UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
DEFINITIVE
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934
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the Registrant
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a Party other than the Registrant
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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PREMIER
POWER RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
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of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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paid previously with preliminary
materials.
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box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
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4961
Windplay Drive, Suite 100
El Dorado Hills, California
95762
October
15, 2009
Dear
Shareholders:
You are
cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of Premier Power
Renewable Energy, Inc. to be held at our principal executive office located at
4961 Windplay Drive, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills, California 95762 on December 7,
2009 at 10 a.m. (local time).
At the
meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote on the re-election of five
directors, the ratification of the appointment of Macias Gini & O’Connell,
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2009 fiscal
year, and the ratification of our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.
The
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement accompanying this
letter provide detailed information concerning matters to be considered at the
meeting.
Your vote
is important. I urge you to vote as soon as possible, whether or not
you plan to attend the annual meeting.
Thank you
for your continued support of Premier Power.
Sincerely,
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/s/
Dean Marks
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Dean
Marks
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Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
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4961
Windplay Drive, Suite 100
El Dorado Hills, California
95762
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
October
15, 2009
TO THE
SHAREHOLDERS OF PREMIER POWER RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.:
The
annual meeting of the shareholders of Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), will be held on December 7, 2009, at 10
a.m. (local time), at our principal executive offices located at 4961 Windplay
Drive, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills, California 95762 for the following
purposes:
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1.
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To
re-elect five directors to serve until the 2010 annual meeting of
shareholders;
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2.
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To
ratify the appointment of Macias Gini & O’Connell, LLP as our
registered independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2009;
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3.
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To
ratify our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan;
and
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4.
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To
transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
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The Board
of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 8, 2009 as the record
date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
the annual meeting. We hope that you will attend the meeting, but if you cannot
do so, please complete, date, and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it in
the accompanying envelope as promptly as possible. Your proxy card or broker may
also provide instructions on voting electronically. Returning the enclosed proxy
card (or voting electronically) will not affect your right to vote in person if
you attend the meeting.
By
Order of the Board of Directors
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Dean
Marks
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Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
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El Dorado
Hills, California
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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GENERAL
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2
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ABOUT
THE MEETING
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2
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PROPOSAL
1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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4
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PROPOSAL
2 – RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
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5
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PROPOSAL
3 – RATIFICATION OF 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
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5
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THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
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6
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PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
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7
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AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
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8
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DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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9
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DIRECTOR
AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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12
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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14
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CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
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16
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SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS
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16
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SOLICITATION
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FORM
10-K – ANNUAL REPORT
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17
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OTHER
MATTERS
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17
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APPENDIX
A – 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
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18
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EXHIBIT
A – CHARTER OF THEAUDIT COMMITTEE
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30
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EXHIBIT
B – CHARTER OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
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33
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EXHIBIT
C – BOARD NOMINATIONS PROCESS
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34
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4961
Windplay Drive, Suite 100
El Dorado Hills, California
95762
PROXY
STATEMENT
ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE
HELD DECEMBER 7, 2009
October
15, 2009
GENERAL
The
enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Premier Power
Renewable Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for use at the
annual meeting of shareholders to be held on December 7, 2009, at 10 a.m. (local
time), or at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting, for the purposes
set forth in this proxy statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual
Meeting. The annual meeting will be held at our principal executive offices
located at 4961 Windplay Drive, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills, California 95762.
We intend to mail this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card on or
about October 26, 2009 to all shareholders entitled to vote at the annual
meeting.
ABOUT
THE MEETING
Why
did I receive this proxy statement?
You
received this proxy statement because you held shares of the Company’s common
stock on October 8, 2009 (the “Record Date”) and are entitled to vote at the
annual meeting. The Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the
meeting.
What
am I voting on?
You are
being asked to vote on three items:
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1.
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The
election of five directors (see page
4).
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2.
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The
ratification of Macias Gini & O’Connell, LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the 2009 fiscal year (see page
5).
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3.
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The
ratification of our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (see page
5).
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How
do I vote?
Shareholders of
Record
If you
are a shareholder of record, there are three ways to vote:
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1.
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By
completing and returning your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope
provided by the Company;
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2.
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By
following the instructions for electronic voting using the Internet or
telephone, which are printed on your proxy card;
or
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3.
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By
voting in person at the meeting.
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Street Name
Holders
Shares
that are held in a brokerage account in the name of the broker are said to be
held in “street name.” If your shares are held in street name, you
should follow the voting instructions provided by your broker. You may complete
and return a voting instruction card to your broker, or, in many cases, your
broker may also allow you to vote via the telephone or internet. Check your
proxy card for more information. If you hold your shares in street name and wish
to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker and bring
that proxy to the meeting. Regardless of how your shares are
registered, if you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and
return it to the address indicated, it will be voted as you
direct.
What
are the voting recommendations of the Board of Directors?
The Board
of Directors recommends that you vote in the following manner:
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1.
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FOR
each of the persons nominated to serve as
directors.
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2.
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FOR
the ratification of the appointment of Macias Gini & O’Connell, LLP as
our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2009 fiscal
year.
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2.
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FOR
the ratification of our 2008 Equity Incentive
Plan.
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Unless
you give contrary instructions on your proxy card, Dean Marks, as proxy, will
vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the
Board.
Will
any other matters be voted on?
We do not
know of any other matters that will be brought before the shareholders for a
vote at the annual meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the
meeting, your signed proxy card would authorize Dean Marks to vote on such
matters in his discretion.
Who
is entitled to vote at the meeting?
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled
to receive notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. If you were a
shareholder of record on that date, you will be entitled to vote all of the
shares that you held on that date at the meeting, or any postponement or
adjournment of the meeting.
How
many votes do I have?
For
holders of common stock, you will have one vote for each share of the Company’s
common stock that you owned on the Record Date.
How
many votes can be cast by all shareholders?
The
Company had 29,050,250 outstanding shares of common stock on the Record Date,
and each of these shares is entitled to one vote.
How
many votes must be present to hold the meeting?
The
holders of at least one-third of the Company’s common stock outstanding on the
Record Date must be present at the meeting in person or by proxy in order to
fulfill the quorum requirement necessary to hold the meeting. This means at
least 9,683,417 common shares must be present in person or by
proxy.
If you
vote, your shares will be part of the quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will also be counted in determining the quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a
bank or broker holding shares in street name submits a proxy that states that
the broker does not vote for some or all of the proposals because the broker has
not received instructions from the beneficial owners on how to vote on the
proposals and does not have discretionary authority to vote in the absence of
instructions.
We urge
you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the meeting so that we will know
as soon as possible that a quorum has been achieved.
What
vote is required to approve each proposal?
The five
nominees for directors who receive the most votes will be
elected. The required vote to approve the ratification of the
appointment of Macias Gini & O’Connell, LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the 2009 fiscal year and the ratification of the 2008
Equity Incentive Plan is the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast,
excluding abstentions. An abstention with respect to these proposals
will be counted for the purposes of determining the number of shares entitled to
vote that are present in person or by proxy. Accordingly, an abstention will
have the effect of a negative vote. If a broker indicates on the
proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular
matter, those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with
respect to the matter.
Can
I change my vote?
Yes. You
may change your vote by sending in a new proxy card with a later date, or, if
you are a shareholder of record, sending written notice of revocation to the
Company at the address on the cover of this proxy statement, Attn: Corporate
Secretary. Also, if you attend the meeting and wish to vote in person, you may
request that your previously submitted proxy not be used.
Who
can attend the annual meeting?
Any
person who was a shareholder of the Company on October 8, 2009 may attend the
meeting. If you own shares in street name, you should ask your broker or bank
for a legal proxy to bring with you to the meeting. If you do not receive the
legal proxy in time, bring your most recent brokerage statement so that we can
verify your ownership of our stock and admit you to the meeting. You will not,
however, be able to vote your shares at the meeting without a legal
proxy.
What
happens if I sign and return the proxy card but do not indicate how to vote on
an issue?
If you
return a proxy card without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted as
follows:
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FOR
each of the nominees for director named in this proxy statement;
and
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FOR
ratification of the appointment of Macias Gini & O’Connell, LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the 2009 fiscal year;
and
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FOR
ratification of our 2008 Equity Incentive
Plan.
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PROPOSAL
1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Under our
bylaws, the number of directors of the Company is fixed by the Board of
Directors and may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board.
Currently, the Board has fixed the number of directors at 5 persons. Five
directors are to be elected to our Board at the annual meeting. The Company’s
“independent directors” (as defined by Nasdaq’s Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2))
unanimously recommends that Dean Marks, Miguel de Anquin, Kevin Murray, Robert
Medearis, and Tommy Ross serve as directors. All of the nominees currently serve
on our Board.
Nominees
for Director
Dean R. Marks -
Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
.
Mr. Marks has been a key
player in the solar sector since the early 1980's. In 1984, Mr. Marks
established a solar sales organization with over 2,000 employees in over 26
markets across the nation. Since that time, he has pioneered multiple
applications of solar energy in the residential, commercial, and industrial
market. As President and CEO of Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc., a
California corporation and one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries
(“Premier Power California”), since 2001, he built Premier Power California into
one of the most stable market leaders in the industry. Mr. Marks has overseen
Premier Power California’s expansion from residential to commercial,
agricultural, and industrial markets as well as international expansion. Under
Mr. Marks leadership, Premier Power California has distinguished itself from the
competition by developing a number of innovative and propriety installation
systems in use today. Mr. Marks has served on the California Solar Energy
Industry Association (CALSEIA) board and has been an active participant in the
solar industry for over 20 years. He has co-authored several preeminent papers
promoting renewable energy. Mr. Marks holds a Bachelor of Science degree from
Auburn University, with special emphasis in Environmental Science.
Miguel de Anquin
- Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Corporate Secretary
.
Mr. de Anquin serves as
Executive Vice President and President of World Wide Sales at Premier Power
California since 2001. In his role at Premier Power California, Mr. de Anquin
achieved company success in growing sales and profits. An accomplished corporate
strategist, his strategic approach to building a business is reflected in his
work as Director of Marketing for Nordic Information System and Next Information
System. He was a Technology Advisor for General Electric and IBM, and he
developed the data security auditing system for Bank of America. At Premier
Power California, Mr. de Anquin’s understanding of international opportunities
and his vision and expertise in business performance have driven notable
enterprise wide growth. Mr. de Anquin led Premier Power California’s expansion
into international markets, and he has increased Premier Power California's
profitability through brand revitalization that included major shifts in brand
strategy, operations, marketing communications, and sales tactics. He has
focused Premier Power California on data driven decision making processes that
have separated Premier Power California from its competitors. Mr. de Anquin
holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of California at
Davis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the Universidad
de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Kevin Murray –
Director
.
Mr.
Murray was elected to the board of directors on December 8, 2008. He is
currently a Senior Vice President at the William Morris Agency (“WMA”), working
primarily in its corporate consulting division, a position he has held since
re-joining WMA in 2007 after serving twelve years in the California State
Legislature. From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Murray was a Senator in the California
State Senate. Concurrent to his directorship with the Company, Mr. Murray
sits on the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Mr.
Murray graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in
business administration and accounting and holds a Masters of Business
Administration from Loyola Marymount University and a Juris Doctorate from
Loyola Law School.
Robert Medearis –
Director
.
Mr.
Medearis was elected to the board of directors on December 8, 2008. He is
currently retired as a management consultant and professor and has been for the
past 5 years, but he sits on the board of several private companies, including
Solaicx, Inc., Geographic Expeditions, and Visual Network Design Inc., and the
non-profit organization Freedom From Hunger. Mr. Medearis graduated from
Stanford University with a degree in civil engineering and holds a Masters of
Business Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business
Administration.
Tommy Ross –
Director
.
Mr.
Ross was elected to the board of directors on March 18, 2009. He is
currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Strategic Group,
a business and political consulting firm. From 2003 to 2008, he was
employed at Southern California Edison, at which he served as Vice President of
Public Affairs from 2007 to 2008. Mr. Ross’ experience in the political
arena also includes holding positions to which he was appointed by California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California Governor Pete Wilson, and
former California Governor Jerry Brown. He is the former Chairman and
founding member of the California African American Political Action Committee, a
Lincoln Fellow at The Claremont Institute, and the founder, Chairman, and
President of The Research and Policy Institute of California. Mr. Ross graduated
from Claremont Men’s College with a degree in political
science.
The
Board recommends a vote “FOR” each nominee.
PROPOSAL
2 - RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The
Board’s Audit Committee recommends Macias Gini & O’Connell, LLP (“MGO”) as
our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2009. MGO was our independent registered public accountants for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The Board requests that shareholders ratify
its selection of MGO as the independent auditor for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2009. If the shareholders do not ratify the selection of MGO, the
Board of Directors will select another firm of accountants.
Representatives
of MGO are not expected to be present at the 2009 annual meeting.
The
Board recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Macias Gini
& O’Connell, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm.
PROPOSAL
3 - RATIFICATION OF 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
On
December 19, 2008, our Board of Directors approved the 2008 Equity Incentive
Plan (the “Plan”). All of our employees, officers, and directors, and those of
our consultants and advisors who (i) are natural persons and (ii) provide bona
fide services to the Company not connected to a capital raising transaction or
the promotion or creation of a market for our securities are eligible to be
granted options or restricted stock awards (each, an “Award”) under the Plan.
The Plan is administered by our Board, and the Board establishes certain terms
of option awards, including the exercise price and duration, in the applicable
option agreement. Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 2,951,875 shares
of our common stock, and the maximum number of shares of common stock with
respect to which Awards may be granted to any participant under the Plan is
1,500,000 shares of common stock. The Plan allows for adjustments for changes in
common stock and certain other events, including, but not limited to, any stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of
shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off, any distribution to holders of
common stock other than a normal cash dividend, and liquidation or
dissolution.
Amendment and
Termination
The Board
may at any time, and from time to time, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole
or in part or amend it from time to time.
Exercise
Price
The Board
shall establish the exercise price of options at the time each option is granted
and specify it in the applicable option agreement. Payment of the option price
on exercise of stock options may be made in cash or by such other lawful
consideration as the Board may determine.
Federal Tax
Consequences
The
following brief summary of the effect of federal income taxation upon the
recipients and us with respect to the shares under the Plan does not purport to
be complete, and does not discuss the tax consequences of a recipient's death or
the income tax laws of any state or foreign country in which the recipient may
reside.
Tax
Treatment to the Recipients
The
common stock is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The recipients therefore, will be required for federal income tax purposes to
recognize compensation during the taxable year of issuance unless the shares are
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Accordingly, absent a specific
contractual provision to the contrary, the recipients will receive compensation
taxable at ordinary rates equal to the fair market value of the shares on the
date of receipt since there will be no substantial risk of forfeiture or other
restrictions on transfer. If, however, the recipients receive shares of common
stock pursuant to the exercise of an option or options at an exercise price
below the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, the
difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on
the date of exercise will be deemed compensation for federal income tax
purposes. The recipients are urged to consult each of their tax advisors on this
matter. Further, if any recipient is an "affiliate," Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act is applicable and will affect the issue of
taxation.
Tax
Treatment to the Company
The
amount of income recognized by any recipient hereunder in accordance with the
foregoing discussion will be a tax-deductible expense by the Company for federal
income tax purposes in the taxable year of the Company during which the
recipient recognizes income.
Incorporation
by Reference
.
The
foregoing is only a summary of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to its full text, as amended, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Appendix A.
The
Board recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the 2008 Equity Incentive
Plan.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
Our Board
of Directors currently consists of five members. Our bylaws provide that our
directors will hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders or until
their successors have been elected and qualified. Our Board of Directors is
responsible for the business and affairs of the Company and considers various
matters that require its approval. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
2008, the Board met and/or took action by unanimous written consent 9
times.
There are
two committees of the Board of Directors — the Audit Committee and the
Compensation Committee. The Board created these committees and adopted charters
for both committees on December 19, 2008. Copies of these charters are attached
to this proxy statement as Exhibit A and Exhibit B. Committee assignments are
re-evaluated annually. The Board has determined that, in its judgment as of the
date of this Proxy Statement, Mr. Murray, Mr. Medearis, and Mr. Ross are
independent directors within the meaning of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2).
Accordingly, all of the members of the Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee are independent directors.
Attendance
of Directors at Shareholder Meetings
All of
our directors are expected to attend the 2009 annual shareholder
meeting.
Audit
Committee
The Audit
Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Audit
Committee assists Board oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company’s
financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence,
and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and
independent auditor, and prepares the report that the Securities and Exchange
Commission requires to be included in our annual proxy statement. The current
members of the Audit Committee are Robert Medearis, Kevin Murray, and Tommy
Ross, and Mr. Medearis serves as the Chairman. The Audit Committee did not meet
nor did they take action by unanimous written consent during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2008 as its members were not elected until March 18, 2009.
The Board has determined that Mr. Medearis is an “audit committee financial
expert” within the meaning of Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated
by the SEC.
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and, as appropriate, making
recommendations to the Board regarding the annual salaries and other
compensation of our executive officers and general employees and other policies,
and for providing assistance and recommendations with respect to the
compensation policies and practices of the Company. The current members of the
Compensation Committee are Kevin Murray, Robert Medearis, and Tommy Ross, and
Mr. Murray serves as the Chairman. The Compensation Committee did not meet nor
did they take action by unanimous written consent during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008 as its members were not elected until March 18,
2009.
The
Compensation Committee:
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·
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on
an annual basis, without the participation of the Chief Executive Officer,
(i) reviews and approves the corporate goals and objectives with respect
to compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, (ii) evaluates the Chief
Executive Officer's performance in light of the established goals and
objectives, and (iii) sets the Chief Executive Officer's annual
compensation, including salary, bonus, incentive, and equity
compensation.
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·
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on
an annual basis, reviews and approves (i) the evaluation process and
compensation structure for the Company’s other senior executives, (ii) the
Chief Executive Officer’s evaluation of the performance and his
recommendations concerning the annual compensation, including salary,
bonus, incentive, and equity compensation, of other company executive
officers, (iii) the recruitment, retention, and severance programs for the
Company’s senior executives, and (iv) the compensation structure for the
Board of Directors.
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as
appropriate, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to executive
incentive-compensation plans and equity-based
plans.
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assist
the Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for senior
officer positions, including the Chief Executive Officer, and oversee the
development of executive succession
plans.
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review
an annual report on executive compensation, if required, for inclusion in
the Company’s proxy statement.
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The
Compensation Committee has the authority to obtain advice and seek assistance
from internal and external legal, accounting, and other advisors such as
consultants and shall determine the extent of funding necessary for the payment
of compensation to such persons.
Director
Nominations Process
We do not
have a standing nominating committee as the Board adopted a director nominations
process (“Nominations Process”), under which the selection and recommendation of
director nominees are made by a majority of our independent directors (“Majority
Independent Directors), which consists of Kevin Murray, Robert Medearis, and
Tommy Ross. The Board adopted the Nominations Process on February 13,
2009, and a copy is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit
C. The Nominations Process sets forth the following process for
identifying and evaluating nominees for director:
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The
Majority Independent Directors first determine the incumbent directors
whose terms expire at the upcoming meeting and who wish to continue their
service on the Board.
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○
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The
Majority Independent Directors evaluate the qualifications and performance
of the incumbent directors who desire to continue their service. In
particular, as to each such incumbent director, the Majority Independent
Directors (i) consider if the director continues to satisfy the minimum
qualifications for director candidates adopted by the Board; (ii) review
the assessments of the performance of the director during the preceding
term; and (iii) consider any special facts and circumstances that may lead
the Board to believe a director should not be
re-nominated.
|
|
○
|
If
the Majority Independent Directors determine that an incumbent director
consenting to re-nomination continues to be qualified and has
satisfactorily performed his or her duties as director during the
preceding term, and there exist no reasons, including considerations
relating to the composition and functional needs of the Board as a whole,
why in the Majority Independent Directors’ view the incumbent should not
be re-nominated, the Majority Independent Directors, absent special
circumstances, proposes the incumbent director for
re-election.
|
|
·
|
The
Majority Independent Directors identify and evaluate new candidates for
election to the Board where there is no qualified and available incumbent,
including for the purpose of filling vacancies arising by reason of the
resignation, retirement, removal, death, or disability of an incumbent
director or a decision of the directors to expand the size of the
Board.
|
|
○
|
The
Majority Independent Directors solicit recommendations for nominees from
persons that they believe are likely to be familiar with qualified
candidates. These persons may include members of the Board and management
of the Company. The Majority Independent Directors may also determine to
engage a professional search firm to assist in identifying qualified
candidates.
|
|
○
|
As
to each recommended candidate that the Majority Independent Directors
believe merit consideration, they (i) cause to be assembled information
concerning the background and qualifications of the candidate, including
information concerning the candidate required to be disclosed in the
Company’s proxy statement under the rules of the SEC and any relationship
between the candidate and the person or persons recommending the
candidate; (ii) determine if the candidate satisfies the minimum
qualifications required of candidates for election as director; (iii)
consider the contribution that the candidate can be expected to make to
the overall functioning of the Board; and (iv) considers the extent to
which the membership of the candidate on the Board will promote diversity
among the directors.
|
|
○
|
The
Majority Independent Directors may, in their discretion, solicit the views
of other members of the Board regarding the qualifications and suitability
of candidates to be nominated as
directors.
|
|
○
|
In
making their selection, the Majority Independent Directors may consider
director candidates recommended by shareholders. In addition to the
criteria for evaluation of other candidates to the Board (as listed
above), they may consider the size and duration of the interest of the
recommending shareholder or shareholder group in the equity of the
Company. They may also consider the extent to which the recommending
shareholder intends to continue holding its interest in the Company,
including, in the case of nominees recommended for election at an annual
meeting of shareholders, whether the recommending shareholder intends to
continue holding its interest at least through the time of such annual
meeting.
|
Any
shareholder filing a written notice of nomination for director must describe
various matters regarding the nominee and the shareholder, including such
information as name, address, occupation, and shares held. For further
details on submitting shareholder proposals for director candidates, see
“Shareholder Proposals” below.
Shareholder
Communications with Non-Management Members of the Board
The Board
of Directors has not adopted a formal process for shareholders to send
communications to the independent members of the Board. Shareholders may,
however, communicate with the non-management members of the Board by sending
correspondence addressed to a non-management member at the address of our
principal executive office.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
MGO, Li
& Company, PC (“Li & Company”), and KMJ Corbin & Company, LLP (“KMJ
Corbin”) served as our independent registered public accounting firm for our
fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, a portion of our fiscal year ended December
31, 2008, and our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007,
respectively. The following table shows the fees that were billed for
audit and other services provided by MGO and Li & Company during the 2008
year and by KMJ Corbin during the 2007 year:
|
Fiscal Year Ended December
31,
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
MGO
|
|
Li
&
Company
|
|
Total
|
|
KMJ
Corbin
|
|
Audit
Fees (1)
|
|
$
|
185,000
|
|
|
$
|
11,500
|
|
|
$
|
196,500
|
|
|
$
|
42,230
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees (2)
|
|
|
214,000
|
|
|
|
―
|
|
|
|
214,000
|
|
|
|
―
|
|
Tax
Fees (3)
|
|
|
―
|
|
|
|
―
|
|
|
|
―
|
|
|
|
2,687
|
|
All
Other Fees (4)
|
|
|
―
|
|
|
|
―
|
|
|
|
―
|
|
|
|
―
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
399,000
|
|
|
$
|
11,500
|
|
|
$
|
410,500
|
|
|
$
|
44,917
|
|
|
(1)
|
Audit Fees
– This
category includes the audit of our annual financial statements, review of
financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and
services that are normally provided by independent auditors in connection
with the engagement for fiscal years. This category also
includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a
result of, the audit or the review of interim financial
statements.
|
|
(2)
|
Audit-Related Fees
–
This category consists of assurance and related services by our
independent auditors that are reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above
under "Audit Fees." The services for the fees disclosed under
this category include consultation regarding our correspondence with the
SEC.
|
|
(3)
|
Tax Fees
– This category
consists of professional services rendered by our independent auditors for
tax compliance and tax advice. The services for the fees
disclosed under this category include tax return preparation and technical
tax advice.
|
|
(4)
|
All Other Fees
– This
category consists of fees for other miscellaneous
items.
|
Pre-Approval
Policies and Procedures of the Audit Committee
Our Audit
Committee approves the engagement of our independent auditors and is also
required to pre-approve all audit and non-audit expenses. During the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Audit Committee did not approve any
audit and non-audit expenses as its members were not elected until March 18,
2009.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit
Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the
Board of Directors. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter
approved by the Board, a copy of which may be found attached to this Proxy
Statement as Exhibit A. The charter provides, among other things, that the Audit
Committee has full authority to engage the independent auditor. Because the
initial members of the Audit Committee were not elected until March 2009,
however, the Audit Committee did not convene with regards to the following
oversight responsibilities with respect to the audited financial statements
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2008:
|
|
reviewing
and discussing the audited financial statements with
management;
|
|
|
discussing
with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the
statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional
Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board;
|
|
|
receiving
the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board,
and discussing with the independent accountant the independent
accountant’s independence; and
|
|
|
based
on the review and discussions referred to above, recommending to the Board
that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
|
Respectfully
submitted,
|
|
The
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
|
|
Robert
Medearis, Chairman of the Audit Committee
_______________________
|
DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
following table identifies our current executive officers and directors, their
respective offices and positions, and their respective dates of election or
appointment:
Name
|
|
Position Held
|
|
Date of Election or
Appointment
|
Dean
R. Marks
|
|
Chairman
of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
September
9, 2008
|
Miguel
de Anquin
|
|
Chief
Operating Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Director
|
|
September
9, 2008
|
Teresa
Kelley
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
October
24, 2008
|
Kevin
Murray
|
|
Director
|
|
December
8, 2008
|
Robert
Medearis
|
|
Director
|
|
December
8, 2008
|
Tommy
Ross
|
|
Director
|
|
March
18, 2009
|
Arrangements
Involving Directors or Executive Officers
There is
no arrangement or understanding between any of our directors or executive
officers and any other person pursuant to which any director or officer was or
is to be selected as a director or officer, and there is no arrangement, plan,
or understanding as to whether non-management shareholders will exercise their
voting rights to continue to elect the current board of directors. There are
also no arrangements, agreements, or understandings to our knowledge between
non-management shareholders that may directly or indirectly participate in or
influence the management of our affairs.
Family
Relationships
There are
no family relationships among our directors and executive officers.
Business
Experience
The
business experience of our directors, including all executive officers serving
as directors, is provided above. The experience of our executive officer who is
not also a director is described below.
Teresa Kelley -
Chief Financial Officer.
Ms. Kelley was appointed Chief
Financial Officer of the Company on October 24, 2008. Ms. Kelley has over 22
years of experience in corporate accounting and operations management. Prior to
joining the Company, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Vista Point
Technologies, a design and manufacturer of electronic components, since January
2007. Prior to working at Vista Point Technologies, from 1987 to January 2007,
Ms. Kelley worked at Intel Corporation where she started as a financial analyst
and later served in several management positions before becoming the Senior
Controller of the Intel Networking business. Ms. Kelley has a B.S. in Business
and an MBA from Santa Clara University.
Legal
Proceedings
None of
our directors or executive officers has, during the past five
years,:
|
·
|
had
any petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law
filed by or against, or had a receiver, fiscal agent, or similar officer
appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any
partnership in which he was a general partner at or within two years
before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association
of which he was an executive officer at or within two years before the
time of such filing;
|
|
·
|
been
convicted in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses);
|
|
·
|
been
the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended, or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently
or temporarily enjoining him from, or otherwise limiting, the following
activities:
|
|
(i)
|
acting
as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading
advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction
merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an
investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an
affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank,
savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or
continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such
activity;
|
|
(ii)
|
engaging
in any type of business practice;
or
|
|
(iii)
|
engaging
in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or
commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state
securities laws or federal commodities
laws;
|
|
·
|
been
the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended, or vacated, of any federal or state authority barring,
suspending, or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such
person to engage in any activity described in (i) above, or to be
associated with persons engaged in any such
activity;
|
|
·
|
been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC
to have violated any federal or state securities law, where the judgment
in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently
reversed, suspended, or vacated; or
|
|
·
|
been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal
commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed,
suspended, or vacated.
|
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
We are
not subject to reporting obligations under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act as
we are registered under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act rather than Section
12(b) or Section 12(g).
Director
Independence
Our board
of directors has determined that it currently has 3 members who
qualify as "independent" as the term is used in Item 407 of Regulation S-K as
promulgated by the SEC and Nasdaq’s Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). The
independent directors are Kevin Murray, Robert Medearis, and Tommy
Ross. All of the members of our Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee qualify as independent.
Code
of Ethics
We have
adopted a code of ethics that applies to all directors, officers, and employees,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. We will
provide to any person, without charge and upon request, a copy of the code of
ethics. Any such request must be made in writing to the address of our principal
executive office, Attn: Corporate Secretary.
Indemnification
Section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a
corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers
in terms sufficiently broad to permit indemnification for liabilities, including
reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act. Pursuant
to the provisions of Section 145, a corporation may indemnify its directors,
officers, employees, and agents as follows:
“(a) A
corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the
fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the
person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the
person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding
by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or
its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did
not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the
person's conduct was unlawful.
(b) A
corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys'
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith
and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that
the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To
the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has
been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense
of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection therewith.
(d) Any
indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by
a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific
case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former
director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the
person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a)
and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a
person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a
majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or
proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such
directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a
quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct,
by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the
stockholders.
(e)
Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director in
defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of
such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation
as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees)
incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be
so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems
appropriate.
(f) The
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to,
the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and
as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
(g) A
corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred
by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as
such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such
person against such liability under this section.
(h) For
purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall include, in
addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including
any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which,
if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to
indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such
person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate
existence had continued.
(i) For
purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises" shall include
employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes
assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references
to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on,
or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect
to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who
acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the
interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall
be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation" as referred to in this section.
(j) The
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to,
this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified,
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or
agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators
of such a person.
(k) The
Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and
determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought
under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily
determine a corporation's obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys'
fees).”
We have
adopted the following indemnification provisions in our certificate of
incorporation for our officers and directors:
“The
corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of 145 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended
and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to
indemnify under said section from and against any and all of the expenses,
liabilities, or other matters referred to in or covered by said section, and the
indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.”
We also
have a $2,000,000 director’s and officer’s liability insurance
policy.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers, or persons
controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we
have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
DIRECTOR
AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary
of Compensation
The
following summary compensation table indicates the cash and non-cash
compensation earned during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006 by (i) our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer), (ii)
our Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), (iii) the three most
highly compensated executive officers other than our CEO and CFO who were
serving as executive officers at the end of our last completed fiscal year,
whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 during such fiscal year ends, and
(iv) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been
provided but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive
officer at the end of our last completed fiscal year, whose total compensation
exceeded $100,000 during such fiscal year ends.
Summary
Compensation Table
Name and
Principal
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
( $)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
( $)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Dean
R. Marks,
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
158,077
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
158,077
|
|
Chairman
of the
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
159,466
|
|
|
$
|
1,344
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
9,322
|
(1)
|
|
$
|
170,132
|
|
Board,
President,
|
|
2006
|
|
$
|
122,308
|
|
|
$
|
6,000
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
6,009
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
134,317
|
|
and
Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miguel
de Anquin,
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
153,462
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
153,462
|
|
Chief
Operating
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
126,624
|
|
|
$
|
1,344
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
8,037
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
136,005
|
|
Officer,
former Chief
Financial
Officer,
Corporate
Secretary,
and
Director
|
|
2006
|
|
$
|
120,000
|
|
|
$
|
6,000
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,902
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
131,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Teresa
Kelley,
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
25,962
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
25,962
|
|
Chief
Financial
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Officer
(5)
|
|
2006
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
_________________
(1)
|
The
amounts shown in this column represent compensation earned under the
401(k) Plan.
|
(2)
|
The
amounts shown in this column represent the following: (a) $50 as the
dollar amount recognized for life insurance premiums paid for the named
executive officer, and (b) $5,959 as compensation earned under the 401(k)
Plan.
|
(3)
|
The
amounts shown in this column represent the following: (a) $67 as the
dollar amount recognized for life insurance premiums paid for the named
executive officer, and (b) $7,970 as compensation earned under the 401(k)
Plan.
|
(4)
|
The
amounts shown in this column represent the following: (a) $50 as the
dollar amount recognized for life insurance premiums paid for the named
executive officer, and (b) $5,852 as compensation earned under the 401(k)
Plan.
|
(5)
|
Ms.
Kelley was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on October 24,
2008.
|
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards
There
were no grants of awards made to a named executive officer during our last
completed fiscal year under any plan.
Outstanding
Equity Awards
There are
no unexercised options, stock that has not vested, or equity incentive plan
awards for any of our named executive officers outstanding as of the end of our
last completed fiscal year.
Retirement
Plans
Except as
described below, we currently have no plans that provide for the payment of
retirement benefits, or benefits that will be paid primarily following
retirement, including but not limited to tax-qualified defined benefit plans,
supplemental executive retirement plans, tax-qualified defined contribution
plans and nonqualified defined contribution plans.
Premier
Power California maintains a 401(k) plan that is tax-qualified for its
employees, including its executive officers. Premier Power California does not
offer employer matching with the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan does, however,
offer a discretionary employer contribution at year end.
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Except as
described below under “Employment Agreements,” we currently have no contract,
agreement, plan or arrangement, whether written or unwritten, that provides for
payments to a named executive officer at, following, or in connection with any
termination, including without limitation resignation, severance, retirement or
a constructive termination of a named executive officer, or a change in control
of the registrant or a change in the named executive officer’s responsibilities,
with respect to each named executive officer.
Employment
Agreements
The
Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Teresa Kelley on October 24,
2008 for her services as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Kelley’s annual
compensation is $150,000. She will receive an annual 20% bonus based on her
efforts in helping the Company achieve the following targets: minimum growth
revenue of 80% in the first year of her employment, 80% growth in the second
year, 70% growth in the third year, and 60% growth in the fourth year (each
growth revenue percentage which may be revised by the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer over the term of Ms. Kelley’s office); annual EBITDA and net income in
excess of the prior year’s EBIDTA and net income; net income margins in excess
of 5%; and acquisitions to secure revenue growth, margin growth, and market
share domestically and internationally. These goals are closely
monitored by the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors, and Ms.
Kelley’s efforts will be measured by quarterly and annual performance
evaluations by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, except
that Ms. Kelley’s efforts at helping the Company acquire other businesses will
be measured quarterly by the Board of Directors, which will review her reports
analyzing potential acquisitions. Ms. Kelley will also receive, for her first
year of employment, 100,000 stock options to purchase the Company’s common
stock, exercisable at a price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common
stock on the day the Board approves the option issuance. Such stock options will
vest 25% per year for each year of employment from the date of issue. For her
second year of employment, Ms. Kelley will receive an additional 125,000 stock
options to purchase the Company’s common stock, exercisable at a price equal to
the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day the Board approves
the stock issuance. Such stock options will vest 33% per year for each year of
employment from the date of issue. In the event of any sale, merger, acquisition
of over 51% of the Company’s capital stock by a third party, or other change of
control event, any stock options issued to Ms. Kelley under the Employment
Agreement will be fully vested for such year. If the Company
terminates Ms. Kelley without cause after January 22, 2009, she is entitled to a
6 months’ severance payment.
Premier
Power California entered into an Employment Agreement with Dean R. Marks on
August 22, 2008 for his services as its President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Marks’ total annual salary is $180,000, and he is to receive additional
compensation in the form of, and based on, the following: (i) 0.5% of Premier
Power California’s annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and
amortization (“EBITDA”) in excess of $200,000 if Premier Power California’s
annual EBITDA margin is less than 5%, and (ii) 1.5% of Premier Power
California’s annual EBITDA in excess of $200,000 if Premier Power California’s
annual EBITDA margin is greater than 5%, both forms of additional compensation
of which is due to Mr. Marks within 90 days of Premier Power California’s fiscal
year-end and which payments will be accelerated upon a sale of Premier Power
California, merger involving Premier Power California, or public offering of
Premier Power California’s securities. Mr. Marks is entitled to a severance
payment of $180,000 upon termination by Premier Power California without cause
if such termination occurs between December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2010, and
a severance payment of $90,000 upon termination by Premier Power California
without cause if such termination occurs between December 31, 2010 and the
expiration of the agreement. The term of the agreement is for five
years. On August 22, 2008, Mr. Marks also entered into a Non-Disclosure and
Non-Competition Agreement with Premier Power California in connection with his
employment.
Premier
Power California entered into an Employment Agreement with Miguel de Anquin on
August 22, 2008 for his services as its Executive Vice President of Worldwide
Operations. Mr. de Anquin’s total annual salary is $180,000, and he is to
receive additional compensation in the form of, and based on, the following: (i)
0.5% of Premier Power California’s annual EBITDA in excess of $200,000 if
Premier Power California’s annual EBITDA margin is less than 5%, and (ii) 1.5%
of Premier Power California’s annual EBITDA in excess of $200,000 if Premier
Power California’s annual EBITDA margin is greater than 5%, both forms of
additional compensation of which is due to Mr. de Anquin within 90 days of
Premier Power California’s fiscal year-end and which payments will be
accelerated upon a sale of Premier Power California, merger involving Premier
Power California, or public offering of Premier Power California’s securities.
Mr. de Anquin is entitled to a severance payment of $180,000 upon termination by
Premier Power California without cause if such termination occurs between
December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2010, and a severance payment of $90,000 upon
termination by Premier Power California without cause if such termination occurs
between December 31, 2010 and the expiration of the agreement. The term of the
agreement is for five years. On August 22, 2008, Mr. de Anquin also entered into
a Non-Disclosure and Non-Competition Agreement with Premier Power California in
connection with his employment.
Director
Compensation
The
following table provides compensation information for our directors during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2008:
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
(1)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dean
Marks (2)
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miguel
de Anquin (2)
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
Murray
|
|
$
|
2,500
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Medearis
|
|
$
|
2,500
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
2,500
|
|
|
(1)
|
Reflects
dollar amount expensed by the Company during applicable fiscal year for
financial statement reporting purposes pursuant to FAS
123R. FAS 123R requires the Company to determine the overall
value of the options as of the date of grant, and to then expense that
value over the service period over which the option1 become exercisable
(vested). As a general rule, for time in service based options,
the Company will immediately expense any option or portion thereof which
is vested upon grant, while expensing the balance on a pro rata basis over
the remaining vesting term of the
option.
|
|
(2)
|
This
individual’s compensation as a director is reflected in the table above
titled “Summary Compensation
Table.”
|
On
December 19, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement to
Serve as Member of the Board of Directors (the “Murray Agreement”) with Kevin
Murray for his services as director. Pursuant to the terms of the Murray
Agreement, Mr. Murray agreed to serve on the Board until October 15, 2011, such
term being subject to re-election at our subsequent annual meeting of
shareholders. Mr. Murray is required to attend at least two Board meetings
via teleconference and at least two Board meetings in person per year, and he
will be compensated for his services to the Board with $1,250 for each Board
meeting he attends via teleconference and $2,500 for each Board meeting he
attends in person. Mr. Murray will also receive 50,000 shares of the our
common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), according to the
following schedule: (i) 16,500 common stock shares after the first year of
service on the Board, which shares will be issued to Mr. Murray even if the our
shareholders fail to re-elect Mr. Murray at the first annual meeting of
shareholders following Mr. Murray’s election to the Board, (ii) 16,500 common
stock shares after the second year of service on the Board, and (iii) 17,000
common stock shares after the third year of service on the Board.
On
December 19, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated
Agreement to Serve as Member of the Board of Directors (the “Medearis
Agreement”) with Robert Medearis for his services as a director. Pursuant
to the terms of the Medearis Agreement, Mr. Medearis agreed to serve on the
Board until October 15, 2011, such term being subject to his re-election at the
our subsequent annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Medearis is required to
attend at least two Board meetings via teleconference and at least two Board
meetings in person per year. The Medearis Agreement further provides that
Andrew Hargadon may attend up to 50% of the our Board meetings as Mr. Medearis’
designee, provided, however, that Mr. Medearis agreed that he would not delegate
to Mr. Hargadon, and that he would personally perform, any and all of his
business managerial duties and obligations as a director for the Company,
including but not limited to any director voting decisions regarding the Company
and its business. Mr. Medearis will be compensated for his services with
$1,250 for each Board meeting he attends via teleconference and $2,500 for each
Board meeting he attends in person. r. Medearis will also receive
50,000 shares of common stock according to the following schedule: (i) 16,500
common stock shares after the first year of service on the Board, which shares
will be issued to Mr. Medearis even if our shareholders fail to re-elect Mr.
Medearis to the Board at the first annual meeting of shareholders following Mr.
Medearis’ election to the Board, (ii) 16,500 common stock shares after the
second year of service on the Board, and (iii) 17,000 common stock shares after
the third year of service on the Board.
On March
23, 2009, the Company entered into a Director Agreement (“Ross Agreement”) with
Tommy Ross for his services as a director. Pursuant to the terms of the
Ross Agreement, Mr. Ross agreed to serve on the Board until March 11, 2011, such
term being subject to re-election at our subsequent annual meeting of
shareholders. Mr. Ross is required to attend at least two Board meetings
via teleconference and at least two Board meetings in person per year, and he
will be compensated for his services to the Board with $1,250 for each Board
meeting he attends via teleconference and $2,500 for each Board meeting he
attends in person. Mr. Ross will also receive 50,000 shares of our common
stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), according to the following
schedule: (i) 16,500 Common Stock shares after the first year of service on the
Board, which shares will be issued to Mr. Ross even if our shareholders fail to
re-elect Mr. Ross at the first annual meeting of shareholders following Mr.
Ross’ election to the Board, (ii) 16,500 Common Stock shares after the second
year of service on the Board, and (iii) 17,000 Common Stock shares after the
third year of service on the Board. We are required to maintain a
Directors’ Errors and Omissions insurance policy (“D&O Policy”) insuring the
entire Board, including Mr. Ross, for a policy amount of no less than
$2,000,000, and in the event the D&O Policy coverage is insufficient to
cover losses occasioned by actions of the Board, we also agreed to indemnify and
hold Mr. Ross harmless from and against any loss, damages, costs, expenses,
liabilities, and or causes of action that may arise as a result of his dutiful
and responsible performance of his duties as a Board member.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our
common stock as of September 22, 2009 for (i) each of our directors and each of
the named executive officers; (ii) all directors and named executive officers as
a group; and (iii) each person who is known by us to own beneficially 5% or more
of our common stock. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the
rules of the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the table, the persons and
entities named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power with
respect to the shares set forth opposite the stockholder’s name. Unless
otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed below is 4961
Windplay Drive, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills, California 95762. The percentage of
class beneficially owned set forth below is based on 29,050,250 shares of common
stock outstanding on September 22, 2009.
Name and Position
|
|
Number of Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially Owned (1)
|
|
|
Percent of Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially Owned (1)(2)
|
|
Dean
R. Marks,
Chairman
of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
11,234,415
|
(3)
|
|
|
38.7
|
%
|
Miguel
de Anquin,
Chief
Operating Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Director
|
|
|
6,744,638
|
|
|
|
23.2
|
%
|
Teresa
Kelley,
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Kevin
Murray,
Director
|
|
¯
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Robert
Medearis,
Director
|
|
¯
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Tommy
Ross,
Director
|
|
|
2,690
|
(4)
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5%
Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bjorn
Persson
|
|
|
2,547,126
|
|
|
|
8.8
|
%
|
Genesis
Capital Advisors, LLC (5)
|
|
|
1,580,598
|
|
|
|
6.1
|
%
|
Vision
Opportunity Master Fund, Ltd. (6)
|
|
|
2,905,022
|
(7)
|
|
|
9.99
|
%(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Executive Officers and
Directors as a Group
(6 persons)
|
|
|
17,981,943
|
|
|
|
61.9
|
%
|
* Less
than 1%
(1)
|
Under Rule 13d-3, a beneficial
owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly,
through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or
otherwise has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to
vote, or to direct the voting of shares; and (ii) investment power, which
includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares. Certain
shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if,
for example, persons share the power to vote or the power to dispose of
the shares). In addition, shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by a
person if the person has the right to acquire the shares (for example,
upon exercise of an option) within 60 days of the date as of which the
information is provided. In computing the percentage ownership of any
person, the amount of shares outstanding is deemed to include the amount
of shares beneficially owned by such person (and only such person) by
reason of these acquisition rights. As a result, the percentage of
outstanding shares of any person as shown in this table does not
necessarily reflect the person's actual ownership or voting power with
respect to the number of shares of common stock actually
outstanding.
|
(2)
|
Pursuant to the terms of the
Share Exchange Agreement dated September 9, 2008, we issued 24,218,750
shares of common stock, equal to approximately 93.1% of our issued and
outstanding common stock as of the closing date of the Share Exchange.
After the issuance of shares in connection with the closing of the Share
Exchange, there were approximately 26,018,750 issued and outstanding
shares of our common stock. Percentage totals may vary slightly due to
rounding. Also, in connection with the closing of the Financing, we issued
a total of 3,500,000 units (the “Units”) to one accredited investor, each
Unit consisting of one share of our Series A Preferred Stock, one-half of
one Series A Warrant, and one-half of one Series B Warrant. Each one share
of Series A Preferred Stock will be convertible into one share of our
Common Stock. Each Series A Warrant and Series B Warrant entitle d
the holder to purchase one share of our common stock at an exercise price
of $2.50 and $3.00 per share, respectively, of our common stock. On June
16, 2009, all of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants held by this
holder were cancelled by the
Company.
|
(3)
|
This number includes 200 shares
of Common Stock held by the shareholder’s
wife.
|
(4)
|
This number includes an aggregate
1,270 shares of Common Stock held by the shareholder’s children and 370
shares of Common Stock held in the shareholder’s IRA
account.
|
(5)
|
The address for this stockholder
is 15760 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1550, Encino, CA
91436.
|
(6)
|
The address for this stockholder
is c/o Citi Hedge Fund Services (Cayman) Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre,
27 Hospital Road, 5th Floor, Grand Cayman KY1-1109, Cayman Islands. Adam
Benowitz, as the managing member of Vision Capital Advisors, LLC, the
investment advisor to this stockholder, has dispositive and voting power
over these securities and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of
these securities.
|
(7)
|
This number includes 2,178,000
shares of Common Stock and 471,359 shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of 471,359 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, which
are presently convertible. This number does not include (i) 3,028,641
shares of Common Stock underlying its shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
(ii) 2,800,000 shares of Common Stock underlying its shares of Series B
Preferred Stock, or (iii) 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock underlying an
option to purchase such shares because each of these securities held by
the stockholder contains a restriction on conversion or exercise, as the
case may be, limiting such holder’s ability to convert or exercise to the
extent that such conversion or exercise would cause the beneficial
ownership of the holder, together with its affiliates, to exceed 9.99% of
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving
effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock as a result of a
conversion or exercise. The stockholder may waive this limitation upon 61
days’ notice to the Company. As of September 25, 2009, however,
the Company has not received any such
notice.
|
Change
in Control
To the
knowledge of management, there are no present arrangements or pledges of
securities of our company that may result in a change of control of the
Company.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Set forth
below are our related party transactions since January 1, 2008:
On July
11, 2008, Dean Marks transferred 18% of his 85% holdings of shares of common
stock in Premier Power California to Miguel de Anquin. Following this transfer,
Dean Marks and Miguel de Anquin held 67% and 33%, respectively, of the shares of
common stock in Premier Power California.
On August
27, 2008, Bjorn Persson and Juan Ostiz each exchanged 100% of their interests in
Premier Power Spain for shares of common stock in Premier Power California. On
September 1, 2008, Dean Marks and Miguel de Anquin each exchanged 100% of their
interests in Premier Power Sociedad Limitada (“Premier Power Spain”) and Bright
Future Technologies, LLC (“Bright Future”) for shares of common stock in Premier
Power California. Following these transfers, Dean Marks, Miguel de Anquin, Bjorn
Persson, and Juan Ostiz held approximately 54.1%, 30.7%, 12.6%, and 2.6%,
respectively of the shares of common stock in Premier Power California, and
Premier Power Spain and Bright Future became wholly owned subsidiaries of
Premier Power California.
On
September 9, 2008, in a share exchange transaction, we acquired a solar energy
business based in California that specializes in solar integration, by executing
the Exchange Agreement by and among the Company, Premier Power California, and
the PPG Owners.
Under the
Exchange Agreement, on the Closing Date, we acquired all of the outstanding
shares of Premier Power California through the issuance of 24,218,750 shares of
our common stock to the PPG Owners. Immediately prior to the Share Exchange, we
had 1,800,000 shares of common stock outstanding, after taking account of our
cancellation of 25,448,000 shares of our common stock held by Vision Opportunity
Master Fund, which cancellation occurred concurrently with the Share Exchange.
Immediately after the issuance of the shares to the PPG Owners, we had
26,018,750 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. As a result of the
Share Exchange, the PPG Owners became our controlling stockholders, and Premier
Power California became our wholly owned subsidiary. In connection with Premier
Power California becoming our wholly owned subsidiary, we acquired the business
and operations of the Premier Power Group, which became our principal
business.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Share Exchange and pursuant to a purchase and sale
agreement, we sold all of the outstanding membership interests of our wholly
owned subsidiary, Harry’s Trucking, LLC, a California limited liability company,
to Haris Tajyar and Omar Tajyar in full satisfaction of related party cash
advances and their indemnity with respect to the Company's prior business
operations.
On June
16, 2009, we cancelled 3,500,000 warrants held by Vision Opportunity Master
Fund, Ltd., a shareholder of the Company, pursuant to the terms of a Securities
Purchase Agreement we entered into with Vision under which we sold Vision
2,800,000 shares of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. This cancellation
resulted in the elimination of all our issued and outstanding warrants. We
recorded $1,435,076 as a gain on share settled debt from this
cancellation.
SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Shareholders
who intend to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy
statement and form of proxy for presentation at our 2010 annual meeting of
stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must submit the
proposal to our principal executive offices at 4961 Windplay Drive, Suite 100,
El Dorado Hills, California 95762, Attn: Corporate Secretary, not later than
June 23, 2010. If the date of next year’s annual meeting of shareholders is
moved more than 30 days before or 30 days after the anniversary date of this
year’s meeting, the deadline for inclusion of proposals in our proxy statement
and proxy is instead a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our
proxy materials.
Shareholders
who intend to present a proposal at such meeting without inclusion of such
proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy are required to give us notice
by September 8, 2010. If the date of next year’s annual meeting is moved more
than 30 days before or 30 days after the anniversary of this year’s meeting,
then notice of such proposal must be received no later than the close of
business on the later of (i) the date 90 days prior to the meeting, and
(ii) the date 10 days after public announcement of the meeting date. The
Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other
appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these
and other applicable requirements, including conditions established by the
SEC.
SOLICITATION
The
Company will bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including
preparation, assembly, printing, and mailing of this proxy statement, the proxy
card, and any additional information furnished to shareholders. Copies of
solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses,
fiduciaries, and custodians holding in their names shares of common stock
beneficially owned by others to forward to such beneficial owners. The Company
may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of common stock for their
costs of forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Original
solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram, or
personal solicitation by directors, officers, or other regular employees of the
Company. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers, or
other regular employees for such services.
FORM
10-K – ANNUAL REPORT
Enclosed
herewith is our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December
31, 2008. Additional copies may be requested in writing. Such requests should be
submitted to Teresa Kelley, Chief Financial Officer, Premier Power Renewable
Energy, Inc., 4961 Windplay Drive, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills, California 95762.
Exhibits to the Form 10-K will also be provided upon specific request. The
materials will be provided without charge.
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board
of Directors does not know of any other matters that will be presented for
consideration at the 2009 annual meeting. If any other matters are properly
brought before the 2009 annual meeting, Dean Marks, as proxy, will vote on such
matters in accordance with his best judgment.
* * * *
*
APPENDIX
A
PREMIER
POWER RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.
2008
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
|
ESTABLISHMENT
OF PLAN; DEFINITIONS
|
1.1
Purpose
. The
purpose of the Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan
is to encourage certain officers, employees, directors, and consultants of
Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to
acquire and hold stock in the Company as an added incentive to remain with the
Company and increase their efforts in promoting the interests of the Company,
and to enable the Company to attract and retain capable
individuals.
1.2
Definitions
. Unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:
1.2.1
“Award” shall mean, individually or collectively, a grant under this Plan
of Stock Options or Stock Awards.
1.2.2 “Award
Agreement” shall mean a written agreement containing the terms and conditions of
an Award, not inconsistent with this Plan.
1.2.3 “Beneficiary”
and “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean the person, persons, trust, or trusts that
have been designated by a Grantee in his or her most recent written beneficiary
designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits specified under
this Plan upon such Grantee's death or to which Awards or other rights are
transferred if and to the extent permitted under Section 7.2.4
hereof. If, upon a Grantee's death, there is no designated
Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the term Beneficiary shall
mean the person, persons, trust, or trusts entitled by will or the laws of
descent and distribution to receive such benefits.
1.2.4 “Beneficial
Owner” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act and any successor to such Rule.
1.2.5 "Board"
shall mean the board of directors of the Company.
1.2.6 “Change
in Control” shall mean a Change in Control as defined in Section
7.1.1(b).
1.2.7 "Code"
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to
time.
1.2.8 "Committee"
shall mean the Board or a committee of the Board appointed pursuant to Section
1.4 of this Plan.
1.2.9 “Common
Stock” shall mean the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per
share.
1.2.10 "Company"
shall mean Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
1.2.11 "Consultants"
shall mean individuals who provide services to the Company and any Subsidiary
who are not also Employees or Directors and which services are not in connection
with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not
directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s
securities.
1.2.12 “Covered
Employee” shall mean a Grantee who, as of the date of vesting and/or payout of
an Award, or the date the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled to a
tax deduction as a result of the Award, as applicable, is one of the group of
“covered employees,” as defined in the regulations promulgated under Code
Section 162(m), or any successor statute.
1.2.13 “Designated
Officer” shall mean any executive officer of the Company to whom duties and
powers of the Board or Committee hereunder have been delegated pursuant to
Section 1.4.3.
1.2.14 "Directors"
shall mean those members of the Board or the board of directors of any
Subsidiary who are not also Employees.
1.2.15 "Disability"
shall mean a medically determinable physical or mental condition that causes an
Employee, Director, or Consultant to be unable to engage in any substantial
gainful activity and that can be expected to result in death or to be of
long-continued and indefinite duration.
1.2.16 “Effective
Date” shall mean the effective date of this Plan, which shall be the Shareholder
Approval Date.
1.2.17 "Employee"
shall mean any common law employee, including Officers, of the Company or any
Subsidiary as determined under the Code and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder.
1.2.18 “Exchange
Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
time, or any successor act thereto.
1.2.19 "Fair
Market Value" shall mean (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national
securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, the mean between the highest and
lowest sales prices for the Common Stock on such date, or, if no such prices are
reported for such day, then on the next preceding day on which there were
reported prices; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities
exchange or the NASDAQ system, the mean between the bid and asked prices for the
shares on such date, or if no such prices are reported for such day, then on the
next preceding day on which there were reported prices; or (iii) as determined
in good faith by the Board.
1.2.20 "Grantee"
shall mean an Officer, Employee, Director, or Consultant granted an
Award.
1.2.21 "Incentive
Stock Option" shall mean a Stock Option that meets the requirements of Code
Section 422 and is granted pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option provisions as
set forth in Section 2.
1.2.22 “Incumbent
Board” shall mean the Incumbent Board as defined in Section
7.1.1(b)(ii).
1.2.23 "Non-Statutory
Stock Option" shall mean a Stock Option that does not meet the requirements of
Code Section 422 and is granted pursuant to the Non-Statutory Stock Option
provisions as set forth in Section 3.
1.2.24 “Officer”
shall mean a person who is an officer of the Company or a Subsidiary within the
meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
1.2.25 “Performance
Award” shall mean an Award under Section 6 hereof.
1.2.26 “Performance
Measure” shall mean one or more of the following criteria, or such other
operating objectives, selected by the Committee to measure performance of the
Company or any Subsidiary for a Performance Period, whether in absolute or
relative terms: basic or diluted earnings per share of Stock; earnings per share
of Common Stock growth; revenue; operating income; net income (either before or
after taxes); earnings and/or net income before interest and taxes; earnings
and/or net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization; return
on capital; return on equity; return on assets; net cash provided by operations;
free cash flow; Common Stock price; economic profit; economic value; total
stockholder return; and gross margins and costs. Each such measure
shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
as consistently applied and, as determined by the independent accountants of the
Company in the case of a Performance Award to a Covered Employee, to the extent
intended to meet the performance-based compensation exception under Code Section
162(m), or as determined by the Committee for other Performance Awards, adjusted
to omit the effects of extraordinary items, gain or loss on the disposal of a
business segment, unusual or infrequently occurring events and transactions, and
cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles.
1.2.27 “Performance
Period” shall mean a period of not less than one (1) year over which the
achievement of targets for Performance Measures is determined.
1.2.28 “Person”
shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the
Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a
“group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
1.2.29 "Plan"
shall mean the Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan
as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.
1.2.30 “Related
Entity” shall mean any Subsidiary, and any business, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, or other entity designated by the Board, in which the
Company or a Subsidiary holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or
indirectly.
1.2.31 "Restricted
Stock" shall mean Common Stock that is issued pursuant to the Restricted Stock
provisions as set forth in Section 4.
1.2.32 "Restricted
Stock Units" shall mean Common Stock that is issued pursuant to the Restricted
Stock Unit provisions as set forth in Section 5.
1.2.33 “Rule 16b-3”
shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor
thereto.
1.2.34 “Shareholder
Approval Date” shall mean the date on which this Plan is approved by the
shareholders of the Company eligible to vote in the election of directors, by a
vote sufficient to meet the requirements of Code Sections 162(m) (if applicable)
and 422, Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (if applicable), applicable
requirements under the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system
on which the Common Stock may be listed on quoted, and other laws, regulations,
and obligations of the Company applicable to this Plan.
1.2.35 "Stock
Award" shall mean an award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted
pursuant to this Plan.
1.2.36 "Stock
Option" shall mean an option granted pursuant to this Plan to purchase shares of
Common Stock.
1.2.37 “Subsidiary”
shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of
corporations beginning with and including the Company, if each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock
possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
1.3
Shares of Common Stock
Subject to this Plan
.
1.3.1 Subject
to the provisions of Section 7.1, the shares of Common Stock that may be issued
pursuant to Stock Options and Stock Awards granted under this Plan shall not
exceed Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty One Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy Five
(2,951,875) shares in the aggregate. If a Stock Option shall expire
and terminate for any reason, in whole or in part, without being exercised or,
if Stock Awards are forfeited because the restrictions with respect to such
Stock Awards shall not have been met or have lapsed, the number of shares of
Common Stock that are no longer outstanding as Stock Awards or subject to Stock
Options may again become available for the grant of Stock Awards or Stock
Options. There shall be no terms and conditions in a Stock Award or
Stock Option that provide that the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option reduces
the number of shares of Common Stock for which an outstanding Non-Statutory
Stock Option may be exercised; and there shall be no terms and conditions in a
Stock Award or Stock Option that provide that the exercise of a Non-Statutory
Stock Option reduces the number of shares of Common Stock for which an
outstanding Incentive Stock Option may be exercised.
1.3.2 The
maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards that may be granted
during any one calendar year
to any one Covered
Employee shall be limited to One Million Five Hundred Thousand
(1,500,000). To the extent required by Code Section 162(m) and so
long as Code Section 162(m) is applicable to persons eligible to participate in
this Plan, shares of Common Stock subject to the foregoing maximum with respect
to which the related Award is terminated, surrendered, or cancelled shall
nonetheless continue to be taken into account with respect to such maximum for
the calendar year in which granted.
1.4
Administration of this
Plan
.
1.4.1 The
Plan shall be administered by the Board. In the alternative, the
Board may delegate authority to a Committee to administer this Plan on behalf of
the Board, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may
prescribe. Such Committee shall consist of not less than two (2)
members of the Board each of whom is a “non-employee director” within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3, or any successor rule of similar import, and an “outside
director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder. Once appointed, the Committee shall continue
to serve until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time,
the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members
thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in
substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of
the Committee and, thereafter, directly administer this Plan. In the
event that the Board is the administrator of this Plan in lieu of a Committee,
the term “Committee” as used herein shall be deemed to mean the
Board.
1.4.2 The
Committee shall meet at such times and places and upon such notice as it may
determine. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum. Any acts by the Committee may be taken at any meeting at
which a quorum is present and shall be by majority vote of those members
entitled to vote. Additionally, any acts reduced to writing or
approved in writing by all of the members of the Committee shall be valid acts
of the Committee.
1.4.3 The
Board may, in its sole discretion, divide the duties and powers of the Committee
by establishing one or more secondary Committees to which certain duties and
powers of the Board hereunder are delegated (each of which shall be regarded as
a “Committee” under this Plan with respect to such duties and powers), or
delegate all of its duties and powers hereunder to a single
Committee. Additionally, if permitted by applicable law, the Board or
Committee may delegate any or all of its duties and powers hereunder to a
Designated Officer subject to such conditions and limitations as the Board or
Committee shall prescribe. However, only the Committee described
under Section 1.4.1 may designate and grant Awards to Grantees who are subject
to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code. The
Committee shall also have the power to establish sub-plans (which may be
included as appendices to this Plan or the respective Award Agreement), which
may constitute separate programs, for the purpose of establishing programs that
meet any special tax or regulatory requirements of jurisdictions other than the
United States and its subdivisions. Any such interpretations, rules,
administration and sub-plans shall be consistent with the basic purposes of this
Plan.
1.4.4
Powers of the
Committee
. The Committee shall have all the powers vested in
it by the terms of this Plan, such powers to include authority, in its sole and
absolute discretion, to grant Awards under this Plan, prescribe Award Agreements
and establish programs for granting Awards. The Committee shall have
full power and authority to take all other actions necessary to carry out the
purpose and intent of this Plan, including, but not limited to, the authority
to:
(a) determine
the Grantees to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be
granted;
(b) determine
the types of Awards to be granted;
(c) determine
the number of shares of Common Stock and/or amount of cash to be covered by or
used for reference purposes for each Award;
(d) impose
such terms, limitations, vesting schedules, restrictions, and conditions upon
any such Award as the Committee shall deem appropriate, including without
limitation establishing, in its discretion, Performance Measures that must be
satisfied before an Award vests and/or becomes payable, the term during which an
Award is exercisable, the purchase price, if any, under an Award, and the
period, if any, following a Grantee’s termination of employment or service with
the Company or any Subsidiary during which the Award shall remain
exercisable;
(e) modify,
extend, or renew outstanding Awards, accept the surrender of outstanding Awards,
and substitute new Awards, provided that no such action shall be taken with
respect to any outstanding Award that would materially and adversely affect the
Grantee without the Grantee’s consent, or constitute a repricing of stock
options without the consent of the holders of the Company’s voting securities
under Section 1.4.4(f) below;
(f) only
with the approval of the holders of the voting securities of the Company to the
extent that such approval is required by applicable law, regulation, or the
rules of a national securities exchange or automated quotation system to which
the Company is subject, reprice Incentive Stock Options and Non-Statutory Stock
Options either by amendment to lower the exercise price or by accepting such
stock options for cancellation and issuing replacement stock options with a
lower exercise price or through any other mechanism;
(g) accelerate
the time in which an Award may be exercised or in which an Award becomes payable
and waive or accelerate the lapse, in whole or in part, of any restriction or
condition with respect to an Award;
(h) establish
objectives and conditions, including targets for Performance Measures, if any,
for earning Awards and determining whether Awards will be paid after the end of
a Performance Period; and
(i) permit
the deferral of, or require a Grantee to defer such Grantee’s receipt of or the
delivery of Stock and/or cash under an Award that would otherwise be due to such
Grantee and establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals, provided
the requirements of Code Section 409A are met with respect to any such
deferral.
The
Committee shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret this
Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations, agreements, guidelines, and
instruments for the administration of this Plan as the Committee deems
necessary, desirable or appropriate in accordance with the bylaws of the
Company.
1.4.5 To
the maximum extent permitted by law, no member of the Board or Committee or a
Designated Officer shall be liable for any action taken or decision made in good
faith relating to this Plan or any Award thereunder.
1.4.6 The
members of the Board and Committee and any Designated Officer shall be
indemnified by the Company in respect of all their activities under this Plan in
accordance with the procedures and terms and conditions set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of the Company as in effect from time to
time. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive
of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled
under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws, as a matter of law,
or otherwise.
1.4.7 All
actions taken and decisions and determinations made by the Committee or a
Designated Officer on all matters relating to this Plan pursuant to the powers
vested in it hereunder shall be in the Committee’s or Designated Officer’s sole
and absolute discretion and shall be conclusive and binding on all parties
concerned, including the Company, its stockholders, any Grantees, and any other
Employee, and their respective successors in interest.
1.5
Amendment or
Termination
.
1.5.1 The
Committee, without further approval of the Company’s stockholders, may amend or
terminate this Plan or any portion thereof at any time, except that no amendment
shall become effective without prior approval of the stockholders of the Company
to increase the number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Plan or if
stockholder approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory
requirement or rule of any national securities exchange or national automated
quotation system upon which the Common Stock is listed or quoted (including for
this purpose stockholder approval that is required for continued compliance with
Rule 16b-3 or stockholder approval that is required to enable the Committee to
grant Incentive Stock Options pursuant to this Plan).
1.5.2 The
Committee shall be authorized to make minor or administrative amendments to this
Plan as well as amendments to this Plan that may be dictated by the requirements
of U.S. federal or state laws applicable to the Company or that may be
authorized or made desirable by such laws. The Committee may amend
any outstanding Award in any manner as provided in Section 1.4.4 and to the
extent that the Committee would have had the authority to make such Award as so
amended.
1.5.3 No
amendment to this Plan or any Award may be made that would materially adversely
affect any outstanding Award previously made under this Plan without the
approval of the Grantee. Further, no amendment to this Plan or an
Award shall be made that would cause any Award to fail to either comply with or
meet an exception from Code Section 409A.
1.6
Effective Date and Duration
of this Plan
. This Plan shall become effective on the
Effective Date. This Plan shall terminate at such time as may be
determined by the Board, and no Stock Award or Stock Option may be issued or
granted under this Plan thereafter, but such termination shall not affect any
Stock Award or Stock Option theretofore issued or granted.
2.
|
INCENTIVE
STOCK OPTION PROVISIONS
|
2.1
Granting of Incentive Stock
Options
.
2.1.1 Only
Employees of the Company shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options
under this Plan. Officers, Directors, and Consultants of the Company
who are not also Employees shall not be eligible to receive Incentive Stock
Options.
2.1.2 The
purchase price of each share of Common Stock subject to an Incentive Stock
Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of the
Common Stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. If an
Employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable
under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent corporation or subsidiary
corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and
(f) of the Code, respectively) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such
Employee, the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option (to the extent
required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such Incentive Stock Option is
granted.
2.1.3 No
Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years from the
date the Incentive Stock Option was granted; provided however, that if a Grantee
owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d)
of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the Company (or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the
Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code,
respectively) and the Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Grantee, the
term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be (to the extent required by the Code
at the time of the grant) for no more than five (5) years from the date of
grant.
2.1.4 The
Committee shall determine and designate from time to time those Employees who
are to be granted Incentive Stock Options and specify the number of shares
subject to each Incentive Stock Option.
2.1.5 The
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether any particular
Incentive Stock Option shall become exercisable in one or more installments,
specify the installment dates, and, within the limitations herein provided,
determine the total period during which the Incentive Stock Option is
exercisable. Further, the Committee may make such other provisions as
may appear generally acceptable or desirable to the Committee or necessary to
qualify its grants under the provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.1.6 The
Committee may grant at any time new Incentive Stock Options to an Employee who
has previously received Incentive Stock Options or other options whether such
prior Incentive Stock Options or other options are still outstanding, have
previously been exercised in whole or in part, or are cancelled in connection
with the issuance of new Incentive Stock Options. The purchase price
of the new Incentive Stock Options may be established by the Committee without
regard to the existing Incentive Stock Options or other options.
2.1.7 Notwithstanding
any other provisions hereof, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the
time the option is granted) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive
Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Employee during any
calendar year (under all such plans of the Grantee's employer corporation and
its parent corporation or subsidiary corporation as those terms are defined in
Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) shall not (to the extent
required by the Code at the time of the grant) exceed One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000). To the extent that such aggregate Fair Market
Value shall exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), or other applicable
amount, such Stock Options to the extent of the Common Stock in excess of such
limit shall be treated as Non-Statutory Stock Options. In such case,
the Company may designate the shares of Common Stock that are to be treated as
Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock
Option.
2.2
Exercise of Incentive Stock
Options
. The exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall
be payable on exercise of the option (i) in cash or by check, bank draft,
or postal or express money order, (ii) ) if provided in the written
Award agreement and permitted by applicable law, by the surrender of Common
Stock then owned by the Grantee, which Common Stock such Grantee has held for at
least six (6) months, (iii) the proceeds of a loan from an independent
broker-dealer whereby the loan is secured by the option or the stock to be
received upon exercise, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing;
provided,
that each such method and time for payment and each such
borrowing and terms and conditions of repayment shall then be permitted by and
be in compliance with applicable law. Shares of Common Stock so
surrendered in accordance with clause (ii) or (iv) shall be valued at the Fair
Market Value thereof on the date of exercise, surrender of such Common Stock to
be evidenced by delivery of the certificate(s) representing such shares in such
manner, and endorsed in such form, or accompanied by stock powers endorsed in
such form, as the Committee may determine.
2.3
Termination of
Employment
.
2.3.1 If
a Grantee's employment with the Company is terminated other than by Disability
or death, the terms of any then outstanding Incentive Stock Option held by the
Grantee shall extend for a period ending on the earlier of the date on which
such Stock Option would otherwise expire or three (3) months after such
termination of employment, and such Stock Option shall be exercisable to the
extent it was exercisable as of such last date of employment.
2.3.2 If
a Grantee's employment with the Company is terminated by reason of Disability,
the term of any then outstanding Incentive Stock Option held by the Grantee
shall extend for a period ending on the earlier of the date on which such Stock
Option would otherwise expire or twelve (12) months after such termination of
employment, and such Stock Option shall be exercisable to the extent it was
exercisable as of such last date of employment.
2.3.3 If
a Grantee's employment with the Company is terminated by reason of death, the
representative of his estate or beneficiaries thereof to whom the Stock Option
has been transferred shall have the right during the period ending on the
earlier of the date on which such Stock Option would otherwise expire or twelve
(12) months after such date of death, to exercise any then outstanding Incentive
Stock Options in whole or in part. If a Grantee dies without having
fully exercised any then outstanding Incentive Stock Options, the representative
of his estate or beneficiaries thereof to whom the Stock Option has been
transferred shall have the right to exercise such Stock Options in whole or in
part.
3.
|
NON-STATUTORY
STOCK OPTION PROVISIONS
|
3.1
Granting of Stock
Options
.
3.1.1 Officers,
Employees, Directors, and Consultants shall be eligible to receive Non-Statutory
Stock Options under this Plan.
3.1.2 The
Committee shall determine and designate from time to time those Officers,
Employees, Directors, and Consultants who are to be granted Non-Statutory Stock
Options and the amount subject to each Non-Statutory Stock Option.
3.1.3 The
Committee may grant at any time new Non-Statutory Stock Options to an Employee,
Director, or Consultant who has previously received Non-Statutory Stock Options
or other Stock Options, whether such prior Non-Statutory Stock Options or other
Stock Options are still outstanding, have previously been exercised in whole or
in part, or are cancelled in connection with the issuance of new Non-Statutory
Stock Options.
3.1.4 The
Committee shall determine the purchase price of each share of Common Stock
subject to a Non-Statutory Stock Option. Such price shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on the date the
Non-Statutory Stock Option is granted.
3.1.5 The
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether any particular
Non-Statutory Stock Option shall become exercisable in one or more installments,
specify the installment dates, and, within the limitations herein provided,
determine the total period during which the Non-Statutory Stock Option is
exercisable. Further, the Committee may make such other provisions as
may appear generally acceptable or desirable to the Committee, including the
extension of a Non-Statutory Stock Option, provided that such extension does not
extend the option beyond the period specified in Section 3.1.6
below.
3.1.6 No
Non-Statutory Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years from
the date such option is granted.
3.2
Exercise of Stock
Options
. The exercise price of a Non-Statutory Stock
Option shall be payable on exercise of the Stock Option (i) in cash or by
check, bank draft, or postal or express money order, (ii) if provided in
the written Award agreement and permitted by applicable law, by the surrender of
Common Stock then owned by the Grantee, which Common Stock such Grantee has held
for at least six (6) months, (iii) the proceeds of a loan from an independent
broker-dealer whereby the loan is secured by the option or the stock to be
received upon exercise, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing;
provided,
that each such method and time for payment and each such
borrowing and terms and conditions of repayment shall then be permitted by and
be in compliance with applicable law. Shares of Common Stock so
surrendered in accordance with clause (ii) or (iv) shall be valued at the Fair
Market Value thereof on the date of exercise, surrender of such Common Stock to
be evidenced by delivery of the certificate(s) representing such shares in such
manner, and endorsed in such form, or accompanied by stock powers endorsed in
such form, as the Committee may determine.
3.3
Termination of
Relationship
.
3.3.1 If
a Grantee's employment with the Company is terminated, a Director Grantee ceases
to be a Director, or a Consultant Grantee ceases to be a Consultant, other than
by reason of Disability or death, the terms of any then outstanding
Non-Statutory Stock Option held by the Grantee shall extend for a period ending
on the earlier of the date established by the Committee at the time of grant or
three (3) months after the Grantee's last date of employment or cessation of
being a Director or Consultant, and such Stock Option shall be exercisable to
the extent it was exercisable as of the date of termination of employment or
cessation of being a Director or Consultant.
3.3.2 If
a Grantee's employment is terminated by reason of Disability, a Director Grantee
ceases to be a Director by reason of Disability or a Consultant Grantee ceases
to be a Consultant by reason of Disability, the term of any then outstanding
Non-Statutory Stock Option held by the Grantee shall extend for a period ending
on the earlier of the date on which such Stock Option would otherwise expire or
twelve (12) months after the Grantee's last date of employment or cessation of
being a Director or Consultant, and such Stock Option shall be exercisable to
the extent it was exercisable as of such last date of employment or cessation of
being a Director or Consultant.
3.3.3 If
a Grantee's employment is terminated by reason of death, a Director Grantee
ceases to be a Director by reason of death or a Consultant Grantee ceases to be
a Consultant by reason of death, the representative of his estate or
beneficiaries thereof to whom the Stock Option has been transferred shall have
the right during the period ending on the earlier of the date on which such
Stock Option would otherwise expire or twelve (12) months following his death to
exercise any then outstanding Non-Statutory Stock Options in whole or in
part. If a Grantee dies without having fully exercised any then
outstanding Non-Statutory Stock Options, the representative of his estate or
beneficiaries thereof to whom the Stock Option has been transferred shall have
the right to exercise such Stock Options in whole or in part.
4.
|
RESTRICTED
STOCK AWARDS
|
4.1
Grant of Restricted
Stock
.
4.1.1 Officers,
Employees, Directors and Consultants shall be eligible to receive grants of
Restricted Stock under this Plan.
4.1.2 The
Committee shall determine and designate from time to time those Officers,
Employees, Directors and Consultants who are to be granted Restricted Stock and
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Award.
4.1.3 The
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall make such terms and conditions
applicable to the grant of Restricted Stock as may appear generally acceptable
or desirable to the Committee.
4.2
Termination of
Relationship
.
4.2.1 If
a Grantee's employment with the Company is terminated, a Director Grantee ceases
to be a Director, or a Consultant Grantee ceases to be a Consultant, prior to
the lapse of any restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock, then such
Common Stock shall be forfeited and the Grantee shall return the certificates
representing such Common Stock to the Company.
4.2.2 If
the restrictions applicable to a grant of Restricted Stock shall lapse, then the
Grantee shall hold such Common Stock free and clear of all such restrictions
except as otherwise provided in this Plan.
5.
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RESTRICTED
STOCK UNIT AWARDS
|
5.1
Grant of Restricted Stock
Units
.
5.1.1 Officers,
Employees, Directors, and Consultants shall be eligible to receive grants of
Restricted Stock Units under this Plan.
5.1.2 The
Committee shall determine and designate from time to time those Officers,
Employees, Directors and Consultants who are to be granted Restricted Stock
Units and number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock
Award.
5.1.3 The
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall make such terms and conditions
applicable to the grant of Restricted Stock Units as may appear generally
acceptable or desirable to the Committee.
5.2
Termination of
Relationship
.
5.2.1 If
a Grantee's employment with the Company is terminated, a Director Grantee ceases
to be a Director, or a Consultant Grantee ceases to be a Consultant, prior to
the lapse of any restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units, then
such Common Stock shall be forfeited and the Grantee shall return the
certificates representing such Common Stock to the Company.
5.2.2 If
the restrictions applicable to a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall lapse,
then the Grantee shall hold such Common Stock free and clear of all such
restrictions except as otherwise provided in this Plan.
6.1 The
Committee, in its discretion, may establish targets for Performance Measures for
selected Grantees and authorize the granting, vesting, payment, and/or delivery
of Performance Awards in the form of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Statutory
Stock Options, Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units to such Grantees
upon achievement of such targets for Performance Measures during a Performance
Period. The Committee, in its discretion, shall determine the
Grantees eligible for Performance Awards, the targets for Performance Measures
to be achieved during each Performance Period, and the type, amount, and terms
and conditions of any Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be
granted either alone or in addition to other Awards made under this
Plan.
6.2 After
the Company is subject to Code Section 162(m), in connection with any
Performance Awards granted to a Covered Employee that are intended to meet the
performance-based compensation exception under Code Section 162(m), the
Committee shall (i) establish in the applicable Award Agreement the specific
targets relative to the Performance Measures that must be attained before the
respective Performance Award is granted, vests, or is otherwise paid or
delivered, (ii) provide in the applicable Award Agreement the method for
computing the portion of the Performance Award that shall be granted, vested,
paid, and/or delivered if the target or targets are attained in full or part,
and (iii) at the end of the relevant Performance Period, and prior to any such
grant, vesting, payment, or delivery, certify the extent to which the applicable
target or targets were achieved and whether any other material terms were in
fact satisfied. The specific targets and the method for computing the
portion of such Performance Award that shall be granted, vested, paid, or
delivered to any Covered Employee shall be established by the Committee prior to
the earlier to occur of (A) ninety (90) days after the commencement of the
Performance Period to which the Performance Measure applies and (B) the elapse
of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period and in any event while
the outcome is substantially uncertain. In interpreting Plan
provisions applicable to Performance Measures and Performance Awards that are
intended to meet the performance-based compensation exception under Code Section
162(m), it is the intent of this Plan to conform with the standards of
Section 162(m) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(e)(2),
and the Committee in interpreting this Plan shall be guided by such
provisions.
7.1
Adjustment
Provisions
.
7.1.1
Change of
Control
.
(a)
Effect of “Change in
Control.
” If and only to the extent provided in the Award
Agreement, or to the extent otherwise determined by the Committee, upon the
occurrence of a “Change in Control,” as defined in Section
7.1.1(b):
(i) The
Committee shall take such action as it deems appropriate and equitable to
effectuate the purposes of this Plan and to protect the grantees of Awards,
which action may include, without limitation, any one or more of the following,
provided such action is in compliance with Code Section 409A if
applicable: (i) acceleration or change of the exercise and/or
expiration dates of any Award to require that exercise be made, if at all, prior
to the Change in Control; and (ii) cancellation of any Award upon payment to the
holder in cash of the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to such Award as of
the date of (and, to the extent applicable, as established for purposes of) the
Change in Control, less the aggregate exercise price, if any, of the
Award.
(ii) Notwithstanding
the foregoing or any provision in any Award Agreement to the contrary, if in the
event of a Change in Control, the successor company assumes or substitutes for a
Stock Option or Stock Award, then each such outstanding Stock Option or Stock
Award shall not be accelerated as described in Sections
7.1.1(a)(i). For the purposes of this Section 7.1.1(a)(ii), such
Stock Option or Stock Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if
following the Change in Control the Award confers the right to purchase or
receive, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option or Stock
Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether
stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the transaction
constituting a Change in Control by holders of Common Stock shares for each
Common Stock share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if
holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen
by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that
if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change in
Control is not solely common stock of the successor company or its parent or
subsidiary, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company or its
parent or subsidiary, provide that the consideration to be received upon the
exercise or vesting of a Stock Option or Stock Award, for each Common Stock
share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company or
its parent or subsidiary substantially equal in fair market value to the per
share consideration received by holders of Common Stock shares in the
transaction constituting a Change in Control. The determination of
such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the
Committee in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and
binding.
(b)
Definition of “Change in
Control”
. Unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, a
“Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following:
(i) The
acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of
either (A) the value of then outstanding equity securities of the Company (the
“Outstanding Company Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”) (the
foregoing Beneficial Ownership hereinafter being referred to as a "Controlling
Interest"); provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 7.1.1, the
following acquisitions shall not constitute or result in a Change in Control:
(v) any acquisition directly from the Company; (w) any acquisition by the
Company; (x) any acquisition by any Person that as of the Effective Date owns
Beneficial Ownership of a Controlling Interest; (y) any acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
or any Related Entity; or (z) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a
transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B), and (C) of subsection
7.1.1(b)(iii) below; or
(ii) During
any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the
Effective Date) individuals who constitute the Board on the Effective Date (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to
the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(iii) Consummation
of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange, or consolidation or
similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Related Entities, a sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
or the acquisition of assets or equity of another entity by the Company or any
of its Related Entities (each a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless,
following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately
prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than fifty percent (50%) of the value of the then outstanding equity
securities and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of members of the board of
directors (or comparable governing body of an entity that does not have such a
board), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business
Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that as a result of such
transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets
either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination
of the Outstanding Company Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as
the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination or
any Person that as of the Effective Date owns Beneficial Ownership of a
Controlling Interest) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent
(50%) or more of the value of the then outstanding equity securities of the
entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of
the then outstanding voting securities of such entity except to the extent that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a
majority of the members of the Board or other governing body of the entity
resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at
the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv) Approval
by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Company.
7.1.2
Adjustments to
Awards
. In the event that any extraordinary dividend or other
distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, or other property),
recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation,
dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Common
Stock and/or such other securities of the Company or any other issuer such that
a substitution, exchange, or adjustment is determined by the Committee to be
appropriate, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable,
substitute, exchange, or adjust any or all of (A) the number and kind of
Shares that may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter,
(B) the number and kind of Shares by which annual per-person Award
limitations are measured under this Plan’s provisions, (C) the number and
kind of Shares subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards,
(D) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award
and/or make provision for payment of cash or other property in respect of any
outstanding Award, and (E) any other aspect of any Award that the Committee
determines to be appropriate.
7.1.3
Adjustments in Case of
Certain Transactions
. In the event of any merger,
consolidation or other reorganization in which the Company does not survive, or
in the event of any Change in Control, any outstanding Awards may be dealt with
in accordance with any of the following approaches, as determined by the
agreement effectuating the transaction or, if and to the extent not so
determined, as determined by the Committee: (a) the continuation of the
outstanding Awards by the Company, if the Company is a surviving entity, (b) the
assumption or substitution for, as those terms are defined in Section
7.1.1(b)(iv), the outstanding Awards by the surviving entity or its parent or
subsidiary, (c) full exercisability or vesting and accelerated expiration of the
outstanding Awards, or (d) settlement of the value of the outstanding Awards in
cash or cash equivalents or other property followed by cancellation of such
Awards (which value, in the case of Stock Options, shall be measured by the
amount, if any, by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
exceeds the exercise or grant price of the Stock Option as of the effective date
of the transaction). The Committee shall give written notice of any
proposed transaction referred to in this Section 7.1.3 a reasonable period of
time prior to the closing date for such transaction (which notice may be given
either before or after the approval of such transaction), in order that Grantees
may have a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date of such
transaction within which to exercise any Awards that are then exercisable
(including any Awards that may become exercisable upon the closing date of such
transaction). A Grantee may condition his exercise of any Awards upon the
consummation of the transaction.
7.1.4
Other Adjustments
.
The Committee (and the Board if and only to the extent such authority is not
required to be exercised by the Committee to comply with Section 162(m) of the
Code) is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the
criteria included in, Awards (including Performance Awards, or performance goals
relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including,
without limitation, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets)
affecting the Company, any Related Entity or any business unit, or the financial
statements of the Company or any Related Entity, or in response to changes in
applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations
or business conditions or in view of the Committee's assessment of the business
strategy of the Company, any Related Entity or business unit thereof,
performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions,
personal performance of a Grantee, and any other circumstances deemed relevant;
provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and to the
extent that such authority or the making of such adjustment would cause Stock
Options or Stock Awards granted pursuant to Section 6 to Grantees designated by
the Committee as Covered Employees and intended to qualify as “performance-based
compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder to
otherwise fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section
162(m) and regulations thereunder.
7.1.5
Fractional
Shares
. No adjustment or substitution provided for in this
Section 7.1 shall require the Company to sell a fractional share, and the total
substitution or adjustment with respect to each outstanding Stock Option shall
be limited accordingly.
7.1.6
Adjustment
Certificates
. Upon any adjustment made pursuant to this
Section 7.1 the Company will, upon request, deliver to the Grantee a certificate
setting forth the exercise price thereafter in effect and the number and kind of
shares or other securities thereafter purchasable on the exercise of such Stock
Option.
7.2
General
.
7.2.1 Each
Stock Option and Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing
such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with this Plan, as the Committee
shall approve.
7.2.2 The
granting of a Stock Option or Stock Award in any year shall not give the Grantee
any right to similar grants in future years or any right to be retained in the
employ of the Company, and all Employees shall remain subject to discharge to
the same extent as if this Plan were not in effect.
7.2.3 No
Officer, Employee, Director, or Consultant and no beneficiary or other person
claiming under or through him, shall have any right, title or interest by reason
of any Stock Option or any Stock Award to any particular assets of the Company,
or any shares of Common Stock allocated or reserved for the purposes of this
Plan or subject to any Stock Option or any Stock Award except as set forth
herein. The Company shall not be required to establish any fund or
make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment of any Stock Option
or Stock Award.
7.2.4
Limits on
Transferability
.
(a) Except
to the extent otherwise provided in the respective Award Agreement, no Award,
other right, or interest granted under this Plan shall be pledged, hypothecated,
or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such
Grantee to any party, or assigned or transferred by such Grantee otherwise than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon the
death of a Grantee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in
accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, an Award
may be exercised during the lifetime of the Grantee only by the Grantee or,
during the period the Grantee is under a Disability, by the Grantee’s guardian
or legal representative.
(b) Notwithstanding
Section 7.2.4(a), an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option may, in the
Committee’s sole discretion, be transferable by gift or domestic relations order
to (i) the Grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent,
grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law,
father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law,
including adoptive relationships (such persons, “Family Members”), (ii) a
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity
whose only stockholders, partners, or members, as applicable are the Grantee
and/or Family Members, or (iii) a trust in which the Grantee and/or Family
Members have all of the beneficial interests, and subsequent to any such
transfer any Award may be exercised by any such transferee, provided, however,
no Award may be transferred for value (as defined in the General Instructions to
Form S-8 Registration Statement).
(c) Notwithstanding
Sections 7.2.4(a) and 7.2.4(b), an Award may be transferred pursuant to a
domestic relations order that would satisfy Section 414(p)(1)(A) of the Code if
such Section applied to an Award under this Plan, but only if the tax
consequences flowing from the assignment or transfer are specified in said
order, the order is accompanied by signed agreement by both or all parties to
the domestic relations order, and, if requested by the Committee, an opinion is
provided by qualified counsel for the Grantee that the order is enforceable by
or against this Plan under applicable law, and said opinion further specifies
the tax consequences flowing from the order and the appropriate tax reporting
procedures for this Plan.
7.2.5 Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Plan or agreements made pursuant thereto, the
Company's obligation to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for
shares of Common Stock under a Stock Option or Stock Award, and the
transferability of Common Stock acquired by exercise of a Stock Option or grant
of a Stock Award, shall be subject to all of the following
conditions:
(a) Any
registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal
law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or
other qualification that the Board shall, in its absolute discretion upon the
advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and
(b) The
obtaining of any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or federal
governmental agency that the Board shall, in its absolute discretion upon the
advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable.
The
Company may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee,
postpone the issuance or delivery of Common Stock or payment of other benefits
under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such
Common Stock (including, but not limited to, the conditions described in
Sections 7.2.5(a) and 7.2.5(b) above) or other required action under any federal
or state law, rule or regulation, listing, or other required action with respect
to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares or
other Company securities are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other
obligation of the Company, as the Committee, may consider appropriate, and may
require any Grantee to make such representations, furnish such information and
comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider
appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Shares or payment of
other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations,
listing requirements, or other obligations.
7.2.6 All
payments to Grantees or to their legal representatives shall be subject to any
applicable tax, community property, or other statutes or regulations of the
United States or of any state or country having jurisdiction over such
payments. The Grantee may be required to pay to the Company the
amount of any withholding taxes that the Company is required to withhold with
respect to a Stock Option or its exercise or a Stock Award. In the
event that such payment is not made when due, the Company shall have the right
to deduct, to the extent permitted by law, from any payment of any kind
otherwise due to such person all or part of the amount required to be
withheld.
7.2.7 In
the case of a grant of a Stock Option or Stock Award to any Employee of a
Subsidiary, the Company may, if the Committee so directs, issue or transfer the
shares, if any, covered by the Stock Option or Stock Award to such Subsidiary,
for such lawful consideration as the Committee may specify, upon the condition
or understanding that such Subsidiary will transfer the shares to the Employee
in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option or Stock Award specified by the
Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Plan.
7.2.8 A
Grantee entitled to Common Stock as a result of the exercise of a Stock Option
or grant of a Stock Award shall not be deemed for any purpose to be, or have
rights as, a shareholder of the Company by virtue of such exercise, except to
the extent that a stock certificate is issued therefor and then only from the
date such certificate is issued. No adjustments shall be made for
dividends or distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to
the date such stock certificate is issued. The Company shall issue
any stock certificates required to be issued in connection with the exercise of
a Stock Option with reasonable promptness after such exercise.
7.2.9 The
grant or exercise of Stock Options granted under this Plan or the grant of a
Stock Award under this Plan shall be subject to, and shall in all respects
comply with, applicable law relating to such grant or exercise, or to the number
of shares of Common Stock that may be beneficially owned or held by any
Grantee.
7.2.10 The
Company intends that this Plan shall comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3
(the “Rule”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, during the
term of this Plan. Should any additional provisions be necessary for this Plan
to comply with the requirements of the Rule, the Board may amend this Plan to
add to or modify the provisions of this Plan accordingly.
7.2.11
Code Section
409A
.
(a) If
any Award constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” under Section
409A of the Code (a “Section 409A Plan”), then the Award shall be subject to the
following additional requirements, if and to the extent required to comply with
Section 409A of the Code:
(i) Payments
under the Section 409A Plan may not be made earlier than (u) the Grantee’s
separation from service, (v) the date the Grantee becomes disabled, (w) the
Grantee’s death, (x) a specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule)
specified in the Award Agreement at the date of the deferral of such
compensation, (y) a change in the ownership or effective control of the
corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the
corporation, or (z) the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency;
(ii) The
time or schedule for any payment of the deferred compensation may not be
accelerated, except to the extent provided in applicable Treasury Regulations or
other applicable guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service;
(iii) Any
elections with respect to the deferral of such compensation or the time and form
of distribution of such deferred compensation shall comply with the requirements
of Section 409A(a)(4) of the Code; and
(iv) In
the case of any Grantee who is specified employee, a distribution on account of
a separation from service may not be made before the date that is six (6) months
after the date of the Grantee’s separation from service (or, if earlier, the
date of the Grantee’s death).
For
purposes of the foregoing, the terms “separation from service”, “disabled,” and
“specified employee”, all shall be defined in the same manner as those terms are
defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and the limitations set forth
herein shall be applied in such manner (and only to the extent) as shall be
necessary to comply with any requirements of Section 409A of the Code that are
applicable to the Award.
(b) The
Award Agreement for any Award that the Committee reasonably determines to
constitute a Section 409A Plan, and the provisions of this Plan applicable to
that Award, shall be construed in a manner consistent with the applicable
requirements of Section 409A, and the Committee, in its sole discretion and
without the consent of any Grantee, may amend any Award Agreement (and the
provisions of this Plan applicable thereto) if and to the extent that the
Committee determines that such amendment is necessary or appropriate to comply
with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. No Section 409A Plan shall be
adjusted, modified, or substituted for, pursuant to any provision of this Plan,
without the consent of the Grantee if any such adjustment, modification, or
substitution would cause the Section 409A Plan to violate the requirements of
Section 409A of the Code.
(c) The
Company intends that this Plan shall comply with the requirements of Section
409A of the Code, to the extent applicable. Should any changes to
this Plan be necessary for this Plan to comply with the requirements of Section
409A, the Board may amend this Plan to add to or modify the provisions of this
Plan accordingly.
7.2.12 The
validity, construction, and effect of this Plan, any rules and regulations under
this Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the
laws of the State of California without giving effect to principles of conflict
of laws, and applicable federal law. Unless otherwise provided in the
Award Agreement, recipients of an Award under this Plan are deemed to submit to
the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal or state courts whose
jurisdiction covers California to resolve any and all issues that may arise out
of or relate to this Plan or any related Award Agreement.
7.2.13 The
Board shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, and
subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws
of foreign countries in which the Company or its Related Entities may operate to
assure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Grantees performing
services in such countries and to meet the objectives of this Plan.
7.2.14 The
Company will seek stockholder approval in the manner and to the degree required
under applicable laws. If the Company fails to obtain any required
stockholder approval of this Plan within twelve (12) months after the date this
Plan is adopted by the Board, pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, any Option
granted as an Incentive Stock Option at any time under this Plan will not
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of the Code and will be
deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
[End of
Document]
EXHIBIT
A
PREMIER
POWER RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
AUDIT
COMMITTEE CHARTER
Adopted
December 19, 2008
I.
|
Introduction and
Purpose
|
Premier
Power Renewable Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) is a publicly held company
incorporated in the U.S., and as such, the Company is subject to various
stringent regulatory requirements that apply to U.S. publicly traded
companies. In order to assure the kind of informed decision-making
beneficial to the Company and its shareholders, much of the Board of Directors’
(the “Board”) oversight occurs through the standing committees of the Board,
such as the Audit Committee. The primary function of the Audit Committee is to
assist the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities by overseeing the
Company’s financial reporting and public disclosure activities.
The Audit
Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:
|
·
|
Assist
Board oversight of (1) the integrity of the Company’s financial
statements, (2) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, (3) the independent auditor’s qualifications and
independence, and (4) the performance of the Company’s internal audit
function and independent auditors.
|
|
·
|
Prepare
the report that Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules require to
be included in the Company’s annual proxy
statement.
|
The Audit
Committee will primarily fulfill these responsibilities by carrying out the
activities specified in Section IV of this Charter.
The Audit
Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, shall be directly
responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of any
independent auditor employed by the Company (including resolution of
disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting)
for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work, and
each such independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit
Committee.
The Audit
Committee shall have the authority to retain, without prior permission from the
Board or management, special legal, accounting, or other consultants to advise
the Committee. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined
by the Audit Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, for payment
of compensation to any advisors employed by the Committee and for the ordinary
administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in
carrying out its duties. The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee
of the Company or the Company’s outside counsel or independent auditor to attend
a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to,
the Committee.
II.
|
Audit Committee
Composition
|
The
members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve
until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Unless a Chair is
elected by the full Board, the members of the Audit Committee may designate a
Chair by majority vote of the full Audit Committee membership.
|
The
Audit Committee shall be comprised of such number of directors as the
Board appoints, each of whom shall have been affirmatively determined by
the Board to be independent Directors as defined by the SEC on the one
hand, and the Company Guide of the NYSE Alternext U.S. LLC (“NYSE
Alternext”) or the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market on the other hand,
as applicable.
|
|
B.
|
Financial Literacy and
Expertis
e
|
Each
member of the Audit Committee shall be financially literate; as such
qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, or must
become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her
appointment to the Audit Committee. At least one member of the Audit Committee
shall be an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by the SEC. (If the
Company does not have an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” on the Audit
Committee, it shall disclose that fact and the reasons therefore). At least one
member of the Audit Committee shall have accounting or related financial
management expertise as defined by NYSE Alternext or Nasdaq, as
applicable. These determinations shall be made by the
Board.
The Audit
Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more frequently as
circumstances dictate. One of those meetings shall focus on review and approval
of annual financial statements and related information. To the extent
practicable, each of the Audit Committee members shall attend each of the
regularly scheduled meetings in person.
A
majority of the Audit Committee members currently holding office constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business. The Audit Committee shall take action by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Audit Committee members present at a
duly held meeting.
IV.
|
Responsibilities and
Duties
|
The Audit
Committee shall undertake the following responsibilities and
duties:
|
A.
|
Retain
and terminate the Company’s independent auditors (subject, if applicable,
to shareholder ratification) and pre-approve all audit and non-audit
services.
|
|
B.
|
At
least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditor
describing: the firm’s internal quality-control procedures; any material
issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer
review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or
professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one
or more independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to
deal with any such issues; and all relationships between the independent
auditor and the Company. Evaluate the independent auditor’s
qualifications, performance, and
independence.
|
|
C.
|
Review
and evaluate the lead partner of the independent
auditor.
|
|
D.
|
Ensure
the regular rotation of the lead independent audit partner as required by
law. Consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence,
there should be regular rotation of the audit firm
itself.
|
|
E.
|
Discuss
the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements
with management and the independent auditor, including the Company’s
disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of
Operations.”
|
|
F.
|
Review
with management and the independent auditor the
following:
|
|
·
|
Major
issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement
presentation, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection
or application of accounting
principles
|
|
·
|
Major
issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any
special audit steps adopted in light of material control
deficiencies
|
|
·
|
The
effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance
sheet structure, on the financial statements of the
Company
|
|
G.
|
Discuss
earnings press releases, as well as financial information provided to
analysts and rating agencies. The discussion may be general in nature
(i.e., discussion of the types of information to be disclosed and the type
of presentation to be made) and need not discuss in advance
each earnings release.
|
|
H.
|
As
appropriate, obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting,
or other advisors.
|
|
I.
|
Discuss
with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps
management has taken to monitor and control such exposures including the
Company’s risk assessment and risk management
policies.
|
|
J.
|
Meet
separately and periodically with management and with internal
auditors.
|
|
K.
|
Periodically
consult with the independent auditor, outside the presence of management,
about the auditor’s judgments
about:
|
|
·
|
The
quality, and not only the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting
principles as applied to its financial
reporting
|
|
·
|
The
Company’s internal controls
|
|
·
|
The
completeness and accuracy of the Company’s financial
statements
|
|
·
|
The
responsibilities, budget, and staffing of the Company’s internal audit
function
|
|
L.
|
Review
with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and
management’s response to such.
|
|
M.
|
Review
and discuss quarterly reports from the independent auditor
on:
|
|
·
|
All
critical accounting policies and practices to be
used
|
|
·
|
All
alternative treatments with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for
policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed
with management, including ramifications of the use of such alternative
disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent
auditor
|
|
·
|
Other
material written communications between the independent auditor and
management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted
differences
|
|
N.
|
Monitor
compliance with Audit Committee approved policies regarding the hiring of
employees or former employees of the independent
auditors.
|
|
O.
|
Report
regularly to the Board.
|
|
P.
|
Conduct
an annual performance evaluation of the Audit
Committee.
|
|
Q.
|
Ensure
appropriate procedures are established and
maintained:
|
|
·
|
To
permit the Audit Committee to monitor the receipt, retention, and
treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls, or auditing
matters
|
|
·
|
To
permit the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters to the
Audit Committee
|
|
R.
|
Review
the significant findings from supervisory examination reports of state and
federal agencies and the corrective action taken by management to such
reports.
|
|
S.
|
Review
the significant recommendations made to management by the internal
auditing department and management’s
responses.
|
|
T.
|
Review
the budget, plan, changes in plan, activities, organizational structure
and qualifications of the internal audit department or internal auditors,
as needed.
|
|
U.
|
Review
and approve the appointment and replacement of the Chief Audit Executive
(CAE). The Audit Committee will have direct input into evaluations of the
CAE’s performance as well as any decisions regarding CAE
compensation.
|
|
V.
|
Review
management’s determination of the adequacy of the consolidated allowance
for loan and lease loss reserves.
|
|
W.
|
Review
and reassess the adequacy of this Charter at least
annually.
|
|
X.
|
Review
with management and the independent auditor the basis for their reports
issued under 12 CFR section
363.2(b).
|
|
Y.
|
Review
all proposed related-party transactions, and provide its recommendation to
the full board of directors with respect to the proposed
transactions.
|
While the
Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter,
it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct
audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and
accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. These are the responsibilities of Company management and
the independent auditor. Nor is it the duty or responsibility of the
Audit Committee to conduct investigations or to assure compliance with laws
and regulations.
EXHIBIT
B
PREMIER
POWER RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.
BOARD
OF DRECTORS
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE CHARTER
Adopted
December 19, 2008
Responsibilities
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Premier Power
Renewable Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) will be responsible for overseeing and,
as appropriate, making recommendations to the Board regarding the annual
salaries and other compensation of the Company’s executive officers, the
Company’s general employee compensation, and other policies, providing
assistance and recommendations with respect to the compensation policies and
practices of the Company.
In
particular, the Compensation Committee will:
|
·
|
On
an annual basis, without the participation of the Chief Executive Officer,
(i) review and approve the corporate goals and objectives with respect to
compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, (ii) evaluate the Chief
Executive Officer’s performance in light of the established goals and
objectives, and (iii) set the Chief Executive Officer’s annual
compensation, including salary, bonus, incentive, and equity
compensation.
|
|
·
|
On
an annual basis, review and approve (i) the evaluation process and
compensation structure for the Company’s other senior executives, and (ii)
the Chief Executive Officer’s evaluation of the performance and his
recommendations concerning the annual compensation, including salary,
bonus, incentive, and equity compensation, of other
company executive officers, and (iii) the recruitment,
retention, and severance programs for the Company’s senior executives, and
(iv) review the compensation structure for the
Board.
|
|
·
|
As
appropriate, make recommendations to the Board with respect to executive
incentive-compensation plans and equity-based
compensation.
|
|
·
|
Assist
the Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for senior
officer positions, including the Chief Executive Officer, and oversee the
development of executive succession
plans.
|
|
·
|
Review
an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s
proxy statement.
|
Compensation Committee
Composition
The
Compensation Committee shall be comprised of that number of independent
directors as the Board appoints. Independence of the members of the
Compensation Committee shall have been affirmatively determined by the Board as
defined by the SEC on the one hand, and the Company Guide of the NYSE Alternext
U.S. LLC or the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market on the other hand, as
applicable.
The
Compensation Committee’s chairperson shall be designated by the full Board or,
if it does not do so, the Compensation Committee members shall elect a
chairperson by vote of a majority of the Compensation Committee.
Policies and
Procedures
In
carrying out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee believes its
policies and procedures should remain flexible in order to be able to best react
to changing conditions, and to help ensure that the corporate accounting and
reporting practices of the Company meet or exceed all applicable legal and
business standards. However, the Compensation Committee
will:
|
·
|
Investigate
any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its
duties.
|
|
·
|
Obtain
the approval of the full Board of this Charter and review and reassess
this Charter at least annually or as conditions
dictate.
|
|
·
|
Meet
in an executive session at least annually near the end of the Company’s
fiscal year, and more frequently as circumstances
dictate.
|
|
·
|
Be
governed by majority vote of its
members.
|
|
·
|
Report
its actions and any recommendations to the Board after each Compensation
Committee meeting and review its performance as a committee on an annual
basis.
|
The
Compensation Committee shall have the authority to obtain advice and seek
assistance from internal and external legal, accounting and other advisors such
as consultants and shall determine the extent of funding necessary for the
payment of compensation to such persons.
EXHIBIT
C
PREMIER
POWER RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.
BOARD
NOMINATIONS PROCESS
Adopted
on February 13, 2009
1.
|
Selections
and recommendations of nominees to the Board of Directors will be made by
a majority of the directors determined to be “independent” (“Majority
Independent Directors”) as defined by the SEC on the one hand, and the
Company Guide of the NYSE Alternext U.S. LLC or the rules of the Nasdaq
Capital Market on the other hand, as
applicable.
|
2.
|
In
considering candidates for election at annual meetings of shareholders,
the Majority Independent Directors will first determine the incumbent
directors whose terms expire at the upcoming meeting and who wish to
continue their service on the Board. The Majority Independent
Directors will evaluate the qualifications and performance of the
incumbent directors that desire to continue their service. In
particular, as to each such incumbent director, the Majority Independent
Directors will:
|
|
·
|
consider
if the director continues to satisfy the minimum qualifications for
director candidates adopted by the
Board;
|
|
·
|
review
the assessments of the performance of the director during the preceding
term; and
|
|
·
|
consider
any special facts and circumstances that may lead the Board to believe
that a director should not be
re-nominated.
|
If the
Majority Independent Directors determines that:
|
·
|
an
incumbent director consenting to re-nomination continues to be qualified
and has satisfactorily performed his or her duties as director during the
preceding term; and
|
|
·
|
there
are no reasons, including considerations relating to the composition and
functional needs of the Board as a whole, why in the Majority Independent
Directors’ view the incumbent should not be
re-nominated,
|
the
Majority Independent Directors will, absent special circumstances, propose the
incumbent director for re-election.
3.
|
The
Majority Independent Directors will identify and evaluate new candidates
for election to the Board where there is no qualified and available
incumbent, including for the purpose of filing vacancies arising by reason
of the resignation, retirement, removal, death, or disability of an
incumbent director or a decision of the directors to expand the size of
the Board.
|
The
Majority Independent Directors will solicit recommendations for nominees from
persons that the Majority Independent Directors believe are likely to be
familiar with qualified candidates. These persons may include members of the
Board and management of the Company. The Majority Independent Directors may also
determine to engage a professional search firm to assist in identifying
qualified candidates.
As to
each recommended candidate that the Majority Independent Directors believes
merits consideration, the Majority Independent Directors will:
|
·
|
cause
to be assembled information concerning the background and qualifications
of the candidate, including information concerning the candidate required
to be disclosed in the Company's proxy statement under the rules of the
SEC and any relationship between the candidate and the person or persons
recommending the candidate;
|
|
·
|
determine
if the candidate satisfies the minimum qualifications required by the
Majority Independent Directors of candidates for election as
director;
|
|
·
|
consider
the contribution that the candidate can be expected to make to the overall
functioning of the Board; and
|
|
·
|
consider
the extent to which the membership of the candidate on the Board will
promote diversity among the
directors.
|
In its
discretion, the Majority Independent Directors may designate one or more of its
members to interview any proposed candidate.
Based on
all available information and relevant considerations, the Majority Independent
Directors will select a candidate who, in the view of the Majority Independent
Directors, is most suited for membership on the Board.
In making
its selection, the Majority Independent Directors will evaluate candidates
proposed by shareholders under criteria similar to the evaluation of other
candidates, except that the Majority Independent Directors may consider, as one
of the factors in its evaluation of shareholder recommended nominees, the size
and duration of the share holdings of the recommending shareholder or
shareholder group in relation to the total outstanding shares of the
Company. The Majority Independent Directors may also consider the
extent to which the recommending shareholder intends to continue holding its
interest in the Company, including, in the case of nominees recommended for
election at an annual meeting of shareholders, whether the recommending
shareholder intends to continue holding its interest at least through the time
of such annual meeting.
4.
|
The
Majority Independent Directors shall maintain appropriate records
regarding the process of identifying and evaluating candidates for
election to the Board.
|
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