PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Our directors, including their ages, backgrounds and qualifications are as follows:
Papken der Torossian, 78, Class II Director
Papken der Torossian has been a director of ours since June 2003. Mr. der Torossian has extensive experience as chairman and chief executive of a number of semiconductor and technology-based companies. Mr. der Torossian was chief executive officer of Silicon Valley Group, Inc. (“SVGI”) from 1986 until 2001 when it was acquired by ASML. Prior to his joining SVGI, from 1981 until 1986, he was president and chief executive officer of ECS Microsystems, a communications and personal computer company that was acquired by Ampex Corporation where he stayed on as a manager for a year. From 1976 to 1981, Mr. der Torossian was president of the Santa Cruz Division of Plantronics where he also served as vice president of the Telephone Products Group. Previous to that, he spent four years at Spectra-Physics, Inc. and 12 years with Hewlett-Packard in a variety of management positions.
From
August 2007
until its acquisition in 2016
, Mr. der Torossian has served as a director and a member of the compensation committee and nominating and governance committees of Atmel Corporation, a publicly traded company. Among other qualifications, Mr. der Torossian has over two decades of experience in engineering and has demonstrated accomplishments as chief executive officer and chairman of several high technology public and private companies. Mr. der Torossian also has a relevant network in the technology community as well as relevant operating experience with small, high growth companies.
William Hightower, 73, Class I Director
William Hightower has been a director of ours since March 1999. Mr. Hightower has extensive experience as an executive officer and operating officer for both public and private companies in a number of industries, including telecommunications. From September 2003 to his retirement in November 2004, Mr. Hightower served as our president. Mr. Hightower was the president and chief operating officer and a director of SVGI, from August 1997 until May 2001. SVGI was a publicly held company which designed and built semiconductor capital equipment tools for chip manufacturers. From January 1996 to August 1997, Mr. Hightower served as chairman and chief executive officer of CADNET Corporation, a developer of network software solutions for the architectural industry. From August 1989 to January 1996, Mr. Hightower was the president and chief executive officer of Telematics International, Inc. Among other qualifications, Mr. Hightower’s longevity on our Board provides him with a historical perspective and a relevant understanding of both our target markets and our industry as a whole.
John Metcalf, 66, Class III Director
John Metcalf has been a director of ours since June 2004. From November 2002 until his retirement in July 2010, Mr. Metcalf was a chief financial officer (“CFO”) partner with Tatum LLC, the largest executive services and consulting firm in the U.S. Mr. Metcalf has 18 years’ experience as a CFO. From July 2006 to September 2007, Mr. Metcalf served as CFO for Electro Scientific Industries, Inc., a provider of high-technology manufacturing equipment to the global electronics market. From June 2004 to July 2006, Mr. Metcalf served as CFO for Siltronic AG.
From August 2011 to February 2013, Mr. Metcalf served on the board of directors and was chairman of the audit, compensation, and nominating committees of Trellis Earth Products, Inc, a privately held company. From June 2007 until July 2011,
Mr. Metcalf served on the board of directors and was chairman of the audit committee of EnergyConnect Group, Inc. (formerly Microfield Group, Inc.), a publicly traded company that was acquired by Johnson Controls, Inc. in July 2011. Among other qualifications, Mr. Metcalf has extensive experience in the semiconductor industry, an in-depth understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and SEC reporting requirements, and satisfies the audit committee requirement for financial expertise.
Frank Newman,
75
, Class II Director Nominee
Frank Newman
was appointed as
a director of ours
in
December 2016
to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of
our
Board from seven to nine directors
.
Mr. Newman
has served since 2011 as
c
hairman of Promontory Financial Group China Ltd., an advisory group for financial institutions and corporations in China. From 2005 to 2010,
he
served as
c
hairman and
chief e
xecutive
of Shenzhen Development Bank, a national bank in China. Prior to 2005, Mr. Newman served as
c
hairman,
p
resident, and
chief executive
of Bankers Trust and CFO of Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank.
Mr. Newman served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury from 1994 to 1995 and as Under Secretary of Domestic Finance from 1993 to 1994. He has authored two books and several articles on economic matters, published in the U.S., mainland China, and Hong Kong.
Mr. Newman has served as a director for major public companies in the U.S., United Kingdom, and China, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Hall. He earned his BA, magna cum laude in economics, at Harvard. Mr. Newman brings a substantial knowledge of international banking and business relationships to the Board. His contacts, particularly in China, including Hong Kong,
could prove
valuable to the Company’s international strategies. In addition, his financial background adds an important expertise to the Board with regard to financing future business opportunities.
Jeffrey Parker, 60, Class I Director
Jeffrey Parker has been the chairman of our Board and our chief executive officer since our inception in August 1989 and was our president from April 1993 to June 1998. From March 1983 to August 1989, Mr. Parker served as executive vice president for Parker Electronics, Inc., a joint venture partner with Carrier Corporation performing research, development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry. Mr. Parker holds 31 U.S. patents. Among other qualifications, as chief executive officer, Mr. Parker has relevant insight into our operations, our industry, and related risks as well as experience bringing disruptive technologies to market.
Paul A. Rosenbaum,
74
, Class III Director Nominee
Paul A. Rosenbaum
was appointed as
a director of ours
in
December 2016
to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our Board from seven to nine directors
. Mr. Rosenbaum has extensive experience as a director and executive officer for both public and private companies in a number of industries. Since 1994, Mr. Rosenbaum has served as
chief executive
of SWR Corporation, a privately-held corporation that designs, sells, and markets specialty industrial chemicals. Since 2009, Mr. Rosenbaum has been a member of the Providence St Vincent Medical Foundation Council of Trustees, and previously served as
p
resident of the Council. In addition, from September 2000 until June 2009, Mr. Rosenbaum served as
c
hairman
and chief executive
of Rentrak Corporation (“Rentrak”), a NASDAQ publicly traded company that provides transactional media measurement and analytical services to the entertainment and media industry. From June 2009 until July 2011, Mr. Rosenbaum served in a non-executive capacity as
c
hairman of Rentrack.
From 2007 until 2016
, Mr. Rosenbaum serve
d
on the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Portland,
including
as vice chair
man
from 2012 to 2016.
Mr. Rosenbaum was chief partner in the Rosenbaum Law Center from 1978 to 2000 and served in the Michigan Legislature from 1972 to 1978, during which time he chaired the House Judiciary Committee, was legal counsel to the Speaker of the House and wrote and sponsored the Michigan Administrative Procedures Act. Additionally, Mr. Rosenbaum served on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, as vice chairman of the Criminal Justice and Consumer Affairs Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, and on a committee of the Michigan Supreme Court responsible for reviewing local court rules.
David Sorrells, 58, Class II Director
David Sorrells
has been our chief technical officer since September 1996 and has been a director of ours since January 1997. Mr. Sorrells is one of the leading inventors of our core technologies. From June 1990 to September 1996, Mr. Sorrells served as our engineering manager. He holds 190 U.S. patents and a number of corresponding foreign patents. Among other qualifications, Mr. Sorrells has an in-depth understanding of our technologies and their relevance to target markets.
Robert Sterne, 65, Class III Director
Robert Sterne
has been a director of ours since September 2006 and also served as a director of ours from February 2000 to June 2003
. Since 1978, Mr. Sterne has been a partner of the law firm of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC, specializing in patent and other intellectual property law. Mr. Sterne provides legal services to us as one of our patent and intellectual property attorneys.
Mr. Sterne has co-authored numerous publications related to patent litigation strategies. He has received
multiple
awards for contributions to intellectual property law including Law 360’s 2016 Top 25 Icons of IP and the Financial Times 2015 Top 10 Legal Innovators in North America. Among other qualifications, Mr. Sterne has an in-depth knowledge of our intellectual property portfolio and patent strategies and is considered a leader in best practices and board responsibilities concerning intellectual property.
Nam Suh, 81, Class I Director
Nam Suh
has been a director of ours since December 2003. Dr. Suh served as the president of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology from July 2006 to February 2013. He is a member of the board of trustees of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology of Saudi Arabia and a member of a number of advisory organizations, including the International Advisory Board of King Fahd University of Science and Technology and the Research Advisory Board of Arcelik of Istanbul, Turkey.
Dr. Suh
is currently the Cross Professor Emeritus at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) where he had been a member of the faculty since 1970. At MIT, Dr. Suh held many positions including director of the MIT Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, head of the department of Mechanical Engineering, director of the MIT Manufacturing Institute, and director of the Park Center for Complex Systems. In 1984, Mr. Suh was appointed the assistant director for Engineering of the National Science Foundation by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Dr. Suh served on the board of directors of OLEV Corporation, a venture company founded in 2016 to commercialize innovative wireless charging technology for heavy-duty electric vehicles. From 2005 to 2009, Dr. Suh served on the board of directors of Integrated Device Technology, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed company that develops mixed signal semiconductor solutions, and, from 2004 to 2007, he served on the board of directors of Therma-Wave, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed company that manufactures process control metrology systems for use in semiconductor manufacturing.
Dr. Suh has significant experience with technology innovation and the process of new product introduction, including an invention selected as one of the 10 Emerging Technologies of the world by the 2013 World Economic Forum of Davos and 50 most promising new inventions of 2010 by TIME magazine. Dr. Suh is a widely published author of approximately 300 articles and
ten
books on topics related to tribology, manufacturing, plastics, design, and large systems. Dr. Suh has approximately
10
0 patents, some of which relate to electric vehicles, polymers, tribology, and design. He has received many national and international honors and awards, including the NSF Distinguished Service Award, 2009 ASME Medal, and nine honorary doctorates from various universities on four continents. Dr. Suh has a relevant professional network in the Korean community as well as relevant experience with Korean culture and commerce.
E
xecutive Officers
In addition to Jeffrey Parker, our Chief Executive Officer, and David Sorrells, our Chief Technology Officer, who also serve on our
B
oard and whose backgrounds are included above, the following persons serve as our executive officers:
Cynthia Poehlman
,
50
, has been our chief financial officer since June 2004 and our corporate secretary since August 2007. From March 1994 to June 2004, Ms. Poehlman was our controller and our chief accounting officer. Ms. Poehlman has been a certified public accountant in the state of Florida since 1989.
John Stuckey
,
4
6
, joined our company in July 2004 as the vice-president of corporate strategy and business development and was promoted to executive vice-president of corporate strategy and business development in June 2008. Prior to July 2004, Mr. Stuckey spent five years at Thomson, Inc. where he most recently served as director of business development.
F
amily Relationships
There are no family relationships among our officers or directors.
A
udit Committee and Financial Expert
We have an audit committee that is comprised of independent directors
as determined in accordance with the rules of NASDAQ for audit committee members. Our audit committee is
governed by a board-approved charter
which
, among other things,
establishes
the
audit
committee’s membership requirements and
its powers and
responsibilities. The members of the audit committee are Messrs.
Hightower,
Metcalf, and der Torossian. Mr. Metcalf serves as chairman of the audit committee.
Our board of directors has determined that John Metcalf is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC and is independent as determined in accordance with current NASDAQ listing standards for audit committee members. In addition, we must certify to NASDAQ that the audit committee has and will continue to have at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s “financial sophistication.” Our board has determined that Mr. Metcalf’s qualifications also satisfy NASDAQ’s definition of financial sophistication.
Shareholder Nominations
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our board of directors.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(“Exchange Act”)
, requires our officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and
NASDAQ
. Officers, directors and ten percent shareholders are charged by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon our review of the copies of such forms received by us
and
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, we believe that, during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 201
6
,
our
executive officers, directors and ten percent shareholders
filed all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act on a timely basis
.
Code of Ethics
The board of directors has adopted a code of ethics applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees
, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial and accounting officer,
that is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote
honest and
ethical conduct, full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports that we file or submit to the SEC and
in our
other
public communications
, compliance with applicable government laws, rules and regulations, prompt internal reporting of violations of the code
to an appropriate person designated in the code
and accountability for adherence to the code. A copy of the code of ethics may be found on our website at
www.parkervision.com
.
Item 11. Executive
C
ompensation.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation of each of our
“named executive officers” as defined in Item 401(m) of Regulation S-K (the “Executives”)
for the fiscal years ended December 31, 201
6
and
201
5
. Given the complexity of disclosure requirements concerning executive compensation, and in particular with respect to the standards of financial accounting and reporting related to equity compensation, there is a difference between the compensation that is reported in this table versus that which is actually paid to and received by the Executives. The amounts in the Summary Compensation Table that reflect the full grant date fair value of an equity award, do not necessarily correspond to the actual value that has been realized or will be realized in the future with respect to these awards.
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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(d)
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(e)
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(f)
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Name and Principal Position
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Year
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Salary
($)
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Stock Awards
($)(1)
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All Other
($)
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Total
($)
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Jeffrey Parker, Chief Executive Officer
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2016
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325,000
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490,400
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24,000
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2
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$
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839,400
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2015
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325,000
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—
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26,000
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2,3
|
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351,000
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Cynthia Poehlman, Chief Financial Officer
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2016
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225,000
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306,500
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750
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4
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532,250
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2015
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225,000
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—
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2,750
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3,4
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227,750
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David Sorrells, Chief Technology Officer
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2016
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275,625
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306,500
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2,535
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4
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584,660
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2015
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275,625
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—
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2,100
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4
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277,725
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John Stuckey, Executive Vice President
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2016
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250,000
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—
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1,263
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4
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251,263
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2015
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250,000
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—
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3,263
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3,4
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253,263
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1
The amounts represented in column (b) represents the full grant date fair value of stock awards in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718 (“ASC 718”). Refer to Note
10
of the financial statements included in Item 8 of our Annual Report for the assumptions made in the valuation of stock awards.
2
Includes an automobile allowance in the amount of $24,000.
3
Includes a $2,000 employer matching contribution on our 401(K) plan paid in 2015 based on 2014 contributions.
4
Includes the dollar value of premiums paid by us for life insurance for the benefit of the executive.
7
Employment Agreements and Equity Awards
In June 2016,
the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”)
extended, for a one-year period, Executive Employment Agreements (“Agreements”) with Jeffrey Parker, our Chief Executive Officer, Cynthia Poehlman, our Chief Financial Officer and David Sorrells, our Chief Technology Officer (the “Covered Executives”).
The original agreements, dated June 2012, were for a three-year period and were automatically renewed in June 2015 for one additional year.
The
Agreements
were extended in June 2016 with no change in terms and
expire on May 31, 2017.
The Agreements provide each
of our
Covered
E
xecutive
s
with a base salary commensurate with his or her position in the organization, a potential annual achievement bonus based on performance as determined by the compensation committee, and long-term equity incentive awards at the discretion of the
C
ommittee.
In addition, the Agreement for our chief executive officer provides for an annual automobile allowance.
The Agreements also provide that the
Covered
Executives will comply with any law, SEC rule, or listing standard for the exchange on which our shares are listed that require us to recover from the
Covered
Executive any portion of incentive-based compensation received from us.
In August 2016, the Committee awarded restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to each of the Covered Executives under the 2011 Long-Term Incentive Equity Plan.
In granting these awards, the Committee analyzed equity practices for an industry peer group and also considered the lack of any equity awards to its Executives since 2012. Mr. Jeffrey Parker, our Chief Executive Officer was awarded 80,000 RSUs. Ms. Cynthia Poehlman, our Chief Financial Officer and Mr. David Sorrells, our Chief Technology Officer, were each awarded 50,000 RSUs. Each RSU entitles the holder to one share of our common stock upon vesting and the RSUs vest in four equal quarterly increments beginning September 1, 2016.
Upon vesting, the shares are distributed to the Covered Executives net of shares withheld by us for the payment of payroll taxes on the value of the vested award.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table summarizes information concerning the outstanding equity awards, including unexercised options, unvested stock and equity incentive awards, as of December 31, 201
6
for each of our Executives:
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Option Awards
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Stock Awards
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Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
exercisable
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Option
Exercise
Price
($)
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Option
Expiration
Date
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Number of
shares or units
of stock that
have not vested
(#)
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Market Value of
shares or units of
stock that have
not vested ($)
(1)
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Name
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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(d)
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(e)
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Jeffrey Parker
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100,000
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$
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8.90
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10/15/2018
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40,000
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2
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$
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73,600
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60,000
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$
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28.30
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7/16/2019
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Cynthia Poehlman
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24,000
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$
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8.90
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10/15/2018
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25,000
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2
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46,000
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12,500
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$
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28.30
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7/16/2019
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David Sorrells
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46,500
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$
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8.90
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10/15/2018
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25,000
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2
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46,000
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30,000
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$
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28.30
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7/16/2019
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John Stuckey
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23,150
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$
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8.90
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10/15/2018
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0
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0
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12,500
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$
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28.30
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7/16/2019
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1
The market value of the award is based on the December 30, 2016 closing price of $1.84.
2
Awards vest
in two equal increments on March 1, 2017 and June 1, 2017.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The Agreements
with our Covered Executives
contain provisions for the protection of our intellectual property and for severance benefits and non-compete restrictions in the event of termination of the
Covered
Executive’s employment
. The Agreements
provide for payments upon termination for various events including, with or without cause termination by us, termination due to death or disability of the
Covered
Executive, termination due to a change in control event and termination by the
Covered
Executive for “Good Reason” as defined in the Agreements.
Upon the termination of a
Covered
Executive, we may enforce non-compete provisions over a restriction period not to exceed three years provided that we compensate the
Covered
Executive at his or her ending base salary
on a monthly basis over the restriction period (“Non-Compete Compensation”)
.
The non-
compete provisions of the Agreements impose restrictions on (i) employment or consultation with competing companies or customers, (ii) recruiting or hiring employees for a competing company and (iii) soliciting or accepting business from our customers. We also have non-compete arrangements in place with all of our other employees that are similar to the non-compete restrictions for our
Covered
Executives.
Certain severance payments and other amounts may be applied as credits toward our Non-Compete Compensation obligation.
Potential s
everance benefits are payable to the
Covered
Executives under the terms of the Agreements in the event the Executive’s employment is terminated without cause, due to a change in control event, or for “Good Reason” as defined in the Agreements.
In addition, under the terms of
our
Executive’s equity award agreements, certain termination events may give rise to accelerated vesting of unvested equity awards
.
Payments Made Upon Termination –
When
an
Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason other than for cause, he or she is entitled to receive his or her base salary through the date of termination
,
and any earned but unused vacation pay. When an Executive’s employment is terminated for cause, he or she is only entitled to his or her base salary through the date of termination.
Furthermore, in the event a
Covered
Executive’s employment is terminated for cause or a
Covered
Executive resigns without “Good Reason”, all gains realized from the
Covered
Executive’s sale of our common shares from vested RSUs or stock options during the twelve months immediately preceding the termination date shall be credited towards Non-Compete Compensation.
In addition, the total value of equity instruments provided to the
Covered
Executive during the entire term of his or her employment with us that are vested and outstanding at the termination date shall be credited towards the Non-Compete Compensation. The value of outstanding equity awards shall be determined using the closing market price of our common stock on the termination date.
Payments Made Upon Termination Due to a Change in Control –
In the event a
Covered
Executive’s employment is terminated without cause or a
Covered
Executive resigns with “Good Reason” within two years of a change in control event, in addition to the benefits listed under “Payments Made Upon Termination” above, he or she is entitled to receive a multiple of his or her base salary, an amount in lieu of annual bonus or incentive compensation, continuation of group health benefits and acceleration of certain unvested and outstanding equity awards. The base salary multiple varies by individual and ranges from 150% to 300%. The amount in lieu of annual bonus or incentive compensation is determined based on the greater of the bonus or annual incentive compensation earned in the year prior to the change in control, the average of the prior three year’s bonus or annual incentive compensation, or a prorated amount of the current year’s bonus or annual incentive compensation. The severance pay in excess of twelve months’ base salary is applied as a credit toward the Non-Compete Compensation.
In accordance with the terms of
our
Executive’s individual equity agreements, the Executive would also be eligible for accelerated vesting of certain equity awards in the event of a change in control. Any unvested stock options or unvested time-based RSUs will automatically vest upon a change in control. If the change in control occurrence is approved by our Board, the Board may, at its option, accelerate the vesting of any unvested time-based RSUs and repurchase them for a cash value as defined in the equity plan.
Payments Made Upon Termination Without Cause –
In the event a
Covered
Executive’s employment is terminated without cause and the
Covered
Executive executes a release agreement with us, he or she is entitled to a severance package. The severance package includes contin
uation of base salary for a one-
year period following the termination date, continuation of group health benefits and payment of any annual achievement bonus on a prorated basis. In the event a
Covered
Executive resigns for “Good Reason
,
” as defined in the Agreement
,
and executes a release agreement with us, he or she is entitled to
the same severance benefits as if he or she was terminated without cause. Good Reason is defined in the Agreement as a material diminution in the
Covered
Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, a material diminution in the
Covered
Executive’s base compensation and benefits, except for reductions applicable to all Executives, a material relocation of the
Covered
Executive’s primary office or a material breach of the Agreement by us.
Payments Made Upon Termination Due to Disability –
In the event a
Covered
Executive’s employment is terminated within six months of becoming disabled, as defined in the Agreement, he or she will be entitled to the benefits listed under “Payments Made upon Termination” and the severance package listed under “Payments Made upon Termination without Cause” above. If, however, the
Covered
Executive’s employment is terminated after six months of becoming disabled, he or she becomes eligible for payments under a company-paid long-term disability plan with a third-party carrier in which case, the severance package is limited to the continuation of health benefits. In addition, if
an
Executive’s employment is terminated due to disability, he or she receives an automatic acceleration of fifty percent of any unvested options or RSUs in accordance with the terms of the individual equity agreements.
Payments Made Upon Death –
Upon the death of an Executive, the Executive’s beneficiaries shall receive the proceeds from company-paid life insurance policies purchased for the benefit of the Executive. In addition, the Executive’s beneficiaries shall receive an acceleration of fifty percent of any unvested options or RSUs in accordance with the terms of the individual equity agreements.
The following tables reflect the estimated amount of compensation due to each of our
Covered
Executives in the event of termination of their employment. Actual amounts to be paid out could only be determined at the time of an Executive’s actual separation.
For purposes of this disclosure, we assume the triggering event for termination occurred on December 31, 2016. The intrinsic value of equity awards upon termination is calculated based on the December 31, 2016
closing
price of our common stock of $1.84.
Jeffrey Parker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Benefit and Payments
Upon Separation
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Change in
Control
(Not Board
Approved)
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Change in
Control
(Board
Approved)
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Without
Cause or
for "Good
Reason"
|
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Disability
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Death
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Salary
|
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$
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975,000
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1
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$
|
975,000
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1
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$
|
325,000
|
|
$
|
325,000
|
2
|
$
|
—
|
|
Long-term Incentive Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RSUs (Time-based)
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
36,800
|
|
|
36,800
|
|
Short-term Incentive Compensation
|
|
|
—
|
3
|
|
—
|
3
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
Benefits & Perquisites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Benefits
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
—
|
|
Life Insurance Proceeds
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Accrued Vacation Pay
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,097,226
|
|
$
|
1,023,626
|
|
$
|
373,626
|
|
$
|
410,426
|
|
$
|
49,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Under the Agreement, Mr. Parker is entitled to three times his regular annual base salary.
2
Assumes termination occurs within first six months of Executive becoming disabled. Following a six month period, Executive is not entitled to salary continuation or short-term incentive compensation payments.
3
Under the Agreement, Executive is entitled the greater of (i) an amount equal to his bonus or annual incentive compensation earned in the year prior to the change in control, (ii) the average of bonus and annual incentive compensation for the three full fiscal years prior to the change in control, or (iii) a prorated amount of the current year’s bonus or annual incentive compensation. Amount included is based on the three year average bonus and incentive compensation.
Cynthia Poehlman, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit and Payments
Upon Separation
|
|
Change in
Control
(Not Board
Approved)
|
|
Change in
Control
(Board
Approved)
|
|
Without
Cause or
for "Good
Reason"
|
|
Disability
(4)
|
|
Death
|
|
Salary
|
|
$
|
450,000
|
1
|
$
|
450,000
|
1
|
$
|
225,000
|
|
$
|
225,000
|
2
|
$
|
—
|
|
Long-term Incentive Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RSUs (Time-based)
|
|
|
46,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
Short-term Incentive Compensation
|
|
|
—
|
3
|
|
—
|
3
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
Benefits & Perquisites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Benefits
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
—
|
|
Life Insurance Proceeds
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
4
|
Accrued Vacation Pay
|
|
|
16,942
|
|
|
16,942
|
|
|
16,942
|
|
|
16,942
|
|
|
16,942
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
549,068
|
|
$
|
503,068
|
|
$
|
278,068
|
|
$
|
301,068
|
|
$
|
1,039,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Under the Agreement, Ms. Poehlman is entitled to two times her regular annual base salary.
2
Assumes termination occurs within first six months of Executive becoming disabled. Following a six-month period, Executive is not entitled to salary continuation or short-term incentive compensation payments.
3
Under the Agreement, Executive is entitled the greater of (i) an amount equal to her bonus or annual incentive compensation earned in the year prior to the change in control, (ii) the average of bonus and annual incentive compensation for the three full fiscal years prior to the change in control, or (iii) a prorated amount of the current year’s bonus or annual incentive compensation. Amount included is based on the three year average bonus and incentive compensation.
4
Represents proceeds payable by a third-party insurance carrier on a company-paid life insurance policy for the benefit of the Executive.
David Sorrells, Chief Technology Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit and Payments
Upon Separation
|
|
Change in
Control
(Not Board
Approved)
|
|
Change in
Control
(Board
Approved)
|
|
Without
Cause or
for "Good
Reason"
|
|
Disability
(5)
|
|
Death
|
|
Salary
|
|
$
|
826,875
|
1
|
$
|
826,875
|
1
|
$
|
275,625
|
2
|
$
|
275,625
|
2
|
$
|
—
|
|
Long-term Incentive Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RSUs (Time-based)
|
|
|
46,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
Short-term Incentive Compensation
|
|
|
1,667
|
3
|
|
1,667
|
3
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
Benefits & Perquisites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Benefits
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
36,126
|
|
|
—
|
|
Life Insurance Proceeds
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
4
|
Accrued Vacation Pay
|
|
|
23,139
|
|
|
23,139
|
|
|
23,139
|
|
|
23,139
|
|
|
23,139
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
933,807
|
|
$
|
887,807
|
|
$
|
334,890
|
|
$
|
357,890
|
|
$
|
1,046,139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Under the Agreement, Mr. Sorrells is entitled to three times his regular annual base salary.
2
Assumes termination occurs within first six months of Executive becoming disabled. Following a six month period, Executive is not entitled to salary continuation or short-term incentive compensation payments.
3
Under the Agreement, Executive is entitled the greater of (i) an amount equal to his bonus or annual incentive compensation earned in the year prior to the change in control, (ii) the average of bonus and annual incentive compensation for the three full fiscal years prior to the change in control, or (iii) a prorated amount of the current year’s bonus or annual incentive compensation. Amount included is based on the three year average bonus and incentive compensation.
4
Represents proceeds payable by a third-party insurance carrier on a company-paid life insurance policy for the benefit of the Executive.
Compensation of Outside Directors
Director Compensation Arrangements
Our standard non-employee director compensation program provides for cash retainers for service on the Board and Board committees. Committee fees are structured in such a way as to provide distinction between compensation for committee members and chairpersons and between the responsibilities of the various committees. We provide the following cash compensation to non-employee directors:
|
·
|
|
each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer of $37,500;
|
|
·
|
|
each non-employee director who serves as a member of our audit committee receives an annual cash retainer of $7,500; each non-employee director who serves as a member of our compensation committee receives an annual cash retainer of $5,000; and each non-employee director who serves as a member of our nominating and corporate governance committee receives an annual cash retainer of $2,500; and
|
|
·
|
|
each non-employee director who serves as the chair of our audit committee receives an annual cash retainer of $15,000; each non-employee director who serves as the chair of our compensation committee receives an annual cash retainer of $10,000; and each non-employee director who serves as the chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee receives an annual cash retainer of $5,000.
|
Our standard compensation program includes equity-based compensation to our non-employee directors. Historically, each non-employee director received, following our annual shareholders’ meeting, equity awards with an aggregate grant-date fair value of $125,000. The annual equity awards included RSUs and nonqualified stock options, each with a grant-date fair value of approximately $62,500. These equity awards vested on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and were forfeited if the director resigned or was removed from the Board for cause prior to the vesting date. The non-employee directors voluntarily waived receipt of their standard equity compensation package following the 2015 annual meeting. In August 2016, as compensation for 2015 and 2016, our non-employee directors each received a one-time grant of 40,000 RSUs, one-half of which vested immediately and the balance of which will vest in August 2017.
Our two director nominees who were appointed in December 2016 to fill vacancies created by our expansion of the Board size from seven to nine each received 50,000 share options and 50,000 RSUs. Twenty percent of the awards vested immediately upon grant and the remaining portion of each award will vest in eight equal quarterly increments through December 2018. The director nominees waived all cash fees for director and committee service through December 2018.
We reimburse our non-employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings and we encourage participation in relevant educational programs for which we reimburse all or a portion of the costs incurred for these purposes.
Directors who are also our employees are not compensated for serving on our Board. Information regarding compensation otherwise received by our directors who are also named executive officers is provided under “Executive Compensation.”
The following table summarizes the compensation of our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 201
6
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Cash Fees
Earned
($)
1
|
|
Stock
Awards($)
2
|
|
Option
Awards($)
2
|
|
Total
($)
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
Papken der Torossian
|
|
$
|
55,000
|
|
$
|
245,200
|
3
|
$
|
—
|
3
|
$
|
300,200
|
William Hightower
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
245,200
|
3
|
|
—
|
3
|
$
|
295,200
|
John Metcalf
|
|
|
57,500
|
|
|
245,200
|
4
|
|
—
|
4
|
$
|
302,700
|
Frank Newman
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
106,000
|
5
|
|
86,892
|
5
|
$
|
192,892
|
Paul Rosenbaum
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
106,000
|
5
|
|
89,862
|
5
|
$
|
195,862
|
Robert Sterne
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
245,200
|
3
|
|
—
|
3
|
$
|
285,200
|
Nam Suh
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
245,200
|
6
|
|
—
|
6
|
$
|
290,200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
A
mount represents fees
earned
for 2016 annual board and committee retainers. The directors voluntarily deferred payment of their cash fees in 2016, with the exception of John Metcalf who deferred $35,938 of his 2016 fees
.
2
The amounts represented in columns (c) and (d) represent the full grant date fair value of stock awards in accordance with ASC 718. Refer to Note
10
of the financial statements included in Item 8 of our Annual Report for the assumptions made in the valuation of stock awards.
3
At December 31, 2016, Messrs. der Torossian, Hightower, and Sterne each have 20,000 unvested RSUs and 31,621 exercisable share options outstanding
.
4
At December 31, 2016, Mr. Metcalf has 20,000 unvested RSUs and 29,311 exercisable share options outstanding
.
5
At December 31, 2016, Messrs. Newman and Rosenbaum each have 40,000 unvested RSUs, 10,000 exercisable share options, and 40,000 unexercisable share options outstandin
g.
6
At December 31, 2016, Mr. Suh has 20,000 unvested RSUs, 250 RSUs that are vested and for which he deferred distribution until his retirement from the Board, and 31,621 exercisable share options outstanding.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 3
1
, 201
7
outstanding
with respect to the stock ownership of (i) those persons or groups who beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors and director nominees, (iii) each of our
executive officers
, and (iv) all of our directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (based upon information furnished by those persons).
As of March 31, 201
7
,
17,697,899
shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
Percent
of Class
1
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Parker
10
|
|
432,900
|
2
|
2.42%
|
Cynthia Poehlman
10
|
|
66,726
|
3
|
0.38%
|
David Sorrells
10
|
|
119,675
|
4
|
0.67%
|
John Stuckey
10
|
|
43,002
|
5
|
0.24%
|
Papken der Torossian
10
|
|
95,478
|
6
|
0.54%
|
William Hightower
10
|
|
42,036
|
6
|
0.24%
|
John Metcalf
10
|
|
56,226
|
7
|
0.32%
|
Frank Newman
10
|
|
32,500
|
8
|
0.18%
|
Paul Rosenbaum
10
|
|
290,510
|
8
|
1.64%
|
Robert Sterne
10
|
|
59,886
|
6
|
0.34%
|
Nam Suh
10
|
|
47,686
|
6
|
0.27%
|
All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (11 persons)
|
|
1,286,625
|
9
|
7.07%
|
5% SHAREHOLDERS
|
|
|
|
|
BTCity Manager, LLC
|
|
923,540
|
11
|
5.22%
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Percentage is calculated based on all outstanding shares of common stock plus, for each person or group, any shares of common stock that the person or the group has the right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to options, warrants, conversion privileges or other rights. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or group has sole voting and dispositive power over all such shares of common stock.
2
Includes 160,00
0
shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options, 53,604 shares held by Mr. Parker directly, 192,259 shares held by Jeffrey Parker and Deborah Parker Joint Tenants in Common, over which Mr. Parker has shared voting and dispositive power, 7,353 shares owned through Mr. Parker’s 401(k) plan, and 19,684 shares owned of record by Mr. Parker’s children over which he disclaims ownership. Excludes 20,000 unvested RSUs.
3
Includes 36,50
0
shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options and excludes 12,500 unvested RSUs.
4
Includes 76,500
shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options and excludes 12,500 unvested RSUs.
5
Includes 35,650
shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options.
6
Includes 31,621 shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options and excludes 20,000 unvested RSUs.
7
Includes 29,311 shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options and excludes 20,000 unvested RSUs.
8
Includes 15,000 shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options and excludes 35,000 unvested RSUs and 35,000 shares of common stock issuable upon currently options that may become exercisable in the future.
9
Includes
494
,44
5
shares of common stock issuable upon currently exercisable options held by directors and officers and excludes 215,000 unvested RSUs and 70,000 shares of common stock issuable upon currently options that may become exercisable in the future (see notes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 above).
10
The person’s address is 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 400, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.
11
As reported on Amendment No. 1 to Form G filed February 1, 2017. BTCity Manager, LLC; Tara Louisiana Group, Inc. (“TLG”), which as manager of BTCity Manager, LLC holds voting and investment power over the securities; and Leslie. L. Alexander, who, as President of TLG, is deemed to hold voting and investment power of the securities. The principal business address of each of BTCity Manager, LLC, TLG, Inc. and Mr. Alexander is 1200 N. Federal Highway, Suite 411, Boca Raton, Florida, 33432
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table gives in
formation as of March 31, 2017
about shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under all of our equity compensation plans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Category
|
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
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))
|
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
1
|
690,696
|
$
|
17.48
|
625,027
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
2
|
6,000
|
$
|
20.10
|
0
|
Total
|
696,696
|
|
|
625,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Includes the 2000 Plan, the 2008 Plan and the 2011 Plan. The type of awards that may be issued under each of these plans is discussed more fully in Note
10
to our financial statements included in Item 8 of our Annual Report.
2
Includes options granted to third parties in 2012 for the purchase of an aggregate of 6,000 shares at an exercise price of $2
0.1
0 per share. These options expire June 30, 2017.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.
We paid approximately $412,000 and $428,000 in 2016 and 2015, respectively, for patent-related legal services to the law firm of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox, PLLC (“SKGF”), of which Robert Sterne, is a partner. In February 2016, we entered into an agreement with SKGF to convert $825,000 in outstanding unpaid fees to an unsecured note payable. We pay interest on the balance of the note monthly at a rate of 8% per annum and the note matures on December 31, 2017. We paid SKGF $60,500 in interest in 2016 in conjunction with the note payable.
On December 23, 2015, Mr. Papken Der Torossian, one of our directors since June 2003, purchased 20,833 shares of our common stock in an unregistered sale of equity securities, as part of a private offering, at a purchase price of $2.40 per share.
Wellington Management Group, LLP (“Wellington”) it its capacity as investment advisor, under the rules of NASDAQ, was deemed to be the beneficial owner of 214,850 shares of our common stock purchased by accredited investors on December 23, 2015 at a price of $1.90 per share. Wellington was deemed to be beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding stock at the time of the transactions.
In February 2017, Mr. Paul Rosenbaum, one of our directors since December 2016, purchased 80,510 shares of our common stock in an unregistered sale of equity securities at a purchase price of $2.11 per share.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, is responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. In certain instances, the full Board may review and approve a transaction. The audit committee will consider all relevant factors when determining whether to approve a related party transaction, including whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. We require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions. These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, officer or employee.
Director Independence
Our
common stock is listed on
NASDAQ
, and
we
follow the rules of
NASDAQ
in determining if a director is independent. The board of directors also consults with
our
counsel to ensure that the board of directors’
determination
is
consistent with those rules and all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the independence of directors. Consistent with these considerations, the board of directors affirmatively has determined that Messrs.
Der Torossian,
Hightower, Metcalf,
Newman, Rosenbaum,
Sterne,
and
Suh are independent directors.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
acts as our principal accountants. The following is a summary of fees paid to the principal accountants for services rendered.
Audit Fees.
For the years ended December 31, 20
1
5
and
201
6
, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements
,
the review of our financial statements included in our quarterly reports
, and services provided in connection with regulatory filings
were approximately
$
379
,000
and $
445
,000
,
respectively.
Audit Related Fees
.
For
the years ended December 31, 201
5
and
201
6
, there were no fees billed for professional services by our
principal accountants for assurance and related services.
Tax Fees.
For
the years ended December 31, 201
5
and
201
6
,
there were no fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal accountants for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning.
All Other Fees.
For the years ended December 31, 201
5
and 201
6
, t
here were no fees billed for other professional services by our principal accountants.
All the services discussed above were approved by our audit committee. The audit committee pre-approves the services to be provided by
our
principal accountants
, including the scope of the annual audit and non-audit services to be performed by the
principal accountants
and the
principal accountants
’ audit and non-audit fees.