UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section
14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed
by the Registrant x
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
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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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x
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
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BioHiTech Global, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2)
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3)
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Suite 101
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
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NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
April 29, 2021
It is my pleasure to invite
you to attend the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2021 Annual Meeting”) of BioHiTech Global, Inc. (the “Company”).
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the offices of McCarter & English, LLP., Four Gateway Center,
100 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102. We intend to hold our annual meeting in person, however, we are actively monitoring the coronavirus
(COVID-19) developments and are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our shareholders may have and the protocols that federal,
state, and local governments may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the 2021 Annual Meeting in person, we will
announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of
remote communication. If we are required to take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance, and details on how to participate
will be posted on our website and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as additional proxy materials. In any event, we ask
that you please complete, date, sign and return the proxy mailed to you as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation
at the 2021 Annual Meeting. You may vote over the Internet, as well as by telephone or by mailing a proxy or voting instruction form.
Please review the instructions on each of your voting options described in these proxy materials. At the 2021 Annual Meeting, you will
be asked to:
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Proposal 1:
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Elect the seven (7) director nominees listed in the enclosed Proxy Statement dated April 28, 2021, to serve until the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected or qualified.
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Proposal 2:
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Ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as the independent registered accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
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Proposal 3:
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Consider and vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING, I URGE YOU TO VOTE BY COMPLETING AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT AND WILL BE GREATLY
APPRECIATED. RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED IF YOU LATER DECIDE NOT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.
It is important that your
shares be represented at the 2021 Annual Meeting, regardless of the number of shares you may hold. Whether or not you plan to attend,
please vote by following the instructions in our proxy statement. This will not prevent you from voting your shares in person if you
are present.
I look forward to joining you on July 29, 2021.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ Frank E. Celli
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Frank E. Celli
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Chairman of the Board
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If you have any questions, or
need any assistance voting your shares, please contact us at (888) 876-9300.
BIOHITECH GLOBAL, INC.
80 Red Schoolhouse Road
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
JULY 29, 2021
INTRODUCTION
Proxy Solicitation and General Information
This Proxy Statement and the
enclosed form of proxy card (the “Proxy Card”) are being furnished to the holders of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share,
of BioHiTech Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which is sometimes referred to in this Proxy Statement as “BioHiTech,”
the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
our Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 29, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings
Time, at the offices of McCarter & English, LLP., Four Gateway Center, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102 and at any adjournments
or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”). This Proxy Statement and the Proxy Card are first being sent to stockholders on
or about June [__], 2021.
At the Meeting, stockholders
will be asked:
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1.
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To elect the seven nominees named in the accompanying Proxy Statement to serve on the Board of Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1).
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2.
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To ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021 (Proposal 2).
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3.
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, including to consider any procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting, such as the postponement of the Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies to vote in favor of the matters presented at the Meeting.
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The Board of Directors has
fixed the close of business on June 1, 2021, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote
at the Meeting. Each such stockholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters to come before the
Meeting and may vote in person or by proxy authorized in writing.
Proxies and Voting
Stockholders are requested
to complete, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed Proxy Card in the enclosed envelope. Proxy Cards which are not revoked will be
voted at the Meeting in accordance with instructions contained therein.
If a Proxy Card is signed
and returned without instructions, the shares will be voted FOR the election of each nominee for director named in this
Proxy Statement (Proposal 1) and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 (Proposal 2).
Voting
Most beneficial owners whose
stock is held in street name do not receive the Proxy Card. Instead, they receive voting instruction forms or proxy ballots from their
bank, broker or other agent. Beneficial owners should follow the instructions on the voter instruction form or proxy ballot they receive
from their bank, broker or other agent.
Our Board of Directors has
selected Tony Fuller and Brian C. Essman, and each of them, to serve as “Proxyholders” for the Meeting. Proxy Cards which
are not revoked will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with instructions contained therein.
Revocation of Proxy
A stockholder who so desires
may revoke its previously submitted Proxy Card at any time before it is voted at the Meeting by: (i) delivering written notice to us at
BioHiTech Global, Inc., 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Suite 101, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977, c/o Robert Joyce, Secretary; (ii) duly executing
and delivering a Proxy Card bearing a later date; or (iii) casting a ballot at the Meeting. Attendance at the Meeting will not in and
of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy.
Voting on Other Matters
The Board of Directors knows
of no other matters that are to be brought before the Meeting other than as set forth in the Notice of Meeting. If any other matters properly
come before the Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy Card or their substitutes will vote in accordance with their best judgment
on such matters.
Record Date; Shares Outstanding and
Entitled to Vote
Only stockholders as of the
close of business on June 1, 2021 (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the
Record Date, there were [________] shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, with each share entitled to one vote.
See “Beneficial Ownership of Company Common Stock by Directors, Officers and Principal Stockholders” for information regarding
the beneficial ownership of our common stock by our current directors, executive officers and stockholders known to us to beneficially
own five percent (5%) or more of our common stock.
Quorum; Required Votes
The presence at the Meeting,
in person or by duly authorized proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote constitutes
a quorum for this Meeting.
Abstentions and “broker
non-votes” are counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. A “broker non-vote” occurs when
a nominee such as a bank, broker or other agent holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the
nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial
owner.
Under the rules of various
national and regional securities exchanges, nominees have such discretion to vote absent instructions with respect to certain “routine”
matters, such as Proposal 2, the ratification of independent auditors, but not with respect to matters that are considered “non-routine,”
such as the election of directors. Accordingly, without voting instructions from you, your broker will not be able to vote your shares
on Proposal 1.
Each share of BioHiTech common
stock entitles the holder to one vote on each matter presented for stockholder action. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes
cast in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the election of the seven (7) nominees named in this Proxy Statement
(Proposal 1). The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting
is necessary for the ratification of the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm
for the year ending December 31, 2021 (Proposal 2).
Since the affirmative vote
of a plurality of votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is required for Proposal 1, abstentions and “broker
non-votes” will have no effect on the outcome of such election. Since the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common
stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the approval of Proposal 2, abstentions will have the
same effect as a negative vote, but “broker non-votes” will have no effect on the outcome of the voting for Proposal 2.
An inspector of elections
appointed by us will tabulate votes at the Meeting.
Proxy Solicitation; Expenses
BioHiTech will bear the costs
of the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. Our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies from stockholders by mail, telephone,
telegram, e-mail, personal interview or otherwise. Such directors, officers and employees will not receive additional compensation but
may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. Brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians
have been requested to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of our common stock held of record by them and such parties
will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses.
List of Stockholders
In accordance with the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available at the Meeting
and for ten days prior to the Meeting, for any purpose germane to the Meeting, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time,
at our offices at 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Suite 101, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977.
Voting Confidentiality
Proxy Cards, ballots and voting
tabulations are handled on a confidential basis to protect your voting privacy. This information will not be disclosed to unrelated third
parties except as required by law.
Appraisal Rights
Stockholders will have no
rights of appraisal under the DGCL in connection with the proposals to be considered at the Meeting.
IT IS DESIRABLE
THAT AS LARGE A PROPORTION AS POSSIBLE OF THE STOCKHOLDERS’ INTERESTS BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. THEREFORE, EVEN IF YOU INTEND
TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD TO ENSURE THAT YOUR STOCK WILL BE REPRESENTED. IF YOU ARE
PRESENT AT THE MEETING AND DESIRE TO DO SO, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY CARD AND VOTE IN PERSON BY GIVING WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE SECRETARY
OF THE COMPANY. YOUR PRESENCE AT THE MEETING WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY REVOKE YOUR PROXY CARD. PLEASE RETURN YOUR EXECUTED PROXY CARD PROMPTLY.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK
BY
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table
sets forth, as of December 31, 2020, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock outstanding by (i) each
person known to us to own or control five percent (5%) or more of our common stock, (ii) each of our current directors and nominees, (iii)
each of our current “Named Executive Officers” (as defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K), set forth in the summary
compensation table and (iv) our current Named Executive Officers and directors and nominees as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each
person named in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned. Unless otherwise indicated,
the address of each person named in the table below is c/o BioHiTech Global, Inc., 80 Red Schoolhouse Road Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977.
Shareholder(a)
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Beneficial
Ownership(b)
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Percentage of
Class (c)
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Frank E. Celli(1)
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6,367,173
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23.3
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%
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James D. Chambers(2)
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1,451,894
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6.1
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Tony Fuller(3)
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73,544
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*
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Brian C. Essman(4)
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172,500
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*
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Robert A. Graham(5)
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59,110
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*
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Harriet Hentges(6)
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61,110
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*
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Robert A. Joyce(7)
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646,338
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2.7
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Walter Littlejohn III
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-
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*
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Nicholause Rohleder
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-
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*
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Douglas M. VanOort(8)
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1,046,265
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4.3
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Officers and Directors as a Group (10 persons)(9)
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8,890,779
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27.6
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Other 5% or Greater Shareholders:
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EntsorgaFin S.p.A.(10)
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1,300,424
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5.5
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(a)
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The address for all officers, directors and beneficial
owners is 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Suite 101, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977.
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(b)
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The preferred stock beneficially held by holders is
convertible at various amounts that is available to the holders within 60 days of the date of this table. Warrants, if any, have
also been assumed exercised for purposes of this table. Options and restricted stock units, to the extent that they are vested or
will be vested within 60 days of this table, are also considered exercised.
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(c)
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Based upon 23,354,130 shares of common stock outstanding
as of December 31, 2020, as adjusted for the conversion of preferred stock and the exercise of warrants, options and restricted stock
units, if any, for the individual or entity identified.
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(1)
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Shares include 2,393,261 shares held directly and indirectly, 2,415,900
resulting from the conversion of preferred stock and 1,409,651 resulting from the exercise of warrants, including those held by Mr.
Celli and the Frank E. Celli Family Trust and 148,360 restricted stock units.
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(2)
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Shares include 146,834 shares held directly, 59,109
shares resulting from options and restricted stock units and 120,674 resulting from the exercise of warrants. Shares also include
those held by Conundrum Capital Partners LLC (“CCP”) over which Mr. Chambers holds shared voting and dispositive power,
which are comprised of 914,427 shares held directly and 72,728 resulting from the exercise of warrants.
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(3)
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Shares include 10,000 shares held directly and 63,544
shares resulting from options and restricted stock units.
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(4)
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Shares include 102,500 shares held directly and 70,000
shares resulting restricted stock units.
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(5)
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Shares include 59,110 shares resulting from options
and restricted stock units.
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(6)
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Shares include 2,000 shares held directly and 59,110
shares resulting from options and restricted stock units.
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(7)
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Shares include 342,690 shares held directly and 36,364
resulting from the exercise of warrants, including those held by immediate family members and family trusts, and 267,284 shares resulting
from restricted stock units.
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(8)
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Shares include 59,110 shares resulting from stock options
and restricted stock units. Shares also include those held by Conundrum Capital Partners LLC (“CCP”) over which Mr. Chambers
holds shared voting and dispositive power, which are comprised of 914,427 shares held directly and 72,728 resulting from the exercise
of warrants.
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(9)
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Includes shares and the result of conversions and exercises
in notes (1) to (8), less the impact of CCP which is presented as an element of Mr. Chambers’ and Mr. VanOort’s holdings
due to shared voting and dispositive power.
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(10)
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Includes 1,035,905 shares held directly by EntsorgaFin
S.p.A. (an entity formed in Italy) and 264,519 shares resulting from the conversion of preferred stock held by its affiliate Entsorga
USA, Inc.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Bylaws provide that our
Board of Directors will consist of not less than one (1) member, with such number to be fixed by the Board of Directors or the Shareholders.
Our Board of Directors has nominated, upon recommendation from the Nominating Committee, the incumbent directors Frank E. Celli, James
D. Chambers, Tony Fuller, Robert A. Graham, Harriet Hentges, Walter Littlejohn III and Nicholause Rohleder to be elected by our Stockholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Our directors are elected
annually at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Their respective terms of office continue until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified in accordance with our Bylaws. There are no family relationships among
any of our directors, nominees for director or executive officers.
Except as otherwise specified
or in the case of broker non-votes, each Proxy Card received will be voted for the election of the seven nominees for director named below
to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. Each of
the nominees named below has consented to be named a nominee in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a director, if elected. Should any
nominee become unable or unwilling to accept a nomination for election, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy Card will vote for the
election of a nominee designated by the Board of Directors or will vote for such lesser number of directors as may be prescribed by the
Board of Directors in accordance with our Bylaws.
When considering whether directors
and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board of Directors to satisfy
its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the Board of Directors focused primarily
on the information discussed in each of the nominee’s individual biographies set forth below, which contains information regarding
the person’s service as a director, business experience and director positions held currently or at any time during the last five
years.
The age and principal occupation
for the past five years of each person nominated as a director is set forth below:
Name
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Age
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Position
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Frank E. Celli
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50
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Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer
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James D. Chambers
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64
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Independent Director
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Tony Fuller
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63
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Director and Chief Executive Officer
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Robert A. Graham
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61
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Independent Director
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Harriet Hentges
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80
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Independent Director
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Walter Littlejohn III
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51
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Independent Director
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Nicholause Rohleder
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27
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Independent Director
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The Company’s executive
officers and directors are elected annually and serve until their term expires.
Frank E. Celli, 50, Chairman, former
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Celli has over 25 years
of waste industry experience. Mr. Celli joined BioHiTech America in 2008 as Chief Executive Office and held that position through November
5, 2020. Prior thereto and until 2007, Mr. Celli was co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Interstate Waste Services, during which
time that company achieved growth of over $150 million in revenue. During his time at Interstate Waste he was responsible for all aspects
of the business including collection, recycling, landfills and emerging technologies. After selling his interests in Interstate Waste,
Mr. Celli transitioned to BioHiTech. He also served as a director and officer of Entsorga West Virginia (“EVA”) prior to its
acquisition by a Company subsidiary in a step transaction during 2017 and 2018, that is currently operating the first Mechanical Biological
Treatment facilities in the United States to utilize HEBiot technology. Mr. Celli was also the chairman of the board of Apple Valley Waste
Services, Inc., an entity acquired in 2018 by the Gold Medal Group, LLC, which also holds a 40% interest in Refuel America, LLC, a consolidated
subsidiary of the Company. Currently Mr. Celli provides part time consulting to various environmental companies and manages his personal
commercial real estate portfolio. Mr. Celli earned a Bachelors of Science from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business in 1992.
James D. Chambers, 64, Independent
Director
Mr. Chambers has been involved
with BioHiTech since 2008 as an investor, advisor and board member. For the past 20 years, Mr. Chambers has been a private investor and
management consultant. Prior thereto and from January 1997 to September 2000, Mr. Chambers served as President of Business Services, Senior
Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, and Vice President of Administration of Quest Diagnostics, Inc. Prior thereto and
from June 1986 to January 1997, Mr. Chambers served in several executive positions in the US and abroad at Corning Incorporated. Mr. Chambers
Earned his BA at Dickinson College in History and Political Science, and his MBA in Finance at Southern Methodist University, as well
as a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of International Management. Mr. Chambers has more than 35 years’
experience in diverse industries, functions, and geographic locations.
Tony Fuller, 63, Chief Executive Officer,
Director
Mr. Fuller joined BioHiTech
as a Director in February 2017 and became its Chief Administrative Officer effective March 1, 2020 and effective November 5, 2020 its
Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Fuller spent nearly thirty years as an executive of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (“Walmart”)
most recently as Senior Vice President where he served until August 2013. For over 20 years, Mr. Fuller led the teams which provided both
property management and maintenance for Walmart’s global portfolio of properties. During that time, Walmart’s portfolio grew
from under 1,000 stores in 20 states in the United States, to over 10,000 stores in all fifty states, and 23 countries around the world
with capital investment reaching $2 billion per year. Mr. Fuller served as the chairman of the real estate transaction committee and real
estate finance committee. Simultaneously therewith and since 2006, Mr. Fuller has been a member of REAP (Real Estate Associate Program),
an organization opening opportunities for minorities in commercial real estate and from 2006 to 2014, Mr. Fuller served on its Board.
Mr. Fuller has served as a
member of the Board of Advisors of Global Healthcare Capital, LLC, a leading healthcare investor and asset manager for opportunities in
the US, Europe, Asia and Australia. Mr. Fuller received his BS in Agricultural Economics from Arkansas State University and his JD from
the University of Arkansas.
Robert A. Graham, 61, Independent Director
Mr. Graham joined BioHiTech
as a Director in October 2013. Simultaneously therewith since 2019 Mr. Graham has been President of Cavan Road Capital and from 2010 to
2019, Mr. Graham served as Managing Director of the Management Company of Penn Venture Partners, L.P.
Mr. Graham has over 25 years
of operational and financial executive management experience including extensive experience in the acquisitions and sales of companies.
Prior thereto and from 2008 to 2010, Mr. Graham served as President of RG Consulting, a financial and management consulting company. Prior
thereto and from 2001 to 2008, Mr. Graham served eight years as President and Chief Executive Officer of Dorland Healthcare Information.
He also served as the Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Broadreach Consulting from 1998 to 2000 and was Vice President
of Finance and Chief Operating Officer of Legal Communications, Ltd. from 1989 to 1998. He started his career in the finance department
of Transport International Pool where he held various financial positions, the final of which was as Assistant Controller before he left
in 1988. He received his Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Saint Joseph’s University and a
B.A. from LaSalle University.
Harriet
Hentges, 80, Independent Director
Ms. Hentges joined BioHiTech
as a Director in August 2015. She simultaneously serves as the president of Hentges Associates, an advisory firm on sustainability for
the consumer goods, retail and tourism industries. Prior to starting Hentges Associates in 2014, she was a principal in Hentges Kahn &
Strauss (HKS) LLC, a consulting practice for food producers, manufactures and grocery retailers aimed at fostering a more sustainable
food system. Ms. Hentges has held key posts in strategy development and implementation at Sears Roebuck, Wal-Mart and Ahold USA. She was
part of the initial sustainability team at Walmart and directed the U.S. sustainability strategy for Ahold USA, a subsidiary of the Ahold
of the Netherlands. She is a partner in the Sustainable Tourism Group, an investment for East Africa.
Ms. Hentges received a doctorate
in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University.
Walter
Littlejohn III, 51, Independent Director
Mr. Littlejohn joined BioHiTech
as Director in July 2020 and is presently and since March 2020 Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Crystal River Cruises, a
Miami Florida based division of Crystal Cruises and served as its Vice President and Managing director from June 2016 until his appointment
as Senior Vice President. Prior to joining Crystal Cruises and from March 2012, Mr. Littlejohn was Vice President – Reservations
with AmaWaterways, a Calabasas California based river cruise line. Prior thereto Mr. Littlejohn held various management positions with
Expedia, Chartwell Vacations and Carnival Cruise Lines. Mr. Littlejohn received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Warton School
of the University of Pennsylvania.
Nicholause Rohleder, 28, Independent Director
Mr. Rohleder joined BioHiTech
as Director in June 2020 and is presently and since July 2019 the Co-founder and Environmental Technology Portfolio Manager of New American
Energy, LLC, an alternative energy and sustainability asset manager with offices in Tulsa, OK, New York, NY and London, UK. Mr. Rohleder
also serves, since January 2020, as a Senior Advisor at Ardour Capital Investments, an alternative energy and clean technology investment
bank. He is also the Director of Finance at Lone Cypress Midstream Services LLC since May 2020, an energy infrastructure developer. Prior
to forming New American Energy, LLC in July 2019, Mr. Rohleder was the chief operating officer of Merit Holding Group since November 2017,
an ESG and sustainability focused private investment platform. From 2016 to 2017, Mr. Rohleder was an analyst at Dwight Capital, a diversified
financial services firm.
The affirmative vote of a
plurality of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the election as directors of the seven (7) nominees
named in this Proxy Statement (assuming a quorum of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock is present).
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE FOR
EACH OF THE ABOVE-NAMED DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
Corporate Governance
Our Board of Directors is
committed to sound and effective corporate governance practices. The Company maintains formal corporate governance standards. The Company
has reviewed internally and with the Board of Directors the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”),
the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq’s corporate governance listing standards regarding corporate governance policies and processes
and is in compliance with such rules and listing standards. The Company has adopted charters for its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee
and Nominating and Policies Committee. You can access all of these documents on: http://investors.biohitechglobal.com/committee-charters
on Company’s website, http://www.biohitech.com, or by writing to us at BioHiTech Global, Inc., 80 Red Schoolhouse Road,
Chestnut Ridge, New York 10977, Attention: Secretary.
The Company’s management
and our Board of Directors reviewed our corporate governance practices in light of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Based on that review,
the Board of Directors maintains codes of ethics and conduct, corporate governance guidelines, committee charters, complaint procedures
for accounting and auditing matters and an Audit Committee pre-approval policy.
During fiscal 2020, the Board
of Directors held four (4) meetings and acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting nine (9) times. During fiscal 2020, all,
but one of the directors then in office attended 100% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors. One of the directors
then in office was only in attendance at one of the four meetings. The Company does not have a formal policy as to Board of Directors
attendance at our Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
Board Leadership Structure
The Company believes that
board independence is an important aspect of corporate governance and two members of its Board of Directors are independent. In addition,
our independent directors hold periodically scheduled meetings, at which only independent directors are present. The Board of Directors
believes that this leadership structure is appropriate for our Company, given the size and scope of our business, the experience and active
involvement of our independent directors and our corporate governance practices, which include regular communication with and interaction
between and among the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the independent directors.
Board Role in Risk Oversight
Management is responsible
for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board of Directors, as a whole and through its committees, provides
risk oversight. In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors must satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and
implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed, including assessing major risk factors relating to the Company and
its performance, and reviewing measures to address and mitigate risks. While the full Board of Directors is charged with overseeing risk
management, various committees of the Board of Directors and members of management also have responsibilities with respect to our risk
oversight. In particular, the Audit Committee plays a large role in monitoring and assessing our financial, legal and operational risks,
and receives regular reports from the management team regarding comprehensive organizational risk as well as particular areas of concern.
Director Independence
The Board of Directors has
evaluated each of its directors’ independence from BioHiTech based on the definition of “independence” established by
NASDAQ and has determined that Messrs. Chambers, Graham, Littlejohn, Rohleder and VanOort (through his resignation effective January 12,
2021), and Ms. Hentges are independent directors. Effective with Mr. Fuller’s appointment as Chief Administrative officer on March
1, 2020, Mr. Fuller while an independent director prior thereto, is no longer an independent director. In its review of each director’s
independence from the Company, the Board of Directors reviewed whether any transactions or relationships currently exist or existed during
the past year between each director and the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates, equity investors or independent registered public
accounting firm. The Board of Directors also examined whether there were any transactions or relationships between each director and members
of the senior management of the Company or their affiliates.
Stockholder Communications
Stockholders may send communications
to our Board of Directors or any committee thereof by writing to the Board of Directors or any committee thereof at BioHiTech Global,
Inc., Attention: Secretary, 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Suite 101, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977. The Secretary will distribute all stockholder
communications to the intended recipients and/or distribute to the entire Board of Directors, as appropriate.
In addition, stockholders
may also contact the non-management directors as a group or any individual director by writing to the non-management directors or the
individual director, as applicable, at BioHiTech Global, Inc., 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Suite 101, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977.
Complaint Procedures
Complaints and concerns about
accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing or related matters pertaining to the Company may be submitted by writing to the Chairman
of the Audit Committee as follows: BioHiTech Global, Inc., Attention: Chairman of the Audit Committee, 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Suite
101, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977. Complaints may be submitted on a confidential and anonymous basis by sending them in a sealed envelope
marked “Confidential.”
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a
policy statement entitled Code of Ethics that applies to its chief executive officer and senior financial officers and staff. In the event
that an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics is made or granted, the Company has posted such information
on its web site, www.biohitech.com.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible
for the oversight and evaluation of (i) the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors; (ii) the performance
of our internal audit function; and (iii) the quality and integrity of our financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of independent
auditors and analyzes the reports and recommendations of such auditors. The Audit Committee also assesses major risk factors relating
to the Company and its performance, and reviews measures to address and mitigate financial, legal and operational risks.
Our Audit Committee is currently
comprised of Messrs. Chambers, Graham and Rohleder, with Mr. Graham serving as the Chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that
Mr. Graham qualifies as an audit committee financial expert (as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder) and that his simultaneous service on the audit committees of more than two other public companies
does not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee. All of the members of the committee have been
determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of the Company based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence”.
During fiscal 2020, the Audit
Committee held four meetings.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee
reviews recommendations for executive compensation, including incentive compensation and stock incentive plans and makes recommendations
to the Board of Directors concerning levels of compensation of our executive officers and other key managerial personnel as well as the
adoption of incentive and stock plans.
The Compensation Committee
has the authority to retain or obtain advice from, as well as determine the appropriate compensation of, such compensation consultants,
outside counsel and other advisors as the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate.
Our Compensation Committee
is currently comprised of Messrs. Chambers and Graham and Ms. Hentges, with Ms. Hentges serving as the Chairman. All of the members of
the committee have been determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of the Company based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence”.
The Compensation Committee does not formally meet on a regular basis, but only as circumstances require.
During fiscal 2020, the Compensation
Committee acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting three (3) times.
Nominating and Governance Committee
The Nominating and Governance
Committee, which was established during 2017, reviews and evaluates the size, composition, functions and duties of the Board and establishes
the criteria for the selection of candidates to the Board and its committees and makes recommendations to the Board for director nominees
and appointments to committees. The Nominating and Governance Committee also develops and recommends to the Board the Corporate Governance
Guidelines for the Company and oversees compliance with such Guidelines.
The Nominating and Governance
Committee has the authority to retain or obtain advice from, as well as determine the appropriate compensation of, such compensation consultants,
outside counsel and other advisors as the Nominating and Governance Committee, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate.
Our Nominating and Governance
Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Chambers, and Graham and Ms. Hentges, with Mr. Chambers serving as the Chairman. All of the
members of the committee have been determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of the Company based on NASDAQ’s definition
of “independence”. The Compensation Committee does not formally meet on a regular basis, but only as circumstances require.
During fiscal 2020, the Nominating and Governance Committee acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting three (3) times.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
At this time, directors receive
no cash remuneration for their services as directors of the Company. The Company reimburses directors for expenses incurred in their service
to the Board of Directors. In January 2020 and in June 2018 each director was granted stock based compensation as presented below.
Compensation of Directors for the Each of the Years in the Three
Year Period Ended December 31, 2020
Name
|
|
|
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
|
|
All Other
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
Frank E. Celli(1)
|
|
2020
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
James D. Chambers(3)(6)(8)
|
|
2020
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
Tony Fuller(2)(3)(6)(8)
|
|
2020
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
Robert A. Graham(3)(6)(8)
|
|
2020
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
Harriet Hentges(3)(6)(8)
|
|
2020
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
Walter Littlejohn III(4)
|
|
2020
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Nicholause Rohleder(5)
|
|
2020
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Douglas VanOort(3)(6)(7)(8)
|
|
2020
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
54,054
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
73,600
|
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. Celli was the CEO through November 5, 2020 and has not received compensation as a director. In connection with Frank E. Celli’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Celli and the Company have agreed to continue Mr. Celli’s compensation at the level of $150,000 on annual basis, plus retain certain Company-wide fringe benefits during a transitionary period, which is reflected in the disclosure of compensation to the Company’s principal officers.
|
|
(2)
|
Mr. Fuller became a director on February 6, 2017 and became the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer effective March 1, 2020 and its Chief Executive Officer effective November 5, 2020. The compensation resulting from Mr. Fuller’s employment by the Company is reflected in the disclosure of compensation to the Company’s principal officers.
|
|
(3)
|
Each of the Director Chambers, Fuller, Graham, Hentges and VanOort were granted 20,000 restricted stock units vesting 1/3rd June 6, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The market price of the underlying common shares on the date of the grants, June 7, 2018 was $3.68 per share.
|
|
(4)
|
Mr. Littlejohn joined BioHiTech as Director in July 2020.
|
|
(5)
|
Mr. Rohleder joined BioHiTech as Director in June 2020.
|
|
(6)
|
Each of the Director Chambers, Fuller, Graham, Hentges and VanOort were granted 20,000 restricted stock units vesting 1/3rd June 6, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The market price of the underlying common shares on the date of the grants, June 7, 2018 was $3.68 per share.
|
|
(7)
|
Mr. VanOort resigned as a Director of BioHiTech effective January 12, 2021.
|
|
(8)
|
Each of the Director Chambers, Fuller, Graham, Hentges and VanOort were granted 27,027 restricted stock units vesting ½ on June 30, 2020 and ½ on January 30, 2021. The market price of the underlying common shares on the date of the grants, January 30, 2020 was $2.00 per share.
|
Summary of Executive Compensation Plans
Key Employee Incentive Compensation
The Company has an incentive
compensation plan for certain key employees. The incentive compensation plan provides for annual bonus payments based upon achievement
of certain corporate objectives as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not
pay any bonus pursuant to the incentive compensation plan, however in 2020 and 2018 awarded stock based compensation to certain employees
pursuant to the 2017 Executive Equity Incentive and the 2015 Equity Incentive Plans.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
On August 3, 2015, the Board
and a majority of the Company’s shareholders adopted the BioHiTech Global, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”).
The Company has reserved 750,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the terms of the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan. On July
23, 2020 the common shareholders approved an increase of 500,000 shares available to the 2015 Plan, resulting in a total of 1,250,000
shares being reserved for the 2015 Plan. The 2015 Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Company by attracting and retaining
employees, including key employees, consultants, directors, officers and independent contractors (collectively referred to as the “Participants”),
and enabling such Participants to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company. Under the 2015 Plan, the Company
may grant stock options, which are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Incentive Stock Options”), non-qualified stock options (the “Nonqualified Stock Options”),
stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock awards (the “Restricted
Stock Awards”), which are restricted shares of common stock (the Incentive Stock Options, the Nonqualified Stock Options, the SARs,
RSUs and the Restricted Stock Awards are collectively referred to as “Incentive Awards”). Incentive Awards may be granted
pursuant to the 2015 Plan for 10 years from the Effective Date.
2017 Executive Equity Incentive Plan
On January 25, 2017 the Board,
subject to future shareholder approval, which was granted on June 7, 2017, adopted the BioHiTech Global 2017 Executive Equity Incentive
Plan (“2017 Plan”) to encourage and enable selected, eligible Directors and Executive Officers of the Company and its Affiliates
to acquire or to increase their holdings of Common Stock and other equity-based interests in the Company in order to promote a closer
identification of their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders, and to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability
to motivate, attract and retain the services of Participants upon whose judgment, interest and special effort the successful conduct of
its operation largely depends. These purposes may be carried out through the granting of Awards to selected Participants, including the
granting of Options in the form of Incentive Stock Options and/or Nonqualified Options; SARs in the form of Freestanding SARs and/or Related
SARs; Restricted Awards in the form of Restricted Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Units; and/or Other Stock-Based Awards. The 2017
Plan initially allowed for the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted initially
shall not exceed 1,000,000 shares. On July 23, 2020 the common shareholders approved an increase of 500,000 shares available to the 2017
Plan, resulting in a total of 1,750,000 shares being reserved for the 2017 Plan.
Compensation Objectives
We believe that the compensation
programs for the Company’s NEOs should reflect the Company’s performance and the value created for the Company’s stockholders.
In addition, the compensation programs should support the short-term and long-term strategic goals and values of the Company and should
reward individual contributions to the Company’s success. Our compensation plans are consequently designed to link individual rewards
with Company’s performance by applying objective, quantitative factors including the Company’s own business performance and
general economic factors. We also rely upon subjective, qualitative factors such as technical expertise, leadership and management skills,
when structuring executive compensation in a manner consistent with our compensation philosophy.
Determination of Compensation
The Company’s executive
compensation program for the named executive officers (NEOs) is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
The Committee makes independent decisions about all aspects of NEO compensation, and takes into account compensation data and benchmarks
for comparable positions and companies in different applicable geographical areas.
Employment Agreements
Effective October 4, 2013,
the Company and Frank E. Celli, its Chief Executive Officer agreed that Mr. Celli would serve as Chief Executive Officer at an annual
salary of $200,000, increased to $300,000 effective March 1, 2016, and would be eligible for participation in equity incentive plans,
when formed, and a discretionary performance bonus. Mr. Celli will also receive customary benefits including health, life and disability
insurance benefits. The agreement was for an initial three-year period that automatically renews for additional one-year periods. Effective
November 5, 2021, Mr. Celli resigned as Chief Executive Officer and continues as an employee in a transitionary capacity working with
Mr. Fuller, and others as needed during the transition with an annual salary of $150,000 during the period. During the period from April
1, 2020 to August 14, 2020, Mr. Celli participated in a cash salary deferral plan along with other officers of the Company through which
Mr. Celli was granted 35,027 Restricted Stock Units that vested on August 20, 2020.
Effective March 1, 2020, the
Company and Tony Fuller, a Director, agreed that Mr. Fuller would serve as Chief Administrative Officer at an annual salary initially
starting at $50,000 increasing to $150,000 effective July 1, 2020. Mr. Fuller will be eligible for participation in equity incentive plans
and receive customary benefits including health, life and disability insurance benefits. During the period from April 1, 2020 to August
14, 2020, Mr. Fuller participated in a cash salary deferral plan along with other officers of the Company through which Mr. Fuller was
granted 23,184 Restricted Stock Units that vested on August 20, 2020.
Effective October 4, 2013,
the Company and Robert Joyce, its Chief Operating Officer agreed that Mr. Joyce would serve as Chief Operating Officer at an annual salary
of $250,000, increased to $265,000 effective March 1, 2016, would be eligible for participation in equity incentive plans, when formed,
and a discretionary performance bonus. Mr. Joyce will also receive customary benefits including health, life and disability insurance
benefits. The agreement was for an initial two-year period that automatically renews for an additional one-year periods. During the period
from April 1, 2020 to August 14, 2020, Mr. Joyce participated in a cash salary deferral plan along with other officers of the Company
through which Mr. Joyce was granted 47,285 Restricted Stock Units that vested on August 20, 2020.
Effective November 2, 2015,
the Company and Brian C. Essman, its Chief Financial Officer agreed that Mr. Essman would serve as Chief Financial Officer at an annual
salary of $210,000, a grant of 82,500 restricted shares under the BioHiTech Global, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and be eligible for
a performance bonus up to 35% of base annual salary. Mr. Essman will also receive customary benefits including health, life and disability
insurance benefits. The agreement was for an initial two-year period that automatically renews for one-year periods
Effective October 7, 2013,
the Company and William Kratzer, its Chief Technology Officer agreed that Mr. Kratzer would serve as Chief Technology Officer at an annual
salary of $125,000, increased to $150,000 effective March 1, 2016, and would be eligible for participation in equity incentive plans,
when formed, and a discretionary performance bonus. Mr. Kratzer will also receive customary benefits including health, life and disability
insurance benefits. The agreement was for an initial two-year period that automatically renews for an additional one-year periods. Effective
August 15, 2019 Mr. Kratzer resigned as the full time Chief Technology Officer and agreed to continue, as needed, on a consultant basis.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the name,
age and position of each of our executive officers as of the date hereof. Our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion
of the Board of Directors of BioHiTech.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Tony Fuller
|
|
63
|
|
Director and Chief Executive Officer (Effective November 5, 2020)
|
Frank E. Celli
|
|
50
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Though November 5, 2020)
|
Robert A. Joyce
|
|
61
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
Brian C. Essman
|
|
62
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
The Company’s executive
officers are elected biannually and serve until their term expires.
Tony
Fuller, 63, Please see “Director Biographies” above.
Frank
E. Celli, 50, Please see “Director Biographies” above.
Robert A. Joyce, 61, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Joyce joined BioHiTech
in October 2013 as its Chief Operating Officer. Prior thereto and prior to 1998, Mr. Joyce held technical, sales and management roles
at Sun Microsystems and Arthur D. Little, Inc., Mr. Joyce served as the Chief Executive Officer of Perfect Order, Inc. a software and
services company, from 1998 until it was acquired by Versatile Systems in 2005, for whom Mr. Joyce went on to serve as President.
Brian C. Essman, 62, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Essman joined BioHiTech
in November 2015 as its Chief Financial Officer. Prior thereto, from 1997 through 2014, Mr. Essman held various senior executive management
positions with Data Communiqué, Inc. a Havas company where he most recently held the position of Chief Executive Officer. From
2004 to 2007, Mr. Essman was Data Communiqué’s Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer and from 1997 to 2004 was
the Chief Financial Officer. Prior thereto, Mr. Essman was the Chief Financial Officer at a Fidelity Investments Private Equity operating
company and a Senior Manager and CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Mr. Essman graduated with
a BS in Accounting with High Honors from Boston College’s School of Management.
The following table sets forth
all of the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to (i) each individual serving as the Company’s principal executive officer
during the last three completed fiscal years ending December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
Option
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
Tony Fuller(1)
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
79,167
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
28,980
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
108,147
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Frank E. Celli(2)
|
|
2020
|
|
|
156,250
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
44,835
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
201,085
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
110,400
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
410,400
|
|
Robert A. Joyce(3)
|
|
2020
|
|
|
113,958
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
210,525
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
324,483
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
265,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
265,000
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
265,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
414,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
679,000
|
|
Brian C. Essman(4)
|
|
2020
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
—
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
294,400
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
504,400
|
|
William M. Kratzer(5)
|
|
2020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
93,750
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
189,082
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
128,800
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
278,800
|
|
The following table sets forth
for each named executive officer certain information concerning the outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2020.
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
|
Number of Unearned
Shares, Units or Other
Rights that Have Not
Vested
|
|
|
|
Market Value of Shares,
Units or Other Rights
that Have Not Vested(a)
|
|
Tony Fuller(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Frank E. Celli(2)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Robert A. Joyce(3)
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
|
|
42,000
|
|
Brian C. Essman(4)
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
5,600
|
|
William M. Kratzer(5)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
The following table sets forth
for each named executive officer certain information concerning exercised equity awards during the year ended December 31, 2020.
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
|
|
|
Value Realized
|
|
|
Number of
Shares
Acquired in
Vesting
|
|
|
Value Realized
on Vesting
|
|
Tony Fuller(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Frank E. Celli(2)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Robert A. Joyce(3)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Brian C. Essman(4)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
102,500
|
|
|
|
205,000
|
|
William M. Kratzer(5)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. Fuller, who has been a director since February 2017 was appointed the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer March 1, 2020 and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer November 5, 2020. The tables above represent compensation, outstanding equity awards and exercised equity awards resulting from his employment by the Company. Equity awards resulting from his director position with the Company are reflected in the disclosures related to directors. In addition to the cash salary above, during the period from April 1, 2020 to August 14, 2020, Mr. Fuller participated in a cash salary deferral plan along with other officers of the Company through which Mr. Fuller was granted 23,184 Restricted Stock Units that vested on August 20, 2020.
|
|
(2)
|
Appointed August 6, 2015. Mr. Celli was executive Chief Executive Officer and an owner of BioHiTech America, LLC, the predecessor company to BioHiTech Global, Inc. and continued in his executive role with the Company through November 5, 2021, at effective date of Mr. Celli’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Celli continues as an employee in a transitionary capacity working with Mr. Fuller, and others as needed during the transition with an annual salary of $150,000 during the period. During the period from April 1, 2020 to August 14, 2020, Mr. Celli participated in a cash salary deferral plan along with other officers of the Company through which Mr. Celli was granted 35,027 Restricted Stock Units that vested on August 20, 2020.
|
|
(3)
|
Appointed August 6, 2015. Mr. Joyce was executive Chief Operating Officer and an owner of BioHiTech America, LLC, the predecessor company to BioHiTech Global, Inc. and continued in his executive role with the Company. During the period from April 1, 2020 to August 14, 2020, Mr. Joyce participated in a cash salary deferral plan along with other officers of the Company through which Mr. Joyce was granted 47,285 Restricted Stock Units that vested on August 20, 2020. In addition, Mr. Joyce was granted 75,000 RSUs on January 30, 2020 that vested over a one-year term.
|
|
(4)
|
Appointed Chief Financial Officer November 2, 2015. On January 30, 2020 Mr. Essman was awarded 10,000 non-qualified options that vest over a one-year term. During 2020, Mr. Essman drew down 102,500 restricted stock units at a market price of $2.00 per share.
|
|
(5)
|
Appointed Chief Technology Officer August 6, 2015. Resigned effective August 15, 2019.
|
|
(a)
|
Market close of $1.12 per share as of December 31, 2020.
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
BioHiTech has also entered
into various transactions with related parties that are disclosed in the Company’s financial statements filed with the Securities
& Exchange Commission in its 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
FOR 2021 FISCAL YEAR
The Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors has appointed Marcum LLP to continue to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2021 fiscal
year. Marcum has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since October 26, 2015.
On October 26, 2015, the Company’s
Board of Directors engaged Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm
to act as the principal accountant to audit the Company’s financial statements. Prior to Marcum’s appointment, neither the
Company, nor anyone acting on its behalf, consulted with Marcum regarding the application of accounting principles to a specific completed
or proposed transaction or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and no written
report or oral advice was provided that Marcum concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to
any such accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue.
Representatives of Marcum
LLP are expected to be available at the Annual Meeting, shall have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are
expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. Although ratification by stockholders is not required, the Board of Directors
has determined that requesting ratification by stockholders of its selection of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting
firm is a matter of good corporate practice. In the event the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP, the appointment
will be reconsidered by the Board of Directors. Even if the selection is ratified, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may change
the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MARCUM
LLP AS THE COMPANY’S
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2021.
Fees Billed to BioHiTech by its Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firms during Fiscal Year 2020
We were billed for professional
services provided through the end of fiscal years 2020 and 2019 by Marcum LLP in the amounts set forth in the following tables:
Audit
Fees The aggregate fees for each of the last two years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for our
audits of our annual financial statements and interim reviews of our financial statements included in our fillings with Securities and
Exchange Commission on Form 10-K and 10-Qs or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory
filings or engagements for those years were approximately:
December 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
268,696
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
232,613
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
Audit
Related Fees The aggregate fees in each of the last two years for the assurance and related services provided by the principal
accountant that are not reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements, and
are not reported under the paragraph above were approximately:
December 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
30,900
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
Tax
Fees The aggregate fees in each of the last two years for the professional services rendered by the principal accountant for
tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were approximately:
December 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
All
Other Fees The aggregate fees in each of the last two years for the products and services provided by the principal accountant,
other than the services reported under the paragraphs above were approximately:
December 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
Marcum, LLP
|
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures for Audit
and Permitted Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee’s
policy requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by its independent
auditor, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit.
Either the Chairman of the Audit Committee acting alone or the other two members acting jointly may grant preapprovals of audit and permitted
non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant preapprovals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee
or the Board of Directors at its next scheduled meeting.
Consistent with these policies
and procedures, the Audit Committee has approved all of the services rendered by Marcum LLP during fiscal year 2020, as described above.
OTHER MATTERS
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity
securities, to file reports with the SEC relating to their common stock ownership and changes in such ownership. During the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2020, none of our directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered
class of our equity securities who were required to file such reports failed to do during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Stockholder Proposals for Inclusion in the
2021 Proxy Statement
We have not yet determined
when we will hold the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, but we anticipate issuing a press release announcing such date when it is determined.
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2022 annual meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received
by us no later than the close of business on January 15, 2022 in order that they may be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to that meeting.
In addition, our bylaws require
that we be given advance notice of stockholder nominations for election to our Board and of other business that stockholders wish to present
for action at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters included in our proxy statement in accordance with Rule 14a-8). Our
secretary must receive such notice not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which this
proxy statement was first mailed to our stockholders. If the date on which the 2022 annual meeting will be held is changed by more than
30 calendar days from the date of the 2021 annual meeting, we must receive the notice at least 80 days prior to the date on which we intend
to distribute the corresponding proxy statement.
The notice for any stockholder
proposal must contain certain information set forth in our bylaws. In addition, stockholder proposals made under Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act are required to contain certain information. Therefore, we strongly encourage stockholders interested in submitting a proposal
to contact legal counsel with regard to the detailed requirements of applicable securities laws. Copies of our bylaws can be obtained
without charge from our corporate secretary.
Submitting a stockholder proposal
does not guarantee that we will include it in our proxy statement.
List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote at the
2021 Annual Meeting
The names of stockholders
of record entitled to vote at the 2021 Annual Meeting will be available at our corporate office where for a period of 10 days prior to
the 2021 Annual Meeting and continuing through the 2021 Annual Meeting.
Expenses Relating to this Proxy Solicitation
This proxy solicitation is
being made by BioHiTech and BioHiTech will pay all expenses relating to this proxy solicitation. In addition to this solicitation by mail,
our officers, directors and employees may solicit proxies by telephone, personal call or electronic transmission without extra compensation
for that activity. We also expect to reimburse our transfer agent, banks, brokers and other persons for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of our stock and obtaining the proxies of those owners.
Communication with BioHiTech’s Board
of Directors
Any stockholder or other interested
party who desires to contact any member of the Board of Directors (or our Board of Directors as a group) may do so in writing to the following
address:
|
Corporate Secretary
BioHiTech Global, Inc.
80 Red Schoolhouse Road
Chestnut Ridge, New York 1097
|
Communications are distributed
to the Board, or to any individual directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication.
Available Information
We maintain an internet website
at www.biohitech.com. Copies of the committee charters, together with certain other corporate governance materials, including our Business
Conduct and Ethics Policy, can be found under the Investors Governance section of our website at www.biohitech.com, and such information
is also available in print to any stockholder who requests it through our Investor Relations department at the address below.
We will furnish without charge
to each person whose proxy is being solicited, upon request of any such person, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC, including the financial statements and schedules thereto, but not the exhibits. In
addition, such report is available, free of charge, through the Investors Governance section of our internet website at www.biohitech.com.
A request for a copy of such report should be directed to BioHiTech Global, Inc., 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977, Attention:
Investor Relations, Telephone: (888) 876-9300. A copy of any exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2020, will be forwarded following receipt of a written request with respect thereto addressed to Investor Relations.
“Householding” of Proxy Materials
We have adopted a procedure
approved by the SEC called “householding.” Under this procedure, stockholders of record who have the same address and last
name will receive only one copy of our Notice, unless one or more of these stockholders notifies us that they wish to continue receiving
individual copies. This procedure will reduce our printing costs and postage fees.
If you are eligible for householding,
but you and other stockholders of record with whom you share an address currently receive multiple copies of the Notice, or if you hold
stock in more than one account, and in either case you wish to receive only a single copy of the Notice for your household, please contact
our Corporate Secretary at BioHiTech Global, Inc., 80 Red Schoolhouse Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977, Telephone: (888) 876-9300.
If you participate in householding and wish to
receive a separate copy of the Notice, or if you do not wish to participate in householding and prefer to receive separate copies of the
Notice in the future, please contact our Corporate Secretary as indicated above. Beneficial owners can request information about
householding from their nominee.
x PLEASE MARK VOTES
|
REVOCABLE PROXY FOR
|
|
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
|
COMMON STOCK OF
|
|
|
BIOHITECH GLOBAL, INC.
|
|
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
|
|
|
|
For
|
Against
|
Abstain
|
OF
|
1.
|
Election of six (7) directors.
|
¨
|
¨
|
¨
|
BIOHITECH GLOBAL, INC.
|
|
Director Nominees
|
|
|
|
JULY 29, 2021
|
|
Frank E. Celli
|
|
|
|
|
|
James D. Chambers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Fuller
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Graham
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harriet Hentges
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walter Littlejohn III
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nicholause Rohleder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
|
Ratification and approval of
|
¨
|
¨
|
¨
|
|
|
the selection of Marcum LLP
|
|
|
|
|
|
as the Company’s
|
|
|
|
|
|
independent registered public
|
|
|
|
|
|
accounting firm for the 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
fiscal year
|
|
|
|
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of
Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement for the Meeting.
Shareholder
|
Number of Shares Held
|
|
|
|
|
Please be sure to sign and date
|
|
|
Date
|
|
this Proxy in the box below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
Signature (Joint Owner)
|
|
Detach above card, sign, date and mail in postage
paid envelope provided.
BIOHITECH GLOBAL, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Frank E. Celli
and Brian C. Essman as proxy with full power of substitutions, to vote as designated on the reverse side matters properly brought before
the Annual Meeting and on matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting, all of the shares of common stock of BioHiTech Global,
Inc. that the undersigned has the power to vote at the Annual Meeting to be held of July 29, 2021, or any adjournments thereof.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will
be voted as directed, but if no instructions are specified, this Proxy will be voted FOR the election of the person listed above
as a director of the Company and FOR the ratification and approval of the selection of the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm. In their discretion, the appointed proxies and agents are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly
be presented at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors and may be revoked prior to its exercise.
Please check here if you plan to attend
the annual meeting on July 29, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT)
to be held at the offices of McCarter
& English, LLP., Four Gateway Center,
100
Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102. ¨
(Continued and to be signed on the Reverse Side)
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