Table of Contents
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
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
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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OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required.
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
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OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
5290 CONCOURSE DRIVE
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24019
February 27, 2024
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of Optical Cable Corporation (the “Company” or “OCC®”), to be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Green Ridge Recreation Center, 7415 Wood Haven Road, Roanoke, Virginia.
At the annual meeting of shareholders, you are being asked to do the following:
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elect the Company’s board of directors from the slate of directors nominated in accordance with the Company’s bylaws to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders; and
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(2)
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approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers.
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We also will be pleased to report on the affairs of the Company.
Whether or not you are able to attend, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at this meeting. Submitting the proxy before the annual meeting will not preclude you from voting in person at the annual meeting if you should decide to attend. Your prompt response would be greatly appreciated.
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Sincerely,
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Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.
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Chairman of the Board of Directors,
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Even if you plan to attend the meeting, please make sure to vote. You may vote by one of the following methods: (1) completing, signing and returning promptly the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided; (2) going online to http://www.proxyvote.com, as appropriate, and following the online instructions or (3) in person if you so desire even if you have previously sent in your proxy or voted online. Please note that the method by which you vote last will be the vote the Company counts.
OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
March 26, 2024
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of shareholders of Optical Cable Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company” or “OCC®”), is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Green Ridge Recreation Center, 7415 Wood Haven Road, Roanoke, Virginia for the following purposes:
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1.
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to elect five directors from the slate of directors nominated in accordance with the Company’s bylaws to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
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to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers; and
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
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Only shareholders of record at the close of business on January 26, 2024, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment thereof. All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to vote by completing, signing and dating the enclosed form of proxy and returning it promptly in the envelope provided or by voting online. Shareholders attending the meeting may revoke their proxy and vote in person.
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FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Tracy G. Smith
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Corporate Secretary
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Roanoke, Virginia
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider. Please read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.
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Annual Shareholders Meeting
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Meeting Agenda
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Date
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March 26, 2024
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● Election of 5 directors
● Advisory vote on executive officer compensation
● Transact other business that may properly come before the meeting
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Time
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10:00 a.m. Eastern Time
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Place
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Green Ridge Recreation Center
7415 Wood Haven Road
Roanoke, Virginia 24019
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Record date
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January 26, 2024
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Voting
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Shareholders as of the record date are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the proposals to be voted on.
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Voting Matters and Vote Recommendation
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Item
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Board
recommendation
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Reasons for recommendation
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More
information
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1.
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Election of 5 directors
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FOR
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The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe that the 5 Board candidates possess the skills and variety of experience to effectively monitor performance, provide oversight, and advise management on the Company’s long-term strategy.
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Page 5
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2.
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Advisory vote on executive compensation
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FOR
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The Company’s executive officer compensation programs demonstrate the Company’s pay for performance philosophy.
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Page 11
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Company Management Profile
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See Page 5 – “Election of Directors” and Page 13 – “Executive Officers” for more information.
The following table provides summary information about each director and each director nominee. Each director is elected annually by a plurality of votes cast.
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Name
Occupation
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Director
Since
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Board
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Committee memberships
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Up for re-
election at
current
Annual
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Age
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Independent
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AC
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CC
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NCGC
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Meeting |
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Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.
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60
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2001
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No
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Yes
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Chairman of the Board,
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President and CEO,
Optical Cable Corporation
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Randall H. Frazier
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72
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1996
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Yes
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Yes
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President,
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River Acceptance, LLC
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John M. Holland
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78
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1996
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Yes
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Yes
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Principal and Founder,
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Holland Technical Services
& President,
Equine Welfare Alliance
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John A. Nygren
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75
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2016
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Yes
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Yes
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Retired, former President
and CEO, ChemTreat, Inc.
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Craig H. Weber
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64
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2002
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Yes
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Yes
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Retired, former CEO
and President, Home Care
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Delivered, Inc.
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AC
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Audit Committee
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Chair
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CC
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Compensation Committee
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Member
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NCGC
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
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Financial Expert
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OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
5290 CONCOURSE DRIVE
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24019
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MARCH 26, 2024
Proxy Solicitation
This proxy statement is furnished to the holders of Optical Cable Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company” or “OCC®”), common stock, no par value (“Common Shares”), in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company (sometimes referred to herein as the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) of proxies for use at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, or at any adjournment thereof, pursuant to the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The purposes of the meeting and the matters to be acted upon are set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board of Directors is not currently aware of any other matters that will properly come before the annual meeting.
Proxies for use at the annual meeting are being solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company. These proxy solicitation materials are first being mailed on or about February 27, 2024 to all shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Proxies will be solicited chiefly by mail, but are also available on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Proxy Materials”. The Company will make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the shares and will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing. Should it appear desirable to do so in order to ensure adequate representation of shares at the annual meeting, solicitations may be made by mail or by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or personal interviews by Directors, officers and regular employees of the Company, none of whom will receive additional compensation for these services, or by a proxy solicitor, if deemed necessary. All expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company’s 2023 Annual Report and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, are not proxy soliciting materials.
Revocability and Voting of Proxy
A shareholder may revoke the authority granted by his or her execution of a proxy at any time before the effective exercise of such proxy by filing with the Corporate Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by voting in person at the annual meeting. The Company’s Common Shares represented by executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the choice or instructions specified thereon. If no specifications are given, the shares represented thereby will be voted as follows:
FOR the five directors nominated in accordance with the Company’s bylaws to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers; and
in accordance with the best judgment of the Board of Directors on any other matters which may properly come before the annual meeting.
Record Date, Voting Procedures, Quorum, Abstentions, and Broker Voting
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on January 26, 2024 (the “record date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. As of the record date, 7,893,681 Common Shares were issued and outstanding. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote on all matters that may properly come before the annual meeting.
A majority of votes entitled to be cast on a particular matter, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum for purposes of the annual meeting. Once a Common Share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and any adjournment thereof, unless a new record date is set for the adjournment. Abstentions will be counted in determining the existence of a quorum, but Common Shares held by a broker, as nominee, and not voted on any matter will not be counted for such purpose.
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Voting Matter
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Voting Standard
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Election of five directors.
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Plurality, which means the five persons receiving the most votes cast are elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors, which is by plurality of the votes cast in person or by proxy. Brokers may vote their shares in favor of directors ONLY so long as they have voting instructions from the beneficial owners of the shares.
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Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers.
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Majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the annual meeting. Abstentions from voting on this proposal will not be treated as votes cast on this matter, and therefore, will not have any effect on determining the outcome. Brokers may vote their shares on this proposal ONLY if they have voting instructions from the beneficial owners of the shares. As this proposal is considered a “non-routine” matter, broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast on this matter, and therefore, will not have any effect on determining the outcome. As disclosed later in this proxy statement, this vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors.
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Votes at the annual meeting will be tabulated by “Inspectors of Election” appointed by the Company.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board, comprised of five members, has nominated five persons for election as Directors. Unless otherwise specified, the proxy will be voted in favor of the persons named below to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Each person named below is now a Director of the Company. In the event any of the nominees are unable to serve as a Director, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted for the person, if any, who is designated by the Board of Directors to replace the nominee. All nominees have consented to be named and have indicated their intent to serve if elected. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve or that any vacancy on the Board of Directors will occur as a result of a nominee being unable to serve.
The names of the nominees and certain other information about the nominees are set forth below:
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Nominee
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Age
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Director Since
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Office Held with Company
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Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.
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60
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2001
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Randall H. Frazier
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72
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1996
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Director
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John M. Holland
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78
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1996
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Director
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John A. Nygren
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75
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2016
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Director
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Craig H. Weber
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64
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2002
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Director
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Mr. Wilkin is Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He was named Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in September 2003, in addition to his previously held positions as President and as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Wilkin first became a Director and was named Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of the Company in September 2001. In December 2001, Mr. Wilkin became Acting-President in addition to his role as Chief Financial Officer, and on April 11, 2002 he was named President by the Board of Directors. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Wilkin served as Chief Financial Officer of a nationally licensed, internet-based real estate brokerage company. Prior to that, Mr. Wilkin practiced law concentrating on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and general corporate matters. He worked at two law firms: McGuireWoods LLP in Richmond, Virginia and Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C. Mr. Wilkin practiced with Coopers & Lybrand (a predecessor to PricewaterhouseCoopers) as a CPA before returning to graduate business school and law school. Mr. Wilkin serves on the board of directors and as chair of the finance committee of Carilion Clinic, a not-for-profit health care organization based in Roanoke, Virginia. Mr. Wilkin earned his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia, is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, and received his undergraduate degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
In determining nominations to the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee considered Mr. Wilkin’s experience leading the Company since December 2001, his industry specific knowledge and experience, and his business, entrepreneurial, financial and legal background, as well as his experience with public reporting companies, as essential and important qualities beneficial to the Board.
Mr. Frazier was elected a Director of the Company in 1996. Mr. Frazier is currently President of River Acceptance, LLC. The primary business of River Acceptance, LLC is to provide leading edge recycling solutions for used and obsolete electronic devices. Mr. Frazier has been self-employed in various chemical and engineering businesses over many years and was previously a senior chemist with E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”). Mr. Frazier earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Virginia Military Institute.
In determining nominations to the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee considered Mr. Frazier’s experience serving the Company’s Board since April 1996 and his broad business and entrepreneurial background, as well as his manufacturing experience, as essential and important qualities beneficial to the Board.
Mr. Holland was elected a Director of the Company in 1996. Mr. Holland is a Principal and Founder of Holland Technical Services, a software and automation consulting firm specializing in the manufacturing industry that he founded in 2002. Mr. Holland is also the President of the Equine Welfare Alliance, a non-profit umbrella organization with approximately 300 member organizations. Mr. Holland was President of Cybermotion, Inc., a company he co-founded in 1984. Mr. Holland’s previous experience includes being employed by the Electro-Optics Product Division of ITT where he was responsible for the design of the earliest fiber optic systems and the development of automated manufacturing systems for optical fiber. Mr. Holland holds numerous patents in fiber optics and robotics and is the author of three books including Designing Autonomous Mobile Robots – Inside the Mind of an Intelligent Machine.
In determining nominations to the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee considered Mr. Holland’s experience serving the Company’s Board since April 1996, his fiber optic systems background and his expertise with automated manufacturing systems like those used by the Company, as essential and important qualities beneficial to the Board.
Mr. Nygren was President and CEO of ChemTreat, Inc. from 2000 until his retirement in 2010, first becoming President in 1990. During Mr. Nygren’s leadership and tenure, ChemTreat grew dramatically, culminating with the sale of ChemTreat to Danaher Corporation in 2007 for $436 million. Mr. Nygren joined ChemTreat in 1976 as Manager of Technical Services and was the chief architect of ChemTreat’s core technologies. Mr. Nygren served as Technical Director and Vice President of Technology, prior to being named ChemTreat’s President in 1990. Prior to joining ChemTreat, Mr. Nygren served as Technical Service Manager at Hercules Inc. from 1973 to 1976, and Research and Development Group Leader at Drew Chemical Corporation from 1971 to 1973. He is author of numerous papers in the water treatment discipline and holder of several patents. He served on the external advisory board for the School of Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the National Association of Corrosion Engineers. Mr. Nygren earned his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University.
In determining nominations to the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee considered Mr. Nygren’s experience serving the Company’s Board since March 2016, his business, sales, manufacturing and technical experience and background, as well as his leadership in growing a middle-market manufacturing company, as essential and important qualities beneficial to the Board.
Mr. Weber was elected a Director of the Company in 2002. From January 2014 until his retirement in September 2019, Mr. Weber was Chief Executive Officer and President of Home Care Delivered, Inc., a medical supply company serving patients cared for at home throughout the United States. Mr. Weber served on the Board of Directors of Home Care Delivered, Inc. from April 2012 to April 2021 and was Chairman of its Audit, Compensation and Independent Committees from 2012 to December 2013, and Chief Financial Officer and Executive VP/Corporate Development from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Weber’s previous business experience includes Chief Executive Officer of a business and technology consulting company, President of a document imaging technology company, Chief Operating Officer of a nationally licensed real estate brokerage company, and VP-Business Development and chief legal, human resources and administrative officer for a national distributor of pharmaceuticals and other products. Earlier in his career, Mr. Weber practiced corporate law for 12 years as a partner at McGuireWoods and as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell where he specialized in corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, banking and general corporate matters. Mr. Weber earned his MBA from the College of William and Mary, his law degree from the University of Virginia, and his undergraduate degree from Cornell University.
In determining nominations to the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee considered Mr. Weber’s experience serving the Company’s Board since February 2002, and his business, entrepreneurial, financial and legal background, as well as his experience with public reporting companies, as essential and important qualities beneficial to the Board.
Code of Ethics
The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to each of the Company’s Directors, officers and employees. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets forth the Company’s policies and expectations on a number of topics, including: Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations; Conflicts of Interest; Insider Trading; Corporate Opportunities; Competition and Fair Dealing; Discrimination and Harassment; Social Responsibility and Human Rights; Health and Safety; Record-Keeping; Confidentiality; Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets; Prohibition Against Payments to Government Personnel; Waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; Amendments; Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior; and Compliance Procedures.
The Board of Directors of the Company reviews the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on an as needed basis, and changes or amends the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as appropriate.
The Company has a Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers which applies to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance, Corporate Controller and the Director of Taxation. The Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, as amended, can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”. Under the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, the Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers have agreed to abide by principles governing their professional and ethical conduct.
The Board of Directors of the Company reviews the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers on an as needed basis, and changes or amends the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers as appropriate.
Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Non-employee Directors
The Company has an Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Non-Employee Directors. The policy is applicable to all non-employee members of the Company’s Board. This policy requires each non-employee member of the Board to accumulate over a set period and retain a minimum value of the Company’s Common Shares and also to retain minimum percentages of the Company’s Common Shares awarded to them under any equity compensation plan of the Company. The intention of this policy is to ensure non-employee members of the Board have wealth at risk in the Company’s Common Shares, further aligning the interests of the Board with those of the shareholders. A copy of the Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Non-Employee Directors can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”.
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees
The Board of Directors held a total of seven meetings during the Company’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2023. Each Director attended in person or telephonically at least 75% of the meetings held by the Board of Directors and all committees thereof on which each Director served or, in the event that membership was for a partial year, at least 75% of the meetings occurring during the period of membership. It is the policy of the Company that every Director attend annual meetings of shareholders. All of the Directors of the Company attended the last annual meeting of shareholders.
The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Frazier, Holland, Nygren and Weber qualify as independent directors. The Board considers the listing standards and rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in determining Board of Director independence.
Shareholders may send communications to the Board of Directors by mailing such communications addressed to Board of Directors (or addressed to a specific individual director), c/o Optical Cable Corporation, 5290 Concourse Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019.
The Board of Directors has established three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Frazier, Nygren and Weber. Messrs. Frazier, Nygren and Weber are all considered independent for purposes of service on the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee. The Company considers the corporate governance guidelines of Nasdaq and the SEC when determining independence. Each of Messrs. Frazier, Nygren and Weber are financially sophisticated. Mr. Weber qualifies as an Audit Committee Financial Expert, as such term is defined under Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K, and has been designated the Audit Committee Financial Expert. He is also the Audit Committee Chairman. The Audit Committee met five times during the fiscal year.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, amended and restated effective September 9, 2021, which can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”. The charter provides the Audit Committee with governance authority over the Company’s financial statements and over compliance with legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to financial statements, accounting and financial reporting processes and external audits. The Audit Committee selects the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company; pre-approves the audit and permitted non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; discusses and reviews the scope and the fees of the prospective annual audit; reviews the audit plan and the results of the annual audit with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; reviews compliance with existing major financial policies of the Company; reviews the adequacy of the financial organization of the Company; reviews management’s procedures and policies relative to the adequacy of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and compliance with federal and state laws relating to accounting practices; and is notified of material proposed transactions, if any, with related parties. The Audit Committee meets no less frequently than quarterly.
The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Frazier, Nygren and Weber. All of the members of the Compensation Committee are considered independent under the Board independence standard, which is the same standard for Compensation Committee independence. The Company adheres to the corporate governance guidelines of Nasdaq and the SEC when determining independence. The Compensation Committee met four times during the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee and Board of Directors, as appropriate, administer the Optical Cable Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) as amended together with other predecessor and successor plans (collectively, the “stock incentive plans”). Since December 2001, the Compensation Committee has consisted of only non-employee Directors. Mr. Weber is the Compensation Committee Chairman.
The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors which can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”. The Compensation Committee: reviews and approves all compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) on an annual basis; establishes the individual goals for the CEO to be used for determining incentive compensation for the CEO on an annual basis; reviews and approves all compensation for other executive officers of the Company on an annual basis; reviews recommendations made by the CEO with respect to compensation for other senior officers other than the CEO and other executive officers on an annual basis; reviews and approves the CEO’s employment agreement and also employment agreements for other executive officers; reviews recommendations made by the CEO with respect to, and approves and administers, the criteria used for determining annual management incentive bonus compensation, if any, for senior officers of the Company (other than the CEO and other executive officers); administers the Company’s stock incentive plans on behalf of the Board of Directors, including the approval of equity grants made pursuant to such plans; carries out related responsibilities required by the rules of Nasdaq and the SEC, as applicable, including reviewing the description of the Committee’s processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC; oversees, in consultation with management, compliance with tax, accounting and regulatory requirements with respect to the Company’s overall executive compensation program; makes recommendations to the Board regarding matters related to any shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation (say-on-pay); retains or obtains the advice of one or more compensation consultants, legal counsel or other advisors; and assesses and determines the independence of compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Messrs. Frazier, Holland and Nygren. All of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are considered independent under the Board independence standard, which is the same standard for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee independence. The Company adheres to the corporate governance guidelines of Nasdaq and the SEC when determining independence. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during the fiscal year. Mr. Frazier is the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairman.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: reviews the qualifications of candidates to serve on the Board of Directors and for each election of Directors recommends nominees for consideration by the full Board of Directors; reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters of Director independence and corporate governance of the Board; and has such other duties as may be requested by the Board or the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers diversity in identifying nominees for directors. In defining “diversity”, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers an individual’s background, reputation, professional experience, education and skill, civic involvement, race, gender and/or national origin; however, the Company does not have a written policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees.
The following matrix details the current gender identity and demographic background of the members of our Board of Directors. The format of the diversity matrix complies with Nasdaq’s Listing Rule 5606 which requires annual disclosure of board-level diversity statistics.
|
Board Diversity Matrix (As of January 26, 2024)
|
|
Total Number of Directors
|
5
|
| |
Female
|
Male
|
Non-
Binary
|
Did Not
Disclose
Gender
|
|
Part I: Gender Identity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
|
Part II: Demographic Background
|
|
|
|
|
|
African American or Black
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Alaskan Native or Native American
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Asian
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Hispanic or Latinx
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
White
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
|
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
LGBTQ+
|
0
|
|
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background
|
0
|
|
Directors who are Military Veterans: 2
|
|
|
|
|
The Company’s Board of Directors does not currently meet the recommended diversity objective. The Board members have all been in place since prior to the recommended diversity objective and have specific knowledge and experience both with the Company and outside of the Company that the Board deems important to the oversight of the business. Considering the Company’s size as a “smaller reporting company”, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors have concluded that adding additional Board members at this time would create an additional financial burden that would not be in the best interests of the Company or its shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors intends to consider recommended diversity objectives when considering any future candidates for nomination to the Board.
Board Leadership Structure and Lead Director
Our Board leadership structure is composed of a combined Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, an independent Audit Committee Chairman, an independent Compensation Committee Chairman, and an independent Nominating and Corporate Governance Chairman.
Mr. Wilkin is Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He was named Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in September 2003, in addition to his previously held positions as President and a member of the Board of Directors.
After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has determined that at this time it is appropriate for the Chairman and the CEO to be the same individual. The Board of Directors has also determined, for the reasons set forth herein, that a lead independent director is not necessary and has not appointed one at this time. In making these determinations, the Board of Directors considered the relative size of the Company, the size of the Board of Directors and the fact that all remaining members of the Board of Directors are independent Directors. The Board believes that having a combined role, considering the Company’s size, enhances the ability to provide insight and direction on important strategic initiatives to both management and the Board, and to ensure that they act with a common purpose. The Company also believes that its overall corporate governance policies and practices adequately address any governance concerns raised by the dual CEO and Chairman role. Separating the roles would potentially result in less effective management and governance processes through undesirable duplication of work and, in worst case, lead to a blurring of the clear lines of responsibility.
The Board of Director’s Role in Risk Oversight
Our Board of Directors has primary responsibility for overall risk oversight. The Board and the Company’s management each have distinct roles in the identification, assessment, oversight and management of potential risks that could affect the Company’s ability to achieve its strategic and financial objectives. Our corporate governance policies provide that the Board shall assess major risk factors relating to the Company and its performance, and review measures to mitigate and address such risks. To facilitate effective oversight, the various committees of the Board meet periodically and report to the full Board regarding potential risks to the Company, as well as the Company’s strategy for managing those risks to an appropriate level. However, while each of the committees contributes to the risk management oversight function by assisting the Board in the manner described, the Board itself remains responsible for the oversight of the Company’s overall risk management program. We believe that this structure ensures that our Board is fully aware of, and appropriately oversees, the Company’s significant risks.
Management provides updates as deemed appropriate to the Board regarding cybersecurity and other related information technology matters. These updates include, but are not limited to, key information technology personnel changes, backup protocols, cybersecurity matters and insurance coverage for cyber incidents.
The Board believes that its current leadership structure best facilitates its oversight of risk by combining independent leadership, through independent Board committees, and majority independent Board composition, with an experienced Chairman and Chief Executive Officer who has intimate knowledge of our business, history, and the complex challenges we face. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s in-depth understanding of these matters and involvement in the day-to-day management of the Company uniquely positions him to promptly identify and raise key business risks to the Board, call special meetings of the Board when necessary to address critical issues, and focus the Board’s attention on areas of concern. The independent committee chairs and other Directors also are experienced professionals or executives who can and regularly do raise issues for Board consideration and review, and are not hesitant to challenge management. The Board believes there is a well-functioning and effective balance between the independent Board members and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, which enhances risk oversight.
The Board of Directors exercises its oversight responsibility for risk both directly and through its three standing committees. Throughout the year, the Board and each committee spend a portion of their time reviewing and discussing specific risk topics. The full Board is kept informed of each committee’s risk oversight and related activities through regular oral reports from the committee chairs or committee meeting minutes available for review by all Directors. Strategic, operational and competitive risks also are presented and discussed at the Board’s quarterly meetings, and more often as needed. Periodically, the Board conducts a review of our long-term strategic plans and other members of senior management report on our top risks and the steps management has taken or will take to mitigate these risks. In addition, legal counsel updates the Board on material legal and regulatory matters as requested by the Board. On a regular basis between Board meetings, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer reports to the Board on the critical issues faced and recent developments as deemed necessary. These reports may include a discussion of business risks and/or a discussion regarding enterprise risk.
The Audit Committee meets regularly with our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, independent registered public accounting firm and legal counsel to discuss our major financial risk exposures, financial reporting, internal controls, credit and liquidity risk and compliance risk. The Audit Committee meets regularly in separate executive session with the independent registered public accounting firm, as well as with committee members only, to facilitate a full and candid discussion of risk and other governance issues.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing human capital and compensation risks, including evaluating and assessing risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for employees and ensuring executive compensation is aligned with performance. The Compensation Committee also is charged with monitoring our incentive and equity-based compensation plans.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS NAMED ON THE PROXY.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
NON-BINDING SHAREHOLDER ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act. See Executive Compensation below for additional information related to the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.
We believe that our executive compensation is competitive within our industry, consistent with executive compensation of companies similarly sized and with similar complexities, and strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders. Our executive compensation has been designed to promote a performance-based culture and ensure long-term value creation by aligning the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders by linking a substantial portion of their compensation to the Company’s performance. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the compensation programs for our named executive officers to ensure they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our shareholders’ interests and current market practices.
As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding upon the Company or our Board of Directors. However, our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee value the opinions expressed by shareholders in their vote on this proposal. Consequently, the Compensation Committee intends to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions for our executive officers.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
Except as noted below, the following table sets forth information as of January 26, 2024, regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Shares of (i) each person made known to the Company through public filings made with the SEC to be the beneficial owner, within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Shares, (ii) each Director and nominee of the Company, (iii) each current executive officer of the Company named in the Summary Compensation Table (see “Executive Compensation”) and (iv) all executive officers and Directors and nominees of the Company as a group. Others may be included in the table below as deemed appropriate. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each named beneficial owner is c/o Optical Cable Corporation, 5290 Concourse Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019.
Except to the extent indicated in the footnotes, each of the beneficial owners named below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed. In computing the number and percentage of shares beneficially owned by each person, the Company has included any shares of common stock that could be acquired within 60 days of January 26, 2024.
|
Name and Address
|
|
No. of Shares
|
|
Percent of Class
|
|
Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.
|
|
1,001,553
|
(1)
|
12.7%
|
|
Tracy G. Smith
|
|
321,788
|
(2)
|
4.1%
|
|
Randall H. Frazier
|
|
76,324
|
(3)
|
1.0%
|
|
John M. Holland
|
|
132,954
|
(4)
|
1.7%
|
|
John A. Nygren
|
|
76,800
|
(5)
|
1.0%
|
|
Craig H. Weber
|
|
209,220
|
(6)
|
2.7%
|
|
R. Ted Weschler
|
|
768,500
|
(7)
|
9.7%
|
|
David R. Goode
|
|
123,651
|
(8)
|
1.6%
|
|
All Directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)
|
|
1,818,639
|
|
23.0%
|
|
(1)
|
Includes 54,635 shares of restricted stock still subject to vesting as of January 26, 2024. See the “Executive Officer Compensation” section of this proxy statement for a description of vesting criteria of these restricted share awards. Mr. Wilkin’s holdings include 22,595 Common Shares indirectly purchased by Mr. Wilkin at various times in open-market and private transactions by Wilkin Capital Fund I, LLC, which is owned by an individual retirement account for the benefit of Mr. Wilkin. Mr. Wilkin owns 67,229 Common Shares jointly with his wife, who shares voting and investment power as to those shares. Mr. Wilkin disclaims beneficial ownership of 1,060 shares held by his children and which are excluded from the number of shares set forth in the table above. In October 2007, and in connection with the exercise of certain warrants to purchase shares of OCC, and separately in June 2016, Mr. Wilkin entered into loan agreements (as later amended and refinanced) in which he pledged shares of OCC as security. These loans have been paid in full with no balances outstanding. In addition to the purchase price paid for shares directly or indirectly purchased by him, as of January 26, 2024, Mr. Wilkin has paid approximately $954,000 in total to OCC or taxing authorities since fiscal year 2003 to retain vesting restricted shares of OCC, rather than exercising an option to “net vest” by surrendering shares (in lieu of paying cash) to satisfy required tax withholding amounts. These withholding tax amounts are based on the required federal income tax withholding rate at the time (typically 22% to 25%) and do not include additional federal income taxes actually paid on such vesting shares.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes 25,045 shares of restricted stock still subject to vesting as of January 26, 2024. See the “Executive Officer Compensation” section of this proxy statement for a description of vesting criteria of these restricted share awards. Ms. Smith owns 4,125 Common Shares jointly with her husband, who shares voting and investment power as to those shares. Of the 4,125 Common Shares she owns jointly with her husband, 2,500 were acquired upon exercise of warrants (warrants purchased by Ms. Smith from third parties in arm’s length transactions).
|
|
(3)
|
Includes 7,140 Common Shares still subject to vesting as of January 26, 2024. Mr. Frazier has pledged 49,150 of his Common Shares as security for a loan.
|
| |
|
|
(4)
|
Includes 7,140 Common Shares still subject to vesting as of January 26, 2024.
|
| |
|
|
(5)
|
Includes 7,140 Common Shares still subject to vesting as of January 26, 2024. The Common Shares owned by Mr. Nygren include 10,888 Common Shares purchased in open-market transactions at various times. All of Mr. Nygren’s shares are held jointly with his wife, who shares voting and investment power as to those shares.
|
| |
|
|
(6)
|
Includes 7,140 Common Shares still subject to vesting as of January 26, 2024. Mr. Weber’s holdings include 57,625 Common Shares which he purchased in open-market transactions at various times and 7,500 Common Shares which he acquired upon exercise of warrants (warrants purchased by Mr. Weber from third parties in arm’s length transactions).
|
| |
|
|
(7)
|
R. Ted Weschler’s address is 404B East Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. Common Share ownership information reflected in the table is as of December 31, 2018 and is based on the Form SC 13G/A filed by R. Ted Weschler with the SEC on February 14, 2019. The Company is not aware of any Common Shares subsequently acquired or disposed by Mr. Weschler.
|
| |
|
|
(8)
|
David R. Goode is a strategic financial investor. Mr. Goode’s address is 150 Main Street, Suite 1700, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. Common Share ownership information in the table is as of February 2024, based on Company inquiry.
|
As of January 26, 2024, employees of the Company and members of the Board of Directors owned approximately 34.5% of the shares issued and outstanding, including shares still subject to potential forfeiture based on vesting requirements.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The current executive officers of the Company are: Neil D. Wilkin, Jr., Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Tracy G. Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Please see the “Election of Directors” section of this proxy statement for certain information concerning Mr. Wilkin.
Tracy G. Smith, age 56, became the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on July 9, 2008. Prior to becoming Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Smith served as the Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from September 2003 through July 2008. Prior to becoming Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Smith served as the Company’s Controller from May 2002 through September 2003. Ms. Smith was named Corporate Secretary of the Company effective June 2004. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Smith was the Corporate Controller for RBX Corporation. Ms. Smith is a CPA and has over 12 years of experience in public accounting with KPMG LLP. Ms. Smith left KPMG LLP in December 2001. Ms. Smith holds a bachelor of science degree in business with a major in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
There are no family relationships among the Directors or executive officers of the Company.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Overview
The Company seeks to recruit and retain qualified non-employee Board members that are able to positively contribute to the success of the Company for the benefit of the Company’s various stakeholders, the most important of which are its shareholders, but also includes the Company’s customers, its employees, and the communities in which the Company operates.
Non-employee directors of the Company receive cash and share-based compensation for their service to OCC. Share-based compensation is granted under the Company’s 2017 Plan, and previously under predecessor plans.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors recommends annual compensation for non-employee Board members, administers the 2017 Plan and successor stock incentive plans, and administered other predecessor stock incentive plans. The Board approves compensation for non-employee Board members, typically each year after the annual meeting of shareholders, including stock award grants to non-employee directors.
Share-based compensation is an important part of non-employee Board member compensation, since it aligns the financial interests of the members of the Board with the shareholders.
The 2017 Plan permits various methods of providing share-based compensation to non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee and the Board prefer that share-based compensation for non-employee directors be in the form of stock awards. The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that the use of stock awards, rather than stock options (by way of example), tends to be less dilutive to shareholders and also may tend to result in a lower expense to the Company under current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Stock award grants require the non-employee directors to pay cash taxes on non-cash taxable income unlike stock options (by way of example), which also demonstrates a financial commitment by the non-employee directors.
The Compensation Committee engages a compensation consultant to assist in establishing appropriate compensation levels for non-employee directors. Such compensation consultant is engaged periodically as determined appropriate by the Compensation Committee—typically annually.
Methodology of Determining Non-Employee Director Compensation
The Compensation Committee engages an outside compensation consultant with a nationally recognized firm to make recommendations regarding appropriate compensation levels for non-employee directors—typically annually and most recently during fiscal year 2023.
Prior to any engagement of the compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee and the Company determined that no conflict of interest existed between the Company and its employees and the compensation consultant and its employees. The outside consultant engaged by the Compensation Committee in fiscal year 2023 is also engaged by the Company to assist with benefits administration related to the Company’s 401(k) Plan and with the annual Directors and Officers Insurance renewal.
For fiscal year 2023, the compensation consultant created a revenue-based peer group by considering similar-sized public companies, as well as considering industry and company type (e.g., manufacturing and/or technology companies), which was reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. In addition to revenue, other financial factors are considered in evaluating the appropriateness of the peer group including EBITDA, net income, market capitalization, and return on equity.
The peer group contained 12 public companies in addition to OCC. The peer group used by the compensation consultant for recommendations regarding non-employee director compensation is the same peer group used by the compensation consultant for recommendations regarding executive compensation. The compensation consultant provided data regarding ranges of retainers for members of the Board and the committees, retainers for committee chairman, meeting fees, and share-based compensation.
Generally, the Compensation Committee targets non-employee Board member compensation at or about the 25th percentile of the revenue-based peer group recommended by the compensation consultant.
Using this approach, the Compensation Committee decided on recommended non-employee director compensation for fiscal year 2023. The Compensation Committee approved and recommended to the Board for consideration and approval, the dollar amount of the following for non-employee Board members for fiscal year 2023:
| |
●
|
Annual cash retainer for Board membership, Audit Committee membership, Compensation Committee membership, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee membership. The annual cash retainer, to be paid quarterly, includes compensation for attendance at Board meetings, Audit Committee meetings, Compensation Committee meetings, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meetings.
|
| |
●
|
Annual cash retainer for the chairman of the Audit Committee, the chairman of the Compensation Committee, and the chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, to be paid quarterly.
|
| |
●
|
Dollar value of annual share-based compensation for Board membership.
|
The Board of Directors approved the Compensation Committee’s recommendations at the Board meeting on July 26, 2023 at which point the non-director compensation was effective until the next annual meeting of shareholders.
Share-based compensation to non-employee directors is issued in accordance with the Optical Cable Corporation Amended and Restated Policy for the Timing of Equity Compensation Grants Under Stock Incentive Plans, adopted by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board on March 29, 2016 (the “Timing Policy”). Generally, the Timing Policy anticipates annual equity grants for non-employee directors to occur on or about the first business day of April.
The actual number of Common Shares issued to a non-employee Board member is generally calculated by using the average closing price per share during the 20 trading dates immediately preceding the first business day after April 1, divided by the dollar value of the share-based compensation to be received by the Board member. During fiscal year 2023, the Company granted stock awards on July 26, 2023 under the 2017 Plan to non-employee Board members with the number of Common Shares being issued calculated using the average closing price per share during the 20 trading dates immediately preceding the first business day after April 1, which was a higher price (resulting in few shares being granted) than the closing price per share on the date of grant. Common Shares issued to non-employee directors as a portion of their retainer for service on the Board vest over a one-year period.
The Company has an Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Non-Employee Directors. The policy is applicable to all non-employee members of the Company’s Board. The intention of this policy is to ensure non-employee members of the Board have wealth at risk in the Company’s Common Shares, further aligning the interests of the Board with those of the shareholders. A copy of the Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Non-Employee Directors can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”.
Compensation of Directors
Compensation for each non-employee director includes an annual cash retainer of $45,000 plus cash retainers of $6,250, $5,000 and $3,000 for Members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, respectively. An additional cash retainer of $4,750, $4,500, and $4,250 is included for the Chairmen of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, respectively, for their service as chairs. Cash retainers have been paid in quarterly installments during the 2023-2024 Board Year.
Each director also received 7,140 Common Shares in July 2023 as part of their compensation for services during the 2023-2024 Board Year.
The annual cash retainer includes compensation for attendance at Board meetings, Audit Committee meetings, Compensation Committee meetings, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meetings. The Company does not provide pensions, medical benefits or other benefit programs to non-employee directors.
The Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer did not receive any compensation for his services as Director, but does receive compensation as an employee of the Company. No other employees of the Company are members of the Board of Directors.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Table
The following table details the total compensation earned by the Company’s non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023:
|
Name
|
|
Cash
Retainers
Earned (1)
|
|
|
Stock Awards
($) (2)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Randall H. Frazier
|
|
$ |
59,750 |
|
|
$ |
26,704 |
|
|
$ |
86,454 |
|
|
John M. Holland
|
|
|
46,958 |
|
|
|
26,704 |
|
|
|
73,662 |
|
|
John A. Nygren
|
|
|
56,229 |
|
|
|
26,704 |
|
|
|
82,933 |
|
|
Craig H. Weber
|
|
|
64,875 |
|
|
|
26,704 |
|
|
|
91,579 |
|
|
(1) Includes annual cash retainers for board and committee memberships and committee chairmanships
|
| |
|
(2) Amounts represent the fair value on the grant date of July 26, 2023 determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Number of Common Shares issued as compensation based on restricted stock grant of $30,000. Stock awards granted have a vesting period of one year and directors are responsible for paying income taxes on non-cash share-based compensation.
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Overview
The Company seeks to recruit and retain qualified executives and employees that are able to positively contribute to the success of the Company for the benefit of the Company’s various stakeholders, the most important of which are its shareholders, but also including the Company’s customers, its employees, and the communities in which the Company operates.
OCC’s executive compensation program is intended to align the financial interests of OCC’s executives with the interests of our shareholders by rewarding short-term and long-term performance that meets or exceeds the goals and budgets established with the objective of increasing long-term shareholder value.
Consistent with our pay for performance philosophy, the total compensation received by our executive officers will vary based on corporate performance measured against annual and long-term performance goals. Our named executive officers’ total compensation is comprised of a mix of base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and long-term share-based incentive compensation.
Share-based compensation is an important part of executive compensation, since it closely aligns the financial interests of the executives with the interests of our shareholders. Share-based compensation is granted under the 2017 Plan and was previously granted under other stock incentive plans. Share-based incentive compensation includes primarily long-term performance-based vesting grants and has only consisted of long-term performance-based vesting grants for executives and employees since fiscal year 2017.
The stock incentive plans permit various methods of providing share-based compensation to participants. The Compensation Committee prefers that share-based compensation for executives and other employees be in the form of restricted stock awards. The Company believes that the use of restricted stock awards, rather than stock options (by way of example), tends to be less dilutive to shareholders and also may tend to result in a lower expense to the Company under current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
When restricted stock award grants vest, participants incur a cash income tax withholding liability on non-cash taxable income (unlike stock options, by way of example). A participant can either “net vest” by surrendering a portion of the vesting Common Shares to cover his or her tax withholding liability or pay the tax withholding liability in cash to retain all of the vesting Common Shares, with the latter demonstrating an additional financial commitment by the participant.
The Company is a “smaller reporting company” as defined by the SEC, and is therefore not required to provide, and does not purport to provide, all of the disclosures required for a “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” as set forth in rules promulgated by the SEC.
Compensation Philosophy and Strategy
Compensation Committee Role
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors reviews and approves all compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and other named executive officers (currently only the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)), including base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and long-term share-based incentive compensation. The Compensation Committee administers the Company’s stock incentive plans and approves all employee equity compensation granted under the 2017 Plan and other predecessor stock incentive plans.
The Compensation Committee also reviews recommendations of the CEO regarding compensation of other members of the senior leadership team of the Company (other than the executive officers, which are currently the CEO and the CFO), and has such other duties as set forth in the charter of the Compensation Committee, approved by the Board and which can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”.
The Compensation Committee engages a compensation consultant to assist in establishing appropriate compensation levels for executives. Such compensation consultant is engaged periodically as determined appropriate by the Compensation Committee—typically annually.
Compensation levels for executive officers are generally reviewed annually, but may be reviewed as deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee.
Compensation Philosophy
The Company’s Compensation Philosophy is used by the Compensation Committee in reviewing and approving executive compensation, and also applies to other members of the Company’s leadership team, as well as to other employees (where appropriate).
The Company’s Compensation Philosophy is as follows:
OCC’s Compensation Philosophy are ideals used in creating appropriate compensation and performance-based reward opportunities for the Company’s leadership team, as well as all other employees, and consists of the following five principles:
| |
•
|
Provide Competitive Compensation. OCC believes that competitive compensation is an integral component of its overall business and human resource strategies. OCC’s compensation plans are designed to be competitive and to promote the hiring and retention of highly qualified personnel necessary to execute OCC’s strategies and achieve its objectives.
|
| |
•
|
Pay for Performance. OCC’s compensation plans are designed to recognize and reward employees for both individual and group contributions and results relative to short-term and long-term goals and objectives.
|
| |
•
|
Focus on Long-Term Shareholder Value Creation. OCC believes that to build a successful business, team members must focus on creating and executing strategies designed to create long-term shareholder value—in addition to achieving short-term performance. OCC’s compensation plans are designed to have a meaningful portion of compensation based on the creation and execution of strategies intended to generate long-term shareholder value.
|
| |
•
|
Create Culture of Ownership. OCC believes that long-term share-based incentives, where appropriate, are an important component of compensation to retain key personnel and to directly align the financial interests of the team with the interests of shareholders. OCC’s compensation plans are designed to provide the opportunity for leadership team members to earn a meaningful ownership interest in OCC. OCC has adopted an Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Employees, consistent with this philosophy (see the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”).
|
| |
•
|
Create Fair Compensation Plans. The Company believes that it is important that the compensation plans are designed and administered in a consistent and fair manner to promote equal opportunities for all similarly situated employees.
|
Compensation Strategy
The Compensation Committee uses the Company’s Compensation Strategy to implement the Company’s five principles of OCC’s Compensation Philosophy when reviewing and approving executive compensation. OCC also uses the Compensation Strategy to implement the OCC Compensation Philosophy in connection with compensation decisions for other members of the Company’s leadership team, as well as to other employees (as appropriate).
The Company’s Compensation Strategy is as follows:
OCC’s Compensation Strategy is a guideline to be used to implement the five principles of OCC’s Compensation Philosophy.
| |
•
|
OCC will periodically use third party consultants and available databases as appropriate to review general and industry-specific compensation ranges for various positions, and to review compensation practices and appropriate benefit offerings in order to provide appropriate and competitive compensation to OCC’s employees.
|
| |
•
|
Generally, compensation for each position will be established within the range of compensation for similar positions in similarly situated companies. The Company’s organization size (in terms of revenue and other financial factors as appropriate), type of operation, and complexity will be taken into account, and therefore similarly situated companies include companies of similar size, type of operation, and complexity whether or not such companies are in OCC’s industry.
|
| |
•
|
As a pay-for-performance company, OCC will consider individual performance, team performance, and the performance of the Company, as appropriate, when making any decisions regarding changes in compensation.
|
| |
•
|
OCC will consider an individual’s scope of responsibilities, and his or her knowledge and experience (including industry specific knowledge and experience), to the extent such knowledge and experience contributes to OCC’s ability to achieve its business objectives, when making decisions regarding compensation.
|
| |
•
|
OCC will provide appropriate annual short-term bonus opportunities for employees, so individual employees are rewarded for the positive individual and group contributions to OCC’s success for the benefit of the Company’s stakeholders, including shareholders.
|
| |
•
|
Selective granting of share-based compensation to leadership team members and certain other employees aligning employees’ financial interests with the long-term interests of OCC’s shareholders.
|
| |
•
|
Generally, long-term share-based compensation will contain primarily performance-based vesting to encourage long-term performance and employee retention.
|
| |
•
|
Generally, OCC prefers that share-based compensation be in the form of restricted stock awards for employees. OCC believes restricted stock awards tend to be less dilutive to shareholders (compared to stock options, for example) and may tend to have less impact on the Company’s income statement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (compared to stock options, for example).
|
| |
•
|
Generally, performance-based compensation (annual short-term and share-based long-term) will make up a larger percentage of total compensation for employees with a broader scope of responsibilities and/or the ability to significantly impact the financial and/or operational success of the Company.
|
| |
•
|
Performance award opportunities will increase or decrease in unison with short- and long-term individual and corporate results.
|
| |
•
|
OCC considers all elements of compensation (base salary, annual short-term performance incentives, long-term share-based incentives and benefits) in total when determining the appropriate level of compensation.
|
| |
•
|
OCC considers the impact and fairness on OCC’s entry level and front-line employees when establishing pay ranges for such positions, and when establishing benefits for all employees.
|
| |
•
|
OCC’s leadership team, working with OCC’s human resources team, is responsible for ensuring that OCC’s compensation and benefit plans are administered fairly and consistently, providing equal opportunities for employees.
|
Say on Pay Results and Considerations
The Company provides its shareholders the opportunity to cast an annual non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation (a “say-on-pay proposal”). The Company and the Company’s Compensation Committee consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay proposal when making future compensation decisions for the executive officers of the Company.
In connection with the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders, the proposal to approve (on a non-binding advisory basis) the executive compensation of the Company’s executive officers named in the Company’s proxy statement dated February 28, 2023, received 4,365,472 votes in favor, or 97.8% of votes cast (including abstentions and excluding broker non-votes). Although these votes are advisory (and therefore not binding on the Company), the Company and the Compensation Committee carefully review these results each year and consider them, along with other communications from shareholders relating to our compensation practices, in making future compensation decisions for executive officers of the Company.
Criteria for Compensation Levels
OCC has always sought to attract and retain qualified executives and employees able to positively contribute to the success of the Company for the benefit of its various stakeholders, most importantly shareholders. OCC uses the five principles of OCC’s Compensation Philosophy and the guidelines set forth in OCC’s Compensation Strategy to accomplish this goal.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves OCC’s Compensation Philosophy and Compensation Strategy set forth above.
The Compensation Committee uses the five principles of OCC’s Compensation Philosophy and the guidelines set forth in OCC’s Compensation Strategy, in establishing compensation levels for the Company’s executive officers (the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), and when administering the Company’s stock incentive plans.
The Compensation Committee in establishing compensation levels for the CEO and the CFO, and the Company in establishing compensation levels for other members of the leadership team, considers many factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the individual’s abilities and performance that advance the Company’s annual and long-term goals, execution of the Company’s business strategies, contributions to positive financial results, and contributions to the development of the management team and other employees, (ii) performance in his or her areas of responsibility, such as design and development of strategies to create long-term shareholder value, sales and business development, product development, efficient management of operations and systems, implementation of appropriate changes and improvements to operations and systems, personnel management, financial management, and strategic decision making, (iii) experience of the individual in his or her area of expertise, and (iv) competitiveness of compensation relative to the same or a similar position at similarly situated companies in terms of size and complexity, both inside and outside of the fiber optic and copper cabling and connectivity industries.
Compensation levels for executive officers and other members of the leadership team are generally reviewed annually, but may be reviewed anytime deemed appropriate.
Methodology of Determining Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee engages an outside compensation consultant with a nationally recognized firm to compile and analyze data and to advise the Compensation Committee regarding appropriate compensation levels for the Company’s executive officers, namely, the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer—typically annually and most recently during fiscal year 2023. These recommendations by the compensation consultant were used by the Compensation Committee when determining appropriate compensation for the Company’s executive officers for fiscal year 2023.
Prior to any engagement of the compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee and the Company determined that no conflict of interest existed between the Company and its employees and the compensation consultant and its employees. The outside consultant engaged by the Compensation Committee in fiscal year 2023 is also engaged by the Company to assist with benefits administration related to the Company’s 401(k) Plan and with the annual Directors and Officers Insurance renewal.
During fiscal year 2023, the compensation consultant created a revenue-based peer group by considering similar-sized public companies, as well as considering industry and company type (e.g., manufacturing and/or technology companies). The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the peer group. In addition to revenue, other financial factors are considered in evaluating the appropriateness of the peer group including EBITDA, net income, market capitalization, and return on equity.
The compensation consultant provided various comparison financial data regarding each company included in the recommended peer group, including revenue, EBITDA, net income, market capitalization, and return on equity, as well as statistical summary data for each measure.
The peer group contained 12 public companies in addition to OCC. The peer group used by the compensation consultant for recommendations regarding executive compensation is the same peer group used by the compensation consultant for recommendations regarding non-employee director compensation.
The compensation consultant report to the Compensation Committee in fiscal year 2023 also included compensation data using published survey data, which uses databases that include both public and non-public companies, for similar-sized manufacturing companies.
The compensation consultant provided data regarding ranges of base salary, annual short-term incentive compensation (amounts paid and target awards), and long-term equity incentive compensation, for each of the executive officers.
The compensation consultant also provided similar data and analysis regarding compensation for other members of OCC’s leadership team. The CEO uses this data in establishing compensation levels for members of the senior leadership team. The Compensation Committee reviewed data and advised the CEO regarding compensation for the senior members of the leadership team (the CEO’s direct reports), other than the CFO, whose compensation is set by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee generally targets executive compensation within a range approximately between the 25th and the 50th percentile of the revenue-based peer group recommended by the compensation consultant.
The Compensation Committee also considered recommendations of the compensation consultant regarding vesting periods and mix (performance-based vesting and time-based vesting) of long-term share-based compensation.
For fiscal year 2023, the Compensation Committee considered the data and recommendations provided by the compensation consultant, and decided on executive compensation levels for fiscal year 2023.
The CEO used a similar approach to decide on compensation levels for the 2023 year for other members of the leadership team (other than the CEO and CFO), using the published survey data and recommendations provided by the compensation consultant.
Share-based compensation to executives is issued in accordance with the Optical Cable Corporation Amended and Restated Policy for the Timing of Equity Compensation Grants Under Stock Incentive Plans, adopted by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board on March 29, 2016. Generally, the Timing Policy anticipates annual long-term incentive equity grants for executives (and other employees) to occur on or about the first business day after January 15 of each year.
In accordance with the Optical Cable Corporation Amended and Restated Policy for the Timing of Equity Compensation Grants Under Stock Incentive Plans, the actual number of Common Shares issued to an executive (and other employees) is generally calculated by using the average closing price per share during the 20 trading dates immediately preceding the first business day after January 15, divided by the dollar value of the share-based compensation to be received.
The Company has an Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Employees. The policy is applicable to all employees receiving share-based compensation. The intention of this policy is to ensure members of the leadership team, and other employees receiving share-based compensation have wealth at risk in the Company’s Common Shares, further aligning the interests of the employees with those of the shareholders. A copy of the Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Employees can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”.
Clawback Policy
Optical Cable Corporation is committed to promoting high standards of honest and ethical business conduct and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. As part of this commitment, the Company adopted a Compensation Recovery Policy (“Clawback Policy”) in compliance with Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), effective November 30, 2023.
The Company’s Clawback Policy is administered by the Compensation Committee and enables the Company to recover from specified current and former executive officers certain incentive-based compensation in the event of an accounting restatement resulting from material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws for the three most recent completed fiscal years. Such recovery will be made without regard to any individual knowledge or responsibility related to the accounting restatement.
Compensation of Executive Officers
Executive officer compensation is generally comprised of three components: base salary, annual short-term incentive compensation opportunity, and long-term share-based compensation pursuant to the terms of the 2017 Plan. OCC’s fiscal year 2023 was November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023.
Base Salary
Mr. Wilkin’s current annual base salary is $495,000 effective August 1, 2023, an increase of 8.8% from his based salary of $455,000 effective December 16, 2018.
Ms. Smith’s current annual base salary is $315,000 effective August 1, 2023, an increase of 8.6% from her base salary of $290,000 effective December 16, 2018.
Annual Short-term Incentive Opportunity
The Compensation Committee together with the CEO (other than for himself and the CFO), generally each year establish a Senior Leadership Team Annual Bonus Criteria (the “SLT ABC”) for the members of the senior leadership team. The SLT ABC generally sets forth quantitative corporate and team goals based on consolidated sales and EBITDA, as well as other goals based on certain team members’ areas of responsibility, and a return on equity target for the CEO. Payment of any compensation under the SLT ABC is subject to a minimum financial performance trigger, and achievement of certain levels of financial performance for the goals established. Compensation earned is levered up or down based on performance relative to the quantitative corporate and team goals, and qualitative goals compared to the bonus criteria.
The quantitative corporate and team goals are established by the Compensation Committee based on an annual budget approved by the Board of Directors. The Board tends to set what it considers to be stretch goals in the budget for purposes of a member of the leadership team earning his or her target annual short-term incentive compensation.
Based on the Company’s performance, no short-term incentive bonus was paid to either Mr. Wilkin or Ms. Smith for fiscal year 2023.
Long-term Equity Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee considers long-term equity incentive grants under the 2017 Plan (or predecessor stock incentive plans) based on recommendations by the compensation consultant (typically annually). The Compensation Committee designs share-based compensation to align the financial interests of the leadership team with the interests of the shareholders and to attract and retain key employees. Share-based compensation may be a mix of performance-based vesting and time-based vesting compensation.
The Compensation Committee, upon recommendation of the CEO, decided not to grant share-based compensation awards in fiscal year 2023. The most recent share-based compensation awards, granted in fiscal year 2021, were exclusively performance-based, with all shares subject to vesting over more than four years and subject to forfeiture.
The Compensation Committee sets a dollar amount of long-term equity incentive compensation for each executive. In accordance with the Optical Cable Corporation Amended and Restated Policy for the Timing of Equity Compensation Grants Under Stock Incentive Plans, the actual number of Common Shares issued to an executive is generally calculated by using the average closing price per share during the 20 trading dates immediately preceding the first business day after January 15, divided by the dollar value of the share-based compensation to be received.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning compensation paid by the Company to the Chief Executive Officer and to all other named executive officers of the Company whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023.
For purposes of this table and subsequent tables, fiscal year 2023 means November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023 and fiscal year 2022 means November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022.
Summary Compensation Table
|
Name and Principal
Position
|
|
Fiscal
Years
|
|
Annual
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Annual
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Restricted
Share
Awards ($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)(1)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.
|
|
2023
|
|
$ |
465,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
24,661 |
|
|
$ |
489,661 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2022
|
|
$ |
455,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
22,913 |
|
|
$ |
477,913 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tracy G. Smith
|
|
2023
|
|
$ |
296,250 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
24,661 |
|
|
$ |
320,911 |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
2022
|
|
$ |
290,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
22,721 |
|
|
$ |
312,721 |
|
|
(1)
|
These amounts represent insurance premiums and medical benefits paid or accrued by the Company on behalf of the individual executive officers, the Company’s paid or accrued contributions to the Company’s 401(k) retirement savings plan on behalf of the individual executive officers during the fiscal year and the Company’s paid or accrued contributions to the individual executive officers’ health savings plans during the fiscal year.
|
Stock Option Grants
The Company has not granted any stock options since June 2002. All unexercised option contracts issued by the Company expired in fiscal year 2012.
Outstanding Equity Awards Table at Fiscal Year End
The following table provides information concerning unvested restricted shares of the Company’s Common Shares held by the named executive officers of the Company as of October 31, 2023:
| |
|
Stock Awards
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of Shares
of Stock That
Have Not Vested
|
|
|
Market Value of Shares
of Stock That
Have Not Vested (1)
|
|
|
Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.
|
|
|
54,635 |
|
|
$ |
148,061 |
|
|
Tracy G. Smith
|
|
|
25,045 |
|
|
|
67,872 |
|
|
(1)
|
The market value of the stock awards is based on the closing market price of the Company’s Common Shares as of October 31, 2023, which was $2.71.
|
Stock Option Exercises
All unexercised option contracts issued by the Company expired in fiscal year 2012.
Summary of Equity Compensation Plans
A summary of OCC’s equity compensation plan as of October 31, 2023 follows:
| |
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights (1)
|
|
|
Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
|
|
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column
(a))
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 Stock Incentive Plan
|
|
291,154
|
shares
|
|
—
|
|
355,800
|
shares
|
|
(1)
|
Includes restricted shares that are issued and outstanding, but have not yet vested and are subject to forfeiture. The Company had no outstanding options, warrants, stock appreciation rights or other incentive awards outstanding at October 31, 2023.
|
The term “shares” in the table above means our Common Shares.
During fiscal year 2023, equity compensation awards for non-employee directors were granted under the 2017 Plan. There were no equity compensation awards granted to employees during fiscal year 2023.
The 2017 Plan is used for equity compensation awards for employees, non-employee directors and consultants.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The Company uses long-term incentive equity grants to provide appropriate share-based incentives to key employees to accomplish the Company’s strategic goals and build long-term shareholder value, to strengthen the desire of such key employees to remain with the Company, and to align the personal financial interests of such key employees with those of the Company’s shareholders. The Compensation Committee believes that equity awards are particularly appropriate in light of the nature of the Company’s business and long-term business plans.
Long-term equity incentive grants are made pursuant to the 2017 Plan, and predecessor stock incentive plans. The Compensation Committee receives recommendations from the President and Chief Executive Officer for employees (other than the President and Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officer) eligible to receive long-term equity incentive grants. The Compensation Committee reviews the recommendations ensuring that proposed long-term equity incentive grants are consistent with accomplishing the Company’s long-term objectives, and approves all long-term equity incentive grants made to employees (with the Compensation Committee both proposing and approving long-term equity incentive grants for the President and Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officer). Individual performance and Company performance are considered in awarding long-term incentive equity compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that the use of stock awards, rather than stock options (for example), tend to be less dilutive to shareholders and also may tend to result in a lower expense to the Company under current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. No stock options have been awarded since June 2002.
As of October 31, 2023, the Company had 355,800 shares which are available for grant as long-term incentive equity grants under the 2017 Plan.
Effective March 29, 2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved and recommended to the Board, and the Board of Directors adopted, the Optical Cable Corporation Amended and Restated Policy for the Timing of Equity Compensation Grants Under Stock Incentive Plans. Generally, the Timing Policy anticipates annual equity grants for key employees to occur on or about the first business day after January 15.
Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for the Leadership Team
The Company has an Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Employees. This policy is applicable to all employees receiving long-term equity incentive grants, including each of the named executive officers, certain other members of the Company’s Leadership Team and certain other key employees. This policy requires each Leadership Team member holding a position of vice president or above to accumulate over a set period and retain a minimum value of Common Shares of the Company. For the President and Chief Executive Officer, the requirement is to acquire and hold common shares of Optical Cable Corporation with an aggregate fair market value of no less than five times his then current annual base salary and for the Chief Financial Officer, the requirement is to acquire and hold common shares of Optical Cable Corporation with an aggregate fair market value of no less than three times her then current annual base salary.
This policy also requires all employees receiving long-term equity incentive grants, including each of the named executive officers, other members of the Leadership Team and certain other key employees, to retain minimum percentages of Common Shares of the Company awarded to them under any stock incentive plan. While employed by the Company in the capacity of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, he or she shall retain equity in the Company equal to 75% of all equity shares granted to the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer pursuant to any equity incentive program of the Company until the minimum equity ownership requirement has been met and maintained. After the minimum equity ownership requirement has been met and maintained, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer is required to retain at least 50% of all equity shares granted them pursuant to any equity incentive program of the Company.
The intent of this policy is to ensure all employees receiving long-term equity incentive grants have wealth at risk in the Company’s Common Shares, further aligning the interests of the management team and other employees receiving long-term equity incentive grants with those of the shareholders. A copy of the Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Employees can be found on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Corporate Governance”. The President and Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee evaluate relative to current best practices, and may consider changing from time to time, which members of the leadership team and other employees will be eligible for future long-term incentive equity grants and be subject to the Equity Ownership and Retention Policy for Employees.
Pay versus Performance
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, which was adopted by the SEC in August 2022, we are providing the following information regarding the relationship between compensation actually paid to our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and non-PEO named executive officer (“NEO”) and certain financial performance of the Company for the fiscal years listed below.
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO (1)
|
|
|
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO (2)
|
|
|
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO
NEO (3)
|
|
|
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Non-PEO
NEO (4)
|
|
|
Value of Initial
Fixed $100
Investment
Based on Total
Shareholder
Return (5)
|
|
|
Net Income
(Loss)
|
|
|
2023
|
|
$ |
489,661 |
|
|
$ |
452,145 |
|
|
$ |
320,911 |
|
|
$ |
303,713 |
|
|
$ |
70.21 |
|
|
$ |
2,066,498 |
|
|
2022
|
|
$ |
477,913 |
|
|
$ |
480,497 |
|
|
$ |
312,721 |
|
|
$ |
313,257 |
|
|
$ |
92.49 |
|
|
$ |
(347,091 |
) |
|
(1) The dollar amounts reported are the amounts of total compensation reported for our PEO, Neil D. Wilkin, Jr., in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 2023 and 2022.
|
| |
|
(2) The dollar amounts reported represent the amounts of “compensation actually paid” to our PEO, Neil D. Wilkin, Jr., as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, for each covered year. See table below.
|
| |
|
(3) The dollar amounts reported are the amounts of total compensation reported for our Non-PEO NEO, Tracy G. Smith, in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 2023 and 2022.
|
| |
|
(4) The dollar amounts reported represent the amounts of “compensation actually paid” to our Non-PEO NEO, Tracy G. Smith, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, for each covered year. See table below.
|
| |
|
(5) Assumes an investment of $100 on October 31, 2021 through the end of the listed fiscal year. The closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on Nasdaq on the following trading days were (i) $3.86 on October 31, 2021; (ii) $3.57 on October 31, 2022; and (iii) $2.71 on October 31, 2023.
|
The following table details the applicable adjustments that were made to determine “compensation actually paid” to our PEO and Non-PEO NEO.
| |
|
PEO
|
|
|
Non-PEO NEO
|
|
| |
|
2023
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
2023
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
Summary Compensation Table Total
|
|
$ |
489,661 |
|
|
$ |
477,913 |
|
|
$ |
320,911 |
|
|
$ |
312,721 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in the fair value as of the end of the covered fiscal year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) of any awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year.
|
|
|
(46,986 |
) |
|
|
(21,125 |
) |
|
|
(21,539 |
) |
|
|
(9,684 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in the fair value as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) of any awards granted in any prior fiscal year that vested during the covered fiscal year.
|
|
|
9,470 |
|
|
|
23,709 |
|
|
|
4,341 |
|
|
|
10,220 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation Actually Paid
|
|
$ |
452,145 |
|
|
$ |
480,497 |
|
|
$ |
303,713 |
|
|
$ |
313,257 |
|
Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Company Performance
The following graphs show the relationship between the compensation actually paid to our PEO and our Non-PEO NEO to our total shareholder return and net income (loss) over the two fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022.
Employment Agreements
Neil D. Wilkin, Jr. (Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer)
Mr. Wilkin is employed pursuant to an amended and restated employment agreement dated as of April 11, 2011, further amended on December 18, 2012 and March 14, 2014, approved by the Compensation Committee. Under the terms of this employment agreement, Mr. Wilkin is paid an annual base salary, which may be increased periodically, and an annual bonus target equal to 100% of his annual base salary, which may be increased periodically. The amount of the annual bonus target and the criteria for its award are set forth in the Company’s senior leadership team annual bonus criteria. Mr. Wilkin’s employment agreement also anticipates that he will participate in grants of long-term equity compensation awarded from time to time to senior executives pursuant to equity participation plans, including grants under the 2017 Plan and any successor stock incentive plans. The initial term of Mr. Wilkin’s amended and restated employment agreement was until October 31, 2014, with the agreement being extended for one year on each November 1, beginning on November 1, 2012, unless the Company or Mr. Wilkin provides the other party with prior written notice of the intention to not renew and extend the agreement. As of November 1, 2023, the current term of Mr. Wilkin’s amended and restated employment agreement shall end on October 31, 2026. Mr. Wilkin’s employment agreement provides for severance compensation under certain circumstances, as described in the employment agreement.
Tracy G. Smith (Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)
Ms. Smith is employed pursuant to an amended and restated employment agreement, dated as of April 11, 2011, further amended on December 18, 2012 and March 14, 2014, proposed by the President and Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Compensation Committee. Under the terms of this employment agreement, Ms. Smith is paid an annual base salary, which may be increased periodically and an annual bonus target equal to 55% of her annual base salary, which may be increased periodically. The amount of the annual bonus target and the criteria for its award are set forth in the Company’s senior leadership team annual bonus criteria. Ms. Smith’s employment agreement also anticipates that she will participate in grants of long-term equity compensation awarded from time to time to senior executives pursuant to equity participation plans, including grants under the 2017 Plan and any successor stock incentive plans. The initial term of Ms. Smith’s amended and restated employment agreement was until October 31, 2014, with the agreement being renewed and extended for one year on each November 1, beginning on November 1, 2012, unless the Company or Ms. Smith provides the other party with prior written notice of the intention to not renew and extend the agreement. As of November 1, 2023, the current term of Ms. Smith’s amended and restated employment agreement shall end on October 31, 2026. Ms. Smith’s employment agreement provides for severance compensation under certain circumstances, as described in the employment agreement.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
The Company is subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which became effective as of January 1, 2018. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, precludes the deductibility of a named executive officer’s compensation that exceeds $1,000,000 per year. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act modified Section 162(m) provisions, including the elimination of the “performance-based exception” that previously allowed certain performance-based compensation meeting specific requirements to qualify for full tax deductibility by the Company. As a result of the tax law changes, compensation paid to designated “covered executives”, including current and former NEOs, in excess of $1,000,000 per individual will generally not be deductible, whether or not it is performance-based. The Compensation Committee may provide compensation that may not be fully deductible in order to maintain flexibility in compensating named executive officers in a manner consistent with our compensation philosophy, as deemed appropriate. The Compensation Committee believes that shareholder interests are best served by not restricting the Compensation Committee’s discretion in this regard, even though such compensation may result in non-deductible compensation expenses to the Company. The Compensation Committee may in the future authorize compensation in excess of $1,000,000 to named executive officers that will not be deductible under Section 162(m) when it believes doing so is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Messrs. Frazier, Nygren and Weber are members of the Audit Committee. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is considered independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq and under the SEC’s audit committee independence standards. Mr. Weber serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. A copy of the charter is available on the Company’s website at http://www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/. The charter was last amended effective September 9, 2021.
Management is responsible for the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the financial reporting process and preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P., is responsible for planning and performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), forming and expressing an opinion about whether the consolidated financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and the issuance of their auditors’ report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm discussed with the Audit Committee matters required to be communicated by applicable auditing standards.
These discussions included, among other things:
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the independent registered public accounting firm’s judgments about the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles as applied in the Company’s consolidated financial statements;
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the critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company;
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any alternative treatments within U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed with management, including ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent registered public accounting firm;
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methods used to account for significant or unusual transactions;
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the effect of significant accounting policies in controversial or emerging areas for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus;
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the process used by management in formulating particularly sensitive accounting estimates and the basis for the firm’s conclusions regarding the reasonableness of these estimates;
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any disagreements with management over the application of accounting principles, the basis for management’s accounting estimates, and the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements;
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any audit adjustments and any uncorrected consolidated financial statement misstatements;
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critical audit matters, if any, described in the independent registered public accounting firm’s report; and
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other material written communications between the independent registered public accounting firm and management.
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The independent registered public accounting firm also communicated to the Audit Committee in writing any relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company and persons in financial reporting oversight roles at the Company and provided confirmation of their independence with respect to the Company as required under PCAOB Rules and relevant professional and regulatory standards.
The Company is required to comply with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 404(a)”). Section 404(a) requires: (i) the Company’s management to state its responsibility for establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting, and (ii) the Company’s management to assess at the end of each fiscal year the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting.
The Company’s management team completed its required assessment of the Company’s internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting as of October 31, 2023. The Audit Committee has been involved in the appropriate oversight of management’s Section 404(a) compliance program.
Based on the Audit Committee’s discussion with management and the independent registered public accounting firm and the Audit Committee’s review of the representation of management regarding the audited consolidated financial statements and of the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Respectfully submitted,
Craig H. Weber,
Chairman of the Audit Committee
Randall H. Frazier,
Member of the Audit Committee
John A. Nygren,
Member of the Audit Committee
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Principal Accounting Fees
The following table sets forth the amount of fees billed or expected to be billed for services rendered by Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P., the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022:
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2023
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2022
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Amount
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Amount
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Audit fees (1)
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$ |
344,499 |
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$ |
219,191 |
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Tax fees (2)
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27,616 |
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20,706 |
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All other fees (3)
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855 |
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16,074 |
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Total fees
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$ |
372,970 |
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$ |
255,971 |
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(1)
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Audit fees include annual financial statement audit and limited quarterly review services in 2023 and 2022.
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(2)
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Tax fees include income tax provision review, federal tax return review and tax advice services in 2023 and 2022.
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(3)
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All other fees include fees related to successor auditor inquiries for a benefit plan audit in 2023 and a benefit plan audit and consulting services in 2022.
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Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
As stated in the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. During fiscal year 2023, the Audit Committee pre-approved all of the services provided by Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. The Audit Committee has considered the provisions of all non-audit services by Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. and has determined that the services are compatible with maintaining Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.’s independence.
Our current independent registered public accounting firm has recently informed us that they are closing their public company audit practice and will no longer be performing audits for public companies. As a result, the Audit Committee has begun an audit proposal process to identify a new firm to provide audit and review services to the Company.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During the year ended October 31, 2023, the Company sold certain items to Mr. Frazier, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, at fair market value and in arms-length transactions, in exchange for $1,350.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the annual meeting or properly before the meeting other than those matters referred to in this proxy statement. If any other matters properly come before the annual meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the shares they represent in accordance with their best judgment.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS
The Board of Directors, its committees and the Company’s management recognize the importance of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters and how they impact our stakeholders. We believe appropriately responding to ESG issues is an important component of corporate social responsibility and comprehensive fiscal management. In light of the continued importance surrounding ESG matters, the Company establishes programs, practices and policies to maximize the benefit to the Company, and our shareholders, employees and the communities we impact. We believe that ESG programs and practices are important for attracting the best talent, executing on our strategies, maintaining a robust supplier and channel partner base, and innovating to meet our consumers’ evolving expectations.
The Board and its committees review and discuss with management matters related to human capital management, including the Company’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, employee engagement, compensation and benefits, and business conduct and compliance.
We are committed to conducting operations and activities in a manner that provides and maintains safe and healthy working conditions, protects the environment, and conserves natural resources. In meeting this commitment, it is our policy that no employee shall engage in any conduct that violates any environmental, health or safety law or is otherwise inconsistent with the health and safety needs of our employees and the environmental needs of our communities. We are also committed to the continual improvement of our environmental management systems, our environmental, health and safety programs, and to the prevention of pollution.
NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS FOR 2025 ANNUAL MEETING
The Board does not currently prescribe any minimum qualifications for director candidates. Consistent with the criteria for the selection of directors approved by the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into account: (1) the Company’s current needs, considering various factors, including, but not limited to, the appropriate size of the Board for a smaller public company, and (2) the qualities needed for Board service, including experience and achievement in business, finance, technology or other areas relevant to the Company’s activities; reputation, ethical character and maturity of judgment; diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds and experiences; absence of conflicts of interest that might impede the proper performance of the responsibilities of a director; independence under SEC and NASDAQ rules; service on other boards of directors; sufficient time to devote to Board matters; ability to work effectively and collegially with other Board members; and diversity. In considering the diversity of candidates, the Committee considers an individual’s background, professional experience, education and skill, race, ethnicity, gender, age and/or national origin. In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review such directors’ overall service to the Company during their term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance and any transactions of such directors with the Company during their term. For those potential new director candidates who appear upon first consideration to meet the Board’s selection criteria, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will conduct appropriate inquiries into their background and qualifications and, depending on the result of such inquiries, arrange for in-person meetings with the potential candidates.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may use multiple sources for identifying director candidates, including its own contacts and referrals from other directors, members of management, and the Company’s advisers.
The Committee will also consider director candidates recommended by shareholders and will evaluate such director candidates in the same manner in which it evaluates candidates recommended by other sources. In making recommendations for director nominees for the annual meeting of shareholders, the Company’s bylaws, and in certain cases U.S. securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Rule 14a-8, prescribe the procedures that a shareholder must follow to nominate directors for election at an annual meeting or to bring other business before an annual meeting and if desired, to have such proposals included in the Company’s proxy statement. The Chairman of the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person as a director or any other proposal by a shareholder not made in compliance with these procedures. In addition, no proposal will be included in any proxy statement of the Company unless the shareholder submitting a proposal to be included in the proxy statement follows the procedures outlined below. A copy of the bylaws may be obtained without charge, upon written request to Ms. Tracy G. Smith, Corporate Secretary, Optical Cable Corporation, 5290 Concourse Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019.
Proposals for Inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement
We engage with shareholders and other stakeholders throughout the year to learn their perspectives on certain significant issues. This engagement helps us better understand shareholder priorities and perspectives, gives us an opportunity to elaborate upon our initiatives and practices, and fosters constructive dialogue. We take feedback and insights from our engagement with shareholders and other stakeholders into consideration as we review and evolve our practices and disclosures, and further share them with our Board as appropriate.
Shareholder proposals to be included in the proxy statement for the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders in 2025 must be received by Ms. Tracy G. Smith, Corporate Secretary, Optical Cable Corporation, 5290 Concourse Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act, a shareholder must submit the proposal not less than 120 calendar days before the one year anniversary of the date on which the previous year’s annual meeting proxy statement was first sent or given to shareholders.
Nominations and Proposals not Included in the Company’s Proxy Statement but Intended to be Brought Before the Company’s Annual Meeting
Shareholder proposals not included in the proxy statement for the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders in 2025 must be received by Ms. Tracy G. Smith, Corporate Secretary, Optical Cable Corporation, 5290 Concourse Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019. Pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, shareholder proposals to be presented at the Company’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders must be received not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days before the date of the anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made.
ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of the Company’s annual report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, including the financial statements and notes thereto, is being mailed to the shareholders of record along with this proxy statement and is also available on the Company’s website at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Proxy Materials”. The annual report is not incorporated by reference in this proxy statement and is not considered to be part of the proxy material.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Company will provide without charge to each person from whom a proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors, upon the written request of any such person, a copy of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and notes thereto, required to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act for the Company’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2023. These materials are available on-line at www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Proxy Materials”. You may also call the Company toll free at 1-800-622-7711, e-mail the Company at investorrelations@occfiber.com or write to the Company at 5290 Concourse Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019, attention Ms. Tracy G. Smith, Corporate Secretary, to receive a free copy of the proxy materials. Additionally, the Company’s SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC Internet site (www.sec.gov).
Upon request, the Company will also furnish any other exhibit of the annual report on Form 10-K upon advance payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Company related to the Company’s furnishing of such exhibit. Requests for copies of any exhibit should be directed to the Company at its principal executive offices, 5290 Concourse Drive, Roanoke, Virginia 24019, attention Ms. Tracy G. Smith, Corporate Secretary.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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Tracy G. Smith
Corporate Secretary
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Date: February 27, 2024
OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of Optical Cable
Corporation for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held March 26, 2024
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL AND VOTING:
The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at
www.occfiber.com/investor-relations/ under “Proxy Materials”.
You may vote by one of the following methods:
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(1)
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completing, signing and returning promptly the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided;
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(2)
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going online to http://www.proxyvote.com, as appropriate, and following the online instructions; or
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(3)
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in person if you so desire even if you have previously sent in your proxy or voted online.
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The method by which you vote last will be the vote the Company counts.
If you intend to vote by using this proxy card, please sign, date and mail
your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.
The undersigned appoints Neil D. Wilkin, Jr. and Tracy G. Smith, or either of them, with full power of substitution, to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of Optical Cable Corporation (the “Company”) on March 26, 2024, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present upon the following matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting and proxy statement.
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1.
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Election of Directors
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FOR the FIVE nominees listed below
(except as marked to the contrary below)
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to Vote for the FIVE nominees listed below
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Nominees: Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.; Randall H. Frazier; John M. Holland; John A. Nygren; and Craig H. Weber.
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority for any individual nominee, write that nominee’s name in the space provided below)
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2.
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Non-binding advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.
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☐
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FOR this proposal
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AGAINST this proposal
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ABSTAIN
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3.
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In their discretion, upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.
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PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROXY PROMPTLY.
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Receipt of Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged.
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Shareholder’s Signature
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Joint Holder’s Signature (if applicable)
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Date:
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When properly executed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees of the Board of Directors in the election of Directors, FOR proposal 2 above, and in accordance with the judgment of the person(s) voting the proxy upon such other matters properly coming before the meeting and any adjournments thereof. Please sign exactly as name(s) appear above.
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