SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
(RULE
14a-101)
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
Check the
appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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ACORN
ENERGY, INC.
(Name of Registrant as
Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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No
fee required.
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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(2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3)
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
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(1)
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Amount
Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3)
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Filing
Party:
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(4)
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Date
Filed:
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ACORN
ENERGY, INC.
4
West Rockland Road
Montchanin,
Delaware 19710
NOTICE
OF 2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the
Stockholders:
NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Acorn Energy, Inc.
(“Acorn Energy” or the “Company”) will be held at The Union League Club of New
York, 38 East 37th Street,
New York, New York 10016, on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Daylight Time, for the following purposes, all as more fully described in the
attached Proxy Statement:
(1)
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the
election of six directors to hold office until the 2011 Annual Meeting and
until their respective successors are elected and
qualified;
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(2)
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the
ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of the Company’s
Board of Directors of Freidman LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31,
2010;
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(3)
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the
amendment of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the
number of authorized shares of common stock to 30,000,000
shares;
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(4)
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the
amendment of the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the
number of available shares by 1,000,000 to 1,665,000
shares;
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(5)
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the
adjournment of the meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event
there are insufficient votes to approve either Proposal 3 or 4;
and
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(6)
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such
other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
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You are
cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. You are also
invited to be our guest for a buffet lunch to be held before the Annual Meeting
beginning at 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Time at the Union League Club of New
York.
You are requested to vote by Internet
or by mail whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in
person. This year we are furnishing our proxy materials to our
stockholders who hold their shares through brokers over the Internet, as
permitted by rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These stockholders should have received a notice
containing instructions on how to access these materials and how to vote their
shares online. The notice provides instructions on how you can
request a paper copy of these materials by mail, by telephone or by
e-mail. If you previously requested that you receive annual meeting
materials via e-mail, the e-mail contains voting instructions and links to the
materials on the Internet. All stockholders may read, print and download our
2009 Annual Report and our Proxy Statement at https://materials.proxyvote.com/[________].
The proxy
is revocable by you at any time prior to its exercise and will not affect your
right to vote in person in the event you attend the meeting or any adjournment
thereof. The prompt return of the proxy will be of assistance in preparing for
the meeting and your cooperation in this respect will be
appreciated.
A copy of
the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2009 is
enclosed.
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By Order of the Board of
Directors, |
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JOE
B. COGDELL, JR. |
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Secretary
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Montchanin,
Delaware
[__________],
2010
ACORN
ENERGY, INC.
4
West Rockland Road
Montchanin,
Delaware 19710
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON JUNE 10, 2010
This
proxy statement and the accompanying proxy are being furnished in connection
with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the
Company for use in voting at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
“Annual Meeting”) to be held at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday,
June 10, 2010, at The Union League Club of New York, 38 East 37th Street,
New York, New York 10016, and any adjournments thereof. Distribution to
stockholders of this proxy statement and a proxy form is scheduled to begin on
or about April 30, 2010 to each stockholder of record at the close of business
on April 14, 2010 (the “Record Date”).
Your vote
is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please take
the time to vote your shares of common stock as soon as possible. You can ensure
that your shares are voted at the meeting by submitting your proxy by Internet
or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy in the
envelope provided. Submitting your proxy will not affect your right to attend
the meeting and vote. A stockholder who gives a proxy may revoke it at any time
before it is exercised by voting in person at the Annual Meeting, by delivering
a subsequent proxy or by notifying our corporate Secretary in writing of such
revocation.
INFORMATION
ABOUT THE 2010 ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY VOTING
What
matters are to be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
Acorn
Energy intends to present the following proposals for stockholder consideration
and voting at the Annual Meeting:
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(1)
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the
election of six directors to hold office until the 2011 Annual Meeting and
until their respective successors are elected and
qualified;
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(2)
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the
ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of the Company’s
Board of Directors of Freidman LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31,
2010;
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(3)
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the
amendment of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the
number of authorized shares of common stock to 30,000,000
shares;
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(4)
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the
amendment of the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the
number of available shares by 1,000,000 to 1,665,000
shares;
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(5)
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the
adjournment of the meeting to solicit additional proxies in the event
there are insufficient votes to approve either Proposal 3 or 4;
and
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(6)
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such
other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
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What
is the Board’s recommendation?
The Board
of Directors recommends that you vote your shares “FOR” each of Proposals 1, 2,
3, 4 and 5 on your proxy card.
Will
any other matters be presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting?
We do not
expect that any other matters might be presented for a vote at the Annual
Meeting. However, if another matter were to be properly presented, the proxies
would use their own judgment in deciding whether to vote for or against the
proposal.
Who
is entitled to vote?
All Acorn
Energy stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share outstanding on the Record
Date will be entitled to one vote. There were 14,269,148 shares
outstanding on the Record Date.
How
do I vote my shares?
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If
you are a stockholder of record you may grant a proxy with respect to your
shares by mail using the proxy included with the proxy
materials. Stockholders who own their shares through banks,
brokers or other nominees may grant their proxy by mail, by telephone or
over the Internet in accordance with the instruction in the Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Internet and telephone voting
will be available through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 9,
2010.
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If
you are a stockholder of record or a duly appointed proxy of a stockholder
of record, you may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. However,
if your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee,
and you wish to attend the Annual Meeting to vote in person, you will have
to contact your bank, broker or other nominee to obtain its proxy. Bring
that document with you to the
meeting.
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All
proxies submitted will be voted in the manner you indicate by the
individuals named on the proxy. If you do not specify how your shares are
to be voted, the proxies will vote your shares FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5.
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As
permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, Acorn Energy is
sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders who
hold shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other holder of record.
All such stockholders will have the ability to access this Proxy Statement and
the Company’s Annual Report at https://materials.proxyvote.com/[__________].
The notice also includes information as to how these stockholders may vote their
shares.
May
I change or revoke my proxy after it is submitted?
Yes, you
may change or revoke your proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting
by:
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returning
a later-dated proxy card;
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attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person; or
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sending
your written notice of revocation to Joe B. Cogdell, Jr., our
Secretary.
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Your
changed proxy or revocation must be received before the polls close for
voting.
What
is a “quorum?”
In order
for business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, a quorum must be present. A
quorum will be present if stockholders of record holding a majority in voting
power of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting are present in person or are represented by
proxies. For purposes of determining the presence or absence of a
quorum, we intend to count as present shares present in person but not voting
and shares for which we have received proxies but for which holders thereof have
abstained. Furthermore, shares represented by proxies returned by a broker
holding the shares in nominee or “street” name will be counted as present for
purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, even if the broker is not
entitled to vote the shares on matters where discretionary voting by the broker
is not allowed (“broker non-votes”).
What
vote is necessary to pass the items of business at the Annual
Meeting?
Holders
of our common stock will vote as a single class and will be entitled to one vote
per share with respect to each matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
With respect to Proposal 1, the six nominees for director receiving a plurality
of the votes cast by holders of common stock, at the Annual Meeting in person or
by proxy, shall be elected to our Board. Approval of Proposals 2, 4
and 5 requires the votes cast in favor of each such proposal to exceed the votes
cast against such proposal. Abstentions from voting, as
well as broker non-votes, if any, are not treated as votes cast and, therefore,
will have no effect on any of these proposals. Approval of Proposal
3, the amendment of our certificate of incorporation, requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy. Because approval is
based on the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, the
failure to vote, a broker non-vote or abstention will have the same effect as a
vote against Proposal 3.
Who
pays the costs of this proxy solicitation?
This
solicitation of proxies is made by our Board of Directors, and all related costs
will be borne by us. In addition, we may reimburse brokerage firms and other
persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in
forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners.
What
is the deadline for submission of stockholder proposals for the 2011 Annual
Meeting?
Proposals
that our stockholders may wish to include in our proxy statement and form of
proxy for presentation at our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be
received by or delivered to us at Acorn Energy, Inc. 4 West Rockland Road,
Montchanin, Delaware 19710, Attention: Joe B. Cogdell, Jr., Secretary, no later
than the close of business on December 10, 2010.
Any
stockholder proposal must be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
SEC. In addition, with respect to proposals submitted by a stockholder other
than for inclusion in our 2011 proxy statement, our by-laws have established
advance notice procedures that stockholders must follow. Pursuant to the By-laws
of the Company, stockholders who wish to nominate any person for election to the
Board of Directors or bring any other business before the 2011 Annual Meeting
must generally give notice thereof to the Company at its principal executive
offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days before the date of the
meeting. All nominations for director or other business sought to be
transacted that are not timely delivered to the Company, or that fail to comply
with the requirements set forth in the Company’s By-laws, will be excluded from
the Annual Meeting, as provided in the By-laws. A copy of the By-laws
of the Company is available upon request from the Secretary of the Company, 4
West Rockland Road, Montchanin, Delaware 19710.
Where
can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
The
preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. The final
results will be published in our current report on Form 8-K to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days after the date of
the Annual Meeting, provided that the final results are available at such
time. In the event the final results are not available within such
time period, the preliminary voting results will be published in our current
report on Form 8-K to be filed within such time period, and the final results
will be published in an amended current report on Form 8-K/A to be filed within
four business days after the final results are available. Any
stockholder may also obtain the results from the Secretary of the Company, 4
West Rockland Road, Montchanin, Delaware 19710.
INFORMATION
ABOUT COMMUNICATING WITH OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
How
may I communicate directly with the Board of Directors?
The Board
provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board. You may
communicate with the Board, individually or as a group, as follows:
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BY
MAIL
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BY
PHONE
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The
Board of Directors
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1-302-656-1707
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Acorn
Energy, Inc.
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Attn:
Joe B. Cogdell, Jr., Secretary
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4
West Rockland Road
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Montchanin,
Delaware 19710
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You
should identify your communication as being from an Acorn Energy stockholder.
The Secretary may require reasonable evidence that your communication or other
submission is made by an Acorn Energy stockholder before transmitting your
communication to the Board.
The
following table and the notes thereto set forth information, as of April 14,
2010 (except as otherwise set forth herein), concerning beneficial ownership (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of common stock
by (i) each director of the Company, (ii) each executive officer of the Company
named below in the Summary Compensation Table and certain other executive
officers, (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group, and (iv) each
holder of 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of common
stock.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) (2)
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Number
of Shares of
common
stock
Beneficially
Owned (2)
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Percentage
of
common
stock
Outstanding
(2)
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John
A. Moore
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1,220,911 |
(3) |
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8.3 |
% |
George
Morgenstern
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328,861 |
(4) |
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2.3 |
% |
Richard
J. Giacco
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55,000 |
(5) |
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Joe
Musanti
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29,666 |
(6) |
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Richard
Rimer
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135,000 |
(7) |
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1.0 |
% |
Samuel
M. Zentman
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101,621 |
(8) |
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Michael
Barth
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123,934 |
(9) |
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1.0 |
% |
Joe
B. Cogdell, Jr.
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39,500 |
(10) |
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William
J. McMahon
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10,500 |
(11) |
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Benny
Sela
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20,000 |
(12) |
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Ray
Simonson
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15,990 |
(13) |
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All
executive officers and directors of the Company as a group (11
people)
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2,080,983 |
(14) |
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13.5 |
% |
Austin
W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse
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679,860 |
(15) |
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4.8 |
% |
* Less
than 1%
(1)
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Unless
otherwise indicated, the address for each of the beneficial owners listed
in the table is in care of the Company, 4 West Rockland Road, Montchanin,
Delaware 19710.
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(2)
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Unless
otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power with
respect to the shares indicated. For purposes of this table, a
person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any
shares as of a given date which such person has the right to acquire
within 60 days after such date. Percentage information is based
on the 14,269,148 shares outstanding as of April 14,
2010.
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(3)
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Consists
of 585,911 shares and 635,000 shares underlying currently exercisable
options.
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(4)
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Consists
of 51,922 shares, 227,500 shares underlying currently exercisable options,
and 49,439 shares owned by Mr. Morgenstern’s wife.
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(5)
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Consists
of 10,000 shares and 45,000 shares underlying currently exercisable
options.
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(6)
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Consists
of 3,000 shares and 26,666 shares underlying currently exercisable
options.
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(7)
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Consists
of 40,000 shares and 95,000 shares underlying currently exercisable
options.
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(8)
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Consists
of 16,621 shares and 85,000 shares underlying currently exercisable
options.
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(9)
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Consists
of 11,289 shares, 1,645 shares underlying currently exercisable warrants
and 111,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options. Mr. Barth
also owns 569 shares of DSIT representing approximately 4.0% of the DSIT’s
outstanding shares.
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(10)
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Consists
of 2,000 shares and 37,500 shares underlying currently exercisable
options. Mr. Cogdell also owns 5,088 shares of CoaLogix and options to
purchase 1,267 CoaLogix shares, representing less than 1.0% of CoaLogix’s
outstanding shares.
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(11)
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Consists
solely of shares. Mr. McMahon also owns 3,391 shares of CoaLogix and
currently exercisable options to purchase 102,034 CoaLogix shares,
representing approximately 2.8% of CoaLogix’s outstanding
shares.
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(12)
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Consists
solely of shares underlying currently exercisable options. Mr. Sela also
owns 925 shares of DSIT representing approximately 6.5% of the DSIT’s
outstanding shares.
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(13)
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Consists
solely of shares. Mr. Simonson also owns currently exercisable options to
purchase 324,000 Coreworx shares, representing less than 1.0% of
Coreworx’s outstanding shares.
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(14)
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Consists
of 796,672 shares, 1,645 shares underlying currently exercisable warrants
and 1,282,666 shares underlying currently exercisable
options.
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(15)
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The
information presented with respect to these beneficial owners is based on
a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2010. Austin
W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse share sole voting and investment power
over 140,464 shares of common stock owned by Special Situations Cayman
Fund, L.P and 539,396 shares of common stock owned by Special Situations
Fund III QP, L.P. The business address for Austin W. Marxe and
David M. Greenhouse is 527 Madison Avenue, Suite 2600, New York, NY
10022.
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PROPOSAL
1
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
Board of Directors of the Company is currently comprised of seven
seats. The Board of Directors has nominated its six current
directors, John A. Moore, George Morgenstern, Richard J. Giacco, Joe Musanti,
Richard Rimer and Samuel M. Zentman for election as directors at the Annual
Meeting to serve until the 2011 Annual Meeting and until their successors have
been duly elected and qualified. The nominees were recommended for
nomination by a majority of the Company’s independent directors as required by
Nasdaq. All nominees have consented to be named as such and to serve if
elected. The Board of Directors did not nominate a candidate to fill
the presently vacant seventh Board seat.
With
respect to the election of directors, stockholders may vote in favor of all
nominees, withhold their votes as to all nominees or withhold their votes as to
specific nominees. Stockholders cannot vote for more than the six
nominees unless a person is nominated as a candidate to fill the presently
vacant seventh Board seat in accordance with Acorn Energy’s By-laws.
Stockholders should specify their choices on the accompanying proxy
card. If no specific instructions are given, the shares represented
by a signed proxy will be voted FOR the election of all six of the Board’s
nominees. If any nominee becomes unavailable for any reason to serve
as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting (which event is not
anticipated), proxies will be voted in the discretion of the persons acting
pursuant to the proxy for any nominee who shall be designated by the current
Board of Directors as a substitute nominee.
Persons
nominated in accordance with the notice requirements of the Company’s By-laws
are eligible for election as directors of the Company. All
nominations for director that are not timely delivered to the Company or that
fail to comply with the requirements set forth in the Company’s By-laws will be
excluded from the Annual Meeting, as provided in the By-laws. A copy
of the Company’s By-laws can be obtained from the Secretary of the Company, 4
West Rockland Road, Montchanin, Delaware 19710. Directors will be
elected at the Annual Meeting by a plurality of the votes cast (i.e., the six
nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as
directors).
Certain
Information Regarding Directors and Officers
Set forth
below is certain information concerning the directors and certain officers of
the Company:
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John
A. Moore
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44
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Director,
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer
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George
Morgenstern
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76
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Founder,
Chairman Emeritus, Chairman of the Board of our DSIT Solutions Ltd.
subsidiary (“DSIT”)
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Richard
J. Giacco
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57
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Director
and member of our Audit Committee
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Joe
Musanti
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52
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Director
and Chairman of our Audit Committee
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Richard
Rimer
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44
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Director
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Samuel
M. Zentman
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65
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Director
and member of our Audit Committee
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William
J. McMahon
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54
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Chief
Executive Officer and President of CoaLogix
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Benny
Sela
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62
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Chief
Executive Officer and President of DSIT
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Ray
Simonson
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61
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Chief
Executive Officer and President of Coreworx
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Michael
Barth
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Chief
Financial Officer of the Company and DSIT
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Joe
B. Cogdell, Jr.
|
|
56
|
|
Vice
President, General Counsel &
Secretary
|
George Morgenstern, founder of
the Company, has been a director since 1986. Mr. Morgenstern served as Chairman
of the Board from June 1993 through March 2009 and has served as Chairman
Emeritus since March 2009. Mr. Morgenstern served as our President
and Chief Executive Officer from our incorporation in 1986 until March
2006. Mr. Morgenstern also serves as Chairman of the Board of
DSIT. Mr. Morgenstern served as a member of the Board of Directors of
Comverge from October 1997 to March 2006 and as Chairman until April
2003.
Key Attributes, Experience and
Skills. Mr.
Morgenstern, as founder of the Company, brings a unique perspective to the
Board. Mr. Morgenstern has over 50 years of experience in all aspects of the
computer software and systems industry and has special knowledge of the business
environment in Israel. Mr. Morgenstern is an accomplished businessman
experienced in fostering growth of developing companies. Mr. Morgenstern’s deep
knowledge of our Company and his leadership and management experience are
valuable resources to the Company. Mr. Morgenstern serves as Chairman of the
Board of DSIT, and has a strong understanding of DSIT’s business and industry
segment.
John A. Moore has been a
director and President and Chief Executive Officer of our Company since March
2006. Mr. Moore was elected Chairman of the Board on March 25, 2009. Mr. Moore
also served as a director of Comverge from March 2006 through January
2008. Mr. Moore is the President and founder of Edson Moore
Healthcare Ventures, which he founded to acquire $150 million of drug delivery
assets from Elan Pharmaceuticals in 2002. Mr. Moore was Chairman and
EVP of ImaRx Therapeutics, a drug and medical therapy development company, from
February 2004 to February 2006 and Chairman of Elite Pharmaceuticals from
February 2003 to October 2004. He is currently a member of the Board
of Directors of Voltaix, Inc., a leading provider of specialty gases to the
solar and semiconductor industries. He was CEO of Optimer, Inc. (a
research based polymer development company) from inception in 1994 until 2002
and Chairman from inception until its sale in February 2008 to Sterling
Capital.
Key Attributes, Experience and
Skills. Mr.
Moore brings his strategic vision for our Company to the Board together with his
leadership and business, deal making and investor relations skills. Mr. Moore
has an immense knowledge of our Company and the energy technology industry which
is beneficial to the Board. Mr. Moore’s service as Chairman and CEO of the
Company bridges a critical gap between the Company’s management and the Board,
enabling the Board to benefit from management’s perspective on the Company’s
business while the Board performs its oversight function.
Richard J. Giacco was elected
to the Board in September 2006. Mr. Giacco has been President of
Empower Materials, Inc., a manufacturer of carbon dioxide based thermoplastics,
since January 1999. Mr. Giacco was the Managing Member of
Ajedium Film Group, LLC, a manufacturer of thermoplastic films from its
inception until its sale in 2008. Mr. Giacco served as Associate
General Counsel of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. from 1984 to 1990.
Key Attributes, Experience and
Skills. Mr.
Giacco brings strong operational and strategic background and valuable business,
leadership and management experience to our Company. Mr. Giacco’s experience
helping to lead the growth and ultimate sale of a family business provides
strategic vision and insights as the Company implements its growth strategies.
Mr. Giacco also brings legal experience to the Board, and he serves as a
director of our CoaLogix subsidiary.
Joe Musanti was elected to the
Board in September 2007. Since 2006, Mr. Musanti has served as
President of Main Tape Inc., a leading manufacturer of surface protection film
and paper products, based in Cranbury, New Jersey. From 2003 to 2006,
prior to becoming President, Mr. Musanti served as Vice President Finance of
Main Tape. Prior to that, Mr. Musanti was Vice President Finance of
Rheometric Scientific, Inc., a manufacturer of thermal analytical
instrumentation products where he held significant domestic and foreign,
operational, managerial, financial and accounting positions.
Key Attributes, Experience and
Skills. Mr. Musanti’s training and extensive experience in financial
management at both public and private companies provide the Board with valuable
insights and skills necessary to lead the Audit Committee. Mr. Musanti’s strong
operational and business background complement his accounting and finance
experience, and are valuable resources to the Board as it exercises its
oversight duties and support of the Company’s growth strategies.
Richard Rimer was elected to
the Board in September 2006. Mr. Rimer is a principal of Top Quartile Partners,
an investment fund. From 2001 to 2006, Mr. Rimer was a Partner at Index
Ventures, a private investment company. He formerly served on the
boards of Direct Medica, a provider of marketing services to pharmaceutical
companies, and Addex Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical research and development
company. Prior to joining Index Ventures, Mr. Rimer was the
co-founder of MediService, the leading direct service pharmacy in Switzerland
and had served as a consultant with McKinsey & Co.
Key Attributes, Experience and
Skills. Mr.
Rimer brings to the Board broad business experience, and a deep understanding of
capital markets. As a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Rimer founded a company in
Holland which he successfully sold and went on to found MediService – one of
Europe’s leading mail service pharmacies (sold to Galenica GALN-SW). While at
Index Ventures, Mr. Rimer led work on multiple deals including sourcing, due
diligence, deal structuring and negotiation, monitored growth of portfolio
companies, syndicated subsequent financings, supported exit negotiations as well
as helped with key recruits. These experiences enable Mr. Rimer to
bring valuable resources to the Company in addition to Mr. Rimer’s leadership,
analytical skills and broad familiarity with international and cross-border
transactions.
Samuel M. Zentman has been one
of our directors since November 2004. From 1980 until 2006, Dr.
Zentman was the president and chief executive officer of a privately-held
textile firm, where he also served as vice president of finance and
administration from 1978 to 1980. From 1973 to 1978, Dr. Zentman
served in various capacities at American Motors Corporation. He holds a Ph.D. in
Complex Analysis. Dr. Zentman serves on the boards of Powersafe Technology Corp.
as well as several national charitable organizations devoted to advancing the
quality of education.
Key Attributes, Experience and
Skills. Dr. Zentman’s long-time experience as a businessman trained
together with his experience with computer systems and software enables him to
bring valuable insights to the Board. Dr. Zentman also serves as a director of
our Coreworx subsidiary where his knowledge of and experience with computer
systems and software are valuable assets. Dr. Zentman has a broad, fundamental
understanding of the business drivers affecting our Company, in particular our
DSIT and Coreworx subsidiaries. Dr. Zentman also brings leadership and oversight
experience to the Board.
William J. McMahon has served
as Chief Executive Officer and President of CoaLogix since its creation in
November 2007. Mr. McMahon also serves as president of SCR-Tech, LLC,
a position he has held since March 2005. Prior to that, Mr. McMahon
served as Group Vice President of the Ultrapure Water division of Ionics, Inc.
from 2000 to 2004. From 1997 to 2000, he held several executive level
positions including Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Pantellos; President and Chief Executive Officer of Stone & Webster Sonat
Energy Resources; and President of Stone & Webster Energy Services Inc. From
1978 to 1997, Mr. McMahon held positions at DB Riley, Inc. and at The
Babcock & Wilcox Company. Mr. McMahon earned a B.S. degree in
Nuclear Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Xavier
University.
Benny Sela serves as the CEO
of DSIT, a position that he has held since July 2007. Previously, he
held the position of Executive Vice President and Head of DSIT’s Real Time
Division since 1996. Mr. Sela joined DSIT in February
1989. Prior to that, Mr. Sela served in the Israeli Air Force
reaching the position of Lt. Colonel (Ret.). During his service in
the Israeli Air Force, Mr. Sela was head of the Electronic Warfare branch,
working on both the F-16 and Lavi projects. He holds a B.Sc. in
Electrical Engineering, a Masters Degree in Operations Research from Stanford
University, and an MBA.
Ray Simonson serves as CEO of
Coreworx, a position that he has held since April 2006. Mr. Simonson has also
served as Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”) of Coreworx since September 2004.
Previously, he was Senior Vice President and CTO of CheckFree i-Solutions from
2000 to 2004. From 1996 to 2000, as Chief Technology Officer, he co-founded
BlueGill Technologies and assembled and led the development of the first
XML-based internet billing application. Prior to his experience with Bluegill
and CheckFree, Ray was in a series of senior roles focused on delivering mission
critical IT systems primarily in banking and insurance, with a deep expertise in
enterprise content.
Michael Barth has been our
Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of DSIT since December
2005. For the six years prior, he served as Deputy Chief Financial
Officer and Controller of DSIT. Mr. Barth is a Certified Public
Accountant in both the U.S. and Israel and has over 20 years of experience in
public and private accounting.
Joe B. Cogdell, Jr. joined
Acorn and CoaLogix as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of each
corporation on January 2, 2009. For the 20 years prior, Mr. Cogdell
was a member of the Corporate and Securities Practice Group of the law firm
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC in the firm’s Charlotte, North
Carolina office. Mr. Cogdell has 31 years experience as a corporate
and business lawyer.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE MATTERS
Section 16(a)
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) requires our
executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a
registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and
changes in ownership with the SEC. These persons are also required by
SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file. Based solely on our review of such forms or written
representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during 2009 our
executive officers and directors complied with the filing requirements of
Section 16(a) except that a Form 4 for Dr. Zentman related to an exercise of
warrants and a Form 4 by Mr. Sela related to his exercise of employee stock
options were not timely filed.
We have
implemented measures to assure timely filing of Section 16(a) reports by our
executive officers and directors in the future.
Board
Composition and Director Independence
Our Board
of Directors is composed of one class, with seven Board seats, one of which is
vacant, and six directors serving until their reelection or replacement at the
2010 annual meeting of stockholders. John A. Moore serves as both
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors. We do
not have a lead independent director. Applying the definition of independence
provided under the NASDAQ rules, the Board has determined that with the
exception of John A. Moore, all of the members of the Board of Directors are
independent.
Board
Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The Board believes Mr. Moore’s service
as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company is appropriate because it
bridges a critical gap between the Company’s management and the Board, enabling
the Board to benefit from management’s perspective on the Company’s business
while the Board performs its oversight function. Further, the Board
believes Mr. Moore’s significant ownership of Acorn Energy stock aligns his
interests with those of Acorn Energy’s shareholders. In addition, the Board
believes that having one person serve as both Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors demonstrates for our employees, strategic
partners, customers and shareholders that Acorn Energy has one clear
leader.
Management is responsible for Acorn
Energy’s day-to-day risk management, and the Board’s role is to engage in
informed oversight. The entire Board performs the risk oversight role. Acorn
Energy’s Chief Executive Officer is a member of the Board of Directors, and
Acorn Energy’s Chief Financial Officer and its General Counsel regularly attend
Board meetings, which helps facilitate discussions regarding risk between the
Board and Acorn Energy’s senior management, as well as the exchange of
risk-related information or concerns between the Board and the senior
management. Further, the independent directors generally meet in executive
session following regularly scheduled Board meetings to voice their observations
or concerns and to shape the agendas for future Board meetings.
The Board of Directors believes that,
with these practices, each director has an equal stake in the Board’s actions
and oversight role and equal accountability to Acorn Energy and its
shareholders.
Meetings
and Meeting Attendance
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, there were nine meetings of the
Board of Directors. Our independent directors generally meet in executive
session as part of each regularly scheduled Board meeting. All
incumbent directors attended 75% or more of the Board meetings and meetings of
the committees on which they served during the last fiscal
year. Directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of
stockholders, and all directors other than Mr. Morgenstern attended the 2009
annual meeting of stockholders.
Committees
of the Board
Audit Committee; Audit Committee
Financial Expert. Our Board of Directors has established one
standing committee, the Audit Committee, which was established and is
administered in accordance with SEC rules. The Audit Committee oversees our
accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial
statements by our independent auditors. The three members of the Audit Committee
are Joe Musanti, Richard Rimer and Samuel M. Zentman. The Board of
Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the
independence criteria prescribed NASDAQ governing the qualifications of for
audit committee members and each Audit Committee member meets NASDAQ’s financial
knowledge requirements. Our Board has determined that Joe Musanti
qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in the rules and
regulations of the SEC. During 2009, the Audit Committee met five
times.
Audit Committee
Report. The Audit Committee has (1) reviewed and discussed the
audited financial statements with management; (2) discussed with the independent
auditors the matters required to be discussed by the statement of Auditing
Standards No. 61 as amended; and (3) received the written disclosures and the
letter from the independent accountants required by applicable requirements of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent
accountants’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence,
and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s
independence.
Based on
the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the
Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2009, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 22, 2010.
THE AUDIT
COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ACORN ENERGY, INC.
Joe
Musanti
Richard
Rimer
Samuel M.
Zentman
Nominating
Procedures. The Company does not have a nominating
committee. We believe that not using a committee of the Board in the
director nomination process fosters fuller active participation of all our
directors in the process. Nominations to the Board must either be
selected or recommended for the Board’s selection by a majority of the Board’s
independent directors. The Board uses established policies and
procedures for director nominations. The Board identifies potential
director candidates from a variety of sources, including recommendations from
current directors or management, recommendations of security holders, or any
other source that the Board has deemed appropriate.
In
considering candidates for the Board of Directors, the Board evaluates the
entirety of each candidate’s credentials, such as (i) business or other relevant
experience; (ii) expertise, skills and knowledge; (iii) integrity and
reputation; (iv) the extent to which the candidate will enhance the objective of
having directors with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds; (v) willingness and
ability to commit sufficient time to Board responsibilities; and (vi)
qualification to serve on specialized board committees.
Our
stockholders may recommend potential director candidates by contacting the
Secretary of the Company to receive a copy of the procedure to recommend a
potential director candidate for consideration by the independent directors, who
will evaluate recommendations from stockholders in the same manner that they
evaluate recommendations from other sources.
Compensation
Matters. The Company does not currently have a compensation
committee. We believe that not using a committee of the Board in
setting compensation policies and making compensation decisions fosters fuller
active participation of all our directors in the process. The entire
Board of Directors establishes the general compensation policies of the Company,
the specific compensation levels for each executive officer, and administers the
Company’s equity compensation plans and practices.
As
required by Nasdaq, all action with respect to the compensation of our executive
officers is approved or recommended for approval by a majority of our
independent directors.
The
information contained in this proxy statement with respect to the charter of the
Audit Committee and the independence of the non-management members of the Board
of Directors shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed”
with the SEC, nor shall the information be incorporated by reference into any
future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in a
filing.
Code
of Ethics
We have
adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all our officers
and employees. This Code of Ethics is designed to comply with the Nasdaq
marketplace rules related to codes of conduct. A copy of this Code of Ethics may
be obtained on our website at http://www.acornenergy.com under the “Investor
Relations” tab. We intend to post on our website any amendments to,
or waiver from, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
EXECUTIVE
AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
|
|
John
A. Moore
President
and CEO
|
|
2009
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
103,652 |
(1) |
|
|
12,000 |
(2) |
|
|
632,417 |
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
325,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
692,645 |
(3) |
|
|
12,000 |
(2) |
|
|
1,029,645 |
|
William
J. McMahon
CEO
and President of CoaLogix and SCR-Tech
|
|
2009
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
136,880 |
|
|
|
175,574 |
(4) |
|
|
13,200 |
(5) |
|
|
575,654 |
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
223,596 |
|
|
|
171,160 |
|
|
|
400,022 |
(6) |
|
|
11,550 |
(5) |
|
|
806,328 |
|
Joe
B. Cogdell, Jr.
Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary (7)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
90,380 |
|
|
|
265,357 |
(8) |
|
|
15,941 |
(5) |
|
|
671,678 |
|
(1)
|
Represents
the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable
accounting principles with respect to 75,000 stock options granted on
February 20, 2009 with an exercise price of $2.51.The fair value of the
options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using
the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 1.8% (ii) an
expected term of 4.5 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 68% and (iv) no
dividends.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Consists
of automobile expense allowance.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Represents
the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable
accounting principles with respect to 200,000 stock options granted on
March 4, 2008 with an exercise price of $5.11 per share. The fair value of
the options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model
using the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 2.5%
(ii) an expected term of 6.1 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 76% and
(iv) no dividends.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Represents
the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable
accounting principles with respect to 40,513 CoaLogix stock options
granted on April 8, 2009 with an exercise price of $7.20. The fair
value of the options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model using the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of
1.8% (ii) an expected term of 6.1 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 65%
and (iv) no dividends.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Represents
401k contributions.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Represents
the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable
accounting principles with respect to 147,050 stock options granted on
April 9, 2008 with an exercise price of $5.05. The fair value of the
options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using
the following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 2.6% (ii) an
expected term of 5.9 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 56% and (iv) no
dividends.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Appointed
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of both the Company and
CoaLogix commencing January 2, 2009.
|
|
|
(8)
|
Represents
the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with applicable
accounting principles with respect to 120,000 Acorn stock options granted
on January 5, 2009 with an exercise price of $1.61 ($243,389) and 5,069
CoaLogix stock options granted on April 8, 2009 with an exercise price of
$7.20 ($21,968). The fair value of the Acorn stock options was
determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the
following assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 2.5% (ii) an
expected term of 9.0 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 73% and (iv) no
dividends. The fair value of the CoaLogix stock options was determined
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following
assumptions: (i) a risk-free interest rate of 2.6% (ii) an expected term
of 5.9 years (iii) an assumed volatility of 56% and (iv) no
dividends.
|
Employment
Arrangements
The employment arrangements of each
named executive officer are described below.
John A.
Moore became our President and Chief Executive Officer in March
2006. In March, 2008, we entered into a three-year Employment
Agreement with Mr. Moore. Under the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr.
Moore’s initial base salary is $325,000 per annum, retroactive to January 1,
2008, increasing to $350,000 per annum on the first anniversary of the
Employment Agreement and increasing to $375,000 per annum on the second
anniversary. Mr. Moore is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus of up to
$200,000, based upon the attainment of agreed upon personal and company
performance goals and milestones for the preceding fiscal year, as determined by
the Board. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Moore is also entitled to (i) the
employee benefits generally made available to the registrant’s executive
officers, (ii) short-term and long-term disability insurance for the benefit of
Mr. Moore, and (iii) a monthly automobile expense allowance of
$1,000. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Moore was also granted
non-qualified stock options to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $5.11 per share. The options vest in equal quarterly
installments over a four-year period, commencing 90 days from the date of grant
and expire in March 2018. In February 2009, in lieu of a bonus for 2008, Mr.
Moore was awarded 75,000 stock options exercisable until February 20, 2014 at an
exercise price of $2.51 per share, exercisable immediately as to one-fourth of the options,
with the remainder to vest in equal installments on June 30, September 30 and
December 31, 2009. Mr. Moore's bonus for 2009 was $160,000.
William J.
McMahon has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of CoaLogix
since the Company’s acquisition of SCR-Tech and its related companies on
November 7, 2007. Mr. McMahon’s employment terms are based on an
employment agreement signed effective January 1, 2007 between Mr. McMahon and
SCR-Tech’s former parent company. The employment agreement was
subsequently assumed and modified on November 7, 2007 in conjunction with the
Company’s acquisition of SCR-Tech. The agreement has no fixed term and the
employment is on an “at-will” basis. Mr. McMahon’s employment agreement
calls for base salary of $215,000 per year with cost of living increases (a base
salary of $250,000 in 2009 which was increased to $280,000 for
2010). In April 2009 and April 2008, Mr. McMahon also received
options under the CoaLogix Inc. 2008 Stock Option Plan and a 40% participation
in the CoaLogix Capital Appreciation Rights Plan. Under the Capital Appreciation
Rights Plan, plan participants are entitled to participate in an award pool
based upon the sales proceeds (less sales expenses) attributable to a sale or
other change of control of CoaLogix which exceeds an internal rate of return of
30% on the Company’s initial investment in CoaLogix of $11,038,200 and any
additional capital contributed by Acorn to CoaLogix. If such internal rate of
return threshold is met, the award pool under the Capital Appreciation Rights
Plan would be equal to 5% of the sales proceeds less sales expenses, the
CoaLogix’ stockholders’ initial investment and any additional capital
contributed by the stockholders to CoaLogix. Mr. McMahon is eligible
to receive an annual bonus with a target payment equal to 50% of his base salary
based upon criteria developed by the board of directors of CoaLogix. The actual
bonus payout may be more or less than the target level base upon achievement of
annual goals approved by its board of directors. Mr. McMahon’s bonus for
2009 was $136,880.
Joe B. Cogdell,
Jr. became Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of each of the
Company and CoaLogix commencing January 2, 2009. Mr. Cogdell’s
initial base salary is $300,000 per annum, and his base salary was increased to
$312,000 for 2010. He is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to
30% of his base salary, based upon the attainment of performance
goals. Mr. Cogdell's bonus for 2009 was $90,380. The agreement has no
fixed term, and the employment is on an “at-will” basis.
Under the
employment agreement, in January 2009 Mr. Cogdell was awarded 120,000 options to
purchase Acorn common stock at an exercise price of $1.61 per share, vesting
as to 30,000 on the
first anniversary of the date of grant and as to the remainder in equal
quarterly installments over a three year period following the first anniversary
of the date of grant, exercisable through January 5,
2019. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Cogdell will also
have the right to participate in any future financing of CoaLogix at the same
level and priority as Acorn so long as he is employed. Mr. Cogdell
also received options under the CoaLogix Inc. 2008 Stock Option Plan and a
participation in the CoaLogix Capital Appreciation Rights Plan. Mr. Cogdell is
also entitled to the employee benefits generally made available to other senior
executives, officer’s liability and legal malpractice insurance, as well as bar
and legal association dues and continuing legal education
programs. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Cogdell is subject to
non-solicitation and non-compete covenants, which continue for 18 months after
termination of his employment.
Acorn and
CoaLogix have entered into an agreement regarding certain aspects of their joint
employment of Mr. Cogdell including allocation of the costs of employment, bonus
determinations, termination and severance issues and indemnities. Mr. Cogdell’s
compensation is currently apportioned 50/50 between Acorn and CoaLogix, subject
to periodic review.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year End
OPTIONS
TO PURCHASE ACORN ENERGY, INC. STOCK
|
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Option
Exercise Price ($)
|
|
|
|
|
John
A. Moore
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2.60 |
|
|
March
31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4.53 |
|
|
March
31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
87,500 |
|
|
|
112,500 |
(1) |
|
|
5.11 |
|
|
March
4, 2018
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2.51 |
|
|
February
20, 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
J. McMahon
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joe
B. Cogdell, Jr.
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
120,000 |
(2) |
|
|
1.61 |
|
|
January
5, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
These
options vest 12,500 options quarterly from March 4, 2010 through March 4,
2012.
|
(2)
|
These
options vest 30,000 on January 5, 2010 and 7,500 options quarterly
thereafter from April 5, 2010 through January 5,
2013.
|
OPTIONS
TO PURCHASE COALOGIX INC. STOCK
|
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Option
Exercise Price ($)
|
|
|
|
|
John
A. Moore
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
J. McMahon
|
|
|
73,525 |
|
|
|
73,525 |
(1) |
|
|
5.05 |
|
|
April
18, 2018
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
40,513 |
(2) |
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
April
7, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joe
B. Cogdell, Jr.
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,069 |
(3) |
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
April
7, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
These
options vest 9,191 options quarterly from February 7, 2010 through
November 7, 2011.
|
(2)
|
These
options vest 10,128 on April 8, 2010 and 2,532 options quarterly
thereafter from July 8, 2010 through April 8,
2013.
|
(3)
|
These
options vest 1,267 on April 8, 2010 and 317 options quarterly thereafter
from July 8, 2010 through April 8,
2013.
|
Estimated
Payments and Benefits Upon Termination or Change in Control
The
amount of compensation and benefits payable to each named executive officer in
various termination situations is described in the tables below.
John
A. Moore
Under the
terms of the employment agreement with Mr. Moore, our President and Chief
Executive Officer, upon termination by the Company for cause (as defined in the
agreement) and upon termination by Mr. Moore without good reason (as defined in
the agreement), all compensation due to Mr. Moore under his agreement would
cease, except that Mr. Moore would receive all accrued but unpaid base salary up
to the date of termination, and reimbursement of all previously unreimbursed
expenses. All vested and unexercised options granted by the Company
as of the date of termination would be exercisable in accordance with the terms
of the applicable stock option plan and agreements, provided that Mr. Moore
would have only three months to exercise such previously vested
options. All options that had not vested as of the date of
termination would expire.
In the
event that within three months prior to or one year following a change of
control (as defined in the agreement), either (i) the Company terminates the
employment of Mr. Moore, other than for cause, or (ii) Mr. Moore terminates for
good reason, Mr. Moore would receive the following (except to the extent that
any payment would constitute an “excess parachute payment” under the IRS Code):
(i) an amount equal to (A) 24 months of then-current base salary and (B) two
times his most recent annual bonus; (ii) reimbursement of all previously
unreimbursed expenses; (iii) the full vesting of any and all stock options
granted to Mr. Moore by the Company prior to such termination, and extended
exercisability thereof until their respective expiration dates; and (iv) the
continuation of all medical and dental benefits at the Company’s sole expense
for a period of one year after termination.
In the
event that (i) the Company terminates the employment of Mr. Moore (including a
non-renewal of his agreement at the end of the three-year term provided therein,
but not including non-renewal following any subsequent renewal of the term),
other than upon a change of control, death, disability or for cause, or (ii) Mr.
Moore terminates for good reason, other than in connection with a change of
control, Mr. Moore shall receive the following (except to the extent that any
payment would constitute an “excess parachute payment” under the IRS Code): (i)
an amount equal to (A) 12 months of then-current base salary and (B) his most
recent annual bonus; (ii) reimbursement of all previously unreimbursed expenses;
(iii) accelerated vesting of all unvested options that otherwise would have
vested within 24 months of the date of termination, with such accelerated
options and all other vested and unexercised options granted by the Company as
of the date of termination to be exercisable for a period of one year from the
date of termination of employment in accordance with the terms of the applicable
stock option plan and agreements; and (iv) the continuation of all medical and
dental benefits at the Company’s sole expense for a period of one year after
termination.
In the
event of any change of control, all stock options granted to Mr. Moore prior to
such change of control vest and remain exercisable until their respective
expiration dates.
The term
of Mr. Moore’s agreement would end immediately upon his death, or upon
termination by the Company for cause or disability (as defined in the agreement)
or by Mr. Moore for good reason. Upon termination due to Mr. Moore’s
death, all compensation due Mr. Moore under his agreement would
cease.
The
following table describes the potential payments and benefits upon termination
of employment for Mr. Moore, as if his employment terminated as of December 31,
2009, the last day of our last fiscal year.
|
|
Circumstances
of Termination
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination
not for cause
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
salary
|
|
|
— |
(1) |
|
$ |
350,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
700,000 |
(5) |
|
|
— |
|
Bonus
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
(3) |
|
|
— |
(3) |
|
|
— |
|
Benefits
and perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perquisites
and other personal benefits
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,972 |
(4) |
|
|
6,972 |
(4) |
|
|
— |
|
Total
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
356,972 |
|
|
$ |
706,972 |
|
|
|
— |
|
(1)
|
Assumes
that there is no earned but unpaid base salary at the time of
termination.
|
(2)
|
The
$350,000 represents 12 months of Mr. Moore’s base
salary.
|
(3)
|
No
amounts are included for target bonus as there was no bonus for
2009.
|
(4)
|
The
$6,972 represents 12 months of health insurance
payments.
|
(5)
|
The
$700,000 represents 24 months of Mr. Moore’s base
salary.
|
William
J. McMahon
Under the
terms of the employment agreement with Mr. McMahon, the President and Chief
Executive Officer of our CoaLogix subsidiary, as modified by the Modification
Agreement signed with Mr. McMahon upon acquisition of SCR-Tech by the Company,
in the event of his involuntarily termination (as defined in the agreement)
other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), Mr. McMahon would be
entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to two hundred
percent (200%) of his annual compensation (as defined in the agreement).
He would also receive 100% company-paid health, dental and life insurance
coverage at the same level of coverage as was provided to him and his dependents
immediately prior to the termination for up to a maximum of two years from the
date of his termination.
If Mr.
McMahon’s employment terminates by reason of his voluntary resignation (and is
not an involuntary termination), or if he is terminated for cause, then he would
not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits under his employment
agreement.
If the
Company terminates Mr. McMahon’s employment as a result of his disability (as
defined in the agreement), or his employment is terminated due to his death,
then he would not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits under his
employment agreement.
The
following table describes the potential payments and benefits upon termination
of employment for Mr. McMahon, as if his employment terminated as of December
31, 2009, the last day of our last fiscal year.
|
|
Circumstances
of Termination
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination
not for cause
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
salary
|
|
|
— |
(1) |
|
$ |
500,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
500,000 |
(2) |
|
|
— |
|
Bonus
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
250,000 |
(3) |
|
|
250,000 |
(3) |
|
|
— |
|
Benefits
and perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perquisites
and other personal benefits
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,416 |
(4) |
|
|
23,112 |
(5) |
|
|
— |
|
Total
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
760,416 |
|
|
$ |
773,112 |
|
|
|
— |
|
(1)
|
Assumes
that there is no earned but unpaid base salary at the time of
termination.
|
(2)
|
The
$500,000 represents 200% of Mr. McMahon’s base
salary
|
(3)
|
Represents
200% of Mr. McMahon’s target bonus.
|
(4)
|
Represents
12 months of subsidized health and dental insurance
payments
|
(5)
|
Represents
24 months of health, dental and life insurance
payments.
|
Joe
B. Cogdell, Jr.
Under the
terms of the employment agreement with Mr. Cogdell, Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of each of the Company and CoaLogix, if he were to be
terminated as a result of an involuntary termination without cause (each as
defined in the agreement), Mr. Cogdell would be entitled to receive, as
severance, (i) an amount in cash equal to twice his annual compensation
(determined by reference to base salary and bonus) (the “Cash Severance Amount”)
payable over 24 months and (ii) for up to 18 months post-termination,
CoaLogix-subsidized COBRA premiums for continuing participation by Mr. Cogdell
and his eligible dependents in the companies’ group health plans such that Mr.
Cogdell is required to pay no more than an active employee. If,
however, any such termination were to occur in connection with a change of
control (as defined in the agreement), the Cash Severance Amount would be
payable in one lump sum and the employee benefits obligation would be increased
such that CoaLogix would be fully responsible for the cost thereof and the
benefits would be broadened to include health, dental and life insurance
coverage to the extent Mr. Cogdell and his eligible dependents participated in
the same prior to the change of control. Mr. Cogdell would not be
entitled to severance under the employment agreement in the event that his
employment is terminated for cause or due to voluntary resignation, death or
disability (as defined in the agreement).
|
|
Circumstances
of Termination
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination
not for cause
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
salary
|
|
|
— |
(1) |
|
$ |
600,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
600,000 |
(2) |
|
|
— |
|
Bonus
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
180,000 |
(3) |
|
$ |
180,000 |
(3) |
|
|
— |
|
Benefits
and perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perquisites
and other personal benefits
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
21,366 |
(4) |
|
|
26,874 |
(5) |
|
|
— |
|
Total
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
801,366 |
|
|
$ |
806,874 |
|
|
|
— |
|
(1)
|
Assumes
that there is no earned but unpaid base salary at the time of
termination.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Represents
200% of Mr. Cogdell’s annual compensation.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Represents
200% of Mr. Cogdell’s targeted bonus.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Represents
18 months of subsidized health and dental insurance
payments.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Represents
18 months of health, dental and life insurance
payments.
|
Compensation
of Directors
In
October 2007, we agreed that each of our non-employee directors would be paid an
annual cash retainer of $40,000 payable quarterly in advance, as well as meeting
fees for Board and Committee meetings of $1,000 per meeting. In 2009, we agreed
that certain directors would receive an additional annual cash retainer; $12,000
for the lead director for CoaLogix matters, $12,000 for the lead director for
Coreworx matters and $10,000 for the Chairman of the Audit Committee. As an
employee, Mr. Moore is not entitled to separate compensation in his capacity as
a director.
Our 2006
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which was adopted in February 2007
and amended and restated in November 2008, provides for formula grants to
non-employee directors equal to an option to purchase (i) 25,000 shares of our
common stock upon a member’s initial appointment or election to the Board of
Directors and (ii) 10,000 shares of our common stock to each director, other
than newly appointed or elected directors, immediately following each annual
meeting of stockholders. The initial grant to purchase 25,000 shares
of our common stock vests one-third per year for each of the three years
following the date of appointment or election and the annual grant to purchase
10,000 shares vests one year from the date of grant. Both options
shall be granted at an exercise price equal to the closing price on NASDAQ on
the day preceding the date of grant and shall be exercisable until the earlier
of (a) seven years from the date of grant or (b) 18 months from the date that
the director ceases to be a director, officer, employee, or
consultant. The plan also provides for non-formula grants at the
Board’s discretion. The maximum number of shares of our common stock
to be issued under the plan is 400,000. As of the date hereof,
options to purchase 173,333 shares are outstanding under the
Plan. The Plan is administered by the Board of
Directors.
Mr.
Morgenstern, our Chairman Emeritus, has been retained as a consultant by our
Company since March 2006 primarily to provide oversight of our Israeli
activities. Mr. Morgenstern’s consulting agreement, as amended to
date, expires on March 31, 2011, provides for the payment of an annual
consulting fee of $1.00 and a non-accountable expense allowance of $75,000 per
year plus a payment of a bonus of $25,000 under certain
circumstances.
The
following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned for
service on our Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009 by each individual (other than Mr. Moore who is not separately compensated
for Board service) who served as a director at any time during the fiscal
year.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION IN 2009
|
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
Other Compensation ($)
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
Ungerer(2)
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
Joe
Musanti
|
|
|
53,000 |
(3) |
|
|
31,198 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
84,198 |
|
George
Morgenstern
|
|
|
44,000 |
|
|
|
31,198 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
(4) |
|
|
150,198 |
|
Samuel
M. Zentman
|
|
|
44,000 |
|
|
|
31,198 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
(5) |
|
|
87,198 |
|
Richard
J. Giacco
|
|
|
44,000 |
|
|
|
31,198 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
(6) |
|
|
87,198 |
|
Richard
Rimer
|
|
|
44,000 |
|
|
|
31,198 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
75,198 |
|
(1)
|
On
August 4, 2009, all directors were granted 10,000 options to acquire stock
in the Company. The options have an exercise price of $4.75 and expire on
August 4, 2016. The fair value of the options was determined using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) a
risk-free interest rate of 3.4% (ii) an expected term of 6.3 years (iii)
an assumed volatility of 70% and (iv) no dividends. All options
awarded to directors in 2009 remained outstanding at fiscal year-end. As
of December 31, 2009, the number of stock options held by each of the
above persons was: Scott Ungerer, 8,333; Joe Musanti, 45,000; George
Morgenstern, 237,500; Samuel Zentman, 95,000; Richard Giacco, 55,000; and
Richard Rimer, 105,000.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Ungerer resigned from his position as director on March 11,
2009.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Includes
$10,000 Mr. Musanti received for services rendered as the Chairman of the
Audit Committee.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Mr.
Morgenstern received a non-accountable expense allowance of $75,000 to
cover travel and other expenses pursuant to a consulting
agreement.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Mr.
Zentman received $12,000 for services rendered with respect to his
overseeing the Company’s investment in Coreworx Inc.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Mr.
Giacco received $12,000 for services rendered with respect to his
overseeing the Company’s investment in CoaLogix
Inc.
|
Transactions
With Related Persons
We paid
approximately $275,000 and $780,000 in the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008, respectively, for legal services rendered and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses to Eilenberg & Krause LLP, a law firm in which
Sheldon Krause, our former Secretary and former General Counsel, is a
member. Such fees related to services rendered by Mr. Krause and
other members and employees of his firm. Mr. Krause is the son-in-law
of George Morgenstern, a director and our Chairman Emeritus, who up until March
2006, also served as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Krause
continues to provide legal services to us in 2010.
In
February 2008, EnerTech Capital Partners III LP (“EnerTech”) entered an
agreement with the Company’s wholly-owned CoaLogix Inc. subsidiary and the
Company pursuant to which EnerTech purchased from CoaLogix a 15% interest in
CoaLogix for $1.95 million. The Company owned 85% of CoaLogix following the
transaction. During the second quarter of 2008, EnerTech invested an additional
$275 in CoaLogix as its 15% share of an aggregate $1,850 additional investment
made by the Company and EnerTech in CoaLogix.
The
Company, CoaLogix, EnerTech and the senior management of CoaLogix are parties to
a Stockholders’ Agreement dated as of February 29, 2008. Under the Stockholders’
Agreement, EnerTech is entitled to designate a member of the Board of Directors
of CoaLogix. In addition, the Stockholders’ Agreement provides the parties with
rights of first refusal and co-sale in connection with proposed transfers of
their CoaLogix stock.
Scott
Ungerer, a managing member of the general partner of Enertech was a director of
the Company at the time of the transaction. Mr. Ungerer resigned as director of
the Company in March 2009.
PROPOSAL
2
RATIFICATION
OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
The Audit
Committee has selected Friedman LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm to perform the audit of our consolidated financial statements
for the year ending December 31, 2010. Friedman LLP representatives are
expected to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions. Friedman LLP is a registered public accounting
firm with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), as
required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Rules of the
PCAOB.
The Board
is asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of Friedman LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm. Although current law, rules, and
regulations, as well as the charter of the Audit Committee, require the Audit
Committee to engage, retain, and supervise our independent registered public
accounting firm, the Board considers the selection of the independent registered
public accounting firm to be an important matter of stockholder concern and is
submitting the selection of Friedman LLP for ratification by stockholders as a
matter of good corporate practice. Even if the selection is ratified,
the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent
registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines
that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
Our
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 were
audited by Kesselman & Kesselman, a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers
International Limited. No representative of Kesselman & Kesselman
is expected to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting.
On April
6, 2010, we dismissed Kesselman & Kesselman, a member of
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, as our independent registered
public accounting firm. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors approved
the dismissal. Kesselman & Kesselman’s reports on our financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 did not contain an
adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified
as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. During the
years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and through April 6, 2010, there were no
disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if
not resolved to Kesselman & Kesselman’s satisfaction would have caused
Kesselman & Kesselman to make reference thereto in connection with Kesselman
& Kesselman’s report on our financial statements for such fiscal
years. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and through
April 6, 2010, we had no reportable events as set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K. We provided
Kesselman & Kesselman with a copy of the foregoing disclosure and Kesselman
& Kesselman has furnished a letter to the Securities and Exchange
Commission stating that it agrees with the statements set forth in this
paragraph.
Accounting
Fees
Aggregate
fees billed by our principal accountant during the last two fiscal years are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
$ |
302,000 |
|
|
$ |
290,000 |
|
Audit-
Related Fees
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Other
Fees
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
331,000 |
|
|
$ |
327,000 |
|
Audit Fees were for
professional services rendered for the audits of the consolidated financial
statements of the Company, statutory and subsidiary audits, assistance with
review of documents filed with the SEC, consents, and other assistance required
to be performed by our independent accountants.
Audit-Related Fees were for
the analysis of the opening balance sheet of Coreworx.
Other Fees were for services
related to reviewing registration statements, filings related to pro-forma
statements and due diligence procedures.
Audit
Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit
Committee’s current policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services
that are to be performed and fees to be charged by our independent auditor to
assure that the provision of these services does not impair the independence of
the auditor. The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit and non-audit
services rendered by our independent auditor in 2009 and 2008.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATIONOF THE SELECTION OF FRIEDMAN LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010.
PROPOSAL
3
AMENDMENT
OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE
THE
NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
FROM 20,000,000 TO
30,000,000
The Board
declared it desirable, has adopted and approved for submission to the
stockholders for approval of an amendment to the Company’s amended Certificate
of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock,
par value $.01 per share, from 20,000,000 to 30,000,000.
As of
April 14, 2010, there were outstanding 14,269,148 shares of common stock and an
additional 1,275,081 shares were held in the treasury. Of the 4,455,771
authorized and unissued shares on that date, 2,066,832 shares were reserved for
issuance under the Company’s stock option plans under options granted or which
may be granted under the Company’s stock option plans and non-plan option
agreements for employees, directors and consultants. In addition,
1,356,197 shares are expected to be issued in the second quarter of 2010 under
previously announced acquisition transactions and 233,306 were reserved for
issuance pursuant to the Company’s outstanding warrants issued in a private
placement in 2007. Therefore, as of April 14, 2010, of the 20,000,000
authorized shares of common stock, an aggregate of 19,200,564 shares were issued
or reserved for issuance for various purposes. Accordingly, as of such date only
799,436 shares of common stock were available for issuance for other corporate
purposes.
The Board
believes that the availability of additional authorized but unissued shares of
common stock will enable us to promptly and appropriately respond to future
business opportunities that may require the issuance of common stock, without
the delay and expense associated with convening a special stockholders’ meeting.
These opportunities may include, but are not limited to, acquisition
transactions, capital raising transactions, equity compensation plans and other
general corporate purposes.
If
stockholder approval of the amendment is received, the number of authorized but
unissued shares of common stock not reserved for a particular purpose will be
10,799,436. Of this amount, if the stockholders approve the amendment of the
Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan as set forth in Proposal 4 of
this proxy statement, an additional 1,000,0000 shares of the authorized but
unissued shares of common stock will be reserved for issuance under such
Plan. Except as described above, our management currently has no
definitive plans for the issuance of the remaining additional authorized shares.
However, our Board is seeking approval for the amendment at this time because
opportunities requiring prompt action may arise in the future, and the Board
believes the delay and expense in seeking stockholder approval for additional
authorized shares of common stock at any such time could deprive us and our
stockholders of the ability to effectively benefit from potential opportunities.
The availability of such additional shares will enable us to act promptly when
the Board determines that the issuance of additional shares of common stock is
advisable.
If our
stockholders approve the amendment, our Board may cause the issuance of
additional shares of common stock without further vote of our stockholders,
except as may be required in particular cases by our organizational documents,
applicable laws or regulations, or the rules of NASDAQ. The
additional shares of common stock authorized in the amendment will be identical
to the shares of common stock now authorized and outstanding. The increase in
authorized shares will not affect the terms or the rights of holders of existing
shares of common stock nor will existing stockholders have any preemptive rights
to acquire any of those shares when issued. In addition, if our Board causes us
to issue additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or
exercisable for common stock, such issuance could have a dilutive effect on the
equity, earnings and voting interests of existing stockholders. The increase in
the number of authorized shares of common stock also could discourage or hinder
efforts by other parties to obtain control of the Company, thereby having an
anti-takeover effect, although this is not the intent of our Board in proposing
the amendment. The amendment is not being proposed in response to any
known threat to acquire control of the Company.
If
stockholders do not approve the amendment, we will have a relatively small
number of authorized but unissued shares that are not already reserved for
issuance for other purposes, and our flexibility to pursue potential future
transactions involving our common stock will be limited.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
AMENDMENT OF THECERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM 20,000,000 TO 30,000,000
PROPOSAL
4
AMENDMENT
OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE
PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
AVAILABLE SHARES
The Board
of Directors has adopted and directed the submission to the stockholders at the
Annual Meeting of an amendment to our Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive
Plan (the “2006 Incentive Plan”) to increase the number of shares of common
stock available for awards under the 2006 Incentive Plan from 665,000 to
1,665,000. The amendment would also increase the number of shares of
common stock available for grants of incentive stock options under the Plan from
200,000 to 1,000,000.
The 2006
Incentive Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors on February 8, 2007 and
became effective at that time. The Board of Directors and
stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2006 Incentive Plan
effective November 3, 2008. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan will remain in
effect until February 8, 2017.
As of
April 14, 2010, there were 665,000 shares of common stock authorized for
issuance under the 2006 Incentive Plan, including 200,000 authorized for
issuance as incentive stock options, of which 657,000 were covered by
outstanding granted stock option awards; there are therefore currently only
8,000 shares available for issuance pursuant to future awards under the 2006
Incentive Plan.
We
believe that an ownership culture fostered through the use of stock and
stock-based awards encourages a focus on long-term performance by our executive
officers. The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was established to provide our executive
officers and our other employees and other service providers with equity
incentives that help to align their interests with those of our stockholders.
The 2006 Incentive Plan plays a critical role in the Company’s efforts to
attract and retain employees of outstanding ability. If the amendment is not
adopted, the Company will not be able to make new awards under the 2006
Incentive Plan. The Board believes that adding 1,000,000 shares to the 2006
Incentive Plan to allow us to continue making awards under the 2006 Incentive
Plan is in the best interests of the Company.
2006
Incentive Plan Benefits
Because
benefits under the 2006 Incentive Plan will primarily depend on the Committee’s
actions and the fair market value of the Common Stock at various future dates,
it is not possible to determine the benefits that will be received by any person
or group of persons if the amendment to the 2006 Incentive Plan is approved by
the stockholders. On April 14, 2010, the closing price of the common
stock was $6.45.
Summary
of the 2006 Incentive Plan
The
following contains a summary of the material terms of the 2006 Incentive
Plan. The summary is not a complete description of the terms of the
Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual Plan. A copy of
the Plan, as proposed to be amended by this Proposal 4 is attached as an exhibit
to the electronic version of the proxy statement filed with the SEC, which may
be accessed and viewed from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). A copy
of the 2006 Incentive Plan may also be obtained upon written request from the
Secretary of the Company.
Plan
and Participant Share Limits
The
maximum number of shares of common stock currently issuable under the 2006
Incentive Plan is 665,000, all of which have been awarded as stock option
grants. We are proposing to increase that maximum by 1,000,000 to
1,665,000. Shares covered by an award are counted against the
authorization only to the extent they are actually issued. Thus,
shares related to awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture,
cancellation, or otherwise without issuance of shares, are settled in cash in
lieu of shares, or exchanged for awards not involving shares, shall again be
available for grant.
The 2006
Incentive Plan also imposes annual per-participant award limits. The
maximum number of shares for which options may be granted to any person in any
calendar year is 200,000. The maximum number of shares subject to
share appreciation rights (“SARs”) granted to any person in any calendar year is
200,000. The maximum aggregate grant to any person in any calendar
year of restricted shares or restricted share units is 200,000
shares. The maximum aggregate grant to any person in any calendar
year of performance units or performance shares is 200,000 shares, or the value
of 200,000 shares determined as of the earlier of the date of vesting or
payout. The maximum aggregate grant to any person in any calendar
year of cash-based awards may not exceed $500,000. The maximum
aggregate grant to any person in any calendar year of other share-based awards
is 200,000 shares.
The
number and kind of shares that may be issued, the number and kind of shares
subject to outstanding awards, the option price or grant price applicable to
outstanding awards, the annual per-participant award limits, and other value
determinations are subject to adjustment by the Committee (as defined in the
paragraph below) to reflect share dividends, share splits, reverse share splits,
and other corporate events or transactions, including without limitation
distributions of shares or property other than normal cash
dividends. The Committee may also make adjustments to reflect unusual
or nonrecurring events such as mergers, consolidations, spin-offs and other
corporate reorganizations.
Administration
A
committee designated by the Board shall administer the 2006 Incentive Plan, if
such committee has been designated. If established, the committee
shall consist of members appointed from time to time by, and serving at the
discretion of, the Board and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the
committee shall consist of no fewer than two directors, each of whom is (i) a
“Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (ii) an “outside director”
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), and (iii) an “independent director” for the purposes of
the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market. In the absence
of a designated committee, the Board shall serve the committee function, and all
references to committee shall refer to the Board acting in such capacity (the
“Committee”). The Committee will have the discretionary power to
interpret the terms and intent of the 2006 Incentive Plan and any Plan-related
documentation, to determine eligibility for awards and the terms and conditions
of awards, and to adopt rules, regulations, forms, instruments, and
guidelines. Determinations of the Committee will be final and
binding. The Committee may delegate administrative duties and powers
to one or more of its members or to one or more officers, agents, or
advisors. The Committee may also delegate to one or more Company
officers the power to designate other employees and third party service
providers to be recipients of awards.
Eligibility
Employees,
non-employee directors, and third party service providers of the Company and its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates who are selected by the Committee are eligible to
participate in the 2006 Incentive Plan.
Options
The
Committee may grant both incentive options (“ISOs”) and nonqualified options
(“NQSOs”) under the 2006 Incentive Plan. Currently ISOs may be
granted for up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares under the Plan, all of which
have been granted. Under the proposed amendment the aggregate number of ISO’s
that could be granted would be increased by 800,000 to an aggregate of 1,000,000
shares. Eligibility for ISOs is limited to employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries. The exercise price for options cannot be less than the
fair market value of the shares underlying such options on the date of grant
(provided that the exercise price cannot be less than 110% of the fair market
value of the shares on the date of grant with respect to ISOs granted to a 10%
shareholder). The latest expiration date cannot be later then the
tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of grant (for an ISO, the fifth anniversary
of the date of grant if the recipient is a 10% shareholder). Fair
market value under the 2006 Incentive Plan shall be determined by reference to
the market price for the Common Stock on the date of the grant or on the
immediately preceding trading date, as determined by the
Committee. The exercise price may be paid with cash or its
equivalent, with previously acquired shares (in certain circumstances, that have
been held at least six months), or by other means approved by the Committee,
including by means of broker-assisted cashless exercise and net
exercise.
Share
Appreciation Rights
The
Committee may grant SARs under the 2006 Incentive Plan either alone or in tandem
with options. The grant price of an SAR cannot be less than the fair
market value of the shares at the time of grant. The grant price of
an SAR granted in tandem with an option will be the same as the option price of
the option. SARs cannot be exercised later than the tenth anniversary of the
date of grant. SARs granted in tandem with ISOs are subject to
special restrictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SARs may be
granted only if the Company’s shares are traded on an established securities
market at the date of grant.
Freestanding
SARs may be exercised on such terms as the Committee determines and tandem SARs
may be exercised by relinquishing the related portion of the tandem
option. Upon exercise of an SAR, the holder will receive from the
Company shares equal in value to the difference between the fair market value of
the shares subject to the SAR, determined as described above, and the grant
price.
Restricted
Shares and Restricted Share Units
The
Committee may award restricted shares and restricted share
units. Restricted share awards consist of shares that are transferred
to the participant subject to restrictions that may result in forfeiture if
specified conditions are not satisfied. Restricted share unit awards
result in the transfer of shares to the participant only after specified
conditions are satisfied. A holder of restricted shares is generally
treated as a current shareholder (subject to the restrictions), whereas the
holder of a restricted share unit award is treated as a shareholder with respect
to the award only when the shares are delivered in the future. The
Committee will determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each
award of restricted shares or restricted share units.
Performance
Unit and Performance Share Awards
Performance
unit and performance share awards may be granted under the 2006 Incentive
Plan. Performance unit awards will have an initial value that is
determined by the Committee. Performance shares will have an initial
value that is based on the fair market value of the shares on the date of
grant. Such awards will be earned only if performance goals over
performance periods established by or under the direction of the Committee are
met. The performance goals may vary from participant to participant,
group to group, and period to period. The performance goals for
performance unit and performance share awards that are intended to constitute
“qualified performance-based compensation” will be based upon one or more of the
following: (i) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);
(ii) earnings per share; (iii) net sales growth; (iv) net operating profit; (v)
return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital,
invested capital, equity, or sales); (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited
to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and cash flow return on equity);
(vii) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or
amortization;(viii) gross or operating margins; (ix) productivity ratios; and
(x) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total
shareholder return).
The
Committee will determine whether the performance targets or goals that have been
chosen for a particular performance award have been met and may provide in an
award that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the
following that are objectively determinable and that occur during the
performance period to which the award is subject: asset write-downs, litigation,
claims, judgments, or settlements; the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting
principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reporting results; any
reorganization and restructuring programs; extraordinary nonrecurring items as
described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in management’s
discussion of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the
Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year; acquisitions or
divestitures; and foreign exchange gains and losses.
Awards
that are designed to qualify as performance-based compensation may not be
adjusted upward. However, the Committee has the discretion to adjust
these awards downward. In addition, the Committee has the discretion to make
awards that do not qualify as performance-based compensation. Awards
may be paid in the form of cash, shares, or in any combination, as determined by
the Committee.
Cash-Based
Awards
The
Committee may grant cash-based awards under the 2006 Incentive Plan that specify
the amount of cash to which the award pertains, the conditions under which the
award will be vested and exercisable or payable, and such other conditions as
the Committee may determine that are not inconsistent with the terms of the 2006
Incentive Plan. Although based on a specified dollar amount,
cash-based awards may be paid, in the Committee’s discretion, either in cash or
by the delivery of shares.
Other
Share-Based Awards
The
Committee may grant equity-based or equity-related awards, referred to as “other
share-based awards,” other than options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted
share units, or performance shares. The terms and conditions of each other
share-based award shall be determined by the Committee. Payment under
any other share-based awards will be made in shares or cash, as determined by
the Committee.
Dividend
Equivalents
The
Committee may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents with respect to
any shares subject to an award that have not actually been issued under the
award.
Termination
of Employment
The
Committee will determine how each award will be treated following termination of
the holder’s employment with, or service for, the Company, including the extent
to which unvested portions of the award will be forfeited and the extent to
which options, SARs, or other awards requiring exercise will remain
exercisable.
Additional
Provisions
Neither
ISOs nor, except as the Committee otherwise expressly determines, other awards
may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. During a recipient’s lifetime, an ISO and, except as
the Committee may determine, other non-transferable awards requiring exercise,
may be exercised only by the recipient.
Treatment
of Awards upon a Change of Control and Related Transactions
One or
more awards may be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a written
agreement between the Company and a participant providing for different terms or
provisions with respect to such awards upon a “Change of Control” of the Company
(as that term may be defined in such written agreement), provided, that such
written agreement may not increase the maximum amount of such
awards.
Amendment
of Awards or 2006 Incentive Plan
The
Committee may at any time alter, amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the 2006
Incentive Plan or any outstanding award in whole or in part, except that no
amendment of the 2006 Incentive Plan will be made without shareholder approval
if shareholder approval is required by applicable law, regulation or stock
exchange rule. No amendment to an award previously granted may
adversely affect the rights of any participant to whom such award was granted
without such participant’s consent, unless specifically provided for in the 2006
Incentive Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to modify any
outstanding option award or SAR to reduce the exercise or grant price
thereof.
Adjustment
of Awards
In the
event of any corporate event or transaction such as a merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization, separation, stock dividend, stock split,
reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, or other distribution of our stock or
property, combination of shares, exchange of shares (other than pursuant to a
conversion of convertible securities), dividend in kind, or other like change in
our capital structure or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to our
stockholders, or any similar corporate event or transaction, the Committee
shall, proportionately and accordingly, in its sole discretion, substitute
and/or adjust the number and/or kind of shares, as applicable, for which grants
of options and other awards may be made under the 2006 Incentive
Plan. In addition, the number and kind of shares subject to
outstanding awards, the option price or grant price applicable to outstanding
awards, the annual award limits, and other value determinations applicable to
outstanding awards shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the
Committee so as to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants’ rights under
the 2006 Incentive Plan. The Committee may also make appropriate
adjustments in the terms of any awards under the 2006 Incentive Plan to reflect
or related to such changes or distributions and to modify any other terms of
outstanding awards, including modifications of performance goals and changes in
the length of performance periods. Subject to certain limitations set
forth in the 2006 Incentive Plan and applicable provisions of the Code, without
affecting the number of shares reserved or available thereunder, the Committee
may authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under the 2006 Incentive
Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off,
split-up, acquisition of our property or stock, or reorganization upon such
terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, or the Committee or the board
of directors may cause any award outstanding as of the effective date of the
applicable event to be cancelled in consideration of a cash payment or alternate
award made to the holder of such cancelled award equal in value to the fair
market value of such cancelled award.
Awards
for Non-U.S. Employees
To comply
with the laws in other countries in which the Company or its subsidiaries
operate or may operate or have employees, officers, directors, or third-party
service providers, the Committee may establish, among other things, subplans
under the 2006 Incentive Plan and modify the terms of the awards made to such
employees, officers, directors or third-party service providers.
Material
Federal Income Tax Considerations
The
following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of
awards under the 2006 Incentive Plan. The summary is based upon
current federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof, all of which are
subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. The
summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not
describe state, local or foreign tax consequences.
Incentive
Options
An
optionee does not generally recognize taxable income upon the grant or upon the
exercise of an ISO. However, the exercise of an ISO may in some cases
trigger liability for the alternative minimum tax.
Upon the
sale of ISO shares, the optionee recognizes income in an amount equal to the
difference, if any, between the exercise price of the ISO shares and the fair
market value of those shares on the date of sale. The income is taxed
at the long-term capital gains rate if the optionee has not disposed of the
shares within two (2) years after the date of the grant of the ISO and has held
the shares for at least one (1) year after the date of exercise, and the Company
is not entitled to a federal income tax deduction. The holding period
requirements are waived when an optionee dies.
If an
optionee sells ISO shares before having held them for at least one (1) year
after the date of exercise and two (2) years after the date of grant (a
“disqualifying disposition”), the optionee recognizes ordinary income to the
extent of the lesser of: (i) the gain realized upon the sale, or (ii) the
difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on
the date of exercise. Any additional gain is treated as long-term or
short-term capital gain depending upon how long the optionee has held the ISO
shares prior to disposition. In the year of a disqualifying
disposition, the Company receives a federal income tax deduction in an amount
equal to the ordinary income that the optionee recognizes as a result of the
disqualifying disposition.
Non-qualified
Options
In
general, an optionee does not recognize taxable income upon the grant of an
NQSO. Upon the exercise of such an option, the optionee recognizes ordinary
income to the extent the fair market value of the shares received upon exercise
of the NQSO on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price. The
Company receives an income tax deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary
income that he optionee recognizes upon the exercise of the option.
Restricted
Shares
A
participant who receives an award of restricted shares does not generally
recognize taxable income at the time of the award. Instead, unless an
election is made as described in the next paragraph, the participant recognizes
ordinary income in the first taxable year in which his or her interest in the
shares becomes either: (i) freely transferable, or (ii) no longer
subject to substantial risk of forfeiture. The amount of taxable
income is equal to the fair market value of the shares less the cash, if any,
paid for the shares.
A
participant may elect to recognize income at the time he or she receives
restricted shares in an amount equal to the fair market value of the restricted
shares (less any cash paid for the shares) on the date of the
award. Any such election must be filed with the Internal Revenue
Service within 30 days of the date of grant. Future appreciation on
the shares will be taxed as capital gains when the shares are
sold. However, if after making such an election, the shares are
forfeited, the participant will be unable to claim any loss
deduction.
The
Company receives a compensation expense deduction in an amount equal to the
ordinary income recognized by the participant in the taxable year in which
restrictions lapse (or in the taxable year of the award if, at that time, the
participant had filed a timely election to accelerate recognition of
income).
Other
Awards
In the
case of an exercise of an SAR or an award of restricted share units, performance
shares, performance units, share awards, or incentive awards, the participant
would generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to any cash
received and the fair market value of any shares received on the date of
payment. In that taxable year, the Company would receive a federal
income tax deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income that the
participant has recognized.
Million
Dollar Deduction Limit
Pursuant
to Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company may not deduct compensation of more
than $1,000,000 dollars that is paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable
year. The limitation on deductions does not apply to certain types of
compensation, including qualified performance-based compensation. It
is intended that future awards under the 2006 Incentive Plan made to covered
employees in the form of options, performance-based restricted shares,
performance shares, performance units, SARs, and cash payments under annual
incentive awards will constitute qualified performance-based compensation and,
as such, will be exempt from the $1,000,000 limitation on deductible
compensation, but no assurance can be made in this regard.
Compliance
with Deferred Compensation Provisions of American Jobs Creation Act
The
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, added new Section 409A of the
Code. Section 409A imposes penalty taxes and interest charges on
employees who receive certain deferred compensation that does not meet the
requirements of Section 409A. The Company intends that awards under
the 2006 Incentive Plan will meet the requirements of Section 409A, but no
assurance can be made in this regard.
Withholding
Taxes
Awards
made to participants under the 2006 Incentive Plan may be subject to federal,
state and local income tax and employment tax withholding obligations and the
Company will comply with any requirements to withhold such taxes.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE 2006 INCENTIVE PLAN
TO
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SHARES.
PROPOSAL
5
ADJOURNMENT
OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
Our Board
is requesting the stockholders approve the adjournment of the Annual Meeting, if
necessary or appropriate, in order to allow for the solicitation of additional
proxies, in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the
Annual Meeting to approve either Proposal 3 or 4. In order to permit
proxies that have been timely received to be voted for an adjournment, we are
submitting this proposal as a separate matter for your consideration. If it is
necessary to adjourn the Annual Meeting and the adjournment is for a period of
less than 30 days, no notice of the time or place of the reconvened meeting
will be given to stockholders, other than an announcement made at the Annual
Meeting.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETINING.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS FOR THE 2011 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders
may present proposals for inclusion in the 2011 proxy statement for our annual
meeting in 2011, provided that (in addition to other applicable requirements)
such proposals are received by the Company in writing at its principal executive
offices no later than December 10, 2010.
Pursuant
to the By-laws of the Company, stockholders who wish to nominate any person for
election to the Board of Directors or bring any other business before the 2011
Annual Meeting must generally give notice thereof to the Company at its
principal executive offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days before
the date of the meeting. All nominations for director or other
business sought to be transacted that are not timely delivered to the Company,
or that fail to comply with the requirements set forth in the Company’s By-laws,
will be excluded from the Annual Meeting, as provided in the
By-laws. A copy of the By-laws of the Company is available upon
request from the Secretary of the Company, 4 West Rockland Road, Montchanin,
Delaware 19710.
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board
of Directors of the Company is not aware of any other matters to be presented
for action at the Annual Meeting other than those listed in the accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting and described herein. If any other matters
not described herein should properly come before the meeting for stockholder
action, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to
vote, or otherwise act, in respect thereof in accordance with the Board of
Directors’ recommendations.
ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K
A copy of
the Company’s Annual Report covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009,
including audited financial statements, is enclosed with this Proxy
Statement. Such report is not incorporated in this Proxy Statement
and is not a part of the proxy soliciting material.
SOLICITATION
OF PROXIES
The cost
of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting will be borne by the
Company. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be
solicited by in person interview, Internet, telephone, e-mail or
facsimile. The Company will, upon request and in accordance with
applicable regulation, reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable
expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of
stock.
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By Order of the Board of
Directors, |
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JOE B. COGDELL,
JR. |
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Secretary |
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[__________],
2010
Montchanin,
Delaware