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 ☒ |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check
the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☒ |
Definitive
Proxy Statement |
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Definitive
Additional Materials |
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, 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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No
fee required. |
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Fee
computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
PERMA-FIX
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
8302
Dunwoody Place, Suite 250
Atlanta,
Georgia 30350
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING
To
Be Held July 18, 2024
To
the Stockholders of Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc.:
Notice
is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (“Company”,
“we”, “our”, or “us”) will be held at The Westin Atlanta Airport, 4736 Best Road, Atlanta, Georgia
30337, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT), for the following purposes:
| 1. | To
elect nine directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their
respective successors are duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1); |
| | |
| 2. | To
ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting
firm of the Company for the 2024 fiscal year (Proposal 2); |
| | |
| 3. | To
approve, on an advisory basis, the 2023 compensation of our named executive officers as described
herein (Proposal 3); and |
| | |
| 4. | To
transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and at any adjournments
thereof. |
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on May 30, 2024, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or at any
postponement or adjournment thereof.
The
Company is taking advantage of the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) that allow issuers
to provide electronic access to proxy materials over the Internet instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each stockholder.
The Company believes that furnishing these materials electronically allows us to more efficiently provide our stockholders with our proxy
materials while reducing costs and reducing the impact of the Meeting on the environment. If you would like us to send you printed copies
of our proxy statement and accompanying materials, we will be happy to do so at no charge upon your request. For more information, please
refer to the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) that we are mailing to holders of record on
or about June 7, 2024. The Notice also provides instructions as to how you may vote your proxy.
Your
vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, you are encouraged to vote as soon as possible to ensure that your
shares are represented at the Meeting.
Important
Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on July 18, 2024: This
Proxy Statement and our Annual Report for 2023 are available at: https://www.cstproxy.com/perma-fix/2024.
|
By
order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891532/000149315224023025/formdef14a_001.jpg) |
|
Ben
Naccarato |
|
Secretary |
|
|
Atlanta,
Georgia |
|
June
7, 2024 |
|
PERMA-FIX
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
8302
Dunwoody Place, Suite 250
Atlanta,
Georgia 30350
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
THE
2024
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held July 18, 2024
Why
am I receiving this Proxy Statement?
You
are receiving this Proxy Statement from us because you were a stockholder of record of the common stock, par value $.001 (the “Common
Stock”), of Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (“Perma-Fix”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”,
or “us”) at the close of business on May 30, 2024 (the “Record Date”). This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection
with the solicitation on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”)
of proxies to be used in voting at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT),
and any adjournments thereof (the “Meeting”). By use of a proxy, you may vote whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting.
This Proxy Statement describes the matters on which the Board would like you to vote, and provides information on those matters, so that
you can make an informed decision.
Who
is entitled to vote at the Meeting?
Only
the holders of our Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date will have the right to receive notice of, and be entitled
to vote at, the Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, 15,788,386 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Each stockholder
of record, as of the Record Date, is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock that the stockholder owned as of the Record
Date on each matter to be voted upon at the Meeting.
Why
did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
Pursuant
to rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), the Company has elected to provide access
to its proxy materials via the Internet instead of mailing printed copies, by sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
(the “Notice”) to the Company’s stockholders. Accordingly, stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy
materials unless they request them. Instead, instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed
copy may be found in the Notice. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the
Notice or request to receive a printed or electronic set of the proxy materials. Stockholders may request to receive proxy materials
in printed form by following the instructions in the Notice. The Company encourages stockholders to take advantage of the availability
of the proxy materials on the Internet to help reduce the environmental impact of our annual meetings.
What
constitutes a quorum?
A
majority of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting, represented in person or
by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the holding of the Meeting. The failure of a quorum to be represented at the Meeting will necessitate
adjournment and will subject the Company to additional expense. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as present
for purposes of establishing a quorum, but may have differing consequences on whether a particular proposal is approved by the stockholders
at the Meeting. See “Effect of Abstentions,” “Effect of Broker Non-Votes,” and “What vote is required to
approve the proposals being considered?,” below.
Effect
of Abstentions
If
your proxy indicates an abstention from voting on a proposal, the shares represented will be counted as present for the purpose of determining
a quorum, but they will not be voted on such proposal at the Meeting. Because abstentions represent shares entitled to vote, if you abstain
from voting on a proposal, your abstention (a) will have no effect on the election of directors, (b) will have the effect of a vote against
the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, and (c) will have the effect of a vote against
the resolution on executive compensation. See “What vote is required to approve the proposals being considered?,” below.
Effect
of Broker Non-Votes
If
your shares of Common Stock are held by a bank, broker or other nominee as custodian on your behalf, you are considered a “beneficial
stockholder” of those shares. As a beneficial stockholder, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or
other nominee by the deadline provided in the proxy materials you receive from your broker, bank, or other nominee to ensure your shares
are voted in the way you would like. If you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other nominee, whether your shares
can be voted on your behalf depends on the type of item being considered for vote. The NYSE has rules that govern brokers who have record
ownership of listed company stock (including stock such as ours that is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market) held in brokerage accounts
for their clients who beneficially own the shares. Under these rules, brokers who do not receive voting instructions from their clients
have the discretion to vote uninstructed shares on certain matters (“routine matters”), but do not have the discretion to
vote uninstructed shares as to certain other matters (“non-routine matters”).
A
“broker non-vote” occurs when a broker has not received voting instructions from a beneficial owner on a non-routine matter
and therefore cannot vote such beneficial owner’s shares on the matter. In these cases, the broker can register your shares as
being present at the Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but will not be able to vote on the non-routine matters
for which specific authorization is required. Under NYSE interpretations, Proposal 1 (election of directors) and Proposal 3 (advisory
vote on executive compensation) are considered non-routine matters. Shares subject to a broker non-vote are not counted as present or
represented with respect to those matters, but are counted as present and represented for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum
at the Meeting. Accordingly, broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of either of these proposals. Proposal 2 (ratification
of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm for 2024) is considered a routine matter and, thus, we do not expect
to receive any broker non-votes on this proposal.
What
vote is required to approve the proposals being considered? The Company’s Bylaws provide that,
at every meeting of stockholders duly called and held at which a quorum is present, in addition to any vote or other action that may
be expressly required by law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws or the rules or regulations of any stock exchange
applicable to the Company, (i) in all matters other than the election of Directors, a majority of the votes that could be cast at the
meeting upon a given question shall be necessary to decide the question; and (ii) in the case of the election of Directors, a plurality
of the votes that could be cast at the meeting upon the election of directors shall be necessary to decide the election.
Item
1. Election of Directors. The Company’s bylaws provide that Directors will be elected by plurality vote, i.e., a nominee will
be elected if the number of votes cast “for” the nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against”
the nominee’s election. Abstentions will not be included in the total number of votes cast and therefore will have no effect on
the election’s outcome. See “Effect of Abstentions,” above. Under the rules of the NYSE, the election of directors
is not considered a “routine” matter and thus brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote in the election of directors
if they did not receive instructions from a beneficial owner. See “Effects of Broker Non-votes,” above. Accordingly, broker
non-votes are not counted as entitled to vote on the proposal and will have no effect on the voting for this item.
Item
2. Ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The ratification of the
appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal. Because abstentions do not affect the presence
of a quorum, an abstention on Item 2 will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item. However, because Item 2 is considered a “routine”
matter under the rules of the NYSE governing whether brokers may exercise discretionary authority to vote shares as to which the beneficial
owner has not provided voting instructions, brokers may vote uninstructed shares on this item. See “Effect of Broker Non-Votes,”
above.
Item
3. Approval, on an advisory basis, of the 2023 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. The approval, on an
advisory basis, of the 2023 compensation of our named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present
in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal. Because abstentions do not affect the presence of a quorum, an
abstention on Item 3 will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item. With respect to broker non-votes, because Item 3 is considered
a “non-routine” item under the rules of the NYSE, discussed above, brokers may not vote uninstructed shares on Item 3, and
such shares will not be counted as “entitled to vote” on such proposal. While the Board of Directors intends to carefully
consider the shareholder vote resulting from this proposal, the final vote will not be binding and is advisory in nature.
Will
my shares be voted if I am a registered stockholder and I do not provide my proxy?
No.
If your shares are registered in your name (i.e., you have a Perma-Fix stock certificate or hold your shares in an account with our transfer
agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company), they will not be voted, unless you submit your proxy or vote in person at the
Meeting. If you hold your shares directly in your own name, you must vote, either by internet, by mobile device, by completing, signing
and delivering a proxy (if you requested a printed copy), or by attending the Meeting and voting at the Meeting.
How
do I cast my vote?
If
you are a stockholder whose shares are registered in your name--that is, you have a Perma-Fix stock certificate or hold your shares
in an account with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company--you may vote your shares at the Meeting or
by one of the following methods:
| ● | Vote
by Internet, by going to the web address www.cstproxyvote.com and following the
instructions for Internet voting. |
| | |
| ● | Vote
by Mobile Device, by scanning the QR barcode on your Notice or proxy card and following
the on-screen instructions. |
| | |
| ● | Vote
by Proxy Card (if you requested printed copy), by completing, signing, dating and mailing
the proxy card in the envelope provided. If you vote by internet or mobile device, please
do not mail your proxy card. |
If
your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization, you are the “beneficial
owner” of shares, and the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials was forwarded to you by that organization. The organization
holding your account is considered the shareholder of record for purposes of voting during the Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have
the right to direct that organization on how to vote the shares held in your account. You should follow the instructions received from
that organization to vote your shares. If you wish to vote in person at the Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the bank, broker
or other holder of record that holds your shares.
Whether
or not you plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, please submit your vote either by internet, mobile device, or by written
proxy card.
Can
I change my mind after I vote?
Yes,
you may change your mind at any time before the polls close at the Meeting. You can change your vote by:
| ● | executing
and submitting a revised proxy; |
| | |
| ● | providing
a written revocation to the Secretary of the Company; or |
| | |
| ● | voting
in person at the Meeting. |
Who
will count the votes?
All
votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the Meeting.
Where
can I find the voting results of the Meeting?
We
will announce the preliminary voting results at the Meeting and publish final results in a Form 8-K to be filed with the Commission within
four business days after the Meeting.
Who
is paying the cost of this solicitation?
The
Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors. In addition to solicitation by use of the mail,
certain of the Company’s officers and employees may, without receiving additional compensation therefore, solicit the return of
proxies by telephone, e-mail or personal interview. The Company will reimburse brokerage houses and custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries
for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to their principals, the beneficial owners of Common Stock.
Is
the stockholder list available for review?
A
list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be open to examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Meeting
during ordinary business hours commencing 10 days before the Meeting. Prior to the Meeting, the list will be maintained at our principal
executive offices located at 8302 Dunwoody Place, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30350.
PROPOSAL
1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The
Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that each member of the Board of Directors shall hold office until the
next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Successors to those directors whose terms have expired are required to be elected by stockholder vote. The existing Board of Directors
may fill vacancies for an unexpired term and any newly created directorships created by Board action.
The
nine nominees for membership on our Board of Directors
named below were recommended by our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to serve as members of the Board of Directors. All
nominees are incumbent directors who and meet the qualifications for membership on our Board of Directors as set forth in the Company’s
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (the “Bylaws”).
The
Company’s Bylaws provide that the number of the Company’s directors shall be at least three and no more than nine, as may
be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors has set the size of the Board at nine members.
Nominees
for Directors
The
nominees for membership on our Board of Directors is a diverse group of sophisticated leaders and professionals who meet the standards
and qualifications for our directors. The following biographical information includes a discussion of the specific experience, qualifications,
attributes or skills that led to the conclusion by our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee that each of the nominees is qualified
to serve as one of our directors.
Lieutenant
General (LTG)
(U.S.
Army Ret.)
Thomas
P. Bostick,
Director
Age:
67 |
Lieutenant
General (LTG) (Ret.) Bostick, a director since August 2020, is currently the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Bostick
Global Strategies, LLC, a position he has held since July 2016. Bostick Global Strategies, LLC provides strategic advisory support
in the areas of engineering, environmental sustainability, human resources, biotechnology, education, executive coaching, and Agile
Project Management. In February 2021, LTG (Ret.) Bostick was selected by U. S. Senator Jack Reed, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services
Committee, to serve as a member of the Naming Commission consisting of eight appointed individuals, tasked with renaming Confederate-named
military bases and property. In 2023, the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army requested LTG (Ret.) Bostick’s
assistance in transforming U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC). LTG (Ret.) Bostick worked with the U.S. Army to develop a plan
which USAREC is now executing. LTG (Ret.) Bostick previously served (from November 2017 to February 2020) as the COO and President
of Intrexon Bioengineering, a division of Intrexon Corporation (formerly Nasdaq: XON; now Nasdaq: PGEN). Intrexon Bioengineering
addresses global challenges across food, agriculture, environmental, energy, and industrial
fields by advancing biologically engineered solutions to improve sustainability and efficiency. Since October 2020, LTG (Ret.) Bostick
has served as a board member of CSX Corporation (Nasdaq: CSX), a publicly-held rail transportation company, and since December 2020,
as a member of both the Finance Committee and the Governance Committee of CSX Corporation. Since June 2021, LTG (Ret.) Bostick has
served on the Board of Trustees of Fidelity Equity and High Income Funds overseeing equity funds and high yield funds sponsored by
Fidelity Investments, Inc., a privately-owned investment management company. LTG (Ret.) Bostick continues to serve as a board member
for several other privately-held and nonprofit organizations. LTG (Ret.) Bostick was named as one of 2021’s Most Influential
Black Corporate Directors by Savoy Magazine, a national publication that showcases and drives positive dialogue about Black culture.
In 2024, the Association of Graduates selected LTG (Ret.) Bostick as a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point. |
|
LTG
(Ret.) Bostick has had a distinguished career in the U.S. military, retiring from the U.S.
Army in July 2016 with the rank of Lieutenant General. Prior to his retirement, LTG (Ret.)
Bostick held a variety of positions within the U.S. Army, including the 53rd Chief
of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2012-2016) and Deputy
Chief of Staff and Director of Human Resources, U.S. Army (2009-2012). LTG (Ret.) Bostick
has been awarded many military honors and decorations during his military career, including
the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Bronze Star
Medal.
As
a White House Fellow, one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service, LTG (Ret.) Bostick was
a special assistant to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
LTG
(Ret.) Bostick graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and later returned to the Academy to serve as an Associate Professor of Mechanical
Engineering. He holds Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, an MBA from
Oxford University, and a Doctorate in Systems Engineering from George Washington University. He is a Member of the National Academy
of Engineering and the National Academy of Construction.
LTG
(Ret.) Bostick’s distinguished career in both the government and private sectors brings valuable experience and insight into solving
complex issues domestically and globally. His extensive knowledge and problem-solving experiences enhance the Board’s ability to
address significant challenges in the nuclear market and led the Board to conclude that he should serve as a director. |
|
|
Dr.
Louis F. Centofanti,
Director
Age:
80 |
Dr.
Centofanti, the founder of the Company and a director of the Company since its inception
in 1991, currently holds the position of Executive Vice President (“EVP”) of
Strategic Initiatives. From March 1996 to September 2017 and from February 1991 to September
1995, Dr. Centofanti held the position of President and CEO of the Company. Dr. Centofanti
served as Chairman of the Board from the Company’s inception in February 1991 until
December 16, 2014. In January 2015, Dr. Centofanti was appointed by the U.S Secretary of
Commerce Penny Prizker to serve on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Civil Nuclear
Trade Advisory Committee (“CINTAC”). The CINTAC is composed of industry representatives
from the civil nuclear industry and meets periodically throughout the year to discuss the
critical trade issues facing the U.S. civil nuclear sector. From 1985 until joining the Company,
Dr. Centofanti served as Senior Vice President (“SVP”) of USPCI, Inc., a large
publicly-held hazardous waste management company, where he was responsible for managing the
treatment, reclamation and technical groups within USPCI. In 1981, he and Mark Zwecker, a
current Board member of the Company, founded PPM, Inc. (later sold to USPCI), a hazardous
waste management company specializing in treating PCB-contaminated oil. From 1978 to 1981,
Dr. Centofanti served as Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Energy for the
southeastern region of the United States. Dr. Centofanti has a Ph.D. and a M.S. in Chemistry
from the University of Michigan, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Youngstown State University.
As
founder of Perma-Fix and PPM, Inc., and as a senior executive at USPCI, Dr. Centofanti combines extensive business experience in
the waste management industry with a drive for innovative technology which is critical for a waste management company. In addition,
his service in the government sector provides a solid foundation for the continuing growth of the Company, particularly within the
Company’s Nuclear business. Dr. Centofanti’s comprehensive understanding of the Company’s operations and his extensive
knowledge of its history, coupled with his drive for innovation and excellence, positions Dr. Centofanti to optimize our role in
this competitive, evolving market, and led the Board to conclude that he should serve as a director. |
Mark
J. Duff, Director
Age
61 |
Mr.
Duff, the Company’s President and CEO since September 2017, has served as a Board member
since April 2023. Since joining the Company in 2016, Mr. Duff has developed and implemented
strategies to meet growth objectives in both the Treatment and Services Segments. In the
Treatment Segment, he continues to upgrade each facility to increase efficiency, modernize
and broaden treatment capabilities to meet the changing markets associated with the waste
management industry. This growth includes expansion into international markets and additional
market sectors, including development of new clients in the commercial power and oil and
gas industries. In the Services Segment, which encompasses all field operations, he has completed
the revitalization of business development programs, which has resulted in increased competitive
procurement effectiveness, and broadened the market penetration within both the commercial
and government sectors. Within the Services Segment, Mr. Duff has established a team of professionals
with experience in conducting safe and efficient field operations while addressing complex
technical challenges associated with removal of radioactive and hazardous waste contamination.
Mr. Duff has over 39 years of management and technical experience in the U.S. Department
of Energy (“DOE”) and the U.S. Department of Defense (“DOD”) environmental
and construction markets as a corporate officer, senior project manager, co-founder of a
consulting firm, and federal employee. Mr. Duff has an MBA from the University of Phoenix
and received his B.S. from the University of Alabama.
Mr.
Duff’s extensive experience in the government sector has proven invaluable in the continuing growth of the Company’s Treatment
and Services Segments. Mr. Duff’s comprehensive understanding of the Company’s operations, his proven leadership skills,
and his drive for new innovation in this evolving industry and market, led the Board to conclude that he should serve as a director. |
|
|
Kerry
C. Duggan, Director
Age:
45 |
Ms.
Duggan, a director of the Company since May 2021, is the founder of SustainabiliD, a woman-owned
advisory services firm working with gamechangers to equitably solve the climate crisis. She
was appointed to the faculty and named as the Founding Director of the University of Michigan’s
School for Environmental and Sustainability (“SEAS”) Clinic in Detroit.
In
2021, Ms. Duggan was appointed to DOE’s prestigious Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (“SEAB”), serving under
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. In February 2021, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also appointed Ms. Duggan to the State of
Michigan’s Council on Climate Solutions, to advise on the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and to transition toward economy-wide carbon neutrality. More recently, Ms. Duggan also served on the Governor’s
bipartisan Growing Michigan Together Council (Infrastructure & Places Workgroup). In 2020-21, Ms. Duggan was a member of the
Biden-Harris Transition Team on the U.S. Department of Energy Agency Review Team. In May 2020, Ms. Duggan was named a member of the
Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force on Climate Change, serving as one of Biden’s five delegates alongside Gina McCarthy and Sec.
John Kerry; and later co-chaired the climate change policy committee and served as a surrogate for the Biden campaign.
Previously,
Ms. Duggan served nearly seven years in federal public-service leadership roles, including inside the Obama-Biden White House as
Deputy Director for Policy in the Office of then Vice President Joe Biden for energy, environment, climate, and distressed communities.
Simultaneously, she served as Deputy Director of the Detroit Federal Working Group to support Detroit’s revitalization. Prior
to the White House, Ms. Duggan held several senior roles at the DOE, including as Secretary Moniz’s embedded Liaison to the
City of Detroit (where she championed a citywide LED streetlight conversion), and in the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable
Energy as Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Director of Legislative, Regulatory & Urban Affairs, and as a Senior Policy Advisor. |
|
After
her time in federal service, Ms. Duggan co-founded the Smart Cities Lab, was a Partner with
the Honorable Thomas J. Ridge’s firm, RIDGE-LANE Limited Partners, and served on the
external advisory board of the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable
Enterprise and was a Board Member at the Global Council for Science and the Environment.
She was also briefly a Trustee of the University Liggett School. In 2018, Ms. Duggan was
named to the prestigious “40 Under 40” list by Crain’s Detroit Business
and their inaugural “Notable Leaders in Sustainability” lists. She previously
worked at the League of Conservation Voters in Washington, D.C.
Currently,
Ms. Duggan serves as a senior advisor at The RockCreek Group, LP, a registered private fund adviser that manages fund of funds portfolios
and direct equity trading portfolios. She also sits on the corporate board of directors at Storm Energia, a privately-held industry
leading global solution company for recycling Lithium-ion battery materials, as well as the corporate advisory boards of Our Next
Energy, Inc. (ONE), a privately-held energy storage solutions company; Aclima, Inc., a public benefit corporation dedicated to protecting
public health, reducing climate-changing emissions, and advancing environmental justice; BlueConduit, a privately-held water analytics
company that builds machine learning software to support the efficient removal of lead and other dangerous materials from communities;
Walker-Miller Energy Services, L.L.C., a privately-held energy efficiency services company; Commonweal Investors, a private equity
firm that invests in early-stage technology companies advancing a sustainable economy, upgrading transportation and infrastructure
systems, and revitalizing the urban environment; and Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC, an investment management company that manages
funds which invest in growth-oriented operating businesses and community infrastructure projects located in underserved communities,
among others.
Ms.
Duggan attended the University of Vermont, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies. Ms. Duggan
also has a Master of Science degree in natural resource policy & behavior from the University of Michigan.
Ms.
Duggan’s career in both the government and private sectors brings valuable experience and insight into solving complex issues.
Her extensive knowledge and problem-solving experiences, with an Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) mindset
and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) core values, led the Board to conclude that she should serve as a director. |
|
|
Joseph
T. Grumski, Director
Age:
63 |
Mr.
Grumski, a director of the Company since February 2020, has served since April 2020 as the CEO of TAS Energy Inc. (“TAS”),
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE: FIX), a publicly-held company that provides mechanical and electrical
contracting services in locations throughout the United States. Mr. Grumski also served as the President of TAS Energy, Inc. from
April 2020 to December 2023. Prior to the acquisition of TAS by Comfort Systems USA, Inc., Mr. Grumski served as President and CEO
and a board member of TAS from May 2013 to March 2020. From 1997 to February 2013, Mr. Grumski was employed with Science Applications
International Corporation (“SAIC”) (NYSE: SAIC), a publicly-held company that provides government services and information
technology support. During his employment with SAIC, Mr. Grumski held various senior management positions, including the positions
of President of SAIC’s Energy, Environment & Infrastructure (“E2I”) commercial subsidiary and General Manager
of the E2I Business Unit. SAIC’s E2I commercial subsidiary and Business Unit is comprised of approximately 5,200 employees
performing over $1.1 billion of services for federal, commercial, utility and state customers. Mr. Grumski’s many accomplishments
with SAIC included growing SAIC’s $300 million federal environmental business to a top ranked, $1.1 billion business; receiving
the National Safety Council “Industry Leader” award in 2009; and receiving highest senior executive performance rating
three years in a row. Mr. Grumski began his career with Gulf Oil Company and has progressed through senior level engineering, operations
management, and program management positions with various companies, including Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Lockheed Martin,
Inc. Mr. Grumski received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.S in Mechanical Engineering
from West Virginia University. |
|
Mr.
Grumski has had an extensive career in solving and overseeing solutions to complex issues involving both domestic and international concerns.
In addition, his extensive experience in companies that provide services to the government sector as well as his experience in the commercial
sector provide solid experience for the continuing growth of the Company’s Treatment and Services Segment. Mr. Grumski’s
extensive knowledge and problem-solving experiences, executive operational leadership experience and governance experience enhance the
Board’s ability to address significant challenges in the nuclear market, and led the Board to conclude that he should serve as
a director. |
|
|
The
Honorable Joe R. Reeder, Director
Age:
76 |
Mr.
Reeder, a director since 2003, is a principal shareholder of the law firm of Greenberg Traurig
LLP, one of the nation’s largest law firms, with 47 offices and 2,750 attorneys worldwide.
Mr. Reeder served as Shareholder-in-Charge of the law firm’s Mid-Atlantic Region offices
for ten years. His clientele includes celebrities, heads of state, sovereign nations, international
corporations, and law firms. As the U.S. Army’s 14th Undersecretary (1993-97), he also
served three years as Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission’s Board, overseeing a
multibillion-dollar infrastructure program. For the past 22 years, he has served on the Canal’s
International Advisory Board. He has written extensively in leading journals on corporate
cybersecurity, and has served on the boards of the USO; the National Defense Industry Association
(“NDIA”), chairing NDIA’s Ethics Committee; the Armed Services YMCA; the
Marshall Legacy Institute; and many other private companies and charitable organizations.
Mr. Reeder served as a director of ELBIT Systems of America, LLC, (2005-2020), a subsidiary
of Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT), a multi-billion-dollar provider of defense, homeland
security, and commercial aviation system solutions. Mr. Reeder has also served as director
of WashingtonFirst Bank, the bank subsidiary of WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:
WSBI), from 2004 to 2017; Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: SASR), from 2018 to 2020; and
Trustar Bank, a Virginia state-chartered bank (2022 - present).
After
two successive 4-year appointments by Virginia Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Mr. Reeder served seven years as Chairman of
two Commonwealth of Virginia military boards, and 10 years on the USO Board of Governors. Appointed by former Governor Terry McAuliffe
to the Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors (2014), he was reappointed in 2018 by former Virginia Governor Ralph
Northam, with his term ending in 2022. Mr. Reeder, who has been a television commentator on legal and national security issues, is
consistently named a Super Lawyer for Washington, D.C. In May 2018 he was appointed to the United States Court of Federal Claims
Advisory Council Bid Protest Committee.
A
West Point graduate who served in the 82nd Airborne Division after Ranger School, Mr. Reeder earned his J.D. from the University
of Texas, his L.L.M. from Georgetown University, and has devoted his career to resolving complex domestic and international issues.
He continues to greatly enhance the Board’s ability to address major challenges in the nuclear market and day-to-day corporate
and Washington D.C.- related challenges. |
Larry
M. Shelton,
Board
Chairman
Age:
70 |
Mr.
Shelton, a director since July 2006, has also held the position of Chairman of the Board
of the Company since December 2014. Mr. Shelton served as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)
of S K Hart Management, LLC, a private investment management company (“S K Hart Management”),
from 1999 until August 2018. Mr. Shelton served as President of Pony Express Land Development,
Inc. (an affiliate of SK Hart Management), a privately held land development company, from
January 2013 until August 2017, and has served on its board since December 2005. Mr. Shelton
served as Director and CFO of S K Hart Ranches (PTY) Ltd, a private South African Company
involved in agriculture, from March 2012 to March 2020. Mr. Shelton has over 20 years of
experience as an executive financial officer for several waste management companies, including
as CFO of Envirocare of Utah, Inc. (now EnergySolutions, Inc. (1995–1999)), a privately
held nuclear waste services company, and as CFO of USPCI, Inc. (1982–1987), then a
NYSE- listed public company engaged in the hazardous waste business. Since July 1989, Mr.
Shelton has served on the board of Subsurface Technologies, Inc., a privately held company
specializing in providing environmentally sound innovative solutions for water well rehabilitation
and development. Mr. Shelton has a B.A. in accounting from the University of Oklahoma.
With
his years of accounting experience as CFO for various companies, including a number of waste management companies, Mr. Shelton combines
extensive industry knowledge and understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting requirements, evaluating and overseeing
financial reporting processes and business matters. These factors led the Board to conclude that he should serve as a director. |
|
|
The
Honorable Zach P. Wamp, Director
Age:
66 |
Mr.
Wamp, a director since January 2018, is currently the President of Zach Wamp Consulting,
a position he has held since 2011. As the President and owner of Zach Wamp Consulting, he
has served some of the most prominent companies from Silicon Valley to Wall Street as a business
development consultant and advisor. From September 2013 to November 2017, Mr. Wamp chaired
the Board of Directors for Chicago Bridge and Iron Federal Services, LLC (a subsidiary of
Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, NYSE: CBI, which provides critical services primarily
to the U.S. government). From January 1995 to January 2011, Mr. Wamp served as a member of
the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District.
Among his many accomplishments, which included various leadership roles in the advancement
of education and science, Mr. Wamp was instrumental in the formation and success of the Tennessee
Valley Technology Corridor, which created thousands of jobs for Tennesseans in the areas
of high-tech research, development, and manufacturing. During his career in the political
arena, Mr. Wamp served on several prominent subcommittees during his 14 years on the House
Appropriations Committee, including serving as a “ranking member” of the Subcommittee
on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. Mr. Wamp has been a regular
panelist on numerous media outlets and has been featured in a number of national publications
effectively articulating sound social and economic policy. Mr. Wamp’s business career
has also included work in the real estate sector for a number of years as a licensed industrial-commercial
real estate broker, for which he was named Chattanooga’s Small Business Person of the
Year.
Mr.
Wamp has an extensive career in solving and overseeing solutions to complex issues involving domestic concerns. In addition, his
wide-ranging career, particularly with respect to his government-related work, provides solid experience for the continuing growth
of the Company’s Treatment and Services Segments. His extensive knowledge and problem-solving expertise enhance the Board’s
ability to address significant challenges in the nuclear market, and led the Board to conclude that he should serve as a director. |
Mark
A. Zwecker, Director
Age:73 |
Mr.
Zwecker, a director since the Company’s inception in January 1991, previously served
as the CFO and a board member for JCI US Inc. from 2013 to 2019. JCI US Inc. is a telecommunications
company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan Communications, Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange (Securities
Code: 9424)), which provides cellular service for M2M (machine to machine) applications.
From 2006 to 2013, Mr. Zwecker served as Director of Finance for Communications Security
and Compliance Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of JCI US Inc. that develops
security software products for the mobile workforce. Mr. Zwecker has held various other senior
management positions, including President of ACI Technology, LLC, a privately-held IT services
provider, and Vice President of Finance and Administration for American Combustion, Inc.,
a privately-held combustion technology solutions provider. In 1981, with Dr. Centofanti,
Mr. Zwecker co-founded a start-up, PPM, Inc., a hazardous waste management company. He remained
with PPM, Inc. until its acquisition in 1985 by USPCI. Mr. Zwecker has a B.S. in Industrial
and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Harvard
University.
As
a director since our inception, Mr. Zwecker’s understanding of our business provides valuable insight to the Board. With years
of experience in operations and finance for various companies, including a number of waste management companies, Mr. Zwecker combines
extensive knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting rules and regulations, the ability to evaluate financial results,
and understanding of financial reporting processes. He has an extensive background in operating complex organizations. Mr. Zwecker’s
experience and background position him well to serve as a member of our Board. These factors led the Board to conclude that he should
serve as a director. |
The
election of each of the above nominees requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares voted. For purposes of the vote on
this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote,
although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NINE NOMINEES AS THE COMPANY’S DIRECTORS.
Board
Skills Matrix
The
Company is focused on nominating a Board of Directors with a balance of functional expertise, leadership experience, high moral character,
critical thinking, and a diversity of backgrounds and tenure necessary to effectively oversee the Company’s business. The Company’s
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for developing the criteria and qualifications required for directors. The
following Board Skills Matrix below reflects how certain relevant and important skills, experience, characteristics and other criteria
are currently represented on our Board.
KEY
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE |
|
NUBMER
OF
DIRECTORS |
Corporate
Governance:
Supports
management and board accountability, transparency and protection of shareholder interests |
|
9 |
Financial
Literacy:
Knowledge
of financial reporting, internal controls and procedures and complex financial transactions, as is involved with the Company business |
|
7 |
Government/DOE/DOD
Policies:
Significant
work experience with government decision makers |
|
9 |
Business/Investment
Structures:
Work
experience with infrastructure for financial interests and proven success |
|
8 |
Risk
Management and Compliance:
Understanding
and experience with identification, assessment and oversight of risk management and programs, including cyber-security risks |
|
9 |
Nuclear
Waste Management:
Understanding
the compliance and environmentally responsible nuclear services and radioactive waste management solutions |
|
7 |
Environmental
Studies:
Analytical
tools and skills understanding the environment, while emphasizing the role of beliefs, values and ethics of the corporate body |
|
9 |
Human
Capital Management:
Experience
and understanding talent management and development, executive compensation issues and succession planning efforts |
|
9 |
Regulatory/Legal
Processes:
Knowledge
of the various regulatory processes governing Perma-Fix business sectors, such as financial, environmental, nuclear, and safety |
|
9 |
International
Work:
Experience
in overseeing global operations and assessing opportunities and challenges |
|
9 |
Board
Diversity Matrix
The
following table reflects the Company’s Board diversity matrix as of the date of this Proxy Statement. In addition to gender and
demographic diversity, two of our nine current directors are also military veterans.
Total
Number of Directors |
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Female |
|
Male |
|
Non-Binary |
|
Did Not
Disclose
Gender |
Gender
Identity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors |
|
1
|
|
8 |
|
-
|
|
-
|
Number of Directors Who Identify in Any of The Categories Below: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
African
American or Black |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Alaskan
Native or Native American |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Asian |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Hispanic
or Latinx |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Native
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
White |
|
1
|
|
7
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Two
or More Races or Ethnicities |
|
-
|
|
1
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
LGBTQ |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Did
not Disclose Demographic Background |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Board
Independence
Our
Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules requires a majority of a listed company’s
board of directors to be comprised of independent directors. In addition, the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules require that, subject to specified
exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent
under applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Audit committee members
must also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, and compensation committee members must also
satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. Under Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2), a director will only
qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our Board, that person does not have a relationship that would
interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In order to be considered independent
for purposes of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her
capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee, accept, directly or indirectly, any
consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise be an affiliated person
of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10C-1, the board must consider,
for each member of a compensation committee of a listed company, all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director
has a relationship to such company which is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection
with the duties of a compensation committee member, including, but not limited to: the source of compensation of the director, including
any consulting advisory or other compensatory fee paid by such company to the director; and whether the director is affiliated with the
company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Our
Board annually reviews the composition of our Board of Directors and its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon
information requested from and provided by each director concerning his/her background, employment and affiliations, including family
relationships, our Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Kerry C. Duggan and each of Messrs. Thomas P. Bostick, Joseph T. Grumski,
Joe R. Reeder, Larry M. Shelton, Zach P. Wamp and Mark A. Zwecker is an “independent director” as defined under the Nasdaq
Marketplace Rules. Our Board of Directors has also determined that each member of our Audit Committee, consisting of Mark A. Zwecker
(Chairperson), Joseph T. Grumski, and Larry M. Shelton, and each member of our Compensation and Stock Option Committee, consisting of
Joseph T. Grumski (Chairperson), Zach P. Wamp, and Mark A. Zwecker, satisfy the independence standards for such committees established
by the Commission and the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, as applicable. In making such determination, our Board of Directors considered the
relationships that each such non-employee director has with our Company and all other facts and circumstances our Board of Directors
deemed relevant in determining independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director.
Our
Board of Directors has determined that neither Dr. Louis F. Centofanti nor Mark J. Duff is deemed to be an “independent director”
because of their employment as a senior executive of the Company.
Board
Leadership Structure
We
currently separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO. The Board believes that this leadership structure promotes balance between
the Board’s independent authority to oversee our business, and the CEO and his management team, who manage the business on a day-to-day
basis.
The
Company does not have a written policy with respect to the separation of the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO. The Company
believes it is important to retain its flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the offices of the Chairman and CEO in any way
that is in the best interests of the Company at a given point in time; therefore, the Company’s leadership structure may change
in the future as circumstances may dictate.
Mark
A. Zwecker, a current member of our Board, continues to serve as the Independent Lead Director, a position he has held since February
2010. The Lead Director’s role includes:
| ● | convening
and chairing meetings of the non-employee directors as necessary from time to time and Board
meetings in the absence of the Chairman of the Board; |
| ● | acting
as liaison between directors, committee chairs and management; |
| ● | serving
as information sources for directors and management; and |
| ● | carrying
out responsibilities as the Board may delegate from time to time. |
Meetings
and Committees of the Board of Directors
During
2023, the Board of Directors held six meetings. No director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board
of Directors and the committees on which he served during 2023. The Company does not currently have a policy with respect to the attendance
of its directors at annual meetings; however, the Company encourages each of its directors to attend whenever possible. All members of
our Board of Directors attended our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation
and Stock Option Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and Strategic Advisory Committee.
Audit
Committee:
The
Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, the independent
auditor’s qualifications and independence, the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditor,
the Company’s management of cybersecurity and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. In carrying
out these purposes, the Audit Committee, among other things:
| ● | appoints,
evaluates, and approves the compensation of the Company’s independent auditor; |
| | |
| ● | pre-approves
all auditing services and permitted non-audit services; |
| | |
| ● | annually
considers the qualifications and independence of the independent auditors; |
| ● | reviews
recommendations of independent auditors concerning the Company’s accounting principles,
internal controls, and accounting procedures and practices; |
| | |
| ● | reviews
and approves the scope of the annual audit; |
| | |
| ● | reviews
and discusses with the independent auditors the audited financial statements; |
| | |
| ● | reviews
and provides oversight of the Company’s cybersecurity processes and polices, including
risk assessments and incident reporting; |
| | |
| ● | reviews
and provides oversight of any related party transactions; and |
| | |
| ● | performs
such other duties as set forth in the Audit Committee Charter. |
The
Audit Committee was established in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq and
is governed by an Audit Committee Charter. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on our website at https://ir.perma-fix.com/governance-docs.
The Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees of
the Company regarding accounting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee has the authority to retain internal or external legal counsel
and other experts in connection with performing the Audit Committee duties.
The
Audit Committee members during 2023 were Mark A. Zwecker (Chairperson), Joseph T. Grumski, and Larry M. Shelton. The Board of Directors
has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is/was “independent,” as that term is defined for an audit committee
member under the Exchange Act and Nasdaq Rule 5605(c) and is/was an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item
407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly and at such additional times as necessary
or advisable. The Audit Committee held 21 meetings during 2023.
Compensation
and Stock Option Committee:
The
Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors the
compensation and benefits of all of the Company’s officers and reviews general policy matters relating to compensation and benefits
of the Company’s employees. The Compensation Committee also administers the Company’s stock option plans. The Compensation
Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate a compensation consultant, as well as to approve the consultant’s fees
and other terms of engagement. It also has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting
or other advisors. No compensation consultant was employed during 2023. Members of the Compensation Committee during 2023 were Joseph
T. Grumski (Chairperson), Zach P. Wamp, and Mark A. Zwecker. All members of the Compensation Committee are/were “independent”
as that term is defined by current Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Committee meets as often as may be deemed necessary or
appropriate in its judgment. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during 2023. The Compensation Committee is governed by the
Company’s Compensation and Stock Option Committee Charter, which is available on our website at https://ir.perma-fix.com/governance-docs.
Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee:
The
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Governance and Nominating Committee”) has specific responsibilities which
include:
| ● | considering
and making recommendations to the Board regarding the composition and chairmanship of the
committees of our Board; |
| ● | developing
and making recommendations to our Board regarding corporate governance guidelines which include
policies and procedures that promote honest and ethical conduct and prohibit conflict of
interest in business conduct; |
| ● | overseeing
evaluations of the Board’s performance, including committees of the Board; and |
| ● | overseeing
Company practices and initiatives with respect to environmental, social and governance matters. |
The
Governance and Nominating Committee recommends to the Board of Directors candidates to fill vacancies on the Board and the nominees for
election as directors at each annual meeting of stockholders. In making such recommendations, the Governance and Nominating Committee
takes into account information provided to them from the candidates, as well as the Governance and Nominating Committee’s own knowledge
and information obtained through inquiries to third parties to the extent the Governance and Nominating Committee deems appropriate.
The Company’s Bylaws sets forth certain minimum director qualifications to qualify as a nominee for election as a director. To
qualify for nomination or for election as a director, an individual must:
|
●
|
be
an individual at least 21 years of age who is not under legal disability; |
|
●
|
have
the ability to be present, in person, at all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors; |
|
●
|
not
serve on the boards of more than three other publicly-held companies; |
|
●
|
satisfy
the director qualification requirements of all environmental and nuclear commissions, boards or similar regulatory or law enforcement
authorities to which the Company is subject so as not to cause the Company to fail to satisfy any of the licensing requirements imposed
by any such authority; |
|
●
|
not
be affiliated with, employed by or be a representative of, or have or acquire a material personal involvement with, or material financial
interest in, any “Business Competitor” (as defined in the Bylaws); |
|
●
|
not
have been convicted of a felony or of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; and |
|
●
|
have
been nominated for election to the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of the Bylaws. |
In
addition to the minimum director qualifications as mentioned above, in order for any proposed nominee to be eligible to be a candidate
for election to the Board of Directors, such candidate must deliver to the Governance and Nominating Committee a completed questionnaire
with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such proposed nominee. The Governance and Nominating
Committee reviews each candidate’s qualifications to include considerations of:
|
●
|
standards
of integrity, personal ethics and values, commitment, and independence of thought and judgment; |
|
●
|
ability
to represent the interests of the Company’s stockholders; |
|
●
|
ability
to dedicate sufficient time, energy and attention to fulfill the requirements of the position; and |
|
●
|
diversity
of skills and experience with respect to accounting and finance, management and leadership, business acumen, vision and strategy,
charitable causes, business operations, and industry knowledge. |
The
Governance and Nominating Committee does not assign specific weight to any particular criteria and no particular criterion is necessarily
applicable to all prospective nominees. The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy for the consideration of
diversity in identifying nominees for directors. However, diversity is one of the many factors
taken into account when considering potential candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. The Company recognizes that diversity in
professional and life experiences may include consideration of gender, race, cultural background or national origin, in identifying individuals
who possess the qualifications that the Governance and Nominating Committee believes are important to be represented on the Board. The
Company also views and values diversity from the perspective of professional and life experiences, as well as geographic location, representative
of the markets in which we do business. The Company believes that the inclusion of diversity as one of many factors considered in selecting
director nominees is consistent with the Company’s goal of creating a board of directors that best serves our needs and those of
our shareholders.
Stockholder
Nominees
The
Governance and Nominating Committee will consider properly submitted stockholder nominations for candidates for membership on the Board
from stockholders who meet each of the requirements set forth in the Bylaws, including, but not limited to, the requirements that any
such stockholder own at least 1% of the Company’s shares of the Common Stock entitled to vote at the meeting on such election,
has held such shares continuously for at least one full year, and continuously holds such shares through and including the time of the
annual or special meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at any Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or at
any Special Meeting of Stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors. Any stockholder nomination (“Proposed Nominee”)
must comply with the requirements of the Company’s Bylaws and the Proposed Nominee must meet the minimum qualification requirements
as discussed above. For a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must provide advance written notice to the Governance
and Nominating Committee, delivered to the Company’s principal executive office address (i) in the case of an Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, no later than the 90th day nor earlier than the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and (ii) in the case of a Special Meeting of Stockholders called for the purpose of electing
directors, not later than the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the Special Meeting of
Stockholders is made.
The
Governance and Nominating Committee will evaluate the qualification of the Proposed Nominee and the Proposed Nominee’s disclosure
and compliance requirements in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws. If the Board, upon the recommendation of the Governance and
Nominating Committee, determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, the Chairman of the Meeting
shall declare the nomination defective and it will be disregarded.
Members
of the Governance and Nominating Committee during 2023 were Joe R. Reeder (Chairperson), Thomas P. Bostick, Kerry C. Duggan, and Zach
P. Wamp. The Governance and Nominating Committee meets at least quarterly and at such times as necessary or advisable and held four meetings
in 2022. The Governance and Nominating Committee is governed by a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter, which is available
on our website at https://ir.perma-fix.com/governance-docs. All members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are/were “independent”
as that term is defined by current Nasdaq listing standards.
Strategic
Advisory Committee:
The
primary functions of the Strategic Advisory Committee (“Strategic Committee”) are to investigate and evaluate strategic alternatives
available to the Company and to work with management on long-range strategic planning and identification of potential new business opportunities.
Members of the Strategic Advisory Committee during 2023 were Dr. Louis F. Centofanti (Chairperson), Kerry C. Duggan, Joe R. Reeder, and
Mark A. Zwecker. Effective October 19, 2023, Zach P. Wamp replaced Mark Zwecker as a member of the Strategic Committee. The Strategic
Committee held four meetings in 2023. The Strategic Advisory Committee is governed by a Strategic Advisory Committee Charter, which is
available on our website at https://ir.perma-fix.com/governance-docs.
Risk
Oversight by Our Board
The
Board is responsible for understanding the risks the Company faces, what steps management is taking to manage those risks and if the
steps taken are effective in managing those risks. It is also important that the Board understands what level of risk is appropriate
for the Company. While the Board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, certain committees play an
integral part in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. In particular, the Audit Committee
focuses on financial and enterprise risk exposures, including internal controls and cybersecurity (including oversight of appropriate
risk prevention and mitigation strategies, systems, processes and controls). The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management
and internal audit our major financial risk exposures, including risks related to fraud, liquidity and regulatory compliance, our policies
with respect to risk assessment and risk management, cybersecurity management, and the steps management has taken to monitor and control
such exposures at least quarterly and whenever warranted. The Compensation Committee strives to create incentives that do not encourage
excessive risk-taking beyond the Company’s ability to effectively identify and manage risk. The Governance and Nominating Committee
monitors the effectiveness of our governance guidelines and provides oversight of programs, policies and practices relating to environmental
and social issues and impacts to support the sustainable growth of the Company’s businesses. The participation of our Board in
our risk oversight process includes engaging in discussion and receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of
material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, environmental, cybersecurity, and strategic and
reputational risks. Each of our directors has access to our named executive officers and any other members of our management to discuss
and monitor potential risks.
Code
of Ethics
Our
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of Ethics”), which applies to our Board and all our employees, including our CEO
and our senior financial officers, complies with applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and Nasdaq listing standards.
and is available on our website at https://ir.perma-fix.com/governance-docs. The provisions of the Code of Ethics that apply to
the CEO and our senior financial officers, including our CFO and our chief accounting officer, complies with the requirements imposed
by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules issued thereunder for codes of ethics applicable to such officers. If any amendments
are made to the Code of Ethics, or any grants of waivers are made to any provision of the Code of Ethics, that is applicable to our CEO
and our senior financial officers, we will promptly disclose the amendment or waiver and nature of such amendment or waiver on our website
at the same web address.
Clawback
Policy
On
October 19, 2023, our Board adopted a Clawback Policy to comply with the applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
Nasdaq listing standards. The Clawback Policy requires the Company to recoup erroneously awarded incentive compensation earned by the
covered officers during the three fiscal years that precede the date on which the Company determines it is required to prepare a “Big
R” or “little r” accounting restatement. The Clawback Policy applies to those officers who are subject to Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act and applies to incentive-based compensation (i.e., compensation that is earned in whole or in part based on the attainment
of financial reporting measures). The Company’s Clawback Policy was filed as Exhibit 97 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2023. A copy of the Clawback Policy is also available on our website at https://ir.perma-fix.com/governance-docs.
Environmental,
Social and Governance (“ESG”)
We
have a ESG subcommittee under our Governance and Nominating Committee to provide guidance on ESG management. Our executive team is responsible
for the continuing development of our ESG strategic roadmap with support from management from key functional areas. The key areas of
focus under our ESG initiatives continue to be health and safety, environmental performance, DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion),
talent retention and development, corporate governance and climate-forward service development that support our customers’ transition
to low carbon economy. Our executive team is involved in policy planning and coordination of corporate-wide ESG efforts. See our website
at https://www.perma-fix.com/esg.aspx for some highlights of our ESG initiatives as well as our policies under our ESG as we continue
to improve our ESG initiatives. The information on our website is not part of, or incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation
of Directors
Directors
who are employees receive no additional compensation for serving on the Board or its committee(s). In 2023, the Company provided the
following annual compensation to each non-employee director and the committee(s) for which he/she serves:
●
|
a
quarterly fee of $11,500; |
●
|
an
additional quarterly fee of $8,750 to the Chairman of the Board; |
●
|
an
additional quarterly fee of $6,250 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee; |
●
|
an
additional quarterly fee of $3,125 to the Chairman of each of the Compensation Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee,
and the Strategic Committee. The Chairman of the Board was not eligible to receive a quarterly fee for serving as the Chairman of
any the aforementioned committees; |
●
|
an
additional $1,250 to each Audit Committee member (excluding the Chairman of the Audit Committee); |
●
|
an
additional quarterly fee of $500 to each member of the Compensation Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Strategic
Committee. Such fee was payable only if the member did not also serve as the Chairman of any other standing committees or as the
Chairman of the Board; and |
●
|
a
fee of $1,000 for each in-person board meeting attended and a $500 fee for meeting attended virtually; |
Each
director may elect to have either 65% or 100% of such fees payable in Common Stock under the 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan (“2003
Outside Directors Plan”), with the balance, if any, payable in cash. Each non-employee director was also granted a Non-Qualified
Stock Option (“NQSO”) to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock upon reelection with vesting period of 25% per year, beginning
on the first anniversary date of the grant, with each option having a 10-year term.
Dr.
Louis F. Centofanti, a current member of the Board, is not eligible to receive compensation for his service as a director of the Company
as he is an employee of the Company. As the Company’s President and CEO, Mr. Duff, who was elected by the Company’s Board
as a Board member effective April 20, 2023, also is not eligible to receive compensation for his service as a director of the Company
(see “Summary Compensation” table in this section for each of Dr. Centofanti’s and Mark Duff’s annual salary
and other compensation as an employee of the Company).
The
table below summarizes the director compensation expenses recognized by the Company for director options and stock awards (resulting
from fees earned) for the year ended December 31, 2023. The terms of the 2003 Outside Directors Plan are further described below under
“2003 Outside Directors Plan.”
Director
Compensation
Name | |
Fees Earned or Paid In Cash | | |
Stock Awards | | |
Option Awards | | |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | | |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings | | |
All Other Compensation | | |
Total | |
| |
($) (1) | | |
($) (2) | | |
($) (4) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Thomas P. Bostick | |
| — | | |
| 67,994 | | |
| 64,600 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 132,594 | |
Kerry C. Duggan | |
| 18,550 | | |
| 45,930 | | |
| 64,600 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 129,080 | |
Joseph T. Grumski | |
| — | | |
| 90,003 | | |
| 64,600 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 154,603 | |
Joe R. Reeder | |
| — | | |
| 82,673 | | |
| 64,600 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 147,273 | |
Larry M. Shelton | |
| 31,850 | | |
| 78,861 | | |
| 64,600 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 175,311 | |
Zach P. Wamp | |
| 18,550 | | |
| 45,923 | | |
| 64,600 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 129,073 | |
Mark A. Zwecker | |
| 26,425 | | |
| 65,420 | | |
| 64,600 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 156,445 | |
(1)
|
Under
the 2003 Outside Directors Plan, each director elects to receive 65% or 100% of the director’s fees in shares of our Common
Stock. The amounts set forth above represent the portion of the director’s fees paid in cash and exclude the value of the director’s
fee elected to be paid in Common Stock under the 2003 Outside Directors Plan, which values are included under “Stock Awards.” |
|
|
(2)
|
The
number of shares of Common Stock comprising stock awards granted under the 2003 Outside Directors Plan is calculated based on 75%
of the closing market value of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq on the business day immediately preceding the date that
the quarterly fee is due. Such shares are fully vested on the date of grant. The value of the stock award is based on the market
value of our Common Stock at each quarter end times the number of shares issuable under the award. The amount shown is the fair value
of the Common Stock on the date of the award. |
|
|
(3)
|
Reflects
options granted under the Company’s 2003 Outside Directors Plan resulting from re-election to the Board on July 20, 2023. Options
are for a 10-year period with an exercise price of $9.81 per share and vest 25% per year, beginning on the first anniversary date
of the grant. The value of the option award for each outside director is calculated based on the fair value of the option per share
(approximately $6.46) on grant date times the number of options granted, which was 10,000 for each director, pursuant to Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” |
|
|
(4)
|
The
following table reflects the aggregate number of outstanding NQSOs held by the Company’s directors at December 31, 2023. As
an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries, neither Dr. Centofanti nor Mark Duff is eligible to participate in the 2003 Outside
Directors Plan. Options reflected below for each of Dr. Centofanti and Mark Duff were granted from the 2017 Stock Option Plan: |
| |
Options
Outstanding at | |
Name | |
December 31, 2023 | |
Dr. Louis Centofanti | |
| 65,000 | |
Thomas P. Bostick | |
| 36,000 | |
Mark J. Duff | |
| 145,000 | |
Kerry C. Duggan | |
| 36,000 | |
Joseph T. Grumski | |
| 38,400 | |
Joe R. Reeder | |
| 30,000 | |
Larry M. Shelton | |
| 46,800 | |
Zach P. Wamp | |
| 43,200 | |
Mark A. Zwecker | |
| 46,800 | |
Total | |
| 487,200 | |
2003
Outside Directors Plan
We
believe that it is important for our directors to have a personal interest in our success and growth and for their interests to be aligned
with those of our stockholders; therefore, under our 2003 Outside Directors Plan, each outside director is granted a 10-year NQSO to
purchase up to 20,000 shares of Common Stock on the date such director is initially elected to the Board, and receives on each re-election
date a NQSO to purchase up to another 10,000 shares of our Common Stock, with the exercise price being the fair market value of the Common
Stock preceding the option grant date. Common Stock shares subject to option granted vest at 25% per year, beginning on the first anniversary
date of the grant and no option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date the option is granted. As of December
31, 2023, options to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the 2003 Outside Directors Plan, of which 142,500
were vested.
As
a member of the Board, each director may elect to receive either 65% or 100% of his or her director’s fee in shares of our Common
Stock. The number of shares received by each director is calculated based on 75% of the fair market value of the Common Stock determined
on the business day immediately preceding the date that the quarterly fee is due. The balance of each director’s fee, if any, is
payable in cash. In 2023, fees earned by our outside directors totaled approximately $572,000.
In
the event of a “change of control” (as defined in the 2003 Outside Directors Plan) or by reason of the director’s death
or Disability (as defined), each outstanding stock option and stock award shall immediately become exercisable in full notwithstanding
the vesting or exercise provisions contained in the stock option agreement.
Communications
with the Board
The
Company’s Board of Directors believes that it is important for the Company to have a process that enables stockholders to send
communications to the Board. Accordingly, stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors or a particular director may
do so by sending a letter to the Secretary of the Corporation, at 8302 Dunwoody Place, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30350. The mailing
envelope must clearly indicate that the enclosed letter is a “Stockholder-Board Communication” or “Stockholder-Director
Communication.” All such letters must identify the author as a stockholder and clearly state whether the intended recipients are
all members of the Board of Directors or only certain specified individual directors. The Secretary of the Corporation will make copies
of all such letters and circulate them to the appropriate director or directors.
Family
Relationships
There
are no family relationships between any of the Company’s existing directors, executive officers, or persons nominated or chosen
to become a director or executive officer. Dr. Centofanti and Mark Duff are the only directors who are employees of the Company.
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
Audit
Committee Review
Our
Audit Committee Charter provides for the review by the Audit Committee of any related party transactions, other than transactions involving
an employment relationship with the Company, which are reviewed by the Compensation Committee. Although we do not have written policies
for the review of related party transactions, the Audit Committee reviews transactions between the Company and its directors, executive
officers, holders of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities, and their respective immediate family members.
In reviewing a proposed transaction, the Audit Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate:
|
(1)
|
the
extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction; |
|
(2)
|
whether
the transaction is on terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances; |
|
(3)
|
the
cost and benefit to the Company; |
|
(4)
|
the
impact or potential impact on a director’s independence in the event the related party is a director, an immediate family member
of a director, or an entity in which a director is a partner, stockholder, or executive officer; |
|
(5)
|
the
availability of other sources for comparable products or services; |
|
(6)
|
the
terms of the transaction; and |
|
(7)
|
the
risks to the Company. |
In
addition, as applicable, the Audit Committee considers Section 144 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and the
Company’s Code of Ethics.
The
provisions of Section 144 of the DGCL apply to transactions between the Company and any of its officers or directors, or any organization
in which any such individual has a financial interest or serves as a director or officer (individually, a “Section 144 Related
Party,” and, collectively, “Section 144 Related Parties”). Section 144 provides that a transaction between a corporation
and any Section 144 Related Party will not be void or voidable solely because such transaction involves the corporation and the Section
144 Related Party, or solely because the Section 144 Related Party is present at or participates or votes in the meeting of the board
or committee which authorizes the transaction, if the transaction (a) is approved in good faith after full disclosure of the material
facts of the transaction by a majority vote of (i) the disinterested directors, or (ii) the stockholders, and (b) is fair as to the corporation
as of the time it is authorized, approved, or ratified by the board, a committee or the stockholders.
Our
Code of Ethics, which applies to our Board and all our employees, including the executive officers identified under the heading “Named
Executive Officers” and our senior financial officers, provide that such individuals must exhibit and promote honest and ethical
conduct in connection with the performance of his or her duties for and on behalf of the Company, including the ethical handling of actual
or apparent conflicts of interest involving such individual and the Company, by, among other considerations:
|
● |
not entering into a transaction that would result in a conflict
of interest with what is in the best interest of the Company and that is reasonably likely to result in material personal gain to any
such individuals or their affiliates; and |
|
● |
not having a personal financial interest in any of the Company’s
suppliers, customers or competitors that could cause divided loyalty as a result of having the ability to influence the Company’s
decisions with that particular supplier or customer or actions to be taken by the Company that could materially benefit a competitor. |
Related
party transactions are reviewed by the Audit Committee prior to the consummation of the transaction. With respect to a related party
transaction arising between Audit Committee meetings, the CFO may present it to the Audit Committee Chairperson, who will review and
may approve the related party transaction subject to ratification by the Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting. Our Audit Committee
shall approve only those transactions that, in light of known circumstances, are not inconsistent with the Company’s best interests.
Related
Party Transactions
David
Centofanti. David Centofanti serves as our Vice President of Information Systems. For such position, he received annual compensation
of $191,000 in 2023. David Centofanti is the son of Dr. Louis F. Centofanti, our EVP of Strategic Initiatives and a Board member.
Audit
Committee Report
The
Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent objective oversight of the Company’s accounting functions and internal
controls. In accordance with rules adopted by the Commission, the Audit Committee of the Company states that:
|
●
|
The
Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2023. |
|
|
|
|
●
|
The
Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the
year ended December 31, 2023, the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”)
Auditing Standards No. 16 (“Communications with Audit Committees”), as modified or supplemented. |
|
|
|
|
●
|
The
Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton LLP required by PCAOB Rule 3526, “Communication
with Audit Committees Concerning Independence,” as modified or supplemented, and has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP, the
independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. |
In
connection with the Audit Committee’s discussion with Grant Thornton LLP, as described above, the Audit Committee discussed and
considered the nature and scope of the audit services performed by Grant Thornton LLP for the year ended December 31, 2023, and determined
that the audit services provided by Grant Thornton LLP were compatible with maintaining the independence of Grant Thornton LLP.
Based
upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s
audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023,
for filing with the Commission. The Audit Committee has appointed Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for 2024.
This
report is submitted on behalf of the members of the Audit Committee:
Mark A. Zwecker (Chairperson)
Joseph T. Grumski
Larry M. Shelton
The
Report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Commission,
nor shall it be incorporated by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates
this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
NAMED
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth, as of the date hereof, information concerning certain named executive officers, referred to throughout this
Proxy Statement as our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”:
NAME |
|
AGE |
|
POSITION |
Mr.
Mark Duff |
|
61 |
|
President
and CEO |
Mr.
Ben Naccarato |
|
61 |
|
CFO,
EVP, and Secretary |
Dr.
Louis Centofanti |
|
80 |
|
EVP
of Strategic Initiatives |
Mr.
Richard Grondin |
|
65 |
|
EVP
of Waste Treatment Operations |
Mr.
Andrew Lombardo (1) |
|
64 |
|
EVP
of Nuclear and Technical Services |
(1)
|
Mr.
Andrew Lombardo retired from the position of EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services effective January 1, 2024, a position he had held
since January 2020. Upon Mr. Lombardo’s retirement from the position of EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services, he no longer
is considered an executive officer of the Company. Mr. Lombardo remains employed by the Company at a reduced capacity, and assists
with the transition of his former responsibilities as well as contributing to certain business development matters. |
Mr.
Mark Duff
See
“Director – Mark J. Duff” in this section for information on Mr. Duff.
Mr.
Ben Naccarato
Mr.
Naccarato has served as the Company’s CFO since February 2009. Mr. Naccarato joined the Company in September 2004, holding the
positions of Vice President of Finance for the Company’s Industrial Segment until May 2006, when he was named Vice President, Corporate
Controller/Treasurer. Mr. Naccarato has over 35 years of experience in senior financial positions in the waste management and used oil
industries. Mr. Naccarato was the CFO of a privately-held company in the fuel distribution and used waste oil industry from 2002 to 2004
and prior to that served in numerous senior financial roles in the waste management industry in both the US and Canada. Mr. Naccarato
is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce and Finance Degree and is a Chartered Professional Accountant,
Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA).
Since
March 2021, Mr. Naccarato has served as an independent director and as a member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and
the Strategic Initiatives Committee of PyroGenesis Canada, Inc., a high-tech company involved in the design, development, manufacture
and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products and whose stock is listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Dr.
Louis Centofanti
See
“Director – Dr. Louis F. Centofanti” in this section for information on Dr. Centofanti.
Mr.
Richard Grondin
Mr.
Grondin has held the position of EVP of Waste Treatment Operations since July 2020. Since joining the Company in 2002, Mr. Grondin has
held various positions within the Company’s Treatment Segment, including Vice President of Technical Services, Vice President/General
Manager of the Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc. Facility and Vice President of Western Operations. Mr. Grondin, a Project Management
Professional, has over 35 years of management and technical experience in the highly regulated and specialized radioactive/hazardous
waste management industry with the majority of his experience concentrated on managing start-up waste management processing and disposal
facilities for four different organizations in the commercial and government sectors. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Grondin held
the position of Vice President of Mixed Waste Operations for Allied Technology Group in Richland, Washington; Vice President of Operations
for Waste Control Specialists in Andrews Texas; and Technical Manager/Director of Operations for Rollins Environmental Services Facility
in Deer Trail, Colorado. Mr. Grondin is recognized in the United States and Canada as an authority in hazardous and mixed waste treatment.
Mr. Grondin has a Diploma of Collegial Studies in Pure and Applied Sciences from CEGEP of Amiante (Thetford-Mines, Canada) and Analytical
Chemistry Techniques from CEGEP of Ahuntsic (Montreal, Canada), a Geography minor from Montreal University (Montreal, Canada) and a Certificate
of Business Management from the School of Higher Commercial Studies from Montreal University (Montreal, Canada).
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Summary
Compensation
The
following table summarizes the total compensation of the Company’s NEOs for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and
2021.
Name and
Principal Position | |
Year | | |
Salary | | |
Bonus | | |
Option
Awards | | |
Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation | | |
All
other
Compensation | | |
Total
Compensation | |
| |
| | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) (3) | | |
($) (4) | | |
($) (5) | | |
($) | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Mark Duff | |
| 2023 | | |
| 382,367 | | |
| — | | |
| 140,840 | | |
| 187,435 | | |
| 37,453 | | |
| 748,095 | |
President and CEO | |
| 2022 | | |
| 374,870 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 41,270 | | |
| 416,140 | |
| |
| 2021 | | |
| 350,341 | | |
| — | | |
| 175,518 | | |
| — | | |
| 37,121 | | |
| 562,980 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Ben Naccarato | |
| 2023 | | |
| 310,867 | | |
| — | | |
| 80,480 | | |
| 152,386 | | |
| 51,744 | | |
| 595,477 | |
EVP and CFO | |
| 2022 | | |
| 304,772 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 51,484 | | |
| 356,256 | |
| |
| 2021 | | |
| 284,830 | | |
| — | | |
| 87,759 | | |
| — | | |
| 45,440 | | |
| 418,029 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Dr. Louis Centofanti | |
| 2023 | | |
| 259,060 | | |
| — | | |
| 60,360 | | |
| 126,990 | | |
| 39,015 | | |
| 485,425 | |
EVP of Strategic Initiatives | |
| 2022 | | |
| 253,980 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 38,776 | | |
| 292,756 | |
| |
| 2021 | | |
| 237,361 | | |
| — | | |
| 70,207 | | |
| — | | |
| 35,836 | | |
| 343,404 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Andy Lombardo (1) | |
| 2023 | | |
| 310,867 | | |
| 50,000 | (2) | |
| 60,360 | | |
| 152,386 | | |
| 16,212 | | |
| 589,825 | |
EVP of Nuclear & Technical Services | |
| 2022 | | |
| 304,772 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 15,088 | | |
| 319,860 | |
| |
| 2021 | | |
| 284,830 | | |
| — | | |
| 87,759 | | |
| — | | |
| 15,500 | | |
| 388,089 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Richard Grondin | |
| 2023 | | |
| 266,458 | | |
| — | | |
| 60,360 | | |
| 130,617 | | |
| 40,890 | | |
| 498,325 | |
EVP of Waste Treatment Operations | |
| 2022 | | |
| 261,233 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 38,240 | | |
| 299,473 | |
| |
| 2021 | | |
| 244,140 | | |
| — | | |
| 87,759 | | |
| — | | |
| 33,943 | | |
| 365,842 | |
(1)
|
Mr.
Andrew Lombardo retired from the position of EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services effective January 1, 2024. Upon Mr. Lombardo’s
retirement from the position of EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services, he no longer was an executive officer of the Company. Mr.
Lombardo remains employed by the Company at a reduced capacity, and assists with the transition of his former responsibilities as
well as contributing to certain business development matters. Amounts reflected in the table reflects compensation earned by Mr.
Lombardo as EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services. |
|
|
(2)
|
Reflects
a discretionary bonus earned by Mr. Lombardo which was approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee. Remaining $25,000
of the $50,000 was paid in January 2024. |
|
|
(3)
|
Reflects
the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.”
|
(4)
|
Represents
performance compensation earned under the Company’s 2023 Management Incentive Plans (“MIPs”). The MIP for each
individual in the table is described under the heading “2023 MIPs”. |
|
|
(5)
|
The
amount shown for 2023 includes a monthly automobile allowance, insurance premiums (health, disability and life) paid by the Company
on behalf of the NEO, and 401(k) matching contributions. |
Name | |
Insurance
Premium | | |
Auto
Allowance | | |
401(k)
match | | |
Total | |
Mark Duff | |
$ | 22,107 | | |
$ | 9,000 | | |
$ | 6,346 | | |
$ | 37,453 | |
Ben Naccarato | |
$ | 35,244 | | |
$ | 9,000 | | |
$ | 7,500 | | |
$ | 51,744 | |
Dr. Louis Centofanti | |
$ | 24,390 | | |
$ | 9,000 | | |
$ | 5,625 | | |
$ | 39,015 | |
Andy Lombardo | |
$ | —
| | |
$ | 9,000 | | |
$ | 7,212 | | |
$ | 16,212 | |
Richard Grondin | |
$ | 24,390 | | |
$ | 9,000 | | |
$ | 7,500 | | |
$ | 40,890 | |
Pay
Versus Performance Table
As
required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are
providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and certain financial performance
of the Company.
Year | |
Summary
Compensation
Table (SCT)
Total for
Principal
Executive
Officer (PEO)(1) | | |
Compensation
Actually
Paid to
PEO (2) | | |
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table
Total for
Non-PEO
NEOs (3) | | |
Average
Compensation
Actually
Paid to
Non-PEO
NEOs (4) | | |
Value of
Initial
Fixed $100
Investment
Based On
Total
Shareholder
Return (TSR)
(5) | | |
Net
income
(loss) (6) | |
(a) | |
(b) | | |
(c) | | |
(d) | | |
(e) | | |
(f) | | |
(g) | |
2023 | |
$ | 748,095 | | |
$ | 999,730 | | |
$ | 542,263 | | |
$ | 661,212 | | |
$ | 132 | | |
$ | 485,000 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2022 | |
$ | 416,140 | | |
$ | 276,985 | | |
$ | 317,086 | | |
$ | 250,745 | | |
$ | 59 | | |
$ | (3,816,000 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2021 | |
$ | 562,980 | | |
$ | 526,242 | | |
$ | 378,841 | | |
$ | 364,503 | | |
$ | 106 | | |
$ | 671,000 | |
(1)
|
Reflect
amount for Mark Duff, President and CEO for each corresponding year in the “Total Compensation” column of the Summary
Compensation Table above. |
|
|
(2)
|
The
dollar amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. Duff, as computed in
accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid
to Mr. Duff during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments
were made to Mr. Duff’s total compensation for each year to determine the “compensation actually paid” under
Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K: |
| |
Reported
Summary
Compensation
Table
Total for PEO | | |
Reported
Value of
Equity
Awards (a) | | |
Equity Award
Adjustments (b) | | |
Compensation
Actually
Paid to PEO | |
Year | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | |
2023 | |
$ | 748,095 | | |
$ | (140,840 | ) | |
$ | 392,475 | | |
$ | 999,730 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2022 | |
$ | 416,140 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (139,155 | ) | |
$ | 276,985 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2021 | |
$ | 562,980 | | |
$ | (175,518 | ) | |
$ | 138,780 | | |
$ | 526,242 | |
(a) |
The
grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Option Awards” column in
the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. |
(b)
|
The
equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the
year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year;
(ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards
granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted
and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the
applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v)
for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year,
a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends
or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected
in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions
used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added
in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows: |
| |
Year End
Fair
Value of
Outstanding
and Unvested
Equity Awards
Granted
in the Year | | |
Year over
Year
Change
in Fair
Value of
Outstanding
and Unvested
Equity Award
Granted
in Prior
Years | | |
Fair Value
as of
Vesting
Date of
Equity Awards
Granted and
Vested in
the Year | | |
Year over
Year
Change
in Fair
Value of
Equity
Award
Granted
in Prior
Years
that
Vested
in the
Year | | |
Fair Value
at the
End of
the Prior
Year of
Equity
Awards that
Failed to
Meet Vesting
Conditions in
the Year | | |
Value of
Dividends or
other Earnings
Paid
on Stock
or Option
Awards not
Otherwise
Reflected
in Fair
Value or
Total
Compensation | | |
Total
Equity
Award
Adjustments | |
Year | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | |
2023 | |
$ | 245,070 | | |
$ | 101,015 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 46,390 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 392,475 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2022 | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (99,870 | ) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (39,285 | ) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (139,155 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2021 | |
$ | 147,050 | | |
$ | (3,860 | ) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (4,410 | ) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 138,780 | |
(3)
|
Reflect
the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s NEO as a group (excluding Mr. Duff) in the “Total Compensation”
column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable year. The names of each of the NEOs (excluding Mr. Duff) included for
purposes of calculating the average amounts in each applicable year were Ben Naccarato, CFO; Dr. Louis Centofanti, EVP of Strategic
Initiatives; Andy Lombardo, EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services; and Richard Grondin, EVP of Waste Treatment Operations. |
|
|
(4)
|
The
dollar amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group
(excluding Mr. Duff), as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual
average amount of compensation earned by or paid to NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Duff) during the applicable year. In accordance
with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the
NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Duff) for each year to determine the compensation actually paid, using the same methodology described
in Note (2): |
| |
Average
Reported
Summary
Compensation
Table
Total for
Non-PEO NEOs | | |
Average
Reported
Value of
Equity
Awards | | |
Average
Equity
Award
Adjustments (a) | | |
Average
Compensation
Actually
Paid to
Non-PEO
NEOs | |
Year | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | |
2023 | |
$ | 542,263 | | |
$ | (65,390 | ) | |
$ | 184,339 | | |
$ | 661,212 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2022 | |
$ | 317,086 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (66,341 | ) | |
$ | 250,745 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2021 | |
$ | 378,841 | | |
$ | (83,371 | ) | |
$ | 69,033 | | |
$ | 364,503 | |
(a) |
The
amount deduced or added in calculating the total average equity adjustments are as follows: |
| |
Average
Year
End Fair
Value of
Outstanding
and
Unvested
Equity Awards
Granted in
the Year | | |
Average
Year over
Year
Change in
Fair
Value of
Outstanding
and
Unvested
Equity
Award
Granted
in Prior
Years | | |
Average
Fair Value
as of
Vesting
Date of
Equity
Awards
Granted
and
Vested
in the
Year | | |
Average
Year over
Year
Change
in Fair
Value of
Equity
Award
Granted in
Prior
Years
that
Vested
in the
Year | | |
Average
End of
the Prior
Year of
Equity
Awards
that
Failed to
Meet
Vesting
Conditions
in the
Year | | |
Average
Value of
Dividends or
other
Earnings
Paid on
Stock or
Option
Awards not
Otherwise
Reflected in
Fair Value
or Total
Compensation | | |
Average
Total
Equity
Award
Adjustments | |
Year | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | | |
($) | |
2023 | |
$ | 113,783 | | |
$ | 48,478 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 22,078 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 184,339 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2022 | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (48,134 | ) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (18,207 | ) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | (66,341 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
2021 | |
$ | 69,849 | | |
$ | (1,127 | ) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 311 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 69,033 | |
(5)
|
Cumulative
TSR is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends (which is none for the Company) for the measurement period,
assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between our share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period
by our share price at the beginning of the measurement period. |
|
|
(6)
|
The
dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income (loss) reflected in our consolidated audited financial statements for
the applicable year. |
All
information provided in the “Pay Versus Performance” table above and the related disclosures will not be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective
of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table sets forth unexercised options held by the NEOs as of the fiscal year-end.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at December 31, 2023
| |
Option
Awards | |
Name | |
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Exercisable | | |
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) (1)
Unexercisable | | |
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#) | | |
Option
Exercise
Price
($) | | |
Option
Expiration
Date | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Mark Duff | |
| 20,000 | (2) | |
| 5,000 | (2) | |
| | | |
| 3.150 | | |
| 1/17/2025 | |
| |
| 20,000 | (3) | |
| 30,000 | (3) | |
| | | |
| 7.005 | | |
| 10/14/2027 | |
| |
| — | (4) | |
| 70,000 | (4) | |
| | | |
| 3.950 | | |
| 1/19/2029 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Ben Naccarato | |
| 12,000 | (2) | |
| 3,000 | (2) | |
| | | |
| 3.150 | | |
| 1/17/2025 | |
| |
| 10,000 | (3) | |
| 15,000 | (3) | |
| | | |
| 7.005 | | |
| 10/14/2027 | |
| |
| — | (4) | |
| 40,000 | (4) | |
| | | |
| 3.950 | | |
| 1/19/2029 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Dr. Louis Centofanti | |
| 12,000 | (2) | |
| 3,000 | (2) | |
| | | |
| 3.150 | | |
| 1/17/2025 | |
| |
| 8,000 | (3) | |
| 12,000 | (3) | |
| | | |
| 7.005 | | |
| 10/14/2027 | |
| |
| — | (4) | |
| 30,000 | (4) | |
| | | |
| 3.950 | | |
| 1/19/2029 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Andy Lombardo | |
| 6,000 | (2) | |
| 2,000 | (2) | |
| | | |
| 3.150 | | |
| 1/17/2025 | |
| |
| 10,000 | (3) | |
| 15,000 | (3) | |
| | | |
| 7.005 | | |
| 10/14/2027 | |
| |
| — | (4) | |
| 30,000 | (4) | |
| | | |
| 3.950 | | |
| 1/19/2029 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Richard Grondin | |
| — | (2) | |
| 2,000 | (2)(5) | |
| | | |
| 3.150 | | |
| 1/17/2025 | |
| |
| 10,000 | (3)(6) | |
| 15,000 | (3) | |
| | | |
| 7.005 | | |
| 10/14/2027 | |
| |
| — | (4) | |
| 30,000 | (4)(7) | |
| | | |
| 3.950 | | |
| 1/19/2029 | |
(1)
|
Pursuant
to each of the employment agreements between the Company and, respectively, Mark Duff, Ben Naccarato, Dr. Louis Centofanti, Andy
Lombardo, and Richard Grondin, each dated April 20, 2023, in the event of a change in control, death of the executive officer, the
executive officer terminates his employment for “good reason” or the executive officer is terminated by the Company without
cause, each outstanding option and award shall immediately become exercisable in full (see “Employment Agreements” below
for further discussion of the events pursuant to which accelerated exercise of the respective NEO’s outstanding options can
arise). |
|
|
(2) |
Incentive
stock option granted on January 17, 2019 under the Company’s 2017 Stock Option Plan. The option has a contractual term of six
years with one-fifth yearly vesting over a five-year period. |
|
|
(3)
|
Incentive
stock option granted on October 14, 2021 under the Company’s 2017 Stock Option Plan. The option has a contractual term of six
years with one-fifth yearly vesting over a five-year period. |
|
|
(4)
|
Incentive
stock option granted on January 19, 2023 under the Company’s 2017 Stock Option Plan. The option has a contractual term of six
years with one-fifth yearly vesting over a five-year period. |
|
|
(5)
|
On
March 26, 2024, Mr. Grondin exercised the remaining ISO (which became vested on January 17, 2024) for the purchase of 2,000 shares
(Option Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock at $3.15 per share. As permitted by the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Mr. Grondin elected
to pay the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company withhold from the Option Shares a number of shares having a
fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $6,300. Since the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock
on March 26, 2024, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option Plan) was $11.57 per share, the Company withheld 545 shares
of Common Stock ($6.300 divided by $11.57) to pay the aggregate exercise price of the option and issued 1,455 shares to Mr. Grondin. |
(6)
|
On
March 26, 2024, Mr. Grondin exercised the vested portion of the ISO for the purchase of 10,000 shares (Option Shares) of the Company’s
Common Stock at $7.005 per share. As permitted by the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Mr. Grondin elected to pay the exercise price of the
Option Shares by having the Company withhold from the Option Shares a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate
exercise price of $70,050. Since the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on March 26, 2024, (as determined in accordance
with the 2017 Stock Option Plan) was $11.57 per share, the Company withheld 6,054 shares of Common Stock ($70,050 divided by $11.57)
to pay the aggregate exercise price of the option and issued 3,946 shares to Mr. Grondin. |
|
|
(7)
|
On
March 26, 2024, Mr. Grondin exercised the ISO for the purchase of 6,000 shares (Option Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock
at $3.95 per share that became vested on January 19, 2024. As permitted by the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Mr. Grondin elected to pay
the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company withhold from the Option Shares a number of shares having a fair market
value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $23,700. Since the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on March
26, 2024, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option Plan) was $11.57 per share, the Company withheld 2,048 shares of
Common Stock ($23,700 divided by $11.57) to pay the aggregate exercise price of the option and issued 3,952 shares to Mr. Grondin. |
Option
Exercises
The
table below reflects options exercised by our NEO in 2023:
Name | |
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#) | | |
Value
Realized on Exercise ($) | |
Mark Duff | |
| 66,968 | (1) | |
$ | 740,000 | (1) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Ben Naccarato | |
| 33,484 | (2) | |
$ | 370,000 | (2) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Louis Centofanti | |
| 33,484 | (3) | |
$ | 370,000 | (3) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Andy Lombardo | |
| 8,398 | (4) | |
$ | 100,740 | (4) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Richard Grondin | |
| 12,882 | (5) | |
$ | 130,300 | (5) |
| |
| 5,509 | (6) | |
$ | 55,720 | (6) |
(1)
|
On
May 22, 2023, Mr. Duff exercised 100% of his ISO granted to him on July 27, 2017 under the Company’s 2017 Stock Option Plan
for the purchase of up to 100,000 shares (Option Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock at $3.65 per share. As permitted by
the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Mr. Duff elected to pay the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company withhold from the
Option Shares a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $365,000. Since the fair market
value of the Company’s Common Stock on May 22, 2023, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option Plan) was $11.05
per share, the Company withheld 33,032 shares of Common Stock ($365,000 divided by $11.05) to pay the aggregate exercise price for
the Option Shares and issued 66,968 shares to Mr. Duff. Realized value on this exercise was determined based on the difference between
the (a) exercise price ($3.65) per share of the Option Shares multiplied by the 100,000 Option Shares exercised, and (b) the market
value ($11.05) on the date of exercise of the Option Shares times the 100,000 Option Shares exercised. |
|
|
(2)
|
On
May 22, 2023, Mr. Naccarato exercised 100% of his ISO granted to him on July 27, 2017 under the Company’s 2017 Stock Plan for
the purchase of up to 50,000 shares (Option Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock at $3.65 per share. As permitted by the 2017
Stock Option Plan, Mr. Naccarato elected to pay the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company withhold from the Option
Shares a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $182,500. Since the fair market value
of the Company’s Common Stock on May 22, 2023, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option Plan) was $11.05 per
share, the Company withheld 16,516 shares of Common Stock ($182,500 divided by $11.05) to pay the aggregate exercise price for the
Option Shares and issued 33,484 shares to Mr. Naccarato. Realized value on this exercise was determined based on the difference between
the (a) exercise price ($3.65) per share of the Option Shares multiplied by the 50,000 Option Shares exercised, and (b) the market
value ($11.05) on the date of exercise of the Option Shares times the 50,000 Option Shares exercised. |
|
|
(3)
|
On
May 22, 2023, Dr. Louis Centofanti exercised 100% of his ISO granted to him on July 27, 2017 under the Company’s 2017 Stock
Plan for the purchase of up to 50,000 shares (Option Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock at $3.65 per share. As permitted
by the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Dr. Centofanti elected to pay the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company withhold
from the Option Shares a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $182,500. Since the
fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on May 22, 2023, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option Plan)
was $11.05 per share, the Company withheld 16,516 shares of Common Stock ($182,500 divided by $11.05) to pay the aggregate exercise
price for the Option Shares and issued 33,484 shares to Dr. Centofanti. Realized value on this exercise was determined based on the
difference between the (a) exercise price ($3.65) per share of the Option Shares multiplied by the 50,000 Option Shares exercised,
and (b) the market value ($11.05) on the date of exercise of the Option Shares times the 50,000 Option Shares exercised. |
(4)
|
On
March 28, 2023, Mr. Lombardo exercised 100% of his remaining ISO granted to him on October 19, 2017 under the Company’s 2017
Stock plan for the purchase of up to 12,000 shares (Option shares) of the Company’s Common Stock at $3.60 per share. As permitted
by the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Mr. Lombardo elected to pay the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company withhold
from the Option Shares a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $43,200. Since the
fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on March 28, 2023, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option
Plan) was $11.995 per share, the Company withheld 3,602 shares of Common Stock ($43,200 divided by $11.995) to pay the aggregate
exercise price for the Option Shares and issued 8,398 shares to Mr. Lombardo. Realized value on this exercise was determined based
on the difference between the (a) exercise price ($3.60) per share of the Option Shares multiplied by the 12,000 Option Shares exercised,
and (b) the market value ($11.995) on the date of exercise of the Option Shares times the 12,000 Option Shares exercised. |
|
|
(5)
|
On
October 2, 2023, Mr. Grondin exercised 100% of an ISO granted to him on October 19, 2017 under the Company’s 2017 Stock Option
Plan for the purchase of up to 20,000 shares (Option Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock at $3.60 per share. As permitted
by the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Mr. Grondin elected to pay the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company withhold
from the Option Shares a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $72,000. Since the
fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on October 2, 2023, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option
Plan) was $10.115 per share, the Company withheld 7,118 shares of Common Stock ($72,000 divided by $10.115) to pay the aggregate
exercise price of the option and issued 12,882 shares to Mr. Grondin. Realized value on this exercise was determined based on the
difference between the (a) exercise price ($3.60) per share of the Option Shares multiplied by the 20,000 Option Shares exercised,
and (b) the market value ($10.115) on the date of exercise of the Option Shares times the 20,000 Option Shares exercised. |
|
|
(6)
|
On
October 2, 2023, Mr. Grondin exercised the vested portion of an ISO granted to him on January 17, 2019 under the Company’s
2017 Stock Option Plan for the purchase of 8,000 shares (Option Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock at $3.15 per share. As
permitted by the 2017 Stock Option Plan, Mr. Grondin elected to pay the exercise price of the Option Shares by having the Company
withhold from the Option Shares a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of $25,200. Since
the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on October 2, 2023, (as determined in accordance with the 2017 Stock Option
Plan) was $10.115 per share, the Company withheld 2,491 shares of Common Stock ($25,200 divided by $10.115) to pay the aggregate
exercise price of the option and issued 5,509 shares to Mr. Grondin. Realized value on this exercise was determined based on the
difference between the (a) exercise price ($3.15) per share of the Option Shares multiplied by the 8,000 Option Shares exercised,
and (b) the market value ($10.115) on the date of exercise of the Option Shares times the 8,000 Option Shares exercised. |
Employment
Agreements
On
April 20, 2023, upon recommendation by the Compensation Committee and approval by the Board, the Company entered into employment agreements
with each of Mark Duff, President and CEO, Ben Naccarato, EVP and CFO, Dr. Louis Centofanti, EVP of Strategic Initiatives, Andrew Lombardo,
EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services, and Richard Grondin, EVP of Waste Treatment Operations (collectively the “New Employment
Agreements” and each, individually, a “New Employment Agreement”).” The Company had previously entered into employment
agreements with each of Mark Duff, Ben Naccarato, Dr. Louis Centofanti, Andrew Lombardo and Richard Grondin on July 22, 2020, all five
of which agreements were due to expire on July 22, 2023, but which were terminated effective April 20, 2023 upon the execution of the
New Employment Agreements.
Each
of the New Employment Agreements, which are substantially identical except for compensation, are effective April 20, 2023. Under the
New Employment Agreements, each of these executive officers is provided an annual salary, which annual salary may be increased from time
to time, but not reduced, as determined by the Compensation Committee. In addition, each of these executive officers is entitled to participate
in the Company’s broad-based benefits plans and to certain performance compensation payable under separate MIP as approved by the
Company’s Compensation Committee and the Company’s Board. The Company’s Compensation Committee and the Board approved
individual 2023 MIPs on January 19, 2023 (which were effective January 1, 2023 and applicable for the 2023 fiscal year) for each of the
executive officers (see discussion of each of the 2023 MIPs below under “2023 MIPs”).
Each
of the New Employment Agreements is effective for three years from April 20, 2023 (the “Initial Term”) unless earlier terminated
by the Company or by the executive officer. At the end of the Initial Term of each New Employment Agreement, each New Employment Agreement
will automatically be extended for one additional year, unless at least six months prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, the Company
or the executive officer provides written notice not to extend the terms of the New Employment Agreement. Mr. Andrew Lombardo retired
from the position of EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services effective January 1, 2024. Upon Mr. Lombardo’s retirement from the position
of EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services, he no longer was an executive officer of the Company. Upon his retirement as EVP of Nuclear
and Technical Services, his employment agreement dated April 20, 2023, was terminated effective January 1, 2024. Mr. Lombardo remains
employed by the Company at a reduced capacity, and assists with the transition of his former responsibilities as well as contributing
to certain business development matters.
Pursuant
to the New Employment Agreements, if the executive officer’s employment is terminated due to death, disability or for cause (as
defined in the agreements), the Company will pay to the executive officer or to his estate an amount equal to the sum of any unpaid base
salary and accrued unused vacation time through the date of termination and any benefits due to the executive officer under any employee
benefit plan (the “Accrued Amounts”) plus any performance compensation payable pursuant to the MIP with respect to the fiscal
year immediately preceding the date of termination. In the event that an executive officer’s employment is terminated due to death,
the Company will also pay a lump-sum payment (the “Cash Medical Continuation Benefit”) equal to eighteen times the monthly
premium that would be required to be paid, pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”),
to continue group health coverage for the executive officer’s eligible covered dependents in effect on the date of the executive
officer’s termination of employment, based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage. Such cash payment will be taxable
and will be made regardless of whether the executive officer’s eligible covered dependents elect COBRA continuation coverage.
If
the executive officer terminates his employment for “good reason” (as defined in the agreements) or is terminated by the
Company without cause (including any such termination for “good reason” or without cause within 24 months after a Change
in Control (as defined in the agreements), the Company will pay the executive officer Accrued Amounts, (a) two years of full base salary,
plus (b) (i) two times the performance compensation (under the executive officer’s MIP) earned with respect to the fiscal year
immediately preceding the date of termination provided the performance compensation earned with respect to the fiscal year immediately
preceding the date of termination has not yet been paid, or (ii) if performance compensation earned with respect to the fiscal year immediately
preceding the date of termination has already been paid to the executive officer, the executive officer will be paid an additional year
of the performance compensation earned with respect to the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of termination, and (c) the Cash
Medical Continuation Benefit. If the executive officer terminates his employment for a reason other than for good reason, the Company
will pay to the executive officer an amount equal to the Accrued Amounts plus any performance compensation payable pursuant to the MIP
applicable to such executive officer.
Additionally,
in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the agreements), all outstanding stock options to purchase the common stock held by
the executive officer will immediately become exercisable in full commencing on the date of termination through the original term of
the options. In the event of the death of an executive officer, all outstanding stock options to purchase common stock held by the executive
officer will immediately become exercisable in full commencing on the date of death, with such options exercisable for the lesser of
the original option term or twelve months from the date of the executive officer’s death. In the event an executive officer terminates
his employment for “good reason” (as defined in the agreements) or is terminated by the Company without cause, all outstanding
stock options to purchase common stock held by the officer will immediately become exercisable in full commencing on the date of termination,
with such options exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or within 60 days from the date of the executive officer’s
date of termination. Severance benefits payable with respect to a termination (other than Accrued Amounts) shall not be payable until
the termination constitutes a “separation from service” (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)).
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The
following table sets forth the potential (estimated) payments and benefits to which each NEO would have been entitled upon termination
of employment by the NEO for “good reason” or by the Company “without cause,” or following a Change in Control
of the Company, as specified under each of their respective employment agreements dated April 20, 2023, assuming each circumstance described
below occurred on December 31, 2023, the last day of our most recent fiscal year. Such potential payments included any Accrued Amounts
(accrued base salary earned for 2023 but paid in 2024, as well as accrued unused vacation/sick time and other vested benefits under the
Company plans in which he participated).The NEO is not entitled to payment of any benefits upon termination for cause or resignation
without good reason other than for Accrued Amounts.
Name and
Principal Position Potential Payment/Benefit | |
By
Executive
for
Good
Reason
or by Company
Without
Cause | | |
Change
in
Control
of the
Company | |
| |
| | |
| |
Mark
Duff | |
| | | |
| | |
President
and CEO | |
| | | |
| | |
Base
salary and Accrued Amounts | |
$ | 791,176 | (1) | |
$ | 791,176 | (1) |
Performance
compensation | |
$ | 374,870 | (2) | |
$ | 374,870 | (2) |
Stock
Options | |
$ |
435,650 | (3) | |
$ | 435,650 | (3) |
Cash
Medical Benefit Cotinuation | |
$ | 32,814 | (4) | |
$ | 32,814 | (4) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Ben
Naccarato | |
| | | |
| | |
EVP
and CFO | |
| | | |
| | |
Base
salary and Accrued Amounts | |
$ |
682,857 | (1) | |
$ | 682,857 | (1) |
Performance
compensation | |
$ | 304,772 | (2) | |
$ | 304,772 | (2) |
Stock
Options | |
$ |
249,225 | (3) | |
$ | 249,225 | (3) |
Cash
Medical Benefit Cotinuation | |
$ | 54,144 | (4) | |
$ | 54,144 | (4) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Dr.
Louis Centofanti | |
| | | |
| | |
EVP
of Strategic Initiatives | |
| | | |
| | |
Base
salary and Accrued Amounts | |
$ |
674,187 | (1) | |
$ | 674,187 | (1) |
Performance
compensation | |
$ |
253,980 | (2) | |
$ | 253,980 | (2) |
Stock
Options | |
$ |
205,700 | (3) | |
$ | 205,700 | (3) |
Cash
Medical Benefit Cotinuation | |
$ | 37,415 | (4) | |
$ | 37,415 | (4) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Andy
Lombardo | |
| | | |
| | |
EVP
of Nuclear and Technical Services | |
| | | |
| | |
Base
salary and Accrued Amounts | |
$ |
652,427 | (1) | |
$ |
652,427 | (1) |
Performance
compensation | |
$ | 304,772 | (2) | |
$ |
304,772 | (2) |
Stock
Options | |
$ |
176,985 | (3) | |
$ |
176,985 | (3) |
Cash
Medical Benefit Cotinuation | |
$ | — | (4) | |
$ | — | (4) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Richard
Grondin | |
| | | |
| | |
EVP
of Waste Treatment Operations | |
| | | |
| | |
Base
salary and Accrued Amounts | |
$ | 626,791 | (1) | |
$ |
626,791 | (1) |
Performance
compensation | |
$ |
261,234 | (2) | |
$ |
261,234 | (2) |
Stock
Options | |
$ | 148,665 | (3) | |
$ | 148,665 | (3) |
Cash
Medical Benefit Cotinuation | |
$ |
37,415 | (4) | |
$ |
37,415 | (4) |
(1)
|
Represents
two times the base salary of the executive officer at December 31, 2023, plus “Accrued Amounts.” |
|
|
(2)
|
Represents
two times the performance compensation earned for fiscal year 2023 (see “2023 MIPs” below). |
|
|
(3)
|
Benefit
is calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of each option and the market value of the Company’s Common
Stock per share (as reported on the Nasdaq) at December 31, 2023 times the number of options outstanding at December 31, 2023. Benefit
excludes options which were out-of-the-money at December 31, 2023. |
|
|
(4)
|
Represents
a lump-sum payment equal to eighteen times the monthly premium that would be required to be paid to continue group health coverage
for the executive officer’s eligible covered dependents in effect on the date of the executive officer’s termination
of employment as defined in the employment agreement, |
2023
Executive Compensation Components
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the principal components of compensation for executive officers were:
|
●
|
base
salary; |
|
●
|
performance-based
incentive compensation; |
|
●
|
long
term incentive compensation; |
|
●
|
retirement
and other benefits; and |
|
●
|
perquisites.
|
Based
on the amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation table, during 2023, salary accounted for approximately 52.4% of the total compensation
of our NEOs, while equity option awards, MIP compensation, bonus and other compensation accounted for approximately 47.6% of the total
compensation of the NEOs.
Base
Salary
The
NEOs, other officers, and other employees of the Company receive a base annual salary. Base salary ranges for executive officers are
determined for each executive based on his or her position and responsibility by using market data and comparisons to similar companies
within the business segments in which the Company operates.
During
its review of base salaries for executives, the Compensation Committee primarily considers:
|
● |
market
data and comparisons to similar companies within the business segments in which the Company operates; |
|
|
|
|
● |
internal
review of the executive’s compensation, both individually and relative to other officers; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
individual
performance of the executive. |
Salary
levels are typically considered annually as part of the performance review process as well as upon a promotion or other change in job
responsibility. Merit-based salary increases for executives are based on the Compensation Committee’s assessment of the individual’s
performance. The base salary and potential annual base salary adjustments for the NEOs are set forth in their respective employment agreements.
On October 19, 2023, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved a base salary increase adjustment, effective January 1, 2024,
of seven percent for the CEO and five percent for each of the CFO, EVP of Strategic Initiatives, and the EVP of Waste Treatment Operations.
The following reflects the base salary for each of the NEOs on January 1, 2024, after the base salary increase: $417,155 for the CEO;
$332,811 for the CFO; $277,346 for the EVP of Strategic Initiatives; and $285,267 for the EVP of Waste Treatment Operations.
Performance-Based
Incentive Compensation
The
Compensation Committee has the latitude to design cash and equity-based incentive compensation programs to promote high performance and
achievement of our corporate objectives by directors and the NEOs, encourage the growth of stockholder value, and enable employees to
participate in our long-term growth and profitability. The Compensation Committee may grant stock options and/or performance bonuses.
In granting these awards, the Compensation Committee may establish any conditions or restrictions it deems appropriate. In addition,
the CEO has discretionary authority to grant stock options to certain high-performing executives or officers, subject to the approval
of the Compensation Committee. The exercise price for each stock option granted is at or above the market price of our Common Stock on
the date of grant. Stock options may be awarded to newly hired or promoted executives at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Grants of stock options to eligible newly hired executive officers are generally made at the next regularly scheduled Compensation Committee
meeting following the hire date.
2023
MIPs
On
January 19, 2023, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved individual MIPs for the calendar year 2023 for each of the NEOs.
Each of the MIPs was effective January 1, 2023.
The
performance compensation payable under each MIP was based upon meeting certain of the Company’s separate target objectives during
2023 as described in each of the MIPs below, provided, however, no performance compensation was to be paid for attaining any of the Company’s
separate target objectives unless a minimum of 75% of the EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) target
objective was achieved. The Compensation Committee believes performance compensation payable under each of the MIPs should be based on
achievement of at least 75% of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), a non-U.S. GAAP (accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America) financial measurement, as the Company believes that this target provides a better
indicator of operating performance as it excludes certain non-cash items. EBITDA has certain limitations as it does not reflect all items
of income or cash flows that affect the Company’s financial performance under U.S. GAAP.
In
formulating certain targets set forth in the MIPs, the Compensation Committee and the Board considered the Board-approved budget for
2023, economic conditions (continued potential impact of COVID-19), forecasts for 2023 government spending, as well as the Compensation
Committee’s expectation for performance that in its estimation would warrant payment of incentive cash compensation.
Performance
compensation, if any, was to be paid on or about 90 days after year-end, or sooner, based on the Company’s audited financial statements
included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Commission. For 2023, a total of approximately $750,000 was earned by the NEOs
under the MIPs. See “Compensation Earned Under 2023 MIPs” below for amount earned by each NEO under his respective MIP and
the expected payment of such amount.
The
Compensation Committee retained the right to modify, change or terminate each MIP and may adjust the various target amounts described
below, at any time and for any reason.
The
total performance compensation that was to be paid to the NEOs under the MIPs was not to exceed 50% of the Company’s pre-tax net
income prior to the calculation of performance compensation.
The
following schedules reflect performance compensation that was payable under each of the MIPs, along with a description of the target
objectives.
CEO
MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 374,870 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 187,435 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 562,305 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2023
Management Incentive Plan
CEO
MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 9,372 | | |
$ | 18,744 | | |
$ | 32,132 | | |
$ | 45,520 | | |
$ | 72,297 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 56,229 | | |
| 112,461 | | |
| 192,790 | | |
| 273,120 | | |
| 433,778 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (3) (6) | |
| 14,058 | | |
| 28,115 | | |
| 28,115 | | |
| 28,115 | | |
| 28,115 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Permit & License Violations (4) (6) | |
| 14,058 | | |
| 28,115 | | |
| 28,115 | | |
| 28,115 | | |
| 28,115 | |
| |
$ | 93,717 | | |
$ | 187,435 | | |
$ | 281,152 | | |
$ | 374,870 | | |
$ | 562,305 | |
CFO
MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 304,772 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 152,386 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 457,158 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2023
Management Incentive Plan
CFO
MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 7,619 | | |
$ | 15,239 | | |
$ | 25,035 | | |
$ | 33,743 | | |
$ | 40,273 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 57,146 | | |
| 114,289 | | |
| 150,209 | | |
| 202,455 | | |
| 241,641 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (3) (6) | |
| 5,714 | | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 11,429 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Permit & License Violations (4) (6) | |
| 5,714 | | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 11,429 | |
| |
$ | 76,193 | | |
$ | 152,386 | | |
$ | 198,102 | | |
$ | 259,056 | | |
$ | 304,772 | |
EVP
of Strategic Initiatives MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 253,980 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 126,990 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 380,970 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2023
Management Incentive Plan
EVP
OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 6,350 | | |
$ | 12,699 | | |
$ | 20,863 | | |
$ | 28,119 | | |
$ | 33,562 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 47,621 | | |
| 95,243 | | |
| 125,176 | | |
| 168,716 | | |
| 201,370 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (3) (6) | |
| 4,762 | | |
| 9,524 | | |
| 9,524 | | |
| 9,524 | | |
| 9,524 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Permit & License Violations (4) (6) | |
| 4,762 | | |
| 9,524 | | |
| 9,524 | | |
| 9,524 | | |
| 9,524 | |
| |
$ | 63,495 | | |
$ | 126,990 | | |
$ | 165,087 | | |
$ | 215,883 | | |
$ | 253,980 | |
EVP
of Waste Treatment Operations MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 261,233 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 130,617 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 391,850 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2023
Management Incentive Plan
EVP
OF WASTE TREATMENT OPERATIONS MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 6,531 | | |
$ | 13,062 | | |
$ | 18,660 | | |
$ | 26,123 | | |
$ | 31,721 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 39,185 | | |
| 78,371 | | |
| 111,958 | | |
| 156,741 | | |
| 190,328 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (3) (6) | |
| 9,796 | | |
| 19,592 | | |
| 19,592 | | |
| 19,592 | | |
| 19,592 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Permit & License Violations (4) (6) | |
| 9,796 | | |
| 19,592 | | |
| 19,592 | | |
| 19,592 | | |
| 19,592 | |
| |
$ | 65,308 | | |
$ | 130,617 | | |
$ | 169,802 | | |
$ | 222,048 | | |
$ | 261,233 | |
EVP
of Nuclear and Technical Services MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 304,772 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 152,386 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 457,158 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2023
Management Incentive Plan
EVP
OF NUCLEAR & TECHNICAL SERVICES MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 7,619 | | |
$ | 15,239 | | |
$ | 21,769 | | |
$ | 30,477 | | |
$ | 37,008 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 45,716 | | |
| 91,431 | | |
| 130,617 | | |
| 182,863 | | |
| 222,048 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (3) (6) | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 22,858 | | |
| 22,858 | | |
| 22,858 | | |
| 22,858 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cost Performance Incentive (5) (6) | |
| 11,429 | | |
| 22,858 | | |
| 22,858 | | |
| 22,858 | | |
| 22,858 | |
| |
$ | 76,193 | | |
$ | 152,386 | | |
$ | 198,102 | | |
$ | 259,056 | | |
$ | 304,772 | |
(1) | Revenue
was defined as the total consolidated third-party top line revenue as publicly reported in
the Company’s 2023 financial statements. The percentage achieved was determined by
comparing the actual consolidated revenue for 2023 to the Board-approved revenue target for
2023. |
(2) | EBITDA
was defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization from continuing
and discontinued operations. The percentage achieved was determined by comparing the actual
EBITDA to the Board-approved EBITDA target for 2023. |
| |
(3) | The
Health and Safety Incentive target was based upon the actual number of Worker’s Compensation
Lost Time Accidents (“WCLTA”), as provided by the Company’s Worker’s
Compensation carrier. For the EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services and the EVP of Waste
Treatment Operations, the incentive target was based on actual number of WCLTA in the Services
and Treatment Segments only, respectively. The Corporate Controller submitted a report on
a quarterly basis documenting and confirming the number of Worker’s Compensation Lost
Time Accidents, supported by the Worker’s Compensation Loss Report provided by the
company’s carrier or broker. Such claims were identified on the loss report as “indemnity
claims.” The following number of Worker’s Compensation Lost Time Accidents and
corresponding performance target thresholds was established for the annual Incentive Compensation
Plan calculation for 2023. |
Work
Comp.
Claim
Number |
|
Performance
Target
Achieved |
|
|
|
3 |
|
75%-89% |
|
|
|
2 |
|
90%-110% |
|
|
|
1 |
|
111%-129% |
|
|
|
1 |
|
130%-150% |
|
|
|
1
|
|
>150% |
(4) | Permits
or License Violations incentive was earned/determined according to the scale set forth below:
An “official notice of non-compliance” was defined as an official communication
during 2023 from a local, state, or federal regulatory authority alleging one or more violations
of an otherwise applicable Environmental, Health or Safety requirement or permit provision,
which resulted in a facility’s implementation of corrective action(s) which included
a material financial obligation, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors
in their sole discretion, to the Company. |
Permit
and
License
Violations |
|
Performance
Target
Achieved |
|
|
|
3 |
|
75%-89%
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
90%-110% |
|
|
|
1 |
|
111%-129%
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
130%-150%
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
>150% |
(5) | CPI
incentive was earned/determined by maintaining project performance metrics for all Firm Fixed
Price task orders and projects to include monitoring CPI based on recognized earned value
calculations. As defined through monthly project reviews, all CPI metrics should exceed 1.0
for Nuclear Services Projects. A cumulative CPI (CCPI) was calculated from all fixed cost
contracts. The following CCPI and corresponding performance target thresholds were established
for annual incentive compensation plan calculation for 2023. |
CPI
(if
CCPI is) |
|
Performance
Target
Achieved |
|
|
|
0.75-0.89 |
|
75%-89% |
|
|
|
0.90-1.10 |
|
90%-110% |
|
|
|
1.11-1.29 |
|
111%-129% |
|
|
|
1.30-1.50 |
|
130%-150%
|
|
|
|
>1.50 |
|
>150% |
| (6) | No
performance incentive compensation was payable for the target objective unless a minimum
of 75% of the EBITDA target objective was achieved. |
Compensation
Earned Under 2023 MIPs
The
following tables set forth the MIP compensation earned by the CEO, CFO, EVP of Strategic Initiatives, EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services
and the EVP of Waste Treatment Operations for fiscal year 2023. The total compensation earned by the NEOs under the 2023 MIPs is expected
to be paid by the end of June 2024:
CEO | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Performance Target | |
MIP Compensation | |
Target Objectives: | |
Threshold Achieved | |
Earned | |
Revenue | |
90%-110% | |
$ | 18,744 | |
EBITDA | |
90%-110% | |
| 112,461 | |
Health & Safety | |
90%-110% | |
| 28,115 | |
Permit & License Violations | |
>150% | |
| 28,115 | |
Total Performance Compensation | |
| |
$ | 187,435 | |
CFO | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Performance Target | |
MIP Compensation | |
Target Objectives: | |
Threshold Achieved | |
Earned | |
Revenue | |
90%-110% | |
$ | 15,239 | |
EBITDA | |
90%-110% | |
| 114,289 | |
Health & Safety | |
90%-110% | |
| 11,429 | |
Permit & License Violations | |
>150% | |
| 11,429 | |
Total Performance Compensation | |
| |
$ | 152,386 | |
EVP of Strategic Initiatives | |
| |
| |
Performance Target | |
MIP Compensation | |
Target Objectives: | |
Threshold Achieved | |
Earned | |
Revenue | |
90%-110% | |
$ | 12,699 | |
EBITDA | |
90%-110% | |
| 95,243 | |
Health & Safety | |
90%-110% | |
| 9,524 | |
Permit & License Violations | |
>150% | |
| 9,524 | |
Total Performance Compensation | |
| |
$ | 126,990 | |
EVP of Nuclear and Technical Services | |
| |
| |
Performance Target | |
MIP Compensation | |
Target Objectives: | |
Threshold Achieved | |
Earned | |
Revenue | |
90%-110% | |
$ | 15,239 | |
EBITDA | |
90%-110% | |
| 91,431 | |
Health & Safety | |
>150% | |
| 22,858 | |
CPI | |
>150% | |
| 22,858 | |
Total Performance Compensation | |
| |
$ | 152,386 | |
EVP of Waste Treatment Operations | |
| |
| |
Performance Target | |
MIP Compensation | |
Target Objectives: | |
Threshold Achieved | |
Earned | |
Revenue | |
90%-110% | |
$ | 13,062 | |
EBITDA | |
90%-110% | |
| 78,371 | |
Health & Safety | |
90%-110% | |
| 19,592 | |
Permit & License Violations | |
>150% | |
| 19,592 | |
Total Performance Compensation | |
| |
$ | 130,617 | |
2024
MIPs
On
January 18, 2024, the Compensation Committee and the Board (with Mr. Mark Duff and Dr. Louis Centofanti abstaining) approved individual
MIPs for the calendar year 2024 for each of the NEOs. Each of the MIPs is effective January 1, 2024.
The
performance compensation payable under each MIP is based upon meeting certain of the Company’s separate target objectives during
2024 as described in each of the MIPs below, provided, however, no performance compensation will be paid for attaining any of the Company’s
separate target objectives unless a minimum of 75% of the EBITDA target objective is achieved. In formulating such targets, the Compensation
Committee and the Board considered 2023 results, the Board-approved budget for 2024, economic conditions, forecasts for 2024 government
spending, as well as the Compensation Committee’s expectation for performance that in its estimation would warrant payment of incentive
cash compensation
Performance
compensation amounts under the 2024 MIPs are to be paid on or about 90 days after year-end, or sooner, based on finalization of our audited
financial statements for 2024.
The
Compensation Committee retains the right to modify, change or terminate each MIP and may adjust the various target amounts described
below, at any time and for any reason.
The
total to be paid to the NEOs under the MIPs shall not exceed 50% of the Company’s pre-tax net income prior to the calculation of
performance compensation.
The
following schedules reflect performance compensation payable under each of the MIPs, along with a description of the target objectives.
CEO
MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 417,155 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 208,578 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 625,733 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2024
Management Incentive Plan
CEO
MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 10,429 | | |
$ | 20,858 | | |
$ | 35,756 | | |
$ | 50,655 | | |
$ | 80,451 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 62,572 | | |
| 125,146 | | |
| 214,537 | | |
| 303,927 | | |
| 482,708 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (4) (6) | |
| 15,643 | | |
| 31,287 | | |
| 31,287 | | |
| 31,287 | | |
| 31,287 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Permit & License Violations (5) (6) | |
| 15,643 | | |
| 31,287 | | |
| 31,287 | | |
| 31,287 | | |
| 31,287 | |
| |
$ | 104,287 | | |
$ | 208,578 | | |
$ | 312,867 | | |
$ | 417,156 | | |
$ | 625,733 | |
CFO
MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 332,811 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 166,406 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 499,217 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2024
Management Incentive Plan
CFO
MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 8,320 | | |
$ | 16,641 | | |
$ | 27,338 | | |
$ | 36,847 | | |
$ | 43,979 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 62,401 | | |
| 124,805 | | |
| 164,029 | | |
| 221,082 | | |
| 263,872 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| 70,721 | | |
| 141,446 | | |
| 191,367 | | |
| 257,929 | | |
| 307,851 | |
| |
| Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
| 100 | % | |
| 100 | % | |
| 100 | % | |
| 100 | % | |
| 100 | % |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Regulatory Filing (3) (6) | |
| 24,960 | | |
| 24,960 | | |
| 24,960 | | |
| 24,960 | | |
| 24,960 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
$ | 95,681 | | |
$ | 166,406 | | |
$ | 216,327 | | |
$ | 282,889 | | |
$ | 332,811 | |
EVP
of Strategic Initiatives MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 277,346 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 138,673 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 416,019 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2024
Management Incentive Plan
EVP
OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 6,935 | | |
$ | 13,867 | | |
$ | 22,782 | | |
$ | 30,706 | | |
$ | 36,649 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 52,002 | | |
| 104,006 | | |
| 136,692 | | |
| 184,237 | | |
| 219,897 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (4) (6) | |
| 5,200 | | |
| 10,400 | | |
| 10,400 | | |
| 10,400 | | |
| 10,400 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Permit & License Violations (5) (6) | |
| 5,200 | | |
| 10,400 | | |
| 10,400 | | |
| 10,400 | | |
| 10,400 | |
| |
$ | 69,337 | | |
$ | 138,673 | | |
$ | 180,274 | | |
$ | 235,743 | | |
$ | 277,346 | |
EVP
of Waste Treatment Operations MIP:
Annualized Base Pay: | |
$ | 285,267 | |
Performance Incentive Compensation Target (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 142,634 | |
Total Annual Target Compensation (at 100% of Plan): | |
$ | 427,901 | |
Perma-Fix
Environmental Services, Inc.
2024
Management Incentive Plan
EVP
OF WASTE TREATMENT OPERATIONS MIP MATRIX
Target Objectives | |
Performance Target Achieved | |
| |
75%-89% | | |
90%-110% | | |
111%-129% | | |
130%-150% | | |
>150% | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Revenue (1) (6) | |
$ | 7,132 | | |
$ | 14,263 | | |
$ | 20,376 | | |
$ | 28,527 | | |
$ | 34,640 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
EBITDA (2) | |
| 42,789 | | |
| 85,581 | | |
| 122,257 | | |
| 171,160 | | |
| 207,837 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Health & Safety (4) (6) | |
| 10,698 | | |
| 21,395 | | |
| 21,395 | | |
| 21,395 | | |
| 21,395 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Permit & License Violations (5) (6) | |
| 10,698 | | |
| 21,395 | | |
| 21,395 | | |
| 21,395 | | |
| 21,395 | |
| |
$ | 71,317 | | |
$ | 142,634 | | |
$ | 185,423 | | |
$ | 242,477 | | |
$ | 285,267 | |
(1) | Revenue
is defined as the total consolidated third-party top line revenue as publicly reported in
the Company’s 2024 financial statements. The percentage achieved is determined by comparing
the actual consolidated revenue for 2024 to the Board-approved revenue target for 2024. |
(2) | EBITDA
is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization from continuing
and discontinued operations. The percentage achieved is determined by comparing the actual
EBITDA to the Board-approved EBITDA target for 2024. |
(3) | Regulatory
Filing Incentive Target is based on meeting all deadlines (including allowable extension
granted by the Commission) for the Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks required by the Commission. |
(4) | The
Health and Safety Incentive target was based upon the actual number of Worker’s Compensation
Lost Time Accidents (“WCLTA”), as provided by the Company’s Worker’s
Compensation carrier. For the EVP of Waste Treatment Operations, the incentive target is
based on actual number of WCLTA in the Treatment Segments only. The Corporate Controller
will submit a report on a quarterly basis documenting and confirming the number of Worker’s
Compensation Lost Time Accidents, supported by the Worker’s Compensation Loss Report
provided by the company’s carrier or broker. Such claims will be identified on the
loss report as “indemnity claims.” The following number of Worker’s Compensation
Lost Time Accidents and corresponding performance target thresholds has been established
for the annual Incentive Compensation Plan calculation for 2024. |
Work Comp. Claim Number | |
Performance Target Achieved |
3 | |
75%-89% |
2 | |
90%-110% |
1 | |
111%-129% |
1 | |
130%-150% |
1 | |
>150% |
(5) | Permits
or License Violations incentive is earned/determined according to the scale set forth below:
An “official notice of non-compliance” is defined as an official communication
during 2024 from a local, state, or federal regulatory authority alleging one or more violations
of an otherwise applicable Environmental, Health or Safety requirement or permit provision,
which results in a facility’s implementation of corrective action(s) which includes
a material financial obligation, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors
in their sole discretion, to the Company. |
Permit and License Violations | |
Performance Target Achieved |
3 | |
75%-89% |
2 | |
90%-110% |
1 | |
111%-129% |
1 | |
130%-150% |
1 | |
>150% |
(6) | No
performance incentive compensation will be payable for the target objective unless a minimum
of 75% of the EBITDA target objective is achieved. |
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation
Employee
Stock Option Plans
The
2017 Stock Option Plan ( the “2017 Plan”) encourages participants to focus on long-term performance and provides an opportunity
for executive officers and certain designated key employees to increase their stake in the Company. Stock options succeed by delivering
value to executives only when the value of our stock increases. The 2017 Plan authorizes the grant of NQSOs and ISOs for the purchase
of our Common Stock.
The
2017 Option Plan assists the Company to:
| ● | enhance
the link between the creation of stockholder value and long-term executive incentive compensation; |
| ● | provide
an opportunity for increased equity ownership by executives; and |
| ● | maintain
competitive levels of total compensation; |
Stock
option award levels are determined based on market data, vary among participants based on their positions with the Company and are granted
generally at the Compensation Committee’s regularly scheduled July or August meeting. Newly hired or promoted executive officers
who are eligible to receive options are generally awarded such options at the next regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meeting
following their hire or promotion date.
Options
are awarded with an exercise price equal to or not less than the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of the
grant as reported on the Nasdaq. In certain limited circumstances, the Compensation Committee may grant options to an executive at an
exercise price in excess of the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date.
The
Company’s NEOs have outstanding options from the Company’s 2017 Plan (See “Executive Compensation – Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End - Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2023” for outstanding options for each of our NEOs).
In
cases of termination of an executive officer’s employment due to death, by the executive for “good reason,” by the
Company without cause, and due to a “change of control,” all outstanding stock options to purchase common stock held by the
executive officer will immediately become exercisable in full (see further discussion of the exercisability term of these options in
each of these circumstances in “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION – Employment Agreements”). Otherwise, vesting of option awards
ceases upon termination of employment and exercise right of the vested option amount ceases upon three months from termination of employment
except in the case of retirement (subject to a six-month limitation) and disability (subject to a one-year limitation).
Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation
We
account for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” ASC 718 establishes
accounting standards for entity exchanges of equity instruments for goods or services. ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments to employees
and non-employees, including grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. The Company
uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair-value of stock-based awards which requires subjective assumptions.
Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted include the exercise price of the award, the expected term, the
expected volatility of the Company’s stock over the option’s expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the option’s
expected term, and the expected annual dividend yield. We recognize stock-based compensation expense using a straight-line amortization
method over the requisite period, which is generally the vesting period of the stock option grant.
Retirement
and Other Benefits
401(k)
Plan
The
Company adopted the Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) in 1992, which is intended to
comply with Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code and the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. All full-time
employees who have attained the age of 18 are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Eligibility is immediate upon employment but
enrollment is only allowed during four quarterly open periods of January 1, Apri1 1, July 1, and October 1. Participating employees may
make annual pretax contributions to their accounts up to 100% of their compensation, up to a maximum amount as limited by law. At our
discretion, we may make matching contributions based on the employee’s elective contributions. Company contributions vest over
a period of five years. In 2023, the Company contributed approximately $576,000 in 401(k) matching funds, of which approximately $34,000
was for our NEOs (see the “Summary Compensation” table for 401(k) matching fund contributions made for the NEOs for 2023).
Perquisites
and Other Personal Benefits
The
Company provides executive officers with limited perquisites and other personal benefits (health/disability/life insurance) that the
Company and the Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the
Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites
and other personal benefits provided to executive officers. The executive officers are provided an auto allowance.
Equity
Compensation Plans
The
following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2023, with respect to our equity compensation plans.
| |
Equity Compensation Plan | |
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 stockholders | |
| 994,500 | | |
$ | 5.57 | | |
| 1,039,180 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Total | |
| 994,500 | | |
$ | 5.57 | | |
| 1,039,180 | |
Compensation
Risk Assessment
In
reviewing our executive compensation program, the Company considers whether the program encourages unnecessary or excessive risk taking
and has concluded that its compensation policies do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on
the Company. This conclusion was based on the assessment performed by the Company, with input from the Company’s executive management
and its outside securities counsel. The Company’s assessment included consideration of Item 402(s) of Regulation S-K, promulgated
under the Securities Act, as discussed with the Company’s management following in-depth discussions of Item 402(s) with our outside
securities counsel. In conducting the Company’s risk assessment, numerous factors were considered, including:
| ● | the
Company does not offer significant short-term incentives that would reasonably be considered
as motivating high-risk investments or other conduct that is not consistent with the long
term goals of the Company; |
| | |
| ● | the
mix between short-term and long-term compensation; |
| | |
| ● | the
type of equity awards granted to employees and level of equity and equity award holdings;
and |
| | |
| ● | the
historical emphasis at the Company on long-term growth and profitability over short-term
gains. |
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Schelhammer
Capital Bank AG, a banking institution regulated by the banking regulations of Austria, has represented to the Company that as of May
13, 2024, it holds of record as a nominee for, and as an agent of, certain accredited investors, 1,812,455 shares of our Common Stock.
None of the Common Stock held by Schelhammer Capital Bank AG for the account of any single investor represents more than 4.9% of our
Common Stock and, to the best knowledge of Schelhammer Capital Bank AG, as far as stocks held by such investors in accounts with Schelhammer
Capital Bank AG, none of such investors act together as a group or otherwise act in concert for the purpose of voting on matters subject
to the vote of our stockholders or for purpose of disposition or investment of such stock. Additionally, the investors for whom Schelhammer
Capital Bank AG acts as nominee with respect to such shares maintain full voting and dispositive power over the Common Stock beneficially
owned by such investors, and Schelhammer Capital Bank AG has neither voting nor investment power over such shares. Accordingly, Schelhammer
Capital Bank AG believes that (i) it is not the beneficial owner, as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, of the shares
of Common Stock registered in Schelhammer Capital Bank AG’s name because (a) Schelhammer Capital Bank AG holds the Common Stock
as a nominee only, (b) Schelhammer Capital Bank AG has neither voting nor investment power over such shares, and (c) Schelhammer Capital
Bank AG has not nominated or sought to nominate, and does not intend to nominate in the future, any person to serve as a member of our
Board; and (ii) it is not required to file reports under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act or to file either Schedule 13D or Schedule
13G in connection with the shares of our Common Stock registered in the name of Schelhammer Capital Bank AG.
Notwithstanding
the previous paragraph, if Schelhammer Capital Bank AG’s representations to us described above are incorrect or if the investors for
whom Schelhammer Capital Bank AG acts as nominee are acting as a group, then Schelhammer Capital Bank AG or a group of such investors
could be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our voting securities. If Schelhammer Capital Bank AG was deemed the beneficial owner
of such shares, the following table sets forth information as to the shares of voting securities that Schelhammer Capital Bank AG may
be considered to beneficially own on May 13, 2024:
Name of Record Owner | |
Title Of Class | | |
Amount and Nature of Ownership | | |
Percent Of Class (*) | |
Schelhammer Capital Bank AG | |
| Common | | |
| 1,812,455(+) | | |
| 11.48 | % |
(*)
This calculation is based upon 15,788,386 shares of Common Stock outstanding on May 30, 2024, plus the number of shares of Common
Stock which Schelhammer Capital Bank AG, as agent for certain accredited investors, has the right to acquire within 60 days, which is
none.
(+)
This amount is the number of shares that Schelhammer Capital Bank AG has represented to us that it holds of record as nominee for,
and as an agent of, certain accredited investors. As of May 13, 2024, the date of Schelhammer Capital Bank AG’s representations
to us, Schelhammer Capital Bank AG has no warrants or options to acquire, as agent for certain investors, additional shares of our Common
Stock. Although Schelhammer Capital Bank AG is the record holder of the shares of Common Stock described in this note, Schelhammer Capital
Bank AG has advised us that it does not believe it is a beneficial owner of the Common Stock or that it is required to file reports under
Section 16(a) or Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. Schelhammer Capital Bank AG has advised us that it (a) holds the Common Stock as
a nominee only and that it does not exercise voting or investment power over the Common Stock held in its name and that no one investor
for which it holds our Common Stock holds more than 4.9% of our issued and outstanding Common Stock and (b) has not nominated, and has
not sought to nominate, and does not intend to nominate in the future, any person to serve as a member of our Board. Accordingly, we
do not believe that Schelhammer Capital Bank AG is our affiliate. Schelhammer Capital Bank AG’s address is Goldschmiedgasse 3, A-1010
Wien, Austria.
Security
Ownership of Management
The
following table sets forth information as to the shares of voting securities beneficially owned as of May 30, 2024, by each of our directors
and NEOs and by all of our directors and NEOs as a group. Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with the rules promulgated
under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. A person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of any voting securities for which that person has
the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.
| |
Amount and Nature | | |
| |
Name of Beneficial Owner (2) | |
of Beneficial Owner (1) | | |
Percent of Class (1) | |
Thomas P. Bostick (3) | |
| 57,225 | (3) | |
| * | |
Kerry C. Duggan (4) | |
| 41,135 | (4) | |
| * | |
Dr. Louis F. Centofanti (5) | |
| 298,009 | (5) | |
| 1.88 | % |
Joseph T. Grumski (6) | |
| 74,270 | (6) | |
| * | |
Joe R. Reeder (7) | |
| 243,514 | (7) | |
| 1.54 | % |
Larry M. Shelton (8) | |
| 203,083 | (8) | |
| 1.28 | % |
Zack P. Wamp (9) | |
| 71,516 | (9) | |
| * | |
Mark A. Zwecker (10) | |
| 258,282 | (10) | |
| 1.63 | % |
Mark Duff (11) | |
| 169,952 | (11) | |
| 1.07 | % |
Richard Grondin (12) | |
| 28,780 | (12) | |
| * | |
Ben Naccarato (13) | |
| 70,877 | (13) | |
| * | |
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (11 persons) | |
| 1,516,643 | (14) | |
| 9.44 | % |
*Indicates
beneficial ownership of less than one percent (1%).
(1) The
number of shares and the percentage of outstanding Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by a person are based upon 15,788,386 shares
of Common Stock outstanding on May 30, 2024, and the number of shares of Common Stock which such person has the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of within 60 days.
(2) The
business address of each person, for the purposes hereof, is c/o Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc., 8302 Dunwoody Place, Suite 250,
Atlanta, Georgia 30350.
(3) LTG
(Ret.) Bostick has sole and voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i) 36,225 shares of Common Stock held
of record by LTG (Ret.) Bostick, (ii) options to purchase 13,500 shares which are immediately exercisable, and (iii) options to purchase
7,500 shares which will be exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(4) Ms.
Duggan has sole and voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i) 20,135 shares of Common Stock held of record
by Ms. Duggan, (ii) options to purchase 13,500 shares which are immediately exercisable, and (iii) options to purchase 7,500 shares which
will be exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(5) These
shares include (i) 206,209 shares held of record by Dr. Centofanti, (ii) immediately exercisable options to purchase 29,000 shares, and
(iii) 62,800 shares held by Dr. Centofanti’s wife. Dr. Centofanti has sole voting and investment power over all such shares, except for
the shares held by Dr. Centofanti’s wife, over which Dr. Centofanti shares voting and investment power.
(6) Mr.
Grumski has sole and voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i) 50,870 shares of Common Stock held of record
by Mr. Grumski, (ii) options to purchase 15,900 shares which are immediately exercisable, and (iii) options to purchase 7,500 shares
which will be exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(7) Mr.
Reeder has sole voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i) 236,014 shares of Common Stock held of record,
and (ii) options to purchase 7,500 shares which will be exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(8) Mr.
Shelton has sole voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i) 171,283 shares of Common Stock held of record
by Mr. Shelton, (ii) options to purchase 24,300 shares which are immediately exercisable, and (iii) options to purchase 7,500 shares
which will be exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(9) Mr. Wamp has sole voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i)
43,316 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Wamp, (ii) options to purchase 20,700 shares which are immediately exercisable, and
(iii) options to purchase 7,500 shares which will be exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(10) Mr.
Zwecker has sole voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i) 226,482 shares of Common Stock held of record
by Mr. Zwecker, (ii) options to purchase 24,300 shares which are immediately exercisable, and (iii) options to purchase 7,500 shares
which will be exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(11) Mr.
Duff has sole voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include: (i) 110,952 shares of Common Stock held of record by
Mr. Duff, and (ii) immediately exercisable options to purchase 59,000 shares.
(12)
Mr. Grondin has sole voting and investment power over all shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Grondin.
(13) Mr. Naccarato has sole voting and investment power over all shares shown, which include:
(i) 37,877 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Naccarato, and (ii) immediately exercisable options to purchase 33,000 shares.
(14) Amount
includes options to purchase 233,200 shares which are immediately exercisable and options to purchase 52,500 shares which will be exercisable
within 60 days of the Record Date.
PROPOSAL
2 - RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The
Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the independent
registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal year 2024. Grant Thornton
has been the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since July 9, 2014. It is expected that representatives of
Grant Thornton will be present at the Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available
to answer appropriate questions.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock present in person or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on
the proposal is required for adoption of this proposal.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required
by the Company’s Bylaws. However, the Company is submitting the selection of Grant Thornton to the stockholders for ratification
as a matter of good corporate practice. In the event the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee of the Board
of Directors will reconsider whether or not to retain Grant Thornton.
The
following table reflects the aggregate fees for the audit and other services provided by Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm, for fiscal years 2023 and 2022:
Fee Type | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
| |
| | |
| |
Audit Fees(1) | |
$ | 699,000 | | |
$ | 743,000 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Tax Fees (2) | |
| 100,000 | | |
| 113,000 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Total | |
$ | 799,000 | | |
$ | 856,000 | |
(1)
Audit fees consist of audit work performed in connection with the annual financial statements, the reviews of unaudited quarterly
financial statements, and work generally only the independent registered accounting firm can reasonably provide, such as consents and
review of regulatory documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2)
Fees for income tax planning, filing, and consulting.
The
Audit Committee of the Company’s Board has considered whether Grant Thornton’s provision of the services described above for the
fiscal years 2023 and 2022 was compatible with maintaining its independence.
Engagement
of the Independent Auditor
To
ensure that our independent registered public accounting firm is engaged only to provide audit and non-audit services that are compatible
with maintaining its independence, the Audit Committee has a policy that requires the Committee to review and approve in advance all
services to be provided by the Company’s independent accounting firm before the firm is engaged to provide those services. The
Audit Committee considers non-audit services and fees when assessing auditor independence, and determined that tax return preparation
and other tax compliance services is compatible with maintaining our accounting firm’s independence. All services under the headings
Audit Fees and Tax Fees were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the
Exchange Act. The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy provides as follows:
|
● |
The
Audit Committee will review and pre-approve on an annual basis all audits, audit-related, tax and other services, along with acceptable
cost levels, to be performed by the independent accounting firm and any member of the independent accounting firm’s alliance
network of firms, and may revise the pre-approved services during the period based on later determinations. Pre-approved services
typically include: audits, quarterly reviews, regulatory filing requirements, consultation on new accounting and disclosure standards,
employee benefit plan audits, reviews and reporting on management’s internal controls and specified tax matters. |
|
● |
Any
proposed service that is not pre-approved on the annual basis requires a specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee, including
cost level approval. |
|
● |
The
Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of the Audit Committee members. The delegated member must report
to the Audit Committee, at the next Audit Committee meeting, any pre-approval decisions made. |
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE
COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
PROPOSAL
3 – APPROVAL, BY AN ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE, OF THE 2023 COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In
accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), we are providing
stockholders with an advisory (non-binding) vote on the approval of the 2023 compensation of our named executive officers (this vote
is sometimes referred to as “say on pay”). The Company submits such a “say on pay” vote to stockholders annually.
Accordingly, you may vote on the following resolution at the 2024 Meeting:
“RESOLVED,
that the stockholders of the Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers
in 2023, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, the accompanying compensation tables, and the related narrative discussion,
in the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement.”
As
described in this Proxy Statement, our executive compensation programs are designed to enable us to attract, motivate, and retain executive
talent, who are critical to our success. Our compensation is centered around a pay-for-performance philosophy. We believe that our executive
compensation program, with its balance of cash incentives designed to reward achievement of key performance goals set for the year and
longer-term equity-based incentives, compensates our executives for performance directly linked to stockholder value creation.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock present in person or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on
the proposal is required for adoption of this proposal.
The
vote on this Proposal 3 is not intended to address any specific element of compensation and is advisory, which means that the vote is
not binding on the Company, our Board of Directors, and the Compensation Committee. However, our Board of Directors and our Compensation
Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will review the voting results in connection with their ongoing evaluation of the
Company’s compensation program and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, BY ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE, OF THE 2023
COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
In
order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials, you must submit proposals for next year’s annual meeting in writing to our
Secretary at our executive offices at 8302 Dunwoody Place, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30350, on or prior to February 8, 2025. Such proposals
also must comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
In
accordance with our Bylaws, a stockholder who intends to submit a proposal for consideration, but not for inclusion in our proxy materials,
must provide written notice of the matter to our Secretary at 8302 Dunwoody Place, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30350, not less than 90
days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. As a result,
any notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder pursuant to these provisions of our Bylaws (and not pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) must be received no earlier than March 21, 2025, and no later than April 21, 2025.
OTHER
MATTERS AND INFORMATION
Other
Business
The
Board of Directors has no knowledge of any business to be presented for consideration at the Meeting other than as described above. Should
any such matters properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons acting as proxies will have discretionary authority
to vote such proxy in accordance with their best judgment on such matters and with respect to matters incident to the conduct of the
Meeting.
Other
Information
Copies
of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, including the financial statements
and financial statement schedules, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, are available on our website at www.perma-fix.com
or on the website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Printed
copies of these materials are available free of charge (except for the costs of duplication and mailing in the case of exhibits to such
documents) to stockholders who request them in writing from our corporate secretary at Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc., 8302
Dunwoody Place, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30350.
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