United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A)
OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
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AQUA METALS, INC.
(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 the appropriate box):
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing.
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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid:
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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April 24, 2017
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially
invited to attend the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting”) of Aqua Metals,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”),
to be held at the Waterfront Hotel, 10 Washington Street, Oakland, California 94607, at 10:00 a.m. local time, on Monday,
May 22, 2017.
At the Annual Meeting,
you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals to: (1) elect five (5) directors to serve for the
ensuing year as members of the Board of Directors of the Company; (2) ratify the appointment of Armanino LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017; (3) approve our Amended and Restated 2014
Stock Incentive Plan; and (4) transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any continuation,
postponement or adjournment thereof. The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement describe these
matters in more detail. We urge you to read this information carefully.
The Board of Directors
recommends a vote:
FOR
each of the five (5) nominees for director named in the Proxy Statement, and
FOR
the
ratification of the appointment of Armanino LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2017, and
FOR
the approval of our Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
Whether or not you
attend the Annual Meeting in person, and regardless of the number of shares of Aqua Metals, Inc. that you own, it is important
that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, I urge you to vote your shares of common stock via
the Internet or by promptly marking, dating, signing, and returning the proxy card via mail or fax. Voting over the Internet, or
by written proxy, will ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.
On behalf of the Board
of Directors of Aqua Metals, Inc., we thank you for your participation.
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Sincerely,
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Dr. Stephen R. Clarke
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Chairman of the Board of Directors,
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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AQUA METALS, INC.
1010 Atlantic Avenue
Alameda, California 94501
(510) 479-7635
NOTICE
OF 2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 22, 2017
The 2017 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting”) of Aqua Metals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we
refer to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”), will be held on Monday, May 22,
2017 at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the Waterfront Hotel, 10 Washington Street, Oakland, California 94607. We will consider
and act on the following items of business at the Annual Meeting:
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1.
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To elect five (5) directors to serve as members of
the Board of Directors of the Company (which we refer to as our “Board”) until the next annual meeting of stockholders
and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The director nominees named in the Proxy Statement for election to
our Board are: Dr. Stephen R. Clarke, Thomas Murphy, Vincent L. DiVito, Mark Slade and Mark Stevenson;
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2.
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To ratify the appointment of Armanino LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017;
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3.
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To approve our Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive
Plan; and
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4.
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To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Annual Meeting or at any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof.
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The Proxy Statement
accompanying this Notice describes each of these items of business in detail. Only stockholders of record at the close of business
on April 6, 2017 are entitled to notice of, to attend, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement or
adjournment thereof.
All stockholders are
cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. To ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to
vote your shares of common stock via the Internet or by promptly marking, dating, signing, and returning the proxy card via mail
or fax. Voting instructions are printed on your proxy card and included in the accompanying Proxy Statement. Any stockholder attending
the Annual Meeting may vote in person even if he or she previously submitted a proxy. If your shares of common stock are held by
a bank, broker or other agent, please follow the instructions from your bank, broker or other agent to have your shares voted.
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Sincerely,
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Dr. Stephen R. Clarke
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Chairman of the Board of Directors,
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Alameda, California
April 24, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AQUA METALS, INC.
1010 Atlantic Avenue
Alameda, California 94501
(510) 479-7635
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 22, 2017
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
General
Your proxy is solicited
on behalf of the Board of Directors (which we refer to as our “Board”) of Aqua Metals, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(which we refer to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”), for use at our 2017
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Monday, May 22, 2017,
at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the Waterfront Hotel, 10 Washington Street, Oakland, California 94607, or at any continuation,
postponement or adjournment thereof, for the purposes discussed in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual
Meeting. Proxies are solicited to give all stockholders of record an opportunity to vote on matters properly presented at the Annual
Meeting. Directions to the Annual Meeting can be obtained by calling (510) 479-7635.
We intend to mail this
Proxy Statement, the proxy card and the Notice of Annual Meeting on or about April 26, 2017 to all stockholders of record
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Who Can Vote, Outstanding Shares
Record holders of our
common stock as of the close of business on April 6, 2017, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting on all matters to be voted upon. As of the record date, there were 19,960,356 shares of our common stock outstanding,
each entitled to one vote.
Voting of Shares
You may vote by attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person or you may vote by submitting a proxy. The method of voting by proxy differs for shares
held as a record holder and shares held in “street name.” If you hold your shares of common stock as a record holder,
you may vote your shares over the Internet by following the instructions in the proxy card delivered to you or by completing, dating
and signing the proxy card and promptly returning the proxy card via mail or facsimile. If you hold your shares of common stock
in street name, which means that your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you will receive the Notice
from your broker, bank or other nominee that includes instructions on how to vote your shares.
If you are a stockholder of record, you
may vote your shares as follows:
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To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.
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To vote through the Internet, go to http://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy to complete an electronic
proxy card. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the proxy card delivered to you. Your Internet
vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 21, 2017 to be counted.
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To vote using the proxy card delivered to you, simply complete, sign, and date the proxy card and
return it promptly in the envelope provided or fax it to (646) 536-3179 . If you return your signed proxy card to us before the
Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
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YOUR VOTE IS VERY
IMPORTANT.
You should submit your proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. If you properly give your proxy and
submit it to us in time to vote, one of the individuals named as your proxy will vote your shares as you have directed. Any stockholder
attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person even if he or she previously submitted a proxy.
All shares entitled
to vote and represented by properly submitted proxies (including those submitted electronically and in writing) received before
the polls are closed at the Annual Meeting, and not revoked or superseded, will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with
the instructions indicated on those proxies. If no direction is indicated on a proxy, your shares will be voted as follows:
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FOR
each of the five (5) nominees for director named in the Proxy Statement, and
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FOR
the ratification of the appointment of Armanino
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 and
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FOR
the approval of our Amended and Restated 2014
Stock Incentive Plan.
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With respect to any
other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof, the proxy-holders
will vote as recommended by our Board, or if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
Revocation of Proxy
If you are a stockholder
of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting by taking any of the following
actions:
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delivering to our corporate secretary a signed written notice of revocation, bearing a date later than the date of the proxy,
stating that the proxy is revoked;
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signing and delivering a new proxy card, relating to the same shares and bearing a later date than the original proxy card;
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submitting another proxy over the Internet (your latest Internet voting instructions are followed); or
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attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a
proxy.
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Written notices of
revocation and other communications with respect to the revocation of Company proxies should be addressed to:
Aqua Metals, Inc.
1010 Atlantic Avenue
Alameda, California 94501
Attention: Corporate Secretary
If your shares are
held in “street name,” you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or other
nominee. You must contact your broker, bank or other nominee to find out how to do so. See below regarding how to vote in person
if your shares are held in street name.
Voting in Person
If you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting and wish to vote in person, you will be given a ballot at the Annual Meeting. Please note, however, that if
your shares are held in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee,
and you wish to vote at the Annual Meeting, you must bring to the Annual Meeting a legal proxy from the record holder of the shares,
which is the broker or other nominee, authorizing you to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Stockholders who wish
to attend the Annual Meeting will be required to present verification of ownership of our common stock, such as a bank or brokerage
firm account statement, and will be required to present a valid government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s
license or passport, to gain admittance to the Annual Meeting. No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags,
briefcases or packages will be permitted in the Annual Meeting.
Quorum and Votes Required
The inspector of elections
appointed for the Annual Meeting will tabulate votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting. The inspector of elections
will also determine whether a quorum is present. In order to constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at the Annual Meeting,
a majority in voting power of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be present in person or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Shares that abstain from voting on any proposal, or that are represented by broker
non-votes (as discussed below), will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting for purposes
of determining whether a quorum is present.
A broker non-vote occurs
when a broker, bank or other agent holding shares for a beneficial owner has not received instructions from the beneficial owner
and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares for certain non-routine matters. Shares represented by proxies that
reflect a broker non-vote will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. The election of directors (Proposal
1) and approval of our Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (Proposal 3) are considered non-routine matters and broker
non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote. The ratification of the
appointment of Armanino LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 2) is considered a routine matter on
which a broker, bank or other agent has discretionary authority to vote, so there will not be any broker non-votes in connection
with this proposal.
Proposal No. 1
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Election of Directors.
A plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors
at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors. Accordingly, the five (5) director nominees receiving the
highest number of votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not treated as votes cast and, therefore, will not
have any effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
Proposal No. 2
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Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
votes cast and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for the ratification of the appointment of Armanino LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. Abstentions will not be counted
either for or against this proposal. Brokers generally have discretionary authority to vote on the ratification of our independent
registered public accounting firm and, therefore, broker non-votes are generally not expected to result from the vote on Proposal
No. 2. However, in the event of any broker non-votes or abstentions in connection with Proposal No. 2, such broker non-votes and
abstentions will be counted as not present and these shares will be deducted from the total shares of which a majority is required.
Proposal No. 3
:
Approval of our Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
votes cast and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for the approval of our Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive
Plan. In the event of any broker non-votes or abstentions in connection with Proposal No. 3, such broker non-votes and abstentions
will be counted as not present and these shares will be deducted from the total shares of which a majority is required.
We will also consider
any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the record
date, we are not aware of any other matters to be submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly
brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card will vote the shares as recommended by our Board,
or if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
Solicitation of Proxies
Our Board is soliciting
proxies for the Annual Meeting from our stockholders. We will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies from our stockholders.
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by delivery of this Proxy Statement by mail, we will request that brokers, banks and
other nominees that hold shares of our common stock, which are beneficially owned by our stockholders, send proxies and proxy materials
to those beneficial owners and secure those beneficial owners’ voting instructions. We will reimburse those record holders
for their reasonable expenses. We do not intend to hire a proxy solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We may use
several of our regular employees, who will not be specially compensated, to solicit proxies from our stockholders, either personally
or by Internet, facsimile or special delivery letter.
Stockholder List
A list of stockholders
eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, at the
principal executive office of the Company during regular business hours for a period of no less than ten (10) days prior to the
Annual Meeting.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Proxy Statement
contains “forward-looking statements” (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements
are based on our current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those
set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding actions to be taken by us. We undertake
no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those
mentioned in the risk factors in Item 1A of our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
and our Current Reports on Form 8-K.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Nominees
Our Board currently
consists of five (5) members, three (3) of whom are independent under the listing standards for independence of the NASDAQ and
Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which we refer to as the “Exchange Act”). Based upon
the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board, our Board determined to nominate each of
the Company’s current directors for re-election at the Annual Meeting.
Our Board and the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee believe the directors nominated collectively have or will have the experience, qualifications,
attributes and skills to effectively oversee the management of the Company, including a high degree of personal and professional
integrity, an ability to exercise sound business judgment on a broad range of issues, sufficient experience and background to have
an appreciation of the issues facing the Company, a willingness to devote the necessary time to Board duties, a commitment to representing
the best interests of the Company and our stockholders and a dedication to enhancing stockholder value.
Each director elected
at the Annual Meeting will serve a one (1) year term until the Company’s next annual meeting and until his or her successor
is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy-holders
will vote the proxies received by them for the five (5) nominees named below. If any of the nominees is unable, or declines to
serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee designated by the present Board
to fill the vacancy. It is not presently expected that any of the nominees named below will be unable or will decline to serve
as a director. If additional persons are nominated for election as directors, the proxy-holders intend to vote all proxies received
by them in a manner to assure the election of as many of the nominees listed below as possible. In such event, the specific nominees
to be voted for will be determined by the proxy-holders.
Set forth below are
the names, ages and positions of our director nominees as of the date of this Proxy Statement:
Name
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Age
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Position with the Company
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Dr. Stephen R. Clarke
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59
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
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Thomas Murphy
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65
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Chief Financial Officer and Director
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Vincent L. DiVito (a), (b), (c)
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57
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Independent Director
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Mark Slade (a), (b), (c)
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56
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Independent Director
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Mark Stevenson (a), (b), (c)
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54
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Independent Director
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(a) Member of the Audit Committee of our Board.
(b) Member of the Compensation Committee of our Board.
(c) Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
of our Board.
Board Recommendation
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
EACH OF THE FIVE (5) NOMINEES
FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Vacancies on our Board,
including any vacancy created by an increase in the size of our Board, may be filled only by a majority of the directors remaining
in office (even though less than a quorum of our Board) or a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders. A director elected
by our Board to fill a vacancy will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director’s successor
is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier retirement, resignation, disqualification, removal or death.
If any nominee should
become unavailable for election prior to the Annual Meeting, an event that currently is not anticipated by our Board, the proxies
will be voted in favor of the election of a substitute nominee or nominees proposed by our Board. Each nominee has agreed to serve
if elected and our Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Information about Director Nominees
Set forth below is
biographical information for each nominee and a summary of the specific qualifications, attributes, skills and experiences which
led our Board to conclude that each nominee should serve on our Board at this time. There are no family relationships among any
of the directors or executive officers of the Company.
Stephen R. Clarke
is
a co-founder of our company and has served as our president, chief executive officer and chairman of our Board since inception
in June 2014. From May 2013 to June 2014, Dr. Clarke, along with Mr. Mould and others, engaged in research and development
that ultimately lead to their development of the AquaRefining process. From 2008 to May 2013, Dr. Clarke was employed as the chief
executive officer of Applied Intellectual Capital, Ltd., an Isle of Jersey company co-founded by Dr. Clarke in 1999 to engage in
the business of incubating and developing electro-chemical technologies. Dr. Clarke holds a Ph.D. in computer simulation and manufacturing
management from The University of Aston, UK, a BSc in mechanical engineering from Nottingham Trent University, UK and an MSc/MBA
in engineering enterprise management from The University of Warwick, UK.
Dr. Clarke has extensive
knowledge of the battery industry and electro-chemical technologies from his senior management position with Applied Intellectual
Capital, Ltd. As a result of these and other professional experiences, our Board has concluded that Dr. Clarke is qualified to
serve as a director.
Thomas Murphy
is
a co-founder of our company and has served as our chief financial officer and a member of our Board since inception in June 2014.
From May 2013 to June 2014, Mr. Murphy worked alongside Mr. Clarke and Mr. Mould in the development of the AquaRefining process
and our current business. From September 2009 to May 2013, Mr. Murphy served as chief financial officer of Applied Intellectual
Capital, Ltd. In addition Mr. Murphy has over 30 years’ experience in senior financial positions working in publishing, construction
and aviation industries.
Mr. Murphy has extensive
knowledge of accounting issues and business operations in the markets in which we operate from his experience as chief financial
officer of Applied Intellectual Capital, Ltd. As a result of these and other professional experiences, our Board has concluded
that Mr. Murphy is qualified to serve as a director.
Vincent L. DiVito
has
served as a member of our Board since May 2015. Since April 2010, Mr. DiVito has served as the owner and chief executive officer
of Vincent L. DiVito, Inc., a financial and management consulting firm. From January 2008 to April 2010, Mr. DiVito served as president
of Lonza America, Inc., a global life sciences chemical business headquartered in Allendale, New Jersey, and also served as chief
financial officer and treasurer of Lonza America, Inc. from September 2000 to April 2010. Lonza America, Inc. is part of Lonza
Group, whose stock is traded on the Swiss Stock Exchange. From 1990 to September 2000, Mr. DiVito was employed by Algroup Wheaton,
a global pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging company, first as its director of business development and later as its vice president
and chief financial officer. Mr. DiVito is a certified public accountant and certified management accountant and is a National
Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow. He has served on the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee
of Entertainment Gaming Asia Inc., a Nasdaq listed company gaming company, since October 2005 and also served as a member of the
board of directors of Riviera Holdings Corporation, formerly an AMEX listed gaming and resort company, from July 2002 until the
consummation of a change in control of the corporation in March 2011.
Mr. DiVito has extensive
knowledge of accounting and corporate governance issues from his experience serving on various corporate boards of directors and
has extensive operational knowledge as a result of his experience as a senior executive officer of major corporations. As a result
of these and other professional experiences, our Board has concluded that Mr. DiVito is qualified to serve as a director.
Mark Slade
has
served as a member of our Board since June 2015. Mr. Slade was the chief executive officer and founder of Marex Financial Ltd,
one of Europe’s leading independent commodity brokers, from January 2006 to January 2011. Marex was a member of the London
Metal Exchange, Intercontinental Exchange, The London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange and Eurex Exchange,
with offices in London, Geneva and New York. Since leaving Marex Financial, Mr. Slade has held a number of advisory and executive
roles. From December 2011 to December 2012, he was an advisor on international business development to the Hong Kong Mercantile
Exchange. From January 2013 to July 2013, Mr. Slade was chief executive officer of London Capital Group. Since January 2015, Mr.
Slade has served as an advisor on strategy and business development to Tower Trading Group Ltd. In addition to his corporate roles,
Mr. Slade also held a number of board and committee appointments within the commodity futures industry, including being a board
member of the London Metal Exchange (1999 - 2006) and the Futures and Options Association (2005-2008).
Mr. Slade has extensive
knowledge of the metals and other commodity markets from his experience serving as a senior executive officer and consultant to
commodity trading and brokerage firms. As a result of these and other professional experiences, our Board has concluded that Mr.
Slade is qualified to serve as a director.
Mark Stevenson
has served as a member of our Board since December 2016. Mr. Stevenson was the technical marketing director - Asia for Ecobat Technologies
Ltd., a global company that produces and recycles lead, from March 2010 to April 2016. He currently serves as Technical Director
for Global Lead Technologies and is a non-executive director for Metallic Waste Solutions, trading as Metsol Pty Ltd, a start-up
company. He also serves as chairman and organizer of the two Asian battery and international secondary lead conferences held biennially
across Asia.
Mr. Stevenson has
extensive knowledge of the metals and other commodity markets from his experience serving as an executive officer, director and
consultant to businesses in the lead industry. As a result of these and other professional experiences, our Board has concluded
that Mr. Stevenson is qualified to serve as a director.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board Composition
Our Board may establish
the authorized number of directors from time to time by resolution. Our Board currently consists of five authorized members. During
the year ended December 31, 2016, our Board met twice and acted by unanimous written consent four times. Our Board does not have
a policy regarding Board members’ attendance at meetings of our stockholders and two members of our Board attended our prior
year’s annual meeting of stockholders.
Generally, under the
listing requirements and rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s
board of directors. Our Board has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence
of each director. Our Board has determined that, other than Mr. Clarke and Mr. Murphy, by virtue of their executive officer positions,
none of our director nominees has a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out
the responsibilities of a director and that each is “independent” as that term is defined under the applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC and the listing requirements and rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. In making this determination, our
Board considered the current and prior relationships that each nonemployee director nominee has with our Company and all other
facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our
capital stock by each nonemployee director nominee. Accordingly, a majority of our directors are independent, as required under
applicable Nasdaq Stock Market rules, as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
During the 2016 fiscal
year, Mr. Stan Kimmel served on our Board and as a member of our Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Kimmel was considered by our Board to be “independent” as that term is defined
under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Mr. Kimmel passed away in March 2016.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board has established
an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board may establish other
committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committee are described below. Members
serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our Board. Each of our committees operates under
a written charter, a copy of which is available at our investor relations website is located at
http://investors.aquametals.com/
.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee
consists of Vincent DiVito, Mark Slade, and Mark Stevenson, with Mr. DiVito serving as chairperson. The composition of our Audit
Committee meets the requirements for independence under current Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards and SEC rules and regulations.
Each member of our Audit Committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards. Mr.
DiVito is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the Securities Act. Our Audit Committee will, among other things:
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select a qualified firm to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit
our financial statements;
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discuss the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accounting firm,
and review, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, our interim and year-end operating results;
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develop procedures for employees to submit concerns anonymously about questionable accounting or
audit matters;
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review our policies on risk assessment and risk management;
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review related-party transactions; and
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approve (or, as permitted, pre-approve) all audit and all permissible nonaudit services, other
than de minimis nonaudit services, to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.
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Our Audit Committee
operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, our Audit Committee met five times.
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee
consists of Mark Slade, Vincent DiVito and Mark Stevenson, with Mr. Slade serving as Chairperson. The composition of our Compensation
Committee meets the requirements for independence under the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards and SEC rules and regulations.
Each member of the Compensation Committee is also a nonemployee director, as defined pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act, and an outside director, as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
or the Code. The purpose of our Compensation Committee is to discharge the responsibilities of our Board relating to compensation
of our executive officers. Our Compensation Committee will, among other things:
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review, approve and determine the compensation of our executive officers;
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administer our stock and equity incentive plans;
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make recommendations to our Board regarding director compensation and the establishment and terms
of incentive compensation and equity plans; and
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establish and review general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees.
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Our chief executive
officer may, from time to time, provide input and recommendation to our Compensation Committee concerning the compensation of our
other executive officers. Our chief executive officer may also, from to time, attend Compensation Committee meetings, but he is
not present during the Committee’s deliberations regarding executive officer compensation. From time to time, our Compensation
Committee may use an independent consultant in considering compensation policies and programs for executive officers, however our
Compensation Committee did not engage an independent consultant during fiscal 2016. Our Compensation Committee operates under a
written charter that satisfies the applicable rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. During the
year ended December 31, 2016, our Compensation Committee met twice and acted by unanimous written consent three times.
Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee
Our Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee consists of Vincent DiVito, Mark Slade and Mark Stevenson. The composition of our Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee meets the requirements for independence under Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards and SEC rules
and regulations. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will, among other things:
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identify, evaluate and make recommendations to our Board regarding nominees for election to our
board of directors and its committees;
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evaluate the performance of our Board and of individual directors;
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consider and make recommendations to our Board regarding the composition of our Board and its committees;
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review developments in corporate governance practices;
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evaluate the adequacy of our corporate governance practices and reporting; and
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develop and make recommendations to our Board regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters.
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Our Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including the
ability to read and understand basic financial statements, being over 21 years of age, and having the highest personal integrity
and ethics. The committee also intends to consider such factors as diversity, an individual’s business experience and skills,
independence, judgment, integrity and ability to commit sufficient time and attention to the activities of the Board, as well as
the absence of any potential conflicts with our Company’s interests. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
retains the right to modify these qualifications from time to time. Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context
of the current composition of the Board, the operating requirements of our company, and the long-term interests of our stockholders.
In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee typically considers diversity, age, skills, and
such other factors as it deems appropriate, given the current needs of the Board and our Company, to maintain a balance of knowledge,
experience, and capability.
Our Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee will consider for directorship candidates nominated by third parties, including stockholders. However,
at this time, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a policy with regard to the consideration of director
candidates recommended by stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance committee believes that it is in the best position
to identify, review, evaluate, and select qualified candidates for Board membership, based on the comprehensive criteria for Board
membership approved by the Board. For a third party to suggest a candidate, one should provide our corporate secretary, Thomas
Murphy, with the name of the candidate, together with a brief biographical sketch and a document indicating the candidate’s
willingness to serve if elected.
The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable listing requirements and rules of
the Nasdaq Stock Market. During the year ended December 31, 2016, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met once and
acted by unanimous written consent one time.
Board Leadership Structure and Role
in Risk Oversight
Dr. Stephen R. Clarke
has served as our chairman of the board and chief executive officer since inception. We have neither adopted a formal policy on
whether the chairman and chief executive officer positions should be separate or combined nor do we have a lead director. We believe
that given the small size of our Board and establishment of separate Audit, Compensation Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees
consisting of independent directors that our present Board structure is in the best interest of us and our stockholders. Our Board
has an active role in overseeing our areas of risk. While the full Board has overall responsibility for risk oversight, the Board
has assigned certain areas of risk primarily to designated committees, which report back to the full Board.
Process for Stockholders to Send Communications to our Board
of Directors
Because we have always
maintained open channels of communication with our stockholders, we do not have a formal policy that provides a process for stockholders
to send communications to our Board. However, if a stockholder would like to send a communication to our Board, please address
the letter to the attention of our corporate secretary, Thomas Murphy and it will be distributed to each director.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and
Insider Participation
None of our independent
directors, Vincent L. DiVito, Mark Slade or Mark Stevenson, is currently or has been at any time one of our officers or employees.
None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last year, as a member of the Board or compensation committee
of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board.
Code of Conduct
We have adopted a code
of conduct for all employees, including the chief executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer
or controller, and/or persons performing similar functions, which is available on our website, under the link entitled “Code
of Conduct”.
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
The Delaware General
Corporation Law provides that corporations may include a provision in their certificate of incorporation relieving directors of
monetary liability for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii)
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful
payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase or redemption, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors are not liable to us or our stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition to
the foregoing, our bylaws provide that we may indemnify directors, officers, employees or agents to the fullest extent permitted
by law and we have agreed to provide such indemnification to each of our directors.
The above provisions
in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and in the written indemnity agreements may have the effect of reducing the likelihood
of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against
directors for breach of their fiduciary duty, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and
our stockholders. However, we believe that the foregoing provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors.
Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee
has appointed Armanino LLP (which we refer to as “Armanino”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for
the year ending December 31, 2017, and our Board has directed that management submit the appointment of Armanino as our independent
registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. A representative of Armanino is expected
to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
Stockholder ratification
of the selection of Armanino as our independent registered public accountants is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. However,
our Board is submitting the appointment of Armanino to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of corporate practice. If
the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Armanino. Even if
the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered
public accountant at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the Company’s
and our stockholders’ best interests.
Board Recommendation
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
THE RATIFICATION OF ARMANINO LLP
AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017
Fees Incurred for Services by Principal Accountant
The following table
sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us for services rendered to us for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 by our independent
registered public accounting firm, Armanino LLP, for the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2015, and assistance with the reporting requirements thereof, the review of our condensed consolidated financial statements
included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the filing of our Form 8-K, and preparation of (Federal and State) Income Tax returns
(in thousands).
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2016
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2015
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Audit Fees
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$
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138
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$
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203
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Audit - Related Fees
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27
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8
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Tax Fees
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34
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16
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$
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199
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$
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227
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Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee
has responsibility for selecting, appointing, evaluating, compensating, retaining and overseeing the work of the independent registered
public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established policies and procedures in its
charter regarding pre-approval of any audit and non-audit service provided to the Company by the independent registered public
accounting firm and the fees and terms thereof.
The Audit Committee
considered the compatibility of the provision of other services by its registered public accountant with the maintenance of their
independence. The Audit Committee approved all audit and non-audit services provided by Armanino in 2016 and 2015.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee
issued the following report for inclusion in this Proxy Statement and our 2016 Annual Report:
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The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2016 with management of Aqua Metals, Inc. and with Aqua Metals, Inc.’s independent registered
public accounting firm, Armanino LLP.
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The Audit Committee has discussed with Armanino LLP those matters required by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 16, “Communications with Audit Committee,” as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (“PCAOB”).
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The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Armanino
LLP required by the PCAOB regarding Armanino LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning the accountant’s
independence, and has discussed with Armanino LLP its independence from Aqua Metals, Inc. and its management.
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Based on the review and discussions referenced
to in paragraphs 1 through 3 above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2016 be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for that year for filing with the SEC.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE
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Vincent L. DiVito
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Mark Slade
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Mark Stevenson
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE OUR AMENDED
AND RESTATED 2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Introduction
Rule 5635(c) of the
Nasdaq Listing Rules requires stockholder approval for the establishment or material amendment of any equity compensation arrangement,
with limited exceptions. We are seeking the approval of our stockholders in accordance with Rule 5635(c) of the Nasdaq Listing
Rules for our Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Our Board has approved the Plan and recommends
the approval of the Plan by our stockholders.
Our 2014 Stock Incentive
Plan was originally adopted by our stockholders on September 24, 2014 and amended on May 1, 2015 (the “Current Plan”).
We may issue incentive awards pursuant to the Current Plan to acquire up to 1,363,637 shares of our common stock. As of March 31,
2017, we have issued options to purchase 915,402 shares of common stock under the Current Plan.
Our Board has reviewed
the Current Plan and the lack of available shares thereunder and determined that the Current Plan requires additional shares to
provide the flexibility with respect to stock-based compensation that our Board believes is necessary to establish appropriate
long-term incentives to achieve our objectives. Our Board believes that it is advisable to increase the 1,363,637 share limit in
the Current Plan to 2,113,637 shares in order to attract and compensate employees, officers and directors upon whose judgment,
initiative and effort we depend. The issuance of common shares and stock options to eligible participants is designed to align
the interests of such participants with those of our stockholders. Our Board has also recommended that the Current Plan be amended
to provide for performance cash awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation so as not to be subject to the $1,000,000
limitation on the income tax deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Code”).
The Plan increases
the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Current Plan by 750,000 shares, or approximately 3.8% of the
19,960,356 shares of common stock outstanding on March 31, 2017. As amended, the Plan will also provide for performance cash
awards. The major features of the Plan are summarized below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of the Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as
APPENDIX A
.
Board Recommendation
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
THE
APPROVAL OF OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
General
The Plan is intended
to advance the interests of the company and our stockholders by enabling us to attract and retain qualified individuals through
opportunities for equity participation, and to reward those individuals who contribute to the achievement of our economic objectives.
The Plan allows us to award eligible recipients incentive awards, consisting of:
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options to purchase shares of our common stock, which may be “incentive options” that
qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code;
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“non-statutory stock options” that do not qualify as incentive options;
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“restricted stock awards” which are shares of common stock that are subject to certain
forfeiture and transferability restrictions;
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“restricted stock units,” which are contractual obligations to transfer shares of common
stock to participants once vesting criteria are satisfied; and
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“performance stock awards” which are shares of common stock or cash that may be subject
to the future achievement of certain performance criteria or be free of any performance or vesting.
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All of our employees
and any subsidiary employees (including officers and directors who are also employees), as well as all of our non-employee directors
and other consultants, advisors and other persons who provide services to us will be eligible to receive incentive awards under
the Plan.
Shares that are issued
under the Plan or that are subject to outstanding incentive awards reduce the number of shares remaining available under the Plan.
Any shares subject to an incentive award that lapses, expires, is forfeited, terminates unexercised or unvested, or is settled
or paid in cash or other consideration will automatically again become available for issuance under the Plan.
If the exercise price
of any option or any associated tax withholding obligations are paid by a participant’s tender or attestation as to ownership
of shares (as described below), or if tax withholding obligations are satisfied by the Company withholding shares otherwise issuable
upon exercise of an option, only the net number of shares issued will reduce the number of shares remaining available under the
Plan.
In the event of any
reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination
of shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in the corporate
structure or shares of the Company, appropriate adjustment will be made to:
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the number and kind of securities available for issuance under the Plan;
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the limits on the numbers of shares that may be granted to a participant within any fiscal year
or that may be granted as restricted stock awards under the Plan; and
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in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants, the number, kind and,
where applicable, the exercise price of securities subject to outstanding incentive awards.
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Administration
The Plan will be administered
by our Compensation Committee. We refer to the compensation committee administering the Plan as the “Committee.”
The Committee has the
authority to determine all necessary or desirable provisions of incentive awards, including, the eligible recipients who will be
granted one or more incentive awards under the Plan, the nature and extent of the incentive awards to be made to each participant,
the time or times when incentive awards will be granted, the duration of each incentive award, and payment or vesting restrictions
and other conditions. The Committee has the authority to amend or modify the terms of outstanding incentive awards (except for
any prohibited “re-pricing” of options, discussed below) so long as the amended or modified terms are permitted under
the Plan and any affected participant has consented to the amendment or modification.
The Plan became effective
on September 8, 2014 and, unless terminated earlier, the Plan will terminate at midnight on September 8, 2024. Incentive awards
outstanding at the time the Plan is terminated may continue to be exercised, or become free of restriction, according to their
terms. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion of the plan at any time, and may amend the Plan from time to
time to conform incentive awards to any change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect that the board may deem
to be in our best interests. However, no amendments to the Plan will be effective without stockholder approval if it is required
under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq, which generally prohibits the re-pricing
of underwater options.
Termination, suspension
or amendment of the Plan will not adversely affect any outstanding incentive award without the consent of the affected participant,
except for adjustments in the event of changes in capitalization or a “change in control,” discussed below.
In general, no right
or interest in any incentive award may be assigned or transferred by a participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution,
or subjected to any lien or encumbrance. However, the Committee may permit a participant to transfer of all or a portion of a non-statutory
stock option, other than for value, to certain family members or related family trusts, foundations or partnerships. Any permitted
transferee of a non-statutory stock option will remain subject to all the terms and conditions of the incentive award applicable
to the participant.
Options
The exercise price
of an incentive stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the option grant
date (or 110% if the participant beneficially owns more than 10% of our outstanding stock). Under the Plan, “fair market
value” means the average of the reported high and low sale prices of a share of our common stock during the regular daily
trading session on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
In general, the Plan
requires a participant to pay an option’s exercise price in cash. The Committee may, however, allow exercise payments to
be made, in whole or in part, by delivery of a broker exercise notice (pursuant to which a broker or dealer is irrevocably instructed
to sell enough shares or loan the optionee enough money to pay the exercise price and to remit such sums to the company), by tender
or attestation as to ownership of shares of common stock that have been held for the period of time necessary to avoid a charge
to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and that are otherwise acceptable to the Committee, or by a combination
of such methods. Any shares of common stock tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued at their fair market value on
the exercise date.
The aggregate fair
market value of shares of common stock with respect to which incentive stock options may become exercisable by a participant for
the first time during any calendar year (and under all “incentive stock option” plans of the company or any subsidiary)
may not exceed $100,000. Any incentive stock options in excess of this amount will be treated as non-statutory stock options. Options
may be exercised in whole or in installments, as determined by the Committee, and the Committee may impose conditions or restrictions
to the exercisability of an option, including that the participant remain continuously employed by the Company or a subsidiary
for a certain period. An option may not remain exercisable after 10 years from its date of grant (or five years from its date
of grant if the participant beneficially owns more than 10% of our outstanding stock).
Restricted Stock Awards
A restricted stock
award is an award of common stock vesting at such times and in such installments as may be determined by the Committee and, until
it vests, that is subject to restrictions on transferability and the possibility of forfeiture. Restricted stock awards may be
subject to any restrictions or vesting conditions that the Committee deems appropriate, including that the participant remain continuously
employed by the Company or a subsidiary for a certain period.
Unless the Committee
determines otherwise, any dividends (other than regular quarterly cash dividends) or distributions paid with respect to shares
of common stock subject to the unvested portion of a restricted stock award will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares
to which such dividends or distributions relate. Holders of restricted stock awards will have the same voting rights as holders
of unrestricted common stock.
Restricted Stock Units
A restricted stock
unit is an award that represents a promise to transfer to the participant shares of common stock once certain criteria specified
in the award are satisfied. The criteria may be that the participant remain employed until a specified date or dates or that various
performance objectives are satisfied. No stock ownership rights are conferred upon the participant until the restricted stock unit
awards are settled upon the satisfaction of the specified criteria.
Performance Awards
The Plan permits the
grant of performance-based stock and cash awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation so as not to be subject
to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee may structure
awards so that the stock or cash will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals
during a designated performance period. However, once we become subject to Section 162(m) of the Code after the phase-in period
for newly-public companies, not all awards intended to qualify as performance-based awards for purposes of Section 162(m)
of the Code may so qualify, and in addition, we retain the discretion to grant awards under the Plan that may not qualify for full
or partial deductibility.
The Committee may establish
performance goals by selecting from one or more performance criteria set forth in the Plan, including, but not limited to: earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; total stockholder return; return on equity or average stockholders’
equity; return on assets, investment, or capital employed; stock price margin (including gross margin); income (before or after
taxes); operating income (before or after taxes); pre-tax profit; operating cash flow; sales or revenue targets; increases in revenue;
expenses and cost reduction goals; improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; economic value added; market share;
cash flow (including cash flow per share); share price performance; debt reduction; strategic partnerships and transactions; stockholders’
equity; capital expenditures; operating profit or net operating profit; growth of net income or operating income; budget management;
and to the extent that an award is not intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, other measures of performance selected
by the Committee.
Change in Control of the Company
In the event a “change
in control” of the company occurs, then, if approved by the Committee (either at the time of the grant of the incentive award
or at any time thereafter):
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all options that have been outstanding for at least six months will become immediately exercisable
in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms,
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all outstanding restricted stock awards that have been outstanding for at least six months will
become immediately fully vested and non-forfeitable, and
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any conditions to the issuance of shares or cash pursuant to performance awards that have been
outstanding for at least six months will lapse.
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The Committee may also
determine that some or all participants holding outstanding options will receive shares or a cash payment equal to the excess of
the fair market value of the option shares immediately prior to the effective date of the change in control over the exercise price
per share of the options (or, in the event that there is no excess, that such options will be terminated).
For purposes of the
Plan a “Change in Control” of the company generally occurs if:
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all or substantially all of our assets are sold, leased, exchanged or transferred to any successor;
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our stockholders approve any plan or proposal to liquidate or dissolve the company;
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a person previously unaffiliated with our company, other than a bona fide underwriter in a securities
offering, becomes the beneficial owner of
25% or more, but not 50% or more, of our outstanding
securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless the transaction has been approved in advance by
“continuity directors,” who are members of our Board at the time of the Annual Meeting or whose nomination for election
meets certain approval requirements related to continuity with our current board;
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more than 50% of our outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of
directors (regardless of any approval by the continuity directors);
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we are a party to a merger or consolidation that results in our stockholders beneficially owning
securities representing:
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50% or more, but less than 80%, of the combined voting power ordinarily having the right to vote
at elections of directors of the surviving corporation, unless such merger was approved by our continuity directors; or
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less than 50% of the combined voting power ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of
directors of the surviving corporation (regardless of any approval by the continuity directors); or
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the continuity directors cease to constitute at least a majority of our board.
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Effect of Termination of Employment
or Other Service
If a participant ceases
to be employed by (or provide services to) the Company and all subsidiaries, all of the participant’s incentive awards will
terminate as set forth below (unless modified by the Committee in its discretion as described below).
Upon termination due
to death or disability, all outstanding options will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for a period
of six months (but in no event after the expiration date of the option), and all unvested restricted stock and performance awards
that have not vested as of such event will be terminated and forfeited.
Upon termination for
any reason other than death or disability (including retirement), all outstanding options will remain exercisable to the extent
exercisable as of such termination for a period of three months thereafter (but in no event after the expiration date of any such
option), all unvested restricted stock awards and performance awards will be terminated. However, if a participant’s termination
is due to “cause” (as defined in the Plan) all rights of the participant under the Plan and any award agreements will
immediately terminate without notice of any kind.
In connection with
a participant’s termination, the Committee may cause the participant’s options to become or continue to become exercisable
and restricted stock awards and performance awards to vest and/or continue to vest or become free of restrictions.
U.S. Income Tax Consequences
The following description
of the federal income tax consequences under the laws of the United States is based on current statutes, regulations and interpretations,
all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The description does not include state or local income tax
consequences. In addition, the description is not intended to address specific tax consequences applicable to an individual participant
who receives an incentive award.
Incentive Stock
Option
s.
There will not be any federal income tax consequences to either the participant or the company as a result
of the grant of an incentive option under the Incentive Plan.
A participant’s
exercise of an incentive option also will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the company or the participant,
except that (i) an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired upon exercise of the incentive
option, determined at the time of exercise, over the amount paid for the shares by the participant will be includable in the participant’s
alternative minimum taxable income for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, and (ii) the participant may be subject to
an additional excise tax if any amounts are treated as excess parachute payments (as discussed below). Special rules will
apply if previously acquired shares of common stock are permitted to be tendered or attested to in payment of an option exercise
price.
If a participant disposes
of the shares acquired upon exercise of the incentive option, the federal income tax consequences will depend upon how long the
participant held the shares. If the participant held the shares for at least two years after the date of grant and at least one
year after the date of exercise (the “holding period requirements”), then the participant will recognize a long-term
capital gain or loss. The amount of the long-term capital gain or loss will be equal to the difference between (i) the amount
the participant realized on disposition of the shares, and (ii) the option price at which the participant acquired the shares.
The company is not entitled to any compensation expense deduction under these circumstances.
If the participant
does not satisfy both of the above holding period requirements (a “disqualifying disposition”), then the participant
will be required to report as ordinary income, in the year the participant disposes of the shares, the amount by which the lesser
of (i) the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise of the incentive option or (ii) the amount realized
on the disposition of the shares, exceeds the option price for the shares. The company will be entitled to a compensation expense
deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income includable in the taxable income of the participant, subject to the limitations
of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). This compensation income may be subject to withholding.
The remainder of the gain recognized on the disposition, if any, or any loss recognized on the disposition, will be treated as
long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period.
Non-Statutory Stock
Options.
Neither the participant nor the company incurs any federal income tax consequences as a result of the
grant of a non-statutory option. Upon exercise of a non-statutory option, a participant will recognize ordinary income, subject
to withholding, on the date of exercise in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value of the shares
purchased, determined on the date of exercise, and (ii) the consideration paid for the shares. The participant may be subject
to an additional excise tax if any amounts are treated as excess parachute payments (see explanation below). Special rules will
apply if previously acquired shares of common stock are permitted to be tendered in payment of an option exercise price.
At the time of a subsequent
sale or disposition of any shares of common stock obtained upon exercise of a non-statutory option, any gain or loss will be a
capital gain or loss. The capital gain or loss will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period.
In general, the company
will be entitled to a compensation expense deduction, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m), in connection with the
exercise of a non-statutory option for any amounts includable in the taxable income of the participant as ordinary income, provided
the company complies with any applicable withholding requirements.
Restricted Stock
Awards
. With respect to shares issued pursuant to a restricted stock award that are subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture, a participant may file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days after the shares are transferred
to include as ordinary income in the year of transfer an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received on the date
of transfer (determined as if the shares were not subject to any risk of forfeiture). The company will receive a corresponding
tax deduction, provided that proper withholding is made and the award is not otherwise subject to the limitations of Section 162(m).
If a Section 83(b) election is made, the participant will not recognize any additional income when the restrictions on
the shares issued in connection with the stock award lapse. At the time any such shares are sold or disposed of, any gain or loss
will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period from the date of receipt of the
restricted stock award.
A participant who does
not make a Section 83(b) election within 30 days of the transfer of a restricted stock award that is subject to a substantial
risk of forfeiture will recognize ordinary income at the time of the lapse of the restrictions in an amount equal to the then fair
market value of the shares, less any amount paid for the shares. The company will receive a corresponding tax deduction, provided
that proper withholding is made and the award is not otherwise subject to the limitations of Section 162(m). At the time of
a subsequent sale or disposition of any shares of common stock issued in connection with a restricted stock award as to which the
restrictions have lapsed, any gain or loss will be treated as long- term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding
period from the date the restrictions lapse.
Restricted Stock
Units.
At the time of settlement of a restricted stock unit award, when shares of common stock are transferred to the participant,
the participant will recognize ordinary taxable income equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of transfer. Subject
to the limitations of Section 162(m), the company will be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the year of transfer
of the shares in an amount equal to the amount recognized by the participant as taxable income.
Performance Awards.
The participant recognizes ordinary taxable income in the year in which a performance award is paid. The amount of taxable income
is equal to the amount of cash paid to the participant or the fair market value of any shares of common stock transferred to the
participant. Subject to the limitations of Section 162(m), the company will be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in
the year of transfer of the shares in an amount equal to the amount recognized by the participant as taxable income.
Excise Tax on Parachute
Payments
. The Code imposes a 20% excise tax on the recipient of “excess parachute payments,” as defined in the
code, and denies tax deductibility to the company on excess parachute payments. Generally, parachute payments are payments in the
nature of compensation to employees of a company who are officers, stockholders, or highly-compensated individuals, which payments
are contingent upon a change in ownership or effective control of the company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of
the assets of the company. For example, acceleration of the exercisability of options or the vesting of restricted stock awards
upon a change in control of the company may constitute parachute payments, and in certain cases, “excess parachute payments.”
Excess parachute payments are generally parachute payments equal to or exceeding the recipient’s average compensation from
the company over the preceding five years.
New Plan Benefits
.
The grant of awards under the Plan is discretionary and neither the number of shares subject to awards nor the types of awards
under the Incentive Plan to any particular eligible recipient(s) or group(s) of eligible recipients is presently determinable.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table
sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2017 by:
|
·
|
each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our
issued and outstanding shares of common stock;
|
|
·
|
each of our directors, director nominees and executive officers; and
|
|
·
|
all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group.
|
The beneficial ownership
of each person was calculated based on 19,960,356 common shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017. The SEC has defined
“beneficial ownership” to mean more than ownership in the usual sense. For example, a person has beneficial ownership
of a share not only if he owns it, but also if he has the power (solely or shared) to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of the share.
Beneficial ownership also includes the number of shares that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days, pursuant to the
exercise of options or warrants or the conversion of notes, debentures or other indebtedness. Two or more persons might count as
beneficial owners of the same share. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each reporting person is 1010 Atlantic Avenue,
Alameda, California 94501.
Name of Director, Executive Officer or Director Nominees
|
|
Number of
Shares
|
|
|
Percentage
Owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen R. Clarke
|
|
|
1,786,115
|
(1)
|
|
|
8.9
|
%
|
Selwyn Mould
|
|
|
787,703
|
(2)
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
Thomas Murphy
|
|
|
787,703
|
(2)
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
Stephen Cotton
|
|
|
215,409
|
(3)
|
|
|
1.1
|
%
|
Vincent L. DiVito
|
|
|
23,247
|
(4)
|
|
|
*
|
%
|
Mark Slade
|
|
|
45,796
|
(5)
|
|
|
*
|
%
|
Mark Stevenson
|
|
|
-
|
(6)
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
Directors, nominees and executive officers as a group
|
|
|
3,645,973
|
|
|
|
18.1
|
%
|
* Less than 1%.
Name and Address of 5% + Holders
|
|
Number of
Shares
|
|
|
Percentage
Owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interstate Emerging Investments, LLC
12770 Merit Drive, Suite 1000
Dallas, TX 75251
|
|
|
3,711,872
|
(7)
|
|
|
16.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AWM Investment Co.
527 Madison Avenue, Suite 2600
New York, NY 10022
|
|
|
1,457,524
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
Includes 24,918 shares underlying a presently exercisable
option. Also, includes 732,560 common shares held by AIC Nevada, Inc. Mr. Clarke is a director and 19% shareholder of AIC Nevada,
Inc. and, therefore, is considered to be the beneficial owner of all AIC Nevada shares under the SEC reporting rules. However,
Mr. Clarke disclaims beneficial ownership of the AIC Nevada shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes 22,248 shares underlying a presently exercisable
option.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes 117,703 shares underlying a presently exercisable
option and excludes 190,909 shares underlying options subject to vesting.
|
|
(4)
|
Includes 22,247 shares underlying a presently exercisable
option and excludes 14,569 shares underlying an outstanding option subject to vesting.
|
|
(5)
|
Includes 18,296 shares underlying a presently exercisable
option and excludes 11,655 shares underlying an outstanding option subject to vesting.
|
|
(6)
|
Excludes 7,728 shares underlying an outstanding option
subject to vesting.
|
|
(7)
|
Consists of (i) 702,247 shares of common stock, (ii) 2,307,378
shares of common stock underlying presently exercisable warrants, and (iii) 702,247 shares of common stock underlying a presently
convertible term note.
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATION
Executive Officers
The following sets
forth information regarding the current executive officers of the Company. Biographical information pertaining to Stephen R. Clarke
and Thomas Murphy, each of whom is both a director and an executive officer of the Company, may be found in the section above entitled
“Proposal No. 1, Election of Directors-Information About Director Nominees.”
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen R. Clarke
|
|
59
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
|
Thomas Murphy
|
|
65
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Director
|
Selwyn Mould
|
|
56
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
Stephen Cotton
|
|
50
|
|
Chief Commercial Officer
|
Selwyn Mould
is a co-founder of our company and has served as our chief operating officer since inception in June 2014. From May 2013 to June
2014, Mr. Mould, along with Mr. Clarke and others, engaged in research and development that ultimately lead to their development
of the AquaRefining process. From 2008 to May 2013, Mr. Mould served as chief operating officer of Applied Intellectual Capital,
Ltd. From 1999 to 2007, Mr. Mould served as head of supply chain for Group Lotus Plc, the sports car manufacturer and engineering
consultant. Prior to that he was head of logistics for Pilkington Plc. In his earlier career, Mr. Mould was a production manager
for Chloride Industrial Batteries Ltd. Mr. Mould holds an MA in natural sciences from the University of Cambridge with a major
in chemistry.
Stephen Cotton
has served as our chief commercial officer since January 2015. Mr. Cotton co-founded Canara, Inc. in December 2001 and served as
its chief executive officer through the sale of the company to a private equity firm in June 2012, after which he served as executive
chairman until April 2014. Canara is a global provider of stationary battery systems with integrated monitoring systems and cloud-based
monitoring services to many of the largest data center operators. From April 2014 to January 2015, Mr. Cotton managed his private
investments.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table
sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our chief executive officer and our two other highest paid executive
officers for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Name and
Principal
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option and
Warrant
Awards (1)
($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen Clarke
|
|
2016
|
|
$
|
338
|
|
|
$
|
205
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
6
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
549
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and
|
|
2015
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
420
|
|
Chair of Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selwyn Mould
|
|
2016
|
|
|
325
|
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
525
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
2015
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Murphy
|
|
2016
|
|
|
309
|
|
|
|
190
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
499
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Director
|
|
2015
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen Cotton
|
|
2016
|
|
|
309
|
|
|
|
190
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
499
|
|
Chief Commercial Officer
|
|
2015
|
|
|
240
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
630
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
933
|
|
|
(1)
|
The dollar amounts in the Option Awards column above reflect
the values of options as of the grant date for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, in accordance with ASC 718,
Compensation-Stock
Compensation
and, therefore, do not necessarily reflect actual benefits received by the individuals. Assumptions used in the
calculation of these amounts are included in Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December
31, 2016.
|
|
(2)
|
Represents reimbursement for spousal travel.
|
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
We have entered into
executive employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Pursuant to the employment agreements, effective as of July
2016, we compensate our executive officers at the annual rate of $410,000 for Dr. Clarke, $400,000 for Mr. Mould and $380,000
for Messrs. Murphy and Cotton. The employment agreements entitle each officer to reasonable and customary health insurance and
other benefits, at our expense, and a severance payment in the amount of two-times their then annual salary and related benefits
in the event of our termination of their employment without cause or their resignation for good reason. Each employment agreement
provides for intellectual property assignment and confidentiality provisions that are customary in our industry.
In April 2015, we granted
Mr. Cotton options to purchase 286,364 shares of our common stock over a five-year period at an exercise price of $3.56 per share.
Mr. Cotton’s options vest and first become exercisable over a three-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the
date of grant. Mr. Cotton’s options were granted pursuant to our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
In December 2015, the
compensation committee of our board of directors approved performance-based bonuses for each of our executive officers in the amount
of 50% of their base annual salary, of which 50% was paid in cash and 50% payable in option grants under our 2014 Stock Incentive
Plan. Pursuant to the compensation committee’s determination, we awarded:
|
·
|
Dr. Clarke a bonus in the amount of $140,000, consisting of $70,000 of cash and an option to purchase
24,918 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $5.07 per share; and
|
|
·
|
Messrs. Murphy, Mould and Cotton, each, a bonus in the amount of $125,000, consisting of $62,500
of cash and an option to purchase 22,248 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $5.07 per share.
|
The number of option
shares for each officer was calculated pursuant to a Black-Scholes Merton calculation of 50% of the bonus amount as of December
17, 2015, however the options were not formally granted until January 8, 2016. The options have a term of five years and first
become exercisable on July 30, 2016.
In December 2016, the
compensation committee of our board of directors approved performance-based bonuses for each of our executive officers in the amount
of 50% of their base annual salary, all of which was paid in cash.
Potential Payments upon Termination
As noted above, the
officer employment agreements entitle each officer to reasonable and customary health insurance and other benefits, at our expense,
and a severance payment in the amount of two-times their then annual salary and related benefits in the event of our termination
of their employment without cause or their resignation for good reason.
If a qualifying involuntary
termination had occurred on December 31, 2016, our executive officers would have been eligible to receive the following amounts:
Name
|
|
Base
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Health
Insurance
Premiums (1)
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen Clarke
|
|
|
820
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
859
|
|
Selwyn Mould
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
839
|
|
Thomas Murphy
|
|
|
760
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
799
|
|
Stephen Cotton
|
|
|
760
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
799
|
|
|
(1)
|
Calculated using the monthly COBRA amount based on health
insurance elections at December 31, 2016.
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2016
|
|
Option Awards
|
Name
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
|
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen Clarke
|
|
|
24,918
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5.07
|
|
|
09/17/20
|
Selwyn Mould
|
|
|
22,248
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5.07
|
|
|
09/17/20
|
Thomas Murphy
|
|
|
22,248
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5.07
|
|
|
09/17/20
|
Stephen Cotton
|
|
|
95,455
|
|
|
|
190,909
|
(1)
|
|
|
3.56
|
|
|
04/01/20
|
|
|
|
22,248
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5.07
|
|
|
09/17/20
|
|
(1)
|
One-third of the total number of shares subject to the
option vests on each of April 1, 2016 and April 1, 2017 with the remaining vesting monthly thereafter.
|
Compensation of Directors
We do not compensate
any of our executive directors for their service as a director and we have not adopted any policies or plans with regard to the
compensation of our independent directors. However, in connection with the appointment of our current independent directors, we
agreed to compensate each of the independent directors as follows:
|
·
|
We have granted Vincent DiVito options to purchase 21,853 shares of our common stock over a five-year
period at an exercise price of $3.56 per share and agreed to pay him annually cash in the amount of $60,000, which was increased
to $120,000 effective as of July 2016;
|
|
·
|
We have granted Mark Slade and a former director, Stan Kimmel, options to purchase 17,482 shares
of our common stock over a five-year period at an exercise price of $3.56 per share and agreed to pay each annually cash in the
amount of $50,000, which was increased to $100,000 for Mr. Slade effective as of July 2016; and
|
|
·
|
We have agreed to make an annual grant to Mr. DiVito and Mr. Slade of options to purchase a number
of shares of our common shares equal to $60,000 and $50,000, respectively, based on a Black Scholes valuation, at an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. During 2016, this resulted in grants on May 1, 2016 of
fully vested options to purchase 14,963 and 12,469 shares of our common stock over a five-year period at an exercise price of $8.37
to Mr. DiVito and Mr. Slade, respectively.
|
|
·
|
We granted Mark Stevenson options to purchase 7,728 shares of our common stock over a five-year
period at an exercise price of $12.70 per share and agreed to pay annually cash in the amount of $100,000. The options vest over
3 years.
|
The directors’
options were granted pursuant to our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. The options generally vest and first become exercisable over a
three-year period commencing one year from the date of grant. The above-described cash payments are in lieu of attendance fees,
however we intend to reimburse our independent directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings
of our board of directors.
The following table
sets forth the compensation we paid to our independent directors during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash ($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards (1)
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vincent DiVito
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
150
|
|
Stan Kimmel (2)
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
Mark Slade
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
Mark Stevenson (3)
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
(1)
|
The dollar amounts in Option Awards column above reflect
the values of options as of the grant date in accordance with ASC 718,
Compensation-Stock Compensation
and, therefore,
do not necessarily reflect actual benefits received by the individuals. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are
included in Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016.
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(2)
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Mr. Kimmel served on our board of directors from May 2015
until his passing in March 2016.
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(3)
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Mr. Stevenson joined our Board on December 21, 2016.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS
Related Party Transactions, Promoters and Director Independence
Since January 1, 2016,
we have not entered into any transactions where the amount exceeded $120,000 with any of our directors, officers, beneficial owners
of five percent or more of our common shares, any immediate family members of the foregoing or entities of which any of the foregoing
are also officers or directors or in which they have a material financial interest, other than:
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·
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the compensatory arrangements with our executive officers and directors described elsewhere in
this Proxy Statement;
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·
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a series of transactions with Interstate Battery and its affiliate, a greater than five percent
owner of our common shares described at “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations – General - Interstate Battery Partnership” in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2017;
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·
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our chief executive officer’s purchase of 20,000 shares of our common stock at $10.00 per
share in our November 2016 public offering; and
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·
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our payment of $156,000 of salary, bonus and consulting fees to an employee of ours who is the
brother of our chief executive officer.
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We have adopted a policy
that any transactions with directors, officers, beneficial owners of five percent or more of our common shares, any immediate family
members of the foregoing or entities of which any of the foregoing are also officers or directors or in which they have a financial
interest, will only be on terms consistent with industry standards and approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of
our board.
OTHER MATTERS
Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Rules adopted by the
SEC under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, require our officers and directors, and persons
who own more than 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of our equity securities, to file reports of their ownership, and changes
in ownership, of such securities with the SEC on Forms 3, 4 or 5, as appropriate. Such persons are required by the regulations
of the SEC to furnish us with copies of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a).
Based solely upon a
review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto furnished to us during our most recent fiscal year, and any written representations
provided to us, we believe that all of the officers, directors, and owners of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of our common
stock complied with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for 2018 Annual
Meeting
For any proposal, including
director nominees, to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for submission to the stockholders at
our 2018 annual meeting, it must be submitted in writing and comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. Such proposals must be received by the Company at its offices at 1010 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, California 94501 on
or before January 1, 2018. Our board of directors will review any proposals from eligible stockholders that it receives by
that date and will make a determination whether any such proposals will be included in our proxy materials. Any proposal received
after that date shall be considered untimely and shall not be made a part of our proxy materials.
A stockholder who wishes
to make a proposal at the next annual meeting without including the proposal in our proxy statement must also notify us within
a reasonable time before we print and mail the proxy materials. If a stockholder fails to give reasonable advance notice, then
the persons named as proxies in the proxies solicited by us for the next annual meeting will have discretionary authority to vote
on the proposal.
Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted
rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as banks and brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements
and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed
to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience
for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number
of banks and brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be householding our proxy materials. A single proxy statement
will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected
stockholders. Once you have received notice from your bank or broker that it will be householding communications to your address,
householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish
to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your bank
or broker, direct your written request to Aqua Metals, Inc., 1010 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, California 94501, Attention: Investor
Relations, or contact Investor Relations by telephone at (510) 479-7635. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of
the proxy statement at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their bank or
broker.
Other Matters
We will also consider
any other business that properly comes before the annual meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the record
date, we are not aware of any other matters to be submitted for consideration at the annual meeting. If any other matters are properly
brought before the annual meeting, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card will vote the shares they represent using their
best judgment.
Incorporation by Reference
Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which
might incorporate future filings made by us under those statutes, the preceding Audit Committee Report will not be incorporated
by reference into any of those prior filings, nor will any such report be incorporated by reference into any future filings made
by us under those statutes. In addition, information on our website, other than our proxy statement, notice and form of proxy,
is not part of the proxy soliciting materials and is not incorporated herein by reference.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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Dr. Stephen R. Clarke
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Chairman of the Board of Directors,
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Alameda, California
April 24, 2017
A copy of the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 is available without charge upon written request to: Corporate
Secretary, Aqua Metals, Inc., 1010 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, California 94501.
APPENDIX A
AQUA METALS, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 STOCK INCENTIVE
PLAN
Aqua
metals, inc.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The purpose of this
Aqua Metals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests of Aqua Metals,
Inc. (“Company”) and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified
individuals through opportunities for equity participation in the Company, and to reward those individuals who contribute to the
Company’s achievement of its economic objectives. This Plan assumes and gives effect to the filing of the Company’s
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation approved by the Board (as defined below) on September 8, 2014.
The following terms
will have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly otherwise requires:
2.1. “
Board
”
means the Company’s Board of Directors.
2.2. “
Broker
Exercise Notice
” means a written notice pursuant to which a Participant, upon exercise of an Option, irrevocably instructs
a broker or dealer to sell a sufficient number of shares or loan a sufficient amount of money to pay all or a portion of the exercise
price of the Option and/or any related withholding tax obligations and remit such sums to the Company and directs the Company to
deliver stock certificates to be issued upon such exercise directly to such broker or dealer or their nominee.
2.3. “
Cause
”
means (i) dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or deliberate injury or attempted injury, in each case related to
the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any unlawful or criminal activity of a serious nature, (iii) any intentional and deliberate
breach of a duty or duties that, individually or in the aggregate, are material in relation to the Participant’s overall
duties, (iv) any material breach of any confidentiality or noncompete agreement entered into with the Company or any Subsidiary,
or (v) with respect to a particular Participant, any other act or omission that constitutes “cause” as may be defined
in any employment, consulting or similar agreement between such Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary.
2.4. “
Change
in Control
” means an event described in Section 11.1 of the Plan.
2.5. “
Code
”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2.6. “
Committee
”
means the Compensation Committee of the Board or its delegates who are administering the Plan, as provided in Section 3 of the
Plan.
2.7. “
Common
Stock
” means the common stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share, or the number and kind of shares of stock or
other securities into which such Common Stock may be changed in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan.
2.8. “
Disability
”
means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the service provider’s inability to perform the
duties of his or her position or any substantially similar position, where such impairment can be expected to result in death or
can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
2.9.
“
Effective Date
” means[date of shareholder’s meeting], but no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercised
unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months
before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
2.10. “
Eligible
Recipients
” means all employees, officers and directors of the Company or any Subsidiary, and any person who has a relationship
with the Company or any Subsidiary.
2.11. “
Exchange
Act
” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.12. “
Fair
Market Value
” means, with respect to the Common Stock, as of any date: (i) the mean between the reported high and
low sale prices of the Common Stock at the end of the regular trading session if the Common Stock is listed, admitted to unlisted
trading privileges, or reported on any national securities exchange or on the NASDAQ Global Select or Global Market on such date
(or, if no shares were traded on such day, as of the next preceding day on which there was such a trade); or (ii) if the Common
Stock is not so listed, admitted to unlisted trading privileges, or reported on any national exchange or on the NASDAQ Global Select
or Global Market, the closing bid price as of such date at the end of the regular trading session, as reported by the Nasdaq Capital
Market, OTC Bulletin Board, The OTC Market, or other comparable service; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not so listed or reported,
such price as the Committee determines in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion.
2.13. “
Incentive
Award
” means an Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award granted to an Eligible Recipient
pursuant to the Plan.
2.14. “
Incentive
Stock Option
” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan
that qualifies as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2.15. “
Non-Statutory
Stock Option
” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan
that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.16. “
Option
”
means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
2.17. “
Participant
”
means an Eligible Recipient who receives one or more Incentive Awards under the Plan.
2.18. “
Performance
Awards
” means an award of Common Stock or cash granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan and
with respect to which shares of Common Stock or cash will be transferred to the Eligible Recipient in accordance with the provisions
of such Section 8 and any agreement evidencing a Performance Award.
2.19. “
Performance
Criteria
” means the performance criteria that may be used by the Committee in granting Restricted Stock Awards or Performance
Awards contingent upon achievement of such performance goals as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion. The Committee
may select one criterion or multiple criteria for measuring performance, and the measurement may be based upon Company, Subsidiary
or business unit performance, or the individual performance of the Eligible Recipient, either absolute or by relative comparison
to other companies, other Eligible Recipients or any other external measure of the selected criteria. The Performance Criteria
for Incentive Awards that are intended to constitute “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code will be based on one or more of the following criteria: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;
total stockholder return; return on equity or average stockholders’ equity; return on assets, investment, or capital employed;
stock price margin (including gross margin); income (before or after taxes); operating income (before or after taxes); pre-tax
profit; operating cash flow; sales or revenue targets; increases in revenue; expenses and cost reduction goals; improvement in
or attainment of working capital levels; economic value added; market share; cash flow (including cash flow per share); share price
performance; debt reduction; strategic partnerships and transactions; stockholders’ equity; capital expenditures; operating
profit or net operating profit; growth of net income or operating income; and budget management; or any of the foregoing criteria
adjusted in a manner prescribed within the time permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code by the Committee (i) to exclude one
or more specified components of the calculation thereof or (ii) to include one or more other specified items, including, but not
limited to, exclusions under subsection (i) or inclusions under subsection (ii) designed to reflect changes during the Performance
Period in generally accepted accounting principles or in tax rates, currency fluctuations, the effects of acquisitions or dispositions
of a business or investments in whole or in part, extraordinary or nonrecurring items, the gain or loss from claims or litigation
and related insurance recoveries, the effects of impairment of tangible or intangible assets, or the effects of restructuring or
reductions in force or other business recharacterization activities, income or expense related to defined benefit or defined contribution
pension plans, uninsured losses from natural catastrophes or political and legal developments affecting the Company’s business
(including losses as a result of war, terrorism, confiscation, expropriation, seizure, new regulatory requirements, business interruption
or similar events).
2.20. “
Performance
Period
” means, in respect of a Performance Award, a period of time established by the Committee within which the Performance
Criteria relating to such Performance Award are to be achieved.
2.21 “
Previously
Acquired Shares
” means shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the Participant or, with respect to any Incentive
Award, that are to be issued upon the grant, exercise or vesting of such Incentive Award.
2.22. “
Restricted
Stock Award
” means an award of Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that is
subject to the restrictions on transferability and the risk of forfeiture imposed by the provisions of such Section 7.
2.23. “
Restricted
Stock Unit
” means an award granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that represents a contractual
obligation on the part of the Company to transfer shares of Common Stock to the Eligible Participant upon the satisfaction of specified
Performance Criteria and/or the completion of a specified period of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries.
2.24 “
Retirement
”
means normal or approved early termination of employment or service.
2.25. “
Securities
Act
” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.26. “
Subsidiary
”
means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant
equity interest, as determined by the Committee.
3.1.
The
Committee
. The Plan will be administered by the Committee. So long as the Company has a class of its equity securities registered
under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Committee administering the Plan will consist of the Compensation Committee of the Board
or its delegate, which will consist solely of two or more members of the Board who are “non-employee directors” within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and who are considered “outside directors” within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code. Such a committee, if established, will act by majority approval of the members (unanimous approval with respect
to action by written consent), and a majority of the members of such a committee will constitute a quorum. To the extent consistent
with applicable corporate law of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation, the Committee may delegate to any officers
of the Company the duties, power and authority of the Committee under the Plan (other than those that must be exercised by the
Committee to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code) pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Committee
may establish; provided, however, that only the Committee may exercise such duties, power and authority with respect to Eligible
Recipients who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Committee may exercise its duties, power and authority under
the Plan in its sole and absolute discretion without the consent of any Participant or other party, unless the Plan specifically
provides otherwise. Each determination, interpretation or other action made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions
of the Plan will be conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, and no member of the Committee will be liable for
any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Incentive Award granted under the Plan.
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3.2.
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Authority of the Committee
.
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(a) In
accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the authority to determine all provisions of
Incentive Awards as the Committee may deem necessary or desirable and as consistent with the terms of the Plan, including, without
limitation, the following: (i) the Eligible Recipients to be selected as Participants; (ii) the nature and extent of the Incentive
Awards to be made to each Participant (including the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each Incentive Award, any
exercise price, the manner in which Incentive Awards will vest or become exercisable and whether Incentive Awards will be granted
in tandem with other Incentive Awards) and the form of written agreement, if any, evidencing such Incentive Award; (iii) any Performance
Criteria applicable to any Incentive Awards; (iv) the time or times when Incentive Awards will be granted and, where applicable,
settled; (v) the duration of each Incentive Award; (vi) the restrictions and other conditions to which the payment or vesting of
Incentive Awards may be subject. In addition, the Committee will have the authority under the Plan in its sole discretion to pay
the economic value of any Incentive Award in the form of cash, Common Stock or any combination of both.
(b) Subject
to Section 3.2(d), below, the Committee will have the authority under the Plan to amend or modify the terms of any outstanding
Incentive Award in any manner, including, without limitation, the authority to modify the number of shares or other terms and conditions
of an Incentive Award, extend the term of an Incentive Award, accelerate the exercisability or vesting or otherwise terminate any
restrictions relating to an Incentive Award other than an Incentive Award intended to qualify as “performance-based”
compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, accept the surrender of any outstanding Incentive Award or, to the
extent not previously exercised or vested, authorize the grant of new Incentive Awards in substitution for surrendered Incentive
Awards; provided, however that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect and that any Participant
adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented to such amendment or modification. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no Performance Award (or any other Incentive Award) that is subject to the requirements and restrictions of Section 409A of the
Code may be amended in a manner that would violate Section 409A of the Code.
(c) In
the event of (i) any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
split, combination of shares, rights offering, extraordinary dividend or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other change
in corporate structure or shares; (ii) any purchase, acquisition, sale, disposition or write-down of a significant amount of assets
or a significant business; (iii) any change in accounting principles or practices, tax laws or other such laws or provisions affecting
reported results; or (iv) any other similar change, in each case with respect to the Company or any other entity whose performance
is relevant to the grant or vesting of an Incentive Award, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in
any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) may, without the consent of any affected Participant,
amend or modify the vesting criteria (including Performance Criteria) of any outstanding Incentive Award that is based in whole
or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any Subsidiary or division or other subunit thereof) or such other entity
so as equitably to reflect such event, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating such financial performance of the
Company or such other entity will be substantially the same (in the sole discretion of the Committee or the board of directors
of the surviving corporation) following such event as prior to such event; provided, however, that the amended or modified terms
are permitted by the Plan as then in effect.
(d) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Plan other than Section 4.3, the Committee may not, without prior approval of the Company’s stockholders,
seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted, “underwater” Option by: (i) amending or modifying the terms
of the Option to lower the exercise price; (ii) canceling the underwater Option and granting either (A) replacement Options
having a lower exercise price; (B) Restricted Stock Awards; or (C) Performance Awards in exchange; or (iii) repurchasing
the underwater Options and granting new Incentive Awards under this Plan. For purposes of this Section 3.2(d) and Section 11.4,
an Option will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock is less than
the exercise price of the Option.
3.3
Annual
Award Limitation
. The total number of Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and other shares of Common Stock subject
to or underlying Options or Performance Awards awarded to any Participant during any year may not exceed 250,000 shares. A Performance
Award, as measured on the date of grant, paid to a Participant with respect to any Performance Period may not exceed $500,000 times
the number of years in the Performance Period.
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4.
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Shares Available for Issuance
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4.1.
Maximum
Number of Shares Available; Certain Restrictions on Awards
. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 of the Plan, the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the Plan will be 2,113,637, and the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance in connection with Incentive Stock Options is 2,113,637. The
shares available for issuance under the Plan may, at the election of the Committee, be either treasury shares or shares authorized
but unissued, and, if treasury shares are used, all references in the Plan to the issuance of shares will, for corporate law purposes,
be deemed to mean the transfer of shares from treasury.
4.2.
Accounting
for Incentive Awards
. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under the Plan or that are subject to outstanding Incentive Awards
will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan; provided,
however, that shares subject to an Incentive Award that lapses, expires, is forfeited (including issued shares forfeited under
a Restricted Stock Award) or for any reason is terminated unexercised or unvested or is settled or paid in cash or any form other
than shares of Common Stock will automatically again become available for issuance under the Plan. To the extent that the exercise
price of any Option and/or associated tax withholding obligations are paid by tender or attestation as to ownership of Previously
Acquired Shares, or to the extent that such tax withholding obligations are satisfied by withholding of shares otherwise issuable
upon exercise of the Option, only the number of shares of Common Stock issued net of the number of shares tendered, attested to
or withheld will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan.
4.3.
Adjustments
to Shares and Incentive Awards
. In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification,
stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the
Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving
corporation) will make appropriate adjustment (which determination will be conclusive) as to the number and kind of securities
or other property (including cash) available for issuance or payment under the Plan and, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement
of the rights of Participants, the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to outstanding Incentive
Awards and the exercise price of outstanding Options.
Participants in the
Plan will be those Eligible Recipients who, in the judgment of the Committee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected
to contribute to the achievement of economic objectives of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Eligible Recipients may be granted
from time to time one or more Incentive Awards, singly or in combination or in tandem with other Incentive Awards, as may be determined
by the Committee in its sole discretion. Incentive Awards will be deemed to be granted as of the date specified in the grant resolution
of the Committee, which date will be the date of any related agreement with the Participant.
6.1.
Grant
.
An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Options under the Plan, and such Options will be subject to such terms and conditions,
consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may
designate whether an Option is to be considered an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option. To the extent that any
Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an “incentive stock option” for purposes
of Section 422 of the Code, such Incentive Stock Option will continue to be outstanding for purposes of the Plan but will thereafter
be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
6.2.
Exercise
Price
. The per share price to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of an Option will be determined by the Committee in its
discretion at the time of the Option grant; provided, however, that such price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value
of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant with respect to any Incentive Stock Option (110% of the Fair Market Value with
respect to an Incentive Stock Option if, at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or
indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary
corporation of the Company).
6.3.
Exercisability
and Duration
. An Option will become exercisable at such times and in such installments and upon such terms and conditions as
may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant (including without limitation (i) the achievement
of one or more of the Performance Criteria and/or (ii) that the Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company
or a Subsidiary for a certain period); provided, however, that if the Committee does not specify the expiration date of the Option,
the expiration date shall be 10 years from the date on which the Option was granted. In no case may an Option may be exercisable
after 10 years from its date of grant (five years from its date of grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option if, at the time
the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company).
6.4.
Payment
of Exercise Price
. The total purchase price of the shares to be purchased upon exercise of an Option will be paid entirely
in cash (including check, bank draft or money order); provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion and upon terms
and conditions established by the Committee, may allow such payments to be made, in whole or in part, by tender of a Broker Exercise
Notice, by tender, or attestation as to ownership, of Previously Acquired Shares that have been held for the period of time necessary
to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and that are otherwise acceptable to the Committee,
or by a combination of such methods. For purposes of such payment, Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation
will be valued at their Fair Market Value on the exercise date.
6.5.
Manner
of Exercise
. An Option may be exercised by a Participant in whole or in part from time to time, subject to the conditions contained
in the Plan and in the agreement evidencing such Option, by delivery in person, by facsimile or electronic transmission or through
the mail of written notice of exercise to the Company at its legal department and by paying in full the total exercise price for
the shares of Common Stock to be purchased in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Plan.
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7.
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Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units
.
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7.1.
Grant
.
An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, and such Restricted
Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the
Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to the vesting of such Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units as it deems
appropriate, including, without limitation, (i) the achievement of one or more of the Performance Criteria and/or (ii) that the
Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period.
7.2.
Rights
as a Stockholder; Transferability
. Except as provided in Sections 7.1, 7.3, 7.4 and 12.3 of the Plan, a Participant will have
all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to shares of Common Stock issued to the Participant as a Restricted
Stock Award or pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit under this Section 7 upon the Participant becoming the holder of record of such
shares as if such Participant were a holder of record of shares of unrestricted Common Stock.
7.3.
Dividends
and Distributions
. Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion (either in the agreement evidencing the
Restricted Stock Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of the Restricted Stock Award), any dividends or distributions
(other than regular quarterly cash dividends) paid with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to the unvested portion of a
Restricted Stock Award will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate.
The Committee will determine in its sole discretion whether any interest will be paid on such dividends or distributions. A Participant
to whom Restricted Stock Units have been granted will have no rights to receive any dividends or distributions with respect to
the shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units unless and until the Restricted Stock Units is settled and the
Participant becomes the holder of record of any shares of Common Stock delivered in settlement of such Restricted Stock Units.
7.4.
Enforcement
of Restrictions
. To enforce the restrictions referred to in this Section 7, the Committee may place a legend on the stock certificates
referring to such restrictions and may require the Participant, until the restrictions have lapsed, to keep the stock certificates,
together with duly endorsed stock powers, in the custody of the Company or its transfer agent, or to maintain evidence of stock
ownership, together with duly endorsed stock powers, in a certificateless book-entry stock account with the Company’s transfer
agent.
8.1.
Grant
.
An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Performance Awards under the Plan, and such Performance Awards will be subject
to such terms and conditions, if any, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan,
to the vesting of such Performance Awards as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, (i) the achievement of one or
more of the Performance Criteria and/or (ii) that the Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company or
a Subsidiary for a certain period.
8.2
Performance
Periods
. The Performance Period with respect to each Performance Award will be such period of time commencing with the date
of grant as is determined by the Committee on the date of grant.
8.3
Specification
of Performance Criteria
. Any grant of Performance Awards will specify Performance Criteria that, if achieved, will result in
payment or early payment of the Award, and each grant may specify in respect of such specified Performance Criteria a minimum acceptable
level of achievement and shall set forth a formula for determining the amount of the Performance Award that will be earned if performance
is at or above the minimum level, but falls short of full achievement of the specified Performance Criteria. The grant of Performance
Awards will specify that, before the Performance Awards will be earned and paid, the Compensation Committee of the Board must certify
that the Performance Criteria have been satisfied.
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8.4.
|
Settlement – Time of Payment
.
|
(a) At
the time any Performance Award is granted, the agreement evidencing the Performance Award will specify the time at which the vested
portion of the Performance Award will be settled. In no event may the time of payment be changed after the Performance Award is
granted.
(b) The
agreement may specify that settlement will be made upon vesting or the settlement will occur with respect to all vested Performance
Awards as of a specified time.
(c) To
the extent the agreement does not provide for the settlement of vested Performance Awards on or before the date that is 2-1/2 months
after the end of the year in which the Performance Award (or the relevant portion thereof) vests, the agreement will provide for
payment to occur: (a) upon the Eligible Recipient’s separation from service, death or disability; (b) upon a change in control
of the Company; or (c) upon a specified date or pursuant to a specified schedule. In all cases in which payment is to be made in
accordance with this Section 8.2(c), the times specified for payment will be interpreted and administered in accordance with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any applicable regulations or guidance issued in connection with that Code section.
8.3.
Settlement
– Form of Payment
. As specified in the agreement evidencing the Performance Award, or some other written agreement between
the Company and the Eligible Recipient, vested Performance Awards will be settled in cash or shares of Common Stock.
8.4.
Rights
as a Stockholder
. A Participant holding a Performance Award shall have no rights as a holder of Common Stock unless and until
the Performance Award is settled and shares of Common Stock are delivered to the Participant in such settlement.
8.5.
Dividends
and Distributions
. Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion (either in the agreement evidencing the
Performance Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of the Performance Award), the Participant shall not be entitled
to receive dividends or distributions with respect to the Shares subject to a Performance Award unless and until the Performance
Award is settled and shares of Common Stock are delivered to the Participant in such settlement.
8.6.
Unfunded
and Unsecured Obligation of the Company
. A Performance Award represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company
to make payment to a Participant in accordance with the terms of this Plan or an award agreement. The Participant’s rights
with respect to a Performance Award shall be those of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
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9.
|
Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service
.
|
9.1.
Termination
Due to Death or Disability
. In the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries
is terminated by reason of death or Disability:
(a) All
outstanding Options then held by the Participant will, to the extent exercisable as of such termination, remain exercisable for
a period of six (6) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option); and
(b) All
Restricted Stock Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited;
and
(c) All
outstanding Performance Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and
forfeited.
9.2.
Termination
Due to Retirement
. Subject to Section 9.5 of the Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with
the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of Retirement:
(a) All
outstanding Options then held by the Participant will, to the extent exercisable as of such termination, remain exercisable in
full for a period of three (3) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option). Options
not exercisable as of such Retirement will be forfeited and terminate; and
(b) All
Restricted Stock Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited;
and
(c) All
outstanding Performance Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and
forfeited.
9.3.
Termination
for Reasons Other than Death, Disability or Retirement
. Subject to Section 9.5 of the Plan, in the event a Participant’s
employment or other service is terminated with the Company and all Subsidiaries for any reason other than death, Disability or
Retirement, or a Participant is in the employ of a Subsidiary and the Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company (unless
the Participant continues in the employ of the Company or another Subsidiary):
(a) All
outstanding Options then held by the Participant will, to the extent exercisable as of such termination, remain exercisable in
full for a period of three (3) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option). Options
not exercisable as of such termination will be forfeited and terminate; and
(b) All
Restricted Stock Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited;
and
(c) All
outstanding Performance Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and
forfeited.
9.4.
Modification
of Rights Upon Termination
. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 9, the Committee may, in its sole discretion
(which may be exercised in connection with the grant or after the date of grant, including following such termination), determine
that upon a Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries, any Options (or
any part thereof) then held by such Participant may become or continue to become exercisable and/or remain exercisable following
such termination of employment or service, and Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Awards then held by such Participant may
vest and/or continue to vest or become free of restrictions and conditions to issuance, as the case may be, following such termination
of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee.
9.5.
Effects
of Actions Constituting Cause
. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event that a Participant is determined
by the Committee, acting in its sole discretion, to have committed any action which would constitute Cause as defined in Section
2.3, irrespective of whether such action or the Committee’s determination occurs before or after termination of such Participant’s
employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary, all rights of the Participant under the Plan and any agreements evidencing
an Incentive Award then held by the Participant shall terminate and be forfeited without notice of any kind. The Company may defer
the exercise of any Option or the vesting of any Restricted Stock Award or Performance Award for a period of up to ninety (90)
days in order for the Committee to make any determination as to the existence of Cause.
9.6.
Determination
of Termination of Employment or Other Service
. Unless the Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion, a Participant’s
employment or other service will, for purposes of the Plan, be deemed to have terminated on the date recorded on the personnel
or other records of the Company or the Subsidiary for which the Participant provides employment or service, as determined by the
Committee in its sole discretion based upon such records.
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10.
|
Payment of Withholding Taxes
.
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10.1.
General
Rules
. The Company is entitled to (a) withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant (or from other amounts that
may be due and owing to the Participant from the Company or a Subsidiary), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all
legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all federal, foreign, state and local withholding and employment-related
tax requirements attributable to an Incentive Award, including, without limitation, the grant, exercise or vesting of, or payment
of dividends with respect to, an Incentive Award or a disqualifying disposition of stock received upon exercise of an Incentive
Stock Option, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any
action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Incentive Award.
10.2.
Special
Rules
. The Committee may, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, permit or require
a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, any withholding or employment-related tax obligation described in Section 10.1 of
the Plan by electing to tender, or by attestation as to ownership of, Previously Acquired Shares that have been held for the period
of time necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and that are otherwise acceptable
to the Committee, by delivery of a Broker Exercise Notice or a combination of such methods. For purposes of satisfying a Participant’s
withholding or employment-related tax obligation, Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued
at their Fair Market Value.
11.1. A
“Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs
has occurred:
(a) the
sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, directly or indirectly, of substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction
or in a series of related transactions) to any Successor;
(b) the
approval by the stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(c) any
Successor (as defined in Section 11.2 below), other than a Bona Fide Underwriter (as defined in Section 11.2 below), becomes after
the effective date of the Plan the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of (i) 25% or more, but not 50% or more, of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities
ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless the transaction resulting in such ownership has been approved
in advance by the Continuity Directors (as defined in Section 11.2 below), or (ii) more than 50% of the combined voting power of
the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval
by the Continuity Directors);
(d) a
merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to effective date
of such merger or consolidation have “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation, of securities of the surviving corporation representing
(i) 50% or more, but not more than 80%, of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities
ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless such merger or consolidation has been approved in advance
by the Continuity Directors, or (ii) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then
outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the Continuity
Directors); or
(e) the
Continuity Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least 50% or more of the Board.
11.2.
Change
in Control Definitions
. For purposes of this Section 11:
(a) “
Continuity
Directors
” of the Company will mean any individuals who are members of the Board on the effective date of the Plan and
any individual who subsequently becomes a member of the Board whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s
stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Continuity Directors (either by specific vote or by approval
of the Company’s proxy statement in which such individual is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination).
(b) “
Bona
Fide Underwriter
” means an entity engaged in business as an underwriter of securities that acquires securities of the
Company through such entity’s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of 40 days
after the date of such acquisition.
(c) “
Successor
”
means any individual, corporation, partnership, group, association or other “person,” as such term is used in Section
13(d) or Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, any “affiliate” (as defined below) or any benefit
plan(s) sponsored by the Company or any affiliate that succeeds to, or has the practical ability to control (either immediately
or solely with the passage of time), the Company’s business directly, by merger, consolidation or other form of business
combination, or indirectly, by purchase of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at the
election of directors or all or substantially all of its assets or otherwise. For this purpose, an “affiliate” is (i)
any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors
is owned directly or indirectly by the Company; (ii) any other form of business entity in which the Company, by virtue of a direct
or indirect ownership interest, has the right to elect a majority of the members of such entity’s governing body or (iii)
any entity that at the time of the approval of this Plan owns in excess of 10% of the Company’s common stock and its affiliates.
11.3.
Acceleration
of Vesting
. Without limiting the authority of the Committee under Sections 3.2 and 4.3 of the Plan, if a Change in Control
of the Company occurs, then, if approved by the Committee in its sole discretion either in an agreement evidencing an Incentive
Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an Incentive Award: (a) all Options that have been outstanding for
at least six months will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable in accordance with their terms; and
(b) all Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units that have been outstanding for at least six months will become immediately
fully vested and non-forfeitable; and (c) any conditions to the issuance of cash or shares of Common Stock pursuant to Performance
Awards that have been outstanding for at least six months will lapse.
11.4.
Cash
Payment
. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs, then the Committee, if approved by the Committee in its sole discretion
either in an agreement evidencing an Incentive Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an Incentive Award,
and without the consent of any Participant affected thereby, may determine that:
(a) Some
or all Participants holding outstanding Options will receive, with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject
to such Options (“Option Shares”), either (i) as of the effective date of any such Change in Control, cash in an amount
equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Option Shares on the last business day prior to the effective date of such
Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such Option Shares, (ii) immediately prior to such Change of Control, a
number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Option
Shares as of the last business day prior to the effective date of such Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such
Option Shares; or (iii) any combination of cash or shares of Common Stock with the amount of each component to be determined by
the Committee not inconsistent with the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), as proportionally adjusted; and
(b) any
Options which, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control, are “underwater” (as defined in Section 3.2(d))
shall terminate as of the effective date of any such Change in Control; and
(c) some
or all Participants holding Performance Awards will receive, with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject
to such Performance Awards that remain subject to issuance based upon the future achievement of Performance Criteria or other future
event as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, cash in an amount equal the Fair Market Value of such
shares immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control.
11.5.
Limitation
on Change in Control Payments
. Notwithstanding anything in Section 11.3 or 11.4 of the Plan to the contrary, if, with
respect to a Participant, the acceleration of the exercisability of an Option as provided in Section 11.3 or the payment of
cash or shares of Common Stock in exchange for all or part of an Option as provided in Section 11.4 (which acceleration or payment
could be deemed a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), together with any other “payments”
that such Participant has the right to receive from the Company or any corporation that is a member of an “affiliated group”
(as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to Section 1504(b) of the Code) of which the Company is a member,
would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the “payments”
to such Participant pursuant to Section 11.3 or 11.4 of the Plan will be reduced to the largest amount as will result in no portion
of such “payments” being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; provided, however, that if
a Participant is subject to a separate agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary which specifically provides that payments attributable
to one or more forms of employee stock incentives or to payments made in lieu of employee stock incentives will not reduce any
other payments under such agreement, even if it would constitute an excess parachute payment, or provides that the Participant
will have the discretion to determine which payments will be reduced in order to avoid an excess parachute payment, then the limitations
of this Section 11.4 will, to that extent, not apply.
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12.
|
Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability.
|
12.1.
Employment
or Service
. Nothing in the Plan will interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate
the employment or service of any Eligible Recipient or Participant at any time, nor confer upon any Eligible Recipient or Participant
any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary.
12.2.
Rights
as a Stockholder
. As a holder of Incentive Awards (other than Restricted Stock Awards), a Participant will have no rights as
a stockholder unless and until such Incentive Awards are exercised for, or paid in the form of, shares of Common Stock and the
Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no adjustment will be made for
dividends or distributions with respect to such Incentive Awards as to which there is a record date preceding the date the Participant
becomes the holder of record of such shares, except as the Committee may determine in its discretion.
12.3.
Restrictions
on Transfer
.
(a) Except
pursuant to testamentary will or the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly permitted by subsections (b) and
(c) below, no right or interest of any Participant in an Incentive Award prior to the exercise (in the case of Options) or vesting
(in the case of Restricted Stock Awards) or settlement (in the case of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards) of such Incentive
Award will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien, during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily
or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise.
(b) A
Participant will be entitled to designate a beneficiary to receive an Incentive Award upon such Participant’s death, and
in the event of such Participant’s death, payment of any amounts due under the Plan will be made to, and exercise of any
Options (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan) may be made by, such beneficiary. If a deceased Participant
has failed to designate a beneficiary, or if a beneficiary designated by the Participant fails to survive the Participant, payment
of any amounts due under the Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 9 of
the Plan) may be made by, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs and legatees. If a deceased Participant has designated
a beneficiary and such beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before complete payment of all amounts due under the Plan
or exercise of all exercisable Options, then such payments will be made to, and the exercise of such Options may be made by, the
legal representatives, heirs and legatees of the beneficiary.
(c) Upon
a Participant’s request, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a transfer of all or a portion of a Non-Statutory
Stock Option, other than for value, to such Participant’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent,
spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law,
any person sharing such Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which any of the foregoing
have more than fifty percent of the beneficial interests, a foundation in which any of the foregoing (or the Participant) control
the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than fifty percent of the voting
interests. Any permitted transferee will remain subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to the Participant prior to
the transfer. A permitted transfer may be conditioned upon such requirements as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine,
including, but not limited to execution and/or delivery of appropriate acknowledgements, opinion of counsel, or other documents
by the transferee.
12.4.
Non-Exclusivity
of the Plan
. Nothing contained in the Plan is intended to modify or rescind any previously approved compensation plans or programs
of the Company or create any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such additional or other compensation
arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or desirable.
|
13.
|
Securities Law and Other Restrictions
.
|
Notwithstanding any
other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any
shares of Common Stock under this Plan, and a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Common
Stock issued pursuant to Incentive Awards granted under the Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such shares a registration
statement under the Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of a state or foreign jurisdiction or an exemption from such
registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other
consent, approval or permit from any other U.S. or foreign regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary
or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from
the parties involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing shares of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary
or advisable by the Company in order to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.
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14.
|
Plan Amendment, Modification and Termination
.
|
The Board may suspend
or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, and may amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board
may deem advisable in order that Incentive Awards under the Plan will conform to any change in applicable laws or regulations or
in any other respect the Board may deem to be in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no such amendments
to the Plan will be effective without approval of the Company’s stockholders if: (i) stockholder approval of the amendment
is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code or the rules of any stock exchange or the NASDAQ Global Select, Global or
Capital Market or similar regulatory body; or (ii) such amendment seeks to modify Section 3.2(d) hereof. No termination, suspension
or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Incentive Award without the consent of the affected Participant;
provided, however, that this sentence will not impair the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under
Sections 3.2(c), 4.3 and 11 of the Plan.
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15.
|
Effective Date and Duration of the Plan
.
|
The Plan is effective
as of the Effective Date. The Plan will terminate at midnight on September 8, 2024 and may be terminated prior to such time by
Board action. No Incentive Award will be granted after termination of the Plan. Incentive Awards outstanding upon termination of
the Plan may continue to be exercised, or become free of restrictions, according to their terms.
16.1.
Governing
Law
. Except to the extent expressly provided herein or in connection with other matters of corporate governance and authority
(all of which shall be governed by the laws of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation), the validity, construction,
interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan and any rules, regulations and actions relating to the Plan will be governed
by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles
of any jurisdictions.
16.2.
Successors
and Assigns
. The Plan will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Company
and the Participants.
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