Item 5.07 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
On April 30, 2021, Escalade, Incorporated (“Escalade” or the “Company”) held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders for which Escalade’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) solicited proxies. At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders voted on the election of directors, the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s 2021 fiscal year and the approval, by non-binding vote, of the compensation of named executive officers.
In the election of directors, as described in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting, the nominees presented for election include current directors, Richard F. Baalmann, Jr., Patrick J. Griffin, Edward E. Williams, Walter P. Glazer, Jr., and Katherine F. Franklin. Each individual elected will serve a one year term, expiring at the 2022 Annual Meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. The results of the voting in the election of directors are as follows:
Number of Votes
|
|
Director Nominee
|
For
|
Withheld
|
|
|
|
Walter P. Glazer, Jr.
|
6,613,447
|
911,277
|
Katherine F. Franklin
|
7,249,719
|
275,005
|
Edward E. Williams
|
7,112,773
|
411,951
|
Richard F. Baalmann, Jr.
|
7,228,224
|
296,500
|
Patrick J. Griffin
|
6,137,094
|
1,387,630
|
Therefore, Messrs. Glazer, Williams, Baalmann, and Griffin and Ms. Franklin were elected to the Board. There were 5,332,967 broker non-votes with respect to the election of each of the nominees.
As to the appointment of the firm, BKD, LLP, to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s 2021 fiscal year, the Company’s stockholders ratified such appointment by a vote of 12,416,860 shares FOR, 427,964 shares AGAINST, and 12,867 shares ABSTAINED, with no broker non-votes. Therefore, the appointment of BKD, LLP was approved.
As to the approval, by non-binding vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers the Company’s stockholders ratified by a vote of 6,423,753 shares FOR, 1,060,397 shares AGAINST, and 40,574 shares ABSTAINED. There were 5,332,967 broker non-votes. Therefore, the compensation for our named executive officers was approved, by non-binding vote.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to: specific and overall impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic on Escalade’s financial condition and results of operations; Escalade’s plans and expectations surrounding the transition to its new Interim Chief Executive Officer and all potential related effects and consequences; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product demand and market acceptance; new product development; Escalade’s ability to achieve its business objectives, especially with respect to its Sporting Goods business on which it has chosen to focus; Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the anticipated results of strategic transactions, including the integration of the operations of acquired assets and businesses and of divestitures or discontinuances of certain operations, assets, brands, and products; the continuation and development of key customer, supplier, licensing and other business relationships; Escalade’s ability to develop and implement our own direct to consumer e-commerce distribution channel; Escalade’s ability to successfully negotiate the shifting retail environment and changes in consumer buying habits; the financial health of our customers; disruptions or delays in our business operations, including without limitation disruptions or delays in our supply chain, arising from political unrest, war, labor strikes, natural disasters, public health crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, and other events and circumstances beyond our control; Escalade’s ability to control costs; Escalade’s ability to successfully implement actions to lessen the potential impacts of tariffs and other trade restrictions applicable to our products and raw materials, including impacts on the costs of producing our goods, importing products and materials into our markets for sale, and on the pricing of our products; general economic conditions; fluctuation in operating results; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in the securities markets; Escalade’s ability to obtain financing and to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing; the availability, integration and effective operation of information systems and other technology, and the potential interruption of such systems or technology; risks related to data security of privacy breaches; and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.