Definitive Proxy Statement
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
POWERSECURE INTERNATIONAL, 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):
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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
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POWERSECURE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1609 Heritage Commerce Court
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
NOTICE OF 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On June 13, 2011
To Our Stockholders:
The 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of POWERSECURE INTERNATIONAL, INC. will be held at
the Hampton Inn, 12318 Wake Union Church Road, Wake Forest, North Carolina, on Monday, June 13,
2011, at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
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To elect two directors, each to serve for a term of three years and until
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To approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our named
executive officers; |
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To recommend, by a non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of future
advisory votes on executive compensation; |
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To ratify the appointment of Hein & Associates LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. |
These items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this
notice.
The board of directors has fixed the close of business on April 18, 2011 as the record date
for determining the stockholders who are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual
Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Sidney Hinton
President and Chief Executive Officer
Wake Forest, North Carolina
April 28, 2011
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is important
that your shares be represented and voted. You are requested to sign and
date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed,
self-addressed stamped envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in
the United States, or to submit your proxy by using the telephone or the
Internet. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please
refer to the section entitled Questions and Answers About the Annual
Meeting beginning on page 1 of the proxy statement and the instructions
on the proxy card. If you attend the Annual Meeting and so desire, you
may revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders To Be Held on June 13, 2011:
The proxy statement and our 2010 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at
www.edocumentview.com/powr.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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POWERSECURE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1609 Heritage Commerce Court
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
PROXY STATEMENT
For The
2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On June 13, 2011
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Why am I receiving these materials?
The board of directors of PowerSecure International, Inc. (PowerSecure, we, our
or us) is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the boards
solicitation of proxies for use at our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual
Meeting), which will take place at the Hampton Inn, 12318 Wake Union Church Road, Wake
Forest, North Carolina, on Monday, June 13, 2011, at 9:00 a.m., local time. As a stockholder
of record as of the close of business on April 18, 2011, the record date for the Annual
Meeting, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the
proposals described in this proxy statement. We began mailing this proxy statement, the
accompanying proxy card and the notice of Annual Meeting on or about April 28, 2011.
What information is contained in this proxy statement?
The information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted
on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, our corporate governance, the compensation of
our directors and of our executive officers, and certain other required information. Our
2010 Annual Report to Stockholders, notice of the Annual Meeting and a proxy card are also
enclosed.
What proposals will stockholders vote on at the Annual Meeting?
Stockholders will vote on four proposals at the Annual Meeting:
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the election of two directors, each to serve for a term of three years and
until his successor is duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1); |
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a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive
officers (Proposal 2); |
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a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on
executive compensation (Proposal 3); and |
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the ratification of the Audit Committees appointment of Hein & Associates
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011 fiscal
year (Proposal 4). |
We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting,
although we are not aware of any other business as of the date of this proxy statement.
How does the board of directors recommend that I vote my shares?
Our board of directors recommends that you vote your shares:
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FOR the election of the two nominees to the board of directors (Proposal
1); |
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FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers
(Proposal 2); |
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THREE YEARS as the frequency of future advisory votes on executive
compensation (Proposal 3); and |
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FOR the ratification of the Audit Committees appointment of Hein &
Associates LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011
fiscal year (Proposal 4). |
1
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Each holder of record of shares of our common stock as of the close of business on
April 18, 2011, which is the record date for the Annual Meeting, is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. You may vote all shares owned by you as of the record date, including shares
that are held directly in your name as the stockholder of record, and shares that are held
for you as the beneficial owner in street name through a broker, bank, trustee or other
nominee. You may cast one vote for each share of common stock that you held on the record
date. On the record date, 18,832,544 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to
vote.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a
beneficial owner in street name?
These terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are registered directly in
your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered the
stockholder of record of those shares. As a stockholder of record, you have the right to
grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. We have
enclosed a proxy card for you to use. You may also vote on the Internet or by telephone, as
described on the proxy card and as described below under the heading How can I vote my
shares without attending the Annual Meeting?
If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee as a
custodian, then you are considered the beneficial owner of those shares, which are held in
street name, and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker, bank,
trustee or other nominee, which is considered the stockholder of record of those shares. As
the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other nominee how to vote
those shares, and you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, because you are
not the stockholder of record of those shares, you may not vote those shares in person at the
Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from the broker or other nominee that holds
your shares giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting. Your broker, bank,
trustee or other nominee has enclosed or provided voting instructions for you to use in
directing your broker or other nominee how to vote your shares.
Can I attend the Annual Meeting?
You are entitled and invited to attend the Annual Meeting only if you are a stockholder
of record or a beneficial owner of shares held in street name as of the record date or hold a
valid proxy for the Annual Meeting.
Can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?
If you are a stockholder of record as of the record date, you may vote your shares in
person at the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name as
of the record date, you may vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting only if you
obtain a legal proxy from the broker or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the
right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting.
How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?
Whether you hold shares directly as a stockholder of record or indirectly as a
beneficial owner in street name, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending
the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by submitting a proxy by
one of the methods described below. Proxy cards must be received by the time of the Annual
Meeting in order for your shares to be voted. If you hold shares beneficially in street name,
you may vote by submitting voting instructions to your broker or other nominee. For
directions on how to vote, please refer to the instructions below and those included on your
proxy card or, for shares held beneficially in street name, the voting instruction card
provided by your broker or other nominee.
By InternetStockholders of record with Internet access may submit proxies by following
the Vote by Internet instructions on their proxy cards until 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on
June 13, 2011. Most stockholders who hold shares beneficially in street name may vote by
accessing the web site specified on the voting instruction cards provided by their brokers or
other nominees. Please check the voting instruction card for Internet voting availability.
By TelephoneStockholders of record who live in the United States or Canada may submit
proxies by following the Vote by Telephone instructions on their proxy cards until 1:00
a.m., Central Time, on June 13, 2011. Most stockholders who hold shares beneficially in
street name and live in the United States or Canada may vote by
telephone by calling the number specified on the voting instruction cards provided by
their brokers or other nominees. Please check the voting instruction card for telephone
voting availability.
2
By MailStockholders of record may submit proxies by completing, signing and dating
their proxy cards and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelopes. Proxy cards
submitted by mail must be received by the time of the Annual Meeting in order for your shares
to be voted. Stockholders who hold shares beneficially in street name may vote by mail by
completing, signing and dating the voting instruction cards provided by their brokers or
other nominees and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelopes.
Can I revoke my proxy and change my vote after I submit my proxy?
Yes, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote by taking any of the following
actions before your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting:
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granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the
earlier proxy) using any of the methods described above (and until the applicable
deadline for each method); |
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delivering a written notice of revocation to our Secretary; or |
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attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares in person, although
attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute the
revocation of a proxy. |
For shares you hold beneficially in street name, you may change your vote by submitting
new voting instructions to your broker or other nominee following the instructions they
provided, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker or other nominee granting
you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
How will my shares be voted if I sign and return my proxy card without specifying how they
should be voted?
If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you specify.
If you sign and return your proxy card at or prior to the Annual Meeting without specifying
how your shares are to be voted, your shares will be voted as follows:
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FOR the election of the two nominees to the board of directors (Proposal
1); |
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FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers
(Proposal 2); |
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THREE YEARS as the frequency of future advisory votes on executive
compensation (Proposal 3); and |
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FOR the ratification of the Audit Committees appointment of Hein &
Associates LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011
fiscal year (Proposal 4). |
What is the quorum requirement for the Annual Meeting?
The quorum requirement is the minimum number of shares that must be present for us to
hold and transact business at the Annual Meeting. For a quorum to exist, the holders of a
majority of the shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date must be present in
person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Both abstentions and broker non-votes,
as discussed below, are counted as present for the purpose of determining the presence of a
quorum.
How are broker non-votes, votes withheld and abstentions treated?
Generally, broker non-votes occur on a matter when shares held of record by a broker
or other nominee in street name for a beneficial owner are not voted on that matter because
the broker or nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does
not have discretionary authority to vote those shares on that matter. A broker or other
nominee is entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on routine matters, such as
the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm, without instructions
from the beneficial owner of those shares. However, a broker is not entitled to vote shares
for a beneficial owner on non-routine items absent instructions from the beneficial owner of
such shares. Broker non-votes count for the purposes of determining whether a quorum exists
but do not count as entitled to vote with respect to an individual proposal and thus will
have no effect on the outcome of any proposal at the Annual Meeting.
3
We expect that Proposals 1, 2 and 3 the election of directors, the advisory vote on
the compensation of our named executive officers and the advisory vote on the frequency of
future advisory votes on executive compensation will be non-routine matters. So, if you
hold your shares in street name and do not instruct your broker how to vote your shares with
respect to any of those proposals, then your broker is not permitted to vote your shares on
that proposal and those shares will be counted as broker non-votes.
Votes withheld and abstentions are deemed present at the Annual Meeting and are counted
for the purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, and will have the following effects
on the proposals:
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On Proposal 1, the election of directors, votes withheld from nominees will
have no effect on the outcome of the election. |
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On Proposal 2, the advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named
executive officers, abstentions will have the same effect as votes against such
proposal. |
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On Proposal 3, the advisory vote on the frequency of future stockholder
advisory votes to approve executive compensation, abstentions will have no effect
on the frequency option selected by our stockholders. |
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On Proposal 4, the ratification of the appointment of Hein & Associates LLP as
our independent auditors for 2011, abstentions will have the same effect as votes
against such proposal. |
If you sign your proxy card without specifying your voting instructions on any proposal,
then your shares will be voted in accordance with a the recommendation of our board on such
proposal. See How will my shares be voted if I sign and return my proxy card without
specifying how they should be voted? above.
What vote is required to approve each Proposal?
On Proposal 1, the election of directors, directors are elected by a plurality of the
votes cast at the Annual Meeting, meaning that the two nominees for director who receive the
highest number of FOR votes will be elected to the board of directors.
On Proposal 2, the advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive
officers, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, at
the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on that proposal is required to approve that
proposal. On Proposal 3, the advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to
approve executive compensation, the frequency option of one year, two years or three years
that receives the highest number of votes cast will be deemed to be the frequency option
selected by our stockholders. However, Proposals 2 and 3 are advisory and the results of the
voting on those proposals are not binding on us, our board of directors or the Compensation
Committee, although our board and the Compensation Committee will take the voting results of
those proposals into consideration when taking future actions on the compensation of our
named executive officers and when determining the frequency of future stockholder advisory
votes on executive compensation.
On Proposal 4, the ratification of the Audit Committees appointment of Hein &
Associates LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011 fiscal year,
the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on that proposal is required to ratify that appointment.
Is cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors?
No, you may not cumulate your votes for the election of directors.
What happens if additional matters are presented at the Annual Meeting?
Other than the four proposals described in this proxy statement, as of the date of this
proxy statement we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Annual
Meeting. If any additional matters are properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting,
the persons appointed as proxies in the proxy card will have the discretionary authority to
vote or act thereon in accordance with their best judgment.
4
Who will count the votes?
A representative from Computershare Trust Company, N.A., our transfer agent, will count
the votes and serve as the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting.
What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this
proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards, if your shares are
registered differently or are held in more than one account. Please vote all your shares by
signing, dating and returning each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.
How can I access the proxy materials and annual report electronically?
The notice of Annual Meeting, this proxy statement and our 2010 Annual Report to
Stockholders are available on the Internet at www.edocumentview.com/powr.
Where can I find the voting results for the Annual Meeting?
We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission
within four business days of the Annual Meeting announcing the voting results at the Annual
Meeting.
Who pays the costs of this proxy solicitation?
We will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing
these proxy materials and soliciting votes. In addition to the mailing of these proxy
materials, we may also solicit proxies in person or by mail, telephone, facsimile, electronic
communication or other means of communication by our directors, officers and employees, but
we will not provide any additional or special compensation for such soliciting activities. We
will request that brokerage houses, banks, nominees, trustees and other custodians forward
proxy solicitation materials for shares of common stock held of record by them to the
beneficial owners of such shares, and, upon request, we will reimburse those custodians for
their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in forwarding those materials. In addition,
we have engaged Georgeson Inc., a professional soliciting organization, to assist us in the
solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $12,500, plus reimbursement for customary
costs and expenses for those services. We have agreed to indemnify Georgeson against certain
liabilities arising out of or in connection with its agreement to assist us in the
solicitation of proxies.
5
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We have long believed that solid corporate governance principles and practices provide an
important framework to ensure that our company is managed on a sound basis for the long-term
benefit of our stockholders. Our board of directors periodically reviews its corporate
governance policies and practices in light of changes and developments in laws and regulations,
including the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing
standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, as well as best practices recommended by recognized
authorities.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our board of directors has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are
intended to formalize the corporate governance practices to which we adhere through our board of
directors and committees of the board. Our board reviews our Corporate Governance Guidelines at
least annually, and from time to time may revise our Corporate Governance Guidelines to reflect
new laws, regulations, requirements and evolving corporate governance practices. Our Corporate
Governance Guidelines are available on the Investor Relations section of our website at
www.powersecure.com under Corporate Governance.
Director Independence
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and as required by the listing standards of The
NASDAQ Stock Market, a majority of the members of our board of directors must be independent.
In order to assist it in determining the independence of our directors, our board has adopted a
formal set of categorical standards, which we refer to as the Standards of Director
Independence, based upon and consistent with the definitions of independent directors under
applicable law, SEC rules and regulations, including Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and the current listing standards of The NASDAQ
Stock Market. Under these Standards of Director Independence, a director will only be considered
independent if the director is not an executive officer or employee of our company and the board
of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no relationship which, in the
opinion of our board, would interfere with that directors exercise of independent judgment in
carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making such determination, the board of
directors considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including any transactions in which we
participate and in which any director has any interest. Our Standards of Director Independence
are available on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.powersecure.com
under Corporate Governance.
The board of directors has affirmatively determined and concluded that four of its five
members Anthony D. Pell, Kevin P. Collins, John A. (Andy) Miller and Thomas J. Madden III,
who are the non-management members of our board are independent within the meaning and
definition of that term under our Standards of Director Independence and the listing
requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market. Accordingly, a majority of the members of the board of
directors is independent. In addition, our board has determined that each member of the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the
Risk Committee is independent. In making its independence determinations, our board considered
that Messrs. Collins, Miller and Madden are not executive officers or employees of our company
and have no relationships with us other than as directors and stockholders. Our board also
determined that the relationship of Mr. Pell as our non-executive Chairman of the Board,
including the $15,000 that we will pay him in 2011 for his services as our Chairman, does not
interfere with his exercise of independent judgment as a director.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors, which consists of five members, meets regularly throughout the year
and holds special meetings and acts by unanimous written consent whenever circumstances require.
The board of directors held a total of 14 meetings during 2010. During 2010, each director
attended 100% of the total number of meetings of the board and of the committees of the board on
which he served.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has established a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee,
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Risk Committee. The membership of each
committee and its functions, duties and responsibilities are discussed below. Each committee
meets regularly and operates under a formal written charter that has been approved by our board,
which periodically reviews these committee charters and amends them as it deems appropriate.
These committee charters are available on the Investor Relations section of our website at
www.powersecure.com under Corporate Governance. All members of each committee are
independent directors.
6
Audit Committee
Our board of directors has established an Audit Committee in accordance with Section
3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. In 2010, the members of the Audit Committee were Anthony D.
Pell (Chairman), Kevin P. Collins, John A. (Andy) Miller and Thomas J. Madden III. The board of
directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent under our
Standards of Director Independence, under the current listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock
Market applicable to members of an audit committee and under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
The board of directors has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee is able to
read and understand fundamental financial statements and qualifies as an audit committee
financial expert, as that term is defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange
Act. The Audit Committee met six times during 2010.
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the board of directors in fulfilling its
oversight and monitoring responsibilities relating to:
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the quality and integrity of our financial statements; |
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the quality and integrity of our auditing, accounting and financial reporting
processes generally; |
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our system of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls
and procedures; |
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our independent registered public accounting firm, including its engagement,
compensation, qualifications, independence and performance; and |
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our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. |
The Audit Committees duties and responsibilities include:
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reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public
accounting firm our annual audited and quarterly unaudited consolidated financial
statements; |
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determining whether to recommend to the board of directors that our annual
consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K; |
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reviewing with management any earnings announcements or guidance forecasts and
other announcements regarding our historical or projected results of operations; |
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appointing and, when appropriate, terminating our independent registered public
accounting firm; |
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reviewing and pre-approving the nature, scope and fee arrangements of the annual
audit and non-audit services of our independent registered public accounting firm; |
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reviewing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm; |
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reviewing the scope and the results of the annual audit of our consolidated
financial statements by our independent registered public accounting firm; |
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reviewing and discussing with management, our internal accountants and our
independent registered public accounting firm our accounting and financial reporting
practices and procedures and the adequacy and effectiveness of our system of
internal controls; |
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preparing the annual Audit Committee report required by the rules of the SEC to
be included in our proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
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reviewing any transaction that involves a potential conflict of interest or a
related person; |
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adopting procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of employee concerns
and complaints regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters; and |
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providing other assistance to the board of directors, as requested, with respect
to our financial, accounting and reporting practices. |
The Audit Committee performs its functions and responsibilities under a formal written
charter adopted by the board of directors. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter, as amended and
restated by the board of directors on April 6, 2009, is
available on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.powersecure.com
under Corporate Governance. The Audit Committee Report is on page 55 of this proxy statement.
7
Compensation Committee
Our board of directors has established a Compensation Committee. During 2010, the members
of the Compensation Committee were John A. (Andy) Miller (Chairman), Anthony D. Pell, Kevin P.
Collins and Thomas J. Madden III. The board of directors has determined that each member of the
Compensation Committee is independent under our Standards of Director Independence and under the
current listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Compensation Committee met 15 times
during 2010.
The primary purposes of the Compensation Committee are to review and approve the
compensation of our executive officers and to oversee our compensation plans and policies
generally. The Compensation Committees duties and responsibilities include:
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reviewing and approving the compensation of our executive officers, including our
Chief Executive Officer; |
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approving employment agreements for executive officers; |
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reviewing and approving the compensation of directors; |
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assisting the board of directors in administering and recommending changes to our
stock and incentive compensation plans and programs; |
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reviewing and discussing with management the annual Compensation Discussion and
Analysis disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation and, based on its
review and discussion, recommending whether we include it in our proxy statement for
our Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and |
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preparing the annual Compensation Committee report required by the rules of the
SEC to be included in our proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of stockholders. |
The Compensation Committee does not generally delegate any of its authority to other
persons, although it has the power to delegate authority to subcommittees. The Compensation
Committee has authority under its charter to retain, approve fees for and terminate independent
experts, consultants and advisors as it deems necessary to assist in the fulfillment of its
responsibilities.
Since 2007, the Compensation Committee has engaged the services of an independent
compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co. (Cook), to assist it in reviewing and
designing the compensation program and policies for our named executive officers and for our
non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee typically invites Cook to attend meetings
where compensation actions are to be discussed and Cooks advice and analysis is expected to be
sought. Cook provides the Compensation Committee with advice and reviews management
recommendations on executive compensation as appropriate and as requested by the Compensation
Committee. Cook from time to time communicates with the Compensation Committees Chairman
outside of Compensation Committee meetings. Cook has not provided any services to us or received
any fees from us other than for compensation consulting services rendered to the Compensation
Committee. In addition, Cook was selected by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee
and not to management. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee believes that Cook is able to
provide it with independent advice.
While the Compensation Committee gives significant weight to the recommendations of our
Chief Executive Officer and of Cook, the Compensation Committee is responsible for making the
final decisions on executive compensation matters and exercises its discretion and authority in
approving, modifying or rejecting these recommendations. Additional information regarding the
Compensation Committees processes and procedures for considering and determining executive
officer compensation are contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in
Executive Compensation.
The Compensation Committee performs its functions and responsibilities under a formal
written charter adopted by the board of directors. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter,
as amended and restated by the board of directors on January 18, 2007, is available on the
Investor Relations section of our website at www.powersecure.com under Corporate
Governance. The Compensation Committee Report is on page 38 of this proxy statement.
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The board of directors has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
During 2010, the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee were Kevin P.
Collins (Chairman), Anthony D. Pell, John A. (Andy) Miller and Thomas J. Madden III. The board
of directors has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is independent under our Standards of Director Independence and under the current
listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
met five times during 2010.
The principal duties of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are:
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identifying individuals qualified to become members of the board of directors; |
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recommending qualified individuals for nomination to the board of directors; |
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assessing and advising the board of directors with respect to its composition,
procedures and committees; and |
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reviewing and evaluating our Corporate Governance Guidelines and principles and
recommending to the board of directors any changes that it deems necessary. |
Other specific duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee include:
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developing and applying qualifications for board membership; |
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monitoring, and recommending to the board, committee functions; |
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recommending board committee assignments; |
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overseeing our board of directors performance and self-evaluation process; and |
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reviewing governance-related stockholder proposals and recommending board
responses. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee unanimously recommended the nominees
standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting, which recommendation was unanimously approved by
the board of directors.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee performs its functions and
responsibilities under a formal written charter adopted by the board of directors. A copy of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, as amended and restated by the board of
directors on April 6, 2009, is available on the Investor Relations section of our website at
www.powersecure.com under Corporate Governance.
Risk Committee
The board of directors has established a Risk Committee. The members of the Risk Committee
are Thomas J. Madden III (Chairman), Anthony D. Pell, Kevin P. Collins and John A. (Andy)
Miller. The board of directors has determined that each member of the Risk Committee is
independent under our Standards of Director Independence and under the current listing standards
of The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Risk Committee met one time during 2010.
The principal duties of the Risk Committee are:
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assessing, and providing oversight to management regarding the identification and
evaluation of, major financial, business, strategic, operational, contractual,
regulatory, information and external risks inherent in our business and operations
and the control processes with respect to such risks; |
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overseeing our risk management, compliance and control activities; |
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overseeing the integrity of our systems of operational controls regarding legal
and regulatory compliance; and |
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overseeing our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including,
without limitation, with respect to the conduct of our business. |
The Risk Committee performs its functions and responsibilities under a formal written
charter adopted by the board of directors. A copy of the Risk Committee Charter, as adopted by
the board of directors on March 4, 2010, is available on the Investor Relations section of our
website at www.powersecure.com under Corporate Governance.
9
Board Leadership Structure
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide, as our board of directors has determined, that
it is in the best interests of our company and our stockholders at this time to separate the
roles and offices of the Chairman from the Chief Executive Officer in recognition of the
differences between their roles, with an independent, non-executive director serving as the
Chairman of the Board with principal responsibility for leading the board, thereby allowing our
Chief Executive Officer to focus on the day-to-day running of our company. The board determined
that this structure is optimal for us under our current circumstances because it allows Sidney
Hinton, our Chief Executive Officer and the only member of the board who is not an independent
director, to devote his full attention and energy to setting and executing the strategic plan
for our company and to providing day-to-day management and leadership of our company and our
business and affairs, while allowing Anthony D. Pell, our independent Chairman, to lead and
direct board meetings and to facilitate other board activities and the flow of information
between management and directors. Mr. Pell has served as our non-executive Chairman of the Board
since October 2008. We believe that this leadership structure enhances the accountability of the
Chief Executive Officer to the board, strengthens the boards independence from management and
provides the appropriate leadership to help ensure effective risk oversight by the board.
However, the board recognizes, and our Corporate Governance Guidelines acknowledge, that
circumstances may change over time. Accordingly, the board of directors has not adopted a formal
policy requiring us to separate the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer but rather
believes it is important to retain its flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the
offices of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer in a manner that is in the
best interests of our company and our stockholders based upon then prevailing circumstances.
Executive Sessions
Executive sessions of independent directors, without any management directors or other
members of management being present, are held at least twice a year, and more often if such
directors deem appropriate. The sessions are scheduled and chaired by our non-executive Chairman
of the Board. Any independent director can request that additional executive sessions be
scheduled.
Director Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders
The board expects all directors to attend each Annual Meeting of Stockholders, except where
the failure to attend is due to unavoidable or unforeseeable circumstances. All members of the
board of directors attended the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Nominations of Directors
Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Director
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for
identifying and evaluating nominees for director. In selecting candidates for nomination at an
annual meeting of our stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee begins by
determining whether the incumbent directors whose terms expire at that meeting desire and are
qualified to continue their service on the board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee believes that the continuing service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and
continuity in the boardroom, giving us the benefit of the familiarity and insight into our
affairs that our directors have accumulated during their tenure, while contributing to the
boards ability to work as a collective body. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee, absent special circumstances, to nominate qualified
incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the criteria for membership on the board, and who
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes will continue to make important
contributions to the board.
If there are board positions for which the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
will not be re-nominating a qualified incumbent, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will consider recommendations for director nominees from a wide variety of sources,
including board members, management, business contacts, professional search firms, stockholders
and other appropriate sources. In evaluating such recommendations, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge,
experience and capability on the board of directors and to address the criteria for membership
set forth below under Qualifications of Nominees for Director. Candidates recommended by the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are subject to approval by the board of directors.
The nominees for election to the board of directors at the Annual Meeting were unanimously
recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and were unanimously nominated
by the full board, based on their qualifications, expertise, skills and their prior experience
on our board.
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Qualifications of Nominees for Director
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with the
board of directors the requisite qualifications and skills of new board candidates in the
context of the current composition of the board, our operating requirements and the long-term
interests of our stockholders. While the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not
established specific requirements or policies regarding age, education, years of experience,
diversity or specific types of skills for potential candidates, it has established certain
criteria and qualifications that candidates for membership on the board of directors should
possess. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific
weights to particular criteria, and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all
prospective nominees. Except in limited and exceptional circumstances, each candidate to serve
on the board of directors should have the following qualifications:
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A reputation for high personal and professional integrity, strong moral character
and adherence to our high ethical standards and values. |
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The absence of any conflict of interest (whether due to a business or personal
relationship) or legal impediment to, or restriction on, the candidate serving as a
director, and no other interests that would materially impair the candidates
ability to (i) exercise independent judgment, or (ii) otherwise discharge the
fiduciary duties owed as a director to us and our stockholders. |
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Holds or has held a recognized position of leadership in the candidates
community or the candidates field of endeavor, and has demonstrated high levels of
achievement in the candidates community or field. |
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Business acumen and experience, inquisitiveness, strong analytical skills and the
ability to exercise sound business judgment and common sense in matters that relate
to our current and long-term objectives. |
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A general level of expertise and experience in our business areas. |
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The ability to read and understand basic financial statements and other financial
information pertaining to us. |
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A commitment to understanding our company and our business, industry and
strategic objectives. |
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The availability and a commitment to devote adequate time to the board and its
committees and the ability to generally fulfill all responsibilities as a member of
our board of directors, including to regularly attend and participate in meetings of
the board, board committees and stockholders, in light of the number of other
company boards on which the candidate serves and the candidates other personal and
professional commitments. |
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The willingness and ability to represent fairly and to act in the interests of
all of our stockholders rather than the interests of any particular stockholder,
special interest group or other constituency. |
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For prospective non-employee directors, independence under SEC and applicable
stock exchange rules and regulations. |
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The willingness to accept the nomination to serve as a member of our board of
directors. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider the following
additional factors in connection with its evaluation of each prospective nominee:
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Whether the prospective nominee will foster a diversity of skills, experiences
and backgrounds on the board. |
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Whether the prospective nominee possesses the requisite education, training and
experience to qualify as financially literate or as an audit committee financial
expert under applicable SEC and stock exchange rules. |
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For incumbent directors standing for re-election, the incumbent directors
performance during his term, including the number of meetings attended, the level of
participation, and overall contribution to us. |
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The composition of the board and whether the prospective nominee will add to or
complement the boards existing strengths. |
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From time to time the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may identify certain
other skills or attributes as being particularly desirable to help meet specific board needs
that have arisen. While neither our board nor the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
has adopted a specific or formal policy on diversity with respect to directors, they both share
a commitment to an inclusive culture, endorse equal opportunity principles and practices and
seek nominees with a broad diversity of experience, professions, skills, geographic
representation and backgrounds. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of the
directors, considered as a group, should provide a broad mix of experience, knowledge and
abilities that will allow the board to fulfill its responsibilities. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of gender, race,
religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis proscribed by law
in selecting nominees.
Recommendations and Nominations by Stockholders
The policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to consider properly
submitted written nominations from stockholders for nominees for director. In general, persons
properly recommended by stockholders as nominees for director are evaluated on the same basis as
candidates recommended by other sources. Any stockholder recommendations for consideration by
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee should include the candidates name,
biographical information, information regarding any relationships between the candidate and us,
personal references, a statement of recommendation of the candidate from the stockholder, a
description of the shares beneficially owned by the stockholder, a description of all
arrangements between the candidate and the recommending stockholder and any other person
pursuant to which the candidate is being recommended, a written indication of the candidates
willingness to serve on the board and a written indication to provide such other information as
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may reasonably request.
In addition, our by-laws permit stockholders to nominate directors for consideration at an
annual meeting. Any such nominations made by stockholders must be submitted in compliance with
the requirements for stockholder nominations set forth in our by-laws, which requirements are
summarized at the end of this proxy statement under Stockholder Proposals. Nominations by
stockholders for director candidates must fully comply with the requirements for stockholder
nominations in our by-laws, including our timely receipt of proper notice from the proposing
stockholder, and must be addressed to:
PowerSecure International, Inc.
1609 Heritage Commerce Court
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
Attention: Investor Relations
A copy of the relevant provisions of our by-laws regarding the requirements for nominating
director candidates may be obtained by a stockholder, without charge, upon written request to
our secretary at the address above.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Any stockholder who wishes to communicate directly with the board of directors, any
committee of the board or any specific director may do so by directing a written request
addressed to such director or directors at our principal executive offices at the address listed
above, attention Investor Relations. Communications directed to members of the board will be
forwarded to the intended board members, unless such communication is deemed purely promotional,
clearly unrelated to our business or to board or committee matters, or unduly hostile,
threatening, illegal or otherwise unnecessary or inappropriate to forward, in which case our
Investor Relations department has the authority to discard the communication or to take
appropriate action regarding such communication.
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Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
While management is responsible for the day-to-day management of the risks we face, the
role of our board is to engage in the oversight of risk management. In fulfilling its risk
oversight responsibility, our board utilizes the assistance of board committees in certain areas
of risk. The boards role in the risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from
members of senior management and from board committees on areas of material risk to us,
including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, strategic and reputational risks, which
enables the board to understand our risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation
strategies.
Each board committee considers risk within its areas of responsibilities and keeps the
board regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. The Risk Committee is
primarily charged and responsible for overseeing this risk oversight process on behalf of the
board, periodically discussing our policies with respect to risk assessment, risk management and
risk mitigation, and regularly reporting to the full board on its risk oversight process. The
Audit Committee assists the board with respect to risk management in the areas of accounting and
financial reporting, internal controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Compensation Committee assists the board with respect to the management of risks arising
from our compensation policies and practices. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
assists the board with respect to the management of risks associated with board organization,
membership and structure and with corporate governance. This allocation of risk oversight
responsibilities enables the board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role. The
Risk Committee and the full board consider our risk profile and focus on the most significant
risk factors facing us with the goal of ensuring that all material risks are identified and
appropriate risk mitigation measures are implemented.
We believe that the boards leadership structure, as discussed above, is consistent with
the roles of the board and the board committees in risk oversight. The board has found that its
current structure, with the separation of the roles of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief
Executive Officer, supports the boards risk oversight activities, because the Chief Executive
Officer and other members of senior management have responsibility for the management of risk
and our board, led by our Chairman, provides oversight of that risk management, and because
various aspects of risk oversight are allocated among the committees of the board within their
areas of responsibility.
Codes of Ethics
We have adopted two codes of ethics, each designed to encourage our directors, officers and
employees to act with the highest level of integrity. These codes are available on the Investor
Relations section of our website at www.powersecure.com under Corporate Governance.
We have adopted the PowerSecure International, Inc. Code of Ethics for Principal Executive
Officer and Senior Financial Officers, which is a code of ethics that applies to our Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and other senior
finance organization employees. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to deter wrongdoing and to
promote, among other things, honest and ethical conduct and to ensure to the greatest possible
extent that our business is conducted in a consistently legal and ethical manner.
We have also adopted the PowerSecure International, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics, which is a code of conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees.
Under the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, each officer, director and employee is required
to maintain a commitment to high standards of business conduct and ethics. The Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics covers many areas of professional conduct, including conflicts of interest,
protection of confidential information, and strict adherence to laws and regulations applicable
to the conduct of our business. Directors, officers and employees are required to report any
conduct that they believe in good faith to be an actual or apparent violation of the Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics.
If we make any amendment to, or grant any waiver from a provision of, either code of
conduct with respect to any director, executive officer or senior financial officer, we will
disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website, in a Current Report on Form 8-K
or both. We also have adopted procedures to receive, retain and treat complaints regarding
accounting practices, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and to allow for the
confidential and anonymous submission by employees, customers, suppliers, stockholders and other
interested persons of concerns regarding those matters.
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Availability of Corporate Governance Documents
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, board committee charters and codes of ethics are
available on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.powersecure.com under
Corporate Governance. In addition, we will provide a copy of any of these corporate governance
documents without charge upon written request addressed to us at:
PowerSecure International, Inc.
1609 Heritage Commerce Court
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
Attention: Investor Relations
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
All members of the Compensation Committee are independent directors. No member of the
Compensation Committee is or has ever been an officer or employee of us or of any of our
subsidiaries, and no member has any relationship required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404
of Regulation S-K. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors
or of the compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of our board of directors or of the Compensation Committee.
Access to Management and Outside Advisors
Our directors have full and unrestricted access to our management and employees.
Additionally, from time to time key members of management attend board meetings to present
information about the results, plans and operations of the business within their areas of
responsibility. Our board and each of its committees have the right to retain outside advisors
and consultants of their choosing at our expense, without the consent or approval of management.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Our board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for our directors, officers and certain
key employees. These stock ownership guidelines are discussed below in this proxy statement
under Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and AnalysisStock Ownership
Guidelines. We believe these guidelines are consistent with our culture, which encourages a
spirit and responsibility of ownership, including through the ownership of an equity interest in
our company, and help align the interests of our directors, officers and key employees with our
stockholders.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors currently consists of five members. The board is divided into three
classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, and members of each class serve
staggered three year terms. The number of directors in each class is fixed to be as equal as
possible, depending on the total number of members of the board. Each director serves in office
until the expiration of his term and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
The terms of the two Class II directors expire at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, two
Class II directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting, each to serve for a term of three
years and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Upon the unanimous recommendation
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the board of directors has unanimously
nominated Kevin P. Collins and John A. (Andy) Miller, who currently serve on our board, to be
re-elected as Class II directors. All other current members of our board of directors will
continue in office until the expiration of their respective terms, as indicated below, and until
their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
Each of the nominees has agreed to continue to serve as a director if re-elected. The board
has no reason to believe that either nominee will be unable to serve. However, if either nominee
should become unexpectedly unable to serve as a director, then the persons appointed as proxies
in the accompanying proxy card intend to vote for such other nominee or nominees as the board of
directors may designate, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, unless the size of the board is reduced by the board of directors.
Set forth below is information as of the date of this proxy statement about the nominees
and the continuing directors. In addition to the information presented below regarding the
specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each nominee and of each
continuing director that led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our board to
the conclusion that such person should serve as a director, we also believe that each nominee
and each continuing director has demonstrated leadership experience, business acumen, a
reputation for integrity and honesty, and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a
commitment of service to our company and our board. Our board and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee believe that these skills and qualifications, combined with the diverse
backgrounds, experience, expertise and perspectives of our directors, contribute to robust and
productive discussions in the boardroom and the ability of the board to work in a positive and
collegial fashion that benefits our company and our stockholders by creating a strong and
effective board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews the
composition of the board in light of our evolving business requirements and its assessment of
the boards performance to ensure that the board has the appropriate mix of skills and
experiences needed for the broad set of challenges that it confronts and the responsibilities it
has. Based on all of these qualifications, the board believes that each of the nominees and each
of the continuing directors has the appropriate set of skills and qualifications to serve as
members of the board and to benefit our company and our stockholders as board members.
Nominees
Class II Term Expires in 2014
Kevin P. Collins, 60, has served on our board of directors since March 2000. Mr. Collins
also serves as the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and as a member
of the other board committees. He has been a Managing Member of The Old Hill Company LLC, which
provides corporate financial and advisory services, since 1997. From 1992 to 1997, he served as
a principal of JHP Enterprises, Ltd., and from 1985 to 1992 he served as Senior Vice President
of DG Investment Bank, Ltd., both of which were engaged in providing corporate finance and
advisory services. Mr. Collins has served as a director of the following public companies: Key
Energy Services, Inc., an oilfield service provider, since 1996; Applied Natural Gas Fuels,
Inc., a liquefied natural gas provider, since November 2008; and The Penn Traffic Company, a
food retailer, from 1999 to 2010. He has also served as a director of The Antioch Company LLC, a
privately held direct sales company, since 2009.
Mr. Collins brings to our board 27 years of experience as a financial advisor with vast
experience over that time serving as a member of many public and private company boards and
board committees in a diversity of industries as well as serving as an advisor and consultant to
many growing businesses. He holds extensive expertise in the fields of corporate governance,
executive compensation and audit committee matters, and he has a broad and sophisticated range
of experience in corporate strategy development and organizational acumen. Our board believes
Mr. Collins skills, experiences and expertise, especially his diverse experience on other
public company boards and his expertise on
corporate governance, compensation and audit matters, as well as his 11 years of service on
our board, make him well qualified to continue to serve on and to enhance the strengths of our
board and board committees.
15
John A. (Andy) Miller, 68, has served on our board of directors since September 2007. Mr.
Miller also serves as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and as a member of the other
board committees. He is the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Miller Consulting
Group, Boston, Massachusetts, a corporate and market positioning firm specializing in the
information technology and financial services sectors. In 1977, he founded Miller
Communications, one of the first firms to specialize in public relations for the IT industry.
Prior to founding Miller Communications, Mr. Miller served in various capacities at Little,
Brown & Co. and the Associated Press, and as Associate Editor of The Harvard Business Review. He
currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Internet Capital Group, Azima, iMotions, Cymtec and
Helium, Inc. He has also served as Adjunct Member of the Governors Committee on Telecom Policy
for the State of Massachusetts, known as Mass Telecom, an early member of the Massachusetts
Software Council, and Trustee of the Computer Museum.
Mr. Miller brings to our board more than 35 years of experience in the marketing and public
relations industry with a focus on technology companies and with extensive sales and marketing
expertise, as well as valuable experience and expertise in strategic planning and strong
management and leadership skills. Our board believes Mr. Millers skills, experiences and
expertise, especially his understanding of technology and growth companies and strategic
planning, well qualify him to continue to serve on and provide valuable contributions to our
board and board committees.
Continuing Directors
Class I Term Expires in 2013
Sidney Hinton, 48, has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since April
2007, and has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of PowerSecure,
Inc., which we refer to as our PowerSecure subsidiary, since its incorporation in September
2000. He also serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of the subsidiaries of
our PowerSecure subsidiary. In 2000, he was an Executive-in-Residence with Carousel Capital, a
private equity firm. In 1999, Mr. Hinton was the Vice President of Market Planning and Research
for Carolina Power & Light (now known as Progress Energy). From August 1997 until December 1998,
he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of IllumElex Lighting Company, a national
lighting company. From 1982 until 1997, Mr. Hinton was employed in several positions with
Southern Company and Georgia Power Company.
As the founder and driving force behind the formation, development and growth of our
PowerSecure subsidiary and as the leader of all of our business units, our board believes Mr.
Hinton is uniquely and well qualified to serve on our board as its only management member. He
brings to our board an extensive and valuable understanding of our business and of the markets
and customers we serve and the products and services we provide as well as strong leadership of
our company. In addition, Mr. Hinton brings to the board nearly 30 years of experience in the
energy industry, serving as a leader and manager and with extensive relationships and contacts
in the energy business especially within the utility segment. Our board greatly benefits from
the valuable experience, expertise, leadership and guidance that Mr. Hinton provides to the
board and to our company.
Class III Term Expires in 2012
Anthony D. Pell, 72, has served on our board of directors since June 1994, serving as the
Chairman of the Board since October 2008. Mr. Pell also serves as the Chairman of the Audit
Committee and as a member of the other board committees. He was the President, Chief Executive
Officer and a co-owner of Pelican Investment Management, an investment advisory firm that he
co-founded in November 2001, until March 2011 when it was acquired by Eaton Vance Investment
Counsel, an investment management firm, and since such time has served as a Senior Fiduciary
Advisor of Eaton Vance. He was the President and a co-owner of Pell, Rudman & Co., an investment
advisory firm, from 1981 until 1993, when it was acquired by United Asset Management Company,
where he continued to serve as an employee until June 1995. Mr. Pell was a director of Metretek,
Incorporated, a former subsidiary of our company, until it was acquired by us in March 1994. He
was associated with the law firm of Coudert Brothers from 1966 to 1968 and with the law firm of
Cadwalder, Wickersham and Taft from 1968 to 1972, specializing in estate and tax planning. In
1972, Mr. Pell joined Boston Company Financial Strategies, Inc. as a Vice President and was
appointed a Senior Vice President in 1975.
16
Mr. Pell brings to the board more than 35 years of experience as an expert in the field of
financial and investment advice, a deep background in public company strategy, acquisitions,
financings and operations, extensive business
organizational and planning skills, sophisticated business acumen in a broad diversity of
businesses especially in the energy and technology industries, and strong management and
leadership abilities. Our board believes Mr. Pells vast range and depth of skills, experiences
and expertise, and his 17 years of service on our board, well qualify him to serve as the
Chairman of the Board and constitute very valuable resources that benefit our entire board and
all of our board committees.
Thomas J. Madden III, 63, has served on our board of directors since December 2008. Mr.
Madden also serves as the Chairman of the Risk Committee and as a member of the other board
committees. In 1991, he joined ScottMadden, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to the utility and
telecommunications industry, where he served as its Chief Executive Officer until 1998 and as
its Chairman from 2000 until 2003, and where he has served on its Board of Directors since 1991
and as Of Counsel since 2003. Mr. Madden has also served as a director of A.P. Services, Inc.,
an international supplier of mechanical packing, gaskets and seals, since December 2010. From
1978 until 1991, Mr. Madden was a consultant with Theodore Barry & Associates, a consulting firm
dedicated to serving the utility and energy industry, holding various executive positions
including Chief Executive Officer. From 1974 until 1978, he was employed by Jersey Central Power
& Light, a gas and electric utility, where he became head of the nuclear licensing group. From
1970 until 1974, he was a member of the technical staff of Bell Telephone Laboratories, modeling
nuclear weapons effects for the development of the American anti-ballistic missile defense
system.
Mr. Madden brings to our board over 30 years of experience as a leader, a manager and an
advisor of management consulting firms in the electric, gas and telecommunications industries
along with extensive knowledge and understanding of our industry and sophisticated expertise in
the energy field. Our board believes Mr. Millers skills, experiences and expertise, as a
business leader and as an expert in the field of energy, provide valuable contributions that
benefit, and well qualify him to serve on, our board and board committees.
Vote Required
The two nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes cast by the holders of
the shares of our common stock present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting will be elected as directors.
Recommendation
Our board of directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the election of
Kevin P. Collins and John A. (Andy) Miller to the board of directors. Proxy cards properly
signed and returned to us at or prior to the Annual Meeting will be so voted, unless contrary
instructions are specified.
17
PROPOSAL 2
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Background of this Proposal
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the
Dodd-Frank Act, requires that we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to vote to
approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as
disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. This proposal is commonly referred to as a say-on-pay
proposal.
Executive Compensation Program and Philosophy
As described in greater detail below under the heading Compensation Discussion and
Analysis, we seek to closely align the interests of our named executive officers with the
interests of our stockholders through our executive compensation program. At the core of our
executive compensation program is our pay-for-performance philosophy that links executive
compensation levels and opportunities to the achievement of our overall strategy and business
goals. Under our executive compensation program, our named executive officers are rewarded for
the achievement of both specific corporate financial goals and individual performance goals that
we believe drive the creation of stockholder value.
Our executive compensation program is designed by our Compensation Committee, with the
assistance of its independent compensation consultant, to provide incentives for, reward, retain
and, in the case of new hires, attract highly driven and successful executive officers who are
critical for us to achieve our short-term and long-term strategic and operational business and
financial goals and to enhance shareholder value, while at the same time avoiding the
encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. The Compensation Committee regularly
reviews the compensation program for our named executive officers to ensure that it achieves the
desired goals of incentivizing performance and aligning our executive compensation structure
with our stockholders interests. We believe that our executive compensation program is strongly
aligned with the interests of our stockholders and sound corporate governance principles and
supports our pay-for-performance philosophy on a risk-appropriate and balanced basis, which is
evidenced by the following:
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|
|
Our executive compensation program is comprised of a variety of elements,
including base salary, annual cash bonuses and equity awards, intended to both
reward and incentivize performance and increase stockholder value within a balanced
and well-adjusted risk-based framework. |
|
|
|
|
A significant portion of our total executive compensation is provided in the
form of performance-based, at-risk compensation, with significant upside
potential for strong performance, as well as downside exposure for
underperformance. |
|
|
|
|
Our annual cash bonuses for our named executive officers are performance based
and tied to the achievement of key corporate financial or individual goals, which
we believe enhance stockholder value. |
|
|
|
|
Our long-term equity incentive plan includes a mix of restricted stock and
performance shares with vesting terms that are designed to motivate retention and
performance as well as to align the interests of our named executive officers with
the interests of our stockholders. |
|
|
|
|
Our executive compensation decisions take into account the dynamic financial and
business markets in which we operate, and in connection therewith our named
executive officers waived their earned bonuses for 2009 and we have frozen the
salaries for the named executive officers in 2011. |
|
|
|
|
We have adopted an executive compensation recoupment or clawback policy that
allows us to recover incentive compensation awarded to our named executive officers
if it was based on financial results that were subsequently determined to be
inaccurate. |
|
|
|
|
We have adopted stock ownership guidelines requiring our named executive
officers, as well as our directors and other key management employees, to maintain
minimum and meaningful levels of stock ownership. |
18
|
|
|
Our named executive officers, and our directors, are prohibited from engaging in
hedging transactions or pledging our shares as collateral for loans, except in
unique and limited situations approved by our board with full knowledge. |
|
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|
|
We do not provide for any tax gross-ups as to any compensation payable to our
named executive officers. |
|
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|
All members of our Compensation Committee, and the compensation consultant
engaged by the Compensation Committee, are independent. |
|
|
|
|
We have implemented a number of risk-mitigating measures so that our executive
compensation program is structured to motivate and reward our named executive
officers for taking appropriate business risks while at the same time avoiding pay
practices that incentivize excessive risk-taking, as confirmed by our annual
compensation risk assessment conducted by the Compensation Committees independent
compensation consultant. |
We believe that our executive compensation actions are aligned with our pay-for-performance
philosophy while appropriately balancing risk and reward. Our executive team successfully
managed our company through the recent dramatic economic downturn, helping us achieve solid
financial performance in 2010 despite the challenging economic and business environment of
recent years, and we believe our executive compensation program has been instrumental in
motivating our executives to achieve this strong financial performance. Specifically, in fiscal
2010 our consolidated revenues from continuing operations grew by 14% over fiscal 2009. Our
diluted earnings per share, including discontinued operations, increased by 19% to $0.19 in 2010
as compared to $0.16 in 2009. Additionally, our gross margins reached record levels in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and our revenue backlog for sales after December 31, 2010, as
announced March 10, 2011, also reached a record level of $150 million. Moreover, during 2010 our
named executive officers made key strategic decisions that strengthened the foundation and
future prospects of our company, including enhancing our balance sheet and liquidity through the
sale of the non-core Southern Flow business for $16.5 million in net cash proceeds, extending
the term of and modifying our credit facility in light of the sale of Southern Flow, expanding
our Energy Efficiency business unit through acquisitions, and investing, through capital and
personnel, in the development of the future of all of our business units to support our future
growth, profitability and success.
We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support at the Annual Meeting for the
compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement. This proposal
is intended to provide an overall assessment of the compensation of our named executive
officers, rather than focus on any specific item of compensation. Accordingly, we are
recommending that our stockholders vote FOR the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company approve, on an advisory basis,
the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Companys
Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the
compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2010 Summary Compensation
Table and the other related tables and disclosure.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present, in person or by
proxy, at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal is required to approve the
compensation of our named executive officers. Because this proposal is advisory, the results of
the vote on this proposal will not be binding on us, our board of directors or the Compensation
Committee. However, the board and the Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing
and administering our executive compensation program, values the opinions expressed by our
stockholders and will consider the voting results on this proposal when making future decisions
regarding the compensation of our named executive officers.
Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the approval of
the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Proxy
cards signed and timely returned to us will be so voted, unless contrary instructions are
specified thereon.
19
PROPOSAL 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF
FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Background of the Proposal
The Dodd-Frank Act also provides that stockholders must be given the opportunity to vote,
on a non-binding, advisory basis, for their preference as to how frequently we should seek
future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in
accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. By
voting on this proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they prefer that we conduct future
advisory votes on executive compensation every one, two or three years. Stockholders also may,
if they wish, abstain from casting a vote on this proposal.
Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation
Our board of directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, has
determined that an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers that occurs
once every three years is the most appropriate option for us. We believe that such an advisory
vote should take place every three years primarily because our executive compensation program is
designed to drive long-term shareholder value creation. As described in the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis section, one of the core principles of our executive compensation
program is to ensure managements interests are aligned with our stockholders interests to
support long-term value creation. Accordingly, we grant stock awards with multi-year performance
and service vesting periods to encourage our named executive officers to focus on long-term
performance. Thus, a vote on executive compensation every three years would allow our executive
compensation programs to be evaluated over a corresponding long-term time-frame.
In determining to recommend that stockholders vote for a frequency of once every three
years, the board considered that an advisory vote at this frequency will provide our
stockholders with sufficient time to evaluate the effectiveness of our overall compensation
philosophy, policies and practices in the context of our long-term business results for the
corresponding period, while avoiding over-emphasis on short-term variations and potentially
one-time fluctuations in our business results or executive compensation. In this regard, because
the advisory vote on executive compensation in any given year occurs at the annual meeting after
we have already designed and implemented our executive compensation program for that year, and
because the different elements of compensation are designed to operate in a integrated manner
and to complement one another, we expect that in many cases it may not be appropriate or
feasible to fully address and respond to any one years advisory vote on executive compensation
by the time of the following years annual meeting of stockholders. Our board concluded that an
annual vote on executive compensation would not allow for changes to our executive compensation
policies and practices, including changes made in response to the outcome of a prior advisory
vote on executive compensation, to be in place long enough for stockholders to meaningfully
evaluate them.
An advisory vote occurring once every three years will provide our Compensation Committee
and our board sufficient time to thoughtfully evaluate the results of the most recent advisory
vote on executive compensation, to discuss the implications of the vote with our stockholders
and to develop and implement any changes to our executive compensation program that may be
appropriate in light of the vote. A triennial advisory vote will also provide our stockholders
with time to observe and evaluate the impact of any changes to our executive compensation
policies and practices which have occurred since the last advisory vote on executive
compensation, including changes made in response to the outcome of a prior advisory vote on
executive compensation, and to better judge our executive compensation program in relation to
our long-term performance.
In addition, we have in the past and we will in the future continue to be engaged with our
stockholders on a number of topics, including regarding our executive compensation program,
during the period between advisory votes on executive compensation. Thus, we view the advisory
vote on executive compensation as an additional, but not exclusive, opportunity for our
stockholders to communicate with us regarding their views on our executive compensation program.
20
This vote is advisory and not binding on us, our board of directors or our Compensation
Committee in any way. However, our board of directors recognizes that our stockholders may have
different views as to the best approach for us, and therefore we look forward to hearing from
our stockholders as to their preferences on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive
compensation. Accordingly, our board of directors and the Compensation Committee will
take into account the outcome of the vote when considering the frequency of future advisory
votes on executive compensation and currently expect to be guided by, and to implement, the
frequency option that receives the most votes by stockholders on this proposal in determining
the frequency of future say-on-pay votes. However, the board and the Compensation Committee may
decide that it is in the best interests of our company and our stockholders to hold an advisory
vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the frequency option receiving the
most votes cast by our stockholders.
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will have the opportunity to choose among four options
on this proposal: holding the advisory vote every year, every two years or every three years, or
abstaining from the vote. Therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove
the recommendation of the board.
Stockholders may cast a vote on their preferred voting frequency by selecting the option of
one year, two years, or three years, or by abstaining from voting, when they vote at the Annual
Meeting on the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders determine, on an advisory basis, whether
the preferred frequency of an advisory vote on the executive compensation of the
Companys named executive officers, as set forth in the Companys proxy
statement, should be every year, every two years, or every three years.
Vote Required
Stockholders are not being asked to approve or disapprove of the boards recommendation,
but rather to indicate their choice among the frequency options. The voting frequency option of
one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by
stockholders will be deemed to be the frequency option for future advisory stockholder votes on
executive compensation that has been selected by our stockholders, even if it receives less than
a majority of all votes cast on this proposal.
Because this proposal is advisory, the results of the vote on this proposal will not be
binding on us, our board of directors or the Compensation Committee. However, our board of
directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinion of our stockholders and thus will
carefully consider and currently expect to be guided by, and to implement, the frequency option
that receives the most votes in determining the frequency of future advisory stockholder votes
on executive compensation, although they may decide that it is in the best interests of our
company and our stockholders to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less
frequently than the frequency option selected by our stockholders.
Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote for the frequency
option of once every THREE YEARS as the frequency for future advisory shareholder votes on
executive compensation. Proxy cards signed and timely returned to us will be so voted, unless
contrary instructions are specified thereon.
21
PROPOSAL 4
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Proposal
The Audit Committee of the board of directors has appointed Hein & Associates LLP to serve
as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2011. Hein has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2004. In
addition, Hein provides us with certain audit-related and tax services as described below.
Stockholder ratification of the appointment of Hein as our independent registered public
accounting firm is not required by our by-laws or by any other applicable legal requirement.
However, we are submitting the appointment of Hein to the stockholders for ratification as a
matter of good corporate governance. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Hein,
then the Audit Committee may reconsider the appointment of Hein, although it may still determine
to retain its appointment. Even if the appointment of Hein is ratified by the stockholders, the
Audit Committee may, in its discretion, appoint a different independent registered public
accounting firm for fiscal 2011 at any time after the Annual Meeting if it determines that such
a change would be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders.
We expect that one or more representatives of Hein will be present telephonically at the
Annual Meeting, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions and have the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered to us by Hein for fiscal 2010
and fiscal 2009 were as follows:
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Fees |
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2010 |
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|
2009 |
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
357,807 |
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$ |
359,301 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
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|
44,125 |
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44,807 |
|
Tax Fees (3) |
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12,825 |
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14,665 |
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All Other Fees |
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0 |
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|
0 |
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Total |
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$ |
414,757 |
|
|
$ |
418,773 |
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(1) |
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Audit Fees represents fees for professional services rendered for the audit
of our consolidated annual financial statements, the audit of our internal control
over financial reporting, and the review of our consolidated interim financial
statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. |
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(2) |
|
Audit-Related Fees represents fees for professional services rendered for the
audit of our 401(k) plan, the audit of our PowerSecure subsidiary on a stand-alone
basis, and the audit of Marcum Midstream 1995-2 Business Trust, an unconsolidated
affiliate. |
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(3) |
|
Tax Fees represents fees for professional services rendered by Hein for tax
compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of non-audit services by Hein in
fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 was compatible with maintaining their independence.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve
all audit and non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting
firm. The Audit Committee may delegate this pre-approval authority to one or more of its
members. Any such members must report any decisions to the Audit Committee at the next scheduled
meeting. In accordance with this pre-approval policy, all professional services provided by
Hein as our independent registered public accounting firm during fiscal 2010 were pre-approved
by the Audit Committee.
22
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present, in person or by
proxy, at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal is required to ratify the
appointment by the Audit Committee of Hein as our independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011.
Recommendation
The Audit Committee and our board of directors unanimously recommend that stockholders vote
FOR the ratification of the appointment of Hein as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. Proxy cards signed and timely
returned to us will be so voted, unless contrary instructions are specified thereon.
23
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table contains information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common
stock as of April 18, 2011 (except as otherwise noted) by:
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each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of our common stock; |
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each of our directors and nominees for director; |
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each of our named executive officers (as defined on page 26); and |
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all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. |
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below
is c/o PowerSecure International, Inc., 1609 Heritage Commerce Court, Wake Forest, North
Carolina 27587. The information provided in the table below is based on our records, information
filed with the SEC and information provided to us.
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Shares Beneficially Owned (1) |
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
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Number |
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Percent (2) |
|
|
Gruber & McBaine Capital Management, LLC (3)
50 Osgood Place, Penthouse
San Francisco, CA 94133 |
|
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1,869,400 |
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9.9 |
|
BlackRock, Inc. (4)
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022 |
|
|
1,124,479 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (5)
Palisades West, Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746 |
|
|
1,043,646 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
Sidney Hinton (6) |
|
|
855,346 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
Christopher T. Hutter (7) |
|
|
28,223 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen (8) |
|
|
115,798 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Anthony D. Pell (9) |
|
|
207,519 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
Kevin P. Collins (10) |
|
|
65,131 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John A. (Andy) Miller (11) |
|
|
16,310 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Thomas J. Madden III |
|
|
27,094 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All current directors and executive officers
as a group (7 persons)(12) |
|
|
1,315,421 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
For purposes of this table, we have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although such information does not
necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules,
beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the beneficial owner has sole or
shared voting power or investment power and any shares that the beneficial owner has
the right to acquire within 60 days of April 18, 2011 through the exercise of any stock
option or other right. In addition, such shares that the beneficial owner has the right
to acquire are deemed to be outstanding in calculating the percent beneficially owned
by such beneficial owner, but are not deemed to be outstanding in determining the
percent beneficially owned by any other beneficial owner. Unless otherwise indicated in
these notes, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that each beneficial
owner has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially
owned, subject to community property laws where applicable. |
24
|
|
|
(2) |
|
The percentage ownership is based upon 18,832,544 shares of common stock outstanding as
of April 18, 2011. |
|
(3) |
|
Information based upon Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 24, 2011 by Gruber &
McBaine Capital Management, LLC (GMCM), Jon D. Gruber, J. Patterson McBaine, Eric B.
Swergold and Lagunitas Partners, indicating beneficial ownership as of December 31,
2010. Messrs. Gruber and McBaine are the managers, controlling persons and portfolio
managers of GMCM. Lagunitas Partners is an investment limited partnership of which GMCM
is the general partner. GMCM and Messrs. Gruber, McBaine and Swergold constitute a
group within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b) under the Exchange Act. GMCM is a registered
investment adviser whose clients have the right to receive or the power to direct the
receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, these shares. GMCM has
shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,307,138 shares. Mr. Gruber has
sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 283,060 shares and shared voting and
dispositive power with respect to 1,307,138 shares. Mr. McBaine has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to 279,202 shares and shared voting and dispositive
power with respect to 1,307,138 shares. Mr. Swergold has shared voting and dispositive
power with respect to 1,307,138 shares. Lagunitas Partners has shared voting and
dispositive power with respect to 1,034,215 shares. Lagunitas Partners is not a member
of any group and disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities with respect to which
its ownership is reposited. |
|
(4) |
|
Information based upon Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 8, 2011 by
BlackRock, Inc., a parent holding company, indicating beneficial ownership as of
December 31, 2010, and includes shares owned by various subsidiaries of BlackRock, Inc. |
|
(5) |
|
Information based upon Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February
11, 2011 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP indicating beneficial ownership as of December
31, 2010. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP has sole voting and dispositive power with
respect to 1,026,777 shares and shared voting and dispositive power with respect to
1,043,646 shares. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is a registered investment adviser that
furnishes investment advice to four registered investment companies, and serves as
investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (such
investment companies, trusts and accounts, collectively referred to as the Funds). In
certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP may act as an adviser or
sub-adviser to certain Funds. In its role as investment adviser, sub-adviser and/or
manager, neither Dimensional Fund Advisors LP nor its subsidiaries (collectively,
Dimensional) possess voting and/or investment power over the securities that are
owned by the Funds, and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares held by
the Funds. However, all securities reported in this schedule are owned by the Funds.
Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 175,000 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Hinton upon the exercise of
currently exercisable stock options. Includes 20,000 shares pledged as collateral to
secure a commercial loan the proceeds of which were used to finance the exercise of
stock options. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 5,000 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Hutter upon the exercise of
currently exercisable stock options. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 38,000 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Zuiderveen upon the exercise of
currently exercisable stock options. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 3,237 shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Pells wife and 10,100
shares held in an account of Mr. Pells daughter that is managed by Mr. Pell. Also
includes 17,500 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Pell upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options. Includes 39,962 shares pledged as collateral under a
personal margin account of which these shares constitute only a portion of the
collateral. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 28,611 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Collins upon the exercise of
currently exercisable stock options. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 15,000 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Miller upon the exercise of
currently exercisable stock options. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes 279,111 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 18, 2011
by our current directors and executive officers. See notes (6) through (11). |
25
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Executive Summary
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement addresses the
executive compensation program for our named executive officers: Sidney Hinton, our President
and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher T. Hutter, our Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, and Gary J. Zuiderveen, our Vice President of Financial Reporting, Controller
and Principal Accounting Officer. In this Executive Compensation section, when we refer to our
executives, our officers or our executive officers we mean these named executive officers,
unless the context otherwise provides or requires.
Our executive compensation program is designed to provide incentives for, reward, retain
and, in the case of new hires, attract highly driven and successful executive officers who are
critical for us to achieve our short-term and long-term strategic and operational business and
financial goals and to enhance shareholder value, while at the same time avoiding the
encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. We seek to closely align the interests of
our named executive officers with the interests of our stockholders through our executive
compensation program, which has been designed by our Compensation Committee with the assistance
of its independent compensation consultant. At the core of our executive compensation program is
our pay-for-performance philosophy that links compensation levels to achievement of our
overall strategy and business goals. We believe that our compensation program is strongly
aligned with the interests of our stockholders and sound corporate governance principles and
drives performance on a risk appropriate basis.
Under our executive compensation program, our named executive officers are rewarded for the
achievement of both specific corporate financial and strategic goals as well as individual
performance goals that are designed and intended to drive the creation of stockholder value. The
Compensation Committee regularly reviews the compensation program for our named executive
officers to ensure that our executives achieve the desired goals of incentivizing performance
and aligning our executive compensation structure with our stockholders interests. This
includes establishing performance targets and individual performance goals based on our
strategic and operating plans.
Highlights of our executive compensation program include:
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|
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Our executive compensation program is comprised of a variety of elements,
including base salary, annual cash bonuses and equity awards, intended to both
reward and incentivize performance and increase stockholder value within a balanced
and well-adjusted risk-based framework. |
|
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|
A significant portion of our total executive compensation is provided in the
form of performance-based, at-risk compensation, with significant upside
potential for strong performance, as well as downside exposure for
underperformance. |
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Our annual cash performance-based bonuses for our Chief Executive Officer and
our Chief Financial Officer are primarily based on the achievement of key corporate
financial goals, our consolidated pre-tax earnings per share and our consolidated
revenues, which are performance-based and we believe likely to enhance stockholder
value. |
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Our long-term equity incentive plan includes a mix of restricted stock and
performance shares with vesting terms that are designed to motivate retention and
performance as well as to align the interests of our named executive officers with
the interests of our stockholders. |
|
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|
We link our compensation practices to the financial and business markets and
outlook, and in connection therewith our named executive officers waived their
earned bonuses for 2009 and we have frozen the salaries for the named executive
officers in 2011. |
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Cash bonuses to our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer for
2010 reflect our solid performance during fiscal 2010 and were in amounts directly
corresponding to our level of performance. |
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We have adopted an executive compensation recoupment or clawback policy that
allows us to recover incentive compensation awarded to our executive officers if it
was based on financial results that were subsequently determined to be inaccurate. |
26
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We have adopted stock ownership guidelines requiring our executive officers, as
well as our directors and other key management employees, to maintain minimum and
meaningful levels of stock ownership. |
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Our executive officers, and our directors, are prohibited from engaging in
hedging transactions or pledging our securities as collateral for loans, except in
unique and limited situations approved by our board with full knowledge. |
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We do not provide for any tax gross-ups as to any compensation payable to our
executive officers. |
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|
All members of our Compensation Committee, and the compensation consultant
engaged by the Compensation Committee, are independent. |
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|
We have implemented a number of risk-averse measures so that our executive
compensation program is structured to motivate and reward our executive officers
for taking appropriate business risks while at the same time avoiding pay practices
that incentivize excessive risk-taking, as confirmed by our annual compensation
risk assessment conducted by the Compensation Committees independent compensation
consultant. |
We believe that our executive compensation actions for 2010 aligned with our
pay-for-performance philosophy and also aligns the interest of our named executive officers with
the long-term interests of our stockholders while appropriately balancing risk and reward. Our
executive team successfully managed our company through the recent dramatic economic downturn,
helping us achieve solid financial performance in 2010 despite the challenging economic and
business environment of recent years, and we believe our executive compensation program has been
instrumental in helping us achieve this strong financial performance. Specifically, in fiscal
2010 our consolidated revenues from continuing operations grew by 14% over fiscal 2009. Our
diluted earnings per share, including discontinued operations, increased by 19% to $0.19 in 2010
as compared to $0.16 in 2009. Additionally, our gross margins reached record levels in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and our revenue backlog for sales after December 31, 2010, as
announced March 10, 2011, also reached a record level of $150 million. Moreover, during 2010 our
named executive officers made key strategic decisions that strengthened the foundation and
future prospects of our company, including enhancing our balance sheet and liquidity through the
sale of the non-core Southern Flow business for $16.5 million in net cash proceeds, extending
the term of and modifying our credit facility in light of the sale of Southern Flow, expanding
our Energy Efficiency business unit through acquisitions, and investing, through capital and
personnel, in the development of the future of all of our business units to support our future
growth, profitability and success.
Overview of Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of our board of directors is responsible for establishing and
administering the compensation program and policies for our executive officers as well as
developing and monitoring our compensation program and philosophy for our employees generally.
The Compensation Committee approves all compensation paid to our executive officers, establishes
our compensation policies for our executive officers, reviews and approves our general
compensation policies for our non-executive employees and also oversees the administration of
our stock plan under which grants of stock options and restricted stock may be made to our
executive officers and employees.
During 2010, the members of the Compensation Committee were John A. (Andy) Miller
(Chairman), Anthony D. Pell, Kevin P. Collins and Thomas J. Madden III. The board of directors
has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under our Standards
of Director Independence and under the current listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market.
Objectives and Philosophy of Executive Compensation Program
Our executive compensation program is designed to allow us to attract, retain, motivate and
reward highly qualified and industrious executives and to enhance stockholder value driven by a
pay-for-performance philosophy within a risk-balanced program. We have developed an effective
compensation program that entices outstanding talent to join our company, encourages
professional growth in our officers and employees, motivates and rewards outstanding individual
and corporate performance and creates a path towards corporate excellence. Our executive
compensation program is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
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to attract and retain highly talented and productive executive officers; |
27
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|
to provide incentives and rewards for our executive officers to be strong leaders
and managers, to perform at a superior level and to achieve important financial and
strategic goals; |
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|
to align the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our
stockholders; and |
|
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|
|
to develop a strong pay-for-performance culture on a risk appropriate basis. |
To achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee has designed an executive
compensation program that consists of four basic components:
|
|
|
base salary; |
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|
|
short-term incentive compensation in the form of annual cash bonuses; |
|
|
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|
long-term incentive compensation in the form of stock options, restricted stock
and performance-based restricted stock; and |
|
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|
perquisites and general benefit programs. |
Our compensation program is designed to be performance-driven, which we believe is in the
best interests of our stockholders. We seek to design our compensation program with a goal of
maximizing corporate performance and enhancing stockholder value.
Compensation Committee Processes and Procedures
Overview of Processes and Procedures
The Compensation Committee is responsible for the review and approval of all aspects of the
Companys executive compensation program and makes all decisions regarding the compensation of
the Companys named executive officers. In fulfilling its duties and responsibilities, as
discussed below, the Compensation Committee seeks the input and recommendations of our Chief
Executive Officer and of the Compensation Committees independent compensation consultant with
respect to both overall compensation practices and guidelines and specific compensation
decisions. Annually, the Compensation Committee reviews the base salaries, establishes the
annual bonus and incentive compensation plans, goals and arrangements and evaluates the
long-term incentives and overall compensation levels of our named executive officers. The
Compensation Committee generally makes these critical annual compensation decisions during March
and April of each year, when the Compensation Committee has available the results of the prior
years annual consolidated financial results.
During its annual review of the named executive officers, the Compensation Committee
considers the value of the overall role and contribution of each named executive officer,
including the impact that the named executive officer has had on the achievement of our
corporate performance and on our strategic, financial and operating goals. In making
compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee also analyzes tally sheets for each of the
executive officers that show the dollar amount of each component of the executive officers
compensation. The Compensation Committee also considers the recommendations of our Chief
Executive Officer, the advice of its independent compensation consultant and, from time to time,
general industry survey data of executive compensation practices at other companies. While the
Compensation Committee gives significant weight to the recommendations of our Chief Executive
Officer and of its compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee is responsible for making
the final decision on executive compensation matters and exercises its discretion and authority
in approving, modifying or rejecting these recommendations. After considering these
recommendations and making its own evaluation, the Compensation Committee establishes the base
salary, annual bonus and incentive programs and targets and long-term compensation for the named
executive officers.
In general, the Compensation Committees compensation process involves a combination of
establishing proper metrics for certain compensation elements, such as the annual incentive
compensation plan and performance-based stock awards, with other compensation elements being
subjective and based primarily on the judgment of the members of the Compensation Committee. In
making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee considers such factors as it deems
relevant, appropriate, reasonable and in the best interests of the stockholders, including
individual performance, corporate performance, the recommendations of our Chief Executive
Officer, the advice of its independent compensation consultant, and the knowledge and experience
of the members of the Compensation Committee. Subject to exceptions from time to time as it
deems appropriate, the Compensation Committee does not specifically utilize peer company
comparisons to establish executive compensation levels, although it may consider general
industry
28
pay
survey data in assessing the reasonableness of compensation and ensuring that compensation levels at our
company remain competitive. The Compensation Committee believes that, due to the
diversification, market niches and size of our company, it is difficult to establish a
meaningful peer group or to make meaningful comparisons with other companies. Accordingly, the
Compensation Committee believes that its members, with the assistance and recommendations of our
Chief Executive Officer and the advice of its independent compensation consultant, are generally
best situated to make compensation decisions.
The Compensation Committee does not generally delegate any of its authority to other
persons, although it has the power to delegate authority to subcommittees. The Compensation
Committee has authority under its charter to retain, approve fees for and terminate independent
experts, consultants and advisors as it deems necessary to assist in the fulfillment of its
responsibilities.
Role of Our Executive Officers
The Compensation Committee considers, and factors into its decision-making process,
recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer regarding the compensation of other executives.
Our Chief Executive Officer typically provides the Compensation Committee with his annual
recommendations for each executive officers compensation, either directly through recommended
salary adjustments, bonuses earned and equity awards or indirectly through performance
evaluations. Our Chief Executive Officer often makes these recommendations to the Chairman of
the Compensation Committee without participating in meetings of the Compensation Committee.
Although from time to time our Chief Executive Officer is invited to and participates in
meetings discussing the compensation of other executive officers, he is not present for any
portions of meetings when his compensation is being determined. No other executive officer was
actively involved in the evaluation, design or administration of our executive compensation
program, other than providing information from time to time requested by the Compensation
Committee.
Role of Independent Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee has engaged and regularly consults with Frederic W. Cook & Co.,
its independent compensation consultant, in performing its duties and considers its advice and
recommendations before taking actions and making decisions on executive compensation. Since
2007, the Compensation Committee has utilized Cook to assist it with establishing our executive
compensation program and setting the elements of the compensation of executive officers,
including base salaries, bonus and incentive compensation plans and arrangements and equity
granting practices. The Compensation Committee typically invites Cook to attend meetings where
compensation actions are to be discussed and Cooks advice and analysis is expected to be
sought. Cook provides the Compensation Committee with advice and recommendations on executive
compensation as appropriate and as requested by the Compensation Committee. Cook from time to
time communicates with the Compensation Committees Chairman outside of Committee meetings. Cook
has not provided any services to, or received any fees from, our company or management other
than for compensation consulting services rendered to the Compensation Committee. In addition,
Cook was selected by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee and not to management.
Accordingly, the Compensation Committee believes that Cook is able to provide it with
independent advice and consultation services.
Components of Executive Compensation
General Executive Compensation Performance Factors
The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation and incentives of each named
executive officer should be significantly influenced by a combination of the named executive
officers individual contribution and performance and of our corporate performance and the
executives contribution to that performance. Prior to 2010, the Compensation Committee had
generally used a subjective approach to determining payouts under our incentive plans for our
named executive officers with certain incentives being formulaic, such as the annual bonus for
our Chief Executive Officer and the vesting conditions for the performance-based restricted
stock awarded to our named executive officers. With the adoption of our executive incentive
compensation plan in 2010, the Compensation Committee has tied the majority of the annual cash
bonus payouts for our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer to the achievement
of key corporate financial goals that are objective, that are linked to our annual business plan
and strategy and that the Compensation Committee believes are key components in increasing
stockholder value. We continue to have discretionary components in certain portions of our
executive compensation program, as to which the Compensation Committee considers certain
specific qualitative factors of individual performance and contribution to corporate
performance, as well as our financial and operating performance taking into account the
overall economic and operating environment in which we conduct our business.
29
For Mr. Hinton, our Chief Executive Officer, the key specific qualitative factors
considered by the Compensation Committee in evaluating his individual performance and
contribution to corporate performance were his leadership skills, his ability to successfully
execute the companys business plan and achieve the desired results, his ability to establish
efficient and effective policies and procedures to govern the companys operations, his ability
to establish and comply with sound corporate governance practices, his ability to identify and
evaluate business risks and his ability to communicate effectively with stockholders.
For Mr. Hutter, our Chief Financial Officer, the key specific qualitative factors
considered by the Compensation Committee in evaluating his individual performance and
contribution to corporate performance were his performance with respect to investor
communications and messaging, compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, GAAP and the rules and
regulations of the SEC, planning analytics, treasury management and capital structure planning
and execution, M&A analytics and execution, his contributions to our business plan and strategic
direction, and relationships with employees, the leadership team, banks, investors and our
board.
For Mr. Zuiderveen, our Principal Accounting Officer, the key specific qualitative factors
considered by the Compensation Committee in evaluating his individual performance and
contribution to corporate performance were his performance with respect to the timely filing of
all financial reports, ensuring financial statements were in compliance with GAAP, understanding
of new accounting pronouncements, maintaining accurate accounting records, supporting our Chief
Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer in financial disclosure and business planning,
timely and accurate financial reporting to the board, coordination with our external auditors,
coordination with our internal controls consultants, relationships with subsidiary accounting
teams, and the support of subsidiary controllers in matters of taxes, accounting policies and
procedures, internal controls and financial reporting matters.
The principal factors that our Compensation Committee considered with respect to each
element of our named executive officers compensation packages are summarized below. Our
Compensation Committee may, however, in its discretion apply entirely different factors with
respect to the various elements of executive compensation in future years.
Pay Mix
For 2010, base salary accounted for approximately 56.5% of the total compensation of the
named executive officers and annual bonuses and incentive awards accounted for the remaining
approximately 43.5% of the total compensation of the named executive officers. In 2010, no stock
awards were made to the named executive officers, in light of the large grants of restricted
stock, including service shares and performance shares, made to all the named executive officers
in 2007 with vesting terms through 2012, and in light of the grants of stock options made to
Messrs. Hutter and Zuiderveen in 2008 with vesting terms through 2013. Accordingly, the pay mix
in 2010, as computed in accordance with the Summary Compensation Table, was skewed entirely
towards cash compensation. The pay mix in 2011 is likely to continue to be predominantly
cash-based because these prior stock awards limit the need for additional equity grants to be
made to the named executive officers in the near future.
Base Salary
Generally. We establish base salaries for our named executive officers in amounts that are
intended to provide them with sufficient, regularly-paid income to compensate them for their
services rendered to us during the fiscal year. Since it is the most stable component or our
executive compensation program and not at risk, the base salary is intended to provide financial
stability to executives in order to attract and retain qualified and experienced individuals.
Base salaries are also sometimes used in measuring other compensatory opportunities, such as
bonuses and incentive compensation arrangements, which can be set at a percentage of base
salary, and severance arrangements, which for the named executive officers is based in part upon
a multiple of base salary.
The base salary for each named executive officer is reviewed annually and may be adjusted
in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The base salary for each of our named executive
officers is subjectively determined primarily on the basis of the following factors: experience,
personal performance, contribution to our corporate performance, level of responsibility, duties
and functions, breadth of knowledge, salary levels in effect for comparable positions within and
without our industry, internal base salary comparability considerations, general changes in
executive compensation, and our financial performance generally. The relative weight given to
each of these factors
differs from individual to
individual, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. In addition, the Compensation
Committee considers the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer for other executive
officers, the advice of its independent consultant, and benchmark salary data for comparable
executives in similarly sized companies. The benchmark salary data reviewed in 2009 and 2010
were compiled by Cook from major third-party general industry pay surveys and reflected salary
levels for executives at companies with annual revenues less than $500 million. The Compensation
Committee did not use any peer review comparisons in 2010.
30
For 2010. In December 2009, in connection with the amendment of Mr. Hintons employment
agreement to change his bonus formula and to eliminate previous severance arrangements under
certain events of termination, the Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr. Hintons
base salary for 2010, reflecting the outstanding performance of Mr. Hinton as our Chief
Executive Officer, especially in leading us through the economic turmoil that adversely affected
our markets and our customers during 2009. This was the first increase in Mr. Hintons base
salary since his compensation as our Chief Executive Officer was established in 2007. In March
2010, the Compensation Committee approved increases in the base salaries of Messrs. Hutter and
Zuiderveen for fiscal 2010, reflecting their contributions to our outstanding corporate
performance in the face of strong adverse economic and business conditions in 2009. The
Compensation Committee concluded that these base salary adjustments were fair, reasonable and
appropriate and supported our compensation objectives.
For 2011. In March 2011, the Compensation Committee decided not to adjust, but rather to
freeze at 2010 levels, the base salaries of our named executive officers for 2011, in light of
our general efforts to control costs and overhead and to focus management on the incentives
provided through our pay-for-performance bonus plans.
The following table shows the levels of the base salaries of the named executive officers
approved by the Compensation Committee since 2009:
|
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|
Base Salary |
|
Name |
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2011 |
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
$ |
485,000 |
|
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
312,000 |
|
|
|
312,000 |
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen |
|
|
205,000 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
Annual Cash Bonuses and Incentives
Generally. We typically grant bonuses to our named executive officers after the end of
each year for their services and performance over the prior year. These bonuses are payable in
cash and earned based on financial and individual performance objectives that are determined at
the beginning of the fiscal year and assessed by the Compensation Committee after the end of the
year. These bonuses are intended to provide incentives to our named executive officers on an
annual basis to deliver performance that supports our business and strategic goals and enhances
our financial results.
Executive Incentive Plan. In April 2010, upon the recommendation of the Compensation
Committee, our board adopted our 2010 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. The executive
incentive plan is a cash incentive program designed to motivate participants to perform to the
best of their abilities and achieve our financial and other performance objectives, with the
goal of enhancing stockholder value. The executive incentive plan was adopted in conjunction
with, and as a result of, the amendment and restatement of Mr. Hintons employment agreement on
December 17, 2009. The amended agreement eliminated Mr. Hintons prior annual bonus arrangement,
which was formulaic and based on the adjusted cash flow from operations of our PowerSecure
subsidiary, and was replaced by the boards commitment to institute an annual incentive plan
based on such factors, metrics and terms as the Compensation Committee establishes each year,
based on the circumstances and goals at the time, with an annual bonus target opportunity equal
to Mr. Hintons annual base salary at the time.
Under the executive incentive plan, the Compensation Committee selects the executives and
other key employees of the Company who will be participants in the plan and eligible to earn
awards under the plan. At the beginning of each performance period, which generally will consist
of one fiscal year, the Compensation Committee will establish the performance goals for each
participant, the weighting of those performance goals and the awards payable to each participant
based on the achievement of those performance goals. The participants award opportunity will
typically be expressed as a percentage of base salary earned during the applicable performance
period. Participants will be eligible to receive an award under the plan only if and to the
extent performance goals predetermined by the Compensation
Committee are achieved. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to reduce or
eliminate any award under the executive incentive plan.
31
The performance goals may be based on corporate financial measures (including, but not
limited to, revenues, operating income, pre-tax income, net income, gross profit, costs, cash
position, cash flow, free cash flow, operating cash flow, EBITDA, any of the preceding measures
as a percent of sales, earnings per share (before or after taxes), return on assets, return on
equity, return on investment, return on sales, total stockholder return and change in stock
price), other company and business unit financial objectives, operational efficiency measures,
individual performance and other objectives tied to our success or such other criteria,
qualitative or quantitative, as the Compensation Committee determines in its discretion and
judgment. Performance goals and the weighting thereof may differ from participant to
participant, from performance period to performance period and from award to award.
The Compensation Committee administers the executive incentive plan. Subject to the terms
of the plan, the Compensation Committee has all discretion and authority necessary or
appropriate to control and manage the operation and administration of the plan. The Compensation
Committee or the board generally may amend or terminate the plan at any time and for any reason.
In 2011, the Compensation Committee adopted a policy that provides the Compensation Committee
with the discretion to review the impact of any acquisitions or dispositions with respect to our
executive compensation program, as well as any other items of non-routine, non-recurring nature,
and to exclude the impact of such items from the performance calculations under annual
compensation program, such as under the incentive compensation plan.
2010 Incentive Plan Awards to Messrs. Hinton and Hutter. The Compensation Committee
determined that the participants in the executive incentive plan for 2010 (the 2010 incentive
plan) were Sidney Hinton and Christopher T. Hutter, the Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, and selected our consolidated pre-tax earnings per share
excluding the impact of the acquisition during 2010 of our Innovative Electronic Solutions
Lighting, LLC (IES) business (pre-tax EPS), our consolidated revenues excluding IES, and the
individual performance of Messrs. Hinton and Hutter as the components constituting the
performance goals. The Compensation Committee concluded that pre-tax EPS and revenues were key
indicators of our performance and were the financial metrics most closely followed by our
investors and by potential investors, and thus were the financial metrics most likely to drive
an increase in stockholder value. The Compensation Committee also concluded that a portion of
the bonus opportunities to Messrs. Hinton and Hutter should be tied to individual performance to
emphasize the need for strong leadership in establishing the foundation for the future growth of
our evolving company and to mitigate potential risks that could emerge from excessive focus on
short-term financial results.
The Compensation Committee established threshold, target and maximum performance levels for
the pre-tax EPS and consolidated revenues goals that, when combined with the incentive
opportunity for individual performance, created the following potential cash awards payable,
expressed as a percentage of base salary, under the 2010 incentive plan for Messrs. Hinton and
Hutter upon the achievement of the following performance levels:
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Potential 2010 Incentive Plan Payouts |
|
|
|
As a Percentage of Base Salary |
|
Name |
|
Threshold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Maximum |
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
200 |
% |
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
75 |
% |
After reviewing our business plan and strategy and internally projected financial results
and goals, and also after consideration of investor expectations, the Compensation Committee
established the following threshold, target and maximum performance levels for the pre-tax EPS
and revenues goals and the following weighting for each performance goal under the 2010
incentive plan:
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|
2010 Incentive Plan Performance Levels |
|
|
|
|
Performance Goal |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Weighting |
Pre-Tax EPS |
|
|
$0.20 |
|
|
|
$0.30 |
|
|
|
$0.45 |
|
|
|
50 |
% |
Revenues |
|
$102 Million |
|
$121 Million |
|
$140 Million |
|
|
25 |
% |
Individual Performance |
|
Discretionary |
|
Discretionary |
|
Discretionary |
|
|
25 |
% |
32
The Compensation Committee, in establishing these goals, believed that achievement of these
performance levels would drive solid growth and performance in 2010. The Compensation Committee
believed that the target levels represented achievable financial results with stretch
performance and that the maximum levels would require very high levels of performance believed
to be possible but with a low probability of being achieved. For fiscal 2010, our pre-tax EPS,
excluding the financial results of IES, was $0.26 and our consolidated revenues, including the
revenues of our discontinued Southern Flow business but excluding the revenues of IES, were
$114.8 million, each of which exceeded the applicable threshold level but was less than the
applicable target level. As provided in the executive incentive plan, the bonus payout amounts
were established by interpolation on a straight-line basis.
In its discretionary subjective assessment of the officers individual performance in 2010,
the Compensation Committee concluded that the individual performance of each of Messrs. Hinton
and Hutter exceeded his respective target level but was less than the maximum level. The key
specific qualitative factors considered by the Compensation Committee in evaluating their
individual performances are discussed above under Compensation Discussion and
AnalysisComponents of Executive CompensationGeneral Executive Compensation Performance
Factors. The Compensation Committee also takes into account the overall economic and operating
environment in which we conduct our business when considering these factors. However, the
Compensation Committee made this subjective evaluation of individual performance without using
specific targets, weightings or formulas in making its determination of the level of the
individual performance of Messrs. Hinton and Hutter.
After reviewing our financial performance and results for fiscal 2010 and evaluating the
individual performances of Messrs. Hinton and Hutter, the Compensation Committee approved the
following cash payouts under the 2010 incentive plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual 2010 Incentive Plan Payouts |
|
|
Total Payout |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual |
|
|
Total |
|
|
as a Percentage of |
|
Name |
|
Pre-Tax EPS |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Performance |
|
|
Payout |
|
|
Base Salary |
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
$ |
226,000 |
|
|
$ |
115,000 |
|
|
$ |
206,500 |
|
|
$ |
547,500 |
|
|
|
99.5 |
% |
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
147,000 |
|
|
|
47.1 |
% |
2010 Discretionary Bonus Award to Mr. Zuiderveen. For 2010, the Compensation Committee
established a target bonus for Mr. Zuiderveen, outside of the 2010 incentive plan, equal to 35%
of his base salary, to be awarded on the basis of the Compensation Committees discretionary,
qualitative judgment of Mr. Zuiderveens individual performance and contribution to corporate
performance in 2010, taking into account our overall performance in 2010. The Compensation
Committee awarded Mr. Zuiderveen a bonus of $45,000 for 2010, based on his excellent performance
and in light of our overall corporate performance. The key specific qualitative factors
considered by the Compensation Committee in evaluating Mr. Zuiderveens individual performance
and contribution to corporate performance are discussed above under Compensation Discussion
and AnalysisComponents of Executive CompensationGeneral Executive Compensation Performance
Factors. However, the Compensation Committee made this subjective evaluation of individual
performance without using specific targets, weightings or formulas in making its determination
of the level of individual performance of Mr. Zuiderveen.
2011 Annual Incentive Arrangements. In April 2011, the Compensation Committee determined
that the participants in the executive incentive plan for 2011 (the 2011 incentive plan) will
again be Messrs. Hinton and Hutter, and has again selected our consolidated pre-tax EPS, our
consolidated revenues, and the individual performance of Messrs. Hinton and Hutter as the
performance goals. Pre-tax EPS will be computed excluding the financial impact of the gain on
the sale of Southern Flow in January 2011 and of certain other non-recurring and non-operating
items.
The Compensation Committee also established threshold, target and maximum performance
levels for the pre-tax EPS and consolidated revenues goals that, when combined with the
incentive opportunity for individual performance, create the following potential cash awards
payable, expressed as a percentage of base salary, under the 2011 incentive plan for Messrs.
Hinton and Hutter upon the achievement of the following performance levels:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential 2011 Incentive Plan Payouts |
|
|
|
As a Percentage of Base Salary |
|
Name |
|
Threshold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Maximum |
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
200 |
% |
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
75 |
% |
33
In April 2011, the Compensation Committee also determined that the fiscal 2011 bonus for
Mr. Zuiderveen, which will be outside of the 2011 incentive plan, will again be awarded on the
basis of the Compensation Committees qualitative judgment of Mr. Zuiderveens individual
performance and contribution to corporate performance in 2011, taking into account our overall
performance in 2011 but without being based upon any specific quantitative financial goals,
targets or metrics. The Compensation Committee established a target bonus for Mr. Zuiderveen for
2011 of 35% of his base salary.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Background. Our long-term incentives are designed and intended to align the interests of
our named executive officers with those of our stockholders by linking the executives incentive
with the creation of stockholder value, to provide an opportunity for increased equity ownership
by our executives, and to maintain competitive levels of executive compensation, thus providing
executives with a significant incentive to manage us from the perspective of an owner with an
equity stake in our company. Because of the direct relationship between the value of restricted
stock and stock options and the market price of our common stock, we believe that the practice
of granting awards of restricted stock and stock options provides the Compensation Committee
with an excellent tool for motivating our named executive officers to manage our company in a
manner that is consistent with the interests of our stockholders. We also regard our equity
grant program as a key retention tool, and the Compensation Committee considers retention as an
important factor in setting the vesting schedule for restricted stock and stock options.
The number of shares of common stock that we award in each grant of stock options or
restricted stock is subjectively determined by the Compensation Committee primarily based on the
named executive officers anticipated contributions to our future success, the level intended to
create a meaningful opportunity for stock ownership based on the executive officers current
position with us and current stock ownership, the individuals potential for increased
responsibility and promotion and the individuals personal performance in recent periods. The
Compensation Committee also considers the number of shares of common stock and the number of
stock options already held by the named executive officer in order to maintain an appropriate
level of equity incentive for that individual. While the Compensation Committee does not adhere
to any specific guidelines as to the relative stock option holdings of our named executive
officers, it typically considers the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer and the
advice of its independent compensation consultant.
Since June 2008, our equity grants have been made under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.
Under the 2008 Stock Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to grant stock options,
restricted stock, restricted stock units and various other forms of equity awards to employees,
including our named executive officers. To date, all grants of equity awards made by the
Compensation Committee have been in the form of either stock options or restricted stock, the
vesting of which can be tied either to service time or to performance conditions established by
the Compensation Committee. Before 2007, virtually all equity grants to our executives and to
our employees were in the form of stock options that vested entirely on the basis of service
time. In 2007, the Compensation Committee made equity grants to our named executive officers in
the form of restricted stock awards with approximately equal allocations of vesting based on
service time and on performance conditions. In 2008, the Compensation Committee made equity
grants to Messrs. Hutter and Zuiderveen in the form of stock option awards. While the
Compensation Committee made no equity grants to the named executive officers in 2009 or 2010, in
2009 the Compensation Committee modified the terms of their prior restricted stock grants, as
discussed below under Compensation Discussion and AnalysisComponents of Executive
CompensationLong-Term Compensation2007 Restricted Stock Grants.
In the future, the Compensation Committee intends to review and consider the best methods
for utilizing equity incentives to provide long-term equity compensation to our named executive
officers, and expects to grant awards of restricted stock as well as stock options to the named
executive officers, as well as potentially other equity-based forms of compensation, consistent
with our executive compensation program and the factors discussed in this analysis. However, the
Compensation Committee does not currently have any policy or guidelines on the type or amount of
equity incentives to grant or on the allocation between restricted stock and stock options.
2007 Restricted Stock Grants. In 2007, in connection with the negotiation of new or
amended employment agreements with our executive officers, we made awards of restricted stock
under our 1998 Stock Plan to Messrs. Hinton, Hutter and Zuiderveen. We awarded 600,000 shares of
restricted stock to Mr. Hinton, which award was then intended to cover all stock-based awards to
him through at least 2009 and now is intended to cover all stock-based awards to him through
2011. We also awarded 25,000 shares of restricted stock to Mr. Hutter and 20,000 shares of
restricted stock to Mr. Zuiderveen. Each of these restricted stock awards contained vesting
schedules based upon a
combination of service
and performance goals, with the service shares, equal to one-half of the restricted stock
awarded to each executive officer, vesting five years after the grant date provided the
executive officer remains employed with us through such date, subject to acceleration of vesting
upon our change in control or termination of the officers employment by us without cause, and
the performance shares vesting based upon the achievement of certain performance goals relating
to our financial performance over subsequent years.
34
The vesting of the performance shares for Mr. Hinton is scheduled over five equal annual
installments, commencing after the end of fiscal 2007 based on our fiscal 2007 performance and
continuing until after the end of fiscal 2011 based upon our fiscal 2011 performance. The
vesting of the performance shares for Messrs. Hutter and Zuiderveen also is scheduled over five
equal installments, with the first installment vesting on the grant date and the remainder of
the installments vesting after the end of fiscal 2008 based on our fiscal 2008 performance and
continuing until after the end of fiscal 2011 based upon our fiscal 2011 performance.
The performance goal for each fiscal year, which was originally established in 2007 based
upon our performance at that time, was amended in December 2009 in light of the extraordinary
and unique economic conditions that we were then facing, to modify the vesting conditions of the
performance goals for the performance shares to be awarded based on our performance in fiscal
years 2009 through 2011. These amendments did not change the cliff vesting condition for the
service shares, which will vest five years after the original 2007 grant dates subject to
continued employment service by the executives. The Compensation Committee determined that the
original performance goals for these performance shares, which were established in 2007 prior to
the economic and financial crisis that was outside the control of those executives and adversely
affected and limited our financial results during 2009, were no longer appropriate or consistent
with our compensation goals and philosophy. In addition, the Compensation did not intend to
issue any new equity awards to Mr. Hinton through 2011. As modified, the performance shares
related to fiscal 2009 automatically vested in March 2010, and the vesting of the performance
shares related to each of fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 was modified so that such performance
shares would vest only if our consolidated net income for each such year was 10% higher than our
actual consolidated net income the prior year. The Compensation Committee believed that these
amendments to the 2007 restricted stock awards were necessary and appropriate, setting the
performance metric for the vesting of these performance shares, in light of the economic and
business conditions then prevailing, at a level of bottom line growth and improvement designed
to accomplish the dual goals of restoring the intent of these awards in order to enhance the
performance incentives of our named executive officers to drive our future business and
financial success, which would serve to enhance the goal of increasing stockholder value.
Because our fiscal 2010 financial performance exceeded the performance goal for fiscal
2010, because our consolidated net income for fiscal 2010 was more than 10% higher than our
consolidated net income for fiscal 2009, the installment of performance shares tied to our
fiscal 2010 performance vested in March 2011. Specifically, for fiscal 2010, a total of 60,000
performance shares vested for Mr. Hinton, a total of 2,500 performance shares vested for Mr.
Hutter and a total of 2,000 performance shares vested for Mr. Zuiderveen.
Equity Grants Policy. We have adopted a policy relating to grants of equity awards. The
policy provides that all grants of stock options must have an exercise price that is no less
than the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant, determined by reference to the
closing sale price of our common stock on the date of grant. We do not time the grant of
stock-based awards in coordination with or in anticipation of the release of material non-public
information and we do not time the release of material non-public information based on equity
grant dates. In addition, we do not award stock options or set the exercise price of stock
options based on the price of the common stock on a date other than the grant date, and we do
not determine the exercise price of stock option grants by using average prices or the lowest
prices of our common stock in a period preceding, surrounding or following the grant date.
In general, under our equity grants policy, awards of stock options and restricted stock to
executives, if made, are typically granted once a year, in March after we file our Annual Report
on Form 10-K that includes our audited consolidated financial statements for the previous year.
In addition, under this policy, except in special cases, we grant stock-based awards to other
employees twice a year, at the same time in March as grants to executives are made, and also in
November after we file our third quarter Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We also make grants to
newly hired employees at other times, provided the grant occurs on or after the date they
commence their employment with us. Under this policy, all grants of stock options must be made
at meetings of the board of directors, which may be in person or telephonic, but not by written
consent, and the grant date of the award is the date of the meeting.
Prohibition on Option Repricing. Our 2008 Stock Plan prohibits the repricing of stock
options, directly or indirectly such as through cancellations and re-grants, without
stockholder approval.
35
Perquisites and Other General Benefits
Our named executive officers, like our other employees, are eligible to participate in
various employee benefit plans, including medical plans, life insurance and disability
insurance. In addition, we maintain a 401(k) plan for the benefit of all our employees,
including our named executive officers. From February 2009 until January 2010, in light of the
business and economic conditions at that time, we discontinued making any matching contributions
in our 401(k) plan, but only to our named executive officers and other highly compensated
employees, which persons were still eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan otherwise.
We also provide limited perquisites and personal benefits to our named executive officers
that are not otherwise available to all of our employees. We provide our named executive
officers only with personal benefits that we believe are reasonable and consistent with our
overall compensation program and better enable us to attract and retain superior executives. The
Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal
benefits provided to the named executive officers. Certain of these perquisites and personal
benefits are provided and required by our executives employment agreements as the result of
negotiations in connection therewith. While the Compensation Committee considers these benefits
and perquisites in making compensation decisions, they do not have a material influence on these
decisions because they are a relatively insignificant portion of the total compensation of the
executives.
We provide our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer with either the use
of a company automobile intended primarily for business use or a car allowance in lieu of such
use. In addition, we pay for one country club membership for our Chief Executive Officer, as
provided in his employment agreement, which the Compensation Committee approved because it
believes a club membership can provide an opportunity to build business and community
relationships while promoting a healthy lifestyle. We do not own, lease, maintain or otherwise
use any corporate aircraft, and our executives exclusively use commercial airlines for all air
travel. We do not provide pension arrangements or similar benefits to either our named executive
officers or our other employees, other than the annuity arrangement for Mr. Hinton discussed
below. Periodically, our named executive officers attend company-related activities, such as
sporting events or out-of town business meetings, in which we incur travel and other
event-related expenses. In addition, we provide a $5 million life insurance policy for the
benefit of Mr. Hinton and a supplemental disability policy for the benefit of Mr. Hutter.
Under his employment agreement, Mr. Hinton is entitled to receive, after retirement,
assuming his employment with us continues through August 15, 2012, monthly annuity payments
equal to $1,500 per year of service to us from 2000 through the date of termination, capped at
$20,000 per month, beginning at age 53, provided that Mr. Hinton may elect at least five years
in advance to defer taking such payments at a later age (up to age 58), in which case the
monthly amount will be equal to a higher amount (up to $2,000 per year of service subject to the
same $20,000 per month cap). We purchased an annuity policy from a third party to assist us in
satisfying our obligation to make such payments.
The incremental cost of providing perquisites to our named executive officers is set forth
in a separate table that is included in a footnote to the column entitled All Other
Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.
Termination Benefits
Other than the severance and change in control arrangements set forth in specific written
employment agreements with some of our named executive officers, the participation and matching
contributions under our tax-qualified 401(k) plan, and the annuity payments for Mr. Hinton
discussed above, our named executive officers do not receive any deferred compensation, pension
benefit or other termination benefits from us. Information regarding these severance and change
in control arrangements for the named executive officers is discussed below under Employment
Agreements, Post-Employment Compensation and Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in
Control.
Employment Agreements, Change in Control Agreements and Severance Arrangements with Named
Executive Officers
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. These
employment agreements include change in control agreements and provisions providing for
compensation after the termination of employment, but we have not entered into separate change
in control agreements with any of our executives. Other than as specified in this section, we
have not entered into any other employment or change in control agreements with any other
executive officers.
36
Each of these employment agreements provides for certain payments and other benefits if the
named executive officers employment terminates under certain circumstances, including in the
event of a change in control. The Compensation Committee believes that these severance and
change in control arrangements are an important part of overall compensation for our named
executive officers because they help to secure the continued employment and dedication of our
named executive officers, despite any concern that they might have regarding their own continued
employment prior to or following a change in control. The Compensation Committee also believes
that these arrangements are important as a recruitment and retention device, as most of the
companies with which we compete for executive talent have similar agreements in place for their
senior employees. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes these agreements will help
assure us that we will have the continued dedication, undivided loyalty, objective advice and
counsel and committed high level of performance from these named executive officers in the event
of a proposed transaction, or the threat of a transaction, which could result in our change in
control.
A summary and discussion of the employment agreements of the named executive officers is
contained below under Employment Agreements, Post-Employment Compensation and Potential
Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control.
Limitations on Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation Under Section 162(m)
From time to time, we review and consider the tax and accounting laws, rules and
regulations that may affect our compensation programs. However, the tax and accounting treatment
of compensation has not been a significant factor in determining the amounts and types of
compensation for our named executive officers.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public
companies for certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to a companys chief executive
officer and the three other most highly compensated named executive officers excluding the chief
executive officer. However, qualified performance-based compensation will not be subject to the
deduction limit if certain requirements are met. In the event that the Compensation Committee
considers approving salary or bonus compensation in the future that could exceed the $1 million
deductibility threshold, it will consider what actions, if any, should be taken to make such
compensation deductible.
From time to time, certain compensation that the Compensation Committee may approve may not
meet the requirements of Section 162(m) and, therefore, amounts in excess of $1 million paid
under that plan may not be deductible by us. The board of directors and the Compensation
Committee reserve the authority to award non-deductible compensation in such circumstances as
they deem appropriate.
Recovery of Incentive Compensation in the Event of Financial Restatement
We have adopted a compensation clawback, or recoupment, policy authorizing our board or the
Compensation Committee, in its discretion, to recover any bonus, incentive award or other
compensation paid to any of our officers, including our named executive officers, if the
financial results or operating metrics upon which such compensation was based were restated due
to the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the officer. In addition, in accordance
with Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, if we are required to restate our financial
statements due to any material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the
federal securities laws, as a result of misconduct, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer are legally required to reimburse us for any bonus or other incentive-based or
equity-based compensation he or they receive from us during the 12-month period following the
first public issuance or filing with the SEC of the financial document embodying such financial
reporting requirement, as well as any profits they realized from the sale of securities during
this 12-month period.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We have always strongly encouraged our officers and directors to maintain a significant
equity stake in our company and to align their interests with those of our stockholders, and in
general they have done so. In 2008, we adopted stock ownership guidelines that specify minimum
stock ownership levels for our directors, executive officers and certain key employees. Our
board believes that ownership by such persons of a meaningful financial stake in our company
serves to more closely align their interests with the interests of our stockholders and ensure
their commitment to the creation of stockholder value.
37
The stock ownership guideline for our Chief Executive Officer is three times his base
salary, meaning ownership of shares of our common stock with a value equal to three times his
base salary. The stock ownership guideline for all our other executive officers and for
employees who report directly to our Chief Executive Officer is one times base salary. The stock
ownership guideline for our directors is three times their annual retainer. Our directors and
executive officers have until the later of December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2014 for the other
key employees subject to these guidelines) or five years after they become subject to these
guidelines to achieve their applicable stock ownership requirements. Beginning in 2012,
compliance with the guidelines will be tested as of each year-end, and until then the
Compensation Committee will monitor the progress of our directors, officers and key employees in
reaching those guidelines. Shares counted towards achievement of these stock ownership
guidelines include shares owned outright, plus restricted shares subject to vesting based upon
time or service-based conditions. Unvested stock options and restricted shares subject to
performance-based vesting conditions will not count towards achievement of the guidelines. The
value of shares owned will be determined by utilizing the closing sale price of our common stock
on the date of determination.
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted an insider trading policy, which among other things restricts hedging the
economic risk of common stock ownership. Directors, officers and key employees subject to our
insider trading policy are discouraged from engaging in any short-term or speculative
transactions regarding our common stock and are prohibited from holding our common stock in a
margin account or pledging our shares to secure a loan, except in certain circumstances where
the amount is insignificant and the arrangement has been approved in advance by our board. In
addition, our directors, executive officers and key employees subject to our insider trading
policy are not permitted to purchase and sell, or sell and purchase, our common stock within any
six month period, or to make any short sales of our common stock.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement. Based upon such review and
discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the board of directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
Compensation Committee
John A. (Andy) Miller, Chairman
Anthony D. Pell
Kevin P. Collins
Thomas J. Madden III
Compensation Policies and Practices as Related to Risk Management
Our Compensation Committee has discussed and, with the assistance of Cook, evaluated the
concept of risk as it relates to our compensation policies and practices for our executives and
employees. As part of the evaluation process, the Compensation Committee engaged in a
compensation risk assessment to identify policies or practices that inherently encourage
risk-taking behaviors and determine whether such policies or practices are reasonably likely to
have a material adverse effect on us. Based on such evaluation and assessment, the Compensation
Committee has concluded that, when viewed as a whole, our compensation policies and practices do
not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking and are not reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on us. While our compensation program is based on a pay-for-performance
philosophy with a significant amount of compensation at risk, a number of our compensation
practices and policies are specifically designed to mitigate against excessive risk-taking by
our executives and other employees, including:
|
|
|
rigorous independent Compensation Committee oversight of executive compensation
programs; |
|
|
|
|
a reasonable base salary that provides sufficient steady income to allow our
executives to meet their essential financial commitments with a stable amount of
compensation not at risk and thus to focus their efforts on the achievement of not
only short-term but also long-term performance and business, strategic and operating
results; |
|
|
|
|
an executive incentive plan designed to ensure our executives remain focused on
financial performance metrics that drive long-term stockholder value, such as
earnings per share and revenues; |
|
|
|
|
bonus payouts that are not based solely upon corporate financial results but also
based upon the achievement of individual performance objectives; |
38
|
|
|
reasonable limits on incentive compensation payouts; |
|
|
|
|
the use of equity awards that encourage long-term decision making; |
|
|
|
|
a stock ownership policy that requires significant equity ownership, which
encourages a focus on long-term value creation; |
|
|
|
|
an insider trading policy that prohibits hedging in our securities; |
|
|
|
|
an equity grants policy that restricts the timing and pricing of equity awards; |
|
|
|
|
a balanced compensation program consisting of both cash and equity that includes
short and long-term incentives and is based on corporate and individual performance
and financial and non-financial performance; |
|
|
|
|
multiple year vesting periods in equity award grants; |
|
|
|
|
a clawback or recoupment policy that allows the Compensation Committee to seek
the return of compensation under certain circumstances if our financial statements
are restated; and |
|
|
|
|
a strict set of internal control over financial reporting designed to keep the
calculation of financial measures from being susceptible to manipulation, including
providing annual incentives to our Vice President of Financial Reporting, Controller
and Principal Accounting Officer that are intentionally separate from the other
named executive officers and not specifically tied to financial performance. |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information relating to the total compensation earned
for services rendered to us in all capacities by (i) our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) our
Chief Financial Officer, and (iii) the only other person who was serving as an executive
officer during fiscal 2010. We refer to these persons as our named executive officers.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary($) |
|
|
Bonus($)(1) |
|
|
Awards($)(2) |
|
|
Awards($)(3) |
|
|
($)(4) |
|
|
($)(5) |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
547,500 |
|
|
|
39,600 |
|
|
|
1,137,100 |
|
President and |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
485,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
478,200 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
583,608 |
|
|
|
1,546,808 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
485,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
800,625 |
|
|
|
39,598 |
|
|
|
1,325,223 |
|
|
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
312,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
147,000 |
|
|
|
33,781 |
|
|
|
492,781 |
|
Executive Vice President and |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
19,925 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
31,108 |
|
|
|
351,033 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
96,250 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
24,725 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
26,159 |
|
|
|
422,134 |
|
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
11,270 |
|
|
|
266,270 |
|
Vice President of Financial |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
205,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,940 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,666 |
|
|
|
226,606 |
|
Reporting, Controller and |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
|
48,750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,835 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
11,073 |
|
|
|
269,658 |
|
Principal Accounting Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts in this column reflect discretionary bonuses awarded by the Compensation
Committee and paid to the named executive officers as indicated. These amounts do not
include any bonus amounts for 2009 because payment of those bonus awards was waived in
advance by the named executive officers. |
|
(2) |
|
No stock awards were granted to any named executive officer in 2010, 2009 or 2008.
However, in 2009 the Compensation Committee amended the vesting goals relating to
certain performance shares that had been granted to the named executive officers as
part of a restricted stock grant in 2007 and that had vesting conditions tied to
financial goals for fiscal 2009 through fiscal 2011. The amounts in this column for
2009 reflect the incremental fair value of the modified stock awards, computed in
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards
Codification (ASC) Topic 718, based on the closing sale price of our common stock on
the date of modification and the probable outcome as of the date of
modification of the relevant performance goals applicable to the performance shares
modified. The amounts shown as the grant date fair value of the stock awards include
only performance shares for which vesting was a probable outcome as of the grant date
or the modification date. The maximum value of these modified stock awards in 2009,
equal to the modification date fair value of all shares modified assuming all
performance goals applicable to all performance shares that were awarded or modified
would be met, were as follows: for Mr. Hinton, $1,434,600; for Mr. Hutter, $59,775; and
for Mr. Zuiderveen, $47,820. The amounts shown in this column are not necessarily
indicative of the actual value that will be realized by the named executive officers
with respect to such awards. |
39
|
|
|
(3) |
|
We granted awards of stock options to Messrs. Hutter and Zuiderveen in 2008 but did
not grant any awards of stock options to any named executive officers in 2009 or 2010.
The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the 2008
stock option awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair
value of each stock option grant is computed based upon the assumptions included in
note 13, Share-Based Compensation, to our audited consolidated financial statements
for fiscal 2010 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March
8, 2011, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting
conditions. The amounts shown in this column are not necessarily indicative of the
actual value that will be realized by the named executive officers with respect to such
awards. |
|
(4) |
|
The amount in this column for 2008 for Mr. Hinton reflects cash payments made to Mr.
Hinton under the terms of his employment agreement as in effect prior to December 2009
under a formula based upon the cash flow from operations of our PowerSecure subsidiary
for the applicable year. The amount in this column for 2009 for Mr. Hinton does not
include the award by the Compensation Committee for 2009 based on that same formula
because payment of that award was waived in advance by Mr. Hinton. The amounts in this
column for 2010 reflect cash payouts to Messrs. Hinton and Hutter under the terms of
our 2010 incentive plan based on the achievement of defined financial goals and
individual performance factors established for each. |
|
(5) |
|
The amounts in this column include the amounts we paid to or accrued on behalf of the
named executive officers in fiscal 2010 related to the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group |
|
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
401(k) |
|
|
Term Life |
|
|
Disability |
|
|
Health |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matching |
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Contributions($) |
|
|
Premiums($) |
|
|
Premiums($) |
|
|
Premiums($) |
|
|
Perquisites($) |
|
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
7,350 |
|
|
|
6,545 |
(a) |
|
|
5,552 |
(a) |
|
|
11,185 |
|
|
|
8,968 |
|
|
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
7,350 |
|
|
|
910 |
|
|
|
2,336 |
(b) |
|
|
11,185 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
(c) |
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen |
|
|
6,298 |
|
|
|
910 |
|
|
|
285 |
|
|
|
3,777 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
For Mr. Hinton, the amount listed under Group Term Life Insurance Premiums
includes the premium we paid for an additional life insurance policy for his
benefit, and the amount listed under Long-Term Disability Insurance Premiums
includes the premium we paid for a separate long-term disability insurance policy
for his benefit, both as provided in his employment agreement. |
|
(b) |
|
For Mr. Hutter, the amount listed under Long-Term Disability Insurance
Premiums includes the premium we paid on a separate long-term disability insurance
policy for his benefit. |
|
(c) |
|
The sole perquisite for Mr. Hutter is a monthly car allowance. |
40
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2010
The following table sets forth information regarding plan-based
awards granted to our named executive officers in fiscal 2010. We
did not grant any stock options or restricted stock awards to our
named executive officers during fiscal 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under Non-Equity Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Awards (1) |
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
Threshold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Maximum |
|
Name |
|
Date (2) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
4/14/10 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
4/14/10 |
|
|
|
78,000 |
|
|
|
156,000 |
|
|
|
234,000 |
|
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The estimated future payout awards shown were the 2010 award opportunities under the 2010
incentive plan, which were established by the Compensation Committee and expressed as a
percentage of base salary. The amounts shown represent the potential payouts of performance
incentive awards that could have been made under the 2010 incentive plan for Messrs. Hinton
and Hutter. The amounts under the Threshold, Target and Maximum columns reflect the
potential bonus payouts if all threshold, target or maximum performance levels,
respectively, established for Messrs. Hinton and Hutter had been met under the 2010
incentive plan. No payouts would have been made under the 2010 incentive plan if none of
the threshold levels of performance had been met. The actual amounts of the payouts to
Messrs. Hinton and Hutter under the 2010 incentive plan are shown under the column
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects the date on which the Compensation Committee granted final approval of the 2010
incentive plan financial metrics, performance goals and payout levels. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Zuiderveen did not receive any plan-based awards in fiscal 2010. |
41
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2010 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding the outstanding equity awards, consisting
of unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock, held by our named executive officers as
of December 31, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Market or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unearned |
|
|
Payout Value |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Market Value |
|
|
Shares, Units |
|
|
of Shares, |
|
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares or |
|
|
of Shares or |
|
|
or Other |
|
|
Units or Other |
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Units of |
|
|
Units of Stock |
|
|
Rights |
|
|
Rights |
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock That |
|
|
That |
|
|
That |
|
|
That |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Have |
|
|
Have Not |
|
|
Have Not |
|
|
Have Not |
|
|
|
(#) |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Expiration |
|
|
Not Vested |
|
|
Vested |
|
|
Vested |
|
|
Vested |
|
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable(1) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Date(2) |
|
|
(#)(3) |
|
|
($)(4) |
|
|
(#)(5) |
|
|
($)(4) |
|
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
6/19/11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.22 |
|
|
|
9/26/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.65 |
|
|
|
12/05/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
2,334,000 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
933,600 |
|
|
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
12/03/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
97,250 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
38,900 |
|
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.06 |
|
|
|
2/04/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.65 |
|
|
|
12/05/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
12/03/18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
77,800 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
31,120 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These unexercisable options, which are options that had been granted but had not vested
as of December 31, 2010, vest in five equal annual installments of 20% of such shares,
commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant, which was December 3, 2008. |
|
(2) |
|
The right to exercise these stock options terminates the earlier of the Option
Expiration Date listed in this column, 90 days after the termination of their service to
us including service as an employee, director or consultant or one year after the date
of their death or permanent disability. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents the number of shares of restricted stock awarded to each named executive
officer with vesting based on service that had not vested as of December 31, 2010. These
service shares vest five years after the date of grant (on August 15, 2012 for Mr.
Hinton, and on December 10, 2012 for Messrs. Hutter and Zuiderveen), or earlier upon
death, disability or a change in control. |
|
(4) |
|
The amounts in this column were computed by multiplying the number of shares of
restricted stock that had not vested as of December 31, 2010, as reflected in the prior
column, by the fair market value of those shares as of such date, based upon $7.78, the
closing sale price of our common stock on such date, as reported on The NASDAQ Stock
Market. |
|
(5) |
|
Represents the number of shares of restricted stock awarded to each named executive
officer with vesting based on certain performance metrics that had not vested as of
December 31, 2010. Subsequent thereto, 60,000 of the performance shares awarded to Mr.
Hinton, 2,500 of the performance shares awarded to Mr. Hutter and 2,000 of the
performance shares awarded to Mr. Zuiderveen vested in March 2011 because the applicable
performance goal, an increase in our consolidated net income in fiscal 2010 of 10% over
our consolidated net income in fiscal 2009, was achieved. The remainder of these
performance shares are subject to vesting based on our 2011 net income goal. For Mr.
Hinton, the performance shares were granted in 2007 |
42
|
|
|
|
|
with a vesting schedule of five
equal annual installments, commencing after the end of fiscal 2007 based upon
our fiscal 2007 performance and continuing until after the end of fiscal 2011 based upon
our fiscal 2011 performance, each annual installment based upon us achieving the
performance goal for such fiscal year. As modified in 2009, the performance goals for
the performance shares held by Mr. Hinton that had not vested as of December 31, 2010,
which are tied to our fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 performance, are that our consolidated
net income for each such fiscal year must increase by 10% over our consolidated net
income in the prior fiscal year. In the event that we fail to achieve the performance
goal for any fiscal year, the performance restricted shares that did not vest for that
fiscal year will vest in the subsequent fiscal year if we exceed by 10% the original
performance goal for that subsequent fiscal year. In the event of a change in control,
any unvested restricted shares (regardless of whether their vesting is tied to service
or to performance) will immediately vest in full upon the effective date of the change
in control. For Messrs. Hutter and Zuiderveen, these performance shares were granted in
2007 with a vesting schedule of four equal annual installments, which vesting commenced
after the end of fiscal 2008 based upon our fiscal 2008 performance and continues until
after the end of fiscal 2011 based upon our fiscal 2011 performance. The performance
goals for the performance shares held by Messrs. Hutter and Zuiderveen that had not
vested as of December 31, 2010, which are tied to our fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011
performance, are the same performance goals that apply to the performance shares that
had not vested as of December 31, 2010 held by Mr. Hinton for those years. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2010
The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of stock options by, and the
vesting of restricted stock held by, the named executive officers in 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Stock Awards(1) |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Value |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Realized on |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Value Realized |
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Acquired on |
|
|
on Vesting |
|
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
|
($)(2) |
|
|
Vesting (#) |
|
|
($)(3) |
|
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
57,500 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
501,000 |
|
|
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
20,875 |
|
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
16,700 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts in these columns reflect shares of restricted stock subject to
performance-based vesting conditions that vested during 2010 under the terms of the
amended restricted stock awards. The material terms of these restricted stock awards,
including their vesting conditions, are described above under Compensation Discussion
and AnalysisComponents of Executive CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation.
Does not reflect performance shares that were withheld for tax withholding purposes at
the election of Mr. Hinton (19,470 shares) and of Mr. Hutter (966 shares). Also does not
reflect performance shares that vested in March 2011 due to the achievement of the
performance goal for fiscal 2010. |
|
(2) |
|
Based upon the difference between the fair market value of our common stock on the date
these shares were exercised, which was equal to the closing sale price of our common
stock on such date as reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market, and the applicable exercise
price of the stock option. |
|
(3) |
|
Based upon the fair market value of our common stock on the date these shares of
restricted stock vested, which was equal to the closing sale price of our common stock
on such date as reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market. |
43
Employment Agreements, Post-Employment Compensation and Potential Payments Upon Termination or a
Change in Control
Pension Benefits
We do not provide, sponsor or maintain any pension arrangements for our named executive
officers or for our employees, except for the annuity arrangement in Mr. Hintons employment
agreement described below. Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our
401(k) defined contribution plan. We contribute to each participant in our 401(k) plan a
matching contribution equal to 50% of the first 6% of the participants compensation that has
been contributed to the plan, up to a maximum matching contribution of $7,350. All of our named
executive officers participated in our 401(k) plan during fiscal 2010.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
We do not provide and we have not adopted any non-qualified deferred contribution plans or
other deferred compensation plans. In the future, the Compensation Committee may elect to
provide our officers and other employees with non-qualified deferred contribution or deferred
compensation benefits if the Compensation Committee determines that doing so is in our best
interests.
Employment Agreements
Sidney Hinton. On August 15, 2007, we entered into an employment and non-competition
agreement with Sidney Hinton as our President and Chief Executive Officer, which was amended on
December 31, 2008 for the sole purpose of complying with the provisions of Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A without modifying the substantive provisions of Mr. Hintons base salary, bonus
plans, equity awards or term of employment. On December 17, 2009, we amended and restated Mr.
Hintons employment agreement in order to extend the term of Mr. Hintons employment and to
modify certain other terms and conditions of his employment and compensation thereunder. The key
terms of Mr. Hintons employment agreement, as currently amended, are as follows:
|
|
|
The term of Mr. Hintons employment will continue until December 31, 2015, with
automatic additional one-year renewal periods when the term expires, unless either
we or Mr. Hinton gives 90 days prior written notice of termination. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hintons base salary is fixed at $550,000 per year, subject to annual upward
adjustments at the discretion of the board (through the Compensation Committee). |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hintons prior annual bonus arrangement, which was based on the adjusted cash
flow from operations of our PowerSecure subsidiary, has been eliminated and replaced
with an annual incentive plan based on such factors, metrics and terms as the
Compensation Committee establishes each year, with an annual bonus target equal to
no less than Mr. Hintons annual base salary at the time. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hinton was granted 600,000 shares of restricted stock in August 2007,
pursuant to a restricted stock agreement, that vest as follows: |
|
|
|
A total of 300,000 shares will cliff vest in their entirety on August 15,
2012, five years after the grant date, provided Mr. Hinton remains employed with
us on such date. |
|
|
|
|
The other 300,000 shares, the performance shares, have a vesting schedule over
five equal annual installments that commenced after the end of fiscal 2007, based
on us achieving a performance target each year relating to our income. As of the
date of this proxy statement, a total of 240,000 performance shares have vested
and the remaining 60,000 performance shares will vest only if the fiscal 2011
performance goal is achieved. |
|
|
|
We have purchased a $5 million term life insurance policy for the sole benefit of
Mr. Hintons beneficiaries. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hinton is entitled to either the use of a company vehicle or the receipt of a
vehicle allowance, one country club membership and all other standard employee
benefits consistent with other executive officers and commensurate with his
positions. |
44
|
|
|
Mr. Hinton is entitled to receive certain payments and benefits upon the
termination of his employment under different circumstances, including, but not
limited to, a change in control, as discussed below under Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change in Control. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hinton is prohibited from competing with our business for a period of three
years after the termination of his employment by us without cause or by Mr. Hinton
for good reason or without the employment term being renewed. The employment
agreement also contains certain restrictions on Mr. Hintons disclosure of our
confidential information and his use of our inventions and other intellectual
property. |
|
|
|
|
After his retirement, assuming his employment with us continues through August 8,
2012, Mr. Hinton will receive monthly annuity payments equal to $1,500 per year of
service to us from 2000 through the date of termination, capped at $20,000 per
month, beginning at age 53, provided Mr. Hinton may elect upon five years notice to
not begin taking annuity payments until a later age (up to age 58), in which case
such monthly annuity payments will be equal to an amount up to $2,000 per year of
service, still capped at $20,000 per month. We have purchased an annuity policy from
a third party to help us satisfy our obligation to make these payments. |
Christopher T. Hutter. On December 10, 2007, we entered into an employment and
non-competition agreement with Christopher T. Hutter as our Chief Financial Officer, which was
amended on December 31, 2008 for the sole purpose of complying with the provisions of Internal
Revenue Code Section 409A without modifying Mr. Hutters base salary, bonus plans, equity awards
or term of employment. The key terms of Mr. Hutters employment agreement, as currently amended,
are as follows:
|
|
|
The term of Mr. Hutters employment will continue until December 10, 2012, with
automatic additional one-year renewal periods when the term expires, unless either
we or Mr. Hutter gives 90 days prior written notice of termination. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hutters base salary was set at $275,000 per year (increased to $312,000 for
2010 and unchanged for 2011), subject to annual upward adjustments at the discretion
of the board (through the Compensation Committee). |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hutter is eligible to receive a bonus in a target amount of at least 35% of
his base salary, as from time to time in effect, based upon the achievement of such
performance goals as are established annually by the Compensation Committee based in
part upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hutter was granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock in December 2007,
pursuant to a restricted stock agreement, that vest as follows: |
|
|
|
2,500 restricted shares vested on the date of grant. |
|
|
|
|
An additional 12,500 restricted shares will cliff vest in their entirety on
December 10, 2012, five years after the grant date, provided Mr. Hutter remains
employed with us on such date. |
|
|
|
|
The remaining 10,000 shares, performance shares, have a vesting schedule over
four equal annual installments that commenced after the end of fiscal 2008, based
on us achieving a performance target each year relating to our income, which is
the same performance target established for Mr. Hintons performance shares for
those years. As of the date of this proxy statement, a total of 7,500 performance
shares have vested and the remaining 2,500 performance shares will vest only if
the fiscal 2011 performance goal is achieved. |
|
|
|
Mr. Hutter is entitled to either the use of a company vehicle or the receipt of a
vehicle allowance and other standard employee benefits consistent with other
executive officers and commensurate with his positions. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hutter is entitled to receive certain payments and benefits upon the
termination of his employment under different circumstances, including, but not
limited to, a change in control, as discussed below under Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change in Control. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Hutter is prohibited from competing with our business for a period of two
years after the termination of his employment, if he receives a full severance
package, or for a period of one year otherwise. Mr. Hutters employment agreement
also contains certain restrictions on Mr. Hutters disclosure of confidential
information and his use of our inventions and other intellectual property. |
45
Gary J. Zuiderveen. In April 2007, we entered into an employment and non-competition
agreement with Gary J. Zuiderveen, as our Principal Accounting Officer and Controller, which was
amended on December 10, 2007 in connection with his appointment as our Vice President of
Financial Reporting, and which was further amended on December 31, 2008 for the sole purpose of
complying with the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A
without modifying Mr. Zuiderveens base salary, bonus plans, equity awards or term of
employment. The key terms of Mr. Zuiderveens employment agreement, as currently amended, are as
follows:
|
|
|
The term of Mr. Zuiderveens employment will continue until December 10, 2012,
with automatic additional one-year renewal periods when the term expires, unless
either we or Mr. Zuiderveen gives 30 days prior written notice of termination. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Zuiderveens base salary was set at $195,000 per year (increased to $210,000
for 2010 and unchanged for 2011), subject to annual upward adjustments at the
discretion of the board (through the Compensation Committee). |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Zuiderveen shall be eligible to receive a bonus in a target amount of at
least 25% of his base salary, as from time to time in effect, based upon the
achievement of such performance goals as are established annually by the
Compensation Committee based in part upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive
Officer. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Zuiderveen was granted 20,000 shares of restricted stock in December 2007,
pursuant to a restricted stock agreement, that vest as follows: |
|
|
|
2,000 restricted shares vested on the date of grant. |
|
|
|
|
An additional 10,000 restricted shares will cliff vest in their entirety on
December 10, 2012, five years after the grant date, provided Mr. Zuiderveen
remains employed with us on such date. |
|
|
|
|
The remaining 8,000 shares, performance shares, have a vesting schedule over
four equal annual installments that commenced after the end of fiscal 2008, based
on us achieving a performance target each year relating to our income, which are
the same performance targets set for Mr. Hintons performance shares for those
years. As of the date of this proxy statement, a total of 6,000 performance
shares have vested and the remaining 2,000 performance shares will vest only if
the fiscal 2011 performance goal is achieved. |
|
|
|
Mr. Zuiderveen is entitled to receive certain payments and benefits upon the
termination of his employment under different circumstances, including, but not
limited to, a change in control, as discussed below under Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change in Control. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Zuiderveen is prohibited from competing with our business for a period of two
years after the termination of his employment. Mr. Zuiderveens employment
agreement also contains certain restrictions on Mr. Zuiderveens disclosure of
confidential information and his use of our inventions and other intellectual
property. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The information below discusses the compensation payable to each of the named executive
officers employed with us on December 31, 2010, in the event of the termination of such
executives employment under different circumstances, such as involuntary termination without
cause, voluntary termination with good reason, involuntary termination with cause, voluntary
termination without good reason, termination upon or following a change in control, termination
upon the expiration of the employment term without renewal, death and disability. We have
entered into employment agreements with all of our named executive officers. These employment
agreements provide for certain severance arrangements upon the termination of employment,
including following a change in control. Under these severance arrangements, the severance is
payable upon or after a change in control only if the officers employment terminates within
three years thereafter because the employee is terminated by our successor without cause or by
employee for good reason (for Messrs. Hinton and Zuiderveen) or for any reason (for Mr.
Hutter), as such terms are defined in the named executive officers respective employment
agreements.
Sidney Hinton. Under Mr. Hintons employment agreement, which is described above under
Employment AgreementsSidney Hinton, Mr. Hinton will receive certain compensation upon the
termination of his employment, including upon or after a change in control of us or of our
PowerSecure subsidiary. However, if Mr. Hinton is deemed to be a specified employee for
Section 409A purposes at the time of the termination of his employment, then no severance
amounts will be payable to him until six months and one day after the date of the termination,
with catch-up payments after that period.
46
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hintons employment by us without cause or by Mr.
Hinton with good reason (as those terms are defined in his employment agreement), then Mr.
Hinton would be entitled to the following:
|
|
|
a severance amount equal to three times the sum of (i) his highest base salary in
effect during his employment term, plus (ii) the greater of (A) the average annual
bonus awarded to him for the prior three fiscal years, or (B) the average of the
annual bonus awarded to him for the prior two fiscal years and of the bonus that
would have been awarded to him for the fiscal year in which his employment
terminated if he had remained employed through the end of the fiscal year (which
bonus component, in either case, will be will be no less than one time and no great
than two times the base salary amount in (i)), payable pro rata over the 36 months
after the date of termination; |
|
|
|
|
the vesting of (i) the entire time-based portion of his restricted stock award,
and (ii) any performance shares that would have been earned assuming the performance
goal is met in the year of termination; |
|
|
|
|
the continuation of all life, disability, medical and other insurance plans and
benefits in which he and his family participated prior to such termination for a
period of three years; and |
|
|
|
|
the vesting of his right to receive monthly annuity payments, commencing at or
after age 53 (but, if Mr. Hinton terminates his employment with good reason, only if
the termination of employment occurs after August 8, 2012). |
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hintons employment, either by us or our successor
without cause or by Mr. Hinton for good reason, within three years after a change in control of
either us or our PowerSecure subsidiary, then Mr. Hinton would be entitled to receive the same
compensation as he would receive if his employment is terminated by us without cause, and in
addition all unvested restricted shares (regardless of whether vesting is time-based or
performance-based) and all unvested stock options held by him at the time of termination would
automatically vest and become fully exercisable.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hintons employment upon his death or by us for
cause or by Mr. Hinton voluntarily without good reason, then Mr. Hinton would only be entitled
to receive the accrued and unpaid portions of his salary and bonus earned through the date of
termination, although in the event of Mr. Hintons death his beneficiaries would receive the
benefits of a $5 million life insurance policy and all restricted shares (regardless of whether
vesting is time-based or performance-based) held by him at that time would automatically vest.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hintons employment due to his permanent disability
or upon the expiration without renewal of his employment agreement, then Mr. Hinton would be
entitled to receive the following:
|
|
|
one-third of the full severance amount (in other words, one times the sum of his
last base salary and his average bonus over the prior three years), payable over the
12 months following the date of termination, if the termination is due to permanent
disability or expiration of the employment agreement, and payable over the 36 months
following the date of termination, if due to voluntary termination by Mr. Hinton
without good reason; |
|
|
|
|
the vesting of his right to receive monthly annuity payments, commencing at or
after age 53, but only if the termination of employment occurs after August 8, 2012; |
|
|
|
|
in the event of disability, all restricted shares (regardless of whether vesting
is time-based or performance based) held by him at that time would automatically
vest; and |
|
|
|
|
in the event of disability, the continuation of all life, disability, medical and
other insurance plans and benefits in which he and his family participated prior to
such termination for a period of three years. |
Christopher T. Hutter. Under Mr. Hutters employment agreement, which is described above
under Employment AgreementsChristopher T. Hutter, Mr. Hutter will receive certain
compensation upon the termination of his employment, including upon or after a change in
control.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hutters employment by us without cause (as such
term is defined in his employment agreement), then Mr. Hutter would be entitled to the
following:
|
|
|
a severance amount equal to two times his highest base salary in effect during
his employment term, payable over the 24 months after the date of termination; |
47
|
|
|
a separation bonus equal to two times the greater of (i) the average annual bonus
awarded to him for the prior three fiscal years, or (ii) the average of the annual
bonus awarded to him for the prior two fiscal years and of the bonus that would have
been awarded to him for the fiscal year in which his employment terminated if he had
remained employed through the end of the fiscal year (which separation bonus will be
no greater than the severance amount), payable pro rata from the date of termination
of employment through March 14 of the following calendar year; |
|
|
|
|
the vesting of (i) all of the time-based portion of his restricted stock award,
and (ii) any performance shares that would have been earned assuming the performance
goal is met in the year of termination; and |
|
|
|
|
the continuation of all life, disability, medical and other insurance plans and
benefits in which he and his family participated prior to such termination for a
period of two years. |
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hutters employment, either by us or our successor
without cause or by Mr. Hutter for any reason, within three years after a change in control,
then Mr. Hutter would be entitled to receive the same compensation as he would receive if his
employment is terminated by us without cause, and in addition all unvested restricted shares
(regardless of whether vesting is time-based or performance based) and all unvested stock
options held by him at the time of termination would automatically vest and become fully
exercisable.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hutters employment upon his death, by us for cause
or by Mr. Hutter voluntarily, then Mr. Hutter would only be entitled to receive the accrued and
unpaid portions of his salary and bonus earned through the date of termination, although in the
event of Mr. Hutters death on or after July 1 of any year his beneficiaries would receive a
prorated portion of any bonus, a stub bonus, that would have been earned by him during that
year (but for his death) based on the bonus criteria for that year established by the board of
directors, and in addition all unvested restricted shares (regardless of whether vesting is
time-based or performance-based) held by him would automatically vest.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Hutters employment due to his permanent disability
or upon the expiration without renewal of his employment agreement, then Mr. Hutter would be
entitled to receive the following:
|
|
|
one-half of the full severance amount, payable over the 12 months following the
date of termination; |
|
|
|
|
one-half the full separation bonus, payable pro rata from the date of termination
of employment through March 14 of the following calendar year; |
|
|
|
|
any stub bonus, if the termination of employment occurs on or after July 1 of any
year; |
|
|
|
|
in the event of disability, all restricted shares (regardless of whether vesting
is time-based or performance based) held by him at that time would automatically
vest; and |
|
|
|
|
the continuation of all life, disability, medical and other insurance plans and
benefits in which he and his family participated prior to such termination for a
period of two years, in the event of disability, or one year, in the event of the
expiration of his employment agreement. |
Gary J. Zuiderveen. Under Mr. Zuiderveens employment agreement, which is described above
under Employment AgreementsGary J. Zuiderveen, Mr. Zuiderveen will receive certain
compensation upon the termination of his employment, including upon or after a change in
control.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Zuiderveens employment by us without cause (as
defined in his employment agreement), then Mr. Zuiderveen would be entitled to the following:
|
|
|
a severance amount equal to two times his base salary in effect upon the
termination of his employment, payable over the 24 months after the date of
termination; |
|
|
|
|
a separation bonus equal to two times the greater of (i) the average annual bonus
awarded to him for the prior three fiscal years, or (ii) the average of the annual
bonus awarded to him for the prior two fiscal years and of the bonus that would have
been awarded to him for the fiscal year in which his employment terminated if he had
remained employed through the end of the fiscal year, payable pro rata from the date
of termination of employment through March 14 of the following calendar year; and |
|
|
|
|
the vesting of (i) all of the time-based portion of his restricted stock award,
and (ii) any performance shares that would have been earned assuming the performance
goal is met in the year of termination. |
48
In the event of the termination of Mr. Zuiderveens employment, either by us or our
successor without cause or by Mr. Zuiderveen for good reason, within three years after a change
in control, then Mr. Zuiderveen would be entitled to receive the same compensation as he would
receive if his employment is terminated by us without cause, and in addition
all unvested restricted shares (regardless of whether vesting is time-based or
performance-based) and all unvested stock options held by him at the time of termination would
automatically vest and become fully exercisable.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Zuiderveens employment upon his death or permanent
disability, by us for cause or by Mr. Zuiderveen voluntarily, then Mr. Zuiderveen would only be
entitled to receive the accrued and unpaid portions of his salary and bonus earned through the
date of termination, and in addition all unvested restricted shares (regardless of whether
vesting is time-based or performance-based) held by him would automatically vest.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Zuiderveens employment upon the expiration without
renewal of his employment agreement, then Mr. Zuiderveen would be entitled to receive the
severance amount, payable over the 24 months following the date of termination, and the
separation bonus, payable pro rata from the date of termination of employment through March 14
of the following calendar year.
49
Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment Table. The information below shows the
potential amount of compensation that would be payable to each of the named executive officers
employed with us on December 31, 2010, in the event of the termination of such executives
employment under the circumstances listed in the table. The amounts of compensation payable upon
termination are estimates only and assume that such termination was effective as of December 31,
2010 and that all amounts earned through such time had been fully paid. The actual amounts to be
paid out can only be determined at the time of such executives termination of employment from
us.
Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance |
|
|
|
|
|
Acceleration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Continuation |
|
|
of |
|
|
Acceleration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
of |
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Separation |
|
|
Employee |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Benefits (1) |
|
|
Awards (2) |
|
|
Options (3) |
|
|
Other (4) |
|
|
Benefits |
|
Name |
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
Sidney Hinton |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Control (5) |
|
|
3,426,426 |
|
|
|
69,846 |
|
|
|
3,267,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,306,000 |
|
|
|
9,069,872 |
|
Involuntary without Cause |
|
|
3,426,426 |
|
|
|
69,846 |
|
|
|
2,800,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,306,000 |
|
|
|
8,603,072 |
|
Voluntary with Good Reason |
|
|
3,426,426 |
|
|
|
69,846 |
|
|
|
2,800,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6,297,072 |
|
Involuntary with Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Voluntary without Good
Reason |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Death (6) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
3,267,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
3,267,600 |
|
Disability |
|
|
1,142,142 |
|
|
|
69,846 |
|
|
|
3,267,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,479,588 |
|
Expiration of Term (7) |
|
|
1,142,142 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,142,142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher T. Hutter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Control (5) |
|
|
836,166 |
|
|
|
28,862 |
|
|
|
136,150 |
|
|
|
31,650 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,032,828 |
|
Involuntary without Cause |
|
|
836,166 |
|
|
|
28,862 |
|
|
|
116,700 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
981,728 |
|
Voluntary with Good Reason |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Involuntary with Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Voluntary without Good
Reason |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Death (6) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
136,150 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
136,150 |
|
Disability |
|
|
418,083 |
|
|
|
28,862 |
|
|
|
136,150 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
583,095 |
|
Expiration of Term (7) |
|
|
418,083 |
|
|
|
14,431 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
432,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary J. Zuiderveen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Control (5) |
|
|
507,100 |
|
|
|
9,944 |
|
|
|
108,920 |
|
|
|
18,990 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
644,954 |
|
Involuntary without Cause |
|
|
507,100 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
93,360 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
600,460 |
|
Voluntary with Good Reason |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Involuntary with Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Voluntary without Good
Reason |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Death (6) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
108,920 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
108,920 |
|
Disability |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
108,920 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
108,920 |
|
Expiration of Term (7) |
|
|
507,100 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
507,100 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Based upon 2010 rates without giving any effect to rate and price increases. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects the aggregate value of the shares of restricted stock that were unvested as of
December 31, 2010 that would vest upon the occurrence of the respective event of
termination (accelerated restricted shares), which aggregate value was calculated by
multiplying (i) the fair market value of our common stock as of December 31, 2010, which
was $7.78 per share based upon the closing sale price of our common stock on such date
as reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market, by (ii) the number of accelerated restricted
shares. Assumes the performance goal for fiscal 2010 was achieved. |
|
(3) |
|
Reflects the aggregate value of in-the-money stock options that were unvested as of
December 31, 2010 that would vest upon the occurrence of the respective event of
termination (accelerated options), which aggregate value was calculated by multiplying
(i) the amount by which the fair market value of our common stock as of December 31,
2010, which was $7.78 per share based upon the closing sale price of our common stock on
such date as reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market, exceeded the applicable exercise price
of such accelerated options, by (ii) the number of accelerated options. |
50
|
|
|
(4) |
|
For Mr. Hinton, this is the value (as of December 31, 2010) of the annuity that was
purchased by us to assist us with the funding of our annuity obligations in certain
events as specified in his employment agreement, although Mr. Hinton cannot commence
receiving payments under these annuity obligations until he reaches age 53 (or later, if
he so elects). |
|
(5) |
|
Assuming the termination of the named executive officers employment within three years
thereafter either (i) by our successor without cause, or (ii) by the officer for good
reason (for Messrs. Hinton and Zuiderveen) or for any reason (for Mr. Hutter), as
discussed above under Employment Agreements, Post-Employment Compensation and
Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in ControlEmployment Agreements. |
|
(6) |
|
Does not include the proceeds of any life insurance policies funded by us and payable
to the named executive officers beneficiaries upon death. |
|
(7) |
|
The expiration of the term of the employment agreements, for all the named executive
officers, occurs after December 31, 2010, but for purposes of this table is assumed to
occur on December 31, 2010. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
We have two equity incentive compensation plans that have been approved by our stockholders
under which shares of our common stock have been authorized for issuance to our directors,
officers, employees, advisors and consultants and awards have been made and were outstanding as
of December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan; and |
|
|
|
|
our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. |
In addition, during 2006 we issued stock options to newly hired non-executive employees
outside of any equity compensation plan that had been approved by our stockholders, which are
the only outstanding options granted under plans not approved by our stockholders.
The following table contains information about the shares of our common stock that may be
issued upon the exercise of options that were outstanding under our existing equity compensation
plans as of December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
|
Number of securities to |
|
|
Weighted-average |
|
|
future issuance under |
|
|
|
be issued upon exercise |
|
|
exercise price of |
|
|
equity compensation plans |
|
|
|
of outstanding options, |
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
|
(excluding securities |
|
|
|
warrants and rights |
|
|
warrants and rights |
|
|
reflected in column (a)) |
|
Plan Category |
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders |
|
|
1,166,411 |
(1) |
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
|
|
129,014 |
(2) |
|
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders |
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
10.64 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,246,411 |
|
|
$ |
5.98 |
|
|
|
129,014 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents options to purchase shares of common stock granted under our 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan and our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan that were outstanding but unexercised
as of December 31, 2010. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents shares of common stock available for issuance under our 2008 Stock Incentive
Plan as of December 31, 2010, which counts each stock option as one share and each share
of restricted stock as 1.5 shares. We cannot make any additional awards under our 1998
Stock Incentive Plan. |
51
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We use a combination of cash and stock-based compensation to attract and retain qualified
candidates to serve on our board. In setting the compensation for our directors, we consider the
significant amount of time that directors spend fulfilling their duties to us, on both our board
and on committees of the board, as well as the skill-level required of members of the board. The
Compensation Committee periodically reviews the compensation of our directors and, from time to
time, recommends to the full board changes to the compensation of our directors. In addition, we
have adopted stock ownership guidelines that require each non-employee director to own shares of
our common stock with a market value of at least three times the annual retainer, commencing
December 31, 2012. See Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and AnalysisStock
Ownership Guidelines.
Compensation Arrangements
Directors who are also officers or employees of us or any of our subsidiaries do not
receive any additional compensation for serving on the board of directors or its committees. All
directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket costs of attending meetings of the board and
its committees. Our directors who are not also officers or employees of us or any of our
subsidiaries, which we refer to as non-employee directors, receive a combination of cash,
derived from a board retainer fee, committee chairmanships and committee attendance fees, and
initial and annual grants of equity awards.
During fiscal 2010, each non-employee director received a monthly retainer of $3,000 for
his service on the board, plus a fee of $1,500 for each committee meeting attended. Only one fee
for committee meeting attendance is paid per day regardless of how many committee meetings are
attended that day. Our non-executive Chairman of the Board receives an annual fee of $15,000 for
his service in that capacity, in addition to receiving the compensation paid to the other
non-employee directors. The chairman of each committee receives an annual fee of $7,500. We do
not provide any life insurance, disability, health care coverage, retirement or pension plans or
other benefits to our non-employee directors.
In addition, each non-employee director receives an annual award of shares of restricted
stock with an aggregate fair market value, based on the closing sale price of our common stock
on the date of grant, equal to $50,000, which award vests in four equal quarterly installments
over the succeeding year. Each person who is first elected or appointed as a non-employee
director will receive an initial award of restricted shares with a fair market value equal to
$100,000, based upon the average closing sale price of our common stock over the 12 months
preceding the grant date, which award will vest in three equal installments on the first, second
and third anniversary of such grant.
As of April 18, 2011, options to purchase 61,111 shares of common stock were outstanding to
our current non-employee directors, at exercise prices ranging from $2.95 to $14.78 per share.
See the Director Compensation Table below.
Director Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation we paid to our non-employee directors
for fiscal 2010:
Director Compensation for Fiscal 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid
in |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Total |
|
Name(1) |
|
($)(2) |
|
|
($)(3)(4) |
|
|
($) |
|
Anthony D. Pell |
|
|
91,500 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
141,500 |
|
Kevin P. Collins |
|
|
76,500 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
126,500 |
|
John A. (Andy) Miller |
|
|
76,500 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
126,500 |
|
Thomas J. Madden III |
|
|
76,500 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
126,500 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Sidney Hinton, who served as a director during fiscal 2010, is not
included in this table because as our President and Chief Executive Officer
during fiscal 2010 he received no separate or additional compensation for his
service on the board of directors. The compensation received by
Mr. Hinton as an executive officer during fiscal 2010 is shown in the Summary Compensation
Table under Executive Compensation. |
52
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Includes all fees earned for services as a director, including the annual
cash retainer for service on our board, annual committee chair retainers,
committee meeting attendance fees and, for Mr. Pell, the $15,000 annual fee for
services as Chairman of the Board. |
|
(3) |
|
On June 8, 2010, each non-employee director was granted an annual
director award of 5,230 shares of restricted common stock, vesting in four equal
quarterly installments over the subsequent 12 months, and the grant date fair
value of this award, as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, was $9.56 per
share, based upon the closing sale price of our common stock on the date of
grant. |
|
(4) |
|
The following table shows the number of unvested shares of restricted
stock outstanding, and the number of shares of common stock that could be
acquired upon the exercise of outstanding options, held by the non-employee
directors as of December 31, 2010: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Shares of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
|
Options Outstanding on |
|
|
Stock Outstanding as of |
|
Name(a) |
|
December 31, 2010(b) |
|
|
December 31, 2010(c) |
|
Anthony D. Pell |
|
|
62,500 |
|
|
|
2,615 |
|
Kevin P. Collins |
|
|
51,111 |
|
|
|
2,615 |
|
John A. (Andy) Miller |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
2,615 |
|
Thomas J. Madden III |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
13,726 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The outstanding options held by Mr. Hinton as of December
31, 2010 are shown in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Table under Executive Compensation. |
|
(b) |
|
All options were fully vested as of December 31, 2010. |
|
(c) |
|
Represents only shares of restricted stock that had not
vested as of December 31, 2010. |
53
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
We have adopted a written policy regarding the review and approval of related person
transactions. Under this policy, our Audit Committee, all the members of which are independent
directors, must review any material transaction in which we are a participant and any related
person has a direct or indirect material interest. The Audit Committee may approve the related
person transaction if it determines that the transaction is on terms that are comparable to, or
no less favorable to us than, terms that could be obtained from unaffiliated persons, and that
the transaction is in or not inconsistent with the best interests of us and our stockholders.
For purposes of this policy, related persons means our directors, officers, 5% stockholders, the
immediate family members of any of the foregoing persons, and any firms, corporations,
partnerships or other entities in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner
or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial
ownership interest.
Jonathan Hinton, who is the son of Sidney Hinton, our President and Chief Executive
Officer, was employed by our PowerSecure subsidiary as its Senior Vice President until he
resigned in October 2008. Under the terms of his employment and non-competition agreement with
us, Mr. J. Hinton was entitled to receive commissions based upon the gross margin of sales of
projects, equipment and inventory generated by his primary sales efforts, which commissions are
paid as we recognize revenues on the projects from the customers. He is entitled to continue to
receive commissions based on projects generated by his sales efforts for which we record
revenues and collect sales proceeds after his resignation.
In August 2009, we entered into a distributorship and non-competition arrangement with Mr.
J. Hinton and Apex Controls, Inc., a company controlled by Mr. J. Hinton. Under this
arrangement, we appointed Apex as our independent, non-exclusive distributor, primarily to sell
and distribute our EfficientLights LED lighting solutions for refrigerated cases. In addition,
this arrangement restricted Mr. J. Hinton and Apex from competing with our other businesses
through October 1, 2015. We have the right of first refusal to purchase Apex upon the proposed
sale of 50% or more of the assets or equity of Apex, on the same basis as the proposed
purchaser. In consideration for Apexs services and the covenants and obligations of Apex and
Mr. J. Hinton, we agreed to pay Apex a commission, on an as-collected basis, for sales of our
products and services generated by Apex, as well as $200,000 for entering into the
distributorship and non-competition arrangement and additional payments of $200,000 in January
2010 and $100,000 annually from 2011 through 2015. The distributorship and non-competition
arrangement will continue until October 1, 2015, although it may be terminated earlier upon an
unremedied breach or default or upon other adverse events related to Apex. Our payment
obligations continue and could accelerate upon a sale of our PowerSecure subsidiary and
terminate upon the death of Mr. J. Hinton. The distributorship and non-competition arrangement
was approved by the Audit Committee. In 2010, we paid Mr. J. Hinton a total of $310,863 for
commissions earned in accordance with his employment agreement, and we paid Mr. J. Hinton and
Apex a total of $200,000 under the distributorship and non-competition arrangement.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and our
executive officers. These agreements require us to indemnify such persons against certain
liabilities that may arise against them by reason of their status or service as our officers or
directors, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, and to advance their expenses
incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. We
maintain insurance policies covering our officers and directors under which the insurer has
agreed to pay the amount of any claim made against the officers or directors that such officers
or directors may otherwise be required to pay or for which we are required to indemnify such
officers and directors, subject to certain exclusions and conditions, up to policy limits. We
believe these agreements and insurance policies are necessary to attract and retain qualified
individuals to serve as directors and executive officers.
54
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee of the board of directors consists of four members of the board, each
of whom is independent under our Standards of Director Independence, the current listing
standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The
Audit Committee operates under a formal written charter, which has been approved by the board of
directors. The Audit Committee reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter on an annual
basis. A copy of the charter of the Audit Committee is available on the Investor Relations
section of our website at www.powersecure.com under Corporate Governance.
Our management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our
financial statements and for establishing and maintaining the integrity of our accounting and
financial reporting processes, including our system of internal control over financial
reporting, the audit process and the process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations
and ethical business standards. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible
for performing an independent audit of our annual consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and expressing an opinion and issuing a
report as to the conformity of such financial statements with generally accepted accounting
principles, as well as for issuing a report on the effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting. The role of the Audit Committee is to assist the board of directors in
fulfilling its responsibilities to monitor and oversee the quality and integrity of these
financial reporting processes. Additionally, the Audit Committee has the sole authority to
appoint, retain, fix the compensation of, and oversee our independent registered public
accounting firm and to grant the prior approval of the nature and scope of and the fee
arrangements for audit and permitted non-audit services by our independent registered public
accounting firm.
In discharging its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed
with management and with Hein & Associates LLP, our independent registered public accounting
firm, our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
The Audit Committee also discussed with Hein the matters required to be discussed by Statement
on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended (Codification of
Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee met with Hein, with and without management present, to
discuss and review the results of their examination of our financial statements and the overall
quality, not just the acceptability, of our financial reports and accounting principles. The
Audit Committee also considered and discussed with management and Hein other areas of oversight
relating to the financial reporting and audit process that the Audit Committee determined
appropriate.
In addition, the Audit Committee received from Hein the written disclosures and the letter
from Hein required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
regarding the independent registered public accounting firms communications with the Audit
Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee discussed with Hein their independence
and considered the compatibility of non-audit services performed by Hein with their
independence.
Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to
the board of directors that our audited consolidated financial statements be included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Audit Committee has appointed Hein as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, and
recommends that stockholders ratify that appointment.
The members of the Audit Committee are not professional accountants or members of a
registered public accounting firm, and, as specified in its charter, it is not the duty of the
Audit Committee to prepare financial statements, to plan or conduct audits or to determine that
our consolidated financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. In discharging its duties, the Audit Committee has relied on (i)
managements representation that our annual consolidated financial statements were prepared with
integrity and objectivity and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and
(ii) the report of our independent registered public accounting firm with respect to such
financial statements.
Audit Committee
Anthony D. Pell, Chairman
Kevin P. Collins
John A. (Andy) Miller
Thomas J. Madden III
55
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
To the extent that this proxy statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing
by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the sections of this
proxy statement entitled Compensation Committee Report and Audit Committee Report (to the
extent permitted by the rules of the SEC) will not be deemed incorporated, unless specifically
provided otherwise in such filing. In addition, information contained on or connected to our
website is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement and should not be considered
part of this proxy statement or incorporated into any other filing that we make with the SEC.
ANNUAL REPORT
Our 2010 Annual Report to Stockholders, which contains our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and includes our audited consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, accompanies this proxy statement but is
not a part of this proxy statement or our proxy solicitation materials. We will provide,
without charge, additional copies of our 2010 Annual Report to any stockholder upon receipt of a
written request, addressed to us at:
PowerSecure International, Inc.,
1609 Heritage Commerce Court,
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587,
Attention: Investor Relations
Our 2010 Annual Report to Stockholders is also available electronically at
www.edocumentview.com/powr.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and
beneficial owners of more than 10% of our outstanding common stock, to file with the SEC initial
reports of ownership on Form 3 and reports of changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5, and to
furnish us with copies of all such reports that they file. Based solely upon our review of the
copies of such forms received by us, we believe that, during fiscal 2010, all reports required
by Section 16(a) to be filed by such persons were timely filed, except that one report of the
sale of shares was filed one day late and another report of two sales of shares was filed four
days late by Mr. Miller.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholders may submit proper proposals for consideration at future stockholder meetings,
if they comply with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations and our amended
and restated by-laws, which are summarized below.
Proposals to be Included in our Proxy Materials
In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials
for our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, the written proposal must be received by our
Secretary at our principal executive offices on or before December 29, 2011. In addition,
stockholder proposals must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange
Act, including the SEC regulations under Rule 14a-8. The timely submission of a stockholder
proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in our proxy materials for the 2012 annual
meeting of stockholders.
Other Proposals and Nominations
Our by-laws establish advance notice procedures that a stockholder must comply with in
order (i) to nominate persons for election to our board of directors at an annual meeting of
stockholders or (ii) to bring other items of business before an annual meeting of stockholders
that will not be included in our proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8.
Our by-laws provide that the only business that may be conducted at an annual meeting is
business that is (1) specified in the notice of the meeting given by or at the direction of our
board of directors, (2) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of
directors, or (3) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who (a) was a
stockholder of record both when such stockholder gave such notice and at the time of the annual
meeting, (b) is entitled to vote at the annual meeting, and (c) complies with the notice
procedures in our by-laws by delivering timely written notice to our corporate secretary, which
notice must contain the information specified in our by-laws concerning the matters to be
brought before such annual meeting and concerning the stockholder making the proposal.
These by-law requirements are separate from the SEC requirements under Rule 14a-8 that a
stockholder must comply with in order to have a stockholder proposal included in our proxy
statement.
56
These advance notice procedures require that, among other things, notice of a stockholder
proposal of an item of business not intended to be included in our proxy statement must be
submitted by a stockholder in writing to and received by our Secretary not less than 90 days nor
more than 120 days prior to the one year anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting,
unless the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of
the date of the preceding annual meeting, in which case we must receive the notice not later
than 90 days before the date of the annual meeting or, if later, 10 days following the date on
which public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is first made. For stockholder
proposals to be timely for our 2012 annual meeting, a stockholder must deliver written notice to
our corporate secretary at our principal executive officers not earlier than February 14, 2012
and not later than March 15, 2012. However, if the date of our 2012 annual meeting is changed by
more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the 2011 Annual Meeting, then the notice of the
stockholder proposal must be received not later than 90 days before the date of the 2012 annual
meeting or, if later, 10 days following the date on which public announcement of the date of the
2012 annual meeting is first made.
In addition, our by-laws permit stockholders to nominate directors for election at an
annual meeting of stockholders. To nominate a director, a stockholder must give timely notice of
such nomination to our secretary at our principal executive offices, which notice must contain
the information specified in our by-laws concerning the person to be nominated as a director and
concerning the stockholder making the nomination. To be timely, such notice must be received by
our secretary within the time period described in the paragraph above for stockholder proposals
not intended to be included in our proxy statement. In addition, the proposed nominee must be
willing to provide any other information reasonably requested by the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee.
Only such business may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been
properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
advance notice provisions of our by-laws. The chairman of our 2012 annual meeting will have the
discretion to determine if a nomination or another item of business proposed by a stockholder
has been proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in our by-laws, and if not,
declare that the nomination or other item of business be disregarded. Only nominations for
director and proposals of other items of business submitted in accordance with the advance
notice provisions of our by-laws will be eligible for presentation at our 2012 annual meeting,
and any matter not submitted in accordance with such provisions will not be considered or acted
upon at our 2012 annual meeting.
A copy of the relevant provisions of our by-laws regarding the requirements for making
stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates may be obtained by a stockholder,
without charge, upon written request to our corporate secretary at our principal executive
offices.
Notice and Other Information
All notices of nominations for director and proposals of other items of business by
stockholders, whether or not to be included in our proxy materials, must be sent to us as
follows:
PowerSecure International, Inc.
1609 Heritage Commerce Court
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Attention: Secretary
Any stockholder proposal must also comply with all other applicable provisions of our second
restated certificate of incorporation and our by-laws, the Exchange Act (including the rules and
regulations under the Exchange Act), and Delaware law. We reserve the right to reject, rule out
of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal or nomination that does
not comply with these and other applicable requirements. If we do not exclude the proposal, then
the persons appointed as proxies in the proxy card solicited by the board of directors for the
2012 annual meeting may exercise discretionary voting authority to vote in accordance with their
best judgment on any proposal submitted outside of Rule 14a-8.
57
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the board of directors knows of no other matters to
be presented at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented at the
Annual Meeting, the persons appointed as proxies in the accompanying proxy card will have the
discretionary authority to vote the shares represented by the proxy card in accordance with
their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Sidney Hinton
President and Chief Executive Officer
Wake Forest, North Carolina
April 28, 2011
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders To Be Held on June 13, 2011:
This proxy statement and our 2010 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at
www.edocumentview.com/powr.
58
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
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Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet or telephone!
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote
your proxy.
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on June
13, 2011.
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Vote by Internet
Log on to the Internet and go to www.envisionreports.com/POWR
Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.
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Vote by telephone
Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA,
US territories & Canada any time on a touch
tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call.
Follow the instructions provided by the
recorded message. |
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Annual Meeting Proxy Card
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▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ▼
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A Proposals
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed below, FOR Proposals 2 and 4,
and 3 YRS on Proposal 3. |
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+ |
1.
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To elect two directors, each to serve for a term of three years and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. |
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For |
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Withhold |
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01 - Kevin P. Collins
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02 - John A. (Andy) Miller
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For |
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Abstain |
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3 Yrs |
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Abstain |
2. To approve, on an advisory
basis, the compensation
of the named executive officers.
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3. To select, on an advisory basis, the
frequency of future advisory votes on
executive compensation.
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o
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For
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Against
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4. To ratify the appointment of
Hein & Associates LLP as
PowerSecures independent
registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2011. |
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5. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to take
action and to
vote upon such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
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B Non-Voting Items |
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Change of Address Please print new address below.
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Meeting Attendance |
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Mark box to the
right if you plan
to attend the
Annual Meeting.
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C Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date
and Sign Below
Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian or custodian, please give
full title.
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below.
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Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box.
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Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. |
/ / |
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▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ▼
Proxy PowerSecure International, Inc.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD JUNE 13, 2011
The undersigned stockholder of PowerSecure International, Inc. hereby appoints Sidney Hinton and
Christopher T. Hutter, or either of them, with full power and substitution, as proxy or proxies of
the undersigned, to represent the undersigned, and to exercise all the powers that the undersigned
would have if personally present to act and to vote all of the shares of PowerSecure that the
undersigned is entitled to vote, at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of PowerSecure
International, Inc. called to be held on Monday, June 13, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. at the Hampton Inn
Hotel, 12318 Wake Union Church Road, Wake Forest, North Carolina, and at any adjournments or
postponements thereof, as indicated on the reverse.
The shares represented by this proxy card when properly executed will be voted as specified. If no
specification is made, the shares will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 4, 3 YRS on Proposal 3 and
in accordance with the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. All proxies previously
given are hereby revoked. Receipt of the accompanying Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED SELF-ADDRESSED
ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders To Be Held on June 13, 2011:
The proxy statement and our 2010 Annual Report
to Stockholders are available at www.edocumentview.com/powr.
(Proposals to be voted appear on reverse side).
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Powersecure International, Inc. |
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
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x |
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Annual Meeting Proxy Card |
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▼
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ▼
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A Proposals
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed below, FOR Proposals 2 and 4,
and 3 YRS on Proposal 3. |
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+ |
1.
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To elect two directors, each to serve for a term of three years and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. |
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For
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Withhold
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For
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Withhold |
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01 - Kevin P. Collins
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02 - John A. (Andy) Miller
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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3 Yrs
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2 Yrs
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1 Yr
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Abstain |
2.
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation
of the named executive officers.
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o
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o
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o
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3. |
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To select, on an advisory basis, the
frequency of future advisory votes on
executive compensation.
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o
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o
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o
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For |
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Abtain |
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4.
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To ratify the appointment of Hein & Associates LLP as
PowerSecures independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011.
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5. |
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In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to take action and to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
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B |
Authorized
Signatures
This section must be completed for your vote to be counted.
Date and Sign Below
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Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian or custodian, please give full title.
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below.
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Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box.
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Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. |
/ / |
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n |
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+ |
01BOJB
▼ PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. ▼
Proxy PowerSecure International, Inc.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD JUNE 13, 2011
The undersigned stockholder of PowerSecure International, Inc. hereby appoints Sidney Hinton and
Christopher T. Hutter, or either of them, with full power and substitution, as proxy or proxies of
the undersigned, to represent the undersigned, and to exercise all the powers that the undersigned
would have if personally present to act and to vote all of the shares of PowerSecure that the
undersigned is entitled to vote, at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of PowerSecure
International, Inc. called to be held on Monday, June 13, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. at the Hampton Inn
Hotel, 12318 Wake Union Church Road, Wake Forest, North Carolina, and at any adjournments or
postponements thereof, as indicated on the reverse.
The shares represented by this proxy card when properly executed will be voted as specified. If no
specification is made, the shares will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 4, 3 YRS on Proposal 3 and
in accordance with the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. All proxies previously
given are hereby revoked. Receipt of the accompanying Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED SELF-ADDRESSED
ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders To Be Held on June 13, 2011:
The proxy statement and our 2010 Annual Report
to Stockholders are available at www.edocumentview.com/powr.
(Proposals to be voted appear on reverse side).