makes recommendations to the Board regarding compensation
of the Board of Directors. The authority of the Compensation Committee may be delegated to a
subcommittee of the Compensation Committee, consisting of one or more directors. The Chief
Executive Officer may provide recommendations regarding compensation of other executive officers.
The Compensation Committee is empowered to retain consultants for advice on compensation matters.
No director currently serving on the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or
employee of the Company or any of the Companys subsidiaries. No interlocking relationships exist
between our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and the board of directors or compensation
committee of any other entity, nor has any interlocking relationship existed in the past.
Audit and Finance Committee
The Companys Audit and Finance Committee acts as the standing audit committee of the Board of
Directors, and currently consists of Messrs. Schneeberger (Chairman), Finnerty and von Paumgartten.
The Board of Directors has determined that Messr. Schneeberger is an audit committee financial
expert, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) rules, and that each
Committee member is an Independent Director. The Board has approved a charter for the Audit and
Finance Committee. A copy of this charter can be found on the Companys website at
http://www.efoi.com.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Companys Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee serves as the standing nominating
committee of the Board of Directors, currently consisting of Messrs. von Paumgartten (Chairman),
Finnerty, and Schneeberger. The Board has approved a charter for the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee. A copy of this charter can be found on the Companys website at
http://www.efoi.com.
The Board of Directors sets the size of the Board and nominates directors for election at each
Annual Meeting and elects new directors to fill vacancies when they arise. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility to identify, evaluate, recruit and recommend
qualified candidates to the Board of Directors for nomination or election. The Board of Directors
has as an objective that its membership be composed of experienced and dedicated individuals with
diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee selects candidates for directors based on their character, judgment, diversity of
experience, business acumen, and ability to act on behalf of all shareholders. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee believes that nominees for director should have experience, such as
experience in management or accounting and finance, or industry and technology knowledge, that may
be useful to the Company and the Board, high personal and professional ethics, and the willingness
and ability to devote sufficient time to effectively carry out his or her duties as a director.
During the first quarter of 2010, Messr. Anthony was appointed to the Companys Board of Directors
as an independent director. He was subsequently elected to the Board of Directors at the Annual
Meeting held June 16, 2010. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes it
appropriate for at least one, and, preferably, multiple, members of the Board to meet the criteria
for an audit committee financial expert as defined by SEC rules, and for a majority of the
members of the Board to meet the definition of Independent Director under the rules of The NASDAQ
Stock Market. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also believes it appropriate for
certain key members of the Companys management to participate as members of the Board.
6
In the event that a director does not wish to continue in service, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee determines not to re-nominate the director, or a vacancy is created
on the Board as a result of a resignation, an increase in the size of the board or other event, the
Committee will consider various candidates for Board membership, including those suggested by the
Committee members, by other Board members, by any executive search firm engaged by the Committee
and by shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to suggest a prospective nominee for the Board
should notify the Secretary of the Company or any member of the Committee in writing, with any
supporting material the shareholder considers appropriate, at the following address: Energy Focus,
Inc., 32000 Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139.
Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation
The five nominees receiving the highest number of votes at the Annual Meeting will be elected
as directors of the Company.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
7
PROPOSAL NO. 2: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO 1994 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
General
The Companys 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan) was adopted by the Board
in April 1994 and approved by the Companys shareholders in May 1994. The Purchase Plan provides a
means by which employees may purchase Common Stock of the Company through payroll deductions. In
1999, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares
authorized for issuance under the Purchase Plan from 50,000 to 100,000, and the Purchase Plan was
amended to reflect such increase on December 7, 2000. On June 15, 2006 shareholders reserved an
additional 50,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock for issuance under the Purchase Plan, to a
total of 150,000 shares. As of April 17, 2011 approximately 16,000 shares remained available for
future issuance under the Purchase Plan.
We are asking shareholders to approve an amendment to the Purchase Plan to increase the number
of shares authorized for issuance from 150,000 to 400,000.
Description of Plan
The following summary of the Purchase Plan is qualified in its entirety by the specific
language of the Purchase Plan, a copy of which is available to any shareholder upon request.
General: The Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under
section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Each participant in the
Purchase Plan is granted at the beginning of each offering under the plan (an Offering) the right
to purchase through accumulated payroll deductions up to a number of shares of the Common Stock
of the Company (a Purchase Right) determined on the last day of the Offering. The Purchase Right
is automatically exercised on the last day of the Offering unless the participant has withdrawn
from participation in the Offering or in the Purchase Plan prior to such date.
Shares Subject to Plan: Currently, a maximum of 150,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock
may be issued under the Purchase Plan, subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of a stock
dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination, reclassification or similar change in
the Companys capital structure or in the event of any merger, sale of assets or other
reorganization of the Company. On April 25, 2011, the Board, subject to shareholder approval,
amended the Purchase Plan to increase its share reserve by 250,000 to an aggregate of 400,000
shares. The shareholders are now being requested to approve the increase in the Purchase Plan
reserve at the Annual Meeting.
Administration: The Purchase Plan is administered by the Board or a duly appointed committee
of the Board. Subject to the provisions of the Purchase Plan, the Board determines the terms and
conditions of Purchase Rights granted under the plan. The Board will interpret the Purchase Plan
and Purchase Rights granted thereunder, and all determinations of the Board will be final and
binding on all persons having an interest in the Purchase Plan or any Purchase Rights.
Eligibility: Any employee of the Company or of any present or future subsidiary corporation
of the Company designated by the Board for inclusion in the Purchase Plan as of the first day of
the Offering is eligible to participate in an Offering under the plan, so long as the employee is
employed for more than 20 hours per week and more than five (5) months in a calendar year.
However, no employee shall be granted an option who owns or holds options to purchase, or as a
result of participation in the Purchase Plan would own or hold options to purchase, 5% or more of
the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any parent or
subsidiary corporation of the Company is entitled to participate in the Purchase Plan. As of March
31, 2011, the Company had 49 employees that would be eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.
Offerings: Generally, each Offering of Common Stock under the Purchase Plan is for a period
of six months (an Offering Period) commencing on or about January 1 and July 1 of each year (an
Offering Date). The Board may establish a different term for one or more Offerings or different
commencement or ending dates for any Offering Period, so long as such change is announced at
least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled beginning of the first Offering to be affected.
Generally, shares are purchased on the last day of the Offering Period (a Purchase Date). The
Board may establish Offering Periods of different lengths and commencement dates.
Participation and Purchase of Shares: Participation in an Offering under the Purchase Plan is
limited to eligible employees who authorize payroll deductions prior to the Offering Date. Payroll
deductions may not exceed 5% (or such other rate as the Board determines) of an employees
compensation on any payday during the Offering Period. Once an employee becomes a participant in
the Purchase Plan, that employee will automatically participate in each successive Offering
Period until such time as the employee withdraws from the Purchase Plan, becomes ineligible to
participate, or terminates employment. Subject to certain limitations, each participant in an
Offering has a Purchase Right equal to the number of whole shares determined by dividing $12,500 by
the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the Offering Date. However, no participant may
purchase under the Purchase Plan
8
shares of Common Stock having a fair market value exceeding $25,000 in any calendar year (measured
by the fair market value of the Companys Common Stock on the first day of the Offering Period in
which the shares are purchased).
On each Purchase Date, the Company issues to each participant in the Offering the number of
shares of the Companys Common Stock determined by dividing the amount of payroll deductions
accumulated for the participant during the Offering Period by the purchase price, limited in any
case by the number of shares subject to the participants Purchase Right for that Offering. The
price at which shares are sold under the Purchase Plan is equal to 85% of the lesser of the fair
market value per share of the Companys Common Stock on the Offering Date or on the Purchase Date.
The fair market value of the Common Stock on any relevant date is established by the Board based on
the closing price per share on such date as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Any payroll
deductions under the Purchase Plan not applied to the purchase of shares will be returned to the
participant, unless the amount remaining is less than the amount necessary to purchase a whole
share of Common Stock, in which case the remaining amount may be applied to the next Offering
Period.
A participant may withdraw from an Offering at any time without affecting his or her
eligibility to participate in future Offerings. However, once a participant withdraws from an
Offering, that participant may not again participate in the same Offering.
Transfer of Control: The Purchase Plan provides that, in the event of (i) a proposed sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (ii) a merger of the Company with or into
another corporation (a Transfer of Control), the acquiring or successor corporation will assume
the Companys rights and obligations under the Purchase Plan or substitute equivalent Purchase
Rights for such corporations stock, unless the Board in its sole discretion adjusts the next
Purchase Date to a date on or before the date of the Transfer of Control. In the event of a
proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period will terminate unless
otherwise provided by the Board.
Termination or Amendment: The Purchase Plan will continue in effect for a term of 20 years
unless it is terminated by the Board prior to such date. The Board may at any time amend or
terminate the Purchase Plan, except that the approval of the Companys shareholders is required
within twelve months of the adoption of any amendment increasing the number of shares authorized
for issuance under the Purchase Plan, or changing the definition of the corporations which may be
designated by the Board as corporations the employees of which may participate in the Purchase
Plan.
Summary of United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summary is intended only as a general guide as to the United States federal
income tax consequences under current law of participation in the Purchase Plan and does not
attempt to describe all possible federal or other tax consequences of such participation or
tax consequences based on particular circumstances.
Generally, there are no tax consequences to an employee of either becoming a participant in
the Purchase Plan or purchasing shares under the Purchase Plan. The tax consequences of a
disposition of shares vary depending on the period such stock is held before its disposition. If a
participant disposes of shares within two years after the Offering Date or within one year after
the Purchase Date on which the shares are acquired (a disqualifying disposition), the
participant recognizes ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the shares on the Purchase Date and the purchase
price. Such income may be subject to withholding of tax. Any additional gain or resulting loss
recognized by the participant from the disposition of the shares is a capital gain or loss. If the
participant disposes of shares at least two years after the Offering Date and at least one year
after the Purchase Date on which the shares are acquired, the participant recognizes ordinary
income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the difference between
the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition and the purchase price or (ii) 15%
of the fair market value of the shares on the Offering Date. Any additional gain recognized by the
participant on the disposition of the shares is a capital gain. If the fair market value of the
shares on the date of disposition is less than the purchase price, there is no ordinary income, and
the loss recognized is a capital loss. If the participant owns the shares at the time of the
participants death, the lesser of (i) the difference between the fair market value of the
shares on the date of death and the purchase price or (ii) 15% of the fair market value of the
shares on the Offering Date is recognized as ordinary income in the year of the participants
death.
If the exercise of a Purchase Right does not constitute an exercise pursuant to an employee
stock purchase plan under section 423 of the Code, the exercise of the Purchase Right will be
treated as the exercise of a non-statutory stock option. The participant would therefore recognize
ordinary income on the Purchase Date equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares
acquired over the purchase price. Such income is subject to withholding of income and employment
taxes. Any gain or loss recognized on a subsequent sale of the shares, as measured by the
difference between the sale proceeds and the sum of (i) the purchase price for such shares and
(ii) the amount of ordinary income recognized on the exercise of the Purchase Right, will be
treated as a capital gain or loss, as the case may be.
A capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant holds the shares for more than 12
months and short-term if the participant holds the shares for 12 months or less. Long-term capital
gains are currently subject to a maximum tax rate of 20%. Short-term capital gains are generally
subject to the same tax rates as ordinary income.
9
If the participant disposes of the shares in a disqualifying disposition the Company should be
entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant as a
result of the disposition, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions
of the Code or the regulations thereunder. In all other cases, no deduction is allowed the
Company.
Changed Plan Benefits
Because benefits under the Purchase Plan will depend on employees elections to participate
and the fair market value of the Companys Common Stock at various future dates, it is not possible
to determine the benefits that will be received by executive officers and other employees if the
Purchase Plan is approved by the stockholders. Nonemployee directors are not eligible to
participate in the Purchase Plan. As a point of reference, all current employees, including
officers as a group, purchased 19,595 shares in 2010. No shares were purchased under the 1994
Purchase Plan by any directors who are not executive officers, any other nominees for election
as directors or any associates of such directors or nominees or of any executive officers, and
no person has purchased 5% or more of the total number of shares issued under the Purchase Plan.
Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented by proxy and entitled
to a vote at the Annual Meeting, at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company is present and voting, is required for approval of this
proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted present for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum, but will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
The Board believes that the availability of an opportunity to purchase shares under the
Purchase Plan at a discount from market price is important to attracting and retaining qualified
officers and employees essential to the success of the Company, and that stock ownership is
important to providing such persons with incentive to perform in the best interest of the
Company.
THEREFORE, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE INCREASE IN
THE NUMBER OF SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE 1994 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN TO 400,000
SHARES.
10
REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Audit and Finance Committee oversees the Companys financial reporting process on behalf
of the Board of Directors and is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of the
Companys accounting functions and internal controls. It is not the duty of the Audit and Finance
Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Companys financial statements are
complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Management is responsible for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the
system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible, in their report, for
expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted
accounting principles.
The Audit and Finance Committee reviewed and has discussed the audited financial statements
contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 with the
Companys management and its independent auditors. The Audit and Finance Committee met privately
with the independent auditors and discussed issues deemed significant by the auditors, including
those required by the Statement of Auditing Standards No. 114, The Auditors Communication With
Those Charged With Governance. In addition, the Audit and Finance Committee has received the
written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by the Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions With Audit Committees, and discussed with
the independent auditors their independence from the Company.
Based upon the reviews and discussions outlined above, the Audit and Finance Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The foregoing report has been furnished by the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of
Directors of Energy Focus, Inc.
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
R. Louis Schneeberger, Chairman
J. James Finnerty
Paul von Paumgartten
11
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to beneficial ownership of the
Companys Common Stock as of April 29, 2011 as to (i) each person known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each of the Companys
directors and nominees listed below, (iii) the Companys Chief Executive Officer and each of the
Companys Named Executive Officers listed below, and (iv) all executive officers and directors of
the Company listed below as a group. Unless otherwise specified, the address for each officer and
director is 32000 Aurora Road, Solon, OH 44139.
The table should be read with the understanding that more than one person may be the
beneficial owner or possess certain attributes of beneficial ownership with respect to the same
securities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
Name and Address |
|
Number |
|
Stock (2) |
5% Shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Quercus Trust |
|
|
5,122,380 |
(3) |
|
|
20.7 |
% |
2309 Santiago Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welch & Forbes, LLC |
|
|
1,305,848 |
(4) |
|
|
5.3 |
% |
45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TLC Investments, LLC |
|
|
1,500,000 |
(5) |
|
|
6.1 |
% |
1244 Gallatin Pike South
Madison, Tennessee 37115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Named Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Anthony |
|
|
32,989 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Nicholas G. Berchtold |
|
|
98,584 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Roger R. Buelow |
|
|
111,861 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John M. Davenport |
|
|
781,861 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
% |
J. James Finnerty |
|
|
53,385 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Eric W. Hilliard |
|
|
200,129 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michal A. Kasper |
|
|
96,483 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Joseph G. Kaveski |
|
|
284,353 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
R. Louis Schneeberger |
|
|
41,034 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Paul von Paumgartten |
|
|
90,483 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
All directors and executives officers as a group |
|
|
1,791,162 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than one percent |
|
(1) |
|
The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect
to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community
property laws, where applicable, unless otherwise indicated. |
|
(2) |
|
Based on 24,756,517 shares outstanding as of April 28, 2011. In addition, shares
issuable pursuant to options and warrants which may be exercised through June 30, 2011
are deemed to be issued and outstanding and have been treated as outstanding in
calculating the percentage ownership of those individuals possessing such interest, but
not for any other individuals. Thus, the number of shares to be outstanding for the
purposes of this table may vary depending on the individuals particular circumstances. |
12
|
|
|
(3) |
|
The Quercus Trust (Quercus) is owned by David and Monica Chavez Gelbaum. From February
2009 through February 25, 2010, Mr. Gelbaum was a member of the Companys Board of
Directors. David Gelbaum has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Form 4
dated March 31, 2011 which reports the beneficial ownership in the aggregate of 5,122,380
shares. As reported in that Schedule, Quercus and its affiliated entities have shared
voting power for 5,122,380 shares and shared dispositive power for 5,122,380 shares. On
December 30, 2009, the Company amended its Rights Agreement dated October 25, 2006, with
Mellon Shareowner Services, LLC, as Rights Agent, to allow Quercus, and persons who are
beneficial owners through Quercus, to own up to 30% of our Common Stock without
triggering the rights under the Rights Agreement. The general limit in the Agreement is
15%. |
|
(4) |
|
Welch & Forbes, LLC has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
Schedule 13G dated February 28, 2011, which reports beneficial ownership in the
aggregate of 1,305,848 shares. As reported in that Schedule, Welch & Forbes, LLC and
its affiliated entities have shared voting power for 1,305,848 shares and shared
dispositive power for 1,305,848 shares. |
|
(5) |
|
TLC Investments, LLC has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
Schedule 13G dated January 11, 2010, which reports beneficial ownership in the
aggregate of 1,500,000 shares. As reported in that Schedule, TLC Investments, LLC have
shared voting power for 1,500,000 shares and shared dispositive power for 1,500,000
shares. |
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Compensation Committee (the Committee) of our Board of Directors has the responsibility
for administering our executive compensation program. The Committee reviews and, as appropriate,
makes recommendations to the full Board regarding the base salaries and annual cash bonuses for
executive officers, and administers our 2008 Incentive Stock Plan, including the grant of stock
options. Where appropriate, we have also entered into employment agreements with certain executive
officers.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives: Our principal executive compensation policy, which is
endorsed by the Committee, is to provide a compensation program that will attract, motivate and
retain persons of high quality and will support a long-standing internal culture of loyalty and
dedication to the interests of the Company and our shareholders. In administering the executive
compensation program, the Committee is mindful of the following principles and guidelines, which
are supported by the full Board:
|
|
|
Base salaries for executive officers should be competitive. |
|
|
|
|
A sufficient portion of annual compensation should be at risk in order to align the
interests of executives with those of our shareholders. |
|
|
|
|
The variable part of annual compensation should reflect both individual and corporate
performance. |
|
|
|
|
As a persons level of responsibility increases, a greater portion of total
compensation should be at risk and include more stock-based compensation to provide
executives long-term incentives and help to align further the interests of executives
and shareholders in the enhancement of shareholder value. |
Our executive officers compensation currently has three primary components: base salary,
annual cash bonuses, and stock-based awards granted pursuant to our 2008 Incentive Stock Plan. In
addition, executive officers receive certain benefits that are specifically provided for in their
employment agreements or are generally available to all salaried employees. We do not have any
defined benefit pension plans, non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, or supplemental
retirement plans for our executive officers.
For each executive officer, the Committee determines the appropriate level for each
compensation component based in part, but not exclusively, on its view of competitive market
factors, internal equity and consistency, and other considerations deemed relevant, such as
rewarding extraordinary performance. Our Chief Executive Officer provides the Committee with
recommendations for executive officers other than himself, which the Committee reviews and approves
as submitted or with revisions, if any. The Committee has not adopted any formal or informal
policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid
compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation, or among different forms of non-cash
compensation, and has not sought to formally benchmark our compensation against that of our peers.
In 2010, no executive officer received an annual base salary increase and the Companys five
executive officers and two other key executives of the Company agreed to continue the 2009 salary
reduction plan and accept voluntary salary reductions described below.
On May 29, 2009, the Companys five executive officers agreed to accept voluntary salary
reductions for the remainder of the 2009 calendar year in exchange for the issuance of restricted
shares of Common Stock as authorized under the Companys 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. Two other key
executives of the Company also accepted salary reductions for the balance of the year in exchange
for restricted shares. Each officer and key executive voluntarily accepted a 10% salary reduction
for the remainder of 2009, except for one executive officer who voluntarily accepted a 40% decrease
for the remainder of 2009. The number of restricted shares of Common Stock issued to each officer
and executive was equal to the dollar value of the individuals salary reduction divided by the
closing price per share of the Companys Common Stock on May 29, 2009. The total number of
restricted shares of Common Stock issued to these officers and executives was 209,000.
On December 31, 2009, the Companys five executive officers, along with two other key
executives of the Company, agreed to extend these salary reductions through June 30, 2010. On July
9, 2010, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, with the approval of the Board of Directors,
decided to continue the cash salary reductions through December 31, 2010. Each executive officer
and key executive voluntarily accepted a 10% salary reduction for 2010, except for one executive
officer who voluntarily accepted a 40% decrease for 2010. The number of restricted shares of
Common Stock issued to each executive officer and key executive was equal to the dollar value of
the individuals salary reduction divided by the closing price per share of the Companys Common
Stock on December 30, 2009 and January 3, 2011, respectively. The total number of restricted
shares of Common Stock issued to these officers and executives in 2010 was 284,000.
Base Salary: Base salaries for executive officers are based on a review of salaries for
similar positions requiring similar qualifications in similar industries. In determining executive
officer salaries, the Compensation Committee has approved the use by management of information from
salary surveys.
14
The Committee determines levels of the executive officers base salaries so as to be
competitive with amounts paid to executives performing similar functions in comparable-size,
non-durable manufacturing companies. The amount of each executives annual increase in base salary,
if any, is based on a number of largely subjective factors, including changes in the individuals
duties and responsibilities, the personal performance of such executive officer, the performance of
the Company, cost-of-living increases, and such other factors as the Committee deems appropriate,
including the individuals overall mix between fixed and variable compensation and between cash and
stock-based compensation.
The Chief Executive Officer annually assesses the performance of all other executive officers
and recommends salary increases to the Compensation Committee based on a number of factors such as
performance evaluations, comparative data and other relevant factors. The Compensation Committee
then reviews the Chief Executive Officers recommendations, considers the performance and condition
of the Company, and approves the increases for any other officer of the Company.
Bonus Equity Incentive Plan: For fiscal year 2011, the Compensation Committee has approved a
stock option incentive plan for executives and key sales employees. Awards under this plan are
contingent upon the Companys attainment of operating profits and cash utilization targets set by
the Compensation Committee in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.
Bonus Incentive Plan: The Compensation Committee administers an incentive plan to provide
additional compensation to executives who meet established performance goals. In consultation with
the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee annually determines the total amount of
cash bonuses available for executive officers and certain other management employees. The target
bonuses for executive officers are set by the Compensation Committee. Awards are weighted so that
higher awards are received when the Companys performance reaches maximum targets, smaller awards
are received when the Companys performance reaches minimum targets and no awards are made when the
Company does not meet minimum performance targets. After the total eligible bonus pool is
determined, annual incentives are paid to executive officers based on their individual performance
as determined by the Chief Executive Officer.
For the fiscal year 2010, awards under this bonus plan were contingent upon the Companys
attainment of operating profit and cash utilization targets set by the Compensation Committee in
consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. The Companys performance in 2010 did not meet
established performance goals and, consequently, no bonuses were paid under this bonus incentive
plan. Consistent with the Companys objective of aligning compensation with performance, the
Compensation Committee anticipates that future bonus payments will continue to be based on specific
targets and performance.
Discretionary Bonuses: In addition to bonuses under the incentive plan, each of our executive
officers is eligible to receive annual cash bonuses based on determinations made by the Committee
in its discretion. The bonus may be based on the specific accomplishments of the individual or on
the overall success of the Company, or both.
For 2011, the Committee has not currently adopted a discretionary cash bonus plan.
Stock Options: The Compensation Committee believes that employee equity ownership provides
significant motivation to executive officers to maximize value for the Companys shareholders and,
therefore, periodically grants stock options under the Companys 2008 Stock Incentive Plan at the
then current market price. The Compensation Committee administers the Companys 2008 Stock
Incentive Plan. Stock options will only have value if the Companys stock price increases over the
exercise price.
The Compensation Committee grants options to executive officers after consideration of
recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer. Recommendations for options are based upon the
relative position, responsibilities, and previous and expected contributions of each officer,
previous option grants to such officers and customary levels of option grants for the respective
position in other comparable companies. Options generally vest over a four-year period at a rate
of 25% per year.
During 2010, the Committee administered the Companys 2008 Incentive Stock Plan, to provide
stock-based incentives to our key employees, including executive officers. As of April 29, 2011,
our 2008 Incentive Stock Plan is our only plan under which new options may be granted. Grants of
stock options are based on each individuals position within the Company, level of responsibility,
past performance, and expectation of future performance. In determining the number of stock-based
awards to be granted to each executive officer, the Committee also considers the number of
stock-based awards made in prior years to the executive officer. The Committee also may grant
stock options in connection with promotions and new hires.
15
Our stock-based compensation policies have been impacted by the implementation of Accounting
Standards Codification (ASC) Topic Number 718, Compensation Stock Compensation (ASC 718).
Generally, ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee
stock options, to be expensed based on their fair values over the vesting period.
Section 162(m): Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and related Treasury Department
regulations limits the Companys ability to deduct certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000
paid to the Companys Chief Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly compensated
executive officers. The Companys 2008 Stock Incentive Plan is structured to permit awards under
the plan to qualify as performance-based compensation and to maximize the tax deductibility of the
awards so long as the options are granted by a committee whose members are non-employee directors.
The Company expects that the Compensation Committee will be comprised of non-employee directors,
and that, to the extent the Compensation Committee is not so constituted for any period of time,
the options granted during such period will not be likely to result in compensation exceeding
$1,000,000 in any year. The Compensation Committee does not believe that other components of the
Companys compensation will be likely to exceed $1,000,000 for any executive officer in the
foreseeable future and therefore has concluded that no further action with respect to qualifying
such compensation for deductibility is necessary at this time. In the future, the Compensation
Committee will continue to evaluate the advisability of qualifying its executive compensation for
deductibility of such compensation. The Compensation Committees policy is to qualify its
executive compensation for deductibility under applicable tax laws as practicable.
16
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information about compensation of our Chief Executive Officer,
our President, our Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and our other two highest
paid executive officers (our Named Executive Officers):
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Change in |
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Pension |
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Value and |
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Non- |
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Non-Equity |
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Qualified |
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Incentive |
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Deferred |
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All |
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Stock |
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Option |
|
Plan |
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Compensation |
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Other |
|
|
Name and Principal |
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|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Earnings |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) (1) (2) |
|
($) (3) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) (4) (5) |
|
($) |
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|
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Joseph G. Kaveski |
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2010 |
|
|
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225,000 |
|
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|
|
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25,000 |
|
|
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57,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
935 |
|
|
|
308,385 |
|
Chief Executive |
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2009 |
|
|
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233,167 |
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|
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|
|
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15,865 |
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|
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46,675 |
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|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
648 |
|
|
|
296,355 |
|
Officer |
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2008 |
|
|
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176,919 |
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|
|
|
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20,134 |
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44,585 |
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241,638 |
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|
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John M. Davenport |
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2010 |
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150,000 |
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|
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|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
105,276 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
760 |
|
|
|
356,036 |
|
President |
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|
2009 |
|
|
|
187,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,461 |
|
|
|
155,999 |
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|
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|
|
|
|
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|
648 |
|
|
|
407,131 |
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|
|
2008 |
|
|
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250,000 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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211,908 |
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|
|
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|
|
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540 |
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462,448 |
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Nicholas G.
Berchtold |
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2010 |
|
|
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157,500 |
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|
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|
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17,500 |
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|
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40,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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901 |
|
|
|
216,726 |
|
Chief Financial |
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2009 |
|
|
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157,631 |
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|
|
|
|
|
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11,106 |
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|
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40,825 |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
648 |
|
|
|
210,210 |
|
Officer and Vice |
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|
2008 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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35,860 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
211,400 |
|
President of Finance |
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Eric W. Hilliard |
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2010 |
|
|
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171,000 |
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19,000 |
|
|
|
97,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
921 |
|
|
|
288,234 |
|
Chief Operating |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
171,074 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,058 |
|
|
|
108,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,526 |
|
|
|
296,833 |
|
Officer |
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|
2008 |
|
|
|
190,000 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
540 |
|
|
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294,767 |
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|
Roger F. Buelow |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
157,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
|
17,819 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,959 |
|
|
|
199,778 |
|
Chief Technology |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
154,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,106 |
|
|
|
32,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,828 |
|
|
|
205,340 |
|
Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,713 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,720 |
|
|
|
229,433 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Information about stock awards granted to our Named Executive Officers during 2010 and
2009 is discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy
Statement. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts set forth in this column reflect stock awards granted to our Named
Executive Officers upon their agreement to accept voluntary salary reductions for the
second half of 2009 and for 2010. The number of stock awards granted to each officer was
equal to the dollar value of the officers salary reduction divided by the closing price
per share of the Companys Common Stock on as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis section of this Proxy Statement. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts set forth in this column reflect stock options granted to our Named
Executive Officers. The amounts listed are equal to the compensation cost recognized by
the Company during the year indicated for financial statement purposes in accordance with
ASC 718. This valuations method values stock options granted during the indicated year and
previous years. A discussion of the assumptions used in calculating the compensation cost
is set forth in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Companys 2010
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2011. |
|
(4) |
|
The amounts set forth in this column for 2010 and 2009 include company contributions
for life insurance policies and automobile allowances. |
|
(5) |
|
The amounts set forth in this column for 2008 include consulting fees for Mr. Kaveski. |
17
Total Realized Compensation Table
To supplement the SEC-required disclosure in the 2010 Summary Compensation table set forth
above, we have included the additional table below, which shows Total Realized Compensation
representing the total compensation realized by each named executive officer in each of the
years shown. Total compensation as calculated under SEC rules and, as shown in the Summary
Compensation table, includes several items that are driven by accounting and actuarial
assumptions, which are not necessarily reflective of compensation actually realized by the named
executives in a particular year.
|
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|
|
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Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized |
Name and Principal |
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
Position |
|
Year |
|
($) (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph G. Kaveski |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
225,935 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
233,815 |
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
221,504 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Davenport |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
150,760 |
|
President |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
187,671 |
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
250,540 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nicholas G. Berchtold |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
158,401 |
|
Chief Financial Officer and |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
158,279 |
|
Vice President of Finance |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
175,540 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric W. Hilliard |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
171,921 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
176,600 |
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
190,540 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roger F. Buelow |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
164,459 |
|
Chief Technology Officer |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
161,468 |
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
181,720 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts reported as Total Realized Compensation differ substantially from the
amounts determined under SEC rules as reported in the Total column of the 2010 Summary
Compensation table. Total Realized Compensation is not a substitute for Total
compensation. Total Realized Compensation represents: (1) Total compensation, as
calculated under applicable SEC rules, minus (2) the aggregate grant date fair value of
equity awards (as reflected in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the 2010
Summary Compensation table), and plus (3) the value realized from the exercise of stock
options before payment of any applicable withholding taxes and brokerage commissions (no
options were exercised by Named Executive Officers during the reported years). For more
information on Total compensation under the SEC rules, see the narrative and notes
accompanying the 2010 Summary Compensation table set forth on page 17. |
18
2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information with respect to stock option awards granted to the
Named Executive Officers during 2010:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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All Other |
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|
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|
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|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
Exercise |
|
Date Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Possible Payouts |
|
Estimated Future Payouts |
|
Number of |
|
or Base |
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under Non-Equity Incentive |
|
Under Equity Incentive |
|
Securities |
|
Price of |
|
Stock and |
|
|
Grant |
|
Plan Awards |
|
Plan Awards |
|
Underlying |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|
Date |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Options |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
Name |
|
(1) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
($/Sh) |
|
(2) ($) |
|
Joseph G. Kaveski |
|
|
01/14/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,231 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
|
02/25/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
104,400 |
|
John M. Davenport |
|
|
01/14/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76,923 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
02/25/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
104,400 |
|
Nicholas G. Berchtold |
|
|
01/14/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,462 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
|
02/25/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
104,400 |
|
Eric W. Hilliard |
|
|
01/14/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,615 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
9,500 |
|
|
|
|
02/25/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
104,400 |
|
Roger F. Buelow |
|
|
01/14/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,462 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
|
02/25/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
104,400 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The stock options granted on February 25, 2010 were granted under the Companys Bonus
Equity Incentive Plan for 2010. These options were contingent upon the Companys
attainment of operating profits and cash utilization targets. The Companys performance in
2010 did not meet these established performance goals and, consequently, these options were
cancelled on April 1, 2011. |
|
(2) |
|
The dollar values of stock options disclosed in this column are equal to the aggregate
grant date fair value computed in accordance with Auditing Standards Codification Topic
Number 718, Compensation Stock Compensation. A discussion of the assumptions used in
calculating the grant date fair value is set forth in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2011. |
|
|
|
Stock Options. The stock options that we granted to our Named Executive Officers in 2010
were granted under our 2008 Incentive Stock Plan. In accordance with the terms of the Plan,
each option exercise price is equal to the market value of our Common Stock on the date the
option is granted. The market value is equal to the closing price of our Common Stock on the
date of grant on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The options vest over four years at the rate of
25% of the shares covered by
the option on each anniversary of the grant date. Stock options are not transferable other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. |
19
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2010
The following table includes certain information with respect to the value of all unexercised
options as of December 31, 2010 for our Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Unearned |
|
Exercise |
|
Option |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
Un-exercisable |
|
Options |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
Date |
|
Joseph G. Kaveski |
|
|
66,667 |
|
|
|
33,333 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
05/06/18 |
|
|
|
|
53,128 |
|
|
|
46,872 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.37 |
|
|
|
11/24/18 |
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
12/31/19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
02/25/20 |
|
John M. Daveport |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.50 |
|
|
|
02/28/12 |
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.96 |
|
|
|
07/01/12 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.23 |
|
|
|
12/04/13 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.60 |
|
|
|
05/19/14 |
|
|
|
|
59,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.60 |
|
|
|
06/28/15 |
|
|
|
|
45,833 |
|
|
|
4,167 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.53 |
|
|
|
04/19/17 |
|
|
|
|
66,667 |
|
|
|
33,333 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
05/06/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
02/25/20 |
|
Nicholas G.
Berchtold |
|
|
21,354 |
|
|
|
3,646 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.05 |
|
|
|
08/10/17 |
|
|
|
|
19,271 |
|
|
|
5,729 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.06 |
|
|
|
12/06/17 |
|
|
|
|
12,760 |
|
|
|
12,240 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
12/17/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
02/25/20 |
|
Eric W. Hilliard |
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.19 |
|
|
|
11/13/16 |
|
|
|
|
45,833 |
|
|
|
4,167 |
(9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.36 |
|
|
|
04/26/17 |
|
|
|
|
13,802 |
|
|
|
11,198 |
(10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.37 |
|
|
|
10/23/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
02/25/20 |
|
Roger F. Buelow |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.80 |
|
|
|
07/25/12 |
|
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.35 |
|
|
|
02/19/13 |
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.64 |
|
|
|
07/01/15 |
|
|
|
|
19,271 |
|
|
|
5,729 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.06 |
|
|
|
12/06/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
02/25/20 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Options will vest on May 6, 2012. |
|
(2) |
|
Options will vest on November 24, 2012. |
|
(3) |
|
Options will vest on December 31, 2013. |
|
(4) |
|
These options were contingent upon the Companys attainment of operating profits and
cash utilization targets. The Companys performance in 2010 did not meet these established
performance goals and, consequently, these options were cancelled on April 1, 2011. |
|
(5) |
|
Options will vest on April 19, 2011. |
|
(6) |
|
Options will vest on August 10, 2011. |
|
(7) |
|
Options will vest on December 6, 2011. |
|
(8) |
|
Options will vest on December 17, 2012. |
|
(9) |
|
Options will vest on April 26, 2011. |
|
(10) |
|
Options will vest on October 23, 2012. |
20
Option Exercises
None of the Named Executive Officers exercised stock options during 2010.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information with respect to our equity compensation plans as of
December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to be Issued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon Exercise of |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Weighted Average |
|
Remaining |
|
|
Options, Warrants, |
|
Exercise Price of |
|
Available for |
|
|
and Rights |
|
Outstanding |
|
Future Issuance |
Plan Category |
|
(1) |
|
Options and Rights |
|
(2) |
|
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
1,827,417 |
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
|
|
1,479,325 |
|
Equity compensation plans not
approved by
security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,827,417 |
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
|
|
1,479,325 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This column represents the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued in
connection with the exercise of outstanding stock options granted under our 1994 Stock
Option Plan, 1994 Directors Stock Options Plan, 2004 Incentive Stock Plan, and 2008
Incentive Stock Plan. |
|
(2) |
|
This column represents the number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for
future awards under our 2008 Incentive Stock Plan at December 31, 2010. |
Employment Agreements
On December 30, 2009, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Kaveski. Under the
agreement, should Mr. Kaveski be involuntarily terminated (i) within three months before or two
years after a change of control, or (ii) at any other time, he will be entitled to receive
severance benefits for one year from the date of termination. The Agreement has a term of three
years.
On July 1, 2005, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Davenport. Under the
agreement, Mr. Davenport receives a base salary of $250,000 per year. In addition, Mr. Davenport
is entitled to receive severance payments in the event his employment with us is terminated without
cause. On May 6, 2008 the Compensation Committee granted 100,000 shares to Mr. Davenport under the
2004 Incentive Stock Plan upon the appointment of Mr. Kaveski as our Chief Executive Officer and
Mr. Davenports transition to President.
On September 13, 2005, we entered into a Management Continuity Agreement with Roger Buelow.
Under the agreement, Mr. Buelow would be entitled to receive severance payments in the event his
employment with us was terminated without cause, or if he terminated his employment following a
material reduction in his responsibilities inconsistent with his position and past responsibilities
under certain other conditions, including following a change in control as defined in the
agreement.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Regardless of the manner in which one of our Named Executive Officers employment terminates,
including death, disability or termination for cause, the Officer is entitled to receive amounts
earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include:
|
|
|
Salary through the date of termination; |
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation which has vested; and |
|
|
|
|
Unused vacation pay. |
21
The following table summarizes the estimated severance payments to be made under Mr. Kaveskis
and Mr. Davenports Employment Agreement and Mr. Buelows Management Continuity Agreement at,
following, or in connection with a termination of employment due to voluntary resignation,
involuntary termination not for cause, death or disability or change in control:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
without |
|
without |
|
|
|
|
|
with |
|
|
Change in |
|
Change in |
|
Death or |
|
Change in |
|
|
Control |
|
Control |
|
Disability |
|
Control |
Employee |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
Joseph G. Kaveski
Severance (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
John M. Davenport
Severance (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,500 |
|
Roger F. Buelow
Severance (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
131,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131,250 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The estimated severance payment is based on base salary at December 31, 2010. For
Mr. Kaveski, the amount of severance equates to total yearly cash compensation received
prior to involuntary termination for the term of twelve months from the date of
involuntary termination. |
|
(2) |
|
The estimated severance payment is based on base salary at December 31, 2010. For
Mr. Davenport, the amount of severance equates to three months base salary plus six
months of base salary which represents the period from December 31, 2010 to the end of
the employment. |
|
(3) |
|
The estimated severance payment is based on base salary at December 31, 2010. For
Mr. Buelow, the amount of severance equates to one month of base salary for each year
of employment. |
22
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement. Based upon this review and
discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
J. James Finnerty, Chairman
R. Louis Schneeberger
Paul von Paumgartten
23
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We use a combination of cash and stock-based awards to attract and retain qualified candidates
to serve on our Board. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of
time that our directors expend in fulfilling their duties, as well as the skill level required by
us.
The following table sets forth the annual cash compensation for directors who are not also
employees:
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Retainer |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
Additional Annual Retainers: |
|
|
|
|
Lead Director |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Compensation Committee Chairman |
|
|
5,000 |
|
Audit and Finance Committee Chairman |
|
|
7,000 |
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairman |
|
|
5,000 |
|
Under the terms of the Companys 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, each newly appointed
non-employee director receives an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, which option vests in
twelve equal monthly installments following the date of grant. In addition, following each Annual
Meeting, each non-employee director who will continue to serve as a member of the Board of
Directors automatically receives an option to purchase 40,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, which vests over a four
year period following the date of grant.
In the third quarter of 2010, the Board of Directors approved a program offering Independent
Directors of the Company the option of accepting restricted shares of the Companys Common Stock in
lieu of quarterly cash compensation. Directors who chose to participate and accept restricted
shares in lieu of cash compensation would receive the equivalent of two dollars ($2.00) of Company
Common Stock for every one dollar ($1.00) of their normal cash compensation. Directors that chose
to accept this program agreed to receive restricted shares compensation for four consecutive
quarters, covering the period of July 2010 until June 2011 with the aforementioned Common Stock
vesting over an equivalent 12 month period. The price of the Common Stock shares was based on the
closing price of the Companys Common Stock on September 20, 2010. On September 1, 2010, four of
the five Directors agreed to participate in this program and, subsequently, 123,000 of restricted
shares of Common Stock were issued to the participants.
The following table summarizes the total compensation to non-employee directors for the year
ended December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
Compensation |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
in Cash |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Earnings |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($) (1) |
|
($) (2) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
|
Paul von Paumgartten |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
6,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,476 |
|
Michael A. Kasper |
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
6,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,976 |
|
J. James Finnerty |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,476 |
|
R. Louis
Schneeberger |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
8,153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,153 |
|
David Anthony |
|
|
6,629 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
5,258 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,887 |
|
David N Ruckert |
|
|
10,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,206 |
|
Philip E. Wolfson |
|
|
10,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,668 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,274 |
|
David Gelbaum |
|
|
3,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,315 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Grant date fair value of restricted shares of Common Stock granted to these directors
in lieu of cash compensation for their directors fees, as described above. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial reporting purposes for 2010 in
accordance with ASC 718 and equates to the fair value of the immediately vested option
awards on the date of grant. The method and assumptions used to determine the amount of
expense recognized for options is set forth in Note 2 in the Companys 2010 Annual Report
on Form 10-K. In 2010, each non-employee director received the following number of shares
under our 2008 Incentive Stock Plan: Mr. Finnerty, 40,000, Mr. Kasper, 40,000, Mr. von
Paumgartten, 40,000, Mr. Anthony, 50,000 and Mr. Schneeberger, 40,000. |
24
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed the firm of Plante &
Moran, PLLC, independent public accountants, to audit the financial statements of the Company for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. Representatives of Plante & Moran, PLLC are expected to
be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire
to do so and will be able to respond to appropriate questions from the shareholders.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Plante & Moran, PLLC provided audit services to the Company for the fiscal years ending
December 31, 2010 and 2009. The following table presents fees for professional services rendered
by Plante & Moran, PLLC for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
311,784 |
|
|
$ |
267,060 |
|
Audit Related Fees (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Other Fees (3) |
|
|
43,427 |
|
|
|
145,648 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
355,211 |
|
|
$ |
437,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes fees incurred for services related to quarterly reviews and audits of
consolidated financial statements. For both 2010 and 2009, the Company was not required to
obtain independent public accounting firm certification of its internal control
infrastructure as defined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Therefore, no fees related to the
audit of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance were incurred. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents professional services rendered in connection with the reissuance of the
December 31, 2008 opinion and consent from preceding independent registered public
accounting firm, Grant Thornton, LLP. |
|
(3) |
|
In 2010, includes fees of $23,150 for services related to the filing of various
registration statements with the SEC and in 2009 includes fees of $122,201 related to due
diligence services provided in connection with the acquisition of Stones River Companies,
LLC. Remaining fees for 2010 and 2009 relate to miscellaneous consulting services. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
It is the Companys policy that all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the
Companys principal auditors be approved in advance by the Audit and Finance Committee. The Audit
and Finance Committee pre-approved all services provided by Plante & Moran, PLLC during 2010.
25
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
On February 3, 2006, the Company had entered into a consulting agreement with David Ruckert, a
former member of its Board of Directors. This agreement was terminated on June 30, 2007.
Additionally, Mr. Ruckert was granted options to purchase 32,000 shares of the Companys Common
Stock. Stock expense incurred under Accounting Standards Codification Topic Number 718,
Compensation Stock Compensation, relating to these options was $15,000 for the year ending
December 31, 2010 and $30,000 for the years ending December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
On March 14, 2008, the Company received an additional $9,335,000 in equity financing, net of
expenses. The investment was made by several then current Energy Focus, Inc. shareholders,
including four then current members of the Companys Board of Directors. These investors agreed to
an at-market purchase of approximately 3.1 million units for $3.205 per unit, based on the closing
bid price of the Companys Common Shares on March 13, 2008 of $3.08. Each unit comprises one share
of the Companys Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and one warrant to purchase one share
of the Companys Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.08 per share. The warrants were
immediately separable from the units and immediately exercisable, and will expire five years after
the date of their issuance. This additional financing was to be used to fund working capital, pay
debt and perform additional research and development. The Company received 100% of the funds from
escrow on March 17, 2008. Among the investors were Ronald A. Casentini, John M. Davenport, John B.
Stuppin, and Philip E. Wolfson, all of whom were members of its Board of Directors at the time of
the transaction, and who invested approximately $100,000 in the aggregate. Also among the
investors was The Quercus Trust (Quercus), whose trustees include David Gelbaum, who was a member
of the Companys Board of Directors in 2009.
On May 27, 2009, the Company entered into an unsecured Promissory Note (Note) with Quercus
in the amount of $70,000. Under the terms of this Note, the Company is obligated to pay Quercus
the principal sum of the Note and interest accruing at a yearly rate of 1.00% in one lump sum
payment on or before June 1, 2109. The Company received these funds on June 9, 2009. David
Gelbaum, a trustee of Quercus, was a member of the Companys Board of Directors at the time of the
transaction.
In November, 2009, the Company received an additional $3,344,000 in equity financing, net of
expenses, by selling 4,813,000 shares of Common Stock in a registered offering. The investment was
made by numerous current Energy Focus shareholders, including two then current members of the
Companys Board of Directors. The investment was made under the Companys registration statement
for a $3,500,000 Common Stock subscription rights offering. Under the terms of the rights
offering, the Company distributed, at no charge to its shareholders, transferable rights to
purchase up to $3,500,000 of the Companys Common Stock at the established subscription price per
share of $0.75, which was set by the Companys Board of Directors. At the time the offering began,
the Company distributed to each shareholder one transferable right for each share of Common Stock
owned by the shareholder. Each right entitled the holder to purchase one share of the Companys
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, subject to a maximum of 4,600,000 shares to be issued in
the offering. Shareholders were entitled to subscribe for shares not subscribed for by other
shareholders. Among the investors was Philip E. Wolfson, a member of the Companys Board of
Directors at the time of the transaction, and who invested approximately $8,000 in the aggregate.
Also among the investors was Quercus, whose trustees include David Gelbaum, who was a member of the
Companys Board of Directors at the time of the offering.
In the Companys subscription rights offering discussed above, an investor inadvertently
purchased 1,000,000 shares of our Common Stock at $0.75 per share. The Company agreed to
facilitate the sale of these shares to another shareholder or investor or to purchase them
directly. A purchase of those shares by the Company would have severely depleted its cash-on-hand
and working capital. After contacting selected shareholders and investors, the Company introduced
the investor to Quercus, the Companys largest shareholder. The Company was informed on December
30, 2009, by the investor and Quercus that Quercus had agreed to purchase those shares at $0.80 per
share. At that time, the closing market price of a share of the Companys Common Stock was
approximately $0.65 per share. To facilitate the purchase of the 1,000,000 shares by Quercus, on
December 30, 2009, the Companys Board of Directors agreed with Quercus to reduce the exercise
price of 1,560,062 warrants issued to Quercus, in the March 2008 private placement, to $0.01 per
share upon the completion of the purchase of all 1,000,000 shares in 2010. The purchase of the
1,000,000 shares by Quercus was completed on February 20, 2010. The Company incurred a non-cash
charge of $1,421,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 related to the valuation of the warrants
to purchase shares of the Companys Common Stock acquired by Quercus in the Companys March 2008
equity financing. On April 28, 2010, Quercus exercised the 2008 warrants. The Companys
shareholders approved the reduction in exercise price of the above mentioned warrants at its Annual
Meeting on June 16, 2010.
26
On December 29, 2009 and in conjunction with the acquisition of SRC, the Company entered into
Bonding Program Support Agreements (LOCs) with John Davenport, President of the Company, and
with The Trust, for $250,000 and $300,000, respectively. These LOCs have a term of 24 months and
bear interest at a rate of 12.5% on the face amount. The LOCs are collateralized by a percentage
of the capital stock of Crescent Lighting Ltd. (CLL) which in turn is based on CLLs net worth as
of November 30, 2009 and is subordinated to the senior indebtedness of the Company and CLL. In
addition, subject to approval by shareholders, the Company will issue five-year, detachable penny
warrants ($.01 per share) to purchase the Companys Common Stock at a rate of 0.5 warrants per
dollar of the face amount of the LOC.
The Vice President of SRC is a minority owner in TLC Investments, LLC (TLC), a Tennessee
limited liability company, as well as in Woodstone Energy, LLC (Woodstone), a Tennessee limited
liability company, both of which are located in Nashville, Tennessee.
SRC renders lighting design and lighting solution services to these related parties within the
scope of their ordinary business activities. Conversely, these related parties, operating as
electrical subcontractors, provide installation support services to SRC as part of their normal
business. For the year ended December 31, 2010, related party sales totaled $7,012,000. Of these
sales, the Company had $1,188,000 of receivables, including retainage, at year end. Subcontractor
installation support services provided by these related parties was $14,569,000, of which
$4,498,000 was payable at December 31, 2010.
With the acquisition of SRC, the Company entered into an agreement with the seller, TLC,
whereby SRC would be guaranteed a profit percentage of 25% on certain projects which were begun
prior to the acquisition or were out for bid at the time the acquisition occurred on December 31,
2009. During 2010, a significant portion of our projects were subject to this guarantee.
In conjunction with the acquisition of SRC on December 31, 2009, the Company entered into an
agreement with TLC whereby a Convertible Promissory Note (Convertible Note) was issued for the
principal amount of $500,000. This Convertible Note bears interest at a rate of the Wall Street
Journal Prime Rate plus two percent (2%), which along with the principal, is due and payable on
June 30, 2013. Additionally, TLC has the right to convert the principal of the Convertible Note,
in whole, into 500,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock at any time during the period
commencing on June 30, 2010 and ending on the maturity date. Additionally, as a provision to the
Convertible Note, if the reported closing price of a share of the Companys Common Stock shall not
be equal to or greater than $2.00 for at least twenty (20) trading days between June 30, 2010 and
June 30, 2013, the Company shall pay TLC an additional fee of $500,000 on the maturity date.
On December 31, 2009, the Company issued to Woodstone warrants to purchase up to 600,000
shares of the Companys Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per share, and with a term
ending on December 31, 2014. The warrants become exercisable only if SRC receives from Woodstone
firm contracts or purchase orders for at least $10,000,000 by June 30, 2013. The warrants vest in
two tranches: 400,000 shares when contracts or purchase orders between SRC and Woodstone reach
$10,000,000 and an additional 200,000 shares when contracts or purchase orders between SRC and
Woodstone reach an additional $5,000,000. As of December 31, 2010, no warrants related to this
issuance have vested.
The Company, in the agreement for the acquisition of SRC, provided for payment of a management
fee to TLC for overhead expenses in support of up to $20,000,000 in project billings for 2010 on
those projects which TLC provided installation support services. The management fee totaled
$1,232,000, payable in equal monthly installments, and began January 31, 2010 and ended on December
31, 2010. Furthermore, an additional 8% management fee is payable for project billings above
$20,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 and for fiscal years after December 31, 2010, where TLC provides
installation support services on projects that were pending at the date of acquisition of SRC.
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the Company did not exceed the $20,000,000 threshold
and incurred only the $1,232,000 of management fees as stipulated in the agreement.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys officers,
directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Companys equity
securities to file certain reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, the Companys
securities with the SEC. Such officers, directors, and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC
rules to furnish the Company with copies of all those reports that they file.
Based solely on its review of such reports filed with the SEC and written representations from
the reporting persons, the Company believes that all filing requirements applicable to the
Companys executive officers, directors and more than 10% stockholders were complied with for 2010.
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DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS FOR THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals from shareholders of the Company that are intended to be presented by such
shareholders at the Companys 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Secretary
of the Company at our principal executive offices located at 32000 Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139,
no later than January 9, 2012 to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of
proxy relating to such meeting. The Companys proxy for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
may confer discretionary authority to vote on any proposal submitted by a shareholder if written
notice of such proposal is not received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive
offices located at 32000 Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139, on or before March 26, 2012.
HOUSEHOLDING INFORMATION
Some banks, brokers and other nominees are participating in the practice of householding
proxy statements and annual reports. This means that beneficial holders of our Common Stock who
share the same address or household may not receive separate copies of this Proxy Statement and our
2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We will promptly deliver an additional copy of either document to
you if you write or call us at: Energy Focus, Inc., 32000 Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139,
Attention: Investor Relations, (440) 715-1300.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be submitted at the Annual Meeting. If any
other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, then the persons named in the enclosed form
of proxy will vote the shares they represent in such manner as the Board may recommend.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
The Companys 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K has been mailed with this Proxy Statement. The
Company will provide copies of the 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and its exhibits, but will
charge a reasonable fee to any requesting shareholder. Shareholders may make such request in
writing to the Company at 32000 Aurora Road, Solon, Ohio 44139, Attention: Investor Relations. The
request must include a representation by the shareholder that as of April 28, 2011, the shareholder
was entitled to vote at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Companys 2010 Annual Report
on Form 10-K and its exhibits are also available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
28
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
Proxy for Annual Meeting of Shareholders
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the
Board of Directors.
The undersigned hereby appoints Joseph G. Kaveski and Eric Hilliard, or each of them,
proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power to designate a substitute representative, to represent
the undersigned and to vote all of the shares of common stock in Energy Focus, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the Company), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders of the Company to be held at the Companys principal executive offices at 32000 Aurora
Road, Solon, Ohio 44139 at 1:00 P.M., local time, June 15, 2011, and at any adjournment or
postponement thereof, as hereinafter specified upon the proposals listed below and as more
particularly described in the Proxy Statement of the Company dated April 29, 2011 (the Proxy
Statement), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
/*\ FOLD AND DETACH HERE /*\
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The shares represented hereby will be voted as specified. If no specification is made, such shares will be voted FOR the nominees listed below, FOR proposal 2, and with the discretion of the proxies on any other matters as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
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1. To elect the following individuals: |
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In their discretion, upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
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INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ANY
INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE
NOMINEES NAME IN THE LIST BELOW. |
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IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THIS MEETING REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES
YOU HOLD. PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE |
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John M. Davenport
J. James Finnerty
Joseph G. Kaveski
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Paul von Paumgartten
R. Louis Schneeberger |
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To amend the Companys 1994 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan to increase the total number of
authorized shares of Common Stock available
for issuance from 150,000 to 400,000.
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I plan to attend the meeting: |
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(Please print address change (if any) on label below.) |
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DATED:
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, 2011 |
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Print or type shareholders name. |
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FOLD AND DETACH HERE