UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
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Medifast, Inc.

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Medifast, Inc.

To our Stockholders:
 
You are cordially invited to attend our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Friday, October 8, 2010. This meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd., at Route 50, Cambridge, MD  21613. During the meeting, we will discuss each item of business described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, update you on important developments in our business and respond to any questions that you may have about us.
 
Information about the matters to be acted on at the meeting is contained in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
 
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that your vote is very important. Please take a moment now to cast your vote in accordance with the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card. In addition, if you would like to attend the meeting in person, please see the admission instructions set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders accompanying this letter and on the enclosed proxy card.
 
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.  
Best regards,
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
Executive Chairman of the Board

 
2

 

Medifast Inc.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held Friday, October 8, 2010

To the Shareholders:
 
 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2010 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Medifast Inc., a Delaware Corporation, or the Company, will be held on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd., at Route 50, Cambridge, MD  21613 for the following purposes:
 
 
1a. 
Elect five Class I directors for a three year term ending in 2013; Charles P. Connolly, Jason L. Groves, Bradley T. MacDonald, John P. McDaniel, and Donald F. Reilly.
 
1b. 
Elect two directors to a one year term ending in 2011; Harvey C. Barnum and Jerry D. Reece    
 
2.
Ratify the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLC as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal 2010;    
 
3.
To ratify the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Medifast, Inc. unanimously approved by the Board of Directors at a properly noted meeting with a quorum present on February 26, 2010.    
 
4.
Act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
 
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on August 16, 2010, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any subsequent adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the meeting.
 
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible.  Shareholders attending the meeting may vote in person even if they have returned a proxy card.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
Executive Chairman of the Board
 
Owings Mills, MD
August 24, 2010
 
 
3

 

Table of Contents
 
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
Information Concerning Solicitation and Voting
5
PROPOSAL 1: THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
6
Director Independence
13
Board Meetings
13
Director Compensation
15
Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors
16
Committees of the Board
16
PROPOSAL 2: THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
19
Audit Committee Report
19
Fees to Independent Registered Public Accountants for Fiscal 2008 and 2009
20
Pre-Approval Policy
20
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
22
Summary Compensation Table
24
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
30
PROPOSAL 3: THE RATIFICATION OF THE BYLAWS AMENDED AND RESTATED UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON FEBRUARY 26, 2010
31
OTHER MATTERS
32

 
4

 

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Information Concerning Solicitation and Voting

Place, Time and Date of Meeting.  This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the Company’s shareholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of our Board of Directors for use at the Meeting to be held on Friday, October 8, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, and at any subsequent adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Meeting, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. The Meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd., at Route 50, Cambridge, MD  21613.

 Record Date and Voting Securities.  Only shareholders of record at the close of business on August 16, 2010, or the Record Date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. The Company has one series of Common Shares outstanding. As of August 18, 2010, 15,419,601 Common Shares were issued and outstanding and held of record by 167 registered holders.
 
 Voting.  Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each Common Share held on the Record Date on all matters submitted for consideration at the Meeting. A quorum, representing the holders of not less than a majority of the issued and outstanding Common Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting, must be present in person or by proxy at the Meeting for the transaction of business. Common Shares that reflect abstentions are treated as Common Shares that are present and entitled to vote for the purposes of establishing a quorum and for purposes of determining the outcome of any matter submitted to the shareholders for a vote.   Each issued and outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote.  Directors are elected by a plurality vote of shares present at the meeting, meaning that the director nominee with the most affirmative votes for a particular slot is elected for that slot. In an uncontested election of directors, the plurality requirement is not a factor. The holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Abstentions will not count as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. We expect that brokers will be entitled to vote on this proposal, but any broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.
 
The Company is not aware of any matter, other than as referred to in this proxy statement, to be presented at the meeting.
 
 Revocability of Proxies.  Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before its use by either (a) delivering to the Corporate Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or (b) attending the Meeting and voting in person.

 
 Solicitation Expenses.  This solicitation of proxies is made by the Board of Directors and all related costs will be borne by the Company. Proxies may be solicited by certain of our directors, officers and regular employees, without additional compensation, in person, by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail. Except as described above, we do not presently intend to solicit proxies other than by mail. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of Common Shares.
 
 This Proxy Statement contains summaries of certain documents, but you are urged to read the documents themselves for the complete information. The summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the document. In the event that any of the terms, conditions or other provisions of any such document is inconsistent with or contrary to the description or terms in this Proxy Statement, such document will control. Each of these documents, as well as those documents referenced in this Proxy Statement as being available in print upon request, are available upon request to the Company by following the procedures described under “Annual Report, Financial and Additional Information.”
 
 
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PROPOSAL 1:

THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The number of directors in each class is determined by the Board of Directors and consists of as nearly equal a number of directors as possible.  These directors are classified as Class I, Class II and Class III.  The term of Class I Directors are up for re-election for a three-year term ending in 2013.  The term of Class II Directors will expire in 2011, and the term of Class III Directors will expire in 2012.

The table below sets forth the name of each Class of director nominated.  The nominees for Class I directors are to be voted at the Meeting.  The Board of Directors has nominated; Charles P. Connolly,  Jason L. Groves, Bradley T. MacDonald, John P. McDaniel, and Donald F. Reilly for election as Class I directors to serve three-year terms expiring at the 2013 annual general meeting.  The Board has also nominated, to one year terms Harvey C. Barnum and Jerry D. Reece, and it is intended that they will be nominated as Class II directors in 2011.  Each nominee has consented to be named as a nominee and, to the present knowledge of the Company, is willing to serve as a director, if elected. Should any of the nominees not remain a nominee at the end of the meeting (a situation which is not anticipated), solicited proxies will be voted in favor of those who remain as nominees and may be voted for substitute nominees. Unless contrary instructions are given on the proxy, the shares represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted “FOR” the election of  those nominated Harvey C. Barnum, Charles P. Connolly, Jason L. Groves, Bradley T. MacDonald, John P. McDaniel, Jerry D. Reece, and Donald F. Reilly.

The Bylaws require a shareholder to submit notice of nomination for Director in writing not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days before the first anniversary of the date of the Company’s proxy statement in connection with the last annual meeting of shareholders (1.4). The Company did not receive any shareholder nominations for director.

The table below sets forth information about the seven nominees and the directors whose terms of office continue beyond the Meeting.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” MESSRS. Harvey C. Barnum, Charles P. Connolly, Jason L. Groves, Bradley T. MacDonald, John P. McDaniel, Jerry D. Reece, and Donald F. Reilly.
 
NOMINEES
 
 Name and Experience
  
 Class
  
Director Since
         
Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, Jr., age 70, was sworn in as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs on July 23, 2001. In this capacity he was responsible for all matters regarding the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve including manpower, equipment, policy and budgeting. On Jan. 20, 2009, Barnum was designated Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). Mr. Barnum was the fourth Marine to be awarded the nation’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor for valor in Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Colonel in August 1989 after 27 and one-half years of service.   Barnum served multiple tours as an artilleryman with both the 3rd and 2nd Marine Divisions to include two tours in Vietnam; 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing; guard officer at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor, and operations officer, Hawaiian Armed Forces Police; weapons instructor at the Officer Basic School; four years at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, as commanding officer, Headquarters Company and the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion of the Training Regiment; Chief of Current Operations, US Central Command where he planned and executed the first U.S./Jordanian joint exercise staff as the commander of U.S. Forces and twice planned and executed Operation Bright Star spread over four southwest Asian countries involving 26,000 personnel. Headquarters Marine Corps tours included: aide to the assistant commandant as a captain and deputy director Public Affairs, Director Special Projects Directorate and Military Secretary to the Commandant as a colonel. Upon retirement in 1989, Barnum served as the principal director, Drug Enforcement Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense. Barnum’s personal medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” and gold star in lieu of a second award; Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V”; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Army Presidential Unit Citation; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy Unit Citation; two awards of the Meritorious Unit Citation; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (silver) and the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award. Barnum has attended The Basic School, U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Amphibious Warfare School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Naval War College. He is the past president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Connecticut Man of the Year ’67, presented Honorary Legum Doctorem St Anselm College; Rotary Paul Harris Fellow; Abe Pollin Leadership Award ’03, Marine Corps League “Iron Mike” Award and Order of the Carabao Distinguished Service Award.
     
2009

 
6

 

Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum was first selected to be a Director in 2009 because of his extensive distinguished government service at the Department of the Navy Executive level and his distinguished military career which includes the Medal of Honor Award for bravery in Vietnam. Mr. Barnum will bring expertise to the Board in the area of Public Policy initiatives as it relates to his knowledge of the Executive and Legislative Branch of the US Government and his oversight of our Governmental Relations and Policy initiatives on Obesity related to Medifast products, protocols and clinical studies.
       
         
Charles P. Connolly, age 61, is currently an independent director focusing on bank relationships, debt refinancing, merger and acquisition strategy and executive compensation design. Mr. Connolly spent 29 years at First Union Corp. that merged with Wachovia Bank in 2001. He retired in 2001 as the President and CEO of First Union Corp. of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Mr. Connolly serves on the Boards of numerous profit and non-profit organizations.  He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and AB from Villanova University.
 
Charles P. Connolly was first selected as a Director in 2006 for his extensive executive experience and financial acumen derived from an executive banking resume. His current selection as Director leverages that background of reviewing the financials and performance of hundreds of companies in the public and private sector. He possesses a unique financial and risk assessment perspective into the operations and financial management of the company. He spends an extraordinary amount of time with our executive team providing guidance and consultation on key metrics and performance objectives that have served Medifast well in the past few years. As the Chairman of the Audit Committee he has served diligently to insure that the company maintains its high standards of accountability.
   
 
I
 
2006
Jason L. Groves, Esq., age 39, is the Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs for Verizon Maryland.   Mr. Groves is also an Army veteran.  He was a direct commissioned Judge Advocate in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG).  As a JAG Officer, he practiced law while stationed at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.  He had the distinction of prosecuting criminal cases in the District Court of Maryland as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.  Over the course of three years, he received two Army Achievement Medals, and one Army Commendation Medal.  Mr. Groves is a graduate of the Disney University College Program for managers.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in Business with a concentration in Hospitality Management from Bethune-Cookman College.  He also obtained his law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law and is a member of the New Jersey and District of Columbia bars as well as several bar associations.
  
Jason L. Groves, Esq. was first selected as a Director in 2009 based on his military, business and legal background. In addition he has extensive experience with governmental relations and knowledge of the healthcare and communications technology fields. He was a Federal and State prosecutor thus providing keen insight on the regulatory and legal issues the company faces in today’s business climate.  His service on the Audit Committee has provided timely oversight for all projects he has undertaken.
 
I
 
2009

 
7

 

Bradley T. MacDonald, age 62, is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Medifast, Inc.   Mr. MacDonald has been Chairman of the Board of Medifast, Inc. since January 1998 and was also Chief Executive Officer until March of 2007.  He was the principal architect of the turnaround of Medifast and formulated the “Direct to Consumer” business models that are the primary drivers of Revenue to this day. He also was the Co-Founder of Take Shape for Life and acquired the Clinic operations in 2002. During his time as Chairman of the Board he provided strategic oversight and assisted the executive management team to 43 consecutive quarters of profits and improved shareholders equity from negative $4 million to over $55 million in ten years. In this time the company increased its market cap from negative 3.8MM to over $400 million and was listed on the NYSE.  At the time the Board planned leadership succession occurred, the Board assigned Mr. MacDonald executive responsibilities in the following areas: legal affairs, treasury, banking relationships, M&A, strategic plan oversight, public policy oversight, and community relations in addition to Board responsibilities as Executive Chairman and as the formal Co-Founder of Take Shape for Life.  In 2006, Mr. MacDonald received the prestigious and audited Ernst and Young award of “Entrepreneur of the Year” for the state of Maryland in the consumer products category.  Also, he helped lead the Company to national recognition in Forbes Magazine ranking Medifast 28th of the top 200 small companies in America. Mr. MacDonald was previously employed by the Company as its Chief Executive Officer from September 1996 to August 1997. From 1991 through 1994, Colonel MacDonald returned to active duty to be Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Retail, Food, Hospitality and Recreation Businesses for the United States Marine Corps.  Prior thereto, Mr. MacDonald served as Chief Operating Officer of the Bonneau Sunglass Company, President of Pennsylvania Optical Co., Chairman and CEO of MacDonald and Associates, which had major financial interests in retail drug, consumer candy, and pilot sunglass companies.  Mr. MacDonald was national president of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association and retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a Colonel in 1997, after 28 years of service.  He was appointed and served on the Defense Advisory Board for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR.) for three years.     Currently, Mr. MacDonald serves on the Board of Trustees of Stevenson University in Maryland, and is the President of the Catholic Community Foundation of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation.  Mr. MacDonald is the father of Margaret Sheetz who performs the role of President and Chief Operating Officer at Medifast, Inc.  Mr. Michael C. MacDonald is the brother of Mr. Bradley T. MacDonald.
 
Bradley T. MacDonald was first selected as a Director in 1996, because of his executive and entrepreneurial experience in the businesses noted above. In addition he has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility in the United States Marine Corps attaining the rank of Colonel and attending service schools to include the Naval War College.  His current selection as Director is based on his successful turnaround of Medifast as CEO and successfully guiding the company under a new profitable business model. Having extensive experience as CEO of Medifast when he restructured the company in 1999 which has since recorded over 43 consecutive quarters of profitability, he is able to provide strategic guidance to the company. Upon reaching 60 years old with the advice and consent of the Board he was elected Executive Chairman of the Board to utilize his breadth of knowledge and experience regarding Medifast, Inc.
 
I
 
1996

 
8

 

John P. McDaniel, age 67, is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 36 years of experience as a Chief Executive Officer, most recently he was the founding CEO of MedStar Health where he served 27 years as CEO.  MedStar Health is located in Columbia, Maryland and is one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare delivery systems in the mid-Atlantic region with annual revenues exceeding $4 billion, encompassing 25,000 employees 5,000 physicians and nine leading hospitals and other health related businesses. Mr. McDaniel has a degree in Business Administration from Wittenberg University, a MHA in Health Management and Policy from the University of Michigan, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (LHD) from Wittenberg University. He is presently a Partner in The Hickory Ridge Group, an advisory, development and investment organization that focuses on emerging healthcare and technology entities.  He is also a member of the board of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Wittenberg University, and the Chairman of the Washington Real Estate Trust (WRE) Board of Directors.
 
John P. McDaniel was first selected a Director in 2009 for his extensive executive and entrepreneurial experience. His extensive management and Board knowledge concerning the health care industry and health care policy will provide seasoned oversight on behalf of shareholders. Because of his experience and leadership experience as the Chairman of the Racing Commission of Maryland, Director of First Mariner Bank and former Chairman and CEO of Medstar Health Systems he is serving on the Executive and Compensation Committees to bring his business acumen and organizational knowledge to oversight the Company
 
I
 
2009
         
Jerry D. Reece, age 70, is Chief Executive Officer of Reece & Nichols:  Real Estate, Mortgage, Title Insurance.  The real estate arm of the company is the largest real estate brokerage in Greater Kansas City. With over 40 years experience in real estate, Jerry Reece formed J.D. Reece Realtors in early 1987.  He sold the company in 2001 to Homeservices of America, Inc. a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate.   In addition to marketing resale homes as well as a broad range of new home subdivisions, the company specializes in the corporate transferee market. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 1963 with a B.S. in Finance, Jerry Reece joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Hawaii and Vietnam as a first lieutenant. Following active duty, he continued his service in the Marine Corps Reserve. His various assignments included the command of a rifle battalion and service as a member of the Secretary of the Navy's Marine Corps Reserve Policy Board at the Pentagon. Retired with the rank of colonel, he is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, The Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" and the Combat Action Ribbon.
 
Jerry D. Reece was first selected as a Director in 2009 for his executive, entrepreneurial and broad real estate expertise. He is a leader in his community in Kansas City and has served on many for profit and non profit Boards, He is a decorated Vietnam veteran who has both civil and military executive experience to provide oversight and be a resource for executive and real estate matters requiring Board and corporate governance oversight.
     
2009
         
Donald F. Reilly, OSA, age 63, holds a Doctorate in Ministry (Counseling) from New York Theological and an M.A. from Washington Theological Union as well as a B.A. from Villanova University. Reverend Don Reilly was ordained a priest in 1974. His assignments included Associate Pastor, Pastor at St. Denis, Havertown, Pennsylvania, Staff at Villanova University, Personnel Director of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Provincial Counselor, Co-Founder of SILOAM Ministries where he ministers and counsels HIV/AIDS patients and caregivers. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Villanova University.  He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Merrimack College, MA, St. Augustine Prep, NJ, and Malvern Prep, PA.  Fr. Reilly has served for over 8 years as Provincial of the Augustinian Order at Villanova, PA.  He oversaw more than 200 Augustinian Friars and their service to the Church, teaching at universities and high schools, ministering to parishes, serving as chaplain in the Armed Forces and hospitals, ministering to AIDS victims, and serving missions in Japan, Peru, and South Africa. He is currently on a well earned sabbatical to study, reflect and prepare for his future assignments for the Augustinian Order.
 
I
 
1998

 
9

 

Rev. Donald F. Reilly, OSA was first selected as a Director in 1998 for his strong background in Personnel and Executive management with the Augustinian Community which serves the Catholic Church at Villanova University, Merrimack College, High Schools, Parishes and missions in Japan, South Africa and Peru.  His current selection as Director utilizes his extensive knowledge of the Company serving as a Director and participating in the restructuring of the company in 1999. He was also instrumental in developing the current business model in consultation with the Business School at Villanova University. As Chairman of the Nominations committee and being a Ph.D and nationally known academic he has been an invaluable asset providing guidance to the company and creating shareholder value. He also is the primary person on the Nomination Committee to identify and evaluate potential Director Candidates for character necessary to perform high performance, risk assessment and be transparent which are desirable characteristics for all potential directors. This will ensure continuity in respect to the company’s corporate governance practices and philosophy.
       
  
CONTINUING DIRECTORS

 Name and Experience
  
 Class
  
Director Since
         
Barry B. Bondroff, CPA, age 62, is an officer and director with Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn, PA, a full-service certified public accounting firm offering a wide range of accounting and consulting services.  Previously, he was a Senior Managing Director with SMART. Bondroff brings over 35 years of experience providing companies of all sizes and industries with practical and cost-effective accounting, assurance, tax, business, technology and financial advisory services. Prior to managing SMART, Bondroff was the Managing Director for Grabush, Newman & Co., P.A., which combined with SMART in May 2003. Bondroff began his career with Grabush Newman in 1970, and in 1976 became Officer and was promoted to Managing Director in 1982. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Baltimore. Additionally, Bondroff serves on the Board of Directors for the publicly traded First Mariner Bank of Maryland, a NASDAQ listed SEC registrant. He is active with First Mariner serving on the Executive Committee, Loan Committee, Audit Committee and as Chairman of the Compensation Committee. In addition to his professional affiliations, Bondroff served on the Executive Committee for Israel Bonds and was a Director of Cycle Across Maryland. He has served the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, the Jewish Center for Business Development and has assisted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in its fundraising efforts. In addition, Barry was a past President and Treasurer of the Edward A. Meyerberg Northwest Senior Center, and also served as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital.  He currently serves as Treasurer for Special Olympics of Maryland, and as a Trustee for Stevenson University in Maryland.
 
Barry B Bondroff was first selected as a Director in 2008 because of his broad business experience as a CPA, corporate governance experience over more than 36 years. His current selection as a Director utilizes that experience as an experienced financial expert as well as in  his elected position of Vice Chairman of the Board. His service on the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee and his availability as a local director in Baltimore provide for local oversight and practical consulting in the area of financial management, risk assessment and Sarbanes Oxley regulations. He was appointed the Chairman of a Board Special Committee which  investigated and found a convicted felon’s allegations against Medifast “false, misleading and without merit.” He also provides extensive local contacts that assists Medifast’s management team to find the best talent in the market to assist in our growth and development.
 
III
 
2008

 
10

 

George J. Lavin, Jr., Esq., age 81, was the senior founding partner of Lavin, O’Neil, Ricci, Cedrone & Disipio. Mr. Lavin is a 1951 graduate of Bucknell University. He attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, receiving an LL.B. in 1956, and then served as a Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, until 1959. Mr. Lavin is one of the dominant product liability defense attorneys in the nation. He has had regional responsibilities in several automotive specialty areas, and was called upon to try matters throughout the county on behalf of his clients. Mr. Lavin's practice and specialty emphasized his commitment to defending the automotive industry. Mr. Lavin is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Faculty Advisory Board of the Academy of Advocacy, the Association of Defense Counsel, The Defense Research Institute, The American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Temple University Law School faculty. He has also been elected a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. On March 1, 1994, Mr. Lavin assumed the title of Counsel to The Firm.  Mr. Lavin recently retired from the position of the General Counsel to the Augustinian order of Villanova, PA.
 
George J. Lavin, Esq. was first selected as a Director in 2005 for his prestigious demonstrated legal experience on behalf of major international businesses, management experience in his law firm and his extensive service with the FBI. His current selection as Director values his experiential oversight on legal matters as well as his service on the Audit Committee and mentoring talents.
 
III
 
2005
 
Michael C. MacDonald, age 57, is a retired Senior Corporate Officer.  His last position was Senior Vice President of World Wide Operational Effectiveness for Xerox Corporation.  He was named to this position in September 2008 and led a corporate initiative to review the company’s core functions including Sales, Marketing, Human Resources and other key areas to ensure maximum effectiveness of resources.  Before this position, he was the World Wide President of Marketing Operations, responsible for corporate marketing, Xerox.com, advertising, brand creation, public relations and corporate communications.  Prior to his corporate assignments, he was President of Xerox North America, a 6.5 B Division responsible for all services, solutions and products sold and maintained in the United States and Canada.  This included a direct sales force of 4,000, a technical service staff of 25,000 and support staff of 6,000, a total of 35,000 employees.  Mr. MacDonald also held Vice Presidential positions leading the Northeast Region Sales and Technical Service organization, the North American Marketing organization, the North American Agent/Dealer organization and the North American Supplies organization.  A career described as sustained success and over achievement in revenue, profit and customer satisfaction.  His leadership profile is one of creativity, vision, high expectations and results with commensurate high levels of customer loyalty, employee development and satisfaction.  Mr. MacDonald also serves on the Board of Directors of Medifast, Inc., Paetec, Inc. and the Jimmy V Foundation.  In addition, he is also a board member of the North American Marketing Advisory Board and has been recognized on four occasions as one of the Top Twenty Marketing Executives of the Year by Business to Business Magazine.  Previous to 2009, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
 
Michael C. MacDonald was first selected as a Director in 1998 based on his broad based executive experience for Xerox. His current selection as Director is based on his tenured service with Xerox, and being a director of Paetec Inc. and Medifast Inc. through the restructuring of all the companies. He has a national reputation as an expert in Sales and Marketing in the high technology field. He has been instrumental in building the high technology platform that Medifast operates today through a period of continuous growth in the business. Because of his expertise and business acumen, the Board has elected him to the Executive Committee in recognition of his expertise in corporate governance.
 
II
 
1998
         
Margaret MacDonald–Sheetz, age 33, is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Medifast. Inc.  Prior to joining the company in 2000, she was a legal assistant with the firm of Carrington, Coleman, Sloman and Blumenthal in Dallas, Texas. As Medifast continues to see strong year over year growth, Ms. Sheetz has provided the operational and technical leadership that has resulted in Medifast providing the proper infrastructure to support the growth of the company to include making dramatic productivity improvement in the company’s operational capabilities, building a strong infrastructure of distribution, manufacturing, information systems and human resource operations necessary to support rapid business growth. She supports the efforts of the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association and the Toys For Tots Foundation.  Ms. Sheetz is also very active with several organizations of Maryland executives. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University and received an Executive MBA from Loyola University.   
II
 
2008
 
11

 
Margaret M. Sheetz was first selected as a Management Director in 2008 after she had assumed the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer of Medifast, Inc. She is the senior experienced operations executive who has built the operational structure of the company. In addition to her strong operational expertise she has strength in IT integration with operations and human resources management.  She has an Executive MBA which has assisted her in the training development of her subordinates.  She is the focused executive since 2000 who has been instrumental in building the manufacturing and distribution infrastructure with her team of professionals. Her leadership and oversight skills are recognized and she is recognized in the company as a detail oriented executive who builds high performance teams. The Board considers her the source person to get information pertinent to the oversight of Medifast’s operations.
 
 
 
 
         
Sr. Catherine T. Maguire RSM, age 60, a Sister of Mercy, served as Associate Executive Director at SILOAM, a Body, Mind, Spirit wellness center for the HIV/AIDS community, from 1997 to March 2010, and now serves as the Associate Program Director.  Prior to this Sr. Maguire worked in AIDS Ministry within the prison system in Washington DC., and served as vocation director for her religious community for 8 years.  She received a BS degree in Education/English in 1972, a MS degree in Library Science in 1974 both from Villanova University, and a MA degree in Theology with an emphasis in Pastoral Ministry & Spirituality in 1995 from St. Michael’s College in Vermont.  She served on the Board of the National Religious Vocation Conference from 1990-1992.
 
Sister Catherine T. Maguire, RSM was first selected as a Director in 2009 for her extensive executive experience with not for profit human services organizations and her strong background in organizational ethics and human resources and personnel management. She has multiple advanced degrees and will assist in developing the “Women Executives” of Medifast. As a result of her extensive management and human resources background she was elected to the Nominations committee where she will assist in screening and evaluating potential Director Candidates and insure the corporate values related to diversity are implemented in the company and on the Board.
 
III
 
2009
         
Michael S. McDevitt, age 32, is the Chief Executive Officer of Medifast, Inc.  Prior to joining the company in June, 2002, he was a Senior Analyst for the Blackstone Group, a private equity group in New York City.
Medifast has continued to excel under Mr. McDevitt’s leadership, demonstrated by the company’s recent report of its 43rd consecutive quarter of profitability for the second quarter, 2010.  Medifast continues to see strong year over year growth, most recently experiencing 60% top line growth and 90% increase in diluted earnings per share, versus the same time period last year. During his tenure as CEO/CFO of Medifast the company was recently named number 16 on Forbes’ 2009  list of America’s Best Small Companies, a jump from 85 one year ago.  Additionally, Medifast was ranked number 28 on the 2008 Fortune Small Business list of fastest-growing small public companies, up from number 47 in 2007. Mr. McDevitt volunteers as a big brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland, fully supporting the organization’s mission of helping boys and girls grow up to be confident, caring young adults.  He is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association’s Baltimore region.  Additionally, Mr. McDevitt supports the efforts of the American Diabetes Association and the Toys For Tots Foundation..   Mr. McDevitt holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from James Madison University.
 
Michael S McDevitt was first selected as a Management Director in 2007 after he had assumed the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Medifast, Inc.  His prior and current executive experience has contributed to the dynamic growth of Medifast. He brings a strong successful financial and operational management perspective to the Executive Committee of the Board.
 
II
 
2007
         
Jeannette M. Mills, age 43, currently serving as senior vice president with the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of Constellation Energy. A Baltimore, MD native, Mills earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) and she currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In 2006, Mills earned her Masters of Business Administration from Loyola College. Ms. Mills also works in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for Voices for Children, Howard County's Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. Additionally, she serves on the Board of the Creative Alliance, a Program that builds communities by bringing together artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds to experience spectacular arts programs and engage in the creative process.
 
III
 
2008

 
12

 

Jeannette M. Mills was first selected as a Director in 2008 not only for her technical background but primarily for her high level of executive experience. Her service as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee has effectively utilized her talents to review and assess the operations and metrics used to evaluate key executives in the company. She has been instrumental in providing guidance and direction to ensure that all executives maintain the transparent high performance culture, and entrepreneurial philosophy of executive compensation balanced with appropriate risk assessment analysis.
       
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

Board Meetings

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (“Fiscal 2009”), the Board of Directors held five meetings. All Board members attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of Board meetings and applicable committee meetings held while such individuals were serving on the Board of Directors, or such committees. Under the Company’s Principles of Corporate Governance, which is available on the Company’s website www.choosemedifast.com, by following the link through “Investor Relations” to “Corporate Governance,” each director is expected to dedicate sufficient time, energy and attention to ensure the diligent performance of his or her duties, including attending meetings of the shareholders of the Company, the Board of Directors and committees of which he or she is a member.  Twelve directors attended the 2009 annual shareholder meeting.
 
Director Independence

The Board consists of 14 members of which 11 are non-management directors.  Determination as to the qualifications of an independent directors are determined under section 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, Listed Company Manual and the Company’s Categorical Standards of Independence.  The NYSE’s independence guidelines and the Company’s categorical standards include a series of objective tests, such as the director is not an employee of the Company and has not engaged in various types of business dealings involving the Company, which would prevent a director from being independent.  The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that none of the Company’s independent directors had any relationships with the Company.

The Board, in applying the above referenced standards has affirmatively determined that the Company currently has ten independent directors.  The independent directors are Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, Jr, Barry B. Bondroff, Charles P. Connolly, Jason L. Groves, George J. Lavin, Catherine T. Maguire, John P. McDaniel, Jeannette M. Mills, Jerry D. Reece, and Donald F. Reilly.
 
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight
 
The Company takes a comprehensive approach to risk management. We believe risk can arise in every decision and action taken by the Company, whether strategic or operational. The Company, therefore, seeks to include risk management principles in all of its management processes and in the responsibilities of its employees at every level. Our comprehensive approach is reflected in the reporting processes by which our management provides timely and comprehensive information to the Board to support the Board’s role in oversight, risk assessment, approval, and decision-making.

            The Board of Directors closely monitors the information it receives from management and provides oversight and guidance to our management team concerning the assessment and management of risk. The Board approves the Company’s high level goals, strategies and policies to set the tone and direction for appropriate risk taking within the business. The Board and its committees then emphasize this tone and direction in its oversight of management’s implementation of the Company’s goals, strategies and policies.

Our senior executives provide the Board and its committees with regular updates about the Company’s strategies and objectives and the risks inherent within them at Board and committee meetings and in regular reports. Board and committee meetings also provide a venue for directors to discuss issues with management. The Board and committees call special meetings when necessary to address specific issues. In addition, our directors have access to Company management at all levels to discuss any matters of interest, including those related to risk. Those members of management most knowledgeable of the issues attend Board meetings to provide additional insight into items being discussed, including risk exposures.

 
13

 

The Board has delegated oversight for matters involving certain specific areas of risk exposure to its three committees. Each committee reports to the Board of Directors at regularly scheduled Board meetings, and more frequently if appropriate, with respect to the matters and risks for which the committee provides oversight.

The Audit Committee oversees the integrity of our financial statements, reporting process and internal controls, the internal audit function, the independent auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance, and the Company’s corporate finance matters including its capital structure. The Audit Committee also provides oversight with respect to the Company’s risk management process, including, as required by the NYSE, discussing with management the Company’s significant financial risk exposures, steps management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures and our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

Our Compensation Committee is responsible primarily for the design, risk assessment and oversight of the Company’s overall and executive compensation policies, plans and practices. A key objective of the Compensation Committee is to ensure that the Company’s overall and executive compensation program appropriately links pay to performance and aligns the interests of the Company’s  employees and executives with its stockholders. In furtherance of this objective, the Compensation Committee evaluates the potential compensation payable under the Company’s overall, and executive compensation plans based on alternative performance scenarios. The Compensation Committee also monitors the design and administration of all the Company’s overall incentive compensation programs to ensure that they include appropriate safeguards to avoid encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by Company employees. Elements of our executive compensation program that mitigate excessive risk taking, such as our combination of short and long-term incentives are described below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks related to our corporate governance, including Board and director performance, director succession, director education and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and other governance documents. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also oversees the Company’s quality and regulatory affairs operations and the Company’s programs regarding ethics and compliance, and social and environmental responsibility.

Pursuant to Medifast Inc.’s current bylaws and governance guidelines, the rules of the NYSE, and the Chairman of the Board, the Nominations Committee along with the consent of the Board of Directors determines the best committee structure for Medifast. The Board elects the Officers of the company.  Since 2007 Medifast, Inc. has had a separate Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman position is elected every three years and the Chief Executive Officer, CFO, President and Chief Operating Officer are elected annually by the Board. Bradley T. MacDonald, Executive Chairman of the Board has executive responsibilities and is responsible for the Legal Affairs and Treasury functions of the company, the banking relationships, community relations, M&A oversight and Strategic Planning. The Board of Directors is confident that the current leadership structure of the company based on annual review of past performance is in the Company’s best interest of creating shareholder value and building the Medifast business for the future.  The Chief Executive Officer, CFO, President, Chief Operating Officer and the Chairman of the Board have an excellent working relationship and understand the roles and responsibilities of each executive position.. Michael S. McDevitt, the CEO has the primary marketing and operational responsibility for Medifast. Margaret Sheetz, President and Chief Operating Officer, reporting to the CEO, has the primary responsibility for the internal operations of Medifast Inc.  Brendan N. Connors, CFO, reporting to the CEO has the primary financial responsibility for Medifast, Inc. The current leadership structure also provides significant benefits that come from Mr. MacDonald’s long tenure as Chairman of the Board and his prior experience as Chief Executive Officer of Medifast, Inc. and Co-Founder of Take Shape for Life, Inc.

 
14

 

2009 Director Compensation Table
 
The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Name
 
Fees Earned or 
Paid in Cash
 ($)
   
Stock Awards 
($)(1)
   
Total ($)
 
                   
Barry B. Bondroff
  $ -     $ 39,195     $ 39,195  
Charles P. Connolly
    16,000       44,565       60,565  
George Lavin, Jr., Esq.
            44,565       44,565  
Michael C. MacDonald
            49,935       49,935  
Catherine T. Maguire
            28,280       28,280  
John P. McDaniel
            28,280       28,280  
Jeannette M. Mills
            39,195       39,195  
Rev. Donald F. Reilly, OSA
            49,935       49,935  

Employee Directors do not receive any additional compensation for their services as director.

Additional fees are paid to the Audit Committee Chairman. In 2009, the Chairman received an additional $16,000 in cash.
 
(1)
Amounts are calculated based on the aggregate grant date fair value of these rewards compute in accordance with ASC Topic 718 “Stock Compensation” which excludes the effect of estimated forfeitures.  The assumptions and methodologies used to calculate these amounts are discussed in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Under generally accepted accounting principles, compensation expense with respect to stock awards and option awards granted to our employees is recognized over the vesting periods of the applicable rewards.
 
The table below summarizes the equity based awards held by the Company’s non-employee directors as of December 31, 2009.

 
15

 

   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of 
Securities 
Underlying 
Unexercised 
Options (#)
   
Number of 
Securities 
Underlying 
Unexercised 
Options (#)
   
Option 
Exercise
   
Option 
Expiration
   
Number 
Shares or 
Units of 
Stock That 
Have Not 
Vested
   
Market 
Value of 
Shares or 
Units of 
Stock that 
have not 
Vested
 
    
Exercisable
   
Un-Exercisable
   
Price ($)
   
Date
   
Vested (#)
   
($)(1)
 
 Barry B. Bondroff
    -     -       -       -       5,000       152,900  
 Charles P. Connolly
    -     -       -       -       8,000       244,640  
 George Lavin, Jr., Esq.
    -     -       -       -       8,000       244,640  
 Michael C. MacDonald
    -     -       -       -       11,000       336,380  
 Catherine T. Maguire
    -     -       -       -       2,500       76,450  
John P. McDaniel
    -     -       -       -       2,500       76,450  
Jeannette M. Mills
    -     -       -       -       5,000       152,900  
 Rev. Donald F. Reilly, OSA
    -     -       -       -       11,000       336,380  
 
(1)
The market value of shares of stock that have not vested is based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2009, or $30.58 per share.
 
The Medifast Board of Directors on July 24, 2008 approved restricted common stock grants to Board members with a 5 year vesting period, beginning on the grant date.  The grant was to tenured Board members that successfully implemented the Senior Management Succession Plan over the last four years through advice, counsel, and mentorship.  A total of 55,000 shares of restricted common stock were granted to tenured Directors.

The Medifast Board of Directors on November 24, 2008 approved restricted common stock grants to key executives and Board members as a 2008 performance bonus for exceeding internal sales and profit forecasts.   Non-management Board members were each granted 5,000 shares of restricted common stock vesting over two years, beginning on January 1, 2009.

The Medifast Board of Directors on May 7, 2009 approved restricted common stock grants to key executives and Board members with a 5 year vesting period, beginning on the grant date.  Key executives were granted 460,000 shares of restricted common stock to retain their services over the next five years and recognize continued sales and profit growth in accordance with targets set by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors received a total of 71,000 shares with a two year vesting period, beginning on the grant date for their active participation in the strategic planning process and guidance as it relates to Medifast’s strong performance and growth.

Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Shareholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Board of Directors, non-management directors as a group or individual directors, including Rev.  Donald F. Reilly in his capacity as the presiding director of executive sessions of non-management directors, may do so by writing to Medifast, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 11445 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, MD 21117, indicating to whose attention the communication should be directed. Under a process approved by the Board of Directors for handling letters received by the Company and addressed to non-management directors, the Corporate Secretary of the Company reviews all such correspondence and forwards to members of the Audit Committee a summary and/or copies of any such correspondence that, in the opinion of the Corporate Secretary, deal with the functions of the Board of Directors or committees thereof, or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by the Company and addressed to members of the Board of Directors and request copies of any such correspondence.

Committees of the Board

Our Board of Directors has a standing audit committee, nominating and corporate governance committee, compensation committee, and executive committee.

 
16

 

Audit Committee

Our audit committee consists of Charles P. Connolly, Chairperson, Barry B. Bondroff, CPA, George J. Lavin, Jr. Esq., and Jason L. Groves, Esq. each of whom are independent as discussed above under “Director Independence.” As required by Rule 303A.07 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each audit committee member is financially literate, and that Mr. Connolly is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
The principal duties of the audit committee are as follows:

 
Ÿ
have the sole authority and responsibility to hire, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditors;
 
 
Ÿ
meet and review with management and the independent auditors the interim financial statements and the Company’s disclosures under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations prior to the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q;
 
 
Ÿ
meet and review with management and the independent auditors the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareowners) including (i) their judgment about the quality, not just acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles, including significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements; (ii) the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements; and (iii) the Company’s disclosures under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including critical accounting policies;
 
 
Ÿ
review and discuss with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the Company’s policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;
 
 
Ÿ
review and discuss with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the Company’s internal controls, the results of the internal audit program, and the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, and quarterly assessment of such controls and procedures;
 
 
Ÿ
establish procedures for handling complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters, including procedures for confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees regarding accounting and auditing matters; and
 
 
Ÿ
Review and discuss with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s legal, regulatory and ethical compliance programs
 
 
Ÿ
Serve as a communication report to link under company Whistleblower Policy
 
Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the audit committee which is available on the Company’s website at www.choosemedifast.com by following the links through “Investor Relations” to “Corporate Governance.”  In fiscal 2009, the audit committee met five times.
  
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
 
The nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Rev. Donald F. Reilly, Chairperson, Sister   Catherine T. Maguire, and Barry B. Bondroff, all of whom are independent as discussed above under “— Director Independence.”   The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and recommends to the Board of Directors qualified candidates for election as Directors, recommends Director Committee assignments, and recommends actions necessary for the proper governance of Medifast, Inc., and for the evaluation of the performance of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. With input from the Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends certain executive officers for annual election. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews issues and developments related to corporate governance practices and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on changes in structure, rule or practice necessary for compliance and for good corporate governance. The Nominations committee has been tasked to assist the Chairman in selecting the most qualified and appropriate directors to serve on the company’s separate Board committees.
 
Medifast, Inc.’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter provides that the skills and characteristics required generally of Directors include diversity, age, business background and experience, accomplishments, experiences in Medifast, Inc.’s business and a willingness to make the requisite commitment of time and effort. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has not set minimum standards for Director candidates. Rather, it seeks highly qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, business and life experiences that will enable them to constructively review and guide management of Medifast, Inc. Medifast, Inc. has successfully obtained diverse highly qualified candidates for Directors without utilizing a paid outside consultant. The Corporate Governance Committee considers and evaluates potential Director candidates and makes its recommendations to the full Board of Directors. Any shareholder may submit a recommendation for nomination to the Board of Directors by sending a written statement of the qualifications of the recommended individual to the Corporate Secretary, Medifast, Inc., 11445 Cronhill Dr., Owings Mills, MD  21117. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will utilize the same process for evaluating all nominees, regardless of whether the nominee recommendation is submitted by a shareholder or some other source.

 
17

 
 
If a shareholder wishes to nominate a candidate for election to the Board of Directors, in order for the nomination to be properly made the shareholder must give written notice to the Corporate Secretary of Medifast, Inc.  Notice must be received at Medifast, Inc.’s principal executive offices at least 120 days but no more than 150 days before the date that is one year after the prior year’s regular annual meeting of shareholders. The notice must set forth: (i) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the nominee or nominees, (ii) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of shares of Medifast, Inc. entitled to vote at the meeting and that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understanding between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder, (iv) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by the shareholder as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC and the Company Bylaws  had each nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors, and (v) the consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of Medifast, Inc. if so elected.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the nominating and corporate governance committee, which is available on the Company’s website at www.choosemedifast.com by following the links through “Investor Relations” to “Corporate Governance” or in print to any shareholder who requests it as set forth under “Additional Information — Annual Report, Financial and Additional Information.” In fiscal 2009, the nominating and corporate governance committee met four times.
 
Compensation Committee
 
The compensation committee currently consists of Jeannette M. Mills, Chairperson, John P. McDaniel and Jerry D. Reece, all of whom were independent as discussed above under “— Director Independence.”
 
The principal duties of the compensation committee are as follows:

 
Ÿ
measure the Chief Executive Officer’s performance against his goals and objectives pursuant to the Company plans;
 
 
Ÿ
determine the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer after considering the evaluation by the Board of Directors of his performance;
 
 
Ÿ
review and approve compensation of elected officers and all senior executives based on their evaluations, taking into account the evaluation by the Chief Executive Officer;
 
 
Ÿ
review and approve any employment agreements, severance arrangements, retirement arrangements, change in control agreements/provisions, and any special or   supplemental benefits for each elected officer and senior executive of the Company;
 
 
Ÿ
approve, modify or amend all non-equity plans designed and intended to provide compensation primarily for elected officers and senior executives of the Company;
 
 
Ÿ
make recommendations to the Board regarding adoption of equity plans; and
 
 
Ÿ
modify or amend all equity plans.
 
 
Ÿ
Review the executive compensation philosophy of the Company; and assess any risks which may be reasonably deemed material to the Company; and recommend to the Board any changes deemed necessary to the Company executive compensation plan; or any sales channel compensation plan.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the compensation committee which is available on the Company’s website at www.choosemedifast.com by following the links through “Investor Relations” to “Corporate Governance.”  In fiscal 2009, the compensation committee met four times.

 
18

 

Executive Committee

Messrs. Bradley T. MacDonald, Chairperson, Michael C. MacDonald, Michael S. McDevitt, John P. McDaniel and Jerry D. Reece are members of the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee has all the authority of the Board of Directors, except with respect to certain matters that by statute may not be delegated by the Board of Directors.  The Committee meets periodically during the year to develop and review strategic operational and management polices for the Company.  The Committee held two meetings during fiscal 2009.

PROPOSAL 2:
THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The audit committee has selected McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. Additional information regarding the audit committee is provided in the Report of the Audit Committee below.
   
The Company has been advised that representatives of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP will be present at the Meeting where they will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
In the event shareholders do not ratify the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, the appointment will be reconsidered by the audit committee and the Board of Directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL 2010.

Audit Committee Report
 
The audit committee is responsible for monitoring our financial auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes and our system of internal controls, and selecting the independent public accounting firm on behalf of the Board of Directors. Our management has primary responsibility for our internal controls and reporting process. Our independent registered public accountant for 2009, hired by the Audit Committee for the Company, and ratified by the shareholder vote at the 2009 annual shareholder meeting was the accounting firm, Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC. (Bagell). On January 1, 2010, Bagell began the annual audit of the Company. Approximately mid January 2010, a Bagell representative advised the Company that Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Company, LLC had merged its business with Friedman, LLP effective January 1, 2010. The Company by its Audit Committee soon thereafter engaged Friedman, LLP to perform the annual audit for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Friedman, LLP as auditor was then responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and issuing an opinion thereon. In this context, the audit committee subsequently met regularly and held discussions with management and Friedman, LLP. Management represented to the audit committee that the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year December 31, 2009 were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
The audit committee hereby reports as follows:
 
 
• 
The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations with our management and Friedman, LLP. This discussion included Friedman, LLP’s judgments about the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

 
• 
The audit committee also discussed with Friedman, LLP the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, “The Auditor’s Communication With Those Charged With Governance,” as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T.

 
19

 

 
• 
The Audit Committee has also discussed with Friedman, LLP the matters required to be discussed pursuant to all relevant professional and regulatory standards. In addition, the Audit Committee has, pursuant to the relevant professional and regulatory standards, discussed with, and received the required written disclosures and a confirming letter from Friedman, LLP regarding its independence and has discussed with Friedman, LLP its independence from the Company and its management, as required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the independent registered public accountants to the Company is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee subsequently  recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Charles P. Connolly, Chairman
Barry B. Bondroff, CPA
George J. Lavin, Jr., Esq.
Jason L. Groves, Esq.

Fees to Independent Registered Public Accountants for Fiscal 2009 and 2008
 
 The following services were provided by Friedman, LLP and Bagell, Josephs, Levine & Co, LLC during fiscal 2009 and 2008:

   
2009 (3)
   
2008
 
             
Audit Fees(1)
  $ 184,000     $ 154,000  
Tax fees(2)
    43,000       29,000  
All other fees
    -       -  
                 
Total
  $ 227,000     $ 183,000  

 
(1)
Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the audit of internal controls required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the review of financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and for services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 
(2)
Tax fees were billed for tax compliance services
 
(3)
On January 1, 2010 Bagell, Josephs, Levine, and Co. merged with Friedman, LLP.  Friedman, LLP performed the audit for the year-ended December 31, 2009.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
 
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent auditors.
 
Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for work associated with the following:
 
 
Ÿ
registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933 (for example, comfort letters or consents);

 
Ÿ
due diligence work for potential acquisitions or dispositions;

 
Ÿ
attest services not required by statute or regulation;

 
Ÿ
adoption of new accounting pronouncements or auditing and disclosure requirements and accounting or regulatory consultations;

 
20

 

 
Ÿ
internal control reviews and assistance with internal control reporting requirements;

 
Ÿ
review of information systems security and controls;

 
Ÿ
tax compliance, tax planning and related tax services, excluding any tax service prohibited by regulatory or other oversight authorities; expatriate and other individual tax  services; and

 
Ÿ
Assistance and consultation on questions raised by regulatory agencies.

For each proposed service, the independent auditors are required to provide detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval to permit the Audit Committee to make a determination whether the provision of such services would impair the independent auditors’ independence.
 
The Audit Committee has approved in advance certain permitted services whose scope is routine across business units, including statutory or other financial audit work for non-U.S. subsidiaries that is not required for the 1934 Act audits.

 
21

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Purpose and Philosophy

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for developing and recommending to the Board of Directors Medifast, Inc.’s executive compensation program for the five named executive officers: (referred to in this CD&A as the “executive officers”). Each of these executive officers is included in the Summary Compensation Table and the related tables beginning on page 17.
 
The Compensation Committee is responsible for creation and periodic review of the overall executive compensation philosophy of Medifast, Inc.  related analysis and assessment of any material risk to the Company related thereto, and it outlines the components of executive compensation for the executive officers. Medifast, Inc. believes that strong, effective leadership is the cornerstone of its continued growth and success. To be successful, Medifast, Inc. must be able to attract, retain, and motivate highly qualified executive officers with the competencies needed to excel in a rapidly changing marketplace and to understand issues relating to a diverse group of companies in several different industries.
 
Executive compensation at Medifast, Inc. is focused on executive performance keyed to results. Medifast, Inc. provides fair and equitable compensation to its executive officers by combining conservative base pay, annual cash incentive, stock-based long-term incentive, and competitive health, dental and other benefits. The Executive Cash Bonus Plan is designed to reward executives for Medifast, Inc.’s current year financial success and recognize the responsibilities of the executive officers for meeting Medifast, Inc.’s financial performance goals. Stock-based incentives focus on long-term performance by aligning the executive officers’ long-term financial interests with Medifast, Inc.’s shareholders’ interest. Health, dental, vacation, and other benefits are designed to be competitive with companies with whom Medifast, Inc. competes for executive talent.
 
Total direct compensation which includes base pay, annual cash incentive and stock-based long-term incentive is measured against similarly sized organizations (based on revenue) in the general industry. In general, there are different kinds of diet products and programs within the weight loss industry.  These include a wide variety of commercial weight loss programs, pharmaceutical products, weight loss books, self-help diets, dietary supplements, appetite suppressants and meal replacement shakes and bars.  Some of our competitors are substantially larger than we are, and have considerably greater financial resources than we have. Our ability to remain competitive depends, in significant part, on our success in recruiting and retaining executive leadership with an attractive compensation package. Medifast, Inc. targets total direct compensation for each executive officer near median for similarly sized organizations in the general industry. The mix of pay (base pay, annual cash incentive and long-term incentive) is designed to reflect a strong bias towards pay for performance by placing a majority of target compensation at risk. The only element of total direct compensation that is not performance based is base pay. Both annual cash incentive and long-term incentive are performance based.
 
Elements of Executive Compensation

Base Salary

Our base salary determinations principally reflect the skills and performance levels of individual executives, the needs of the Company, and pay practices of comparable public companies with similar sales and growth rates. Some of Medifast’s top peers and competitors with similar sales and growth rates in the general health and wellness diet industry are NutriSystem Inc., eDiets.com, Herbalife Ltd., USANA Health Sciences, Nu Skin Enterprises, and Weight Watchers International Inc. It is not our policy to pay our executive officers at the highest base salary level. Instead, we establish executive base salaries below the midpoint level relative to an appropriate set of peers and Companies with similar sales. We believe this policy sets a prudent and fiscally responsible tone for the Company’s overall base salary compensation programs.
 
Target Bonus
 
Cash bonuses principally reflect the Company’s financial performance and achievement of corporate objectives established by our Board prior to the fiscal year. The executive bonus plan is designed to reward our executives for the achievement of shorter-term financial goals, predominantly revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow. In consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee evaluates, adjusts and approves the amount and allocation of the bonus pool to each named executive officer. In determining the cash bonus allocation among senior executives, the Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer consider each executive’s a) contribution to current and long-term corporate goals, and b) value in the labor market.

 
22

 

The financial targets for annual cash incentive are premised upon the executive officers delivering on their financial performance projections to Medifast, Inc. as reflected in part, in the annual budget approved by the Board of Directors. In 2009 targeted annual incentive compensation was tied to the annual budget approved by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee set the target for pre-tax profit as a percentage of sales at 10%, the target for corporate revenue at $135 million, and net increase in cash and cash equivalents at $6 million. The target performance level is set to promote solid performance. The financial targets for annual cash incentive are divided into three components as follows:
 
1.
Pre-Tax profit as a percentage of sales. Each executive officer receives 33.33% of the total target payout if Medifast, Inc. achieves the targeted pre-tax profit as a % of sales. Each officer receives a portion of the total target payout if Medifast, Inc. achieves the targeted performance level, and additional increments for performance above the target. For pre-tax earnings as a percentage of sales the target was 10%.  Medifast, Inc. was well above the threshold performance level for pre-tax earnings as a percentage of sales in 2009 at 11.7% compared to the target of 10%.
 
2.
Corporate Revenue. Each officer receives 33.33% of the total target payout if Medifast, Inc. achieves the targeted sales amount for the full year.  Each officer receives a portion of the total target payout if Medifast, Inc. achieves the targeted performance level, and additional increments for performance above the target. For corporate sales the target was $135 million.   Medifast, Inc. was well above the targeted performance level for sales in 2009 finishing at $165.6 million, or $30.6 million above the target set by the Board.
 
3.
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents. Each officer receives 33.33% of the total target payout if Medifast, Inc. achieves the targeted net cash increase for the full year.  Each officer receives a portion of the total target payout if Medifast, Inc. achieves the targeted performance level, and additional increments for performance above the target The net increase in cash and cash equivalents target was $6 million. Medifast, Inc. exceeded the maximum performance level for the net increase in cash and cash equivalents in 2009 by generating a $10.9 million net increase in cash and cash equivalents.
 
Equity Compensation
Stock option and restricted stock awards principally reflect the responsibilities to be assumed by each executive in the upcoming fiscal year, the responsibilities of each executive in prior periods, the size of awards made to each executive in prior years relative to the Company’s overall performance, available stock for issuance under our Option Plan, and potential grants in future years. The Committee believes that stock option and restricted stock grants (1) align the interests of executives with long-term stockholder interests as the grants vest over 5-6 years, (2) give executives a significant, long-term interest in the Company’s success, and (3) help retain key executives in a competitive market for executive talent.  The restricted stock awards award the continuity of service of the executive officers since the restricted stock awards vest over a period of 5-6 years and unvested, restricted stock is forfeited upon voluntary termination. In addition, the value of shares awarded increase or decrease with the value provided to shareholders.

Equity Ownership by Executives
 
We do not currently have a formal equity ownership requirement for our executives. However, we encourage our executives to own equity in the Company on a voluntary basis. All of our named executive officers own stock, restricted stock and vested and unvested stock options. We periodically review the vested and unvested equity holdings of our executives and evaluate whether these holdings sufficiently align the interests of our executives with the long-term interests of our stockholders. We may consider adopting equity ownership requirements in the future.

 
23

 

Report of the Compensation Committee

We have reviewed and discussed with management certain Compensation Discussion and Analysis provisions to be included in this Form 10-K. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis referred to above be included on the Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2009. Based upon the Compensation Committee risk assessment, the Board does not believe the Executive Compensation Plan or any distribution channel compensation Plan presents a material risk to the Company as structured.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeannette M. Mills, Chairman
John P. McDaniel
Jerry D. Reece

2009 Summary Compensation Table

 The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation for the last three fiscal years of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and each of the three other most highly compensated executive officers. These individuals, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are collectively referred to as the Named Executive Officers.

       
Salary
   
Stock
Awards
   
Option
Awards
   
Bonus
   
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Contributions
   
All
Other
   
Total
 
Name and Pricipal Position
 
Year
 
($)
   
($)(1)
   
($)(1)
   
($)(2)
   
($)
   
($)(3)
   
($)
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
 
2009
  $ 225,000     $ 331,000       -     $ 235,000           $ 3,600     $ 794,600  
Executive Chairman of the Board
 
2008
    225,000       107,000       -       -       100,000       6,700       438,700  
   
2007
    225,000       -       -       -       100,000       6,600       331,600  
                                                             
Michael S. McDevitt
 
2009
    185,000       639,000       -       410,000               5,800       1,239,800  
Chief Executive Officer
 
2008
    135,000       450,000       -       75,000               2,700       662,700  
   
2007
    135,000       289,000       -       75,000               2,500       501,500  
                                                             
Leo V. Williams
 
2009
    135,000       -       -       85,000               4,600       224,600  
Executive Vice President
 
2008
    132,500       -       -       25,000               2,900       160,400  
   
2007
    132,500       -       -       25,000               1,900       159,400  
                                                             
Margaret Sheetz
 
2009
    155,000       531,000       -       350,000               4,900       1,040,900  
Chief Operating Officer, President
 
2008
    100,000       372,000       -       50,000               3,000       525,000  
   
2007
    100,000       237,000       -       50,000               2,900       389,900  
                                                             
Brendan N. Connors
 
2009
    125,000       167,000       -       117,000               3,900       412,900  
Chief Financial Officer
 
2008
    99,000       101,000       -       20,000               3,000       223,000  
   
2007
    99,000       47,000       -       20,000               2,900       168,900  

 
(1)
Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock awards in the year indicated. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation reflected in these columns, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The actual value that may be realized from an award is contingent upon the satisfaction of the conditions to vesting in that award on the date the award is vested. Thus, there is no assurance that the value, if any, eventually realized will correspond to the amount shown.
 
(2)
Bonus amounts determined as more specifically discussed above under “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis”
 
(3)
The amounts represent the Company’s matching contributions under the 401(K) plan.

 
24

 

2009 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The Medifast Board of Directors on May 7, 2009 approved restricted common stock grants to key executives and Board members with a 5 year vesting period, beginning on the grant date.  Key executives were granted 460,000 shares of restricted common stock to retain their services over the next five years and recognize continued sales and profit growth in accordance with targets set by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors received a total of 71,000 shares with a two year vesting period, beginning on the grant date for their active participation in the strategic planning process and guidance as it relates to Medifast’s strong performance and growth.

The Medifast Board of Directors on November 24, 2008 approved restricted common stock grants to key executives as a 2008 performance bonus for exceeding internal sales and profit forecasts.  Key executives were granted 150,000 shares of restricted common stock over a five year vesting period, beginning on January 1, 2009.

The Medifast Board of Directors on July 24, 2008 approved restricted common stock grants to the Named Executives with a 5 year vesting period, beginning on the grant date.  Named Executive Officers were granted 425,000 shares of restricted common stock to retain their services over the next five years, reward their efforts in the participation of the successful succession and transition of the company operations to the new senior management team, and incentivize continued sales and profit growth in accordance with targets set by the Board of Directors.

On January 25, 2008, the Board of Directors modified Bradley T. MacDonald’s compensation package for his role in the succession plan and business development initiatives as outlined in the December 31, 2006 10-K.  The Board cancelled the 100,000 options granted to Mr. MacDonald on February 8, 2006 and replaced them with a restricted stock grant of 42,000 shares.  The restricted shares will vest over a period of 3 years beginning on January 25, 2009.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

   
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
   
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
   
Option
Exercise
 
Option
Expiration
 
Number Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
   
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
that have not
Vested
   
Equity incentive
Plan Awards: 
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other rights
   
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout
Value of Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other rights That
Have Not Vested
 
   
Exercisable
   
Un-Exercisable
   
Price ($)
 
Date
 
Vested (#)(1)
   
($)(2)
   
(#)
   
($)
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
                                             
Executive Chairman of the Board
    -       -       -         204,000       6,238,320       -       -  
Michael S. McDevitt
                                                         
Chief Executive Officer
    -       -       -         303,667       9,286,137       -       -  
Leo V. Williams
                                                         
Executive Vice President
    10,000       -       3.83  
10/28/2010
    -       -       -       -  
Margaret  Sheetz
                                                         
Chief Operating Officer, President
    -       -       -         252,000       7,706,160       -       -  
Brendan N. Connors
                                                         
Chief Financial Officer
    -       -                 91,000       2,782,780       -       -  

Each option has a five year life and an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the estimated fair value of our common stock on the date of grant.

 
25

 

(1)
The restricted stock grants vest over five and six years of service as described below under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards”

(2)
The market value of shares of stock that have not vested is based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2009, or $30.58 per share.

2009 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table sets forth information regarding option exercises and stock vesting for the Named Executive Officers during 2009 and the resulting value realized.

   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
   
Number of
Shares Acquired
On Exercise
   
Value Realized
On Exercise
   
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
   
Value
Realized on
Vesting
 
Name
 
(#)
   
($)(1)
   
(#)
   
($)(2)
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
                  -       -  
Executive Chairman of the Board
    -       -       20,000       285,000  
                      14,000       102,340  
                      20,000       131,000  
                      9,000       53,280  
                                 
Michael S. McDevitt
    84,895       1,369,356       15,000       88,800  
Chief Executive Officer
                    33,333       243,664  
                      30,000       427,500  
                      24,000       157,200  
                      9,000       53,280  
                                 
Leo V. Williams
                               
Executive Vice President
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Margaret Sheetz
                    15,000       88,800  
Chief Operating Officer, President
    -       -       25,000       182,750  
                      25,000       356,250  
                      20,000       131,000  
                      8,000       47,360  
                                 
Brendan N. Connors
    19,805       319,455       3,000       17,760  
Chief Financial Officer
                    5,000       36,550  
                      10,000       142,500  
                      8,000       52,400  
                      4,000       23,680  

(1)
Represents the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise, multiplied by the number of options exercised.
(2)
Represents the number of restricted shares vested, and the number of shares vested multiplied by the fair market value of the common stock on the vesting date.

 
26

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information at Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

Plan category
 
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
   
Weighted
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
   
Number of
securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
 
   
(a)
   
(b)
   
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    10,000 (1)   $ 3.83       1,442,500  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    -       -       -  

(1)
Consists of 10,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options

2009 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table

The following table sets forth all non-qualified deferred compensation of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

   
Executive
Contributions in
Last FY
   
Company
Contributions
in Last FY
   
Aggregate
Earnings in Last
FY
   
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
   
Aggregate
Balance at Last
FYE
 
   
($)
   
($)(1)
   
($)
   
($)
   
($)
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
    -       -       247,000       -       1,040,000  
Executive Chairman of the Board
                                       
Michael S. McDevitt
    -       -       -       -       -  
Chief Executive Officer
                                       
Leo V. Williams
    -       -       -       -       -  
Executive Vice President
                                       
Margaret Sheetz
    -       -       -       -       -  
Chief Operating Officer, President
                                       
Brendan N. Connors
    -       -       -       -       -  
Chief Financial Officer
                                       

(1)
All amounts are reported in compensation on the “2009 Summary Compensation Table”

 
27

 

Deferred Compensation Plans
 
We maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, effective September 10, 2003, for Senior Executive management.  Currently, Bradley MacDonald is the only participant in the plan.  Under the deferred compensation plan that became effective in 2003, executive officers of the Company, including the Named Executive Officers, may defer a portion of their salary and bonus (performance-based compensation) annually. A participant may elect to receive distributions of the accrued deferred compensation in a lump sum or in installments upon retirement

Each participating officer may request that the deferred amounts be allocated among several available investment options established and offered by the Company. These investment options provide market rates of return and are not subsidized by the Company. The benefit payable under the plan at any time to a participant following termination of employment is equal to the applicable deferred amounts, plus or minus any earnings or losses attributable to the investment of such deferred amounts. The amount of compensation in any given fiscal year that is deferred by each Named Executive Officer is included in the Summary Compensation Table under the column headings “Salary” or “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation”, as appropriate.

The Company has established a trust for the benefit of participants in the deferred compensation plan. Pursuant to the terms of the trust, as soon as possible after any deferred amounts have been withheld from a plan participant, the Company will contribute such deferred amounts to the trust to be held for the benefit of the participant in accordance with the terms of the plan and the trust.

Retirement payouts under the plan upon an executive officer’s retirement from the Company are payable either in a lump-sum payment or in annual installments over a period of up to ten years. Upon death, disability or termination of employment, all amounts shall be paid in a lump-sum payment as soon as administratively feasible.

In 2009, there were no contributions made by the Company to Bradley T. MacDonald’s deferred compensation plan.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards
 
We have entered into employment agreements with certain Named Executive Officers, certain terms of which are summarized below.

Bradley T. MacDonald.   Mr. MacDonald entered into a five year employment agreement effective February 8, 2006.  Mr. MacDonald was granted 100,000 options over a five year vesting period beginning on February 8, 2007 in consideration for his five year commitment and to align his interest with the interests of long-term shareholders On January 25, 2008, the Board of Directors modified Bradley T. MacDonald’s compensation package for his role in the succession plan and business development initiatives as outlined in the December 31, 2006 10-K.  The Board cancelled the 100,000 options granted to Mr. MacDonald on February 8, 2006 and replaced them with a restricted stock grant of 42,000 shares.  The restricted shares will vest over a period of 3 years beginning on January 25, 2009. Upon termination of Mr. MacDonald’s employment by the Company without cause, or upon his resignation for good reason, he would be entitled to receive an amount equal to one and a half times the sum of his highest annualized salary payable in equal monthly installments 30 days after his termination of employment for a period of one year.

Michael S. McDevitt.   Mr. McDevitt entered into a six year employment agreement effective February 8, 2006.  Mr. McDevitt was granted 200,000 shares of Medifast, Inc. restricted common stock over a six year vesting period beginning on February 8, 2006 in consideration for his six year commitment and to align his interests with the interests of long-term shareholders. Upon termination of Mr. McDevitt’s employment by the Company without cause, or upon his resignation for good reason, he would be entitled to receive an amount equal to one and a half times the sum of his highest annualized salary payable in equal monthly installments 30 days after his termination of employment for a period of one year.

Margaret Sheetz.  Ms. Sheetz entered into a six year employment agreement effective February 8, 2006.  Ms. Sheetz was granted 150,000 shares of Medifast, Inc. restricted common stock over a six year vesting period beginning on February 8, 2006 in consideration for her six year commitment and to align her interests with the interests of long-term shareholders.  Upon termination of Ms. Sheetz’s employment by the Company without cause, or upon her resignation for good reason, she would be entitled to receive an amount equal to one and a half times the sum of his highest annualized salary payable in equal monthly installments 30 days after her termination of employment for a period of one year.

Brendan N. Connors.   Mr. Connors entered into a six year employment agreement effective February 8, 2006.  Mr. Connors was granted 30,000 shares of Medifast, Inc. restricted common stock over a six year vesting period beginning on February 8, 2006 in consideration for his six year commitment and to align his interests with the interests of long-term shareholders. Upon termination of Mr. Connors’ employment by the Company without cause, or upon his resignation for good reason,  he would be entitled to receive an amount equal to one and a half times the sum of his highest annualized salary payable in equal monthly installments 30 days after his termination of employment for a period of one year.

 
28

 

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had entered into employment agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers. As described in more detail above under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards”  The employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers generally provide for the payment of benefits if the executive’s employment with the Company is terminated either by the Company without Cause or by the executive for Good Reason. The employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers do not provide for any additional payments or benefits upon a termination of employment by the Company for Cause, upon the executive’s resignation other than for Good Reason, as applicable, or upon the executive’s death or disability.   Upon termination by the Company without cause, or upon his or her resignation for good reason, all of the Named Executive officers are entitled to receive an amount equal to one and a half times his or her highest annualized base salary payable in equal monthly installments 30 days after his or her termination of employment.  If a named executive had been terminated without cause on December 31, 2009 they would have received the following amounts:

   
Severance ($) (1)
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
  $ 337,500  
Michael S. McDevitt
  $ 277,500  
Margaret Sheetz
  $ 232,500  
Brendan N. Connors
  $ 187,500  

(1) Based on 2009 salary

If there were a change in control, which is defined as a sale of the majority of the assets of the company or a change of control of the Board of Directors as a result of a third party shareholder acquiring or holding over 10% of the common stock and attempting to nominate a majority of the Board of Directors in favor of his/her shareholder block, the executives would have received the following amounts as of December 31, 2009:

   
Severance
($)(1)
   
Accelerated
Vesting of
Stock Awards
($)(2)
   
Total
 
Bradley T. MacDonald
  $ 337,500     $ 6,238,320     $ 6,575,820  
Michael S. McDevitt
    277,500       9,286,137       9,563,637  
Margaret Sheetz
    232,500       7,606,160       7,838,660  
Brendan N. Connors
    187,500       2,782,780       2,970,280  

(1)
Based on 2009 salary.
(2)
Accelerated vesting of stock awards were based on NYSE close price of the Common Shares on December 31, 2009 of $30.58 per share.

Compensation Polices and Risk

Medifast, Inc. does not believe that its compensation policies and practices create material risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Medifast, Inc.

 
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF OUR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND 5% BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
The following table shows as of December 31, 2009, the amount and percentage of our outstanding common stock beneficially owned by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock.
 
Name and Address of
5% Beneficial Owner
 
Shares
Beneficially
Owned (1)
   
Percent of
Outstanding
Common Stock
 
FMR, LLC
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA  02109
    1,185,000       7.7 %
                 
Wellington Management Company, LLP
75 State Street
Boston, MA  02109
    835,832       5.42 %

The following table shows as of March 26, 2010 the amount and percentage of our outstanding common stock beneficially owned (unless otherwise indicated) by each of our (i) directors and nominees for directors, (ii) Named Executive Officers and (iii) our directors, nominees for director and executive officers as a group.

Name of Beneficial Owner
 
Shares Beneficially
Owned (1)(2)
   
Shares
Acquirable
Within 60 days
   
Percent of
Outstanding
Common Stock (%)
 
                   
Bradley T. MacDonald (3)
    797,050       -       5.18 %
Michael S. McDevitt
    420,012       -       2.73 %
Margaret Sheetz
    293,692       -       1.91 %
Brendan N. Connors, CPA
    108,484       -       *  
Donald F. Reilly
    81,483       -       *  
Michael C. MacDonald
    69,197       -       *  
Charles P. Connolly
    37,575       -       *  
John P. McDaniel
    24,500       -       *  
Catherine T. Maguire
    8,500       -       *  
Leo V. Williams
    16,000       -       *  
George J. Lavin, Jr., Esq.
    24,200       -       *  
Barry B. Bondroff, CPA
    17,000       -       *  
Jeannette M. Mills
    12,500       -       *  
                         
All directors, nominees for directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)
    1,910,193       -       12.40 %

*
Less than 1%.
(1)
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under those rules and for purposes of the table above (a) if a person has decision making power over either the voting or the disposition of any shares, that person is generally deemed to be a beneficial owner of those shares; (b) if two or more persons have decision making power over either the voting or the disposition of any shares, they will be deemed to share beneficial ownership of those shares, in which case the same shares will be included in share ownership totals for each of those persons; and (c) if a person held options to purchase shares that were exercisable on, or became exercisable within 60 days of, March 30, 2010, that person will be deemed to be the beneficial owner of those shares and those shares (but not shares that are subject to options held by any other stockholder) will be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of the outstanding shares that are beneficially owned by that person. Information supplied by officers and directors.
 
 
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(2)
Unless otherwise noted, reflects the number of shares that could be purchased by exercise of options available at March 26, 2010, or within 60 days thereafter under our stock option plans.
(3)
The shares set forth as beneficially owned by Mr. Bradley T. MacDonald include 133,402 shares owned by his wife Shirley MacDonald, and 85,167 shares owned by the MacDonald Family Trust.  His daughter, Margaret Sheetz, beneficially owns 293,692 shares which added to Bradley T. MacDonald’s 797,050 beneficially owned shares results in 1,090,742 shares owned by the MacDonald family.

PROPOSAL 3:
RATIFICATION OF THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF BYLAWS OF MEDIFAST, INC.

At the quarterly scheduled meeting, of the Medifast, Inc. Board of Directors held February 26, 2010, with a quorum present, the Board  unanimously voted in favor of Amending and Restating the Bylaws of Medifast, Inc. which were duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 245 of the General Corporation law of the State of Delaware and Article 9 of the Bylaws.

Pursuant to Article 9 of the Bylaws, the Board is empowered to Amend the Bylaws by a majority vote of the Whole Board.  Any such action may be amended or repealed by the stockholders at any annual meeting or any special meeting called for that purpose.

The Amended and Restated Bylaws were subsequently filed as part of Exhibit 3.1 to 10K filed March 31, 2010 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Proxy proposal requests a non-required action (i.e., stockholder ratification of the aforesaid Board  action).

The reason for the proxy request is to solicit shareholder ratification of the aforesaid Board accomplished  action.  The Registrant intends in the event of a negative vote to report the results to its Board of Directors for its consideration.

The reasons the Board considered in approving the Amended and Restated Bylaws included the following:

 
a)
To provide greater transparency to shareholders in accordance with current SEC requirements
 
b)
By clarifying the procedures and timelines for shareholder participation in the nomination and election of Board Directors to comply with the current SEC requirements in the following areas:
 
  i.
Requirements to propose shareholder resolutions or director nominations
 
 ii.
Updating definition of beneficial owner of securities
 
iii.
Clarifying duties and powers of executive officers and assistants by position
 
iv.
Clarifying order of determining presiding officer at shareholder meetings and adjournment protocols.
 
 v.
Expanding the potential transmission mode options to forward proxy authorizations to enhance shareholder participation and setting forth related standards for compliance
 
vi.
Clarifying election procedures for directors in the event vacancies occur or for newly created directorships, resignations or removal.
 
c)
Volatility of the stock price in its trading platform
 
d)
False reports about the Company by a group of convicted felons which negatively affected shareholder value by contributing to stock price volatility

 
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OTHER MATTERS

Other Matters

 The management of the Company knows of no other business to be presented at the Meeting. If, however, other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the SEC and the NYSE initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of equity securities of the Company. Directors, officers and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by them.  In 2009, to the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such filings on file with the Company and written representations from the Company’s directors and executive officers, no Section 16(a) filing requirements were applicable to the Company’s directors, executive officers and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners in fiscal 2009.
  
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The Board of Directors of the Company has established a policy and certain procedures that must be followed prior to any transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness, with a related party. Under this policy, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors and reviews issues involving potential conflicts of interest involving officers and directors of the Company, including reviewing all related party transactions.

Shareholder Proposals for the 2011 Annual General Meeting
 
Shareholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2011 annual general meeting of shareholders may do so by following the procedures prescribed in SEC Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion, notice of shareholder proposals must be received by the Company’s Corporate Secretary no later than December 1, 2010. Proposals should be sent to Corporate Secretary, Medifast, Inc., 11445 Cronhill Dr., Owings Mills, MD  21117.

Codes of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines
 
Our Board of Directors has adopted a corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our directors, officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and employees, as well as Corporate Governance Guidelines, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE. Each of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.choosemedifast.com by following the links through “Investor Relations” to “Corporate Governance.”

Any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics with respect to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller will be posted on the Company’s website,  www.choosemedifast.com. or by writing the Company at 11445 Cronhill Dr., Owings Mills, MD 21117 to the attention of the Secretary.

Annual Report, Financial and Additional Information.
 
The Annual Financial Statements and Review of Operations of the Company for fiscal year 2009 can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K is available concurrently with this Proxy Statement to each shareholder of record on the Record Date by way of notice and access.
 
The Company’s filings with the SEC are all accessible by following the links to “Investor Relations” on the Company’s website at www.choosemedifast.com.  The Company will furnish without charge a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and schedules thereto, to any person requesting in writing and stating that he or she is the beneficial owner of Common Shares of the Company.
 
Requests and inquiries should be addressed to:

 Investor Relations
 Medifast, Inc.
 11445 Cronhill Dr.
 Owings Mills, MD  21117

 
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PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
TO BE HELD OCTOBER 8, 2010
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
            The undersigned hereby appoints Bradley T. MacDonald with full power of substitution, as attorneys for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to vote all the shares of the common stock of MEDIFAST, INC., owned or entitled to be voted by the undersigned as of the record date, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of said Company scheduled to be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge, MD  21613, on Friday, October 8, 2010, at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Standard Time, and at any adjournment, postponement or continuation thereof, as follows:
 
1a. Elect five Class I directors for a three-year term ending in 2013.
 
Class I Directors: Charles P. Connolly, Jason L. Groves, Bradley T. MacDonald, John P. McDaniel, and Donald F. Reilly.

¨ FOR All nominees (except as marked to the contrary below)
¨ WITHHOLD
 
1b. Elect two directors to one-year terms ending in 2011.
 
 Directors: Harvey C. Barnum and Jerry D. Reece

¨ FOR All nominees (except as marked to the contrary below)
¨ WITHHOLD
 
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's name in the space provided below.
 
2. To approve the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.

¨ FOR
¨ AGAINST
¨ ABSTAIN
 
3. To ratify the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Medifast, Inc. unanimously approved by the Board of Directors at a properly noted meeting with a quorum present on February 26, 2010.

¨ FOR
¨ AGAINST
¨ ABSTAIN

  4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. (Please date and sign on reverse side).
 
This proxy, if properly executed and returned will be voted in accordance with the directions specified hereof. If no directions are specified, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the directors named above or their substitutes as designated by the Board of Directors.
 
This proxy will be voted as specified. If a choice is not specified, the shares represented by this proxy will be voted “FOR” each director nominee.
 
This proxy should be dated, signed by the stockholder(s), and returned promptly to us in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate.
 
 
 
SIGNATURE

DATE:                     , 2010

 
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