UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  x                             Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

BSQUARE CORPORATION

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check in the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

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BSQUARE CORPORATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 16, 2015

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:

Notice is hereby given that the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of BSQUARE Corporation, a Washington corporation (the “Company”), will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., local time, at our offices at 110 110th Avenue NE, Suite 300, Bellevue, Washington 98004, for the following purposes:

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 17, 2015 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at this meeting. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 17, 2015 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment thereof.

All shareholders are invited to attend the meeting in person. However, to ensure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Any shareholder attending the meeting may vote in person even if the shareholder has previously returned a proxy.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Martin L. Heimbigner

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

Bellevue, Washington

May 4, 2015

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on June 16, 2015: The proxy statement and annual report to shareholders are available at www.bsquare.com/proxy.

 

 

 

 

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BSQUARE CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

PROCEDURAL MATTERS

General

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of BSQUARE Corporation, a Washington corporation, for use at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at our principal executive offices at 110 110th Avenue NE, Suite 300, Bellevue, Washington 98004. Our telephone number at our principal executive offices is (425) 519-5900. As used in this proxy statement, “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to BSQUARE Corporation.

These proxy solicitation materials were mailed on or about May 4, 2015 to all shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Record Date and Outstanding Shares

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 17, 2015 (the “record date”) are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Our only outstanding voting securities are shares of common stock, no par value. As of the record date, 11,818,368 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding, held by 122 shareholders of record.

Revocability of Proxies

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time prior to its use by delivering to our Secretary, at the address referenced above, a written instrument revoking the proxy or delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date (in either case no later than the close of business on June 15, 2015) or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Voting and Solicitation

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held.

This solicitation of proxies is made by our Board of Directors, and all related costs will be borne by us. We may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by certain of our directors, officers or administrative employees without the payment of any additional consideration. Solicitation of proxies may be made by mail, by telephone, by email, in person or otherwise.

Shareholders of Record and “Street Name” Holders

Where shares are registered directly in the holder’s name, that holder is the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. If shares are held by an intermediary, meaning in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, trust or other nominee, then the broker, bank, trust or other nominee is considered the shareholder of record as to those shares. Those shares are said to be held in “street name” on behalf of the beneficial owner of the shares. Street name holders generally cannot directly vote their shares, and must instead instruct the broker or other nominee how to vote their shares using the voting instruction form provided by that broker or other nominee. Many brokers also offer the option of giving voting instructions over the internet or by telephone. Instructions for giving your vote as a street-name holder are provided on your voting instruction form.

Quorum; Abstentions; Broker Non-Votes

At the Annual Meeting, an inspector of elections will determine the presence of a quorum and tabulate the results of the voting by shareholders. A quorum exists when holders of a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock that are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy. A quorum is necessary for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be included in determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting.

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Broker non-votes can occur as to shares held in street name. Under the current rules that govern brokers and other nominee holders of record, if you do not give instructions to your broker or other nominee, it will be able to vote your shares only with respect to proposals for which it has discretionary voting authority. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker or other nominee submits a proxy for the Annual Meeting but does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal, and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.

The election of directors (Proposal No. 1), the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal No. 2) and the amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Plan (Proposal No. 3) are proposals for which brokers do not have discretionary voting authority. If you do not instruct your broker how to vote on these proposals, your broker will not vote on them and those non-votes will be counted as broker non-votes. The ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 4) is considered to be discretionary and your brokerage firm will be able to vote on this proposal even if it does not receive instructions from you, as long as it holds your shares in its name.

Abstentions and broker non-votes are treated as shares present for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for determining the number of votes cast, and therefore will not affect the outcome of the vote on any of the proposals in this proxy statement.

Required Votes and Voting

Assuming that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the following votes will be required:

All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed, unrevoked proxies received before the Annual Meeting will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions given on those proxies. If no instructions are given on a properly executed proxy, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as follows:

FOR the director nominees named in Proposal No. 1 of this proxy statement;

FOR Proposal No. 2, to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement;

FOR Proposal No. 3, to approve the amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Plan; and

FOR Proposal No. 4, to ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, which may include, for example, a motion to adjourn the Annual Meeting to another time or place (including, without limitation, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies), the persons named in the enclosed proxy and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on those matters as they deem advisable. We do not currently anticipate that any other matters will be raised at the Annual Meeting.

Deadlines for Receipt of Shareholder Proposals

Shareholder proposals may be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy for an annual meeting so long as they are provided to us on a timely basis and satisfy the other conditions set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. We currently anticipate holding our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders in June 2016, although the Board may decide to schedule the meeting for a different date. For a shareholder proposal to be considered pursuant to Rule 14a-8 for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for the annual meeting to be held in 2016, we must receive the proposal at our principal executive offices, addressed to our Secretary, no later than January 5, 2016. Submitting a shareholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy.

In addition, a shareholder proposal that is not intended for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy under Rule 14a-8 (including director nominations) shall be considered “timely” within the provisions of our Bylaws and may be brought before the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders provided that we receive information and notice of the proposal in compliance with the requirements

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set forth in our Bylaws, addressed to our Secretary at our principal executive offices, no later than March 18, 2016. A copy of the full text of our Bylaws may be obtained by writing to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

We strongly encourage any shareholder interested in submitting a proposal to contact our Secretary in advance of these deadlines to discuss any proposal he or she is considering, and shareholders may want to consult knowledgeable counsel with regard to the detailed requirements of applicable securities laws. All notices of shareholder proposals, whether or not intended to be included in our proxy materials, should be in writing and sent to our principal executive offices, located at: BSQUARE Corporation, 110 110th Avenue NE, Suite 300, Bellevue, Washington 98004, Attention: Secretary.

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board of Directors has seven seats. Two seats are currently vacant as a result of two previously disclosed director resignations. The Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors have decided to leave the open director positions vacant at this time until qualified candidates have been identified.

The Board of Directors is currently divided into three classes, with each class having a three-year term. A director serves in office until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified, unless the director is removed, resigns or, by reason of death or other cause, is unable to serve in the capacity of director. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of an equal number of directors. Set forth below is certain information furnished to us by the director nominees and by each of the incumbent directors whose terms will continue following the Annual Meeting. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or officers.

Nominees for Directors

Two Class III directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting for three-year terms ending in 2018. The Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors has nominated Jerry D. Chase and William D. Savoy for election as Class III directors. Mr. Chase has been a director since July 2013 and is our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Savoy has been a director since May 2004.

Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the election of Jerry D. Chase and William D. Savoy to the Board of Directors. Each has indicated that he will serve if elected. We do not anticipate that either will be unable or unwilling to stand for election, but if that occurs, all proxies received may be voted by the proxy holders for another person nominated by the Governance and Nominating Committee. As there are two nominees, proxies cannot be voted for more than two persons.

Vote Required for Election of Directors

If a quorum is present, the two nominees for election to the Board of Directors receiving the greatest number of votes cast “for” the election of the directors by the shares present, in person or by proxy, will be elected to the Board of Directors.

Nominees and Continuing Directors

The names and certain information as of the record date about the nominees and each director continuing in office after the Annual Meeting are set forth below. As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 19, 2015 (the “2014 10-K”), Harel Kodesh resigned from the Board of Directors effective February 17, 2015. There were no disagreements as contemplated by Item 5.02(a) of Form 8-K.

 

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Jerry D. Chase has been a director since July 2013. He served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer from September 2013 to February 2014, and has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2014. From September 2004 to July 2007, Mr. Chase served as CEO and director of Terayon (TERN), a publicly traded cable, satellite and telecom supplier of digital video networking applications. From February 2008 to June 2011, Mr. Chase served as CEO and director of Lantronix (LTRX), a publicly traded provider of secure software, and embedded and external hardware solutions. Prior to serving as the CEO of Terayon, Mr. Chase was Chairman and CEO of Thales Broadcast & Multimedia (TBM), a supplier of transmission, digital video and test equipment to television and radio broadcast and telecom broadband markets based in Paris, France. Earlier in his career, Mr. Chase was General Manager of Magnitude Compression Systems at General Instrument, Inc. and Vice President, Systems Engineering & Program Management at Scientific Atlanta. Mr. Chase is a former United States Marine Corps Officer. Mr. Chase has an M.B.A. from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and a B.S. in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude from East Carolina University. Mr. Chase currently serves as a board member of East Carolina University’s BB&T Center for Leadership Development. The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Chase should serve as a director because of his broad and significant experience in the technology industry, including as the chief executive officer of several software and hardware technology companies. As our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chase has first-hand knowledge of our business and provides valuable insight with respect to our operations and strategic opportunities. In addition, he also has experience as a public company board member, and has significant turnaround management experience.

William D. Savoy has been a director since May 2004. Between 2004 and 2007, Mr. Savoy consulted with The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe on investment-related matters, strategic planning and economic development. Mr. Savoy served as a consultant for Vulcan Inc., an investment entity that manages the personal financial activities of Paul Allen, from September 2003 to December 2005. Vulcan Inc. resulted from the consolidation in 2000 of Vulcan Ventures Inc., a venture capital fund, and Vulcan Northwest. Mr. Savoy served in various capacities at Vulcan Inc. and its predecessors from 1988 to September 2003, most recently as President of the portfolio and asset management division, managing Vulcan’s commercial real estate, hedge fund, treasury and other financial activities, and as President of both Vulcan Northwest and Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Savoy served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Layered, Inc., a software company, from June 1989 until its sale in June 1990 and as its Chief Financial Officer from August 1988 to June 1989. Mr. Savoy received a B.S. in computer science, accounting and finance from Atlantic Union College. Mr. Savoy has financial expertise, industry experience with portfolio companies, experience managing product development, and mergers and acquisitions experience. He has also held board positions with other publicly traded companies, including Drugstore.com from 1999 through its acquisition in 2011. He also has indirect experience managing engineering efforts. The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Savoy should serve as a director because his experience as a chief executive officer, and in various other executive roles, has provided him with broad leadership and executive experience, which contributes operational knowledge and strategic planning skills, along with knowledge important to our corporate development and any mergers and acquisitions activities.

Andrew S.G. Harries has been a director since November 2012 and has served as the Chairman of the Board since July 2013. Mr. Harries was a co-founder of Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR), a NASDAQ-listed wireless Internet of Things systems vendor, and previously served as Sierra’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Operations. Mr. Harries also was the co-founder of Zeugma Systems Inc. where he served as the President, CEO and board member from October 2004 until Tellabs Inc. acquired substantially all of Zeugma in November 2010, after which Mr. Harries provided consulting services to Zeugma until December 2011. During his career, Mr. Harries has also held a variety of positions at Motorola Inc., and currently runs his own consulting practice. He currently chairs the boards of directors of Mojio Inc., an automobile open applications platform company, and Contractually, an online contracts management company. He also serves on the boards and is the immediate past-chair of Simon Frasier University’s Beedie School of Business Dean’s External Advisory Board and of Science World British Columbia. Mr. Harries holds a Master of Business Administration, Marketing and Finance from Simon Fraser University. The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Harries should serve as a director because of his embedded technology industry expertise and extensive management and sales and marketing experience. He also has experience as a public company board member.

Elliott H. Jurgensen, Jr. has been a director since January 2003 and served as Chairman of the Board from October 2008 to July 2013. Mr. Jurgensen retired from KPMG LLP, an international public accounting firm, in January 2003 after 32 years, including 23 years as an audit partner. During his public accounting career at KPMG, he held a number of leadership positions, including Managing Partner of the Bellevue, Washington office from 1982 to 1991 and Managing Partner of the Seattle, Washington office from 1993 to 2002. He is also a director of ASG Consolidated LLC, a large privately owned seafood catcher processor company, and Tableau Software, Inc., a publicly owned business intelligence and analytics software company. Mr. Jurgensen was also a director of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants, Inc., a publicly owned restaurant operating company, from July 2004 until December 2011 when it was sold; a director of Isilon Systems, Inc., a publicly owned data storage and management company from April 2006 to December 2010 when it was sold; and a director of Varolii Corporation, a privately owned software messaging service company, from August 2007 to June 2011 when he resigned. Mr. Jurgensen has a B.S. in accounting from San Jose State University. His career at KPMG gives him the requisite experience to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” having “financial sophistication” for audit committee purposes. The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Jurgensen should serve as a director because he brings to our Board of Directors substantial financial expertise that includes extensive knowledge of the complex financial and operational issues

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facing publicly-traded companies, and a deep understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting rules and regulations. He also brings professional service expertise, technology industry experience, experience as a public company board member, and sales and marketing experience at KPMG.

Kendra A. VanderMeulen has been a director since March 2005. Ms. VanderMeulen is currently the President of the National Christian Foundation, Seattle, a position she has held since 2007. She served as Executive Vice President, Mobile at InfoSpace from May 2003 to December 2004, and is an active board member or advisor to a variety of privately held companies in the wireless Internet arena, including INRIX, Inc. Ms. VanderMeulen joined AT&T Wireless (formerly McCaw Cellular Communications) in 1994 to lead the formation of the wireless data division. Prior to McCaw Cellular Communications, Ms. VanderMeulen served as Chief Operating Officer and President of the Communications Systems Group of Cincinnati Bell Information Systems (now Convergys). She also held a variety of business and technical management positions at AT&T in the fields of software development, voice processing, and signaling systems. Ms. VanderMeulen received a B.S. in mathematics from Marietta College and an M.S. in computer science from Ohio State University. She is the recipient of the 1999 Catherine B. Cleary award as the outstanding woman leader of AT&T. Ms. VanderMeulen has broad industry experience both in management and as a board member. She also brings experience in managing product development, sales and marketing efforts, mergers and acquisitions, and directly managing engineering efforts. The Board of Directors has concluded that Ms. VanderMeulen should serve as a director because of her experience in and deep understanding of the wireless Internet industry in which we compete. Her experience at AT&T has provided her with broad leadership and executive abilities, and her outside board experience as director of other technology companies enables her to provide essential strategic and corporate governance leadership to our management team and Board of Directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF MR. CHASE AND MR. SAVOY TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

Executive Officers

The names and certain information about our executive officers as of the record date are set forth below:

 

Mr. Chase’s biographical details are set out under the heading “Nominees and Continuing Directors.”

Scott D. Caldwell joined BSQUARE in 2005 and was promoted to Vice President, Worldwide OEM Sales in 2010. In this role, Mr. Caldwell has responsibility for global sales of our third-party software licensing business which includes Microsoft, Adobe and McAfee products to vertical market OEMs. Prior to joining BSQUARE, Mr. Caldwell led the very first international sales expansion at Sierra Wireless, where he established wireless operator, OEM, and distribution partnerships in South America, Europe and Asia for that company’s wireless modems. Other roles included Director of Business Development for Action Engine, where Mr. Caldwell established wireless operator and handset OEM relationships. Mr. Caldwell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Martin L. Heimbigner joined BSQUARE as Chief Financial Officer in November 2014 and was appointed as Secretary and Treasurer in March 2015. His background includes significant financial leadership experience with software and professional service businesses in the greater Seattle area spanning public and emerging technology companies. Prior to joining BSQUARE, Mr. Heimbigner was the Managing Director at Pacific CFO Group, LLC from December 2012 to October 2014, where he was both an advisor and a member of a senior executive team of client companies to drive top and bottom-line growth, operational effectiveness, internal capability and business strategy. Prior to that Mr. Heimbigner served as a partner at Tatum, LLC, a financial consulting firm, since 2003, and he has also held other senior partner or financial leadership positions at companies including City Bank (NASDAQ:CTBK), Demand Media (NYSE:DMD), Intelligent Results (acquired by First Data, NYSE:FSD), Airbiquity Inc., Washington Energy Company (NYSE:WECO), and KPMG. Mr. Heimbigner holds an Executive MBA from the University of Washington, a Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts, Accounting from Washington State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Washington State.

Mark D. Whiteside, our Vice President, Solution Sales and Services, joined BSQUARE in May 2011, where his duties include managing our consulting services resources for design, development, project management and education. Prior to this role, he was a Wireless Services Executive with IBM. Prior to that, from 2004 to 2007, Mr. Whiteside was the Chief Operating Officer at Vallent

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Inc., a wireless performance management software provider which was purchased by IBM. Mr. Whiteside has held a number of other executive roles in global technology companies, including EMEA Vice President Wireless Services based in London for Marconi PLC and Global Vice President of Services for MSI, a mediation middleware company purchased by Marconi PLC. He was also General Manager of International Business at Holocentric and Director of Customer Services, Asia Pacific based in Singapore for Sequent Computers. Mr. Whiteside holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Sciences from the University of California, San Diego.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors Leadership Structure

The Board of Directors has adopted a structure under which the Chairman of the Board is an independent director. We believe that having a Chairman independent of management provides effective leadership for the Board of Directors and helps ensure critical and independent thinking with respect to our strategy and performance. In addition, the Board believes this governance structure promotes balance between the Board's independent authority to oversee our business and the Chief Executive Officer and his management team who manage the business on a day-to-day basis. Moreover, the current separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles allows the Chief Executive Officer to focus his time and energy on operating and managing BSQUARE and leverage the experience and perspectives of the Chairman. Our Chief Executive Officer has generally also been a member of the Board of Directors, as the sole management representative on the Board of Directors. Mr. Chase is a director as well as our President and Chief Executive Officer. We believe it is important to make information and insight about us directly available to the directors in their deliberations. Our Board of Directors believes that separating the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board roles and also having the Chairman of the Board role represented by an independent director is the appropriate leadership structure for us at this time and demonstrates our commitment to effective corporate governance.

Our Chairman of the Board is responsible for the effective functioning of our Board of Directors, enhancing its efficacy by guiding Board of Directors processes and presiding at Board of Directors meetings and executive sessions of the independent directors. Our Chairman presides at shareholder meetings and ensures that directors receive appropriate information from our management to fulfill their responsibilities. Our Chairman also acts as a liaison between our Board of Directors and executive management, promoting clear and open communication between management and the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors Role in Risk Oversight

Our Board of Directors has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. Our Board, either as a whole or through its committees, regularly discusses with management our major risk exposures, their potential impact on us and the steps we take to manage them. While our Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at BSQUARE, our Board committees assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. In particular, our Audit Committee focuses on financial, accounting and investment risks. Our Governance and Nominating Committee focuses on the management of risks associated with Board organization, membership, structure and corporate governance. Finally, our Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks arising from our compensation policies and programs and related to succession planning for our executive officers.

Board of Directors Independence

The Board of Directors has determined, after consideration of all relevant factors, that Messrs. Harries, Jurgensen and Savoy and Ms. VanderMeulen (and previously determined with respect to Mr. Kodesh), constituting a majority of our Board of Directors, qualify as “independent” directors as defined under applicable rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) and that such directors do not have any relationship with us that would interfere with the exercise of their independent business judgment.

Standing Committees and Attendance

The Board of Directors held a total of 8 meetings during 2014. The Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Governance and Nominating Committee. Information about these committees and committee meetings is set forth below.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Jurgensen (Committee Chair), Harries and Savoy. The Board of Directors has determined that, after consideration of all relevant factors, Messrs. Jurgensen, Harries and Savoy qualify as “independent” directors under applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules. Each member of the Audit Committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including our consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash

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flows. Further, no member of the Audit Committee has participated in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, or those of any current subsidiary of BSQUARE, at any time during the past three years. The Board of Directors has designated Mr. Jurgensen as the “audit committee financial expert” as defined under applicable SEC rules and has determined that Mr. Jurgensen possesses the requisite “financial sophistication” under applicable NASDAQ rules.

The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing our independent auditors, including their selection, retention and compensation, reviewing and approving the scope of audit and other services by our independent auditors, reviewing the accounting policies, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements and reviewing the results of our audits. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures, including risk management, establishing procedures regarding complaints concerning accounting or auditing matters, reviewing and, if appropriate, approving related-party transactions, reviewing compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and reviewing our investment policy and compliance therewith. The Audit Committee held four meetings during 2014.

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter setting forth the functions and responsibilities of the committee, which is reviewed annually by the committee and amended by the Board of Directors as appropriate. A current copy of the Audit Committee charter is available on our website at www.bsquare.com on the Management and Governance/Board Committees page found under the “Company” tab.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Savoy (Committee Chair), Harries and Jurgensen. The Board of Directors has determined that, after consideration of all relevant factors, Messrs. Savoy, Harries and Jurgensen qualify as “independent” and “non-employee” directors under applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules and qualify as “outside directors” pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding our general compensation policies as well as the compensation plans and specific compensation levels for its executive officers. The Compensation Committee held six meetings during 2014.

The Compensation Committee has a number of functions and responsibilities as delineated in its written charter, which is reviewed annually by the committee and amended by the Board of Directors as appropriate. A current copy of the Compensation Committee charter is available on our website at www.bsquare.com on the Management and Governance/Board Committees page found under the “Company” tab.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Compensation Committee is to oversee, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for its approval of, the compensation programs and performance of our executive officers, which includes the following activities:

Additional information regarding the roles, responsibilities, scope and authority of the Compensation Committee, as well as the extent to which the Committee may delegate its authority and the role that our executive officers serve in recommending compensation, is set forth below under “Executive Officer Compensation.”

The Compensation Committee also periodically reviews the compensation of the Board of Directors and proposes modifications, as necessary, to the full Board for its consideration.

Governance and Nominating Committee

The Governance and Nominating Committee currently consists of Ms. VanderMeulen (Committee Chair) and Mr. Harries. Mr. Kodesh previously served on the Governance and Nominating Committee until his resignation in February 2015. The Board of

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Directors has determined that, after consideration of all relevant factors, Ms. VanderMeulen and Mr. Harries qualify as “independent” directors under applicable NASDAQ rules. The Governance and Nominating Committee held two meetings during 2014.

The Governance and Nominating Committee operates under a written charter setting forth the functions and responsibilities of the committee, which is reviewed annually by the committee and amended by the Board of Directors as appropriate. A current copy of the Governance and Nominating Committee charter is available on our website at www.bsquare.com on the Management and Governance/Board Committees page found under the “Company” tab.

The primary responsibilities of the Governance and Nominating Committee are to:

All directors except Mr. Kodesh attended more than 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees thereof, if any, upon which such director served during the period for which he or she has been a director or committee member during 2014.

Director Nomination Process

The Board of Directors has determined that director nomination responsibilities should be overseen by the Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Committee”). One of the Committee’s goals is to assemble a Board that brings to BSQUARE a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience. Although the Committee and the Board of Directors do not have a formal diversity policy, the Board of Directors instructed the Committee to consider such factors as it deems appropriate to develop a Board and committees that are diverse in nature and comprised of experienced and seasoned advisors. Factors considered by the Committee include judgment, knowledge, skill, diversity (including factors such as race, gender and experience), integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, including experience in software products and services, business, finance, administration or public service, the relevance of a candidate’s experience to our needs and experience of other Board members, familiarity with national and international business matters, experience with accounting rules and practices, the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by new members, and the extent to which a candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board of Directors and any committees of the Board of Directors. In addition, directors are expected to be able to exercise their best business judgment when acting on behalf of BSQUARE and its shareholders, act ethically at all times and adhere to the applicable provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Other than consideration of the foregoing and applicable SEC and NASDAQ requirements, unless determined otherwise by the Committee, there are no stated minimum criteria, qualities or skills for director nominees. However, the Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best interests of BSQUARE and its shareholders. In addition, at least one member of the Board of Directors serving on the Audit Committee should meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” having the requisite “financial sophistication” under applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules, and a majority of the members of the Board of Directors should meet the definition of “independent director” under applicable NASDAQ rules.

The Committee identifies director nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board of Directors willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board of Directors with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board of Directors with that of obtaining a new perspective. The Committee also takes into account an incumbent director’s performance as a Board member. If any member of the Board of Directors does not wish to continue in service, if the Committee decides not to re-nominate a member for reelection, if the Board decided to fill a director position that is currently vacant or if the Board of Directors decides to recommend that the size of the Board of Directors be increased, the Committee identifies the desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria described above. Current members of the Board of Directors and management are polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting the Committee’s criteria. Research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals. Nominees for director are selected by a majority of the members of the Committee, with any current directors who may be nominees themselves abstaining from any vote relating to their own nomination.

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It is the policy of the Committee to consider suggestions for persons to be nominated for director that are submitted by shareholders. The Committee will evaluate shareholder suggestions for director nominees in the same manner as it evaluates suggestions for director nominees made by management, then-current directors or other appropriate sources. Shareholders suggesting persons as director nominees should send information about a proposed nominee to our Secretary at our principal executive offices as referenced above at least 120 days before the anniversary of the mailing date of the prior year’s proxy statement. This information should be in writing and should include a signed statement by the proposed nominee that he or she is willing to serve as a director of BSQUARE, a description of the proposed nominee’s relationship to the shareholder and any information that the shareholder feels will fully inform the Committee about the proposed nominee and his or her qualifications. The Committee may request further information from the proposed nominee and the shareholder making the recommendation. In addition, a shareholder may nominate one or more persons for election as a director at our annual meeting of shareholders if the shareholder complies with the notice, information, consent and other provisions relating to shareholder nominees contained in our Bylaws. Please see the section above titled “Deadlines for Receipt of Shareholder Proposals” for important information regarding shareholder proposals, including director nominations.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in compliance with applicable rules of the SEC that applies to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and our principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, as well as to all members of our Board of Directors and all other BSQUARE employees. A copy of this policy is available on the Management and Governance/Board Committees page on our website at www.bsquare.com or free of charge upon written request to the attention of our Secretary, by regular mail at our principal executive offices, email to investorrelations@bsquare.com, or fax at 425-519-5998. We will disclose, on our website, any amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics enumerated in applicable rules of the SEC. There were no such amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics during 2014. In March 2015, the Board approved minor edits to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to provide additional explanation regarding the philosophies guiding our ethical business practices.

2014 Director Compensation

When joining the board, directors receive a one-time grant of 25,000 stock options, which vest quarterly over two years, and an initial grant of restricted stock units. The Chairman of the Board receives a one-time grant of 50,000 stock options when joining the Board (or 25,000 stock options if appointed as Chairman of the Board while already serving as a director), and an initial grant of restricted stock units. The number of shares underlying the initial restricted stock unit awards granted to new directors is determined by dividing $50,000 by our closing stock price on the date of grant (or $75,000 in the case of the Chairman of the Board (or $25,000 if appointed as Chairman of the Board while already serving as a director)) and is prorated based on the date on which such director is appointed. Thereafter, standing directors receive annual grants of restricted stock units, the number of shares underlying which is determined by dividing $50,000 by our closing stock price on the date of grant ($75,000 in the case of the Chairman of the Board). The annual restricted stock unit awards are granted on the earlier of (i) the day of the annual meeting of our shareholders or (ii) the last trading day of our second fiscal quarter. The restricted stock unit awards vest quarterly over one year. All equity awards cease vesting as of the date a director’s service on the Board terminates for any reason; provided that the Board may accelerate the vesting of any outstanding stock award for a director whose service on the Board terminates for any reason other than removal for cause.

We also pay annual cash director fees of $30,000 to non-Chair directors and $40,000 to the Chairman of the Board, and annual Board Committee fees to directors who serve on the Audit Committee of $10,000 and $5,000 to directors who serve on other committees. The Chairs of the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee receive additional annual Board Committee fee compensation of $3,000. All cash amounts are payable in quarterly increments. Directors are also reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board of Directors and committee meetings. Mr. Chase, our President and Chief Executive Officer, does not receive additional compensation for services provided as a director, and has not received any such compensation since he was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer in September 2013.

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The table below presents the 2014 compensation of our non-employee directors. The compensation of Mr. Chase is described in the Summary Compensation Table in the section titled “Executive Officer Compensation.” As noted above, Harel Kodesh resigned from the Board of Directors effective February 17, 2015.

 

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation earned during the past two fiscal years by (i) the person who served as our chief executive officer during 2014 and (ii) the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the chief executive officer who were serving as executive officers at the end of 2014 and whose total compensation for 2014 exceeded $100,000 (the persons described in clauses (i) and (ii) are collectively referred to herein as our “named executive officers”) and (iii) Mr. Heimbigner, our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer.

Summary Compensation Table

 

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Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers

We have agreements with our named executive officers, which include provisions regarding post-termination compensation. We do not have a formal severance policy or plan applicable to our executive officers as a group.

Under our agreement with Mr. Chase dated February 24, 2014, he was entitled to receive an annual salary of $325,000, was granted 7,500 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and options to purchase 165,000 shares of our common stock, and is eligible to receive an annual bonus under our Annual Executive Bonus Program equal to 77% of his annual salary at 100% achievement. Mr. Chase’s annual salary was increased to $350,000 effective February 17, 2015. The RSUs and options vest as follows: 33% vested on February 26, 2015, and the balance will vest in equal monthly installments for two years thereafter. In the event Mr. Chase’s employment is terminated by us when neither cause nor long term disability exists (as such terms are defined in the agreement), subject to execution of a release by Mr. Chase of any employment-related claims, he shall be entitled to receive severance equal to 12 months of his then annual base salary and a pro rata portion of his annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, payable on our regular payroll schedule. Immediately prior to a change of control of BSQUARE (as defined in the agreement), all of Mr. Chase’s unvested stock options and restricted stock shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable. Moreover, in the event that, within 18 months after a change of control of BSQUARE, Mr. Chase’s employment is terminated when neither cause nor long term disability exists or Mr. Chase terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the agreement), subject to execution of a release by Mr. Chase of any employment-related claims, he shall be entitled to receive a one-time lump sum severance payment equal to 18 months of his then annual base salary plus a percentage of his target annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee (which shall be 150% for 2015 and thereafter, subject to modification by the Compensation Committee). We have agreed to make a tax “gross up” payment to Mr. Chase in the event that payments under his agreement would subject him to the IRS parachute excise tax.

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Under our agreement with Mr. Caldwell dated February 21, 2014, Mr. Caldwell receives an annual salary of $135,000, was granted options to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock, and is eligible to receive target incentive compensation equal to 140% of his base pay at 100% achievement of his individual incentive compensation plan (as described below under “Incentive Sales Compensation Plan”). The options have a strike price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, have a ten-year term and vest as follows: 33% vested on February 26, 2015, and the balance will vest in equal monthly installments for two years thereafter. In the event Mr. Caldwell’s employment is terminated by BSQUARE when neither cause nor long term disability exists (as such terms are defined in the agreement), subject to execution of a release by Mr. Caldwell of any employment-related claims, he shall be entitled to receive severance equal to three months of his then annual base salary, payable on our regular payroll schedule, and continued COBRA coverage at our expense for a period of three months following his termination date. Immediately prior to a change of control of BSQUARE (as defined in the agreement), all of Mr. Caldwell’s unvested stock options and restricted stock shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable. Moreover, in the event that, within nine months after a change of control of BSQUARE, Mr. Caldwell’s employment is terminated when neither cause nor long term disability exists or Mr. Caldwell terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the agreement), subject to execution of a release by Mr. Caldwell of any employment-related claims, he shall be entitled to receive a one-time lump sum severance payment equal to nine months of his then annual base salary and continued COBRA coverage at our expense for a period of nine months following his termination date (and, during the first nine months after a change of control of BSQUARE, such severance payments shall be in lieu of the severance payments described in the preceding sentence and after expiration of the 9-month period following a Change of Control, Mr. Caldwell shall be entitled to the severance payments described in the preceding sentence). We have agreed to make a tax “gross up” payment to Mr. Caldwell in the event that payments under his agreement would subject him to the IRS parachute excise tax.

Under our agreement with Mr. Whiteside dated February 21, 2014, Mr. Whiteside receives an annual salary of $214,781, was granted options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock, and is eligible to receive target incentive compensation equal to 45% of his base pay at 100% achievement of his individual incentive compensation plan (as described below under “Incentive Sales Compensation Plan”). The options have a strike price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, have a ten-year term and vest as follows: 33% vested on February 26, 2015, and the balance will vest in equal monthly installments for two years thereafter. In the event Mr. Whiteside’s employment is terminated by BSQUARE when neither cause nor long term disability exists (as such terms are defined in the agreement), subject to execution of a release by Mr. Whiteside of any employment-related claims, he shall be entitled to receive severance equal to six months of his then annual base salary, payable on our regular payroll schedule, continued vesting of his outstanding stock options and restricted stock units for a period of four months following his termination date, and continued COBRA coverage at our expense for a period of six months following his termination date. Immediately prior to a change of control of BSQUARE (as defined in the agreement), all of Mr. Whiteside’s unvested stock options and restricted stock shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable. Moreover, in the event that, within nine months after a change of control of BSQUARE, Mr. Whiteside’s employment is terminated when neither cause nor long term disability exists or Mr. Whiteside terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the agreement), subject to execution of a release by Mr. Whiteside of any employment-related claims, he shall be entitled to receive a one-time lump sum severance payment equal to nine months of his then annual base salary and continued COBRA coverage at our expense for a period of nine months following his termination date (and, during the first nine months after a change of control of BSQUARE, such severance payments shall be in lieu of the severance payments described in the preceding sentence and after expiration of the 9-month period following a Change of Control, Mr. Whiteside shall be entitled to the severance payments described in the preceding sentence). We have agreed to make a tax “gross up” payment to Mr. Whiteside in the event that payments under his agreement would subject him to the IRS parachute excise tax.

Although the terms of our Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Plan (the “Stock Plan”) do not specifically provide for accelerated vesting of equity awards for participants in the event of a change in control, the Stock Plan provides that individual equity award agreements may provide for accelerated vesting in connection with certain transactions defined in the Stock Plan (including certain change-in-control transactions). In addition, the Stock Plan provides that the Board of Directors may elect to accelerate vesting for any Stock Plan participant at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors determines.

Determination of Compensation

Total Compensation

For purposes of evaluating executive officer total compensation including base salary, discretionary bonus, equity awards and incentive compensation, the Compensation Committee primarily considers two factors:

 

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Base Salary and Discretionary Bonus

The Compensation Committee’s goal is to provide a competitive base salary for our executive officers. The Compensation Committee has not established any formal guidelines for purposes of setting base salaries (such as payment at a particular percentile of the benchmark group), but instead considers the benchmark data along with our performance and the individual’s performance and experience in determining what represents a competitive salary. The Compensation Committee also considers these factors in its recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding whether and in what amounts to award discretionary cash bonuses, apart from cash awards that may be provided for under incentive plans.

Equity Awards

Longer-term incentives in the form of grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other forms of equity instruments to executive officers are governed by the Stock Plan and are made both under incentive compensation plans and outside of those plans.

The Compensation Committee recommends grants and awards of stock options and other forms of equity instruments to our executive officers under the Stock Plan. Grants and awards recommended by the Compensation Committee are then submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. Stock options have historically been granted at the time of hire of an executive officer. Further, the Compensation Committee periodically reviews the equity ownership of the executive officers and may recommend to the Board of Directors additional awards of equity instruments under the Stock Plan based on a number of factors, including benchmark data, Company performance and individual performance, the vested status of currently outstanding equity awards, the executive’s equity ownership in relation to the other executives and other factors. The Compensation Committee maintains no formal guidelines for these periodic reviews. Stock options are awarded with exercise prices equal to the closing market price per share of our common stock on the grant date.

Incentive Plan Compensation

Our named executive officers also participate in incentive compensation programs as described below. Executive officers of BSQUARE who are not members of the sales team participate in the AEBP, the terms of which vary from year to year. Mr. Chase was the only named executive officer who participated in the AEBP in 2014. Our former Chief Financial Officer was not employed by us at the end of 2014 and therefore received no bonus under the AEBP for 2014. Our current Chief Financial Officer was hired in November 2014 and did not participate in the AEBP for 2014.

The objectives of the AEBP are to:

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The AEBP is maintained in collaboration among the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer. Payment under the AEBP for 2014 was contingent on (1) the weighted achievement of two Company financial targets related to (a) revenue (weighted at 25%) and (b) adjusted EBITDAS (weighted at 75%) (collectively, the “Company Portion”), and (2) the achievement of individual objectives set for each executive (the “Individual Portion”). Individual objectives may be related to achievements such as growing new revenue streams, developing successful new products, maintaining low involuntary employee turnover and improving infrastructure to enhance business velocity. The Company Portion represents 70% of any bonus that may be earned under the 2014 AEBP while the Individual Portion represents 30% of any bonus that may be earned under the 2014 AEBP.

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The bonus amount under the 2014 AEBP was determined by the following formula, the elements of which are described below:

 

Target Bonus Opportunity. The Target Bonus Opportunity for each executive officer is set as a percentage of base salary. The philosophy used by the Compensation Committee in setting the Target Bonus Opportunity was similar to that used in setting base salaries for the executive officers, including consideration of the benchmark data described previously, among other things. The 2014 Target Bonus Opportunity percentage was as follows for the applicable named executive officer:

 

 

The Company Portion:

 

Company Achievement Multiplier. The Compensation Committee, in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors, determined the threshold financial measures (revenue and adjusted EBITDAS) that we must meet in order for executives to earn the Company Portion of the AEBP bonuses. Adjusted EITDAS is defined as operating income (loss) before depreciation expense on fixed assets amortization expense (including impairment) on intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense. Because it is not possible to accurately forecast the amount of executive bonuses earned at the start of the year, the adjusted EBITDAS financial measure excludes any executive bonus expense. The Compensation Committee also has discretion to make other adjustments based on particular facts and circumstances that may arise. The Compensation Committee set three targets for the financial measures for the Company Portion of the AEBP bonuses:

Bonus Triggers: These are the minimum amounts of revenue and adjusted EBITDAS that we must achieve in order for the Company Portion of the AEBP bonuses to be paid. Once revenue and adjusted EBITDAS reach these amounts, the Company Achievement Multiplier is set at 30%. If we do not achieve the Bonus Triggers, then the Company Achievement Multiplier is set at 0%, and no Company Portion of the AEBP bonuses are paid.

Bonus Targets: These are the target revenue and adjusted EBITDAS levels at which the Company Achievement Multiplier is set at 100%. The revenue target for the 2014 AEBP was set at a number equal to the amount that was 3% higher than the revenue number set forth in the 2014 budget that was formally approved by the Board of Directors. The adjusted EBITDAS target for the 2014 AEBP was set at a number equal to the amount that was 50% higher than the adjusted EBITDAS number set forth in the 2014 budget.

Bonus Caps: These are the revenue and adjusted EBITDAS levels at which the Company Achievement Multiplier is capped at 130%.

When revenue and/or adjusted EBITDAS falls between the respective Bonus Trigger and Bonus Target, the Company Achievement Multiplier is prorated from 30% to 100%. When revenue and/or adjusted EBITDAS falls between the respective Bonus Target and Bonus Cap, the Company Achievement Multiplier is prorated from 100% to 130%. If revenue and/or adjusted EBITDAS are greater than the respective Bonus Cap, the Company Achievement Multiplier remains capped at 130%.

For 2014, the financial targets for the Company Achievement Multiplier were as follows:

 

 

The Individual Portion:

 

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Individual Achievement Multiplier. Each executive other than the Chief Executive Officer was assigned objectives by the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee in conjunction with the Board of Directors determined the Chief Executive Officer’s objectives. Objectives for executives other than the Chief Executive Officer may be modified by the Chief Executive Officer during the year in order to suit current business conditions. Objectives are meant to provide guidance and incentive for each executive in the day to day operation of a particular business function.

Each objective carries a particular weighting, with the sum of all objective weightings under the Individual Portion adding up to 100%.

At the end of the year, the Chief Executive Officer reviews each objective with the particular executive, and determines if the objective was achieved (0% or 100%), or in the case of a prorated objective, what percentage of the objective was achieved. The Chief Executive Officer’s determination is reviewed by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s achievement of objectives.

The Individual Achievement Multiplier is then determined by multiplying the achievement level of each objective by the assigned weighting for that objective. The results for all objectives are then added together to determine the Individual Achievement Multiplier. For example, if an executive had four objectives, each weighted at 25%, the Individual Achievement Multiplier would be determined as follows:

 

As noted above, the objective achievement percentage for pass/fail objectives will be 0% or 100%. For prorated objectives, the objective achievement percentage will be prorated between 0% and 100%, inclusive.

Payment of Bonuses. If an executive earns a bonus under the AEBP, the mix of consideration depends on the amount of bonus earned. The amount of the bonus which is up to or equal to 50% of the executive’s base salary (or prorated base salary if the executive was not with us for the full year) is paid in cash, with the remainder paid in the form of restricted stock units which vest over two years in four equal installments on the last day of June and December of 2015 and 2016. The total number of restricted stock units in the grant is determined by dividing the non-cash portion of the bonus by the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. Generally, the Compensation Committee and Chief Executive Officer will attempt to complete bonus calculations as quickly as possible once the fiscal year ends and our finance team has delivered a stable view of the applicable financial measures for the year. Once the bonus calculations are complete, they must be presented to and approved by the Board of Directors. If restricted stock units are to be awarded to executives, the grant date will be the date that the AEBP awards are approved by the Board of Directors.

Executives must be employed by us at the end of the measurement year in order to be eligible for a bonus. If an executive leaves our employ before previously awarded restricted stock units have fully vested, any unvested units will be forfeited.

2014 Bonus Amounts. In 2014, our revenue met the revenue target of $95.9 million and the adjusted EBITDAS level exceeded the 130% cap of $3.9 million. Based on the relative weighting of the financial measures, the Company Achievement Multiplier was 123%. The Board of Directors evaluated the achievement of the individual objectives of the Chief Executive Officer, and as a result of the combined effect of the achievement of the Company and individual objectives, a bonus of $254,198 was earned by the Chief Executive Officer, of which $162,500 was payable in cash and $91,698 was payable in restricted stock units that were granted in February 2015 with semi-annual vesting at the end of June and December 2015 and 2016.

Incentive Sales Compensation Plan

Sales executives participate in non-equity incentive compensation plans with provisions tailored to the particular individual. The terms of these plans, including the 2014 plans applicable to Messrs. Caldwell and Whiteside, are determined by agreement with the sales executive each year with respect to a particular year’s incentive compensation, but with terms that are subject to change each quarter. The plan applicable to Mr. Caldwell for 2014 provided for percentage commissions tied to Company performance, based on gross margin from the sale of third-party licenses. The plan applicable to Mr. Whiteside for 2014 provided for percentage commissions tied to Company performance, based on booked sales from our services business. There were no minimum or maximum amounts payable; percentage commissions depended entirely on our level of achievement with respect to the particular performance measures.

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Other Compensation and Perquisites

Executives are eligible to participate in standard benefit plans available to all employees including our 401(k) retirement plan, medical, dental, disability, vacation and sick leave and life and accident insurance. The same terms apply to all employees for these benefits except where the value of the benefit may be greater for executives due to the fact that they are more highly compensated than most other employees (e.g., disability benefits). However, all executive officers receive a phone allowance of $1,800 per year, as do other employees whose job responsibility requires them to be on call. The individuals receiving the allowance are not reimbursed for normal cell phone usage. We provide no pension or deferred compensation benefits to our executive officers. We have agreed to make tax “gross up” payments to certain of our executives in the event that payments to them would subject them to the IRS parachute excise tax.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table presents the outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers and our Chief Financial Officer as of December 31, 2014:  

 

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Employee Benefit Plans

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table presents certain information regarding our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units granted to employees, consultants or directors as of December 31, 2014: 

 

 

We have granted options to purchase common stock to our officers, directors, employees and consultants under the Stock Plan and under the Inducement Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). The Plans also enable us to grant restricted stock, restricted stock units and certain other equity-based compensation to our officers, directors, employees and consultants. We awarded restricted stock units to our directors in 2013 and 2014 under the Stock Plan. We also awarded restricted stock units to certain of our officers in 2014 under the Plans. See Proposal No. 3 below for additional information regarding the Stock Plan and the proposed amendment to the Stock Plan.

401(k) Plan

We maintain a tax-qualified 401(k) employee savings and retirement plan for eligible U.S. employees. Eligible employees may elect to defer a percentage of their eligible compensation in the 401(k) plan, subject to the statutorily prescribed annual limit. We may make matching contributions on behalf of all participants in the 401(k) plan in the amount equal to one-half of the first 6% of an employee’s contributions. Matching contributions are subject to a vesting schedule; all other contributions are fully vested at all times. We intend the 401(k) plan to qualify under Sections 401(k) and 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, so that contributions by employees or BSQUARE to the 401(k) plan and income earned, if any, on plan contributions are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the 401(k) plan (except as regards Roth contributions), and so that we will be able to deduct our contributions when made. The trustee of the 401(k) plan, at the direction of each participant, invests the assets of the 401(k) plan in any of a number of investment options.

 

 

STOCK OWNERSHIP

Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders, Directors and Management

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2015 by:

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. The number of shares listed below under the heading “Total Common Stock Equivalents” is the aggregate beneficial ownership for each shareholder and includes:

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Of this total amount, the number of shares of common stock underlying options that are currently vested, and stock options and restricted stock units that are not currently vested but will become vested within 60 days after March 15, 2015 are deemed outstanding for the shareholder (the “Deemed Outstanding Shares”) and are also separately listed below under the heading “Number of Shares Underlying Options and RSUs.” For purposes of calculating the number of shares beneficially owned by a shareholder, director or executive officer and resulting percentage ownership, the Deemed Outstanding Shares are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of common stock outstanding of any other person. This table is based on information supplied by officers, directors, principal shareholders and filings made with the SEC. Percentage ownership is based on 11,797,938 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 15, 2015.

Unless otherwise noted below, the address for each shareholder listed below is: c/o BSQUARE Corporation, 110 110th Avenue NE, Suite 300, Bellevue, Washington 98004. Unless otherwise noted, each of the shareholders listed below has sole investment and voting power with respect to the common stock indicated, except to the extent shared by spouses under applicable law.

 

 

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 and Form 5. Officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish to us copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors, and greater-than-10% beneficial owners were met during the year ended December 31, 2014 with the exception of the following filings: one late Form 4 filed on July 16, 2014 by each of Mr. Harries, Mr. Jurgensen, Mr. Kodesh, Mr. Savoy and Ms. VanderMeulen reporting restricted stock unit awards granted effective as of June 24, 2014.

Biographical details of each officer are set forth above under the heading “Executive Officers.”

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

There were no transactions since January 1, 2013, nor are there any proposed transactions as of the date of this proxy statement, as to which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years and in which any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination and other arrangements which are described above under “2014 Director Compensation” and “Executive Officer Compensation.”

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010, requires that we provide our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.

This advisory vote, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” advisory vote, is not binding on us, our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee. Moreover, the vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation, but rather relates to the overall compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. However, while this vote is advisory and not binding on us, we will consider the views of our shareholders when determining executive compensation in the future, including seeking to determine the causes of any significant negative voting results to better understand issues and concerns.

Executive compensation is an important matter for us and for our shareholders. The core of our executive compensation philosophy and practice continues to be pay for performance. As discussed in the “Executive Officer Compensation” section above, our executive compensation programs are based on practices that require achievement of challenging goals – goals that will drive us to achieve profitable revenue growth and market share gains, while expanding the global market opportunity for our products, technology and services portfolio, and ultimately leading to long-term shareholder value. We believe our compensation programs are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders, and have been and will continue to be effective in incenting the achievement and performance of our executive officers. Compensation of our executive officers is designed to enable us to attract and retain talented and experienced senior executives to lead us successfully in a competitive environment.

Our named executive officers and the compensation of the named executive officers is described in the “Executive Officer Compensation” section of this proxy statement, including our compensation philosophy and objectives and the fiscal 2014 compensation of the named executive officers.

We are asking shareholders to vote on the following resolution:

“Resolved, that the shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.”

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Vote Required

Approval on an advisory basis of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.

As indicated above, the shareholder vote on this resolution will not be binding on us, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors, and will not be construed as overruling any decision by us, the Compensation Committee or the Board. The vote will not be construed to create or imply any change to our fiduciary duties or those of the Compensation Committee or the Board, or to create or imply any additional fiduciary duties for us, the Compensation Committee or the Board.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 2.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3

 

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK PLAN

 

On March 16, 2015, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to Section 5 of the Stock Plan to increase the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan by 750,000 shares, subject to and effective upon shareholder approval. The Stock Plan provides for the grant of awards to our employees, consultants and directors. The Stock Plan was approved by the Board of Directors on February 21, 2012, and approved by our shareholders at the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders held on June 13, 2012.

 

The text of the proposed amendment is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A, and a copy of the Stock Plan (before giving effect to the proposed amendment) is attached as Appendix B.

 

We believe in effectively managing our equity compensation programs while minimizing shareholder dilution. For this reason, our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee considers both our “overhang” and our “burn rate” percentages in evaluating the impact of grants under our long-term incentive plans on our shareholders.

 

The concept of “overhang’ measures the potential dilution of earnings and voting power to shareholders from the issuance of equity awards, and is generally calculated as the sum of all equity awards outstanding divided by the shares outstanding at the end of a period. At December 31, 2014, our overhang percentage was 13.9% (1,633,539 options and RSUs outstanding divided by 11,767,577 shares outstanding). This rate is below our five-year historical average of 17.2%.  

 

The concept of “burn rate” measures the annual usage of shares and is generally calculated as the number of shares granted in a period divided by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period, and generally demonstrates how quickly a company uses available shares. Our burn rate has averaged 4.9% over the past five years. In 2014 our burn rate was 8.3% (958,443 shares granted divided by 11,573,770 weighted shares outstanding) and was higher than the 5-year historical average due to initial grants to executives hired in 2014 as well as refresher grants to eligible employees in 2014. In 2014, we hired a new CEO and CFO which contributed to the higher burn rate. We project that the additional shares to be added to the Stock Plan, in combination with currently available shares and shares added back from future forfeitures should satisfy our equity compensation needs for at least two years.  

 

The Board of Directors believes that the terms of the Stock Plan and the manner in which it is administered by us promote the interests of our shareholders and are consistent with principles of good corporate governance, including with respect to the following:

 

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On April 17, 2015, the record date, the closing price per share of our common stock as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market was $4.41.

 

Vote Required for Approval of Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Plan

 

If a quorum is present and voting, this proposal will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed votes cast against the proposal.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK PLAN.

 

 

Summary of the Stock Plan

 

Below is a summary of the key terms of the Stock Plan, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Stock Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B.

 

Purpose. The purpose of the Stock Plan is to retain the services of our directors, valued key employees and consultants, to encourage such persons to acquire a greater proprietary interest in BSQUARE, thereby strengthening their incentive to achieve the objectives of our shareholders, and to serve as an aid and inducement in hiring new employees.

 

Types of Awards. The Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock, and restricted stock units.

 

Administration. The Stock Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), which may in turn delegate administrative authority to one or more of our executive officers. Subject to the other provisions of the Stock Plan, the Committee has the power to determine the terms and conditions of any awards granted under the Stock Plan, including but not limited to the individuals to whom awards may be granted, the type of awards, the number of shares subject to the awards and the exercisability thereof. The Committee also has authority to construe and interpret the Stock Plan; define the terms used in the Stock Plan; prescribe, amend and rescind rules relating to the Stock Plan; correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Stock Plan; and make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Stock Plan. Our Chief Executive Officer has been delegated authority with respect to awards to certain specified employee classifications, and the Compensation Committee of the Board serves as the Committee with respect to all other awards, including those to executives subject to limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”).

 

Stock Reserved Under the Stock Plan. At its adoption, a total of 2,922,809 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance and available for the grant of new awards under the Stock Plan. As of December 31, 2014, 654,083 shares of common stock remained available for the grant of new awards under the Stock Plan; 1,553,360 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options; and 80,179 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units. In the event that any outstanding award expires or is terminated for any reason, the shares of common stock allocable to the unexercised or forfeited portion of such award may again be subject to an award granted to the same awardee or to a different eligible awardee.

 

Eligibility. The Stock Plan provides that incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees and that other awards may be granted to employees and to such other persons as the Committee shall select. No awardee shall be eligible to receive in any fiscal year awards for more than 500,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment as set forth in the Stock Plan in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar event).

 

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Stock Options. Each stock option granted under the Stock Plan shall be evidenced by a written stock option agreement between the optionee and BSQUARE and shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(a) Exercise Price. The Committee determines the exercise price of options to purchase shares of common stock. However, the exercise price of an incentive stock option must not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date the option is granted (110% if issued to any optionee who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our stock (a “10% Shareholder”)). The exercise price of any non-qualified stock options granted to executives subject to Section 162(m) limitations may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.

 

(b) Value Limitation. The aggregate fair market value of all shares of common stock subject to an optionee’s incentive stock options which are exercisable for the first time during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000, and to the extent any stock option purporting to be an incentive stock option grants an optionee the right to purchase shares with an aggregate fair market value vesting in any one calendar year in excess of $100,000, such stock option, as so determined, shall be deemed a non-qualified stock option for such excess amount. In the event the optionee holds two or more incentive stock options that become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, such limitation shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such options were granted.

 

(c) Form of Consideration. The consideration to be paid for the shares of common stock issued upon exercise of an option shall be (i) cash; (ii) by delivery to us of shares of common stock previously held by the optionee; (iii) by having shares withheld from the amount of shares of common stock to be received by the optionee, subject to prior approval by the Committee; (iv) by delivery to us of irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to us the amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price; (v) by any combination of the foregoing; or (vi) by complying with any other payment mechanism which the Committee may approve from time to time.

 

(d) Exercise of the Option. Each stock option agreement will specify the term of the option and the date when the option is to become exercisable. The terms of such vesting are determined by the Committee. If no vesting schedule is specified, 25% of the shares covered by each option will become subject to exercise on each anniversary of the date of grant of the option. The Stock Plan permits the Committee to accelerate the vesting of options at any time. An option is exercised by giving written notice of exercise to us and by tendering full payment of the exercise price to us. No option may be exercised for less than 100 shares; provided, however, that if the vested portion of any option is less than 100 shares, it may be exercised with respect to all shares for which it is vested. Only whole shares may be issued pursuant to an option, and to the extent that an option covers a fraction of a share, it is unexercisable.

 

(e) Termination of Employment. Unless the stock option agreement provides otherwise, options granted under the Stock Plan which have vested may be exercised within ninety days of the termination of an optionee’s relationship with us (which period may be extended by the Committee until a date not later than the expiration of the option), unless such relationship ceases for cause (in which case the options shall immediately terminate) or death or disability (in which case the options shall be exercisable for a period of one year following the date of death or disability, which period may be extended by the Committee until a date not later than the expiration of the option). Vesting of options ceases as of the date of termination of an optionee’s relationship with us.

 

(f) Assignability. Options outstanding under the Stock Plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, solely with respect to non-qualified stock options and in the sole discretion of the Committee, to immediate family members.

 

(g) Termination of Options. Excluding incentive stock options issued to 10% Shareholders, options granted under the Stock Plan expire on the date set forth in the option agreement (not to exceed ten years from the date of grant in the case of incentive stock options). Incentive stock options granted to 10% Shareholders expire five years from the date of grant (or such shorter period set forth in the option agreement). No option may be exercised by any person after the expiration of its term.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) granted under the Stock Plan entitle the awardee to receive, subject to the provisions of the Stock Plan and the applicable agreement, a payment having an aggregate value equal to the product of (a) the excess of (i) the fair market value on the exercise date of one share of common stock over (ii) the base price per share specified in the applicable agreement, times (b) the number of shares specified by the SAR, or portion thereof, which is exercised. SARs are evidenced by agreements stating the number of shares of common stock subject to the SAR and the terms and conditions of such SAR. In no event will a SAR be exercisable more than ten years from the date it is granted. Awardees have none of the rights of a shareholder of BSQUARE with respect to any shares of common stock represented by a SAR.

 

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SARs may be granted either on a free-standing basis (without regard to or in addition to the grant of a stock option) or on a tandem basis (related to the grant of an underlying stock option). SARs granted in tandem with or in addition to an option may be granted either at the same time as the option or at a later time; provided, however, that a tandem SAR will not be granted with respect to any outstanding incentive stock option without the consent of the awardee. No incentive stock option may be surrendered in connection with the exercise of a tandem SAR unless the fair market value of the common stock subject to the incentive stock option is greater than the exercise price for such incentive stock option. SARs granted in tandem with options will be exercisable only to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as the options related thereto are exercisable. Additional conditions to the exercise of any such tandem SAR may be prescribed by the Committee.

 

Payment by us of the amount receivable upon any exercise of a SAR may be made by the delivery of common stock, cash, or any combination of common stock and cash, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee from time to time. If upon settlement of the exercise of a SAR an awardee is to receive a portion of such payment in shares of common stock, the number of shares will be determined by dividing such portion by the fair market value of a share of common stock on the exercise date. No fractional shares will be used for such payment and the Committee will determine whether cash will be given in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares will be eliminated. In the case of exercise of a tandem SAR, payment will be made in exchange for the surrender of the unexercised related option (or any portion or portions thereof which the awardee from time to time determines to surrender for this purpose).

 

Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Awards. Under the Stock Plan, we may grant, or sell at a purchase price determined by the Committee, shares of common stock subject to such restrictions and conditions determined by the Committee at the time of grant (“Restricted Stock”), which purchase price will be payable in cash or other form of consideration acceptable to the Committee. Upon execution of an agreement setting forth the Restricted Stock award and payment of any applicable purchase price, an awardee will have the rights of a shareholder of BSQUARE with respect to the voting of the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the applicable agreement. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided in the applicable agreement.

 

Under the Stock Plan, we may also grant, or sell at a purchase price determined by the Committee, shares of common stock free of any vesting restrictions (“Unrestricted Stock”). The right to receive shares of Unrestricted Stock on a deferred basis may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

Restricted Stock Units. The Stock Plan also provides for the award of restricted stock units (“RSUs”). An RSU is a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one share of common stock. Awards of RSUs are evidenced by an agreement between the awardee and us subject to such restrictions and conditions determined by the Committee at the time of grant. Settlement of vested RSUs may be made in the form of (i) cash, (ii) shares of common stock or (iii) or any combination of cash and common stock, as determined by the Committee. RSUs represent unfunded and unsecured obligations of BSQUARE, and a holder of RSUs has no rights other than those of a general creditor of BSQUARE, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable RSU agreement.

 

Performance Objectives. Awards under the Stock Plan may be made subject to performance objectives as well as time-vesting conditions. Such performance objectives may be established and administered in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” thereunder. To the extent that performance objectives under the Stock Plan are applied to awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m), such performance objectives shall be expressed in terms of one or more of the following: return on equity, return on assets, share price, market share, sales, earnings per share, costs, net earnings, net worth, inventories, cash and cash equivalents, gross margin or our performance relative to its internal business plan. Performance objectives may be in respect of our performance as a whole (whether on a consolidated or unconsolidated basis), a subsidiary, or a subdivision, operating unit, product or product line of the foregoing. Performance objectives may be absolute or relative and may be expressed in terms of a progression or a range.

 

Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization. If a change in the number or kind of issued shares of BSQUARE occurs as a result of a stock split, reverse stock split, reclassification or certain types of mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges of shares or similar restructurings of our capital, the Committee will proportionally adjust the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of an award under the Stock Plan, the per share exercise price or both, as well as the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the Stock Plan, so as to preserve the rights of the awardee substantially proportionate to the rights of such awardee prior to such event.

 

Change of Control. In the event of any dissolution or liquidation of BSQUARE, any merger, sale of substantially all of our assets and/or reorganization in which we are not the surviving or resulting corporation, or the acquisition by a third party of at least 30% of our outstanding capital stock through a tender offer or other exchange offer (unless such acquisition is approved by the Board of Directors), and in connection with which no assumption of or substitution of new awards for outstanding awards is made, if so provided for in the agreement representing such award, the award may become exercisable in full; provided, however, that such awards must be exercised

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upon or immediately prior to the effective date of such dissolution, liquidation, merger, sale, reorganization or acquisition, as applicable. After any such transaction, the Board of Directors, in its reasonable discretion, may determine that any or all outstanding awards that are unvested at the time of, or are not exercised upon consummation of, such transaction will thereafter terminate.

 

Indemnification of Committee. In addition to all other rights of indemnification they may have by virtue of being a member of the Board of Directors or an executive officer of BSQUARE, members of the Committee and any executive officer to whom administrative authority is delegated under the Stock Plan shall be indemnified by us for all reasonable expenses and liabilities of any type or nature, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which they or any of them are a party by reason of, or in connection with, the Stock Plan or any award granted under the Stock Plan, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided that such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by us), except to the extent that such expenses relate to matters for which it is adjudged that such Committee member or executive officer is liable for willful misconduct.

 

Amendment and Termination of the Stock Plan. The Board of Directors has authority to amend, modify or discontinue the Stock Plan or modify or amend awards granted under the Stock Plan, provided that no amendment with respect to an outstanding award which has the effect of reducing the benefits afforded to the awardee may be made over the objection of the awardee, except that the events triggering acceleration of vesting of an outstanding award may be modified, expanded or eliminated without the consent of the awardee. The Stock Plan shall terminate on February 21, 2022 unless previously terminated by the Board of Directors.

 

Plan Benefits

 

No awards have been granted, and no specific plans have been made for the grant of future awards, out of the pool of additional shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan pursuant to the proposed amendment. The amount and timing of awards granted under the Stock Plan are determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and therefore cannot be determined in advance. The future awards that would be received under the Stock Plan by executive officers and other employees are discretionary and are therefore not determinable at this time.

 

Federal Tax Information

 

Stock Options. Stock options granted under the Stock Plan may be either incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422 of the Code, or non-qualified stock options.

 

An optionee who is granted an incentive stock option will not recognize taxable income either at the time the option is granted or upon its exercise, although the exercise may subject the optionee to the alternative minimum tax. Upon the sale or exchange of the shares more than two years after grant of the option and one year after exercise of the option, any gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. If these holding periods are not satisfied, the optionee will recognize ordinary income at the time of sale or exchange equal to the difference between the exercise price and the lower of (i) the fair market value of the shares at the date of the option exercise or (ii) the sale price of the shares. Any gain or loss recognized on such a premature disposition of the shares in excess of the amount treated as ordinary income will be characterized as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period. BSQUARE will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the ordinary income recognized by the optionee.

 

Stock options which do not qualify as incentive stock options are referred to as non-qualified options. An optionee will not recognize any taxable income at the time he or she is granted a non-qualified option. However, upon its exercise, the optionee will recognize taxable income generally measured as the excess of the then fair market value of the shares purchased over the purchase price. Any taxable income recognized in connection with an option exercise by an optionee who is also our employee will be subject to tax withholding by us. We will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount as the ordinary income recognized by the optionee. Upon disposition of such shares by the optionee, any difference between the sales price and the optionee’s purchase price, to the extent not recognized as taxable income as described above, will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period.

 

SARs. Holders of SARs are not subject to federal income tax upon the grant of a SAR. Upon the exercise of SARs, the amount of any cash and the fair market value as of the date of exercise of any shares of the common stock received is taxable to the awardee as ordinary income, and we generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Upon the sale of common stock acquired by the exercise of SARs, an awardee will recognize capital gain or loss (assuming such stock was held as a capital asset) in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon such sale and the fair market value of the stock on the SAR exercise date.

 

Restricted Stock. An awardee of Restricted Stock is generally not subject to federal income tax upon the grant of such stock. Instead, an awardee of Restricted Stock will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to (a) the fair market value of the Restricted Stock at the time the shares become transferable or are otherwise no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in the Code), minus (b) the price, if any, paid to purchase such stock. We will generally be entitled to an equivalent tax deduction in the same tax

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year in which the awardee recognizes the ordinary income. As an alternative, an awardee may elect (not later than 30 days after acquiring the Restricted Stock) to recognize ordinary income at the time the Restricted Stock is transferred in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Restricted Stock at that time (ignoring any restrictions that will lapse) reduced by the amount paid, if any, for such shares. If an awardee makes this election, then the awardee will not recognize any additional taxable income at the time the restrictions lapse. Nevertheless, if shares in respect of which such election was made are later forfeited, the awardee will not be allowed a tax deduction for the forfeited shares, and we will be deemed to recognize ordinary income equal to the amount of the deduction previously allowed to us at the time of the election.

 

Unrestricted Stock. An awardee of Unrestricted Stock is generally subject to federal income tax upon the grant of such stock. The awardee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Unrestricted Stock at the time the shares are transferred to the awardee, minus the price, if any, paid to purchase such stock.

 

RSUs. An awardee of unvested RSUs that are settled upon vesting will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of such RSUs. In the year in which the RSU vests and is settled for common stock or cash, the awardee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of such common stock or cash. If, upon vesting, an RSU award is settled in installments or the recipient may defer settlement to a future fiscal year, then the RSU arrangement may be treated as deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

Code Section 409A. Any deferral of compensation may be subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Several forms of compensation allowed under the Stock Plan, including, but not limited to, any non-qualified stock options or SARs with an exercise price below the then fair market value per share and certain grants of Restricted Stock and RSUs, may constitute deferred compensation. If an award is treated as deferred compensation and does not otherwise qualify for an exception to Code Section 409A, then the deferred amount is generally subject to an initial election and thereafter may not be accelerated or subject to a further deferral (each subject to certain exceptions). In addition, deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A can only be paid or settled upon certain events specified in a plan document, including a fixed date, death, disability, an unforeseeable emergency, termination of employment, or change of control. Code Section 409A may also require certain key employees to defer the receipt of separation pay for at least six months after their separation date. On an annual basis, any deferred compensation under an award that does not satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A will, upon vesting, be currently taxable to the holder of the award and will be subject (in addition to normal income taxes) to a 20% excise tax plus interest.

 

Code Section 162(m). Code Section 162(m) contains special rules regarding the federal income tax deductibility of compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer and to the other covered employees under Code Section 162(m). The general rule is that annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible only to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000 per executive. However, we can preserve the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 if such compensation qualifies as “performance-based compensation” by complying with certain conditions imposed by Code Section 162(m) rules (including the establishment of a maximum number of shares with respect to which awards may be granted to any one employee during one fiscal year) and if the material terms of such compensation are disclosed to and approved by the shareholders (e.g., see Performance Objectives above). Because of the fact-based nature of the performance-based compensation exception under Code Section 162(m) and the limited availability of binding guidance thereunder, we cannot guarantee that the awards under the Stock Plan will qualify for exemption under Code Section 162(m). However, the Stock Plan is structured with the intention that the Committee will have the discretion to make awards under the Stock Plan that would qualify as “performance-based compensation” and be fully deductible if shareholder approval is obtained.

 

THE FOREGOING IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION UPON AWARDEES AND THE COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO AWARDS UNDER THE STOCK PLAN. IT DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE, AND REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IN ADDITION, THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE AWARDEE’S DEATH OR THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY, STATE OR FOREIGN COUNTRY IN WHICH THE AWARDEE MAY RESIDE.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 4

RATIFY APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The independent registered public accounting firm of Moss Adams LLP (“Moss Adams”) has acted as our auditor since May 2006 and has audited our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Moss Adams is responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and issuing a report on its audit. A representative of Moss Adams is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, where he or she will have the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions.

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The Audit Committee’s Charter provides that it shall have the sole authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, if necessary, replace our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has selected Moss Adams as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015.

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services performed by our auditor and the fees to be paid in connection with such services in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence. Unless the Audit Committee provides general pre-approval of a service to be provided by the auditor and the related fees, the service and fees must receive specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee.

 

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Audit Fees

Moss Adams billed us for audit fees of $227,120 and $226,737 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These audit fees related to professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in each of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and accounting services that relate to the audited consolidated financial statements and are necessary to comply with generally accepted auditing standards.

Audit-Related Fees

There were no fees billed for fiscal years 2014 or 2013 for assurance and related services by Moss Adams that were reasonably related to the performance of its audit of our financial statements and not reported under the caption “Audit Fees.”

Tax Fees

There were no fees billed for fiscal years 2014 or 2013 for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning services rendered to us by Moss Adams.

All Other Fees

Moss Adams billed us $5,000 for an audit of certain general and administrative related expenses during each of 2014 and 2013 related to an international tax credit.

Audit Committee Report

In connection with our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the Audit Committee has:

Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee approved our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Submitted by the Audit Committee:

Elliott H. Jurgensen, Jr., Chair

Andrew S.G. Harries

William D. Savoy

Vote Required

The ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.

 

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MOSS ADAMS LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015.

 

OTHER MATTERS

Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors and Board Attendance at Annual Shareholder Meetings

Our shareholders may, at any time, communicate in writing with any member or group of members of the Board of Directors by sending such written communication to the attention of our Secretary by regular mail to our principal executive offices, email to investorrelations@bsquare.com or facsimile at 425-519-5998.

Copies of written communications received by our Secretary will be provided to the relevant director(s) unless such communications are considered, in the reasonable judgment of our Secretary, to be improper for submission to the intended recipient(s). Examples of shareholder communications that would be considered improper for submission include, without limitation, customer complaints, solicitations, communications that do not relate directly or indirectly to us or our business, or communications that relate to improper or irrelevant topics.

The Chairperson of the Board of Directors is expected to make all reasonable effort to attend our annual shareholder meeting in person. If the Chairperson is unable to attend an annual shareholder meeting for any reason, at least one other member of the Board of Directors is expected to attend in person. Other members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend our annual shareholder meeting in person if reasonably possible. Messrs. Chase, Harries and Savoy and Ms. VanderMeulen attended the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Transaction of Other Business

Our Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be submitted at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted in respect thereof as the proxy holders deem advisable.

Annual Report to Shareholders and Form 10-K

Our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 (which is not a part of our proxy solicitation materials) is being mailed to our shareholders with this proxy statement. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, without exhibits, is included with the Annual Report to Shareholders.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Martin L. Heimbigner

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

Bellevue, Washington

May 4, 2015

 

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Appendix A.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK PLAN

Section 5 of the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“5.STOCK.

 

The Company is authorized to grant up to a total of 3,672,809 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued, or reacquired, Common Stock pursuant to Awards under the Plan. The number of shares with respect to which Awards may be granted hereunder is subject to adjustment as set forth herein. In the event that any outstanding Award expires or is terminated for any reason, the shares of Common Stock allocable to the unexercised or forfeited portion of such Award may again be subject to an Award granted to the same Awardee or to a different person eligible under Section 4; provided, however, that any expired or terminated Awards will be counted against the maximum number of shares with respect to which Awards may be granted to any particular person as set forth in Section 4.”

 

 

 

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Appendix B.

 

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK PLAN