Richmond Brothers, Inc., a Michigan-based SEC registered investment advisor and wealth management firm that is the largest beneficial owner of Rockwell Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:RMTI) (“Rockwell” or the “Company”), and Mark H. Ravich, who together with their affiliates beneficially own over 6.1 million shares, or 11.8% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, today sent a letter to Rockwell shareholders outlining the case for electing Mark H. Ravich to the Board at the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 1, 2017. The full text of the letter follows:
May 19, 2017
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
We believe – based on the outpouring of support we have received so far – that many of you share our long-standing frustrations with Rockwell Medical, Inc.’s (“Rockwell” or the “Company”) failed execution and continued poor performance. The list of failures and problems at Rockwell is long – including the failure to monetize two approved and promising drugs, abysmal corporate governance practices, egregious executive compensation practices, a complete lack of regard for shareholder concerns, disinterest in communicating with shareholders and the market, and perhaps most importantly, a lack of independent oversight.
The question you face now is who is best-positioned to deliver the change that Rockwell sorely needs. In our view, Mark H. Ravich is the clear choice. He is independent, has relevant investment and board experience, and is personally invested in the Company. We believe his qualifications blow away those of David Domzalski, who in our view would be nothing more than another crony of Rockwell Chairman and CEO Rob Chioini.
Do not be fooled by Rockwell’s ever-growing list of false and misleading statements.1 The Company has stooped to new lows, even going so far as to falsely accuse Mark of being involved in the bankruptcy of retailer Odds and Ends, when the truth is that Mark took over that company when it emerged from bankruptcy in 1994, not in 1990 as Rockwell claims. We believe this blatant lie demonstrates the lengths to which the incumbents will go to further entrench themselves.
The bottom line is that shareholders need a voice in Rockwell’s boardroom so that shareholders’ best interests are put first and foremost and there is proper oversight of the Company’s management. That is the only way, in our view, that Rockwell’s underperformance can be corrected and excessive executive compensation can be reined in.
A Clear Decision | ||||||||
Mark H. Ravich | David Domzalski | |||||||
CEO Experience |
| X | ||||||
Public Company Board Experience |
| X | ||||||
Medical Device Company Experience |
| X | ||||||
Entrepreneurial Experience |
| X | ||||||
Turnaround Experience |
| X | ||||||
Biotech / Med Investment Experience |
| X | ||||||
Independent from Rob Chioini |
| ? | ||||||
Why David Domzalski is not the Right Choice for Rockwell’s Board:
- Domzalski’s roles at the healthcare and pharmaceutical companies where he has worked have been primarily sales and marketing focused – expertise that Rockwell does not need at this point.
- Failed to deliver meaningful sales at Leo Pharma, Inc. during his short tenure.
- Failed to bring a primary drug candidate to market at Foamix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., leading to significant stock decline.
- No board experience.
- Rockwell claims that it conducted an extensive search for Domzalski, but Rockwell didn’t even interview the three world class candidates that we suggested.
- Rockwell was against Domzalski before it was for him. We believe that Rockwell vetted Domzalski last year and decided against him before putting Dr. Robin Smith on the Board.
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It is unclear whether Domzalski is truly independent of Rob Chioini.
- It appears that Foamix, where Domzalski works, uses LifeSci Advisors, LLC as its IR / PR consultant. LifeSci is the same firm that handles IR for Rockwell and is related to LifeSci Index Partners, which created the index that Rockwell is using to artificially make its performance look less troubling.
Do not let Rockwell’s maneuvering and entrenchment tactics fool you. We urge you to support the change Rockwell desperately needs and vote the BLUE proxy card to elect Mark H. Ravich to the Board. Remember, voting withhold on Rockwell’s nominee on the white proxy card is not the same as voting for Mark H. Ravich on the BLUE proxy card. If you have voted a white proxy card, you have every right to change your vote by voting a later dated BLUE proxy card today. You may vote by internet or telephone by following the enclosed instructions.
Thank you for your support,
Richmond Brothers, Inc. and Mark H. Ravich
TELL ROCKWELL IT MUST TAKE SHAREHOLDER CONCERNS SERIOUSLY
VOTE THE BLUE PROXY CARD TO ELECT MARK H. RAVICH TODAY
If you have any questions, or require assistance with your vote, please contact Saratoga Proxy Consulting LLC, toll- free at (888) 368-0379, call direct at (212) 257-1311 or email: info@saratogaproxy.com
For more information, and to see other communications and filings from Richmond Brothers and Mark H. Ravich, visit this link: http://www.richmondbrothers.com/time-for-action-at-rmti.
About Richmond Brothers, Inc.
Richmond Brothers, Inc. is an SEC registered investment advisor and wealth management firm founded in 1994.
About Mark H. Ravich
Mark H. Ravich is a private investor and currently serves as President of Tri-Star Management, Inc., a commercial real estate management and syndication company that he co-founded in 1998.
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1 See our recent presentation documenting many of
Rockwell’s false and misleading statements at: |
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170519005336/en/
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