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

 

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

 

TOWERSTREAM CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

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

 

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  TOWERSTREAM CORPORATION

88 SILVA LANE

TECH IV

MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND 02842

Telephone: (401) 848-5848

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

The Special Meeting of the stockholders of Towerstream Corporation (the “Company”) will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 10:00 A.M. local time at 88 Silva Lane, Tech IV, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 for the purposes of considering the following proposals:

 

 

1.

To grant the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price that may be required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-one hundred at any time prior to May 4, 2018, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range as determined by the Board of Directors; 

     
 

2.

To approve the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d);

     

  

3.  

To approve the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d); and

     

 

4.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

Only stockholders of record of our common stock, our Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”), and our Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred Stock”) at the close of business on March 30, 2017 will be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting, subject to beneficial ownership limitations governing the Series D Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock. A list of all stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available at the principal office of the Company for the ten days prior to May 4, 2017. The list will be arranged in alphabetical order and show the address and number of shares held by each stockholder. It will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting. The proxy materials will be mailed to stockholders on or about April 4, 2017.

 

  

By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ Philip Urso

Chairman

 

 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED. 

 

 
 

 

   

TOWERSTREAM CORPORATION

88 SILVA LANE

TECH IV

MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND 02842

Telephone: (401) 848-5848

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MAY 4 , 2017

 

 

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Towerstream Corporation (referred to as the “Company”, “we,” “us,” or “our”) for use at the Special Meeting of the Company’s stockholders to be held at 88 Silva Lane, Tech IV, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 on May 4, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. local time and at any adjournments thereof. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in person, please vote your shares as promptly as possible to ensure that your vote is counted. The proxy materials will be mailed to stockholders on or about April 4, 2017.

 

REVOCABILITY OF PROXY AND SOLICITATION

 

Any stockholder executing a proxy that is solicited hereby has the power to revoke it prior to the voting of the proxy. Revocation may be made by attending the Special Meeting and voting the shares of stock in person, or by delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company prior to the Special Meeting a written notice of revocation or a later-dated, properly executed proxy. Solicitation of proxies may be made by directors, officers and other employees of the Company by personal interview, telephone, facsimile transmittal or electronic communications. No additional compensation will be paid for any such services. This solicitation of proxies is being made by the Company which will bear all costs associated with the mailing of this proxy statement and the solicitation of proxies.

 

RECORD DATE

 

Holders of record of our common stock, our Series D Preferred Stock, and our Series F Preferred Stock at the close of business on March 30, 2017 will be entitled to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at the meeting.  

 

 
 

 

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN UNDER PROXY

 

Unless otherwise directed by the giver of the proxy, the persons named in the form of proxy, namely, Ernest Ortega, our Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Giftakis, our Chief Operating Officer, and Frederick Larcombe, our Chief Financial Officer, or either one of them who acts, will vote:

 

  

FOR granting the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price that may be required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of our issued and outstanding common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-one hundred at any time prior to May 4, 2018, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range as determined by the Board of Directors; 

     
 

FOR the approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d);

     
 

FOR the approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d); and

 

 

 

 

According to their judgment, on the transaction of such matters or other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

  

WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE; VOTE REQUIRED; QUORUM

 

As of March 30, 2017, the record date, there were 20,777,263 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 1,233 shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, and 843 shares of Series F Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, which constitute all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held by them.

 

Holders of Series D Preferred Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Series D Preferred Stock held by them, on an as converted basis, on all matters voted on by holders of common stock, but not in excess of the Series D Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined herein). The Company is prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder beneficially owns more than 9.99%, in the aggregate, of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock (the “Series D Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). All shares of common stock and Series D Preferred Stock shall vote together as a single class. One investor beneficially owns 211,074 shares of common stock and all of our outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock and Series F Stock. Taking into account the Series D Beneficial Ownership Limitation, the Series D Preferred Stock are convertible into 2,071,522 shares of common stock that can be voted by the holders thereof as of the record date.

 

 
 

 

   

Holders of Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Series F Preferred Stock held by them, on an as converted basis, on all matters voted on by holders of common stock, but not in excess of the Series F Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined herein). The Company is prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series F Preferred Stock to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder beneficially owns more than 9.99%, in the aggregate, of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series F Preferred Stock (the “Series F Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). All shares of common stock and Series F Preferred Stock shall vote together as a single class. One investor beneficially owns 211,074 shares of common stock and all of our outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock and Series F Stock. Taking into account the Series F Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock as described above, none of the Series F Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock that can be voted by the holders thereof as of the record date.

 

A majority of the 20,777,263 outstanding shares of capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. For purposes of the quorum and the discussion below regarding the vote necessary to take stockholder action, stockholders of record who are present at the Special Meeting in person or by proxy and who abstain, including brokers holding customers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded at the meeting, are considered stockholders who are present and entitled to vote and are counted towards the quorum. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2017 are entitled to receive notice of, to attend, and to vote at the special meeting. Information about the stockholdings of our directors and executive officers is contained in the section of this proxy statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

 

Brokers holding shares of record for customers generally are not entitled to vote on “non-routine” matters, unless they receive voting instructions from their customers. As used herein, “uninstructed shares” means shares held by a broker who has not received voting instructions from its customers on a specific proposal. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding uninstructed shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that non-routine matter. In connection with the treatment of abstentions and broker non-votes, (i) the approval of the Reverse Stock Split (Proposal 1); (ii) the approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) (Proposal 2); and (iii) the approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) (Proposal 3) are considered non-routine matters .  Accordingly, brokers are not entitled to vote uninstructed shares with respect to Proposal No.1, Proposal No.2, and Proposal No. 3.

 

We strongly encourage you to provide voting instructions to brokers holding shares in order to ensure your shares will be voted at the Special Meeting in the manner you desire.  

 

 
 

 

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS

 

Why am I receiving these materials?

 

Towerstream Corporation has made these materials available to you in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies for use at the Special Meeting of stockholders to be held on May 4, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. local time at 88 Silva Lane, Tech IV, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842. These materials describe the proposals on which the Company would like you to vote and also give you information on these proposals so that you can make an informed decision. We are mailing our proxy materials on or about April 4, 2017 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.

 

What is included in these materials?

 

These materials include this proxy statement, the proxy card or the voter instruction form for the Special Meeting.

 

What is the proxy card?

 

The proxy card enables you to appoint Ernest Ortega, our Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Giftakis, our Chief Operating Officer, and Frederick Larcombe, our Chief Financial Officer, as your representative at the Special Meeting. By completing and returning a proxy card, you are authorizing these individuals to vote your shares at the Special Meeting in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Special Meeting.

 

What items will be voted on?

 

You are being asked to vote on the following specific proposals:

 

 

To grant the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price that may be required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split.

  

  

  

  

To approve of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) .

     
 

To approve of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d).

 

We will also transact any other business that properly comes before the Special Meeting.  

 

 
 

 

 

How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?

 

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote your shares:

 

  

FOR granting the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price that may be required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve the Reverse Stock Split.

 

  

  

  

FOR approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d).

     
 

FOR approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d).

 

What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?

 

Most of our stockholders hold their shares in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee holder, rather than holding share certificates in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially in street name.

 

Stockholder of Record

 

If on March 30, 2017 your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equity Stock Transfer LLC, you are considered a stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and the proxy materials, including a proxy card, were sent directly to you by the Company. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to direct the voting of your shares by returning the proxy card to us, including voting over the Internet. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, if you do not vote over the Internet, please complete, date, sign and return a proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. 

 

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name

 

If on March 30, 2017 your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, or other nominee holder, then you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the proxy materials, including a voter instruction form, were forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Special Meeting. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct that organization on how to vote the shares held in your account. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Special Meeting unless you receive a valid proxy from the organization. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a voter instruction form.  

 

 
 

 

 

How Do I Vote?

 

Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by any of the following methods:

 

 

Via the Internet. You may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided in the proxy materials.

 

By Telephone.  You may vote by calling the toll free number found on the proxy card.

  

By Mail.  You may vote by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided.

  

In Person. You may attend and vote at the Special Meeting. The Company will give you a ballot when you arrive.

 

Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name.  If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters, but cannot vote on non-routine matters such as Proposal No. 1, Proposal No. 2 and Proposal No. 3. If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, the organization that holds your shares will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.” We strongly encourage you to provide voting instructions to brokers holding shares in order to ensure your shares will be voted at the Special Meeting in the manner you desire.

 

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may vote by any of the following methods:

 

  

Via the Internet. You may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided in the proxy materials.

   

By Telephone.  You may vote by proxy by calling the toll free number found on the voter instruction form.

  

By Mail.  You may vote by proxy by filling out the voter instruction form and returning it in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided.

  

In Person. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you wish to vote in person at the Special Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares.

 

What if I change my mind after I have voted?

 

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the Special Meeting. You may vote again on a later date via the Internet or by telephone (only your latest Internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the Special Meeting will be counted), by signing and returning a new proxy card or a voter instruction form with a later date, or by attending the Special Meeting and voting in person. However, your attendance at the meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the meeting or specifically request that your prior proxy be revoked by delivering to the Company’s Secretary at 88 Silva Lane, Tech IV, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 a written notice of revocation prior to the Special Meeting. 

 

Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by an organization, you must instruct them that you wish to change your vote by following the procedures on the voter instruction form provided to you by the organization. If your shares are held in street name, and you wish to attend the Special Meeting and vote at the Special Meeting, you must bring to the Special Meeting a legal proxy from the organization holding your shares, confirming your beneficial ownership of the shares and giving you the right to vote your shares.

 

 
 

 

   

How are proxies voted?

 

All valid proxies received prior to the Special Meeting will be voted. All shares represented by a proxy will be voted and, where a stockholder specifies by means of the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.

 

What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?

 

Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you:

 

  

indicate when voting on the Internet or by telephone that you wish to vote as recommended by the Board of Directors, or

  

sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions,

 

then the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board of Directors on all matters presented in this proxy statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Special Meeting. We strongly encourage you to provide voting instructions to ensure your shares will be voted at the Special Meeting in the manner you desire.

  

Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters, but cannot vote on non-routine matters, which includes: (i) granting the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price that may be required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve the Reverse Stock Split (Proposal 1); (ii) approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) (Proposal 2); and (iii) approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) (Proposal 3). Accordingly, brokers are not entitled to vote uninstructed shares with respect to Proposal No.1, Proposal No.2 and Proposal No.3. We strongly encourage you to provide voting instructions to brokers holding shares in order to ensure your shares will be voted at the Special Meeting in the manner you desire.

 

Do I have dissenters’ right of appraisal?

 

Holders of shares of our common stock do not have appraisal rights under Delaware Law or under the governing documents of the Company in connection with the proposals.  

 

 
 

 

 

How many votes are required to approve Proposal No. 1?

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding on the record date of common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, and Series F Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, are required to approve granting the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price that may be required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve the Reverse Stock Split.

 

How many votes are required to approve Proposal No. 2?

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in connection with Proposal No. 2 at the Special Meeting by the holders of shares of common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, and Series F Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, are  required to approve the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d).

 

How many votes are required to approve Proposal No. 3 ?

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in connection with Proposal No. 3 at the Special Meeting by the holders of shares of common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, and Series F Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, are  required to approve the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d).

 

Is my vote kept confidential?

 

Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except:

 

 

as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements;

  

to allow for the tabulation and certification of votes; and

 

to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.

 

Occasionally, stockholders provide written comments on their proxy cards, which may be forwarded to the Company’s management and the Board of Directors.  

 

 
 

 

 

Do any of the Company’s officers and directors have any interest in matters to be acted upon?

 

The members of our board of directors and our executive officers do not have any interest in any proposal that is not shared by all other stockholders of the Company.

 

Where do I find the voting results of the Special Meeting?

 

We will announce voting results at the Special Meeting and also in our Current Report on Form 8-K, which we anticipate filing within four (4) business days of the Special Meeting.

 

Who can help answer my questions?

 

You can contact our corporate headquarters at Towerstream Corporation, 88 Silva Lane, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842, by phone at 401-848-5848 or by sending a letter to the Company’s Secretary, with any questions about any proposal described in this proxy statement or how to execute your vote.

 

  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 30, 2017 by:

 

 

each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock (based solely on our review of SEC filings);

  

each of our directors;

  

each of our named executive officers; and

 

all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

 

The percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of, with respect to the security. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, each beneficial owner named in the table below has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned and each person’s address is c/o Towerstream Corporation, 88 Silva Lane, Tech IV, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842, unless otherwise indicated. As of March 30, 2017 there were 20,777,263 shares of our common stock outstanding.   

 

 
 

 

   

Name and Address of

Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial

Ownership(1)

 

Percent

of

Class

(1)

 

5% Stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HS Contrarian Investments, LLC (2)

 

 

  2,237,401

 (3)

 

 

9.99

%

68 Fiesta Way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ernest Ortega

 

 

 77,500

 (4) 

 

 

 *

 

Philip Urso

 

 

  746,836

 (5)

 

 

  3.5

%

William J. Bush

 

 

  92,681

 (6) 

 

 

*

 

Howard L. Haronian, M.D.

 

 

  143,626

 (7)  

 

 

*

 

Paul Koehler

 

 

  91,450

 (8)

 

 

*

 

Arthur G. Giftakis

 

 

  235,004

  (9)

 

 

1.1

Frederick Larcombe

 

 

  31,291

 (10) 

 

 

-

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)

 

 

  1,418,388

 (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)

 

 

6.4

%

Joseph Hernon (11)

 

 

  19,002

 (12)

 

 

*

 

 

* Less than 1%.

 

(1)

Shares of common stock beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership of common stock assumes the exercise of all options, warrants and other securities convertible into common stock beneficially owned by such person or entity currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 30, 2017. Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding and held by the holder of such options or warrants for computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by such person, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by any other person.

 

(2)

John Stetson is the Managing Member of HS Contrarian Investments, LLC and in such capacity, is deemed to hold voting and dispositive power of the securities held by HS Contrarian Investments, LLC.

 

 

(3)

Includes 2,137,401 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series D") held by HS Contrarian Investments, LLC (“HSC”) at an assumed conversion price floor of $0.40. Does not include: a) 945,099 shares of common stock at an assumed conversion price of $0.40 underlying the shares of Series D held by HSC; and b) 4,715,000 shares of common stock at an assumed conversion price floor of $0.20 underlying the shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series F") held by HSC. Each of the foregoing series of preferred stock contain an ownership limitation such that the holder may not exercise any of such securities to the extent that such exercise would result in the holder’s beneficial ownership being in excess of 9.99% of the Company's outstanding common stock together with all shares owned by the holder and its affiliates.

   
(4) Includes 77,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

  

  

(5)

Includes 677,903 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Excludes 5,195 shares of common stock held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Urso’s minor children, of which Mr. Urso is not a trustee. Mr. Urso disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in that trust.

 

(6)

Includes 90,666 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

   

 
 

 

 

(7)

Includes 500 shares of common stock held by Dr. Haronian’s wife, for which Dr. Haronian has an indirect interest in, and 89,416 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

 

(8)

Includes 90,666 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

 

(9)

Includes 234,954 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.  

   

(10)

Includes 31,291 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

 

(11)

Resigned from all positions with the Company in June 2016.

 

(12)

Consists of 19,002 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

    

 
 

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1

 

grant the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price that may be required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for- one hundred at any time prior to MAY 4 , 2018, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range as determined by the Board of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted resolutions to authorize the Board, in its sole direction, to amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split of our issued and outstanding common stock, to meet the listing requirements of one of the national stock exchanges as described below and directing such proposal to be submitted to the holders of our common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, and Series F Preferred Stock for their approval.

 

The amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split of our issued and outstanding common stock, if approved by the stockholders, will be substantially in the form set forth on Appendix A (subject to any changes required by applicable law).  If approved by the holders of our common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, and Series F Preferred Stock, the Reverse Stock Split proposal would permit (but not require) our Board of Directors to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common stock at any time prior to May 4, 2018 by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-one hundred, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range as determined by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion.  We believe that enabling our Board of Directors to implement the Reverse Stock Split and set the ratio within the stated range will provide us with the flexibility to implement the Reverse Stock Split in a manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for our stockholders including meeting one of the listing qualifications for one of the national exchanges.  In determining a ratio, if any, following the receipt of stockholder approval, our Board of Directors may consider, among other things, factors such as:

 

the initial listing requirements of various stock exchanges;

 

the historical trading price and trading volume of our common stock;

 

the number of shares of our common stock outstanding;

 

the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our common stock and the anticipated impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading market for our common stock;

 

the anticipated impact of a particular ratio on our ability to reduce administrative and transactional costs; and

 

prevailing general market and economic conditions.

   

 
 

 

 

Our Board of Directors reserves the right to elect to abandon the Reverse Stock Split, including any or all proposed reverse stock split ratios, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Stock Split is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 

Depending on the ratio for the Reverse Stock Split determined by our Board of Directors, no less than two and no more than one hundred shares of existing common stock, as determined by our Board of Directors, will be combined into one share of common stock.  Any fractional shares will be rounded up to the next whole number.  The amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split, if any, will include only the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by our Board of Directors to be in the best interests of our stockholders and all of the other proposed amendments at different ratios will be abandoned. 

 

Background and Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split; Potential Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

 

Our common stock was listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “TWER” until December 1, 2016, at which time we transitioned to the OTCQB Marketplace and our common stock commenced trading on the OTCQB Market under the same symbol. We anticipate seeking approval from The Nasdaq Capital Market for a relisting of our common stock. Our Board of Directors is submitting the Reverse Stock Split to our stockholders for approval with the primary intent of increasing the market price of our common stock to enhance our ability to meet the initial listing requirements of The NASDAQ Capital Market or, potentially, the NYSE MKT LLC and to make our common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors.  The Company currently does not have any plans, arrangements or understandings, written or oral, to issue any of the authorized but unissued shares that would become available as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.  In addition to increasing the market price of our common stock, the Reverse Stock Split would also reduce certain of our costs, as discussed below.  Accordingly, for these and other reasons discussed below, we believe that effecting the Reverse Stock Split is in the Company’s and our stockholders’ best interests.

 

We believe that the Reverse Stock Split will enhance our ability to obtain a relisting on The NASDAQ Capital Market or an initial listing on the NYSE MKT LLC.  The NASDAQ Capital Market requires, among other items, an initial bid price of least $4.00 per share and following initial listing (subject to certain exceptions), maintenance of a continued price of at least $1.00 per share.  The NYSE MKT LLC requires, among other items, an initial bid price of least $3.00 per share and following initial listing, maintenance of a continued price of at least $1.00 per share. Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our common stock should, absent other factors, increase the per share market price of our common stock, although we cannot provide any assurance that our minimum bid price would remain following the Reverse Stock Split over the minimum bid price requirement of any such stock exchange.

   

Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our common stock through the Reverse Stock Split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of our common stock.  However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.  As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our common stock will increase following the Reverse Stock Split or that the market price of our common stock will not decrease in the future.  Additionally, we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our common stock after a Reverse Stock Split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our common stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock Split.  Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our common stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the Reverse Stock Split.

 

 
 

 

   

Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Stock Split

 

The Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing (the “Effective Time”) of a certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.  The exact timing of the filing of the certificate of amendment that will effect the Reverse Stock Split will be determined by our Board of Directors based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to the Company and our stockholders.  In addition, our Board of Directors reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to filing the certificate of amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split.  If a certificate of amendment effecting the Reverse Stock Split has not been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware by the close of business on May 4, 2018, our Board of Directors will abandon the Reverse Stock Split.

 

Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Holders of Outstanding Common Stock

 

Depending on the ratio for the Reverse Stock Split determined by our Board of Directors, a minimum of two and a maximum of one hundred shares of existing common stock will be combined into one new share of common stock.  The table below shows, based on the 20,777,263 shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date, the number of outstanding shares of common stock (excluding Treasury shares) that would result from the listed hypothetical reverse stock split ratios (without giving effect to the treatment of fractional shares):

 

Reverse Stock Split Ratio

  

Approximate Number of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

Following the Reverse Stock Split

1-for-2

 

10,388,632

 

1-for-10

  

2,077,726

 

1-for-20

  

1,038,863

 

1-for-30

  

692,575

 

1-for-40

  

519,432

 

1-for-50

 

415,545  

1-for-60

  

346,288  

1-for-70

  

296,818  

1-for-80

  

259,716  

1-for-90

  

230,858  

1-for-100

 

207,773  

    

The actual number of shares issued after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will depend on the Reverse Stock Split ratio that is ultimately determined by our Board of Directors.

 

 
 

 

 

The Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of our common stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company, except that as described below in “Fractional Shares,” record holders of common stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will be rounded up to the next whole number.  In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).

 

The Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of common stock.  Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.

 

After the Effective Time, our common stock will have new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) numbers, which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates with the older CUSIP numbers will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP numbers by following the procedures described below.  After the Reverse Stock Split, we will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Our common stock will continue to be listed on the OTCQB under the symbol “TWER”, subject to any decision of our Board of Directors to list our securities on another stock exchange.

 

Beneficial Holders of Common Stock (i.e. stockholders who hold in street name)

 

Upon the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders through a bank, broker, custodian, or other nominee in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers, custodians, or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding our common stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians, or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who hold shares of our common stock with a bank, broker, custodian, or other nominee and who have any questions in this regard are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees.

 

Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock (i.e. stockholders that are registered on the transfer agent’s books and records but do not hold stock certificates)

 

Certain of our registered holders of common stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent.  These stockholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of the common stock.  They are, however, provided with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.

 

Stockholders who hold shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take action (the exchange will be automatic) to receive whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split common stock, subject to adjustment for treatment of fractional shares.  

 

 
 

 

 

Holders of Certificated Shares of Common Stock

 

Stockholders holding shares of our common stock in certificated form will be sent a transmittal letter by our transfer agent after the Effective Time.  The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how a stockholder should surrender his, her or its certificate(s) representing shares of our common stock (the “Old Certificates”) to the transfer agent in exchange for certificates representing the appropriate number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split common stock (the “New Certificates”).  No New Certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered all Old Certificates, together with a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, to the transfer agent.  No stockholder will be required to pay a transfer or other fee to exchange his, her or its Old Certificates.  Stockholders will then receive a New Certificate(s) representing the number of whole shares of common stock that they are entitled as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, subject to the treatment of fractional shares described below.  Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding Old Certificates held by stockholders to be cancelled and only to represent the number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split common stock to which these stockholders are entitled, subject to the treatment of fractional shares.  Any Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of stock, will automatically be exchanged for New Certificates.  If an Old Certificate has a restrictive legend on the back of the Old Certificate(s), the New Certificate will be issued with the same restrictive legends that are on the back of the Old Certificate(s).

 

STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.

 

Fractional Shares

 

We do not currently intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split.  Therefore, we will not issue certificates representing fractional shares.  In lieu of issuing fractions of shares, we will round up to the next whole number.

 

Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Employee Plans, Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Units, Warrants, and Convertible or Exchangeable Securities

 

Based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by the Board of Directors, proportionate adjustments are generally required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the holders to purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares of common stock.  This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of common stock being delivered upon such exercise, exchange or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Stock Split.  The number of shares deliverable upon settlement or vesting of restricted stock awards will be similarly adjusted, subject to our treatment of fractional shares.  The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be proportionately based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by the Board of Directors, subject to our treatment of fractional shares.  

 

 
 

 

 

Accounting Matters

 

The proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation will not affect the par value of our common stock per share, which will remain $0.001 par value per share.  As a result, as of the Effective Time, the total of the stated capital attributable to common stock and the additional paid-in capital account on our balance sheet will not change due to the Reverse Stock Split.  Reported per share net income or loss will be higher because there will be fewer shares of common stock outstanding.

   

No Going Private Transaction

 

Notwithstanding the decrease in the number of outstanding shares following the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split, the Board of Directors does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the implementation of the proposed reverse stock split will not cause the Company to go private. 

 

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

 

The following summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our common stock:

 

Unless otherwise specifically indicated herein, this summary addresses the tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of our common stock that is a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of our common stock (a “U.S. holder”).  A trust may also be a U.S. holder if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.  An estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source may also be a U.S. holder.  This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by investors.  This summary also does not address the tax consequences to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our common stock as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our common stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment).

 

If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.  Partnerships that hold our common stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.

 

 
 

 

   

This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement.  Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.

 

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.

 

U.S. Holders

 

The Reverse Stock Split should be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Therefore, a stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional share interest in the post-Reverse Stock Split shares. The aggregate tax basis of the post-split shares received will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-split shares exchanged therefore (excluding any portion of the holder’s basis allocated to fractional shares), and the holding period of the post-split shares received will include the holding period of the pre-split shares exchanged. A holder of the pre-split shares who receives cash will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the portion of the tax basis of the pre-split shares allocated to the fractional share interest and the cash received. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be short term if the pre-split shares were held for one year or less and long term if held more than one year. No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

 
No Appraisal Rights

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Split, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.

 

Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding on the record date of common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, and Series F Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations.

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Reverse Stock Split.      

 

 
 

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2

 

APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE   OF SECURITIES IN ONE   OR MORE NON-PUBLIC OFFERINGS WHERE THE MAXIMUM DISCOUNT AT WHICH SECURITIES WILL BE OFFERED WILL BE EQUIVALENT TO A DISCOUNT OF 30% BELOW THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK IN ACCORDANCE WITH NASDAQ MARKETPLACE RULE 5635(d)

 

Our common stock was listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “TWER” until December 1, 2016, at which time we transitioned to the OTCQB Marketplace (“OTCQB”) and our common stock commenced trading on the OTCQB under the same symbol. We may seek approval from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC for a relisting of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Therefore, we are seeking to comply with certain rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market as if they applied to us because if we were to successfully relist, we would be subject to such rules. Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) would require us to obtain stockholder approval prior to the issuance of our common stock in connection with certain non-public offerings involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by the Company of common stock (and/or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) equal to 20% or more of the common stock outstanding before the issuance. shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of warrants, options, debt instruments, preferred stock or other equity securities issued or granted in such non-public offerings will be considered shares issued in such a transaction in determining whether the 20% limit has been reached, except in certain circumstances such as issuing warrants that are not exercisable for a minimum of six months and have an exercise price that exceeds market value.

 

We may seek to raise additional capital to implement our business strategy and enhance our overall capitalization. We have not determined the particular terms for such prospective offerings. Because we may seek additional capital that triggers the requirements of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d), we are seeking stockholder approval now, so that we will be able to move quickly to take full advantage of any opportunities that may develop in the equity markets.

 

We hereby submit this Proposal 2 to our stockholders for their approval of the potential issuance of shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into our common stock, in one or more non-public capital-raising transactions, or offerings, subject to the following limitations:

 

The aggregate number of shares issued in the offerings will not exceed ________ shares of our common stock, subject to adjustment for any reverse stock split effected prior to the offerings (including pursuant to preferred stock, options, warrants, convertible debt or other securities exercisable for or convertible into common stock);

 

The total aggregate consideration will not exceed $________ million;

 

The maximum discount at which securities will be offered (which may consist of a share of common stock and a warrant for the issuance of up to an additional share of common stock) will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock at the time of issuance in recognition of the limited public float of our traded common stock and historical volatility making the pricing discount of our stock required by investors at any particular time difficult, at this time, to predict. For example, the range of high and low closing prices for our common stock, for the period from March 30, 2016 through March 30, 2017 was $7.20 and $0.14, respectively;

 

   

 
 

 

   

Such offerings will occur, if at all, on or before May 4, 2018, plus for a period of up to 4 months following a successful uplisting of the Company’s securities to The Nasdaq Capital Market, whichever is later; and    
   

Such other terms as the Board of Directors shall deem to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, not inconsistent with the foregoing.

 

The issuance of shares of our common stock, or other securities convertible into shares of our common stock, in accordance with any offerings would dilute, and thereby reduce, each existing stockholder’s proportionate ownership in our common stock.  The stockholders do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to additional shares that may be issued by the Company in order to maintain their proportionate ownership of the common stock.

 

The issuance of shares of common stock in one or more non-public offerings could have an anti-takeover effect. Such issuance could dilute the voting power of a person seeking control of the Company, thereby deterring or rendering more difficult a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or an extraordinary corporate transaction opposed by the Company.

 

The Board of Directors has not yet determined the terms and conditions of any offerings. As a result, the level of potential dilution cannot be determined at this time, but as discussed above, we may not issue more than 100 million shares of common stock in the aggregate pursuant to the authority requested from stockholders under this proposal (subject to adjustment for any reverse stock split). It is possible that if we conduct a non-public stock offering, some of the shares we sell could be purchased by one or more investors who could acquire a large block of our common stock. This would concentrate voting power in the hands of a few stockholders who could exercise greater influence on our operations or the outcome of matters put to a vote of stockholders in the future.

 

We cannot determine what the actual net proceeds of the offerings will be until they are completed, but as discussed above, the aggregate dollar amount of the non-public offerings will be no more than $ 15 million. If all or part of the offerings is completed, the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. We currently have no arrangements or understandings regarding any specific transaction with investors, so we cannot predict whether we will be successful should we seek to raise capital through any offerings.


No Appraisal Rights

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the issuance of securities in on or more non-public offerings, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.  

 

 
 

 

 

Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in connection with Proposal No. 2 at the Special Meeting of common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, and Series F Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations.

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) .  

 

 
 

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3

 

APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE   OF SECURITIES IN ONE   OR MORE NON-PUBLIC OFFERINGS WHERE THE MAXIMUM DISCOUNT AT WHICH SECURITIES WILL BE OFFERED WILL BE EQUIVALENT TO A DISCOUNT OF 20% BELOW THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK IN ACCORDANCE WITH NASDAQ MARKETPLACE RULE 5635(d)

 

In the event that the stockholders do not approve Proposal 2, the Board recommends the stockholders approve the following proposal which is identical to Proposal 2 except that the maximum discount at which securities of the Company will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price for our common stock at the time of issuance. The Board of Directors desires to give the Company’s stockholders a meaningful opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the maximum discount below the market price for our common stock to be authorized for future issuance consistent with the principles adopted by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and believes providing stockholders several options permits a meaningful informed decision.  In the event both Proposal 2 and Proposal 3 are approved by stockholders, only Proposal 2 shall be deemed to have any effect.

 

Our common stock was listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “TWER” until December 1, 2016, at which time we transitioned to the OTCQB and our common stock commenced trading on the OTCQB under the same symbol. We may seek approval from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC for a relisting of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Therefore, we are seeking to comply with certain rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market as if they applied to us because if we were to successfully relist, we would be subject to such rules. Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) would require us to obtain stockholder approval prior to the issuance of our common stock in connection with certain non-public offerings involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by the Company of common stock (and/or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) equal to 20% or more of the common stock outstanding before the issuance. shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of warrants, options, debt instruments, preferred stock or other equity securities issued or granted in such non-public offerings will be considered shares issued in such a transaction in determining whether the 20% limit has been reached, except in certain circumstances such as issuing warrants that are not exercisable for a minimum of six months and have an exercise price that exceeds market value.

 

We may seek to raise additional capital to implement our business strategy and enhance our overall capitalization. We have not determined the particular terms for such prospective offerings. Because we may seek additional capital that triggers the requirements of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d), we are seeking stockholder approval now, so that we will be able to move quickly to take full advantage of any opportunities that may develop in the equity markets.

 

We hereby submit this Proposal 3 to our stockholders for their approval of the potential issuance of shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into our common stock, in one or more non-public capital-raising transactions, or offerings, subject to the following limitations:

 

The aggregate number of shares issued in the offerings will not exceed 100 million shares of our common stock, subject to adjustment for any reverse stock split effected prior to the offerings (including pursuant to preferred stock, options, warrants, convertible debt or other securities exercisable for or convertible into common stock);

   

 
 

 

 

The total aggregate consideration will not exceed $15 million;

 

The maximum discount at which securities will be offered (which may consist of a share of common stock and a warrant for the issuance of up to an additional share of common stock) will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock at the time of issuance in recognition of the limited public float of our traded common stock and historical volatility making the pricing discount of our stock required by investors at any particular time difficult, at this time, to predict. For example, the range of high and low closing prices for our common stock, for the period from March 30, 2016 through March 30, 2017 was $7.20 and $0.14, respectively;

 

Such offerings will occur, if at all, on or before May 4, 2018, plus for a period of up to 4 months following a successful uplisting of the Company’s securities to The Nasdaq Capital Market, whichever is later; and

 

Such other terms as the Board of Directors shall deem to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, not inconsistent with the foregoing.

 

The issuance of shares of our common stock, or other securities convertible into shares of our common stock, in accordance with any offerings would dilute, and thereby reduce, each existing stockholder’s proportionate ownership in our common stock.  The stockholders do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to additional shares that may be issued by the Company in order to maintain their proportionate ownership of the common stock.

 

The issuance of shares of common stock in one or more non-public offerings could have an anti-takeover effect. Such issuance could dilute the voting power of a person seeking control of the Company, thereby deterring or rendering more difficult a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or an extraordinary corporate transaction opposed by the Company.

 

The Board of Directors has not yet determined the terms and conditions of any offerings. As a result, the level of potential dilution cannot be determined at this time, but as discussed above, we may not issue more than 100 million shares of common stock in the aggregate pursuant to the authority requested from stockholders under this proposal (subject to adjustment for any reverse stock split). It is possible that if we conduct a non-public stock offering, some of the shares we sell could be purchased by one or more investors who could acquire a large block of our common stock. This would concentrate voting power in the hands of a few stockholders who could exercise greater influence on our operations or the outcome of matters put to a vote of stockholders in the future.

 

We cannot determine what the actual net proceeds of the offerings will be until they are completed, but as discussed above, the aggregate dollar amount of the non-public offerings will be no more than $ 15 million. If all or part of the offerings is completed, the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. We currently have no arrangements or understandings regarding any specific transaction with investors, so we cannot predict whether we will be successful should we seek to raise capital through any offerings.  

 

 
 

 

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the issuance of securities in on or more non-public offerings, and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.

 

Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in connection with Proposal No. 3 at the Special Meeting of common stock, Series D Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations, and Series F Preferred Stock, on as "as converted" basis, subject to conversion limitations.

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 2 0% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) .  

 

 
 

 

 

HOUSE HOLDING OF MATERIALS

 

In some instances, only one copy of the proxy materials is being delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless we have received instructions from one or more of the stockholders to continue to deliver multiple copies. We will deliver promptly, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the applicable materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered. If you wish to receive a separate copy of the proxy materials you may call us at 401-848-5848, or send a written request to Towerstream Corporation, 88 Silva Lane, Tech IV, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842, attention: Secretary. If you have received only one copy of the proxy materials, and wish to receive a separate copy for each stockholder in the future, you may call us at the telephone number or write us at the address listed above. Alternatively, stockholders sharing an address who now receive multiple copies of the proxy materials may request delivery of a single copy, also by calling us at the telephone number or writing to us at the address listed above.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. You can read and copy any materials that the Company files with the Commission at the Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The Commission also maintains a Web site that contains information we file electronically with the Commission, which you can access over the Internet at www.sec.gov . The Company is incorporating by reference its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 18, 2016, its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on April 29, 2016, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 15, 2016, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2016, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed on November 14, 2016.

  

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to, this Proxy Statement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this Proxy Statement is accurate as of any date other than March 31, 2017, or such earlier date as is expressly set forth herein.

 

  OTHER BUSINESS

 

The Board of Directors knows of no business to be brought before the Special Meeting other than as set forth above. If other matters properly come before the stockholders at the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their judgment.

  

Dated: March 31, 2017

 

 
 

 

   

APPENDIX A

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

TOWERSTREAM CORPORATION

 

Towerstream Corporation, organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

 

FIRST : That the Board of Directors of Towerstream Corporation adopted a proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation to effect a reverse stock split, declaring said amendment to be advisable.

 

The amendment reads as follows:

 

Section C of Article Fourth is hereby replaced in its entirety by adding the following:

 

“C. Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law of this amendment to the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, each ________* shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation as treasury stock shall be combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock without any further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof; provided that no fractional shares shall be issued to any holder and that instead of issuing such fractional shares, the Corporation shall round shares up to the nearest whole number. Each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (“Old Certificates”), shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by the Old Certificate shall have been combined, subject to the treatment of fractional shares as described above.”

 

* - Whole number between two (2) and one hundred (100) as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

 

SECOND:  That, pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, a special meeting of the stockholders of Towerstream Corporation was duly called and held upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of granting the Board of Directors the authority to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to provide for a reverse stock split and the Board of Directors subsequently approved a ratio of 1-for-________*.

 

THIRD:  That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH:  All other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 
 

 

   

FIFTH:  This Certificate of Amendment shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  said corporation has caused this certificate to be signed this __ day of ________________, 201 .

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Name:

 

     

 
 

 

   

  YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.

 

Vote by Internet – QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE

 

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week or by Mail  

 

 

TOWERSTREAM CORPORATION

Your Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. Votes submitted electronically over the Internet must be received by 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 3 , 2017.

 

 

 

    INTERNET/MOBILE  – proxyvote.equitystock.com

 

Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card available when you access the above website. Follow the prompts to vote your shares.

  

  

 

 

 

    MAIL –  Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided

  

 

 

 

 

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE VOTING ELECTRONICALLY.

  

  

  

  

 

PROXY

 

Please

mark

your votes

like this

 

X

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1 , PROPOSAL 2, AND PROPOSAL 3 .

 

 

 

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

To grant the Board of Directors the authority, in its sole direction, in determining a higher stock price if required to meet the listing qualifications for one of the national stock exchanges, to approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-one hundred at any time prior to May 4, 2018, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range as determined by the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 
 

 

 

2.

To approve the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 30% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

To approve the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of 20% below the market price of our common stock, as required by and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

PROXY SHARES:

 

CONTROL NUMBER:  

 

 

 

Signature                                                                                           

 

Signature, if held jointly                                                                                       

 

Date                                 , 2017.  

 

 

Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or corporate officer, please give title as such. 

 

 
 

 

    

THIS IS YOUR PROXY

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!    

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

We cordially invite you to attend the Special Meeting of Stockholders of Towerstream Corporation to be held at Towerstream’s offices located at 88 Silva Lane, Tech IV, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842, on May 4, 2017, beginning at 10:00 A.M. local time.

 

Please read the proxy statement which describes the proposals and presents other important information and complete, sign and return your proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope. 

 

 

 

 

 

PROXY

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  

 

TOWERSTREAM CORPORATION

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Ernest Ortega, Arthur Giftakis and Frederick Larcombe, and each of them, as proxies, each with full powers of substitution, to represent and to vote all shares of Common Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, and Series F Preferred Stock of Towerstream Corporation, which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, at the Company’s Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2017 at 10:00 A. M. local time and at any adjournments thereof, subject to the directions on this Proxy Card.

 

In their discretion, the proxy is authorized to vote upon any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OR, IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, FOR PROPOSAL 1 , PROPOSAL 2, AND PROPOSAL 3 .

  

(continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

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