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
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
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ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
32000 AURORA ROAD, SUITE B
SOLON, OHIO 44139
June 18, 2015
Dear Stockholder:
This year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 1:00 P.M., local time, at the principal executive offices of Energy Focus, Inc., 32000 Aurora Road, Suite B, Solon, Ohio 44139. You are cordially invited to attend.
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and a Proxy Statement, which describe the formal business to be conducted at the meeting, have been made a part of this invitation.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, I hope that you will vote as soon as possible. Please review the instructions on each of your voting options described in the Proxy Statement.
Please also note that if you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank or broker, that custodian cannot vote your shares without your specific instructions.
The Proxy Statement and related proxy form are first being made available on or about June 18, 2015.
Thank you for your ongoing support of, and continued interest in, Energy Focus.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ James Tu | |
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James Tu |
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Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
32000 AURORA ROAD, SUITE B
SOLON, OHIO 44139
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 22, 2015
TO STOCKHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Energy Focus, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 1:00 P.M., local time, at the principal executive offices of Energy Focus, Inc., 32000 Aurora Road, Suite 13, Solon, Ohio 44139, for the following purposes:
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To elect eight directors to serve until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and appointed, the nominees for which are as follows: Ronald D. Black, Simon Cheng, William Cohen, Glenda Dorchak, Marc J. Eisenberg, Jiangang Luo, Michael R. Ramelot and James Tu; |
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To consider and vote upon a non-binding advisory proposal to approve the compensation of our executive officers; |
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, $.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”); |
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2014 Plan; and |
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To consider and act upon any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2015 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof
Most stockholders have a choice of voting over the Internet, by telephone or by using a traditional proxy card. Please refer to the attached proxy materials or the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see which voting methods are available to you.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015:
This proxy statement and our annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, are available at: http://www.proxyvote.com.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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/s/ Marcia J. Miller |
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Marcia J. Miller |
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Interim Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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Solon, Ohio
June 18, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Information Concerning Solicitation and Voting of Proxies |
1 |
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors |
2 |
Proposal No. 2: Advisory Approval of Executive Officer Compensation |
7 |
Proposal No. 3: Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation |
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Proposal No. 4: Amendment to the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan |
9 |
Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders and Management |
17 |
Executive Compensation and Other Information |
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Director Compensation |
23 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions |
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Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance |
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Audit Committee Report |
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Stockholder Proposals for the 2016 Annual Meeting |
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Householding Information |
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Other Matters |
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Annual Report on Form 10-K |
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Appendix A |
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Appendix B |
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
32000 AURORA ROAD, SUITE B
SOLON, OHIO 44139
Information Concerning Solicitation and Voting of Proxies
General
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Energy Focus, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Energy Focus” or the “Company”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 1:00 P.M., local time, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at the principal executive offices of Energy Focus, Inc., 32000 Aurora Road, Suite B, Solon, Ohio 44139.
The cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne by the Company. Regular employees and directors of the Company may solicit proxies in person, by telephone, by mail, or by email. No additional compensation will be given to employees or directors for such solicitation. The Company will request brokers and nominees who hold shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of Energy Focus (“Common Stock”) in their names to furnish proxy material to the beneficial owners of such shares and will reimburse such brokers and nominees for their reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners.
Revocability of Proxies
Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before its use either by delivering a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to Energy Focus, Inc., Attention: Secretary, 32000 Aurora Road, Suite B, Solon, Ohio 44139 or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. If a proxy is properly signed and not revoked, the shares it represents will be voted in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to revoke your proxy or vote at the Annual Meeting, you must follow the instructions provided to you by the record holder and/or obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
Record Date and Share Ownership
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2015 (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Company had 10,022,913 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date.
Voting
Each share of Common Stock held as of the Record Date entitles its holder to one vote on each matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, including the election of directors. The presence at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date will represent a quorum permitting the conduct of business at the meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares that are held in “street name” (meaning a broker, trustee, bank or other nominee holds shares on your behalf), you must instruct your broker as to how to vote your shares on the proposals presented in this proxy statement. Failure to do so may result in a “broker non-vote” because a broker does not have discretion to vote on your behalf with respect to any of the proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting. Any proxies received by the Company marked as abstentions or broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. The effect of abstentions and broker non-votes on the outcome of each proposal is described below.
The eight nominees receiving the greatest number of votes “for” election will be elected as directors. If you do not vote for a particular director nominee, or if you indicate “withhold authority” for a particular nominee on your proxy form, your vote will not have an effect on the outcome of the election of directions. Broker non-votes also will not have an effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the non-binding advisory proposal regarding the compensation of our executive officers. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for approval to amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required for the approval to amend the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered votes cast on the proposal and will not have an effect on the outcome of this proposal.
The shares represented by the proxies received, properly marked, dated, signed and not revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting. Where such proxies specify a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the specifications made. Any proxy in the enclosed form which is returned but is not marked will be voted FOR the election of the eight nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement (Proposal 1), FOR the non-binding advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 2), FOR the approval of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock (Proposal 3), and FOR the approval of the amendment to the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (Proposal 4).
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors
Nominees
Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the eight nominees named below, regardless of whether any other names are placed in nomination by anyone other than one of the proxy holders. If the candidacy of any one or more of such nominees should, for any reason, be withdrawn, the proxy holders will vote in favor of the remainder of those nominated and for such substituted nominees, if any, as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. Please note that if the candidacy of one or more nominees should be withdrawn, the Board may reduce the number of directors to be elected at this time. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the persons named will be unable or unwilling to serve as a nominee or as a director if elected.
If a quorum is present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, the eight nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as directors at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting or until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed.
The Company’s Bylaws provide that the number of directors of the Company shall be no less than five and no more than nine, with the exact number within such range to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at eight and has recommended and nominated the eight nominees listed below. Of the eight nominees, four are continuing directors (Simon Cheng, William Cohen, Michael R. Ramelot and James Tu) and four are new director nominees (Roland D. Black, Glenda Dorchak, Marc J. Eisenberg and Jiangang Luo). Mr. Luo previously served on the Company’s Board of Directors from September 2013 until July 2014. Current directors John M. Davenport, Xin He and Thomas W. Swidarski are not standing for re-election.
Biographical information concerning each nominee is set forth below:
Name |
Age |
Director Since |
Background | |
Ronald D. Black, Ph.D. |
51 |
n/a |
Dr. Black has served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Rambus Inc. since June 2012 and as a Director of Rambus Inc. since July 2012. Rambus Inc. is a technology solutions company that captures, secures and moves data. Its customizable IP cores, architecture licenses, tools, services, and training improve the competitive advantage of its customers’ products while accelerating their time to market. Dr. Black was previously the Managing Director of R.D. Black & Company, a consulting firm, since August 2011. From September 2010 to August 2011, Dr. Black was the Chief Executive Officer of MobiWire, formerly Sagem Wireless, a privately-held mobile handset company headquartered near Paris, France that offers products and services to original equipment manufacturers and mobile network operators in the mobile phone marketplace. From June 2009 to October 2010, Dr. Black served as Chairman and CEO of UPEK, Inc. Dr. Black currently serves as a board member of EnOcean GmbH, a German-based company that manufactures and markets energy harvesting technology, sensors, and radio frequency communication. From September 2010 to November 2012, he served as a board member of AuthenTec, Inc., which he joined following the AuthenTec-UPEK merger in September 2010 and from 2007 to 2013, he served as a board member of Inside Contactless, a France-based company engaged in the semiconductors and information technology industry. From September 2004 to June 2009, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Wavecom S.A., a publicly traded French wireless solutions company. Dr. Black holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master’s of Science, and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Dr. Black’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include his leadership positions in various high-growth technology companies, both domestic and foreign. | ||||
Simon Cheng |
41 |
2012 |
Mr. Cheng has been Director of Business Development since January 2015. Prior to that he was Director of Supply Chain in charge of Company procurement and supply chain operations from December 2013 to December 2014. From June 2013 to November 2013, he was the Company’s Brand Manager. Previously, he was Managing Director of Communal International Ltd., a group assisting clean energy companies to gain market access and improve supply chain efficiencies in Asia, from March 2012 to June 2013. He is a Board Director of ZW Group, a real estate and shopping center developer in China, and was the Market/Project Manager from October 2007 to March 2012. Prior to that time, Mr. Cheng was a Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for The X/Y Group, a marketing enterprise that markets and distributes global consumer brand products including JanSport and Skechers in the greater China region. Additionally, he has consulting experience having worked as an Enterprise Risk Services Consultant and a System Consultant for Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Cheng graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Cheng’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include his knowledge of the Company’s operations in various areas and experience with marketing and supply chain matters in Asia. | ||||
William Cohen |
61 |
2014 |
Mr. Cohen has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Dillon Yarn Corporation since February 2011, and as President from October 1996 to February 2011. Dillon Yarn Corporation manufactures and globally distributes filament yarns, fabrics, flake, chip, staple fiber and non-woven fabric to many segments of the textile industry, including medical, technical, industrial, automotive, home furnishing and apparel. Mr. Cohen is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Oral Health Care LLC, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAWI, LLC d/b/a Arctic Ease, a Partner in Fabricated Metals, and President of Morristown Helicopter Services Inc. He is a member of the Tel Aviv University Board of Governors and Chairman Emeritus of American Friends of Tel Aviv University. Mr. Cohen attended C.W. Post of Long Island University. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Cohen’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include his leadership experience of a global manufacturing and distribution business, as well as his network and experience in sales, marketing and manufacturing, both domestic and foreign. |
Glenda Dorchak |
61 |
n/a |
Ms. Dorchak was Executive Vice President and General Manager of Global Business for Spansion, Inc., a Sunnyvale, California based flash memory provider from April 2012 to June 2013. From January 2009 until September 2010, when it was acquired by Red Bend Software, Ms. Dorchak was the Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of VirtualLogix, Inc., a Sunnyvale, California based provider of virtualization software for wireless and embedded devices. Prior to VirtualLogix, Inc., she served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Intrinsyc Software International, Inc. from August 2006 to November 2008 where she had also served as an independent director September 2003 to December 2004. Ms. Dorchak was an executive with Intel Corporation from 2001 to 2006, including serving as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Intel Corporation's Communications Group; Vice President and General Manager of Intel's Consumer Electronics Group; and Vice President and General Manager of the Broadband Products Group. Prior to her tenure at Intel Corporation, she served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Value America, Inc., an online retailer, from September 1999 to November 2000. Since 2009, Ms. Dorchak has been a member of the Board of Directors of Mellanox Technologies, a leading global supplier of end-to-end InfiniBand and Ethernet interconnect silicon, software and systems. Ms.Dorchak also currently serves on the board of Mirametrix Inc, a private software company that provides gaze-tracking software and she is an Operating Advisor to OMERS Private Equity. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Ms. Dorchak’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include her executive and board member experience in the software and technology industries, as well as her expertise, experience and understanding of global markets. | ||||
Marc J. Eisenberg |
48 |
n/a |
Mr. Eisenberg is Chief Executive Officer and a Director of ORBCOMM Inc., positions he has held since March 2008. ORBCOMM is a global provider of machine-to-machine solutions, including network connectivity, devices and web reporting applications. He previously served as its Chief Operating Officer from February 2007 to March 2008, Chief Marketing Officer from June 2006 to February 2007and Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing from March 2002 to June 2006. Mr. Eisenberg holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marketing and Management from New York University. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Eisenberg’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include leadership position in a technology company, as well as his expertise and experience in global operations. | ||||
Jiangang Luo |
47 |
n/a |
Mr. Luo has been the Managing Partner of Cleantech Global Limited, formerly Prime Science & Technology, Inc. since 2006, a company focusing on clean technology and a significant stockholder of the Company. He previously served on the Company’s Board of Directors from September 2013 until July 2014. Mr. Luo has also been Managing Partner of Faith Asset Management LLC since 2011. He also serves many non-profit organizations and is Chairman of the American United Chamber of Commerce, and former Chairman of Tsinghua Alumni Association of Greater New York. Mr. Luo has a Master’s degree in Computational Mathematics and double Bachelor’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from Tsinghua University. He was also awarded a Fellowship for his mathematical Ph.D. degree from Rutgers University. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Luo’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include his significant and diverse experience in financial matters and vast knowledge of clean technology, as well as his previous service on the Board. | ||||
Michael R. Ramelot |
69 |
2013 |
Mr. Ramelot has been a consultant since 2002 on many projects, including serving as project leader on BlackLine system implementations to enhance the financial close process of several multi-million dollar companies; serving as project leader on due diligence, accounting valuations and appraisals related to acquisitions; researching and preparing position papers for companies on complex accounting issues; preparing various SEC filings; and assessing and implementing compliance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley at several companies. Prior to becoming a consultant, Mr. Ramelot served as the President and Chief Financial Officer and as the Chief Financial Officer of Compro Packaging LLC. Mr. Ramelot received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Santa Clara and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from St. Mary’s College. He is a Certified Public Accountant. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Ramelot’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include his significant experience with financial and accounting matters and SEC compliance matters. |
James Tu |
46 |
2012 |
Mr. Tu has served as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 2013. He served as the non-Executive Chairman of the Board from December 2012 to April 2013. He is also the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of 5 Elements Global Advisors, an investment advisory and management company focusing on investing in clean energy companies. Additionally, he is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Communal International Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company dedicated to assisting clean energy solutions companies maximize their technology and product potential and gain access to global marketing, distribution licensing, manufacturing, and financing resources. Previously, he served as the Director of Investment Management of Gerstein Fisher & Associates, and an equity analyst at Dolphin Asset Management Corp. Mr. Tu received a Master’s degree in Business Administration in finance from Baruch College and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Tsinghua University. | |
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Tu’s qualifications to serve as a Board member include his role as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as his experience investing in and advising clean energy companies. |
Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation
The eight nominees receiving the highest number of votes at the Annual Meeting will be elected as directors of the Company.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
Corporate Governance
Director Independence
The Board of Directors has determined that each of the following current directors and director nominees is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market:
Ronald D. Black (Nominee)
William Cohen (Current Director and Nominee)
Glenda Dorchak (Nominee)
Marc J. Eisenberg (Nominee)
Xin He (Current Director)
Jiangang Luo (Nominee)
Michael R. Ramelot (Current Director and Nominee)
Thomas W. Swidarski (Current Director)
In this Proxy Statement these current directors and director nominees are referred to individually as an “Independent Director” and collectively as the “Independent Directors.”
Board Meetings and Committees; Annual Meeting Attendance
The Board of Directors held a total of seven meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, including five regular meetings and two special meetings. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which such directors served, except J. James Finnerty and Jiangang Luo who each attended 67% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors during the time that each served as a director. In addition, the Board acted numerous times by written consent as permitted under Delaware law. The Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee and an Audit and Finance Committee, each composed entirely of Independent Directors under the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market rules for purposes of serving on such committees.
The Company does not have a policy regarding attendance by the directors at the Company’s Annual Meeting. Four of our directors then serving were present at the last Annual Meeting held July 15, 2014.
Compensation Committee
The Company has a standing Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, currently consisting of Mr. Swidarski, as chairman, Mr. Cohen and Mr. He. Following the Annual Meeting, it is expected that the Board of Directors will appoint Mr. Black to replace Mr. Swidarski, as chairman, and Ms. Dorchak to replace Mr. He. The Compensation Committee held one meeting in 2014. The Board has approved a charter for the Compensation Committee. A copy of this charter can be found on the Company’s website at http://www.energyfocusinc.com.
The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the Board corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluates his performance in light of such goals and objectives, and recommends to the Board for approval his compensation level based on this evaluation; develops and recommends to the Board compensation arrangements for other executive officers of the Company, reviews and recommends to the Board incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and administers such plans; reviews and recommends to the Board all other employee benefit plans for the Company; and reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding compensation of the Board of Directors. The authority of the Compensation Committee may be delegated to a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee, consisting of one or more directors. The Chief Executive Officer may provide recommendations regarding compensation of other executive officers. The Compensation Committee is empowered to retain consultants for advice on compensation matters. In 2014, the Compensation Committee retained Findley Davies to provide consulting services in connection with Mr. Tu’s compensation program, which included a market analysis for base salary, variable and long term compensation.
No director currently serving on the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries. No interlocking relationships exist between our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity, nor has any interlocking relationship existed in the past.
Audit and Finance Committee
The Company’s Audit and Finance Committee acts as the standing audit committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, which currently consists of Mr. Ramelot, as chairman, Mr. He and Mr. Swidarski, held five meetings in 2014. Following the Annual Meeting, it is expected that the Board of Directors will appoint Mr. Eisenberg and Ms. Dorchak to replace Mr. He and Mr. Swidarski. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Ramelot is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules of the SEC. The Board has approved a charter for the Audit and Finance Committee. A copy of this charter can be found on the Company’s website at http://www.energyfocusinc.com.
The Audit and Finance Committee’s primary functions are to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and other financial information, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Other specific duties and responsibilities of the Audit and Finance Committee are to: appoint, compensate, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; review and pre-approve audit and permissible non-audit services; review the scope of the annual audit; monitor the independent registered public accounting firm’s relationship with the Company; and meet with the independent registered public accounting firm and management to discuss and review the Company’s financial statements, internal controls, and auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes.
Director Nominations
We do not have a standing nominating committee or a nominating committee charter. Acting upon the nomination recommendations of our Independent Directors as required by the NASDAQ Stock Market rules, the Board as a whole sets the size of the Board, nominates directors for election at each annual meeting, and elects new directors to fill vacancies when they arise. We believe that, considering the size of the Company and our Board composition, nominating recommendations can be made effectively and efficiently by our Independent Directors without the need for a formal committee or charter.
The Board selects candidates for directors based on their character, judgment, diversity of experience, business acumen, and ability to act on behalf of all stockholders. While the Board does not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity, it believes that its membership should be composed of experienced and dedicated individuals with diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The Board believes that nominees for directors should have experience, such as experience in management or accounting and finance, or industry and technology knowledge that may be useful to the Company and the Board, high personal and professional ethics, and the willingness and ability to devote sufficient time to effectively carry out his or her duties as a director.
During 2015, the Company retained the services of D.J. Wurdack Inc., an executive search consultant firm, to identify potential director candidates. New director nominees Ronald D. Black, Glenda Dorchak and Marc J. Eisenberg were identified by D.J. Wurdack Inc. Director nominee Jiangang Luo was known to the Board of Directors due to his past service as a director of the Company and his position as Managing Partner of Cleantech Global Limited, a significant stockholder of the Company.
The Board will consider various candidates for Board membership, including those suggested by other Board members, by any executive search firm engaged by the Board, and by stockholders. A stockholder who wishes to suggest a prospective nominee for the Board to consider should notify the Secretary of the Company or any member of the Board in writing, with any supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate, at the following address: Energy Focus, Inc., 32000 Aurora Road, Suite B, Solon, Ohio 44139.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Mr. Tu currently serves as both Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Board. The Board does not have a formal policy on whether the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman should be separate and has not appointed a lead independent director, but believes at this time that the Company and its stockholders are best served by its current leadership structure. Combining the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman fosters accountability, effective decision-making and alignment between interests of the Board and management.
It is management’s responsibility to manage risk and bring material risks to the attention of the Board. The Board administers its risk oversight role by reviewing strategic, financial and execution risks and exposures associated with the Company’s operations and financial condition; litigation and other matters that may present material risk to our operations, plans, prospects or reputation; acquisitions and divestitures; and senior management succession planning. This oversight role is performed directly and through the committee structure and the committees’ regular reports to the Board of Directors. The Audit and Finance Committee reviews risks associated with financial and accounting matters, including financial reporting, accounting, disclosure, internal controls over financial reporting and ethics and compliance programs. The Compensation Committee reviews risks related to executive compensation and the design of compensation programs, plans and arrangements.
Proposal No. 2: Advisory Approval of Executive Officer Compensation
We are asking our stockholders to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. This proposal is commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote and is required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Our policy is to provide a compensation program that will attract, motivate and retain persons of high quality and will support a long-standing internal culture of loyalty and dedication to the interests of the Company and our stockholders. Your advisory vote on this particular proposal is not intended to address any specific element of the compensation of our named executive officers; rather, the vote relates to our general executive compensation program, which is described in greater detail under the “Executive Compensation and Other Information” heading of this proxy statement.
Although this vote is not binding on the Company, we value your opinion and our Compensation Committee will consider the results of your vote on this proposal when making future decisions relating to our executive compensation program.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NON-BINDING ADVISORY APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
Proposal No. 3: Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
On May 4, 2015, the Board adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 15,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares (the “Charter Amendment”). The Charter Amendment would not affect the number of authorized shares of the Company’s preferred stock.
Form of the Amendment
The Board has deemed the Charter Amendment to be advisable and in the best interests of the Company and is accordingly is submitting it to stockholders for approval. The Charter Amendment would revise the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, by replacing the second paragraph of section (A) of Article FOURTH with the following language:
“The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is Thirty-Two Million (32,000,000) shares, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Thirty Million (30,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock and Two Million (2,000,000) shares shall be preferred stock.”
The full text of the proposed Charter Amendment is set forth in Appendix A of this proxy statement
Purpose of the Amendment
The Charter Amendment is intended to ensure that the Company will continue to have an adequate number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock available for future use. As of June 1, 2015, the Company had 10,022,913 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and an additional 1,499,161 shares reserved for issuance as future awards or upon exercise or settlement outstanding awards pursuant to our equity incentive plans, for purchase under our employee stock purchase plan or for issuance upon exercise of certain outstanding warrants. If stockholders approve the proposal to increase the authorized shares available for issuance pursuant to our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan at the Annual Meeting, an additional 600,000 shares would be reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards. As a result, the Company would only have authorized but unissued or reserved 2,877,926 shares of Common Stock available for future issuance.
The Board believes that the current level of authorized shares could impair the Company’s ability to pursue strategies intended to enhance stockholder value and support the Company’s plans for growth. Increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock would provide the Company with additional flexibility to issue Common Stock in connection with a variety of general corporate purposes that the Board may at times deem to be desirable for the Company. These general corporate purposes may include, without limitation, acquisitions, capital-raising transactions, such as sales of Common Stock pursuant to our effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 or other public or private equity or convertible debt financings, and equity-based incentive plans. As described in Proposal 4 in this Proxy Statement, the Company is also seeking stockholder approval for an amendment to the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan that would increase the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder. However, the Company currently has no plans, arrangements, commitments or understandings with respect to the issuance of any of the additional shares of Common Stock that would be authorized by the proposed Charter Amendment.
The holders of any of the additional shares of Common Stock issued in the future would have the same rights and privileges as the holders of any shares of Common Stock currently issued and outstanding. The proposed increase in authorized shares would not have an immediate effect on the rights of existing stockholders. However, as is the case with the shares of Common Stock that are currently authorized but unissued, if this Charter Amendment is adopted by the stockholders, the Board will have the authority to issue additional shares of Common Stock from time to time without further action on the part of stockholders, except as may be required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market or other applicable law and regulations. Future issuances of Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) could have a dilutive impact on, among other things, the earnings per share, the voting power of existing stockholders, and, depending on the issue price of future shares, the value of the currently outstanding shares. Further, the availability of additional authorized shares of Common Stock could discourage, delay, or prevent a third-party takeover attempt because the Company would be capable of engaging in actions that would be dilutive to a potential acquirer, although this proposal is not being presented with the intent to prevent or discourage any attempt to obtain control of the Company.
Effectiveness of the Amendment
Upon receipt of the necessary stockholder approval, the Board has authorized and directed the Company’s officers to prepare, execute, and file the Charter Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Charter Amendment would become effective upon such filing.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
Proposal No. 4: Amendment to the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan
On May 4, 2015, the Board resolved to submit for stockholder approval an amendment to the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). If approved by our stockholders, the amendment would increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2014 Plan from 600,000 shares (as adjusted to reflect the one-for-ten reverse split of our Common Stock effected on July 16, 2014) to 1,200,000 shares.
Purpose of the 2014 Plan and Amendment
The 2014 Plan is an important part of the Company’s overall compensation program by allowing the Company to grant incentive awards to our current and prospective officers, employees, directors, and consultants. The purpose of the 2014 Plan is to: (1) enhance stockholder value by linking the compensation of our officers, non-employee directors and key employees to increases in the price of our Common Stock and the achievement of other performance objectives; (2) encourage ownership in our Common Stock by key personnel whose long-term employment is considered essential to our continued progress and success; (3) assist the Company in recruiting new directors and employees; and (4) motivate, retain and encourage such directors and employees to act in the stockholders’ interest and share in our success.
The 2014 Plan, as approved by our stockholders on July 15, 2014, originally authorized 600,000 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under its terms. As of May 29, 2015, we had granted a total of 341,634 stock options, restricted stock unit awards and restricted stock awards, net of cancellations, under the 2014 Plan, leaving 258,366 shares available for future awards. As of May 29, 2015, there were a total of 273,250 stock options outstanding under the 2014 Plan with a weighted average exercise price of $5.53 per share, and 60,250 restricted stock unit awards outstanding. The Company’s closing stock price on June 1, 2015 was $6.97 per share.
At the time the 2014 Plan was submitted to stockholders for approval, we estimated that it would support awards for the next three to four years. However, as the Company has continued to grow, our provision of equity compensation has become an increasingly important component of our ability to incentivize officers, directors and employees and compete for and retain talented executives and other personnel. We have granted awards under the 2014 Plan to approximately 97 officers, directors, employees and advisory board members. Of the awards granted pursuant to our 2014 Plan to date, 135,000 were granted to executive officers, 30,000 were granted to directors, 157,634 were granted to non-executive employees and 20,000 were granted to advisory board members. We believe that the proposed increase is necessary to continue to support our growth efforts and any inability to adequately compensate and incentivize our officers, directors, employees, advisory board members or other consultants that we may engage through equity awards could adversely impact our ability to motivate, recruit and retain talent.
New Plan Benefits
Grants under the 2014 Plan are discretionary, so it is not possible to predict the number of shares of Common Stock that will be awarded or who will receive awards under the 2014 Plan as proposed to be amended.
Summary of the 2014 Plan
The 2014 Plan is an “omnibus” plan that provides for several different kinds of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), stock awards and other stock-based awards. The 2014 Plan generally permits the same types of awards as could be granted under the 2008 Plan, but also specifically provides for performance-based cash awards and permits more flexible terms than the 2008 Plan, which provides us with greater discretion in structuring award programs. The 2014 Plan does not have an “evergreen” feature, so any increase in the number of authorized shares other than as specifically set forth in the 2014 Plan will require stockholder approval.
The following summary of the material terms of the 2014 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2014 Plan, as proposed to be amended, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement.
Shares Authorized for Issuance under the 2014 Plan; Share Counting Procedure
The proposed amendment would increase the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2014 Plan from 600,000 to 1,200,000.
Shares (i) delivered (or withheld upon settlement) under the 2014 Plan, in payment of the exercise price of a stock option or in payment of tax withholding obligations with respect to stock options or SARS, and (ii) subject to a SAR under the 2014 Plan that are not issued in connection with a stock settlement on exercise of the SAR, will not be added back to the total shares available under the 2014 Plan. Similarly, shares reacquired by us using cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options under the 2014 Plan will not be added back to the total shares available under the 2014 Plan. The limitation described above with respect to shares delivered or withheld in payment of tax withholding obligations does not apply to shares underlying awards other than stock options and SARs.
The maximum number of shares underlying incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) that may be granted under the 2014 Plan is 100,000.
Limitations on Individual Awards
The 2014 Plan also contains limitations on the size of awards that can be provided to an individual participant, as follows:
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The maximum number of shares underlying stock options or SARs that can be granted to an employee in any calendar year is 150,000. |
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The maximum number of shares underlying stock awards and other stock-based awards granted to an employee in any 12 month period that are intended to qualify for the exemption from the $1 million deduction limit under Section 162(m) of the Code is 80,000. |
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The maximum dollar amount of a dollar-denominated award granted to a participant in any 12 month period that is intended to qualify for the exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code is $750,000. |
Eligible Participants
All of our non-employee directors, officers and advisory board members, as well as other key employees selected by the Board or Board committee administering the 2014 Plan, are eligible to receive awards under the 2014 Plan. Consultants who provide bona fide services to us also are eligible to participate in the 2014 Plan, provided that the consultants’ services are not in connection with the offer and sale of our securities in a capital-raising transaction and the consultants do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market in our securities. Incentive stock options may only be granted to our employees and employees of our “subsidiaries” (as defined in the 2014 Plan).
Administration
The 2014 Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee, which satisfies the applicable independence requirements of standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market. The administrator has the authority, among other things, to determine the employees, directors and consultants to whom awards may be granted, determine the number of shares subject to each award, determine the type and the terms of any award to be granted, approve forms of award agreements, interpret the terms of the 2014 Plan and awards granted under the Plan, adopt rules and regulations relating to the 2014 Plan and amend awards, subject to limitations set forth in the 2014 Plan, including a limitation generally prohibiting an amendment that materially impairs any outstanding award without the written agreement of the participant. The administrator may delegate day-to-day administration of the 2014 Plan to one or more individuals.
To the extent that the administrator determines it desirable that an award to a person who is, or may in the future be, a “covered employee” (as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code) should qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m), the award will be made by a committee consisting of at least two “outside directors” as defined for purposes of Section 162(m) (which, if it so qualifies, may be the administrator). In addition, in order to meet the requirements imposed under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, awards granted to officers and directors under the 2014 Plan may only be made by the entire Board or a committee of “non-employee directors,” as defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (which, if it so qualifies, may be the administrator).
Term
The 2014 Plan became effective upon approval by the Company’s stockholders on July 15, 2014, and it will terminate ten years later on July 15, 2024.
Types of Awards
Stock Options. The 2014 Plan authorizes the grant of stock options (which may be either incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, which are eligible for special tax treatment, or nonqualified stock options). The aggregate fair market value of shares, determined as of the date of grant, for which any employee may be granted incentive stock options that are exercisable for the first time in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. To the extent that an incentive stock option exceeds the $100,000 threshold, or otherwise does not comply with the applicable conditions of Section 422 of the Code, the stock option will be treated as a non-qualified stock option.
The term of a stock option granted under the 2014 Plan cannot be longer than 10 years from the date of grant, and the exercise price per share underlying the option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the date of grant. The administrator will determine the acceptable forms of consideration for exercise of the option, which may include cash, check or wire transfer; shares of our Common Stock held for at least six months; our withholding of shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the stock option; a broker assisted sale and remittance program acceptable to the administrator that complies with applicable law; and such other consideration as is permitted by applicable law; or any combination of the foregoing. Re-pricing of options (i.e., reducing the exercise price or cancelling an option in exchange for cash, another award or an option with a lower exercise price) is not permitted under the 2014 Plan without approval of our stockholders.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The 2014 Plan permits the grant of SARs related to a stock option or other award, which is commonly referred to as a “tandem SAR.” An SAR may be granted in tandem with a stock option either at the time of the stock option grant or thereafter during the term of the stock option. The 2014 Plan also permits the grant of SARs separate and apart from the grant of another award, which is commonly referred to as a “freestanding SAR.” Tandem SARs typically may be exercised upon surrender of a related stock option to the extent of an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock. SARs entitle the grantee, upon exercise of SARs, to receive a payment equal to the excess of the fair market value (on the date of exercise) of the designated number of shares of Common Stock underlying the SAR over the fair market value of such shares of Common Stock on the date the SAR was granted or, in the case of a SAR granted in tandem with a stock option, on the date the stock option was granted. Payments by us in respect of a SAR may be made in shares of our Common Stock, in cash, or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock, as the administrator may determine. The term of SARs granted under the 2014 Plan cannot be longer than ten years from the date of grant, and otherwise will be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to stock options.
Stock Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Under the 2014 Plan, the administrator may grant participants stock awards, which may involve the award of shares or the award of stock units representing an amount equivalent in value to the fair market value of a share, payable in cash, property or shares. The administrator may also grant participants any other type of equity-based or equity-related award, including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares of Common Stock, as well as cash-based bonuses subject to the attainment of one or more of the performance criteria described below under “Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.” Stock awards and other stock-based awards are subject to terms and conditions determined by the administrator and set forth in an award agreement, which may include conditions on vesting, achievement of performance conditions and other provisions consistent with the 2014 Plan as may be determined by the administrator.
Qualified Performance-Based Compensation
The administrator may specify that all or a portion of an award is intended to satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits to $1 million the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of annual compensation paid by a publicly held company to its chief executive officer and other specified executive officers, as described under “Code Section 162(m)” below. “Qualified performance-based compensation” is specifically excluded from this deduction limit.
The 2014 Plan permits the administrator to impose objective performance criteria to be met with respect to stock awards and other stock-based awards so that the grants are considered “qualified performance-based compensation.” If an award (other than a stock option or SAR) is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the performance criteria must be based on one or more business criteria which apply to the individual, business unit or corporation as a whole, such as stock price, market share, sales, earnings per share, return on equity, or costs.
The administrator will (within the first quarter of the performance period, but in no event more than 90 days into that period) establish the specific performance criteria (including thresholds for payment and whether to exclude certain extraordinary, non-recurring, or similar items) and amounts to be paid if the performance criteria is met (subject to the right of the administrator to exercise discretion to reduce payment amounts following the conclusion of the performance period).
Dividends
The administrator may provide for payment of dividends or dividend equivalents on the shares of Common Stock subject to an award, other than stock options and SARs, prior to vesting. However, dividends and dividend equivalents will not be paid on any stock award or stock-based award that vests upon the achievement of performance goals prior to the date the performance goals are satisfied and the award is earned, and then shall be payable only with respect to the number of shares or stock units actually earned under the award. Dividends or dividend equivalent payments may be paid in cash, shares or stock units, or may be credited to a participant’s account and settled in cash, shares or a combination of cash or shares upon vesting of the underlying award. The administrator may, in its discretion, provide that payment of dividend equivalents is subject to specified conditions and contingencies.
Transferability
Unless determined otherwise by the administrator, awards are not transferable, other than by beneficiary designation, will or the laws of descent and distribution. The administrator may make an award transferable by a participant only if the participant does not receive consideration for the transfer.
Termination of Board Membership or Employment
The administrator may specify the effect of termination of service as a director or termination of employment on an award at the time of grant, subject to the administrator’s right to modify the award terms after the date of grant in accordance with the terms of the 2014 Plan. In the absence of such specification, the following provisions apply.
Stock Options and SARs
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Non-vested stock options held by non-employee directors will be forfeited upon the termination from Board membership of the director. |
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Vested stock options held by a non-employee director whose membership on the Board terminates will remain exercisable for the lesser of one year from the termination or the remaining term of the option. |
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Upon termination of an employee or termination from membership on the Board by a non-employee director due to death or disability, any unvested stock options will vest, and all stock options held by the employee or non-employee director on the date of such termination will remain exercisable for the lesser of one year after such termination or the remaining term of the stock option. |
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Upon termination of employment due to retirement, vested stock options will remain outstanding for the lesser of one year or the remaining term of the stock option. |
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Any other termination of employment, other than termination for cause, will result in immediate cancellation of all unvested stock options; vested stock options will remain exercisable for the lesser of 90 days after such termination or the remaining term of the stock option. |
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Upon termination for “cause” (as defined in the 2014 Plan, subject to a different definition that may be included in a participant’s award agreement, employment agreement or severance agreement), all outstanding stock options will be immediately cancelled. |
Stock and Other Stock-Based Awards
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Unless otherwise provided in an award agreement, unvested stock awards or other stock-based awards will fully vest upon termination from Board membership of a non-employee director or termination of employment of an employee due to disability or death; in the case of stock awards or other stock-based awards that vest upon the achievement of performance goals, the vested amount will be based upon the target award. |
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Upon any other termination of employment or termination from membership on the Board by a non-employee director, all outstanding unvested stock awards and other stock-based awards will be cancelled. |
Change of Control
In the event of a change of control of the Company (as defined in the 2014 Plan), unless the administrator has determined otherwise with respect to a particular award:
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All outstanding unvested stock options and SARs become fully vested and exercisable if not assumed, or substituted with a new award, by the successor to the Company. If assumed or substituted by the successor to the Company, such unvested stock options and SARs will become fully exercisable and vested if a participant’s employment is terminated (other than a termination for cause) within two years following a change of control. |
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If an employee’s employment is terminated within two years after a change of control for any reason other than death, retirement, disability or termination for cause, each outstanding stock option or SAR that is vested following such termination will remain exercisable until the earlier of the third anniversary of termination or the expiration of the term of the stock option or SAR. |
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All restrictions and conditions on outstanding unvested stock awards, stock unit awards, and other stock-based awards that are not assumed or substituted with a new award by the successor to the Company will lapse and such awards shall become fully vested, and any such awards that are performance-based will be deemed fully earned at the target amount. All stock awards, stock unit award and other stock-based awards shall be settled or paid within thirty days of vesting. If assumed or substituted by the successor to the Company, any stock awards, stock unit awards and other stock-based awards shall become fully vested if a participant’s employment is terminated (other than a termination for cause) within two years following a change of control, and any performance based award shall be deemed fully earned at the target amount. |
Amendment and Termination of 2014 Plan
The administrator may at any time amend, alter or discontinue the 2014 Plan or any award made under the plan, subject to approval by our stockholders to the extent required by applicable law. Unless approved by our stockholders, the administrator may not increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to awards granted under the 2014 Plan, reduce the minimum exercise price for stock options or SARs, or reprice (i.e., reduce the exercise price or cancel in exchange for cash, another award or an option or SAR with a lower exercise price) outstanding stock options or SARs, as prohibited by the 2014 Plan. As noted above, an amendment to an award under the 2014 Plan may not, without the written agreement of the participant, materially impair the award.
Capitalization Adjustments
Upon the occurrence of an event that affects our capital structure (such as a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or recapitalization), an extraordinary cash dividend or a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, reorganization, liquidation or similar event affecting us, our Board or the administrator may make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable, including with respect to (i) the number of shares issuable under the 2014 Plan, (ii) the number and kind of shares covered by each outstanding award, (iii) the price per share subject to each such outstanding award, (iv) individual limits with regard to stock options and SARs, (v) individual limits with regard to stock awards, other stock-based awards and dollar-denominated awards intended to qualify for the exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code, and (vi) the performance criteria listed under “Qualified Performance-Based Compensation” above.
As result of our one-for-ten reverse split effected on July 16, 2014, the total number of shares issuable under the 2014 Plan and the individual limits were proportionately adjusted, as reflected in this description of the 2014 Plan.
Deferred Compensation
Unless the administrator determines otherwise, it is intended that no award granted under the 2014 Plan will be “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. If the administrator determines that an award is subject to Section 409A, the terms and conditions governing that award, including rules for elective or mandatory deferral of delivery of cash or shares of Common Stock and rules relating to treatment of awards in the event of a change of control, will be set forth in the applicable award agreement and will be required to comply with Code Section 409A.
Conversion Awards
The 2014 Plan permits the administrator to authorize conversion or substitution under the 2014 Plan of all stock options, SARs or other stock awards held by awardees of any entity acquired by us. These conversion awards would not be subject to several limitations in the 2014 Plan, including limitations on shares authorized for issuance under the 2014 Plan, limitations on individual awards under the 2014 Plan, and minimum exercise price of stock options.
Tax Matters
The following is a general summary of the United States federal income tax consequences to us and participants in the 2014 Plan. The following is only a general description intended for the information of stockholders and not as tax guidance for participants as consequences may vary depending on the types of awards granted, the identity of the participants and the method of payment or settlement. This summary is based on the federal tax laws in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. In addition, this summary assumes that all awards are exempt from, or comply with, the rules under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code regarding nonqualified deferred compensation. Changes to these laws could alter the tax consequences described below. In addition, this summary does not address the effects of other federal taxes (including possible “golden parachute” excise taxes) or taxes imposed under state, local or foreign tax laws.
Incentive Stock Options
A participant will not recognize income upon the grant of an incentive stock option. A participant will recognize income upon the sale of the stock acquired under an incentive stock option at a profit (if sales proceeds exceed the exercise price). The type of income will depend on when the participant sells the stock. If a participant sells the stock more than two years after the option was granted and more than one year after the option was exercised, then all of the profit will be long-term capital gain and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction (although, for alternative minimum tax purposes, a participant must include the excess of the fair market value of the stock over the exercise price in alternative minimum taxable income for the year of exercise). If a participant sells the stock prior to satisfying these waiting periods, then the participant will have engaged in a “disqualifying disposition” and will recognize ordinary income at the time of the disposition equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise (or the amount realized on the disposition, if less) and the exercise price; we will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to that amount. The gain, if any, in excess of the amount recognized as ordinary income will be long-term or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of time a participant holds shares prior to the disposition.
Nonqualified Stock Options
A participant will not recognize income upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option. A participant will recognize income upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option equal to the fair market value of the stock on the day the participant exercised the option less the exercise price. Upon sale of the stock, the participant will have short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on the length of time the participant held the shares, equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the value of the stock on the day the option was exercised.
SARs
The grant of a SAR will result in no tax consequences for the participant or us. A participant generally will recognize ordinary income upon the exercise of a SAR equal to the amount of the cash and the fair market value of any stock received less the exercise price, and we will be entitled to a tax deduction in that amount. Upon the sale of any stock received, the participant will have short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on the length of time the participant held the shares, equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the value of the stock on the day the SAR was exercised.
Stock Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards
As a general rule, a participant will recognize ordinary income at the time of delivery of shares of Common Stock or payment of cash under the 2014 Plan. Future appreciation on shares of Common Stock held beyond the ordinary income recognition event will be taxable as long-term or short-term capital gain, depending on the length of time the participant held the shares, when the shares are sold. We, as a general rule, will be entitled to a tax deduction that corresponds in time and amount to the ordinary income recognized by the participant. However, if shares of Common Stock, when delivered, are subject to substantial risk of forfeiture by reason of any employment or performance related condition, ordinary income taxation and our tax deduction will be delayed until the risk of forfeiture lapses, unless the participant makes a special election to accelerate taxation under Section 83(b) of the Code.
Code Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to a company’s chief executive officer or any of its other four most highly paid executive officers (not including the chief financial officer). Performance-based compensation is specifically exempt from the deduction limit if it otherwise meets the requirements of Section 162(m). Stock options and SARs granted under the 2014 Plan are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation.” Other awards will be “qualified performance-based compensation” if they are so designated and if their grant, vesting or settlement is subject to the performance criteria set forth in the 2014 Plan. Stock awards and other stock-based awards that vest solely upon the passage of time do not qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation.”
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table details information regarding our existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014:
Equity Compensation Plan Information |
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Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
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Plan Category |
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
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Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
459,271 | $ | 8.95 | 997,404 | (1) |
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(1) |
Includes 483,654 shares available for issuance under the 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 513,750 shares available for issuance under our 2014 Plan, which may be issued in the form of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other equity-based awards. Also does not include shares that may become issuable under the proposed amendment to the 2014 Plan set forth in this Proxy Statement. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders and Management
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of May 29, 2015, as to (i) each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each of the Company’s current directors and Named Executive Officers listed below, (iii) each of the new director nominees, and (iv) all current executive officers and directors of the Company listed below as a group. Unless otherwise specified, the address for each officer and director is: 32000 Aurora Road, Suite B, Solon, OH 44139. Except as otherwise indicated and subject to community property laws where applicable, each person or entity included in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by that person or entity.
The table should be read with the understanding that more than one person may be the beneficial owner or possess certain attributes of beneficial ownership with respect to the same securities.
Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||||||
Percent of | ||||||||
Outstanding | ||||||||
Common | ||||||||
Name and Address |
Number (1) |
Stock (1) |
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5% Stockholders |
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Gina Huang |
1,452,173 | (2) | 14.5 | % | ||||
P.O. Box 3444, Road Town |
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Tortola, British Virgin Islands |
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Bright Horizon Partners |
1,030,434 | (3) | 10.3 | % | ||||
1300 Avenue of the Americas, 36th Floor |
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New York, NY 10019 |
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Cleantech Global Limited |
910,869 | (4) | 9.1 | % | ||||
18 Michelle Way |
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Pine Brook, NJ 07058 |
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5 Elements Energy Efficiencies (BVI) Ltd. |
570,000 | (5) | 5.7 | % | ||||
P.O. Box 3444, Road Town |
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Tortola, British Virgin Islands |
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Scott E. DeSano |
500,869 | (6) | 5.0 | % | ||||
222 Seaspray Avenue |
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Palm Beach, FL 33480 |
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Current Directors and Named Executive Officers |
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Simon Cheng |
3,501 | (7) | * | |||||
John M. Davenport |
59,170 | (8) | * | |||||
William Cohen |
713,695 | (9) | 7.1 | % | ||||
Xin He |
5,000 | (10) | * | |||||
Eric W. Hilliard |
49,332 | (11) | * | |||||
Frank Lamanna |
1,597 | * | ||||||
Michael R. Ramelot |
10,000 | (12) | * | |||||
Thomas W. Swidarski |
3,334 | (13) | * | |||||
James Tu |
420,000 | (14) | 4.2 | % | ||||
New Director Nominees |
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Ronald D. Black |
- | - | ||||||
Glenda Dorchak |
- | - | ||||||
Marc J. Eisenberg |
- | - | ||||||
Jiangang Luo |
912,869 | (15) | 9.1 | % | ||||
All Current Directors and Executive Officers as a Group |
1,278,664 | (16) | 12.8 | % |
*Less than one percent
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(1) |
Based on 10,022,913 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 29, 2015. In addition, shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options that may be exercised through July 28, 2015, are deemed to be issued and outstanding and are included in the reported beneficial holdings. These shares of common stock have been treated as outstanding in calculating the percentage ownership of the individual possessing such interest, but not for any other individual. Thus, the number of common stock shares considered to be outstanding for the purposes of this table varies depending on each individual’s particular circumstances. |
(2) |
Based upon a Form 4 filed with the SEC by Gina Huang on January 28, 2015 and amended on June 2, 2015. Ms. Huang holds sole voting and dispositive power over 852,173 shares of common stock held by Brilliant Start Enterprise, Inc., and 600,000 shares of common stock held by Jag International Ltd. |
(3) |
Based on a Form 4 filed with the SEC by Bright Horizon Partners, Inc. on April 2, 2015. |
(4) |
Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC by Cleantech Global Limited, formerly Prime Science & Technology, Inc. on October 10, 2014. Jiangang Luo and Cleantech Global Limited reported sole voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock. Jiangang Luo, who is Managing Partner of Cleantech Global Limited, was a member of the Board until July 15, 2014 and is a director nominee for the Annual Meeting. |
(5) |
Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC by 5 Elements Energy Efficiencies (BVI) Ltd. (“5 Elements Energy”) on February 13, 2015, Yeh Mei-Hui Cheng and Communal International Ltd. (“Communal”) each reported shared voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock, which includes 190,000 shares subject to warrants. Ms. Cheng and Communal are each a 50 percent owner of 5 Elements Energy. James Tu is Co-Founder and Partner-In-Charge of Communal. Ms. Cheng is the other Co-Founder of Communal and the mother of Simon Cheng, who is a director of the Company. |
(6) |
Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC by Scott E. DeSano on October 14, 2014, reporting sole voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock. |
(7) |
Includes 3,501 options. |
(8) |
Includes 25,001 options. |
(9) |
Includes 600,000 shares of common stock held by Costar Partners II, LLC and 5,000 options. Mr. Cohen and Costar Partners II, LLC have shared voting and dispositive power of the shares of common stock held by Costar Partners II, LLC. |
(10) |
Includes 5,000 options. |
(11) |
Includes 41,254 options. |
(12) |
Includes 10,000 options. |
(13) |
Includes 3,334 options. |
(14) |
Includes 300,000 shares of common stock held by 5 Elements Global Fund LP, and 120,000 options. Mr. Tu has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock held by 5 Elements Global Fund LP. |
(15) |
Includes 910,869 shares of common stock held by Cleantech Global Limited. Mr. Luo and Cleantech Global Limited reported sole voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock held by Cleantech Global Limited. Mr. Luo is Managing Partner of Cleantech Global Limited. |
(16) |
Includes 219,710 options. |
Executive Compensation and Other Information
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information about compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, and two other most highly compensated executive officers (our “Named Executive Officers”) for the years indicated:
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Option Awards ($) (1) |
All Other Compensation ($) (2) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
James Tu (3) |
2014 |
246,500 | 125,000 | 242,510 | 1,064 | 615,074 | ||||||||||||||||||
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
2013 |
88,495 | 80,000 | 69,603 | 594 | 238,692 | ||||||||||||||||||
Eric W. Hilliard |
2014 |
200,000 | 90,000 | 39,937 | (4) | 1,459 | 331,396 | |||||||||||||||||
President and Chief Operating Officer |
2013 |
196,538 | - | 38,299 | 874 | 235,711 | ||||||||||||||||||
Frank Lamanna (5) |
2014 |
150,000 | - | 23,962 | 1,308 | 175,270 | ||||||||||||||||||
Former Chief Financial Officer |
2013 |
133,846 | 20,000 | 19,451 | 619 | 173,916 |
|
(1) |
Under SEC rules, the values reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair values computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”), to each of the Named Executive Officers in the years shown. |
We calculate the grant date fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. A discussion of the assumptions used in calculating the fair value is set forth in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015. The following table includes the assumptions used to calculate aggregate grant date fair value of awards reported for 2014 on a grant-date basis:
Assumptions |
|||||||||||||||
Optionee |
Grant Date |
Volatility (%) |
Expected Life (in years) |
Risk-free Interest Rate (%) |
Dividend Yield (%) |
||||||||||
Messrs. Hilliard and Lamanna |
1/28/2014 |
98.6 | 5.8 | 1.8 | 0.0 | ||||||||||
Mr. Tu |
1/28/2014 |
95.8 | 5.2 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
|
(2) |
The amounts set forth in this column include company-paid contributions for life insurance policies. |
|
(3) |
Salary in 2013 includes $10,495 in fees paid to Mr. Tu while he was a non-employee director. Mr. Tu became our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in May 2013. |
|
(4) |
This amount includes $20,898 for a February 26, 2013 option grant for which the performance condition was not met as of December 31, 2014. The option was cancelled. |
|
(5) |
Mr. Lamanna served as Chief Financial Officer from July 8, 2013 until February 5, 2015. Prior to becoming Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Lamanna served as the Company’s Corporate Controller. The 2013 compensation information shown for Mr. Lamanna includes the entire 2013 calendar year. |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of our Board of Directors generally has the responsibility of administering our executive compensation program. On occasion, the full Board takes such responsibility. The Committee reviews and, as appropriate, makes recommendations to the full Board regarding the base salaries and annual cash bonuses for executive officers, and administers our stock incentive plans, including the grants of stock options.
Compensation philosophy and objectives
Our principal executive compensation policy, which is endorsed by the Committee, is to provide a compensation program that will attract, motivate and retain persons of high quality and will support a long-standing internal culture of loyalty and dedication to the interests of the Company and our stockholders. In administering the executive compensation program, the Committee is mindful of the following principles and guidelines, which are supported by the full Board:
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• |
Base salaries for executive officers should be competitive. |
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• |
A sufficient portion of annual compensation should be at risk in order to align the interests of executives with those of our stockholders. |
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• |
The variable part of annual compensation should reflect both individual and corporate performance. |
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• |
As a person’s level of responsibility increases, a greater portion of total compensation should be at risk and include more stock-based compensation to provide executives long-term incentives, and help to align further the interests of executives and stockholders in the enhancement of stockholder value. |
Executive officer compensation has three primary components: base salary, bonuses granted under our bonus incentive plan, and stock-based awards granted pursuant to our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. In addition, executive officers receive certain benefits that are generally available to all salaried employees. We do not have any defined benefit pension plans, non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, or supplemental retirement plans for our executive officers.
For each executive officer, the Committee determines the appropriate level for each compensation component based in part, but not exclusively, on its view of competitive market factors, internal equity and consistency, and other considerations deemed relevant, such as rewarding extraordinary performance. Our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer provides the Committee with recommendations for executive officers other than himself, which the Committee reviews and approves for submission to the Board of Directors as submitted or with revisions, if any. We have not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation, or among different forms of non-cash compensation, and have not sought to formally benchmark our compensation against that of our peers.
Base salary
Salaries for executive officers are based on a review of salaries for similar positions requiring similar qualifications in similar industries. In recommending executive officer salaries, the Compensation Committee has approved the use by management of information from salary surveys.
The Committee determines executive officer base salaries so as to be competitive with amounts paid to executives performing similar functions in comparable-size, non-durable manufacturing companies. The amount of each executive’s annual increase in base salary, if any, is based on a number of largely subjective factors, including changes in the individual’s duties and responsibilities, the personal performance of such executive officer, the performance of the Company, cost-of-living increases, and such other factors as the Committee deems appropriate, including the individual’s overall mix between fixed and variable compensation and between cash and stock-based compensation.
The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer annually assesses the performance of all other executive officers and recommends salary increases to the Committee based on a number of factors such as performance evaluations, comparative data and other relevant factors. The Committee then reviews the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations, considers Company performance and financial condition, and approves, or recommends to the Board of Directors for approval, the increases for any other officer of the Company.
In 2014, the Committee engaged a compensation consultant in connection with its evaluation of Mr. Tu’s compensation program and reviewed a market analysis for base, variable, and long term compensation. Based upon this analysis, Mr. Tu’s annual base salary was increased from $120,000 to $250,000 effective January 1, 2014. In 2013, Mr. Hilliard’s annual base salary was increased from $180,000 to $200,000 upon his appointment to President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 30, 2013, and Mr. Lamanna’s annual base salary was increased to $150,000 upon his appointment to Chief Financial Officer effective July 8, 2013.
Bonus incentive plan
In 2013, there was no bonus incentive plan in place.
For 2014, a bonus incentive plan was established for all employees, including executive management. Mr. Tu was eligible for an incentive payment of up to 50 percent of his 2014 salary, to be determined by the Board of Directors based upon the financial results of 2014, as well as Mr. Tu’s individual performance for the year. Mr. Hilliard was eligible for an incentive payment of up to 50 percent of his 2014 salary, with 70 percent based on net income of the government products/R&D services business and 30 percent based on the Company’s total net operating income relative to the 2014 operating plan, as well as Mr. Hilliard’s individual performance for the year. Mr. Lamanna was eligible for a bonus payout of up to 25 percent of his 2014 salary. His bonus was based upon the Company’s net operating income relative to its 2014 operating plan, as well as his individual performance based upon his established key performance indicators.
On March 9, 2015, the Board approved bonus payments of $125,000, or approximately 50 percent of salary, for Mr. Tu and $90,000, or 45 percent of salary, for Mr. Hilliard for 2014, which took into account the factors set forth in the Company’s bonus incentive plan as described above.
Discretionary bonuses
The Committee may from time to time award a discretionary annual cash bonus to executive officers, in the amounts and based on the factors determined by the Committee. The bonus awards may be based on an executive officer’s individual performance or on the overall success of the Company, or both.
For 2013, Mr. Tu received an $80,000 discretionary bonus in recognition of his strong leadership during the year in establishing a clear mission, vision, and values for the Company. Mr. Lamanna received a $20,000 discretionary bonus for playing an instrumental role in the sale of the pool product line in November 2013.
Stock options
The Committee believes that employee equity ownership provides significant motivation to executive officers to maximize value for the Company’s stockholders and, therefore; periodically grants time-based stock options under the Company’s stock incentive plans at the then current market price. On May 6, 2014, the Board approved the Energy Focus, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan was approved by the stockholders at our annual meeting on July 15, 2014, after which no further awards could be issued under the Energy Focus, Inc. 2008 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”). The Compensation Committee administers both stock incentive plans. Stock options will only have value if the Company’s stock price increases over the exercise price.
The Compensation Committee grants options to executive officers after consideration of recommendations from the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Recommendations for options are based upon the relative position, responsibilities, and previous and expected contributions of each officer, previous option grants to such officers and customary levels of option grants for the respective position in other comparable companies. The exercise price for stock options is equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. Stock options generally vest over a four-year period with 25 percent vesting one year from the date of grant and the remaining 75 percent vesting equally on a monthly basis over the remaining 36 months, or over a three-year period with 33 percent vesting one year from the date of grant and the remaining 67 percent vesting equally on a monthly basis over the remaining 24 months. Options expire 10 years from the date of grant. Generally, upon a Change in Control (as defined in the 2008 Plan), all stock options granted will immediately vest, and all restrictions on restricted shares granted to the Company’s employees and independent directors will lapse. Under the 2014 Plan, upon a Change of Control (as defined in such plan) all outstanding unvested stock options become fully vested and exercisable if not assumed, or substituted with a new award, by the successor to the Company and, if such awards are assumed or substituted by the successor to the Company, they become fully exercisable and vested if the option holder’s employment is terminated (other than a termination for cause) within two years following a Change of Control. If an option holder’s employment is terminated within two years after a Change of Control for any reason other than death, retirement, disability or termination for cause, each outstanding stock option that is vested following such termination will remain exercisable until the earlier of the third anniversary of termination or the expiration of the term of the stock option.
Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC Sec. 162(m)”) generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to a company’s Chief Executive Officer, or to any of the company’s other three most highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer), for any fiscal year. IRC Sec. 162(m) generally exempts qualifying performance-based compensation from the deduction limit if certain conditions are met. In determining base salary, benefits, perquisites and other compensation, the Committee considers tax deductibility. However, a more important goal of the Committee is to offer compensation that is competitive within our peer group. For 2014, we believe the compensation paid to each of our named executive officers is fully deductible under IRC Sec. 162(m).
Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers
We do not have employment agreements with any of our current executive officers.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information with respect to equity awards outstanding for our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2014:
Option Awards |
||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Un-exercisable (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
|||||||||||||||
James Tu |
4/29/2013 |
40,000 | - | 2.30 |
4/29/2023 |
|||||||||||||||
1/28/2014 |
80,000 | - | 4.10 |
1/28/2024 |
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Eric W. Hilliard |
11/13/2006 |
7,500 | - | 71.90 |
11/13/2016 |
|||||||||||||||
4/26/2007 |
5,000 | - | 63.60 |
4/26/2017 |
||||||||||||||||
10/23/2008 |
2,500 | - | 13.70 |
10/23/2018 |
||||||||||||||||
1/18/2011 |
9,792 | 208 | (1) | 10.70 |
1/18/2021 |
|||||||||||||||
4/29/2013 |
10,000 | - | 2.30 |
4/29/2023 |
||||||||||||||||
1/28/2014 |
- | 12,500 | (2) | 4.10 |
1/28/2024 |
|||||||||||||||
Frank Lamanna (3) |
12/17/2008 |
1,000 | - | 14.00 |
5/5/2015 |
|||||||||||||||
2/15/2013 |
1,527 | 973 | (2) | 2.30 |
5/5/2015 |
|||||||||||||||
7/19/2013 |
2,362 | 2,638 | (2) | 4.10 |
5/5/2015 |
|||||||||||||||
1/28/2014 |
- | 7,500 | (2) | 4.10 |
5/5/2015 |
|
(1) |
Options vest monthly in equal installments through January 18, 2015. |
|
(2) |
One third vests on the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remainder vests monthly in equal installments over the remaining 24-month period. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Lamanna's options expired three months from the date of his termination of employment on February 5, 2015. |
Director Compensation
We use a combination of cash and stock-based awards to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties, as well as the skill level required.
The following table sets forth the annual cash compensation for non-employee directors:
Annual Retainer |
$ | 20,000 | ||
Additional Annual Retainers: |
||||
Compensation Committee Chairman |
5,000 | |||
Audit and Finance Committee Chairman |
7,000 |
We generally grant option awards to non-employee directors who will continue to serve as members of the Board of Directors on the first business day following the conclusion of each regular annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders for each non-employee director. The option is granted for 5,000 shares for each eligible director, has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, becomes exercisable monthly over the 12-month period following the date of grant, and expires the day before the tenth anniversary of the grant date or 12 months after termination of service on the Board. Non-employee directors who are appointed between annual meetings also may receive option awards on terms determined by the Board of Directors at the time. The options vest if a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company during the optionee’s service, as defined by the applicable plan. The Board, at its discretion, may grant options to newly elected directors and additional grants to other directors.
The following table summarizes the total compensation paid to non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Option Awards ($) (1) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||
Jennifer Cheng (2) |
10,815 | - | 10,815 | |||||||||
William Cohen |
9,239 | 20,147 | 29,386 | |||||||||
J. James Finnerty (2) |
13,519 | - | 13,519 | |||||||||
Xin (Adam) He |
10,000 | 20,147 | 30,147 | |||||||||
Jiangang Luo (2) |
10,815 | - | 10,815 | |||||||||
Michael Ramelot |
27,000 | 19,578 | 46,578 | |||||||||
Thomas W. Swidarski |
14,563 | 46,612 | 61,175 |
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(1) |
Under SEC rules, the values reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair values computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
|
(2) |
Ms. Cheng, and Messrs. Finnerty and Luo did not stand for re-election to the Board of Directors at our annual meeting of stockholders held on July 15, 2014. |
The following table includes the assumptions used to calculate the aggregate grant date fair value of awards reported for 2014 on a grant-date basis:
Assumptions |
||||||||||||
Grant Date |
Volatility (%) |
Expected Life (in years) |
Risk-free Interest Rate (%) |
Dividend Yield (%) |
||||||||
5/21/2014 |
99.7 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 0.0 | ||||||||
7/15/2014 |
101.5 | 6.1 | 1.9 | 0.0 | ||||||||
7/15/2014 |
94.1 | 5.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | ||||||||
7/16/2014 |
89.9 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 0.0 |
The following table summarizes the aggregate number of stock option awards held by our directors that were outstanding at December 31, 2014:
Name |
Aggregate Number of Stock Options Outstanding (1) |
|||
Jennifer Cheng |
3,877 | |||
William Cohen |
5,000 | |||
J. James Finnerty |
10,794 | |||
Xin He |
5,000 | |||
Jiangang Luo |
2,502 | |||
Michael Ramelot |
10,000 | |||
Thomas W. Swidarski |
10,000 |
|
(1) |
The number of options vested at December 31, 2014 was as follows: |
Ms. Cheng |
3,877 | |||
Mr. Cohen |
2,085 | |||
Mr. Finnerty |
10,794 | |||
Mr. He |
2,085 | |||
Mr. Luo |
2,502 | |||
Mr. Ramelot |
7,083 | |||
Mr. Swidarski |
- |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed the firm of Plante & Moran, PLLC, independent public accountants, to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. Representatives of Plante & Moran, PLLC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be able to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Accountant Fees and Services
Plante & Moran, PLLC provided audit services to the Company for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013. The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by Plante & Moran, PLLC for those years:
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||
Audit Fees |
$ | 435,694 | $ | 299,023 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees |
- | - | ||||||
Tax Fees |
- | - | ||||||
All Other Fees |
- | - | ||||||
Total Fees |
$ | 435,694 | $ | 299,023 |
Audit Fees. “Audit Fees” include the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Plante & Moran, PLLC, including audit services related to quarterly reviews and audits of consolidated financial statements, reviews in connection with SEC filings and related consents, comfort letters related to the public stock offering, and other consultations. For both 2014 and 2013, we were not required to obtain independent public accounting firm certification of our internal control infrastructure as defined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Therefore, no fees related to the audit of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance were incurred.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
It is the Company’s policy that all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Company’s principal auditors be approved in advance by the Audit and Finance Committee. The Audit and Finance Committee pre-approved all services provided by Plante & Moran, PLLC during 2014.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
On December 12, 2012, our Board of Directors appointed James Tu to serve as our non-executive Chairman. On April 30, 2013, Mr. Tu became the Executive Chairman assuming the duties of the Principal Executive Officer. On October 30, 2013 Mr. Tu was appointed Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors. Mr. Tu is also the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of 5 Elements Global Advisors, an investment advisory and management company managing the holdings of 5 Elements Global Fund LP, which was a beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of our common stock prior to the August 2014 registered offering. As of May 29, 2015, 5 Elements Global Advisors holds approximately 3.0 percent of our common stock. 5 Elements Global Advisors focuses on investing in clean energy companies with breakthrough, commercialized technologies, and near-term profitability potential. Mr. Tu is also Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Communal International Ltd. (“Communal”), a British Virgin Islands company dedicated to assisting clean energy, solutions-based companies by maximizing technology and product potential and gaining them access to global marketing, distribution licensing, manufacturing and financing resources. Communal has a 50 percent ownership interest in 5 Elements Energy Efficiencies (BVI) Ltd., a beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of our common stock. Yeh-Mei Cheng controls 5 Elements Energy Efficiencies (BVI) Ltd. and owns the other 50 percent. She is Co-Founder of Communal International Ltd. with Mr. Tu and the mother of Simon Cheng, a current member of our Board of Directors and an employee of the Company, and Jennifer Cheng, a member of our Board of Directors from July 25, 2012 to July 15, 2014.
On February 27, 2012, we entered into an Asian Business Development/Collaboration Agreement with Communal. The agreement has a 60 month term, under which we paid $523,000 to Communal in 2012. We recorded $270,000of expense in 2012 under this agreement. Additionally, during the term of the agreement, we will pay Communal a 5 percent commission on the net sales that occur within the territory, as defined by the agreement. We have incurred no commissions due under this agreement through December 31, 2014.
Effective January 1, 2013, the Asian Business Development/Collaboration Agreement with Communal was amended to reflect the extension of the terms of the Agreement for an additional twelve months, and the addition of certain services and countries in the territory covered by the Agreement. In connection with the amended and restated agreement, we paid an additional $425,000 in 2013 and recorded expense of $226 thousand. During the year ended December 31, 2014, nothing was paid under this Agreement and we recorded expense of $226,000. At December 31, 2014, we had $226,000 included in the caption, “Prepaid and other current assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our officers, directors, and persons owing more than 10 percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file certain reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, our securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Such officers, directors, and 10 percent stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish us with copies of all those reports that they file.
Based solely on our review of such reports filed with the SEC and written representations from the reporting persons, we believe we were in compliance with all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers and directors for 2014, except with respect to Eric Hilliard, who was late in filing a Form 4 reporting a grant of 1,251 shares of our common stock. With regard to beneficial holders owning more than 10 percent of our common stock as listed under the “Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders and Management” section of this Amendment to our Annual Report, Mr. Cohen was late in filing a Form 4 reporting a conversion of 108,695 shares of our common stock and Jiangang Luo and Cleantech Global Limited (formerly Prime Science & Technology Inc.) were late in filing a joint Form 4 reporting the conversion of subordinated notes into 910,869 shares of our common stock.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit and Finance Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and Plante & Moran, PLLC the audited consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2014 fiscal year. The Audit and Finance Committee has also discussed with Plante & Moran, PLLC the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, Communication with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
The Audit and Finance Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Plante & Moran, PLLC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communication with the Audit and Finance Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Plante & Moran, PLLC its independence from Energy Focus.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit and Finance Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2014 fiscal year for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Submitted by the Audit and Finance Committee
Michael R. Ramelot, Chairman
Xin He
Thomas W. Swidarski
Stockholder Proposals for the 2016 Annual Meeting
A stockholder who wishes to have a proposal included in our Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit the proposal in writing to the Secretary of the Company at our principal executive offices at 32000 Aurora Road, Suite B, Solon, Ohio 44139, for receipt no later than February 18, 2016, pursuant to Rule 14a-8(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), assuming that the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting will occur within 30 days of the anniversary of the 2015 Annual Meeting.
A stockholder who wishes to present a proposal at the 2016 Annual Meeting without having it appear in the Proxy Statement must submit notice of the proposal in writing to our Secretary no earlier than March 26, 2016 and no later than April 23, 2016, assuming that the 2015 Annual Meeting occurs on July 22, 2015, and otherwise comply with all requirements of our Bylaws with respect thereto.
If the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of the 2015 Annual Meeting, then the foregoing deadlines will change and be determined in accordance with the Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (for proposals to be included in the Company's Proxy Statement) or the Company's bylaws (for all other proposals).
Householding Information
Some banks, brokers and other nominees are participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that beneficial holders of our Common Stock who share the same address or household may not receive separate copies of this Proxy Statement and our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2014 Annual Report”). You may revoke your consent to householding at any time by sending your name, the name of your brokerage firm, and your account number to Broadridge, c/o Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 or call 800-542-1061.
Other Matters
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be submitted at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, then the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the shares they represent in such manner as the Board may recommend.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
The Company’s 2014 Annual Report may be obtained, without charge, by writing to the Company at 32000 Aurora Road, Suite B, Solon, Ohio 44139, Attention: Investor Relations or by accessing the report on our website at http://www.energyfocusinc.com.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |
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/s/ Marcia J. Miller |
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Marcia J. Miller |
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Interim Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
Appendix A
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
Pursuant to Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Energy Focus, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:
A resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant to
Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware setting forth an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and declaring said amendment to be advisable. The stockholders of the Company duly approved said proposed amendment by written consent in accordance with Sections 228 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The resolution setting forth the amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED, that the second paragraph of section (A) of Article FOURTH of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, be and hereby is deleted in its entirety and the paragraph is inserted in lieu thereof:
“The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is Thirty-Two Million (32,000,000) shares, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Thirty Million (30,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock and Two Million (2,000,000) shares shall be Preferred Stock.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its corporate seal to be affixed hereto and this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer this _____ day of _______, 2015.
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ENERGY FOCUS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ |
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James Tu, Executive Chairman and Chief |
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Executive Officer |
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Appendix B
ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(as proposed to be amended)
1. Purpose of the Plan.
The purpose of this Plan is to enhance stockholder value by linking the compensation of officers, directors and key employees of the Company to increases in the price of Energy Focus, Inc. common stock and the achievement of other performance objectives, and to encourage ownership in the Company by key personnel whose long-term employment is considered essential to the Company’s continued progress and success. The Plan is also intended to assist the Company in the recruitment of new employees and to motivate, retain and encourage such employees and directors to act in the stockholders’ interest and share in the Company’s success.
2. Definitions.
As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board, any Committee or such delegates as shall be administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) “Affiliate” means any Subsidiary or other entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant ownership interest as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine which entities are classified as Affiliates and designated as eligible to participate in this Plan.
(c) “Applicable Law” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock option plans under U.S. federal and state laws, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Company has listed or submitted for quotation the Common Shares to the extent provided under the terms of the Company’s agreement with such exchange or quotation system and, with respect to Awards subject to the laws of any foreign jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan, the laws of such jurisdiction.
(d) “Award” means a Stock Award, Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Other Stock-Based Award granted in accordance with the terms of the Plan, or any other property (including cash) granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
(e) “Awardee” means an Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award under the Plan.
(f) “Award Agreement” means a Stock Award Agreement, Option Agreement, Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, or Other Stock-Based Award Agreement, which may be in written or electronic format, in such form and with such terms as may be specified by the Administrator, evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. Each Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. The effectiveness of an Award shall not be subject to the Award Agreement’s being signed by the Company and/or the Participant receiving the Award unless specifically so provided in the Award Agreement.
(g) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) “Change of Control” shall mean, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, one of the following shall have taken place after the date of this Plan:
(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any majority controlled subsidiary of the Company, or the fiduciaries of any Company benefit plans) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Company then outstanding and entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company; provided, however, that no Change of Control shall occur upon the acquisition of securities directly from the Company;
(ii) individuals who, as of the beginning of any 24 month period, constitute the Board (as of the date hereof, the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason during such 24 month period to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding for this purpose any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the Company; or
(iii) consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company, in each case, with respect to which all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization do not, following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least 35% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the entity or entities resulting from such merger, consolidation or reorganization, (B) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (C) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, unless at least 35% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the entity or entities that acquire such assets are beneficially owned by individuals or entities who or that were beneficial owners of the voting securities of the Company immediately before such sale or other disposition.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) if any payment or distribution event applicable to an Award is subject to the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code, the determination of the occurrence of a Change of Control shall be governed by applicable provisions of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code and regulations and rulings issued thereunder for purposes of determining whether such payment or distribution may then occur, and (y) a transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
(i) “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and other relevant interpretive guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department. Reference to any specific section of the Code shall be deemed to include such regulations and guidance, as well as any successor provision of the Code.
(j) “Committee” means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan or, in the absence of any such special appointment, the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(k) “Common Shares” means the common shares, no par value, of the Company, or any security of the Company issued in substitution, exchange or lieu thereof.
(l) “Company” means Energy Focus, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or, except as utilized in the definition of Change of Control, its successor.
(m) “Consultant” means an individual providing services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as an independent contractor, and includes prospective consultants who have accepted offers of consultancy for the Company or any of its Affiliates, so long as such person (i) renders bona fide services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction, (ii) does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities, and (iii) otherwise qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the SEC for registration of shares of stock on a Form S-8 registration statement
(n) “Conversion Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(xii) of the Plan.
(o) “Director” means a member of the Board. Any Director who does not serve as an employee of the Company is referred to herein as a “Non-employee Director.”
(p) “Disability” means (i) “Disability” as defined in any employment, consulting or similar agreement to which the Participant is a party, or (ii) if there is no such agreement or it does not define “Disability,” (A) permanent and total disability as determined under the Company’s long-term disability plan applicable to the Participant, or (B) if there is no such plan applicable to the Participant or the Committee determines otherwise in an applicable Award Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Participant’s continuous illness, injury or incapacity for a period of six consecutive months, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Notwithstanding the above, with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, Disability shall mean permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and, with respect to any Award that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the foregoing definition shall apply for purposes of vesting of such Award, provided that such Award shall not be settled until the earliest of: (x) the Participant’s “disability” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (y) the Participant’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and (z) the date such Award would otherwise be settled pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.
(q) “Disaffiliation” means a Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s ceasing to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason (including, without limitation, as a result of a public offering, or a spin-off or sale by the Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary or Affiliate) or a sale of a division of the Company and its Affiliates.
(r) “Employee” means a regular, active employee of the Company or any Affiliate, including an Officer or Director who is also a regular, active employee of the Company or any Affiliate. The Administrator shall determine whether the Chairman of the Board qualifies as an “Employee.” For any and all purposes under the Plan, the term “Employee” shall not include a person hired as an independent contractor, leased employee, consultant or a person otherwise designated by the Administrator, the Company or an Affiliate at the time of hire as not eligible to participate in or receive benefits under the Plan or not on the payroll, even if such ineligible person is subsequently determined to be a common law employee of the Company or an Affiliate or otherwise an employee by any governmental or judicial authority. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, for purposes of the Plan, an Employee shall be considered to have terminated employment and to have ceased to be an Employee if his or her employer ceases to be an Affiliate, even if he or she continues to be employed by such employer.
(s) “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto.
(t) “Fair Market Value” with respect to a Share shall mean the market price of such Share, determined by the Committee as follows:
(i) If the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, the per Share Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for each share of such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) on the date of determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price or closing bid was reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;
(ii) If the Shares are regularly quoted on an automated quotation system (including the OTC Bulletin Board and the quotations published by the OTC Markets Group Inc.) or by a recognized securities dealer, the closing sales price for each share of such stock or, if closing sales prices are not reported, the per Share Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the date of determination (or, if no such prices were reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Shares of the type described in (a) and (b), above, the per Share Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and rulings thereunder.
In all cases, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
(u) “Grant Date” means, with respect to each Award, the date upon which the Award is granted to an Awardee pursuant to this Plan, which may be a designated future date as of which such Award will be effective, as determined by the Committee.
(v) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is identified in the Option Agreement as intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and that actually does so qualify.
(w) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(x) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(y) “Option” means a right granted under Section 8 of the Plan to purchase a number of Shares at such exercise price, at such times, and on such other terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Option Agreement”). Both Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted under the Plan.
(z) “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan on such terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Other Stock-Based Award Agreement”).
(aa) “Participant” means the Awardee or any person (including any estate) to whom an Award has been assigned or transferred as permitted hereunder.
(bb) “Plan” means this 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as hereafter amended from time to time. (cc) “Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) of the Plan.
(dd) “Retirement” means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Termination of Employment, voluntary or involuntary, by a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates, other than a Termination for Cause, after attaining age fifty-five (55) and having at least ten (10) years of service as an Employee with the Company and its Affiliates, excluding service with an Affiliate of the Company prior to the time that such Affiliate became an Affiliate of the Company. For Plan purposes, a “voluntary” Termination of Employment is a Termination of Employment where the Participant does not qualify for severance benefits, whether under a severance agreement or the Company’s or any of its Affiliate’s severance policy, plan or other arrangement.
(ee) “Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(ff) “Share” means a Common Share, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.
(gg) “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted under Section 10 of the Plan on such terms and conditions as are specified in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement”).
(hh) “Stock Award” means an award or issuance of Shares or Stock Units made under Section 11 of the Plan, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including, without limitation, continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as are expressed in the agreement or other documents evidencing the Award (the “Stock Award Agreement”).
(ii) “Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equivalent to the Fair Market Value of one Share, payable in cash, property or Shares. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, except as otherwise provided for by the Administrator.
(jj) “Subsidiary” means any company (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of companies beginning with the Company, provided each company in the unbroken chain (other than the Company) owns, at the time of determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other companies in such chain.
(kk) “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.
(ll)”Termination for Cause” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Termination of Employment on account of any act of fraud or intentional misrepresentation or embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets of the Company or any Affiliate, or the intentional and repeated violation of the written policies or procedures of the Company, provided that, for an Employee who is party to an individual severance or employment agreement defining Cause, “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in such agreement except as may be otherwise provided in such agreement. For purposes of this Plan, a Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be deemed to be a Termination for Cause if, after the Participant’s employment has terminated, facts and circumstances are discovered that would have justified, in the opinion of the Committee, a Termination for Cause.
(mm) “Termination of Employment” means for purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, ceasing to be an Employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the terms of an Award Agreement or otherwise, if a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a Non-employee Director capacity, such change in status shall be deemed a Termination of Employment. A Participant employed by, or performing services for, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or a division of the Company and its Affiliates shall be deemed to incur a Termination of Employment if, as a result of a Disaffiliation, such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division ceases to be a Subsidiary, Affiliate or division, as the case may be, and the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an Employee of (or service provider for), or member of the board of directors of, the Company or another Subsidiary or Affiliate. Temporary absences from employment because of illness, vacation or leave of absence and transfers among the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall not be considered Terminations of Employment. In addition, Termination of Employment shall mean a “separation from service” as defined in regulations issued under Code Section 409A whenever necessary to ensure compliance therewith for any payment or settlement of a benefit conferred under this Plan that is subject to such Code section, and, for such purposes, shall be determined based upon a reduction in the bona fide level of services performed to a level equal to twenty percent (20%) or less of the average level of services performed by the Employee during the immediately preceding 36-month period.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Aggregate Limit. Subject to the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan is 1,200,000 Shares. The Shares issued under the Plan may be either Shares reacquired by the Company, including Shares purchased in the open market, or authorized but unissued Shares. As of the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders, no further awards will be made under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, (the “Prior Plan”).
(b) Code Section 162(m) and 422 Limits; Other Share Limitations. Subject to the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Plan, no Employee may be granted under this Plan (i) Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any calendar year with respect to more than 150,000 Shares, and (ii) Stock Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards that are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) and are denominated in Shares under which more than 80,000 Shares may be earned for each calendar year (or other 12 month period) in the vesting or performance period. During any calendar year, no Participant may be granted an Award that is intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) and is denominated in cash under which more than seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) may be earned for each calendar year (or other 12 month period) in the performance period. The foregoing limitations in this section shall be calculated for 2014 to include all awards issued under a Prior Plan since December 31, 2013. In addition, the foregoing limitations in this section shall be multiplied by two with respect to Awards granted to a Participant during the first calendar year in which the Participant commences employment with the Company and its Affiliates. Subject to the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to all Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 100,000 Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the limitations set forth in this Section 3(b) shall be subject to adjustment under Section 15(a) of the Plan only to the extent that such adjustment will not affect the status of any Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(c) Share Counting Rules.
(i) For purposes of this Section 3 of the Plan, Shares subject to Awards that have been canceled, expired, settled in cash, or forfeited for any reason (in whole or in part) shall not reduce the aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to Awards granted under this Plan and shall be available for future Awards granted under this Plan. If Shares subject to an award under any Prior Plan are canceled, expired, settled in cash, or forfeited for any reason (in whole or in part), the Shares subject to an award under the Prior Plan, to the extent of such cancellation, expiration, settlement in cash, or forfeiture, shall not be available for grant under this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares added back under the provisions of this subsection (c) shall not be counted when determining the limit on Shares that may be granted as Incentive Stock Options under subsection (b), above.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under paragraph (i) of this Section: (a) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the purchase price of an Option, (b) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (c) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with its stock settlement on exercise thereof, and (d) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options. Shares subject to Awards that have been retained by the Company in payment or satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation of an Awardee, other than for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right as described above, and Shares that have been delivered (either actually or constructively by attestation) to the Company in payment or satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation of an Awardee, other than for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right as described above, shall again be available for grant under the Plan.
(iii) Conversion Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan or the limitations on Awards to a Participant under subsection (b), above, and Shares subject to a Conversion Award shall not again be available for an Award under the Plan as provided in subsection (c)(i) above.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan shall be administered by the Board, a Committee designated by the Board to so administer this Plan and/or their respective delegates.
(ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), Awards to “covered employees” (within the meaning of Code Section 162(m)) or to Employees that the Committee determines may be “covered employees” in the future shall be made by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. References herein to the Administrator in connection with Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” shall mean a Committee meeting the “outside director” requirements of Code Section 162(m). Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Administrator shall not have any discretion or authority to make changes to any Award that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” to the extent that the existence of such discretion or authority would cause such Award not to so qualify.
(iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), Awards to Officers and Directors shall be made by the entire Board or a Committee of two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.
(iv) Other Administration. To the extent required by the rules of the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded, the members of the Committee shall also qualify as “independent directors” as set forth in such rules. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Board or a Committee may delegate to a Committee of one or more Directors or to authorized officers of the Company the power to approve Awards to persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan who are not (A) subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (B) at the time of such approval, “covered employees” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(v) Awards to Directors. The Board shall have the power and authority to grant Awards to Non-employee Directors, including the authority to determine the number and type of awards to be granted; determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, of any award; and to take any other actions the Board considers appropriate in connection with the administration of the Plan.
(vi) Delegation of Authority for the Day-to-Day Administration of the Plan. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and, in the case of a Committee or delegates acting as the Administrator, subject to the specific duties delegated to such Committee or delegates, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to select the Non-employee Directors, Consultants and Employees of the Company or its Affiliates to whom Awards are to be granted hereunder;
(ii) to determine the number of Common Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the type of Award to be granted to the selected Employees and Non-employee Directors;
(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise and/or purchase price, the time or times when an Award may be exercised (which may or may not be based on performance criteria), the vesting schedule, any vesting and/or exercisability provisions, terms regarding acceleration of Awards or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, the acceptable forms of consideration for payment for an Award, the term, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine and may be established at the time an Award is granted or thereafter;
(vi) to correct administrative errors;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan (including sub-plans and Plan addenda) and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(viii) to adopt rules and procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized (A) to adopt rules and procedures regarding the conversion of local currency, the shift of tax liability from employer to employee (where legally permitted) and withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements, and (B) to adopt sub-plans and Plan addenda as the Administrator deems desirable, to accommodate foreign laws, regulations and practice;
(ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans and Plan addenda;
(x) to modify or amend each Award, including, but not limited to, the acceleration of vesting and/or exercisability, provided, however, that any such modification or amendment (A) is subject to the plan amendment provisions set forth in Section 16 of the Plan, and (B) may not materially impair any outstanding Award unless agreed to in writing by the Participant, except that such agreement shall not be required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion that such modification or amendment either (Y) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any Applicable Law or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (Z) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or that adequate compensation has been provided for any such diminishment, except following a Change of Control;
(xi) to allow or require Participants to satisfy withholding tax amounts by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option or vesting of a Stock Award that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined in such manner and on such date that the Administrator shall determine or, in the absence of provision otherwise, on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may provide;
(xii) to authorize conversion or substitution under the Plan of any or all stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock awards held by awardees of an entity acquired by the Company (the “Conversion Awards”). Any conversion or substitution shall be effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition. The Conversion Awards may be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator, with respect to options granted by the acquired entity;
(xiii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xiv) to impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resale by a Participant or of other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award or upon the exercise of an Award, including, without limitation, (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (B) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resale or other transfers, and (C) institution of “blackout” periods on exercises of Awards;
(xv) to provide, either at the time an Award is granted or by subsequent action, that an Award shall contain as a term thereof, a right, either in tandem with the other rights under the Award or as an alternative thereto, of the Participant to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of Shares, cash or a combination thereof, the amount of which is determined by reference to the value of the Award; and
(xvi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan and any Award granted hereunder.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. All questions arising under the Plan or under any Award shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and absolute discretion. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations, including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select.
(d) Indemnity. To the extent allowable under Applicable Law, each member of the Committee or of the Board and any person to whom the Board or Committee has delegated any of its authority under the Plan shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
5. Eligibility.
Awards may be granted only to Directors, Employees and Consultants of the Company or any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code).
6. Term of Plan.
The Plan shall become effective upon its approval by stockholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company (the “Effective Date”) unless terminated earlier under Section 16 of the Plan.
7. Term of Award.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the term of each Award shall be determined by the Administrator and stated in the Award Agreement, and may extend beyond the termination of the Plan. In the case of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, the term shall be ten (10) years from the Grant Date or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
8. Options.
The Administrator may grant an Option or provide for the grant of an Option, either from time to time in the discretion of the Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events, including, without limitation, the achievement of performance goals.
(a) Option Agreement. Each Option Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the Option, (ii) the type of Option, (iii) the exercise price of the Option and the means of payment of such exercise price, (iv) the term of the Option
(v) such terms and conditions regarding the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator,
(vi) restrictions on the transfer of the Option and forfeiture provisions, and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan, as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.
(b) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, except that the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date, except with respect to Conversion Awards. A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.
(c) No Option Repricings. Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, the exercise price of an Option may not be reduced without stockholder approval, nor may outstanding Options be cancelled in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Option without stockholder approval.
(d) No Reload Grants. Options shall not be granted under the Plan in consideration for and shall not be conditioned upon the delivery of Shares to the Company in payment of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligation under any other employee stock option.
(e) Vesting Period and Exercise Dates. Options granted under this Plan shall vest and/or be exercisable at such time and in such installments during the period prior to the expiration of the Option’s term as determined by the Administrator and as specified in the Option Agreement. The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the ability to exercise any Option granted under this Plan subject to continued active employment, the passage of time and/or such performance requirements as deemed appropriate by the Administrator. At any time after the grant of an Option, the Administrator may reduce or eliminate any restrictions surrounding any Participant’s right to exercise all or part of the Option.
(f) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, either through the terms of the Option Agreement or at the time of exercise of an Option. Acceptable forms of consideration may include:
(i) cash;
(ii) check or wire transfer (denominated in U.S. Dollars);
(iii) subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, other Shares which were held for a period of more than six (6) months on the date of surrender and which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to or greater than the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised (it being agreed that the excess of the Fair Market Value over the aggregate exercise price, if any, shall be refunded to the Awardee in cash);
(iv) subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, the Company withholding Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of an Option;
(v) consideration received by the Company under a broker-assisted sale and remittance program acceptable to the Administrator and in compliance with Applicable Law;
(vi) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Law; or 9
(vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
(g) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder.
(i) Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Option Agreement.
(ii) An Option shall be deemed exercised when (A) the Company receives (1) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement or procedures established by the Administrator) from the person entitled to exercise the Option and (2) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the related Option is exercised, and (B) with respect to Nonqualified Stock Options, provisions acceptable to the Administrator have been made for payment of all applicable withholding taxes.
(iii) Unless provided otherwise by the Administrator or pursuant to this Plan, until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
(iv) The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares as soon as administratively practicable after the Option is exercised. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
(h) Termination of Employment or Board Membership.
(i) The Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director for any reason or a Termination of Employment due to (A) Disability, (B) Retirement, (C) death, or (D) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Option.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement:
(A) Upon termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director, any Option held by such Director that (1) has not vested and is not exercisable as of the effective date of such termination from membership on the Board shall be subject to immediate cancellation and forfeiture, or (2) is vested and exercisable as of the effective date of such termination shall remain exercisable for one year thereafter, or the remaining term of the Option, if less;
(B) Upon Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director due to death or Disability, any Option held by such Employee or Non-employee Director that (1) is vested and exercisable as of the effective date of such Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board shall remain exercisable for one year after such termination or the remaining term of the Option, if less, and (2) is not yet vested shall vest in full as of the date of death or Disability, and any such vested Options shall remain exercisable for one year after such Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director due to death or Disability or the remaining term of the Option, if less;
(C) Upon Termination of Employment due to Retirement, any Option held by an Awardee at Retirement, to the extent vested and exercisable as of the effective date of such Retirement, will remain outstanding for the lesser of one year or the remaining term of the Option; and
(D) Any other Termination of Employment shall result in immediate cancellation and forfeiture of all outstanding Options that have not vested as of the effective date of such Termination of Employment, and any vested and exercisable Options held at the time of such Termination of Employment shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days thereafter, or the remaining term of the Option, if less. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all outstanding and unexercised Options shall be immediately cancelled in the event of a Termination for Cause.
9. Incentive Stock Option Limitations/Terms.
(a) Eligibility. Only employees (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be granted Incentive Stock Options.
(b) $100,000 Limitation. Notwithstanding the designation “Incentive Stock Option” in an Option Agreement, if and to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Awardee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries) exceeds U.S. $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 9(b) of the Plan, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the Grant Date.
(c) Transferability. The Option Agreement must provide that an Incentive Stock Option is not transferable by the Awardee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of such Awardee, must not be exercisable by any other person. If the terms of an Incentive Stock Option are amended to permit transferability, the Option will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option.
(d) Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall in no event be inconsistent with the requirements for qualification of the Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code.
(e) Other Terms. Option Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such other terms and conditions as may be necessary to qualify, to the extent determined desirable by the Administrator, with the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. If any such terms and conditions, as of the Grant Date or any later date, do not so comply, the Option will be treated thereafter for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option.
10. Stock Appreciation Rights.
A “Stock Appreciation Right” is a right that entitles the Awardee to receive, in cash or Shares (as determined by the Administrator), value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares at the time of exercise over (ii) the aggregate exercise price of the right, as established by the Administrator on the Grant Date. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Awardees either alone (“freestanding”) or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 8 of the Plan. Any Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Option may be granted at the same time such Option is granted or at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Option, and shall be based on the Fair Market Value of one Share on the Grant Date or, if applicable, on the Grant Date of the Option with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right granted in exchange for or in tandem with, but subsequent to, the Option (subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code). All Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, other than Conversion Awards, shall be granted subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to Options as set forth in Section 8 of the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan, the Administrator may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem appropriate.
11. Stock Awards.
(a) Stock Award Agreement. Each Stock Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares subject to such Stock Award or a formula for determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the Shares, if any, and the means of payment for the Shares, (iii) the performance criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of Shares granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the Shares as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the Stock Award, and (vi) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan, as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive the vesting restrictions and any other conditions set forth in any Award Agreement under such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate, subject to the limitations imposed under Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder in the case of an Award intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m), unless determined otherwise under the circumstances by the Committee.
(b) Restrictions and Performance Criteria. The grant, issuance, retention and/or vesting of Stock Awards issued to Employees may be subject to such performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria as the Administrator shall determine, which criteria may be based on financial performance, personal performance evaluations and/or completion of service by the Awardee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any Stock Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (a “Performance Stock Award”) shall be established by the Administrator based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified in writing not later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of the period of service (or, if earlier, the elapse of 25% of such period) to which the performance goals relate or otherwise within the time period required by the Code or the applicable Treasury Regulations, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at that time. Stock Awards for which vesting is not based on the attainment of performance criteria are referred to as “Restricted Stock Awards.”
(c) Termination of Employment or Board Membership.
(i) The Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director for any reason or a Termination of Employment due to (A) Disability, (B) Retirement (C) death, or (D) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Stock Award.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement:
(A) A Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director due to Disability or death shall result in immediate full vesting of any as yet unvested Stock Award, and in the case of a Stock Award that vests upon the achievement of performance goals, the vested amount shall be based upon the target award amount;
(B) Any other Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director shall result in immediate cancellation and forfeiture of all outstanding, unvested Stock Awards.
In the event that the Administrator shall provide for vesting as to a ratable portion of a performance period in an Award Agreement for a Stock Award under which vesting is based on the attainment of performance criteria over such performance period, the ratable vesting percentage determined by the portion of the performance period during which the Awardee was an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall be applied to determine the portion of the Stock Award that is vested based upon actual performance results after the completion of the performance period.
(d) Rights as a Stockholder. Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator, the Participant shall have the rights equivalent to those of a stockholder and shall be a stockholder only after Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) to the Participant.
12. Other Stock-Based Awards.
(a) Other Stock-Based Awards. An “Other Stock-Based Award” means any other type of equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted Shares), as well as any cash based bonus based on the attainment of Qualifying Performance Criteria as described in Section 13(b), in such amount and subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares or pursuant to attainment of a performance goal. Each Other Stock-Based Award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Administrator.
(b) Value of Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Shares or units based on Shares or a target amount of cash, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may establish performance goals in its discretion. If the Administrator exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the number and/or value of Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals are met. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any Other Stock-Based Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be established by the Administrator based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified in writing not later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of the period of service (or, if earlier, the elapse of 25% of such period) to which the performance goals relate and otherwise within the time period required by the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at that time.
(c) Payment of Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to Other Stock-Based Awards shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, as the Administrator determines.
(d) Termination of Employment or Board Membership.
(i) The Administrator shall determine as of the Grant Date (subject to modification subsequent to the Grant Date) the effect a termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director for any reason or a Termination of Employment due to (A) Disability, (B) Retirement, (C) death, or (D) otherwise (including Termination for Cause) shall have on any Other Stock-Based Award.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement:
(A) A Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director due to Disability or death shall result in immediate full vesting of any as yet unvested Other Stock-Based Award, and in the case of an Other Stock-Based Award which vests on the basis of attainment of a performance goal, the vested amount shall be based upon the target award amount;
(B) Any other Termination of Employment or termination from membership on the Board by a Non-employee Director shall result in immediate cancellation and forfeiture of all outstanding, unvested Other Stock-Based Awards.
In the event that the Administrator shall provide for vesting as to a ratable portion of a performance period in an Award Agreement for an Other Stock-Based Award under which vesting is based on the attainment of performance criteria over such performance period, the ratable vesting percentage determined by the portion of the performance period during which the Awardee was an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall be applied to determine the portion of the Other Stock-Based Award that is vested based upon actual performance results after the completion of the performance period.
13. Other Provisions Applicable to Awards.
(a) Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred or disposed of in any manner other than by beneficiary designation, will or by the laws of descent or distribution, including but not limited to any attempted assignment or transfer in connection with the settlement of marital property or other rights incident to a divorce or dissolution, and any such attempted sale, assignment or transfer shall be of no effect prior to the date an Award is vested and settled. The Administrator may only make an Award transferable to an Awardee’s family member or any other person or entity provided the Awardee does not receive consideration for such transfer. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, either as of the Grant Date or thereafter, such Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate, and any transferee shall be deemed to be bound by such terms upon acceptance of such transfer.
(b) Qualifying Performance Criteria. For purposes of this Plan, the term “Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, on a basis consistent with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) or on a non-GAAP or adjusted GAAP basis, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a Subsidiary, business unit, Affiliate or business segment, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award or by duly adopted resolution: (i) sales or cash return on sales; (ii) cash flow or free cash flow or net cash from operating activity; (iii) earnings (including gross margin, earnings before or after interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, and net earnings); (iv) basic or diluted earnings per share; (v) growth in earnings or earnings per share; (vi) stock price; (vii) return on equity or average shareholders’ equity; (viii) total shareholder return; (ix) return on capital; (x) return on assets or net assets; (xi) return on investments; (xii) revenue or gross profits; (xiii) income before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or net income; (xiv) pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and bonus; (xv) operating income or net operating income; (xvi) operating profit or net operating profit (whether before or after taxes); (xvii) operating margin; (xviii) return on operating revenue; (xix) working capital or net working capital; (xx) market share; (xxi) asset velocity index; (xxii) contract awards or backlog; (xxiii) overhead or other expense or cost reduction; (xxiv) growth in shareholder value relative to the moving average of the S&P 500 Index or a peer group index; (xxv) credit rating; (xxvi) strategic plan development and implementation; (xxvii) improvement in workforce diversity; (xxviii) customer satisfaction; (xxvix) employee satisfaction; (xxx) management succession plan development and implementation; and (xxxi) employee or customer retention. With respect to any Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the performance criteria must be Qualifying Performance Criteria, and the Administrator will (within the first quarter of the performance period, but in no event more than ninety (90) days into that period) establish the specific performance targets (including thresholds and whether to exclude certain extraordinary, non-recurring, or similar items) and Award amounts (subject to the right of the Administrator to exercise discretion to reduce payment amounts following the conclusion of the performance period). Extraordinary, non-recurring items that may be the basis of adjustment include acquisitions or divestitures, restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges, an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company, Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit or not within the reasonable control of management, the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and foreign exchange gains or losses.
(c) Certification. Prior to the payment of any compensation under an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator shall certify in writing the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria and any other material terms under such Award have been satisfied (other than in cases where such criteria relate solely to the increase in the value of the Common Shares).
(d) Discretionary Adjustments Pursuant to Section 162(m). Notwithstanding satisfaction or completion of any Qualifying Performance Criteria, to the extent specified as of the Grant Date, the number of Shares, Options or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such Qualifying Performance Criteria may be reduced (but not increased) by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion shall determine.
14. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents.
Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may provide the Awardee with the right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments on the Shares subject to the Award, whether or not such Award is vested. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents shall not be paid with respect to Stock Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that, in either case, vest based on the achievement of performance goals prior to the date the performance goals are satisfied and the Award is earned, and then shall be payable only with respect to the number of Shares or Stock Units actually earned under the Award. Such payments may be made in cash, Shares or Stock Units or may be credited as cash or Stock Units to an Awardee’s account and later settled in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. Such payments and credits may be subject to such conditions and contingencies as the Administrator may establish.
15. Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization, Organic Change or Change of Control.
(a) Adjustment Clause. In the event of (i) a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, share combination, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company (each, a “Share Change”), or (ii) a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, separation, spin-off, reorganization, liquidation, Disaffiliation, or similar event affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, an “Organic Change”), the Administrator or the Board may in its discretion make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (i) the Share limitations set forth in Section 3 of the Plan, (ii) the number and kind of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and (iii) the price per Share subject to each such outstanding Award. In the case of Organic Changes, such adjustments may include, without limitation, (x) the cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such Awards, as determined by the Administrator or the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that in the case of an Organic Change with respect to which stockholders receive consideration other than publicly traded equity securities of the ultimate surviving entity, any such determination by the Administrator that the value of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall for this purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration being paid for each Share pursuant to such Organic Change over the exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (y) the substitution of other property (including, without limitation, cash or other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company) for the Shares subject to outstanding Awards; and (z) in connection with any Disaffiliation, arranging for the assumption of Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other property or other securities (including, without limitation, other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company), by the affected Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division or by the entity that controls such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division following such Disaffiliation (as well as any corresponding adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities). The Committee may adjust in its sole discretion the Qualifying Performance Criteria applicable to any Awards to reflect any Share Change and any Organic Change and any unusual or non-recurring events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by GAAP or as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis or the Company’s other SEC filings, provided that in the case of Qualifying Performance Criteria applicable to any performance-based Awards intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), such adjustment does not violate Section 162(m) of the Code. Any adjustment under this Section 15(a) need not be the same for all Participants.
(b) Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator as of the Grant Date of a particular Award (or subsequent to the Grant Date), the following acceleration, exercisability and valuation provisions shall apply:
(i) On the date that such Change of Control occurs, any or all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights awarded under this Plan not previously exercisable and vested shall, if not assumed, or substituted with a new award, by the successor to the Company, become fully exercisable and vested, and if the successor to the Company assumes such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or substitutes other awards for such Awards, such Awards (or their substitutes) shall become fully exercisable and vested if the Participant’s employment is terminated (other than a Termination for Cause) within two years following the Change of Control.
(ii) Except as may be provided in an individual severance or employment agreement (or severance plan) to which an Awardee is a party, in the event of an Awardee’s Termination of Employment within two years after a Change of Control for any reason other than because of the Awardee’s death, Retirement, Disability or Termination for Cause, each Option and Stock Appreciation Right held by the Awardee (or a transferee) that is vested following such Termination of Employment shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the third anniversary of such Termination of Employment (or any later date until which it would remain exercisable under such circumstances by its terms) or the expiration of its original term. In the event of an Awardee’s Termination of Employment more than two years after a Change of Control, or within two years after a Change of Control because of the Awardee’s death, Retirement, Disability or Termination for Cause, the provisions of Sections 8(i) and 10 of the Plan shall govern (as applicable).
(iii) On the date that such Change of Control occurs, the restrictions and conditions applicable to any or all Stock Awards, Stock Unit Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards that are not assumed, or substituted with a new award, by the successor to the Company shall lapse and such Awards shall be fully vested. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement at the Grant Date, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control without assumption or substitution of the Awards by the successor, any performance based Award shall be deemed fully earned at the target amount as of the date on which the Change of Control occurs. All Stock Awards, Stock Unit Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall be settled or paid within thirty (30) days of vesting hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Change of Control would not qualify as a permissible date of distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code, and the regulations thereunder, the Awardee shall be entitled to receive the Award from the Company on the date that would have applied absent this provision. If the successor to the Company does assume (or substitute with a new award) any Stock Awards, Stock Unit Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards, all such Awards shall become fully vested if the Participant’s employment is terminated (other than a Termination for Cause) within two years following the Change of Control, and any performance based Award shall be deemed fully earned at the target amount effective as of such Termination of Employment.
(iv) The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control of the Company, each Option and Stock Appreciation Right outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the Participant, and/or that each Participant shall receive, with respect to each Share subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control over the exercise price per Share of such Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine, and if there is no excess value, the Committee may, in its discretion, cancel such Awards.
(v) An Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award, Stock Unit Award or Other Stock-Based Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change of Control the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award, Stock Unit Award or Other Stock-Based Award immediately prior to the Change of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change of Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change of Control is not solely common stock of the successor company, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award, Stock Unit Award or Other Stock-Based Award, for each Share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company with a fair market value substantially equal to the per Share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change of Control. The determination of whether fair market value is substantially equal shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.
(c) Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) any adjustments made pursuant to Section 15(a) of the Plan to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; (ii) any adjustments made pursuant to Section 15(a) of the Plan to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment, the Awards either continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; (iii) the Administrator shall not have the authority to make any adjustments pursuant to Section 15(a) of the Plan to the extent that the existence of such authority would cause an Award that is not intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code to be subject thereto; and (iv) if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, Section 15(b) of the Plan shall be applicable only to the extent specifically provided in the Award Agreement and permitted pursuant to Section 24 of the Plan in order to ensure that such Award complies with Code Section 409A.
16. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Administrator may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan or any Award Agreement, but any such amendment shall be subject to approval of the stockholders of the Company in the manner and to the extent required by Applicable Law. In addition, without limiting the foregoing, unless approved by the stockholders of the Company and subject to Section 16(b), no such amendment shall be made that would:
(i) increase the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan;
(ii) reduce the minimum exercise price for Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; or
(iii) reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, as prohibited by Section 8(c) without stockholder approval.
(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall materially impair the rights of any Participant with respect to an outstanding Award, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company, except that no such agreement shall be required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion that such amendment either (i) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any Applicable Law or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award, or that any such diminishment has been adequately compensated, except that this exception shall not apply following a Change of Control. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
(c) Effect of the Plan on Other Arrangements. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board or a Committee nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or any Committee to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it or they may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of restricted shares or restricted share units or stock options otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
17. Designation of Beneficiary.
(a) An Awardee may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive the Awardee’s rights pursuant to Awardee’s Award or the Awardee may include his or her Awards in an omnibus beneficiary designation for all benefits under the Plan. To the extent that Awardee has completed a designation of beneficiary while employed with the Company, such beneficiary designation shall remain in effect with respect to any Award hereunder until changed by the Awardee to the extent enforceable under Applicable Law.
(b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Awardee at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of an Awardee and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Awardee’s death, the Company shall allow the legal representative of the Awardee’s estate to exercise the Award.
18. No Right to Awards or to Employment.
No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award and the grant of any Award shall not be construed as giving an Awardee the right to continue in the employ of the Company or its Affiliates. Further, the Company and its Affiliates expressly reserve the right, at any time, to dismiss any Employee or Awardee at any time without liability or any claim under the Plan, except as provided herein or in any Award Agreement entered into hereunder.
19. Legal Compliance.
Shares shall not be issued pursuant to an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award unless such Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Law and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. Unless the Awards and Shares covered by this Plan have been registered under the Securities Act or the Company has determined that such registration is unnecessary, each person receiving an Award and/or Shares pursuant to any Award may be required by the Company to give a representation in writing that such person is acquiring such Shares for his or her own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any part thereof.
20. Inability to Obtain Authority.
To the extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it unfeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be advisable or necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
21. Reservation of Shares.
The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
22. Notice.
Any written notice to the Company required by any provisions of this Plan shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company and shall be effective when received. Any notice to a Participant hereunder shall be addressed to the last address of record with the Company and shall be effective when sent via first class mail, courier service, or electronic mail to such last address of record.
23. Governing Law; Interpretation of Plan and Awards.
(a) This Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the state of Delaware, except as to matters governed by U.S. federal law.
(b) In the event that any provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of the terms of the Plan and/or Award shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.
(c) The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of the Plan, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(d) The terms of the Plan and any Award shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.
24. Section 409A.
It is the intention of the Company that no Award shall be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless and to the extent that the Administrator specifically determines otherwise, and the Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards shall be interpreted accordingly. The terms and conditions governing any Awards that the Administrator determines will be subject to Section 409A of the Code, including any rules for elective or mandatory deferral of the delivery of cash or Shares pursuant thereto and any rules regarding treatment of such Awards in the event of a Change of Control, shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, deferral election forms and procedures, and rules established by the Administrator, and shall comply in all respects with Section 409A of the Code. The following rules will apply to Awards intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code (“409A Awards”):
(a) If a Participant is permitted to elect to defer an Award or any payment under an Award, such election will be permitted only at times in compliance with Code Section 409A.
(b) The Company shall have no authority to accelerate distributions relating to 409A Awards in excess of the authority permitted under Section 409A.
(c) Any distribution of a 409A Award following a Termination of Employment that would be subject to Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) as a distribution following a separation from service of a “specified employee” as defined under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), shall occur no earlier than the expiration of the six-month period following such Termination of Employment.
(d) In the case of any distribution of a 409A Award, if the timing of such distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution shall be made not later than the end of the calendar year during which the settlement of the 409A Award is specified to occur.
(e) In the case of an Award providing for distribution or settlement upon vesting or the lapse of a risk of forfeiture, if the time of such distribution or settlement is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution or settlement shall be made not later than March 15 of the year following the year in which the Award vested or the risk of forfeiture lapsed.
(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Company or the Administrator be liable for the payment of, or any gross up payment in connection with, any taxes or penalties owed by the Participant pursuant to Code Section 409A
25. Limitation on Liability.
The Company and any Affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to a Participant, an Employee, an Awardee or any other persons as to:
(a) The Non-Issuance of Shares. The non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder; and
(b) Tax or Exchange Control Consequences. Any tax consequence or any exchange control obligation owed, by any Participant, Employee, Awardee or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Option or other Award granted hereunder.
26. Unfunded Plan.
Insofar as it provides for Awards, the Plan shall be unfunded. Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Awardees who are granted Stock Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards under this Plan, any such accounts will be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate any assets which may at any time be represented by Awards, nor shall this Plan be construed as providing for such segregation. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be deemed to be a trustee of stock or cash to be awarded under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any Participant with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations which may be created by the Plan; no such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or other encumbrance on any property of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be required to give any security or bond for the performance of any obligation which may be created by this Plan.
27. Foreign Employees.
Awards may be granted hereunder to Employees and Consultants who are foreign nationals, who are located outside the United States or who are not compensated from a payroll maintained in the United States, or who are otherwise subject to (or could cause the Company to be subject to) legal or regulatory provisions of countries or jurisdictions outside the United States, on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Administrator, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and, in furtherance of such purposes, the Administrator may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, or subplans as may be necessary or advisable to comply with such legal or regulatory provisions.
28. Tax Withholding.
Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Award under the Plan no later than the date as of which any amount under such Award first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for any tax purposes with respect to which the Company has a tax withholding obligation. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, withholding obligations may be settled with Shares, including Shares that are part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement; provided, however, that not more than the legally required minimum withholding may be settled with Shares that are part of the Award. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any vested Shares or any other payment due to the participant at that time or at any future time. The Administrator may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with Shares.
29. Cancellation of Award; Forfeiture of Gain.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Award Agreement may provide that the Award will be cancelled and the Participant will forfeit the Shares or cash received or payable on the vesting or exercise of the Award, and that the amount of any proceeds of the sale or gain realized on the vesting or exercise of the Award must be repaid to the Company, under such conditions as may be required by Applicable Law or established by the Committee in its sole discretion.
30. Data Privacy and Transfer
As a condition of acceptance of an Award, the Participant explicitly thereby consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Participant understands that the Company and its Affiliates hold certain personal information about the Participant, including the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, Shares held in the Company or any Subsidiary, details of all Awards or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor, for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan (the “Data”). The Participant further understands that the Company and its Affiliates may transfer the Data among themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, management and administration of the Plan, and that the Company and its Affiliates may each further transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, management, and administration of the Plan. The Participant understands that these recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and that the recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the Participant’s country. The Participant understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Participant, through participation in the Plan and acceptance of an Award under the Plan, authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. In addition, by accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant agrees and acknowledges (i) that the Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, manage, and administer the Plan; (ii) that the Participant may, at any time, view the Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments to the Data, or refuse or withdraw consent to the use and transfer of the Data, without cost, by delivering such revocation or withdrawal of consent in writing to a designated human resources representative; and (iii) that refusal or withdrawal of consent may affect the Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan thereafter.