UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

ENGlobal Corporation

(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 all boxes that apply):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

 

 

 

 

11740 Katy Fwy – Energy Tower III, 11th floor

Houston, Texas 77079

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

AND PROXY STATEMENT

 

April 22, 2022

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

I am pleased to invite you to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ENGlobal Corporation (“ENGlobal”). The meeting will be held at our headquarters located at Energy Tower III, 11740 Katy Freeway, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77079, on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., local time, to:

 

 

·

Elect five directors to the Board of Directors of ENGlobal;

 

·

Ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as the independent auditors of ENGlobal for fiscal year 2022;

 

·

Conduct a non-binding “say-on-pay” advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers; and

 

·

Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

We are furnishing proxy materials to our shareholders over the Internet. You may read, print and download our proxy statement and annual report at http://www.proxyvote.com. On or about April 26, 2022, we will mail our shareholders a notice containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials and vote online. The notice also provides instructions on how you can request proxy materials be sent to you by mail or email and how you can enroll to receive proxy materials by mail or email for future meetings.

 

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2022 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Each share entitles the holder to one vote. You can vote via the Internet at http://www.proxyvote.com, or by casting a ballot at the meeting. You may also vote by telephone by following the instructions found on the Internet site. If you request to receive proxy materials by mail or email, you may vote by any of the above methods or by mailing a completed proxy card. For specific voting information, see “General Information” beginning on page 1 of the enclosed proxy statement. Please submit a proxy card or voting instructions in advance of the meeting even if you plan to attend the meeting. Submitting a proxy card or voting instructions will not prevent you from attending the meeting in person, if you so desire, but will help ENGlobal ensure a quorum and reduce the expense of additional proxy solicitation.

 

Attendance is limited to shareholders of ENGlobal, their proxy holders and our guests. Shareholders holding stock in brokerage accounts must bring a brokerage statement or other evidence of share ownership as of April 14, 2022 in order to be admitted to the meeting.

 

 

Sincerely,

     

 

William A. Coskey, P.E.

 
 

Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENT

 

Time and Date

10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, June 9, 2022

Place

Energy Tower III, 11740 Katy Freeway, Suite 1100

Houston, Texas 77079

 

Items of Business

(1)

To elect five directors to the Board of Directors of ENGlobal;

 

(2)

To ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as the independent auditors of ENGlobal for fiscal year 2022;

 

(3)

To conduct a non-binding “say-on-pay” advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers; and

 

(4)

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Except with respect to the procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting, we are not aware of any other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting.

 

 

Adjournments and Postponements

Any action on the items of business described above may be considered at the Annual Meeting at the time and on the date specified above or at any time and date to which the Annual Meeting may be properly adjourned or postponed.

 

Record Date

You are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting only if you were an ENGlobal shareholder as of the close of business on April 14, 2022.

 

Meeting Admission

You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting only if you were an ENGlobal shareholder as of the close of business on April 14, 2022, or hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. If you are not a shareholder of record but hold shares through a broker or nominee (i.e., in street name), you should provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the record date, such as your most recent account statement prior to April 14, 2022, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your bank or brokerage firm, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide photo identification or comply with the other procedures outlined above upon request, you will not be admitted to the Annual Meeting.

 

The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., local time. Check-in will begin at 9:00 a.m., local time, and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures.

 

Voting

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read the accompanying proxy statement and vote as soon as possible. This will not only ensure the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting but also that your shares are voted in accordance with your wishes. You will be able to vote via the Internet, by telephone or by mailing a completed proxy card as an alternative to voting in person at the meeting. For detailed information regarding voting, please refer to the section entitled “General Information” on page 1 of this proxy statement and the instructions on the proxy or voting instruction card.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

     

 

Darren W. Spriggs

 
 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

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2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

PROXY STATEMENT

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

1

 

SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY

 

4

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

 

4

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

6

 

Director Nominations

 

8

 

Communications with the Board

 

9

 

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

10

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

13

 

PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MOSS ADAMS LLP FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022

 

14

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

14

 

PROPOSAL THREE: NON-BINDING “SAY-ON-PAY” ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

15

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

15

 

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

16

 

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

 

16

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

18

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

18

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

 

19

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

22

 

HEDGING AND PLEDGING PROHIBITIONS

 

22

 

AUDIT MATTERS

 

23

 

Principal Auditor Fees

 

25

 

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

 

26

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

26

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2023

 

26

 

SHAREHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS

 

27

 

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 

27

 

APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

27

 

  

You may receive a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other information at no charge upon request directed to:

 

Darren W. Spriggs

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary

11740 Katy Fwy., Suite 1100

Houston, Texas 77079

Telephone 281-878-1000

 

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

 

We are providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of ENGlobal Corporation (“ENGlobal”) for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) and for any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting. In this proxy statement, we refer to ENGlobal as the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us.”

 

We are making these proxy materials available to you on the Internet. On or about April 26, 2022, we will mail a notice to our shareholders containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials at http://www.proxyvote.com and vote online. In addition, shareholders may request proxy materials to be sent to them by mail or email.

 

What is the location of the 2022 Annual Meeting?

The Meeting will be held at our headquarters located at Energy Tower III, 11740 Katy Freeway, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77079, on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., local time or at such other time and place to which the Meeting may be adjourned or postponed.

 

Who is soliciting my proxy?

We are making these proxy materials available to you in connection with our solicitation of proxies for use at the Meeting. Specified directors, officers, and employees of ENGlobal may also solicit proxies on our behalf, without additional compensation, by email, mail, telephone, fax, or in person.

 

Who is paying for this solicitation?

ENGlobal will pay for the solicitation of proxies, including the cost of preparing and assembling these proxy materials, making these proxy materials available on the Internet, mailing notices to our shareholders, and mailing these proxy materials to our shareholders upon request. We have retained and paid a fee to Issuer Direct Corp. to assist us in making our proxy materials available on the Internet and tabulating our proxies, but we pay no separate compensation solely for the solicitation of proxies.

 

What is the purpose of the Meeting?

At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to (1) elect directors, (2) ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP for fiscal year 2022, and (3) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

Who is entitled to vote at the Meeting?

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2022, the record date for the Meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. If you were a shareholder of record on that date, you are entitled to vote all of the shares you held on that date at the Meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the Meeting.

 

If your shares are registered directly in your name, you are the holder of record of these shares, and we will send the notice containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials and vote online directly to you. If you hold your shares in a brokerage account or through a bank or other holder of record, you hold the shares in “street name,” and your broker, bank or other holder of record will send voting instructions to you.

 

How many votes do I have?

You have one vote at the Meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the Meeting, for each share of our common stock you owned as of the record date. Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights.

 

 
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How do I vote?

You may submit a proxy or voting instructions over the Internet at http://www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions provided in the notice mailed to you or by voting in person at the Meeting. You may also submit a proxy or voting instructions by telephone by following the instructions found on the website, http://www.proxyvote.com. If you request proxy materials by mail or email, you may submit a proxy or voting instructions by any of the above methods or by completing and mailing a proxy card.

 

If you hold your shares in street name, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record how to vote by following the instructions sent to you by the holder of record. If you desire to vote in person at the Meeting, as a holder in street name, you must provide a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other holder of record.

 

May I revoke my proxy or change my voting instructions?

Yes, you may revoke your proxy or change your voting instructions by (a) voting in person at the Meeting, (b) casting a vote over the Internet or by telephone at a later date, or (c) sending a written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary by mail to ENGlobal Corporation, 11740 Katy Fwy., Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77079 or by facsimile at (281) 878-1010; provided, that, with regard to (b) and (c), the Company receives such change prior to the Meeting. If you request proxy materials by mail or email, you may also change your proxy by mailing a proxy card with a later date, provided that the Company receives the later dated proxy card prior to the Meeting. If you submit a new proxy, only your later dated proxy (whether cast by Internet, telephone, mail or in person) will be counted.

 

What are the Board’s recommendations?

The Board’s recommendations are set forth together with the description of each item in this proxy statement. The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of five directors to our Board to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as the independent auditors of ENGlobal for fiscal year 2022, and FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, with regard to any proxies submitted by shareholders, William A. Coskey, P.E. and Darren W. Spriggs, the persons appointed on the proxy card, will vote as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

 

How many votes must be present to hold the Meeting?

We will have a quorum and will be able to conduct the business of the Meeting if the holders of a majority of shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote are represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. As of the record date, 35,230,675 shares of our common stock, representing the same number of votes, were outstanding. Thus, the presence in person or by proxy of the record holders of at least 17,615,338 shares of our common stock will be required to establish a quorum. Shareholders of record who are present at the Meeting in person or by proxy and who abstain from voting, including brokers holding customers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded at the Meeting, will be included in the number of shareholders present at the Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

 

What vote is required to approve each item?

The election of directors is decided by a plurality of the votes cast. For this purpose, “plurality” means that the individuals receiving the largest number of affirmative votes, whether or not they receive a majority of the votes, are elected as directors, up to the maximum number of directors to be chosen at the election. A properly executed proxy marked “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with regard to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.

 

 
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With regard to each other item voted on at the Meeting, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the item will be required for approval. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to any such matter will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote.

 

For shares held in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, the broker or nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to be acted upon. Under the rules that govern brokers who are voting with respect to shares that are held in street name, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. The election of directors and the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers are not considered routine matters. Thus, if shareholders do not give their broker or nominee specific instructions, their shares may not be voted on those matters and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval. Shares represented by such “broker non-votes” will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.

 

What if I do not mark a voting choice for some of the matters listed on my proxy card?

If you request proxy materials by mail or email and send a proxy card without specifying a vote or an abstention, your shares will be voted “FOR”: (1) the director nominees listed on the proxy card and in this proxy statement, (2) the ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as the independent auditors of ENGlobal for fiscal year 2022, and (3) the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

Could other matters be decided at the Meeting?

We do not know of any matters that will be considered at the Meeting other than the items set forth in this proxy statement. If other matters are properly raised at the Meeting, your proxy authorizes the proxy holders to vote as they think best, unless authority to do so is withheld by you in your proxy.

 

What happens if the Meeting is postponed or adjourned?

Pursuant to Nevada law, the Meeting may be adjourned by the chairman of the Meeting to reconvene at the same or some other place. If the adjournment is for more than 60 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjournment shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the Meeting. If the adjournment is for less than 60 days, no additional notice will be delivered.

 

Who will count the votes?

We will appoint an inspector of the election who will count the votes at the Meeting.

 

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?

Your shares are probably registered in more than one account. You should vote each proxy card you receive. We encourage you to consolidate all your accounts by registering them in the same name, social security number and address. This can be accomplished by contacting your stockbroker. Additionally, our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., can assist you if you want to consolidate multiple accounts registered in your name by contacting our transfer agent at P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170, telephone: (781) 575-4238.

 

 
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How do I get copies of the exhibits filed with ENGlobal’s Annual Report on Form 10-K?

We are furnishing our annual report to our shareholders over the Internet. You may read, print and download our annual report at http://www.proxyvote.com. You may request the annual report be sent to you by mail or email by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability to be mailed to you on or about April 26, 2022. ENGlobal will provide to any shareholder as of the record date, who so specifically requests in writing, copies of the exhibits filed with our annual report for a reasonable fee. Requests for such copies should be directed to Corporate Secretary, ENGlobal Corporation, 11740 Katy Fwy., Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77079. The Annual Report on Form 10-K may also be read, downloaded and printed at www.englobal.com. In addition, copies of all exhibits filed electronically by ENGlobal may be reviewed and printed from the website of the SEC at: www.sec.gov.

 

Where can I find the voting results of the Meeting?

The preliminary voting results will be announced at the Meeting. The final results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC within four business days after the Meeting.

 

Who can help answer my questions?

If you have any questions or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact Darren W. Spriggs, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary, at 11740 Katy Fwy., Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77079, telephone 281-878-1000.

 

SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY

 

The SEC has adopted rules allowing smaller reporting companies to tailor their disclosure to reduce costs. Because the Company qualifies as a “smaller reporting company” under the SEC rules, the Company has elected to prepare this proxy statement and other annual and periodic reports as a “Smaller Reporting Company” consistent with rules of the SEC. Under the scaled disclosure obligations, the Company is not required to provide, among other things, Compensation Discussion and Analysis and certain other tabular and narrative disclosures relating to executive compensation.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

 

Board Size; Meetings of the Board

 

Our Board currently has five members. During 2021, the Board met twelve times and each director attended at least 75% of the meetings held during the period for which he was a director. Our three independent directors serve on three Board committees: Audit, Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance.

 

Executive Sessions

 

In 2021, the Board held multiple executive sessions of its non-employee directors, Christopher Sorrells, Lloyd Kirchner, and Kevin M. Palma, and its former non-employee directors, David W. Gent, P.E., Randall B. Hale and David C. Roussel. Any non-employee director can request that an executive session be scheduled.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Company is committed to strong, independent board leadership and governance, including the flexibility to select and revise its leadership structure on the basis of the best interests of the Company and its shareholders at any given point in time. The Board evaluates this structure in connection with the annual appointments to the positions of Chairman of the Board (“Chairman”) and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).

 

 
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We do not have a written policy with respect to separation of the roles of Chairman and CEO. William A. Coskey, P.E. serves as Chairman of the Board, and Mark A. Hess serves as our Chief Executive Officer. The separation of the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Company and allows our Chairman of the Board to lead the Board in its fundamental role of providing advice and oversight to management. The Board believes our leadership structure is effective and appropriate, creates a separation of executive powers by providing a Chairman with whom the Chief Executive Officer can discuss issues facing the Company, and provides a significant voice to non-management directors. The Board plans to re-evaluate the structure in connection with the annual appointments following the Meeting.

 

Lead Independent Director

 

Lloyd Kirchner has served as the Company’s lead independent director since 2021. The Lead Independent Director position responsibilities currently include chairmanship of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee; Chair of the Board meetings at which the Chairman is not in attendance; liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors, which includes facilitating communications and assisting in the resolution of conflicts, if any, between the independent directors and the Company’s management; providing counsel to the Chairman and CEO, including provision of appropriate feedback regarding effectiveness of Board meetings, and otherwise as needed or requested; and such other responsibilities as the Board delegates. In performing these responsibilities, the Lead Independent Director is expected to consult with the chairpersons of other Board committees as appropriate and solicit their participation in order to avoid the appearance of diluting the authority or responsibility of the Board committees and their chairpersons.

 

Board and Committees Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Board is responsible for oversight of us and our business, including risk management. Together with the Board’s standing committees, the Board is responsible for ensuring that material risks are identified and managed appropriately. The Board and its committees regularly review material strategic, operational, financial, compensation and compliance risks with our senior management. The Audit Committee has oversight responsibility for financial risk (such as accounting, finance, internal controls and tax strategy), and also oversees compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Compensation Committee and the Board each discuss the relationship between our compensation policies and corporate risk to assess whether these policies encourage excessive risk-taking by executives and other employees. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee oversees compliance with our corporate governance principles. During its regular course of its activities, our Audit Committee discusses our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. Each of the committees’ report to the Board regarding the areas of risk they oversee.

 

Director Independence

 

The Board has determined that no non-employee director has a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, and that all directors, except William A. Coskey, P.E. and Mark A. Hess, meet the criteria for independence under NASDAQ rules. The Board has also determined that the members of each of its committees, which include the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, meet the criteria for membership applicable to each committee under the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable SEC rules and regulations.

 

 
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Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

 

Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board at our annual meeting of shareholders, we encourage directors to attend. Four of our directors attended the 2021 annual meeting.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Committee Composition and Meetings

 

Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the total meetings held by all Board committees on which they served in 2021.

 

Committee

Members

Audit Committee

Kevin M. Palma (Chairperson)

Christopher D. Sorrells

Lloyd G. Kirchner

Compensation Committee

Christopher D. Sorrells (Chairperson)

Kevin M. Palma

Lloyd G. Kirchner

Nominating & Corporate

Governance Committee

Lloyd G. Kirchner (Chairperson)

Kevin M. Palma

Christopher D. Sorrells

 

The Audit, Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees held seven, five, and four meetings, respectively, in 2021.

 

Summary of Committee Responsibilities

 

All of our committee charters are available under the “About ENG – Governance” section of our website at www.englobal.com. The charters are reviewed annually.

 

Audit Committee

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to oversee:

 

 

·

the quality and integrity of our financial statements;

 

·

our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and

 

·

our independent auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance.

 

In addition, the Audit Committee annually reviews our disclosures regarding deficiencies, if any, in the design or operation of our internal controls.

 

The Board has determined that Mr. Palma is qualified as audit committee financial expert under the SEC’s rules and regulations. In addition, the Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the requisite financial literacy and sophistication requirements under NASDAQ rules.

 

 
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Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee are to:

 

 

·

assist the Board by identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommend to the Board director nominees for election at the annual meetings of shareholders or for appointments to fill vacancies;

 

·

recommend to the Board director nominees for each Board committee and advise the Board on the appropriate composition of the Board and its committees;

 

·

make an annual report to the Board on succession planning;

 

·

advise the Board about and recommend to the Board appropriate corporate governance practices and assist the Board in implementing those practices; and

 

·

implement the annual performance review process for the Board and its committees.

 

In addition, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee reviews all relationships each director has with us in connection with the nomination process and reports the results of its review to the Board with appropriate recommendations, if any, for approval.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to:

 

 

·

review the Company’s evaluation process, compensation, incentive compensation and equity-based plans and recommend changes in such plans to the Board as needed;

 

·

produce a report, if required, for inclusion in our Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders;

 

·

evaluate the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and other executives;

 

·

set the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and such other executives as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate and otherwise discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of our officers and directors;

 

·

delegate authority to executive officers to establish compensation levels, incentive compensation and equity-based plan awards, with oversight and approval;

 

·

encourage stock ownership by directors and executives, including through the use of equity compensation programs;

 

·

review director compensation levels and practices, and recommend, from time to time, changes in such compensation levels and practices to the Board; and

 

·

approve and review reports of any compensation consultants hired by the Company, and establish the independence of those consultants.

 

The Compensation Committee establishes salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for executive officers. The Compensation Committee currently delegates its authority to establish salaries (other than the salary of the CEO) to the CEO, and does not currently engage any compensation consultants to determine the amount or form of executive and director compensation. From time to time, the Compensation Committee has reviewed publicly available data compiled by executive officers of the Company relating to compensation paid to executive officers and directors in similar size, publicly traded companies in the same geographic area in which the Company is located. The Compensation Committee has also solicited input from the CEO with respect to compensation for executive officers other than the CEO.

 

 
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s directors, officers and employees in accordance with NASDAQ rules. The purpose and role of this code is to focus our officers, directors, and employees on areas of ethical risk, provide guidance to help them recognize and deal with ethical issues, provide mechanisms to report unethical or unlawful conduct, and help enhance and formalize our culture of integrity, honesty and accountability. We have posted this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on the “About ENG – Governance” section of our website at www.englobal.com.

 

The Company also has a Code of Ethics applicable to the Chief Executive Officer and certain senior financial officers of the Company that complies with Item 406 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and with applicable NASDAQ rules. We have posted this Code of Ethics on the “About ENG – Governance” section of our website at www.englobal.com.

 

Director Nominations

 

Consideration of Director Nominees

 

Shareholder Nominees

 

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will carefully consider all qualified director candidates, whether such candidates are recommended by a shareholder or otherwise. Other than the provisions contained in our bylaws set forth below, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee has not established formal procedures to be followed by shareholders submitting recommendations for candidates for the Board. Our bylaws provide that nominations for the election of directors may be made upon timely notice given by any shareholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors. A timely notice must be made in writing, contain the information required by our bylaws and be received by the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company, not later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day, immediately before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, in the event that the date of the upcoming annual meeting is advanced more than 30 calendar days before, or delayed more than 70 calendar days after, such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be delivered not later than the close of business on 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of a meeting date is first made by the Company.

 

Director Qualifications

 

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee establishes criteria for selecting new members of the Board. The Board as a whole should reflect a range of skills, knowledge and experience in areas of importance to the Company. Directors must be committed to upholding the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and to representing the interests of all shareholders, not particular shareholder constituencies. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee places no specific restrictions on the number of terms directors may serve or other Boards on which a director may sit, but directors must possess sufficient time and energy to carry out their duties effectively. A majority of directors must be “independent” under the NASDAQ rules, and members of the Company’s audit committee must meet NASDAQ financial literacy and sophistication requirements. In determining whether a director is independent, the Board will broadly consider all relevant facts and circumstances.

 

 
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Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors

 

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for director. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board, and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise. If vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will consider various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee through current Board members, shareholders or other persons. These candidates will be evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, and may be considered at any point during the year. As described above, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will consider properly submitted shareholder nominations for candidates for the Board based on the same criteria. Although not part of any formal policy, our goal is a balanced and diverse Board, with members whose skills, backgrounds and experiences are complimentary and, together, cover the spectrum of areas that impact our business. As part of this evaluation and to further our commitment to diversity, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee assesses whether the nominees, as a group, collectively represent a diversity of views, backgrounds, and experiences that will enhance the Board’s and our effectiveness.

 

Board Diversity

 

The table below provides certain information regarding the diversity of our Board. Each of the categories listed in the table below has the meaning set forth in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f).

 

Board Diversity Matrix (as of April 22, 2022)

Total Number of Directors

5

 

Female

Male

Non-binary

Did not disclose gender

Part I: Gender Identity

Directors

-

5

-

-

Part II: Demographic Background

African American or Black

-

-

-

-

Alaskan Native or Native American Asian

-

-

-

-

Asian

-

-

-

-

Hispanic or Latinx

-

-

-

-

 

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

-

-

-

-

White

-

5

-

-

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

-

-

-

-

LGBTQ+

-

-

-

-

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

-

 

Communications with the Board

 

Shareholders may communicate with the Board, Board committees, non-employee directors as a group, and individual directors by submitting their communications in writing to ENGlobal Corporation, 11740 Katy Fwy., Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77079, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Any communication must contain:

 

 

·

a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of our capital stock;

 

·

the name and address, as they appear on our books, of the shareholder sending the communication; and

 

·

the number of shares of our capital stock that are beneficially owned by such shareholder.

 

ENGlobal’s Corporate Secretary will distribute such communications to the intended recipient upon receipt, unless the communication is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly inappropriate, in which case the Corporate Secretary has the authority to discard the communication or to take appropriate legal action regarding the communication.

 

 
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PROPOSAL ONE:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Nominees

 

At the Meeting, you and the other shareholders will elect five individuals to serve as directors until the next annual meeting of shareholders, until their successors are duly elected or appointed or until their earlier death, resignation, or removal. All of the nominees are currently members of the Board. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, which consists solely of directors that are independent within the meaning of the rules of the NASDAQ, recommended the nomination of the five nominees to the Board.

 

The individuals named as proxies will vote proxies received for the election of all nominees, unless you direct them to withhold your votes. If any nominee becomes unable to serve as a director before the Meeting, an event that is not presently anticipated, discretionary authority may be exercised by the persons named as proxies to vote for substitute nominees proposed by the Board.

 

There are no arrangements or understandings between ENGlobal and any person pursuant to which such person has been elected as director or nominated to serve as a director.

 

The nominees for director, each of whom has consented to serve, if elected, are as follows:

 

Name of Nominee:

William A. Coskey, P.E.

Position:

Chairman of the Board

Director Since:

1985

Age:

69

Present positions and offices with the Company, principal occupations and other directorships during the past five years:

 

Mr. Coskey founded ENGlobal in 1985 and has served in various positions, including service as Chairman of the Board since June 2005 and as President and Chief Executive Officer from August 2012 until his retirement in March 2021. From April 2007 until May 2010, he served as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, he served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President from 1985 until 2001, Chief Operating Officer from 2001 to 2003, and President from 2001 to June 2005. Mr. Coskey, an honors graduate, received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1975 and is a Registered Professional Engineer. He served on the Texas A&M University Electrical Engineering Department Advisory Council from 1999 to 2014, and from 2006 until 2014, he served as Chairman of the Council. Mr. Coskey received the 2014 Outstanding Alumni Honor Award from the Texas A&M University College of Engineering. In 2014, Mr. Coskey was also appointed to the Texas A&M College of Engineering Advisory Council.

 

 
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Qualifications for Consideration:

 

The Board selected Mr. Coskey to serve as a director because it believes that, as the founder of ENGlobal, he provides a unique perspective to the Board. He was responsible for ENGlobal’s initial public offering in 1994, listing on the American Stock Exchange in 1998, and listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market in 2007. In June 2009, he was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year® in the Energy Services category for the Houston & Gulf Coast Area. The Board believes Mr. Coskey’s industry knowledge and business experiences give him invaluable insights into the Company’s challenges, opportunities and operations.

 

Executive Officer:

Mark A. Hess

Position:

Director Since:

Chief Executive Officer

2021

Age:

63

Present positions and offices with the Company, principal occupations during the past five years:

 

Mr. Hess has served as a director of the Company since August 2021 and as its Chief Executive Officer since March 2021. Mr. Hess previously served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from September 2012 to March 2021, interim Chief Financial Officer from June 2012 to September 2012, and Corporate Controller from July 2011 until June 2012. Mr. Hess assumed the Corporate Secretary responsibilities in December 2017 which he held until March 2021. Prior to joining ENGlobal, Mr. Hess served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Geokinetics, Inc., a publicly-traded seismic data service company, from April 2008 to April 2010. From November 2004 to April 2008, he served as Director of Finance for CGGVeritas, a publicly-traded seismic data service company. In total, he has over 35 years of experience in various accounting, merger and acquisition, and finance roles primarily in public companies. Mr. Hess is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Houston.

 

Qualifications for Consideration:

 

The Board selected Mr. Hess to serve as a director because it believes he possess valuable industry knowledge and business experience in addition to a decade of experience at ENGlobal.

 

Name of Nominee:

Kevin M. Palma

Position:

Independent Director

Director Since:

2016

Age:

43

Present positions and offices with the Company, principal occupations and other directorships during the past five years:

 

Mr. Palma has served as a director of the Company since June 2016, is Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees. Mr. Palma served as the Chief Financial Officer of B-29 Investments, LP, an energy private equity firm, from 2006 until he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in December 2018, and also served as the Chief Financial Officer of B-29 Family Holdings, LLC, a family office, since its inception in 2014 until December 2018. In his role within the private equity space, Mr. Palma focuses on investment strategy, investment execution, and portfolio company management for both privately-held and publicly-traded companies. Mr. Palma currently serves on several private company boards, including Silver Creek Oil and Gas, LLC, Caliber Completion Services, LLC, and Klear Bit Technologies, LLC. His past experiences on private company boards include Crest Pumping Technologies, LLC and TEC Holdings, LLC (which was recently rebranded as AXIS Energy Services, LLC). Prior to his roles at B-29, Mr. Palma was a member of the energy investment banking team at Raymond James & Associates, focusing on capital market raises and merger and acquisition activity. Mr. Palma is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas, and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School in addition to a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Texas.

 

 
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Qualifications for Consideration:

 

The Board selected Mr. Palma to serve as an independent director because of his experience in identifying strategic growth trends in the energy industry, evaluating and completing numerous acquisitions, and exhibiting an extensive knowledge of financial markets make him well qualified to serve on ENGlobal’s board of directors.

 

Name of Nominee:

Christopher Sorrells

Position:

Independent Director

Director Since:

2021

Age:

53

Present positions and offices with the Company, principal occupations and other directorships during the past five years:

 

Christopher D. Sorrells has served as a director of the Company since August 2021. Currently, Mr. Sorrells is Managing Director of Pearl Energy Investments, a $1.2 billion private equity fund focused on the energy and sustainability industries, and Chief Executive Officer and director of each of Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: SV) and Spring Valley Acquisition Corporation II (NASDAQ: SVII). In addition, he is a board member and Chairman of the compensation committee of Renewable Energy Group (NASDAQ: REGI). Prior to Spring Valley, he was Interim CEO of Wellsite Fishing & Rentals Services, LLCs, an oilfield services company focused on the Marcellus region.

 

From August 2015 to September 2019, he was a member of the Board of Directors and the Chief Operating Office of GSE Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: GVP), a publicly traded engineering and expert staffing company for the power and process industries. From 2005 to 2015, he served as Managing Director at NGP Energy Technology Partners, L.P., a private equity firm investing in companies that provide products and services to the energy, power, and environmental industries.

 

From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Sorrells worked at Clarity Partners, L.P. a private equity firm, focused on growth and LBO transactions. Mr. Sorrells served as a principal with Banc of America Securities from 1998 to 2002 and as an associate with Salomon Smith Barney Holdings from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Sorrells holds an M.B.A. from the College of William and Mary, a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Southern California, and a B.A. from Washington and Lee University.

 

 
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Qualifications for Consideration:

 

The Board selected Mr. Sorrells to serve as an independent director because it believes that he possess extensive experience within the energy industry. Mr. Sorrells’ broad career experience in corporate, governance, and financial roles enables him to provide leadership expertise as a member of the Board.

 

Name of Nominee:

Lloyd Kirchner

Position:

Independent Director

Director Since:

2021

Age:

58

Present positions and offices with the Company, principal occupations and other directorships during the past five years:

 

Mr. Kirchner has served as a director of the Company since 2021 and is a Vice President of Zachry Group. Since 2014, Mr. Kirchner has held various executive positions in Engineering, Business Development, Safety and Quality at Zachry Group.

 

Formerly, Mr. Kirchner served as President and CEO of Commonwealth Engineering and Construction, where he also held executive positions in Operations, Sales, Marketing and Commercial Management. Mr. Kirchner joined Zachry Group through the acquisition of Commonwealth. Prior to Commonwealth, he was a founding employee of Capstone Turbine Corporation and held various executive positions in Engineering, Supply Management, Manufacturing and Product Development. Mr. Kirchner started his career with Amoco Corporation working in all three business units: Exploration & Production, Refining and Chemicals.

 

Mr. Kirchner received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Post Oak School in Houston, the Baylor College of Medicine and Mercury Chamber Orchestra.

 

Previously, Mr. Kirchner was elected to the Executive Board of the Engineering and Construction Contracting (ECC) Association for 10 years, where he served in various leadership roles, including Board Chair.

 

Qualifications for Consideration:

 

The Board selected Mr. Kirchner to serve as an independent director because it believes he possess the ability to provide insights and practical wisdom based on his experience and expertise.

 

Vote Required

 

Directors are elected by a plurality, and the five nominees who receive the most “FOR” votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR each of the nominees to serve as a director.

 

 
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PROPOSAL TWO:

THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MOSS ADAMS LLP

AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF

ENGLOBAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022

 

The Audit Committee has appointed Moss Adams LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to examine the consolidated financial statements of ENGlobal for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and to perform other appropriate audit and advisory services and is requesting ratification of such appointment by the shareholders.

 

In the event that the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP, the adverse vote will be considered as a direction to the Audit Committee to select another independent registered public accounting firm for the next fiscal year. However, because of the difficulty and expense of making any substitution of independent registered public accounting firms after the beginning of the current fiscal year, it is contemplated that the appointment for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 will be permitted to stand, unless the Audit Committee finds other reasons for making a change. It is understood that even if the selection of Moss Adams LLP is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee feels that such a change would be in the best interests of ENGlobal and its shareholders.

 

Representatives of Moss Adams LLP are expected to be present at the Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

Vote Required

 

The ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP for the year ending December 31, 2022 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote. For the ratification of our independent registered public accountants, you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” or abstain from voting. If you hold your shares in your own name and abstain from voting on this matter, your abstention will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this proposal. Because brokers generally have discretionary authority to vote on the ratification of our independent registered public accountants, broker non-votes are generally not expected to result from the vote on this proposal.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of ENGlobal for fiscal year 2022.

 

 
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PROPOSAL THREE:

NON-BINDING “SAY-ON-PAY” ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION

OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Background

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. While this “say-on-pay” vote on executive compensation is not binding, it will provide useful information to our Board and the Compensation Committee regarding our shareholders’ view of our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. To the extent there are significant negative advisory votes, we will consider the voting results and take them into consideration in making future decisions about our executive compensation program.

 

Summary

 

At the Company’s 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, the option of having this “say-on-pay” vote every three years received the highest number of votes cast by shareholders. Consistent with this desire for a “say-on-pay” vote every three years, we are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in the “Executive Compensation Tables” section of this proxy statement beginning on page 22.

 

This proposal gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on our executive officer’s compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we ask that our shareholders vote “FOR” the following resolution:

 

RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”

 

Vote Required

 

Approval of the above resolution, on an advisory basis, regarding the compensation of our named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote. For the approval of the above resolution, on an advisory basis, regarding the compensation of our named executive officers, you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” or abstain from voting. If you hold your shares in your own name and abstain from voting on this matter, your abstention will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this proposal. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee and you do not instruct them on how to vote on this proposal, your broker or other nominee will not have authority to vote your shares. As a result, broker non-votes are not expected to have an effect on the approval of this proposal.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

 

 
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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Long Term Incentive Plan”) as of December 25, 2021.

 

 

 

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

 

 

Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding

Options, Warrants and Rights

 

 

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,399,365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plan not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,399,365

 

(1) Does not include 56,819 shares of unvested restricted common stock outstanding at December 25, 2021.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table shows the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned as of April 14, 2022, by each director, each director nominee, the executive officers named in the “Summary Compensation Table” and all directors and executive officers as a group. None of these shares are pledged as security.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership(1)

 

Percent of Class(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Coskey

 

8,840,697

(3)

25.09%

Mr. Sorrells

 

25,253

(4)

*

Mr. Kirchner

 

25,253

(5)

*

Mr. Palma

 

69,384

(6)

*

Mr. Hess

 

337,043

(7)

*

Mr. Spriggs

 

16,787

(8)

*

Mr. Westerlind

 

22,624

(9)

*

 

 

 

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)

 

9,337,041

(10)

26.50%

 

*  Represents less than 1% of the shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

(1)

Beneficial ownership of common stock has been determined for this purpose in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities if such person has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such securities, has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days, or acquires such securities with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing the control of ENGlobal.

 

(2)

Based on 35,230,675 shares issued and outstanding on April 14, 2022.

 

(3)

Includes 8,840,597 shares of common stock held in the name of Alliance 2000, Ltd., whose general partner is jointly owned by Mr. Coskey and his spouse. Mr. Coskey has shared power to vote and dispose of such shares.

 

(4)

Includes 6,314 unvested shares of restricted stock which were granted to Mr. Sorrells in August 2021.

 

(5)

Includes 6,314 unvested shares of restricted stock which were granted to Mr. Kirchner in August 2021.

 

(6)

Of the total, 35,000 shares of common stock are held in a Beneficiary IRA. Includes 6,314 unvested shares of restricted stock which were granted to Mr. Palma in August 2021.

 

(7)

Includes 7,541 shares that were granted under the 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan on March 9, 2021, which will vest 3,771 shares on March 9, 2023 and 3,770 shares on March 9, 2024.

 

(8)

Includes 5,000 shares that were granted under the Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) on August 6, 2019, which will vest 2,500 shares on August 6, 2021 and August 6, 2022. Includes 3,393 shares that were granted under the 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan on March 9, 2021, which will vest 1,697 shares on March 9, 2023 and March 9, 2024 and 1,696 shares on March 9, 2025.

 

(9)

Includes 15,083 shares that were granted under the 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan on March 9, 2021, which will vest 7,541 shares on March 9, 2023, and 7,542 shares on March 9, 2024.

 

(10)

Includes 32,714 shares of unvested restricted stock granted to our executive officers and 18,941 shares of unvested restricted stock granted to our directors.

 

 
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Principal Shareholders

 

Except as set forth below, the following table sets forth information as of April 14, 2022, about persons whom we know to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding common stock based solely on our review of the statement of beneficial ownership filed by these persons/entities with the SEC as of the date of such filing:

 

Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership(1)

 

Percent of

Class(1),(2)

 

 

 

 

 

Alliance 2000, Ltd.

3 Dashwood Court

The Hills, Texas

78738-1469

 

8,840,697(3)

 

25.09%

 

 

(1)

Beneficial ownership of common stock has been determined for this purpose in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities if such person has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such securities, has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days, or acquires such securities with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing the control of ENGlobal.

 

(2)

Based on 35,230,675 shares issued and outstanding on April 14, 2022.

 

(3)

Alliance 2000, Ltd. is a Texas limited partnership whose general partner is jointly owned by Mr. Coskey and his spouse.

 

 

 

 

 
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The Board has adopted a policy requiring that all transactions between the Company and its officers, directors, principal shareholders and their respective affiliates be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unrelated third parties and that any such transactions be approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Pursuant to such policy, the Company’s Audit Committee is responsible for the review and assessment of all related party transactions.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Our executive officers serve at the pleasure of our Board of Directors and are subject to annual appointment by the Board at the first meeting following the annual meeting of shareholders. Set forth below is a brief description of the business experience of each of our executive officers, except Mr. Hess, whose biography is listed above.

 

Executive Officer:

Darren W. Spriggs

Position:

Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer

Age:

52

Present positions and offices with the Company, principal occupations during the past five years:

 

Mr. Spriggs has served as Chief Financial Officer, Corporation Secretary and Treasurer since March 2021. Mr. Spriggs previously served as Corporate Controller of the Company since June 2019. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Spriggs served as Director of Accounting for ABM Industries Inc., a Fortune 500 company providing end-to-end facility solutions to commercial, industrial and governmental facilities, from April 2008 to June 2019. From 2007 to 2008, he served as Financial Planning Manager for Kinder Morgan, Inc., a major midstream energy company whose pipeline network transports natural gas, refined petroleum products and crude oil. From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Spriggs served as a Financial Reporting Manager for David Weekley Homes, the largest privately held homebuilder in the U.S. From 2000 to 2002, he served as Assistant Controller for American Tower Inc., a leading independent owner, operator and developer of broadcast and wireless communication towers. Mr. Spriggs is a licensed CPA and CMA in the state of Texas, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the Texas A&M University.

 

Executive Officer:

Roger Westerlind

Position:

President

Age:

66

 

Mr. Westerlind has served as President of ENGlobal Corporation since March 2021. Mr. Westerlind previously served as President of the Company’s subsidiary, ENGlobal U.S., Inc., since December 2020 and was responsible for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Automation and Business Development. Prior to joining ENGlobal, Mr. Westerlind was a consultant for InterOil Group on business development, project management and project execution activities from 2016 to December 2020. Mr. Westerlind served as President-International Division of Dynamic Industries from 2004 to 2016, where he spearheaded that company’s strategy for international operations and major project development. Through these efforts, he helped reposition Dynamic Industries from a small local Louisiana fabrication and maintenance company to an internationally recognized engineering and construction management contractor for large multinational, integrated oil and gas companies as well as large engineering and construction firms. Prior to joining Dynamic Industries, from 1989 to 2004, Mr. Westerlind held various senior positions with ABB Group, a leader in power and automation technologies enabling utility and industrial customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. His most recent position with ABB was Vice President, ABB Lummus Global Oil & Gas, where he marketed the company’s process technologies, project management and engineering, procurement and construction management services to the oil and gas, petrochemical and refining industries worldwide. Mr. Westerlind holds a degree in Electronics Engineering from Göteborgs Tekniska Institut (GTI) and an MBA from IHM Business School, both in Gothenburg, Sweden.

 

 
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned during the last two fiscal years by our former Chief Executive Officer, current Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President (the “named executive officers”).

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

 

Bonus(1)($)

 

 

Stock

Awards(2) ($)

 

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan

Compensation(3)

 

 

All Other Compensation(4) ($)

 

 

Total ($)

 

Mr. Hess ~ Chief Executive Officer

 

2021

 

 

270,210

 

 

 

30,192

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,578

 

 

 

360,980

 

 

 

2020

 

 

250,016

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

9,616

 

 

 

259,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Spriggs ~ Chief Financial Officer,

 

2021

 

 

170,203

 

 

 

18,115

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

213,318

 

 Secretary & Treasurer

 

2020

 

 

144,226

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

144,226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Westerlind ~ President

 

2021

 

 

260,205

 

 

 

60,385

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

420,590

 

 

 

2020

 

 

23,078

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

23,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Coskey ~ Former President

 

2021

 

 

10,459

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6,518

 

 

 

16,977

 

& Chief Executive Officer(5)

 

2020

 

 

49,442

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

49,442

 

 

(1)

This column includes compensation paid pursuant to ENGlobal U.S. Inc.’s Growth Incentive Plan which provides a variable compensation component for developing and selling significant projects for the Company, including products and services. ENGlobal U.S. Inc. adopted the plan on November 5, 2019. This column also includes bonus awards with respect to the tax liability of stock awards granted in 2021.

(2)

This column shows the grant date fair value of equity awards computed in accordance with stock-based compensation accounting rules (FASB ASC Topic 718). Values for awards subject to performance conditions are computed based upon the probable outcome of the performance condition as of the grant date. For a description of certain assumptions made in the valuation of stock awards, see Part II, Item 8, Note 10 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022.

(3)

The Non-Equity Incentive Plan includes amounts awarded pursuant to the Company’s Short Term Incentive Plan. Metrics are set annually and are generally contingent on the Company reaching certain levels of Net Operating Income.

(4)

All Other Compensation includes paid time off, or PTO, cash outs. Does not include perquisites or personal benefits if the aggregate amount is less than $10,000. Does not include medical, dental, life, short and long term disability or paid time off benefits which were available to all employees.

(5)

Mr. Coskey retired from his officer positions effective March 12, 2021.

 

 
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End 2021

 

The following table sets forth information as of December 25, 2021 regarding outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers. On December 23, 2021, the closing price on NASDAQ for the Company’s common stock was $1.54 per share.

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of

Shares That

Have Not

Vested(1)

 

 

Market Value of

Shares of Stock

That Have Not

Vested

 

 

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of Unearned

Shares That Have

Not Vested

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan

Awards: Market Value

of Unearned Shares

That Have Not Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Hess(1)

 

 

11,312

 

 

$ 17,420

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

Mr. Spriggs(2)

 

 

11,787

 

 

$ 18,152

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

Mr. Westerlind(3)

 

 

22,624

 

 

$ 34,841

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

Mr. Coskey

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

(1)

Includes 11,312 shares that were granted under the 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (“Long Term Incentive Plan”) on March 9, 2021, which will vest 3,771 shares on March 9, 2022 and March 9, 2023, and 3,770 shares on March 9, 2024.

(2)

Includes 5,000 shares that were granted under the Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) on August 6, 2019, which will vest 2,500 shares on August 6, 2021 and August 6, 2022. Includes 6,787 shares that were granted under the 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan on March 9, 2021, which will vest 1,697 shares on March 9, 2022, March 9, 2023, and March 9, 2024 and 1,696 shares on March 9, 2025.

(3)

Includes 22,624 shares that were granted under the 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan on March 9, 2021, which will vest 7,542 shares on March 9, 2022 and March 9, 2023, and 7,540 shares on March 9, 2024.

 

 

Employment Agreements; Termination and Change-in-Control Arrangements

 

Messrs. Hess and Westerlind are each a party to a written employment agreement (the “Employment Agreements”) with ENGlobal and ENGlobal U.S., respectively. The Employment Agreements provide for an annual base salary, subject to discretionary increases by the Board, and other compensation in the form of cash bonuses, incentive compensation, stock options, stock appreciation rights, and restricted stock awards. Additionally, the executives receive health, life, and other insurance benefits in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans, and the Company provides management level support services and reimbursement for specified business expenses.

 

The Employment Agreements provide for severance payments and benefits in the case of termination of employment. If employment ends because of death, the Company will pay any accrued but unpaid salary, additional compensation, and other benefits earned up to that date. In the case of a physical or mental disability that prevents the executive from performing his services under the Employment Agreement for a period of three months, the Company may terminate the executive’s employment. If the Company terminates an executive’s employment in such cases of disability, the Employment Agreements provide that the Company will continue to pay the executive his full salary and benefits for the six months following the date of termination (the “Initial Severance Period”). At the Company’s option, severance payments consisting of 100% of the monthly amount of the executive’s base salary in the case of Mr. Hess and 50% of the monthly amount of the executive’s base salary in the case of Mr. Westerlind, and full benefits may be extended for an additional six-month period following the Initial Severance Period.

 

 
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If the Company terminates an executive’s employment for “cause,” as defined in the Employment Agreements, the Company will pay any accrued but unpaid salary, additional compensation, and other benefits earned up to the effective date of termination. If the Company terminates an executive’s employment without “cause,” the Employment Agreement provides that the Company will continue to pay the executive his full salary and benefits for the Initial Severance Period. At the Company’s option, severance payments consisting of 100% of the monthly amount of the executive’s base salary in the case of Mr. Hess and 50% of the monthly amount of the executive’s base salary in the case of Mr. Westerlind, and full benefits may be extended for an additional six-month period following the Initial Severance Period.

 

The Employment Agreements include a covenant not to compete following termination of employment for a period of up to one year, as well as confidentiality provisions that are customary in nature and scope, for such agreements.

 

The terms of the Employment Agreements were set through the course of arms-length negotiations with the executives. As part of these negotiations, the Compensation Committee analyzed the terms of the same or similar arrangements for comparable executives employed by some of the companies in our peer group. The Compensation Committee used this approach in setting the amounts payable and the triggering events under the Employment Agreements. The Employment Agreements’ termination of employment provisions were entered into in order to address competitive concerns by providing the executives with a fixed amount of compensation that would offset the potential risk of foregoing other opportunities. At the time of entering into the Employment Agreements, the Compensation Committee considered ENGlobal’s aggregate potential obligations in the context of retaining the executives and their expected compensation.

 

Executive Perquisites

 

Our use of perquisites as a component of compensation is limited and largely based on historical practices and policies of our Company. These perquisites and other benefits are provided to assure competitiveness and provide an additional retention incentive for these executives. Our Compensation Committee endeavors to adhere to a high level of propriety in managing executive benefits and perquisites. We do not own a plane and do not provide any personal aircraft use for executives.

 

Other Compensation

 

From time to time, we make available to employees and executives certain other fringe benefits. We may provide club memberships, tickets to sporting or cultural events, tickets to community events, etc. To the extent that such items are taxable to the individual, they are considered to be part of the individual’s compensation package.

 

Review of and Conclusion Regarding All Components of Executive Compensation

 

Based on our performance during the past several years, and in light of our executives’ efforts in directing the Company, the Compensation Committee and the Board have determined that the compensation paid to our named executive officers, serves the best interests of our shareholders and continues to emphasize programs that the Compensation Committee and the Board believe positively affect shareholder value.

 

 
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The following table discloses cash and equity awards and other compensation earned, paid or awarded, as the case may be, to each of the Company’s non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021.

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1)

 

 

Stock Awards

($)(2)

 

 

Option Awards

($)

 

 

All Other Compensation ($)

 

 

Total

 

Kevin M. Palma

 

 

31,167

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

$ 81,167

 

Christoper Sorrells

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

$ 65,000

 

Lloyd Kirchner

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

$ 65,000

 

William A. Coskey

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

Randall B. Hale(3)

 

 

2,833

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

$ 2,833

 

David W. Gent(4)

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

$ 15,000

 

David C. Roussel(4)

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

$ 15,000

 

 

(1)

Amount paid in cash to non-employee directors for director compensation earned for their 2021 Board service.

(2)

This column shows the grant date fair value of equity awards computed in accordance with stock-based compensation accounting rules (FASB ASC Topic 718). Values for awards subject to performance conditions are computed based upon the probable outcome of the performance condition as of the grant date. For a description of certain assumptions made in the valuation of stock awards, see Part II, Item 8, Note 10 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022.

(3)

Represents 25,253 shares of restricted stock at a fair market value per share price of $1.98 granted to each director on August 26, 2021, as described below under “Restricted Stock Grants.” As of December 25, 2021, Messrs. Palma, Sorrells, and Kirchner each had a total of 18,940 shares of restricted stock that were unvested.

(4)

Mr. Hale resigned from the Board on February 23, 2021.

(5)

Mr. Gent and Mr. Roussel retired from the Board at the end of the 2020 - 2021 term.

 

The principal objectives of our director compensation programs are to: (i) compensate for time spent on the Company’s behalf, and (ii) align the compensation programs with long-term value to the Company’s shareholders. We attempt to accomplish these objectives in an economical manner through a combination of reasonable director retainer fees and equity incentive grants to the directors.

 

Retainer Fees

 

Historically, our non-employee directors received a cash retainer as compensation for their service to the Company, and our Chairman of the Audit Committee also received an additional cash retainer as compensation for such service. Our non-employee directors are also eligible for reimbursement of travel and other miscellaneous expenses associated with attendance at Board and Committee meetings. Our non-employee directors, Messrs. Palma, Sorrells, and Kirchner, and our former non-employee directors, Messrs. Gent, Hale and Roussel, received a pro-rated annual cash retainer of $30,000 as compensation for their service to the Company, and Messrs. Hale and Palma received an additional pro-rated $4,000 for their service as Audit Committee Chairman.

 

Restricted Stock Grants

 

Under the Long Term Incentive Plan, non-employee directors are eligible to receive equity grants. Our non-employee directors typically receive the equity grants in June concurrent with the annual shareholders’ meeting. On August 26, 2021, in recognition of the services provided by its Board for the 2021-2022 service term, our non-employee directors, Messrs. Palma, Sorrells, and Kirchner, each received 25,253 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, valued at $50,000 based on the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, or $1.98 per share. The shares vested and will vest, as applicable, in equal installments on September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021, March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

 

HEDGING AND PLEDGING PROHIBITIONS

 

Our Insider Trading Policy, which applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, prohibits hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements with respect to ENGlobal stock, purchases of ENGlobal stock on margin or engaging in short sales, or purchases or sales of puts, calls or other derivative securities with respect to ENGlobal stock. In addition, officers and directors of the Company are prohibited from encumbering any portion of their ENGlobal securities or using ENGlobal securities as collateral for any purpose, unless any such transaction is approved in advance by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Lead Independent Director.

 

 
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AUDIT MATTERS

 

Report of the Audit Committee

 

The information contained in this Report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or to be subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

In accordance with its written charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board in, among other matters, oversight of our financial reporting process, including the effectiveness of our internal accounting and financial controls and procedures, and controls over our accounting, auditing, and financial reporting practices. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on the “Investors – Governance Highlights” section of our website at www.englobal.com.

 

The Board has determined that all three members of the Audit Committee are “independent” based upon the standards adopted by the Board, which incorporate the independence requirements under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and our system of internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the financial statements. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and review these processes and procedures. The members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and we are not professionals in those fields. The Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to us and on the representations made by management that the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and on the representations of management and the opinion of the independent registered public accounting firm that such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

During fiscal year 2021, the Audit Committee held seven meetings. The Audit Committee’s meetings were conducted so as to encourage communication among the members of the Audit Committee, management, and our independent registered public accounting firm, Moss Adams LLP. Among other things, the Audit Committee discussed with our internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for ENGlobal’s audits. The Audit Committee met separately with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management, to discuss the results of their examinations and their observations and recommendations regarding our internal controls. The Audit Committee also discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm all matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC.

 

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 25, 2021, with management and our independent registered public accounting firm. Management’s discussions with the Audit Committee included a review of critical accounting policies.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

The Audit Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between us and our registered public accounting firm that might bear on the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm consistent with the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm communications with audit committees concerning independence The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm any relationships that may have an impact on the auditors’ objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee has reviewed and approved the amount of fees paid to Moss Adams LLP for audit and non-audit services. The Audit Committee concluded that the provision of services by Moss Adams LLP is compatible with the maintenance of Moss Adams LLP’s independence.

 

At seven of its meetings during 2021, the Audit Committee met with members of senior management and the independent registered public accounting firm to review the certifications provided by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the overall certification process. At these meetings, Company officers reviewed each of the Sarbanes-Oxley certification requirements concerning internal control over financial reporting and any fraud, whether or not material, involving management or other employees with a significant role in internal control over financial reporting.

 

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management, and the independent registered public accounting firm, and subject to the limitations on our role and responsibilities described above and in the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that ENGlobal’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021, for filing with the SEC.

 

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors,

Kevin M. Palma, Chairman

Lloyd G. Kirchner

Christopher D. Sorrells

 

March 10, 2022

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

Principal Auditor Fees

 

Moss Adams LLP was appointed as the Company’s independent auditors on November 16, 2017 and has audited the Company’s 2021 and 2020 consolidated financial statements. During 2021 and 2020, Moss Adams LLP did not audit the Company’s internal control over financial reporting because the Company is a “smaller reporting company” as defined under the rules of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee has determined that the audit-related services provided by Moss Adams LLP are compatible with maintaining its independence in the conduct of its auditing functions pursuant to the auditor independence rules of the SEC. No non-audit services were provided by Moss Adams LLP in 2021 and 2020.

 

The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by ENGlobal for the audit and other services provided by Moss Adams LLP for fiscal years 2021 and 2020.

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit Fees

 

 

178,000

 

 

 

163,000

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

Tax Fees

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

All Other Fees

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

Total

 

 

178,000

 

 

 

163,000

 

 

As defined by the SEC, (i) “audit fees” are fees for professional services rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q, or for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years; (ii) “audit-related fees” are fees for assurance and related services by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not reported under “audit fees”; (iii) “tax fees” are fees for professional services rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning; and (iv) “all other fees” are fees for products and services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, other than the services reported under “audit fees,” “audit-related fees,” and “tax fees.”

 

Pre-Approval Policy

 

Under applicable SEC rules, except for the ability to designate a portion of this responsibility as described below, the full Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in order to ensure that they do not impair the auditors’ independence from ENGlobal. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to a member of the Audit Committee, and if it does, the decisions of that member must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The SEC’s rules specify the types of non-audit services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client and establish the Audit Committee’s responsibility for administration of the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Consistent with the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee Charter requires that the Audit Committee review and pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to ENGlobal or any of its subsidiaries, except that the Audit Committee Chairman has the right to approve up to $25,000 of services in any year. During 2021, all fees were pre‑approved by the Audit Committee.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of securities ownership and changes in such ownership with the SEC.

 

Based solely upon a review of such forms filed electronically with the SEC or written representations that no Form 5s were required, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were timely met during the year ended December 25, 2021, except that Mr. Roger Westerlind was late in filing a Form 3, Mr. Bruce Williams was late in filing a Form 4 reporting one transaction, and Mr. Kevin Palma omitted a holding item on a Form 3 and was late filing two Form 4s reporting three transactions.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

To the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the directors, there are no other matters which are to be acted upon at the Meeting. If such matters arise, the form of proxy provides that discretionary authority is conferred on the designated persons in the enclosed form of proxy to vote with respect to such matters.

 

The Company has received no notice of any other items to be submitted for consideration at the Meeting and, except for reports of operations and activities by management, which are for informational purposes only and require no approval or disapproval, and consideration of the minutes of the preceding annual meeting for approval, which may involve technical corrections to the text where actions taken were incorrectly recorded, but which require no action of approval or disapproval of the subject matter, management does not know of or contemplate any other business that will be presented for action by the shareholders at the Meeting. If any further business is properly presented at the Meeting, the persons named as proxies will act in their discretion on behalf of the shareholders they represent.

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2023

 

Under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, shareholder proposals must be received by the Company no later than December 27, 2022 to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or, if the Company changes the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting by more than 30 days from the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting, then shareholder proposals must be received by the Company a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

In addition, pursuant to our bylaws, shareholder proposals to be presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (whether or not to be included in the Company’s proxy statement) must be made upon timely notice. A timely notice must be made in writing, contain the information required by our bylaws and be received by the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day, nor later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day, immediately before the first anniversary of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. However, in the event that the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting is advanced more than 30 calendar days before, or delayed more than 70 calendar days after, such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be delivered not later than the close of business on the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of a meeting date is first made by the Company. For information regarding the nomination of director candidates, please see “Consideration of Director Nominees - Shareholder Nominees” on page 8 of this proxy statement.

 

 
26

Table of Contents

 

SHAREHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for shareholder meeting materials with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of meeting materials addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.

 

A number of brokers with account holders who are ENGlobal shareholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single set of meeting materials will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate set of shareholder meeting materials, please notify your broker or ENGlobal. Direct your written request to Investor Relations at ENGlobal Corporation, 11740 Katy Fwy., Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77079, (281) 878-1000. Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of shareholder meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.

 

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 

A copy of ENGlobal’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes our consolidated financial statements, is being delivered to you with this proxy statement. You may also read, print and download our annual report at http://www.proxyvote.com. The annual report may also be read, downloaded and printed at www.englobal.com.

 

APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The contents of this proxy statement have been approved by the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has authorized the mailing of this proxy statement to the shareholders of the Company.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

     

 

Darren W. Spriggs

 
 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

and Corporate Secretary

 

  

Houston, Texas

April 22, 2022

 

 
27

 

 

ENGlobal Corporation

 

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2022 AT 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME

 

 

 

 

CONTROL ID:

 

 

 

 

 

REQUEST ID:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The undersigned hereby appoints William A. Coskey and Darren W. Spriggs, either of them, jointly and severally, with power of substitution, to represent and to vote as designated all shares of common stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ENGlobal Corporation, to be held at our headquarters located at Energy Tower III, 11740 Katy Freeway, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77079, on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., local time, or any adjournment thereof.

 

 

(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)

 

 

 

 

 

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

 

 

If you vote by phone, fax or internet, please DO NOT mail your proxy card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAIL:

Please mark, sign, date, and return this Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.

 

 

 

 

 

FAX:

Complete the reverse portion of this Proxy Card and Fax to 202-521-3464.

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNET:

https://www.iproxydirect.com/ENG

 

 

 

 

 

PHONE:

1-866-752-VOTE(8683)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OF

ENGlobal Corporation

PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE: ☒

 

 

PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal 1

 

FOR

 

WITHHOLD

 

 

 

 

 

Election of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William A. Coskey, P.E.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark A. Hess

 

 

 

 

 

Control ID:

 

Kevin M. Palma

 

 

 

 

 

REQUEST ID:

 

Christopher Sorrells

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lloyd Kirchner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal 2

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

 

 

Ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as the independent auditors of ENGlobal for fiscal year 2022.

 

 

 

 

  

Proposal 3

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

  

 

Conduct a non-binding “say-on-pay” advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING:

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL DIRECTORS, “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MOSS ADAMS LLP, AND “FOR” TO CONDUCT A NON-BINDING “SAY-ON-PAY” ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND IN THE PROXY HOLDER’S DISCRETION, UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

 

 

 

 

 

MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE ☐ New Address (if applicable):

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

 

IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

 

Dated: ________________________, 2022

 

 

 

(Print Name of Stockholder and/or Joint Tenant)

 

(Signature of Stockholder)

 

(Second Signature if held jointly)

 

 

 

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