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 Section 240.14a-12
United-Guardian, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
N/A
(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
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
_______________________
To the Stockholders of UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.:
You are hereby notified that the 2023
annual meeting of stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) of UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC. (the “Company”), will be held
on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting only and will be held via a
Zoom videoconference. Stockholders will not be able to physically attend the meeting.
The
virtual meeting can be accessed by using either of the following links:
1)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83359762567?pwd=ejJOODM0V0xvYkpjQ1phU0tXQUZmUT09
or
2)
bit.ly/3l1ibc7
Any stockholder who is unable to join the online meeting can participate by telephone
by dialing (929) 205-6099 and using the Zoom Meeting ID 833 5976 2567 and
the Passcode 230MARCUS.
The Annual Meeting is being held for the following purposes:
| 1. | To elect six (6) directors to serve until the next annual meeting of the stockholders
and until their respective successors are elected and qualified; |
| 2. | To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of voting on the compensation paid to
the Company’s named executive officers; |
| 3. | To hold an advisory vote relating to the compensation of the Company’s named
executive officers; |
| 4. | To ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and |
| 5. | To transact such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
thereof. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 5, 2023
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
| |
By order of the Board of Directors |
| |
|
Dated: April 13, 2023 | |
/s/ Andrea Young |
| |
Andrea Young |
| |
Secretary |
RETURN OF PROXIES
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual
Meeting. To ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, a proxy card and business reply envelopes are enclosed for your use. We
urge each stockholder to vote promptly by signing and returning his or her proxy card, regardless of the number of shares held.
(NOTE: Since this year’s meeting will be a virtual-only meeting,
there will not be any in-person voting). |
Important notice regarding the availability
of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 17, 2023: The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders
are available on the Company’s website at https://u-g.com/view-annual-meeting/?meeting_year=2023.
Proxy Statement
The enclosed proxy is solicited by
the Board of Directors (“Board”) of UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC. (“Company”) for use at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(“Annual Meeting”) to be held on Wednesday, May 17th at 10:00 A.M. Eastern time and at any adjournments thereof. The Annual
Meeting will be a virtual meeting only and will be held via a Zoom videoconference. The virtual meeting can be accessed by using one of
the following links:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83359762567?pwd=ejJOODM0V0xvYkpjQ1phU0tXQUZmUT09
or
bit.ly/3l1ibc7
Any stockholder who is unable to join
the online meeting can participate by telephone by dialing (929) 205-6099 and using the Zoom Meeting ID 833 5976 2567 and the Passcode
230MARCUS. Stockholders will not be able to physically attend the meeting.
A proxy granted hereunder is revocable
at any time before it is voted by (a) a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or (b) written notice to the Secretary of the Company
received by the Company at any time before such proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting.
It is anticipated that the mailing
of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Proxy to stockholders will commence on or about April 10, 2023.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The persons named as proxies are Beatriz
Blanco and Andrea Young.
All shares represented by properly
executed, unrevoked proxies received in proper form and in time for use at the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the directions
specified thereon and otherwise in accordance with the judgment of the persons designated as proxies. Any proxy on which no direction
is specified will be voted in favor of the nominees to the Board listed in this Proxy Statement and for the approval of the proposals
to: (i) have an advisory stockholder vote every (one) year on the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers; (ii) approve
the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and (iii) ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP (“Baker”)
as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, but will not be voted
in favor of stockholder proposals (if any) included in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters are properly presented at the Annual
Meeting for consideration, the persons named as proxies in a properly delivered proxy card will have the discretion to vote on those matters
for the stockholder delivering the proxy card. As of the date we filed this Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”), the Board was not aware of any other matters to be raised at the Annual Meeting.
The cost of preparing, assembling,
and mailing the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card and any other materials enclosed, will be borne by the Company.
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone
or facsimile. They will not receive additional compensation for their effort. The Company will request brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons and will reimburse
such persons for their expenses in forwarding soliciting material. The Company does not anticipate paying any compensation to any other
party for the solicitation of proxies.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
Outstanding Shares and Voting Rights
Only holders of record of the Company’s
common stock, par value $.10 per share (“Common Stock”), at the close of business on April 5, 2023, will be entitled to notice
of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of March 31, 2023, there were 4,594,319 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The holders of a
majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding must be present or represented by proxy at the annual meeting to have a
quorum. Each outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting, which
vote may be given only or by proxy. There are no cumulative voting rights.
Nominees for director are elected if the
votes cast for a nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against that nominee’s election.
The affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of shares of Common Stock present, in person or by proxy, and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary for the approval
of the proposals to: (i) have an advisory stockholder vote every year on the compensation paid to
the Company’s named executive officers; (ii) approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and
(iii) ratify the appointment of Baker as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2023.
Any broker holding shares in “street
name” on behalf of a stockholder is required to vote those shares in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions. If the
stockholder does not give instructions to the broker, the broker will be entitled to vote the shares with respect to “routine”
items but will not be permitted to vote the shares with respect to non-routine items (resulting in a “broker non-vote”). The
ratification of the selection of Baker is a “routine” item. The election of directors, the
advisory vote on the frequency of voting on the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, the advisory
vote relating to the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, and stockholder proposals, if any, are non-routine
items.
Under Delaware law, shares as to which
a stockholder abstains or withholds authority to vote and broker non-votes will be treated as present at the Annual Meeting for the purposes
of determining a quorum. Proxies marked “Withhold Authority” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not
be counted in determining who the six persons are who received the greatest number of votes in the election of directors. Proxies marked
“Abstain” with respect to (a) the ratification of the appointment of Baker as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; (b) the advisory vote on the frequency
of voting on the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers; (c) the advisory vote relating to the compensation
of the Company’s named executive officers; or (d) stockholder proposals (if any) that are properly presented at the Annual Meeting,
will have the effect of a vote against approval or ratification with respect to such proposals.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth the shares
of the Company’s Common Stock (the only class of stock issued and outstanding), owned beneficially by each person who, as of March
31, 2023, is known by the Company to have owned beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock. Regarding the shares referenced
in footnote (1) below, the beneficial owner has both sole voting power and sole investment power, except for those shares held by his
spouse as noted.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Owned |
Percent of Class |
|
|
|
Ken Globus
c/o United-Guardian, Inc.
230 Marcus Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788 |
1,318,053 (1) |
28.7% |
|
|
|
Dr. Betsee Parker
P.O. Box 2198, Middleburg, VA 20118 |
337,128 (2) |
7.3% |
|
|
|
Mario J. Gabelli
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580 |
255,111 (3) |
5.6% |
| (1) | Consisting of 279,027 shares held directly in his own name, and another 1,039,026 shares held beneficially
as follows: 760,000 shares as joint Trustee of the Alfred Globus Testamentary Trust, as to which he has sole voting rights and shared
investment power, and 279,026 shares held by his wife. |
| (2) | As of March 31, 2023, based on information provided to the Company by a representative of Dr. Betsee Parker. |
| (3) | As of March 13, 2023, based on information provided to the Company by Mr. Gabelli: 38,000 shares are owned
by Gabelli Funds, LLC; 69,611 shares by Teton Advisors, Inc.; and 147,500 shares by GAMCO Asset Management Inc. and GAMCO Investors, Inc,
each of the forgoing entities are owned by Mr. Gabelli or other related entities. However, none of forgoing individually reported beneficial
ownership of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following information is furnished with respect
to ownership of shares of Common Stock as of March 31, 2023, by each named executive officer, each director (which includes all nominees
for director) and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (9 persons). Except as otherwise indicated, the beneficial
owner has sole voting and investment power.
Name of Beneficial Owner | |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | |
Percent of Class |
Ken Globus | |
| 1,318,053 | (1) | |
| 28.7 | % |
Arthur M. Dresner | |
| 12,175 | | |
| (2 | ) |
Lawrence F. Maietta | |
| 4,000 | | |
| (2 | ) |
Peter A. Hiltunen | |
| 320 | | |
| (2 | ) |
Andrew A. Boccone | |
| 0 | | |
| (2 | ) |
S. Ari Papoulias | |
| 0 | | |
| (2 | ) |
Beatriz Blanco | |
| 0 | | |
| (2 | ) |
Andrea Young | |
| 0 | | |
| (2 | ) |
Donna Vigilante | |
| 2 | | |
| (2 | ) |
All Officers and directors as a group (9 persons) | |
| 1,334,550 | | |
| 29 | % |
| (1) | Consisting of 279,027 shares held directly by Ken Globus, and an aggregate 1,039,026 shares held beneficially as follows: 760,000
shares as joint Trustee of the Alfred Globus Testamentary Trust, as to which Mr. Globus has sole voting rights and shared investment power,
and 279,026 shares held by his wife. |
| (2) | Less than one percent (1%). |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has adopted a written policy
for the approval of “related party” transactions. Under the policy, related parties are defined to include executive officers
and directors of the Company and their immediate family members, a stockholder owning in excess of 5% of the Company, and entities
in which any of the foregoing have a substantial ownership interest or control. The policy applies to any transactions that exceed or
are expected to exceed $50,000 in a single calendar year.
The policy provides that the Audit Committee
will review transactions subject to the policy and decide whether or not to approve or ratify those transactions. In doing so, the Audit
Committee will make a determination as to whether the transaction is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, taking
into account (a) the benefits to the Company and its stockholders; (b) the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction;
(c) whether the transaction is on terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances; (d)
the impact or potential impact on a director’s independence in the event the related party is a director, an immediate family member
of a director, or an entity in which a director is a partner, shareholder or executive officer; and (e) the terms of each transaction.
The policy also provides that director and officer compensation that is approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee is exempt
from this approval process and will be considered to be pre-approved. The Related Party Transaction Policy can be found on the Company's
web site at www.u-g.com.
During 2022, the Company paid Ken Globus
$20,000 for consulting services subsequent to his retirement from the Company in October of 2022. Additionally, Mr. Globus purchased a
Company owned automobile for $37,039, which approximated market value at the time of sale.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
Nominees for Election as Directors
Six (6) directors are to be elected at
the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
Set forth in the table below are the names of all persons nominated for election as directors (all of whom are currently directors) by
a majority of the Company’s independent directors, the principal occupation or employment of each nominee for at least the past
five years, their present positions with the Company, their qualifications to serve as a director, other public company directorships,
and the year they were first elected as a director of the Company.
Name and Position with the Company |
Age |
Principal Occupation, Qualifications, and other Directorships |
Year First Elected as Director |
Beatriz Blanco
President
Chief Executive Officer
Director |
62 |
Ms. Blanco has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from November 2022 to present. She has over 20 years of experience in the personal care sector, including her prior positions as the Global Business Director with Momentive Performance Materials and Marketing Director with International Specialty Products. Ms. Blanco received her MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University and her Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. |
2022 |
|
|
|
|
Ken Globus
Director
Chairman of the Board
|
72 |
Mr. Globus has served as the Chairman of the Board from September
2009 to present and as President and General Counsel of the Company from July 1988 through October 2022. Additionally, Mr. Globus served
as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company from November 1997 to December 2006. He has leadership experience, legal experience from
his prior years as an attorney in private practice, business experience, and knowledge of the Company’s operations from over 39
years as General Counsel, Vice President, and then President of the Company. Mr. Globus holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology
and English from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Juris Doctor degree from the George Washington University Law School. |
1982 |
|
|
|
|
Lawrence F. Maietta
Director |
65 |
Mr. Maietta is a partner in the accounting firm of PKF O’Connor
Davies, LLP, New York, NY since January 1, 2021. Previously, Mr. Maietta was a partner in the accounting firm of Bonamassa, Maietta &
Cartelli, LLP, Brooklyn, NY, from 1991 through December 2020; and served as the Company’s Controller from October 1991 to November
1997. He has financial experience, business experience, and an extensive knowledge of the Company’s operations. Mr. Maietta has
been a CPA and consultant, preparing financial reports and tax returns for the Company and other clients for more than 35 years. He holds
a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Niagara University, and an MBA from Hofstra University. (2) |
1994 |
|
|
|
|
Arthur M. Dresner
Director |
82 |
Mr. Denser is Counsel at the law firm of Duane Morris LLP, New York,
NY since August 2007. He has leadership experience, legal experience, business experience, and a scientific education and background.
From 1998 to 2007 he was partner and previously “Of Counsel” at the law firm of Reed Smith, LLP, New York, NY. For more than
20 years prior, Mr. Denser was employed by GAF Corporation and its subsidiary, International Specialty Products, Inc., Wayne, NJ, including
having been Vice President of corporate development and general management for the last 8 years of his tenure. He holds a bachelor’s
degree in Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law.
(1) (2) |
1997 |
|
|
|
|
Andrew A. Boccone
Director |
77 |
Mr. Boccone has been an independent business consultant since 2001.
He has leadership experience, business experience, and a scientific education and background. For more than 25 years he was employed
by Kline & Company, Inc., Parsippany, NJ, an international business consulting and market research firm specializing in the chemicals
industry, consumer products, life sciences, and energy sector, including having been President from 1990 to 2001. Mr. Boccone holds a
Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Hofstra University, and an MBA from Seton Hall University. (1) (2) |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
S. Ari Papoulias
Director |
69 |
Mr. Papoulis is the principal of ChemRise LLC, a business advisory firm providing technology, marketing, and financial advice to firms in the chemicals industry, since 2016. From 2006 to 2015, he held the position of Global Marketing Director for Momentive Performance Materials (formerly GE Advanced materials). From 1987 to 2006, Mr. Papoulis initially served as the Business Manager of Advanced Materials, then Business Director of Industrial Markets, and then Global Marketing Director of Performance Chemicals for International Specialty Products, Inc., Wayne, NJ. He has leadership experience, business and financial experience, and a scientific background and education. Mr. Papoulis holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida, a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MBA in Finance from New York University. (1) |
2016 |
(1) Member of Audit Committee
(2) Member of Compensation Committee
There are no family relationships between
any director and/or officer of the Company.
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the
election of the six (6) nominees named for election as directors.
Board Diversity Matrix
The matrix below reflects our Board’s gender
and racial characteristics and LGBTQ+ status, based on the self-identification of our directors. Each of the categories below has the
meaning as it is used in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f).
Board Diversity Matrix (as of March 31, 2023) |
Total Number of Directors |
6 |
Gender Identity: |
Male |
Female |
Non-Binary |
Gender Undisclosed |
Directors |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Number of Directors who Identify in any of the Categories Below: |
African American or Black |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Alaskan Native or Native American |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Asian |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Hispanic or Latinx |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
- |
- |
- |
- |
White |
5 |
1 |
- |
- |
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LGBTQ+ |
- |
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
- |
Legal Proceeding Involving Directors
There were no legal proceedings involving the nominees
to the Board in the past ten years.
Executive Officers
Name and Position with the Company |
Age |
Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years |
Beatriz Blanco
President
Principal Executive Officer |
62 |
President and Principal Executive Officer of the Company from November 2022 to date; Member of the Company’s Board of Directors from November 2022 to date. |
Ken Globus
Former President
and Principal Executive Officer
|
72 |
President, General Counsel and Principal Executive Officer of the Company from July 1988 through October 2022; Chairman of the Board since September 2009; Chief Financial Officer of the Company from November 1997 to December 2006. |
Peter A. Hiltunen
Senior Vice President-
Production & Procurement |
64 |
Senior Vice President of the Company from April 2020 to date; Vice President of the Company from July 2002 to April 2020; Production Manager of the Company since 1982. |
Andrea Young
Principal Financial Officer
Controller, Treasurer, and
Secretary
|
54 |
Secretary of the Company from April 2020 to date; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of the Company from May 2018 to date; Controller of the Company from September 2016 to date; Human Resources Manager of the Company from May 2017 to date. |
Donna Vigilante
Vice President – R&D
|
43 |
Vice President of the Company since May 2020; Research and Development Manager of the Company since September 2017; Research and Development chemist from November 2015 until September 2017. |
Board Leadership Structure
The Company is currently led by Beatriz
Blanco. Formerly, the Company was led by Ken Globus, who served as President from 1988 through October 2022. Mr. Globus has been Chairman
of the Board since September 2009. The Board is composed of Beatriz Blanco, Ken Globus and four independent directors. The Board has two
standing committees composed solely of independent directors: the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Board also has a
Compensation Committee. Historically, only the Audit Committee has a chairman.
The Board does not have a lead director
as all of the independent directors have an established knowledge of Company operations and have held leadership positions in their respective
professions, both past and present. The independent directors meet in executive session at least twice per year in accordance with NASDAQ
guidelines. The Company maintained this leadership structure since its founding in 1942, except that the committees were not established
until the 1990s. The Board believes that this leadership structure remains effective for the Company considering its size and its resources,
and similar leadership structures are commonly utilized by other small public companies in the United States.
Affirmative Determinations Regarding Director Independence
The Company’s Board has considered
the independence of the nominees for election at the Annual Meeting and has affirmatively determined that four of the five non-employee
nominees for director: Lawrence Maietta, Arthur Dresner, Andrew Boccone, and S. Ari Papoulias, do not have any material business, family
or other relationship with the Company other than as a director, and for that reason qualify as independent under the corporate governance
rules of NASDAQ. Ken Globus does not qualify as independent under the corporate governance rules of NASDAQ, due to his former employment
with the Company. The NASDAQ corporate governance rules stipulate that a majority of the Board of Directors must be composed of independent
directors, and the Company complies with this rule. Lawrence Maietta does receive compensation as an outside accounting consultant in
addition to the fees he receives as a director, which disqualifies him from serving on the Audit Committee. However, the Board has determined
that the additional compensation is not material and falls well below the thresholds established by NASDAQ and the SEC for determining
director independence for purposes other than serving on the Audit Committee. Beatriz Blanco is not independent due to her status as President
of the Company and not due to any other transactions or relationships.
Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
The Board views risk management as a process
designed to identify, manage, and control risks that may adversely affect the Company, so that they are appropriate considering the Company’s
size, operations and business objectives. The Company’s risk management policies enable the Company to manage risk within acceptable
limits and provide reasonable assurance of optimum corporate performance in the area of risk/return. The Board has ultimate responsibility
for oversight of the Company’s risk management processes, and discharges this responsibility through regular reports received from,
and discussions with, senior management on all areas of material risk exposure to the Company. These reports and discussions include,
among other things, operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic risks. The full Board engages with the appropriate members
of senior management to enable its members to understand and provide input to, and oversight of, risk identification, risk management
and risk mitigation strategies. In addition, the Company’s Audit Committee is responsible for evaluating and monitoring financial
risks and meets regularly in executive session without management present to, among other things, discuss the Company’s risk management
culture and processes. While the Board oversees the Company’s risk management, the Company’s senior management is responsible
for day-to-day risk management processes.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) requires the Company’s officers, directors and persons who own more than
10% of a class of the Company’s equity securities to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership with
the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. Based on (i) a review of copies of Forms 3, 4, and 5 and any amendments thereto furnished to the Company
during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and (ii) any written representations signed by reporting persons that
no Form 5 is required, the Company believes that all persons subject to the reporting requirements pursuant to Section 16(a) filed
the required reports on a timely basis during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, with the exception of
a Form 3 for Beatriz Blanco (disclosing no transaction) that was inadvertently filed late.
Directors Meetings
During the fiscal year ended December
31, 2022, the Board held four regular meetings. Five directors participated in all four regular directors’ meetings as well as the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Beatriz Blanco, who was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in November of 2022, participated
in one of the regular meetings. Although we have no formal policy about director attendance at the Annual Meeting, the Board’s attendance
is encouraged.
The Board has a separately designated
standing Audit Committee, established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, to oversee the accounting and financial
reporting processes of the Company and to meet and review with the Company’s independent auditors the plan, scope and results of
its audits. Members of the Audit Committee in 2022 were Messrs. Arthur M. Dresner (the Chairman), Andrew A. Boccone, and S. Ari Papoulias.
All of the Audit Committee members are independent as that term is defined in the listing standards of NASDAQ, the Company’s stock
exchange since March 16, 2009. Under NASDAQ rules, the Board is required to make certain findings about the independence and qualifications
of the members of the Audit Committee of the Board. In addition to assessing the independence of the members under NASDAQ rules, the Board
also considered the requirements of Section 10A(m)(3) and Rule 10a-3 under the Exchange Act. As a result of its review, the Board determined
that the Audit Committee does not have a financial expert. However, S. Ari Papoulias is considered “financially sophisticated”
as that term is defined by NASDAQ. Lawrence F. Maietta, a Certified Public Accountant and former member of the Audit Committee, acts as
an advisor to the Audit Committee. Mr. Maietta would not be deemed independent for purposes of membership on the Audit Committee. The
reason for the absence of a financial expert is that the Board determined that the expense involved did not justify recruiting one, considering
Mr. Maietta’s presence as an advisor, and the “financially sophisticated” status of Mr. Papoulias. There were four meetings
of the Audit Committee held during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. All four members of the Audit Committee attended all four
meetings; Ken Globus attended three of the meetings as the management representative; and Beatriz Blanco attended one meeting as the management
representative. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.u-g.com/corporate.
During the fiscal year ended December
31, 2022, the directors who were independent directors of the Company, Messrs. Lawrence F. Maietta, Arthur M. Dresner, Andrew A. Boccone,
and S. Ari Papoulias, held two meetings in executive session without the presence of non-independent directors and management in accordance
with NASDAQ rules. All of the independent directors were present at both of the meetings.
The Board has a Compensation Committee
which was formed in 1999 for the purpose of recommending to the Board the compensation of corporate officers and key employees for the
ensuing year. Members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Lawrence F. Maietta, Arthur M. Dresner, and Andrew A. Boccone. Beatriz
Blanco currently acts as advisor to the Committee representing management. During 2022, Ken Globus acted as advisor to the Committee representing
management. The Committee held one meeting in 2022. The Compensation Committee does not have a charter. Neither management nor the Committee
has engaged a consultant to provide advice on compensation.
The Compensation Committee meets in March
of each year for the purpose of determining the amount, if any, to be paid in bonuses to the Company’s employees in April of each
year. The bonuses are based on the Company’s financial results for the previous fiscal year and are determined either by (a) specifying
a bonus pool that is allocated to non-manager employees on a pay-to-pay formula, or (b) specifying a percentage increase or decrease to
the previous year’s bonuses. Bonuses to managers are determined on an individual basis, based on both individual performance as
well as the prior year’s financial results. In addition, the Committee determines the amount of any cost-of-living increase for
all employees based upon U.S. Department of Labor statistics for the prior year. The bonuses are paid as a single cash payment.
The Compensation Committee does not set
the compensation of the Board of Directors. Instead, the full Board acts on recommendations made by the independent directors. In its
review of director compensation, the Board considers various factors, such as the compensation of directors in other public companies
of a similar size, the time spent by Board and Committee members in their service to the Company, and recent changes that may result in
an increase or decrease in the responsibilities or time commitment of a Board and/or Committee member.
The Board does not have a standing Nominating
Committee. The full Board fulfills the role of a nominating committee. Final selections are made by a majority of the independent directors.
It is the position of the Board that it is appropriate for the Company not to have a separate nominating committee because the size, composition
and collective independence of the Board enables it to adequately fulfill the functions of a standing committee. NASDAQ does not require
the Company to have a separate nominating committee but does require that Board nominees be selected by either a nominating committee
composed solely of independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors. The Board does not have a formal diversity policy,
but evaluates the diverse professional and personal backgrounds of individuals when considering potential candidates.
The Board identifies director candidates
through a combination of referrals, including by management, existing Board members, and stockholders. Once a candidate has been identified,
the Board reviews the individual’s experience and background, and may discuss the proposed nominee with the source of the recommendation.
If the independent directors believe it to be appropriate, such directors may meet with the proposed nominee before making a final determination
on whether to include the proposed nominee as a member of management’s slate of director nominees submitted to the stockholders
for election to the Board. The Board will evaluate stockholder-nominated candidates under the same criteria as director-nominated candidates.
Stockholders wishing to refer director candidates to the Board should do so in writing and they should be delivered to the Board of Directors
c/o Corporate Secretary, United-Guardian, Inc., P.O. Box 18050, Hauppauge, NY 11788. The Board has adopted a corporate resolution with
regard to the nominating process as discussed above. The Board has no charter for the nominating process.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In 2022 the Audit Committee of the Board
comprised three directors: Arthur M. Dresner, Andrew A. Boccone, and S. Ari Papoulias. All of the Audit Committee members are “independent”
as that term is defined in the listing standards of NASDAQ.
The Audit Committee assists the Board
in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the Company’s consolidated financial reports, its internal financial and
accounting controls, and its auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes generally.
In discharging its oversight responsibilities
regarding the audit process, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as
of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, with Company management and Baker Tilly US, LLP (“Baker”) the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm auditors. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from Baker
required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Baker’s communications with the Audit
Committee concerning their independence, and discussed with Baker any relationships which might impair that firm’s independence
from management and the Company and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed
with Baker all communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as
amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU section 380).
Based upon these reviews and discussions,
the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2022, be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 for filing with the
SEC.
/s/ Arthur M. Dresner /s/ Andrew A. Boccone /s/ S. Ari
Papoulias
The foregoing Audit Committee Report does
not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed “filed” with the SEC, incorporated by reference into any other
Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act (except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report
by reference therein) or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
PROPOSAL TWO
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF VOTING ON THE
COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Section 14A of the Exchange Act requires
the Company to include in its proxy statement an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation. Section 14A also requires
the Company to include in its proxy statement at least every six years an advisory vote regarding the frequency with which the advisory
vote on named executive officer compensation should be held. The Board has included in each of its Proxy Statements, beginning with the
Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation and currently plans
to continue to seek an advisory vote on executive compensation every year. Stockholders will be able to specify one of four choices for
this proposal on the proxy card or voting instruction: one year, two years, three years, or abstain.
We are asking you to vote to approve the
adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That the stockholders of the Company
approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the holding of an advisory vote on compensation paid to the Company’s named executive
officers, every year.
The Board believes this approach
would align more closely with the interests of stockholders by giving stockholders the opportunity to cast a vote regarding the compensation
decisions made by the Compensation Committee each year. The Board believes that an annual vote provides the most direct communication
and clarity and avoids delays.
The Board recommends that you vote for “ONE YEAR”
as the preferred frequency for the approval of the non-binding advisory resolution of the future compensation of the Company’s named
executive officers.
PROPOSAL THREE
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE
COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Pursuant
to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are including a proposal for our stockholders to vote to approve, on a nonbinding, advisory
basis, the compensation of those of our executive officers disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in this proxy statement.
Stockholders will be able to specify one of three choices for this proposal on the proxy card or voting instruction: for,
against, or abstain from the proposal to approve on an advisory basis the compensation of our named executive officers.
Our executive compensation is designed
to reward executive performance that contributes to our success and increases stockholder value, while encouraging behavior that is in
our and our stockholders’ best interests.
We are asking you to vote to approve the
adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That the stockholders
of the Company approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed
pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K.
The stockholder vote on the proposal to
approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers is advisory and nonbinding, and serves only as a recommendation
to our Board.
The
Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive
officers.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND DIRECTORS
Summary Compensation Table
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth for the
years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 certain information concerning the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the
Company’s principal executive officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive
officer:
Name and principal position |
Year |
Salary
($) |
Bonus(1)
($) |
All other
compensation(2)(3)
($) |
Total
($) |
Ken Globus
Former President &
Chief Executive Officer
|
2022 |
261,355 |
129,300 |
198,184(4) |
588,839 |
2021 |
284,876 |
91,700 |
29,209 |
405,785 |
Beatriz Blanco
President
Chief Executive Officer
|
2022 |
52,769 |
--- |
--- |
52,769 |
2021 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Donna Vigilante
Vice President
R&D Manager
Director of Technical Services
|
2022 |
143,818 |
35,000 |
26,121 |
204,939 |
2021 |
122,733 |
30,000 |
15,383 |
168,116 |
Andrea Young
Chief Financial Officer
Controller, Treasurer, Secretary |
2022 |
135,024 |
35,000 |
23,369 |
193,393 |
2021 |
117,224 |
30,000 |
14,829 |
162,053 |
Peter A. Hiltunen
Senior Vice President
Production Manager
|
2022 |
178,490 |
35,000 |
28,545 |
242,035 |
2021 |
166,522 |
25,000 |
19,290 |
210,812 |
(1) The payment of executive bonuses is at the discretion
of the Company’s Board of Directors. The amounts of such bonuses are determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee and
are based on the financial results of the previous fiscal year.
(2) In both 2022 and 2021 under the Company’s
401(k) plan for all its employees, the Company made a contribution of up to 4% of each employee’s salary, matching an employee’s
elective deferral of up to 4% of salary. In addition, in 2009 the Company began making a discretionary contribution to all employees’
401(k) accounts based on a formula that qualifies the 401(k) plan under Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Safe Harbor provisions.
These amounts include the Company's contributions for each year.
(3) In 2022, the Company paid out accumulated excess
paid time off (PTO) that had accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. These amounts include those payments.
(4) In connection with Mr. Globus’ separation
from the Company in October of 2022, payments were made to Mr. Globus pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding dated November 1, 2022.
This amount includes these payments.
Employment Arrangements with Our Named Executive
Officers
Pursuant to Beatriz Blanco’s
Employment Agreement dated October 10, 2022 (the “Employment Agreement”), Ms. Blanco receives an initial annual base salary
of $280,000 and is eligible to participate in the Company’s Discretionary Bonus/Profit Sharing Plan.
Additionally, if Ms. Blanco is terminated without “Cause”
or resigns for “Good Reason” (both as defined in the Employment Agreement), subject to certain conditions including her execution
and non-revocation of a customary release of claims, she will be entitled to receive severance in an amount equal to three months of her
base salary, along with the payment of accrued obligations set forth in the Employment Agreement. If Ms. Blanco is terminated for Cause
or resigns without Good Reason, she will be entitled to receive the payment of accrued obligations set forth in the Employment Agreement.
Each of our other
named executive officers is employed at-will and their compensation is reviewed periodically and subject to the discretion of our Board
of Directors and Compensation Committee.
Pay Versus Performance
The following table sets forth for the
years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 certain information concerning the compensation of the Company’s executive
officers and the Company’s financial performance:
Fiscal Year (1) |
Summary Compensation Total for PEO(2)
($) |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(2)(4)
($) |
Summary Compensation Total for PEO(3)
($) |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(3)
($) |
Average Summary Compensation for Non-PEO NEOs
($) |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (4)
($) |
Total Shareholder Return
($) |
Net Income ($) |
2022 |
588,839 |
561,965 |
52,769 |
52,769 |
213,456 |
187,444 |
(5.38) |
2,569,512 |
2021 |
405,785 |
376,576 |
---- |
---- |
180,327 |
163,826 |
3.28 |
4,658,542 |
(1) The following are the respective names of the
PEOs and NEOs by fiscal year:
Fiscal 2022 – PEOs: Ken Globus (January 2022-October 2022);
Beatriz Blanco (November 2022-December 2022). NEOs: Peter Hiltunen, Andrea Young, and Donna Vigilante
Fiscal 2021 – PEO: Ken Globus. NEOs: Peter Hiltunen, Andrea
Young, and Donna Vigilante
(2) Amounts reported in this column represent the
total compensation for Ken Globus, and in 2022, includes certain payments made pursuant to the memorandum of understanding in connection
with Mr. Globus’ retirement from the Company, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table.
(3) Amounts reported in this column represent the
total compensation for Beatriz Blanco, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table.
(4) To calculate compensation actually paid, adjustments
were made to the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. The adjustments relate to contributions made
by the Company to the Company’s 401(K) Plan.
Pay Verus Performance Narrative
The Company utilizes corporate performance,
specifically annual corporate net income, to align executive compensation with its short and long-term performance. Annual bonuses are
determined based on the annual net income of the Company in the corresponding fiscal year. Beginning in 2023, part of the executive compensation
program will focus on annual corporate goals and objectives.
Pension Plans
The Company sponsors a 401(k)-defined
contribution plan (“DC Plan”) that provides for a dollar-for-dollar employer matching contribution of up to 4% of each employee’s
pay that is deferred under the DC Plan. Employees become fully vested in employer matching contributions immediately. Company 401(k) matching
contributions were approximately $81,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and $80,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021. In 2022,
employees were able to defer up to $20,500 of their annual pay as a pre-tax investment in the 401(k) plan (plus an additional $6,500 for
employees over the age of 50), in accordance with limits set by the IRS. In 2021, employees were able to defer up to $19,500 of their
annual pay as a pre-tax investment in the 401(k) plan (plus an additional $6,500 for employees over the age of 50), in accordance with
limits set by the IRS.
The Company also makes discretionary contributions
to each employee’s account based on a “pay-to-pay” safe-harbor formula that qualifies the 401(k) plan under current
IRS regulations. The Company’s Board authorized discretionary contributions of $109,000 in both November 2022 and November 2021,
to be allocated among all eligible employees, for the 2022 and 2021 plan years, respectively. The Company’s contribution for 2022
was paid into the DC plan in February 2023, and the contribution for 2021 was paid into the DC Plan in January 2022. The allocated amounts
for FY-2022 and FY-2021 were distributed into each employee’s account in February 2023 and January 2022, respectively. Employees
become vested in the discretionary contributions as follows: 20% after two years of employment, and 20% for each year of employment thereafter
until the employee becomes 100% vested after six years of employment.
All the persons named in the Summary Compensation
Table above, other than Beatriz Blanco, participated in the DC Plan. All persons who participated were fully vested as of December 31,
2022.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
As of December 31, 2022, there were
no outstanding equity awards held by the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table above. The Company’s previous stock option
plan, which had been adopted in March 2004, expired in March 2014.
Director Compensation
In 2021, the annual retainer paid to each
non-employee director was $14,500, paid quarterly, with non-employee directors each receiving a fee of $2,300 for each Board meeting attended.
Ken Globus, former President of the Company, did not receive separate compensation for his services as director while he was employed
by the Company. Each Audit Committee member and Mr. Lawrence F. Maietta, as an adviser to the Committee, received a retainer of $750 per
quarter. Mr. Arthur M. Dresner, the Committee Chairman, received an additional $250 per quarter. In addition, each received a fee of $1,500
for the Annual Audit Committee Meeting and $1,000 for each quarterly meeting. The Audit Committee Chairman, Mr. Arthur M. Dresner, received
an additional $1,250 for the Annual Audit Committee Meeting and an additional $750 for each quarterly meeting. The Committee Secretary,
Mr. Andrew A. Boccone, received an additional $250 for each meeting. Compensation Committee members each receive a fee of $1,000 for each
meeting attended. No fees are paid for meetings of the independent directors.
From January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022,
in lieu of the retainers and meeting fees discussed above, each non-employee director received a payment of $35,000 in connection with
the Company’s efforts to explore strategic alternatives for the Company. In addition, Messrs. Andrew A. Boccone and S. Ari Papoulias
received $10,000 each in connection with the executive search for a new President and CEO for the Company and Messrs. Lawrence F. Maietta
and Arthur M. Dresner received $2,000 each for their contribution to the executive search.
Beginning in July of 2022, each non-employee
director was paid a quarterly retainer of $3,625, with non-employee directors each receiving a fee of $2,300 for each Board meeting attended.
Ken Globus, former President of the Company, did not receive separate compensation for his services as director while he was employed
by the Company, however, subsequent to his retirement in October of 2022, Mr. Globus was paid a pro-rata retainer of $2,917 for the fourth
quarter of 2022 and $2,300 for one Board meeting in November 2022. Each Audit Committee member and Mr. Lawrence F. Maietta, as an adviser
to the Committee, received a retainer of $750 per quarter. Mr. Arthur M. Dresner, the Committee Chairman, received an additional $250
per quarter. In addition, each received a fee of $1,500 for the Annual Audit Committee Meeting and $1,000 for each quarterly meeting.
The Audit Committee Chairman, Mr. Arthur M. Dresner, received an additional $1,250 for the Annual Audit Committee Meeting and an additional
$750 for each quarterly meeting. The Committee Secretary, Mr. Andrew A. Boccone, received an additional $250 for each meeting. Compensation
Committee members each receive a fee of $1,000 for each meeting attended. No fees are paid for meetings of the independent directors.
Beatriz Blanco, current President of the Company, did not receive separate compensation for her services as a director.
The following table sets forth for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 certain information concerning the compensation paid to directors of the Company who are not “named
executive officers” (as such term is defined in Item 402(m)(2) of Regulation S-K):
Name |
Fees earned or paid in
cash
($) |
All other
compensation
($) |
Total
($) |
Lawrence F. Maietta |
52,350 |
14,500(1) |
66,850 |
Arthur M. Dresner |
54,350 |
- |
54,350 |
Andrew A. Boccone |
60,850 |
- |
60,850 |
S. Ari Papoulias |
60,350 |
- |
60,350 |
Ken Globus |
5,217 |
20,000(2) |
25,217 |
| (1) | Consulting fee paid to of PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, New York, NY, of which
Lawrence F. Maietta is a partner, for work performed by Mr. Maietta in connection with his review of the Company’s quarterly and
annual financial statements and corporate tax returns. |
| (2) | Consulting fee paid to Ken Globus, as per the Memorandum of Understanding dated
November 1, 2022. Mr. Globus was retained as a consultant upon his retirement from the Company to render management guidance and advice
in connection with routine business matters. |
PROPOSAL FOUR
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of Baker Tilly US, LLP (“Baker”),
headquartered in Melville, N.Y., has been appointed by the Audit Committee of the Board to be the independent registered public accounting
firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The appointment of such firm is subject to ratification by the
stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Management believes that the firm is well qualified and recommends a vote in favor of the ratification.
Representatives of Baker are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire
to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Neither
the Company’s bylaws nor the governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of Baker as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm. However, this proposal is being submitted to the stockholders as a matter of good corporate
practice. If the stockholders do not ratify Baker, the appointment of another firm of independent certified public accountants may be
considered by the Audit Committee. Even if Baker is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a
different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that doing so is in the best interests
of the Company and its stockholders.
The Board recommends that you vote
“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Baker to serve as the Company’s independent accountants for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2023.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Baker Tilly US, LLP (formerly Baker Tilly
Virchow Krause, LLP) has been the Company’s independent public accountants since March 25, 2019, and audited the Company’s
financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. It had also been the Company’s independent accountant
from 2009 until 2016 and had audited the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 through 2015.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Baker to
the Company for the review and audit of the Company’s financial statements for FY-2022 were approximately $97,000 for FY-2022 and
$90,500 for FY-2021. The Company anticipates that its fee for FY-2023 will be approximately $105,000.
Audit-Related Fees
During 2022 and 2021 there were no fees
paid to Baker in connection with the Company’s compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
No other fees were billed by Baker for
the last two years that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements
and not reported under “Audit Fees” above.
Tax Fees
There were no other fees billed by Baker
during the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, or tax planning. Accordingly, none
of such services were approved pursuant to pre-approval procedures or permitted waivers thereof.
All Other Fees
There were no non-audit-related fees
billed to the Company by Baker in 2022 or 2021.
Pre-approval Policies for Audit Services
Engagement of accounting services by the
Company is not made pursuant to any pre-approval policies or procedures. The Company believes that its accounting firm is independent
because all of its engagements by the Company are approved by the Company’s Audit Committee prior to any such engagement.
The Audit Committee of the Company’s
Board meets periodically to review and approve the scope of the services to be provided to the Company by its independent accountant,
as well as to review and discuss any issues that may arise during an engagement. The Audit Committee is responsible for the prior approval
of every engagement of the Company’s independent auditors to perform audit and permissible non-audit services for the Company (such
as quarterly reviews, tax matters, consultation on new accounting and disclosure standards and, in future years, reporting on management’s
internal controls assessment).
Before the auditors are engaged to provide
those services, the chief financial officer and the controller will make a recommendation to the Audit Committee regarding each of the
services to be performed, including the fees to be charged for such services. At the request of the Audit Committee the independent auditors
and/or management shall periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services being provided by the independent
auditors, and the fees for the services performed to date.
ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
The Annual Report to Stockholders for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report contains financial and other information about
the Company, but is not incorporated into this Proxy Statement and is not deemed to be a part of the proxy soliciting material.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders for possible consideration
at the 2024 Annual Meeting (expected to be held in May 2024) must be received by the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal
executive offices not later than December 8, 2023 and must satisfy the other conditions set forth in SEC regulations regarding the inclusion
of stockholder proposals in Company-sponsored proxy materials.
In addition, to comply with the universal
proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide
notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 no later than March 18, 2024.
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD
The Board has adopted the following procedure
for stockholders to send communications to the Board other than stockholder proposals for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders
which should be submitted to our Corporate Secretary. Stockholders who wish to send communications to directors should refer to the Company’s
website at: www.u-g.com and direct those communications to Mr. Arthur M. Dresner, Chairman of the Audit Committee, whose email address
is posted there. Periodically, all communications sent to Mr. Dresner, but addressed to other Board members will be forwarded to that
Board member by Mr. Dresner.
CODE OF ETHICS
The
Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors, and employees serving in any capacity
to the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and/or President, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer. A copy
of the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s website at http://www.u-g.com/corporate.
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The Securities and Exchange Commission permits
companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders
sharing the same address by delivering a single set of proxy materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly
referred to as “householding”, potentially provides extra conveniences for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
Although we do not intend to household for
our stockholders of record, some brokers household our proxy materials, delivering a single set of proxy materials to multiple stockholders
sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from
your broker that they will be householding materials 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 proxy materials, or if you are receiving multiple sets of proxy materials and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker.
Stockholders who currently receive multiple sets of the proxy materials at their address and would like to request householding of their
communications should contact their broker.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management of the Company knows of no business
other than that referred to in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement that may come before the Annual Meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Andrea Young
Andrea Young
Secretary
Dated: April 13, 2023
THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT
ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, BUT EXCLUDING
EXHIBITS, TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO REQUESTS THE 10-K IN WRITING ADDRESSED TO: ANDREA YOUNG, CORPORATE SECRETARY, UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.,
P. O. BOX 18050, HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK 11788. |
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