☐ |
Preliminary Proxy Statement
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☐ | |
☒ |
Definitive Proxy Statement
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☐ |
Definitive Additional Materials
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☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
IntriCon Corporation
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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Not Applicable
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
(5) | Total fee paid: | |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ | ||
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
(3) | Filing Party: | |
(4) | Date Filed: | |
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●
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the election of two directors, each to hold office for a term of three years and until his successor is duly elected and qualified;
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an advisory vote on executive compensation, referred to as “say-on-pay;
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the approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement; and
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●
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the ratification of the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, as IntriCon Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2015.
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Sincerely,
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Mark S. Gorder
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
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(1)
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to elect two director to hold office, each for a term of three years and until his successor is duly elected and qualified;
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(2)
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to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation, referred to as “say-on-pay”;
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(3)
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to approve the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement;
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(4)
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to ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2015; and
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(5)
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any of its adjournments or postponements.
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over the Internet: log on to www.proxyvote.com and follow the web site instructions; once you have cast your vote, be sure to click on “Accept Vote”;
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by telephone: you may call toll-free in the U.S. or Canada, 1-800-690-6903 on a touch-tone telephone;
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by proxy card: sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided for that purpose; or
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in person: if you are a shareholder of record as of the close of business on the Record Date, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting and revoke any previously granted proxy.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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Michael J. McKenna
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Chairman of the Board
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over the Internet: log on to www.proxyvote.com and follow the web site instructions; once you have cast your vote, be sure to click on “Accept Vote;
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by telephone: you may call toll-free in the U.S. or Canada, 1-800-690-6903 on a touch-tone telephone;
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by proxy card: sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided for that purpose; or
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in person: if you are a shareholder of record as of the close of business on the Record Date, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting and revoke any previously granted proxy.
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3
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Proposal 1: the election of the directors will be determined by a plurality vote and the nominees receiving the highest number of “for” votes will be elected.
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Proposal 2: approval of the “say-on-pay” proposal will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
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Proposal 3: approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
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Proposal 4: the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2015 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
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4
5
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●
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whether the director candidate has significant leadership experience and outstanding achievement in such director candidate’s career field;
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●
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whether the director candidate has relevant expertise or experience and would be able to offer advice and guidance to management based on that expertise or experience;
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●
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whether the director candidate has the financial expertise or other professional, educational or business experience relevant to understanding to the Corporation’s business;
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whether the director candidate has sufficient time available to devote to the Corporation;
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whether the director candidate has the ability to make independent, analytical inquiries and challenge management;
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whether the director candidate will be committed to represent and advance the long-term interests of the Corporation’s shareholders; and
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whether the director candidate meets the independence requirements of Nasdaq.
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6
Name, Age (as of February 19, 2015) and Occupation
|
Director
Since
|
Term
Expires
|
||
Nominees for Election | ||||
Philip N. Seamon (67) became a director in September 2006. Currently, Mr. Seamon is President of Philip N. Seamon, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in operational and financial business restructuring services. Until his retirement in August 2006, Mr. Seamon was a senior managing director in the corporate finance practice of FTI Consulting, Inc., a provider of a wide range of business and financial advisory and consulting services. Previously, Mr. Seamon was a partner and the service line leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Business Recovery Services practice in their Philadelphia office. FTI Consulting acquired this practice in September 2002. Prior to joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Seamon held management and partnership positions in both commercial and investment banking organizations.
Mr. Seamon provides IntriCon with expertise in financial and accounting matters as well as experience in mergers and acquisitions and business restructuring.
|
2006
|
2015
|
||
Nicholas A. Giordano (72) became a director in December 2000. Mr. Giordano has been a business consultant and investor since 1997. Mr. Giordano was Interim President of LaSalle University from July 1998 to June 1999. From 1981 to 1997, Mr. Giordano was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. Mr. Giordano serves as a trustee of Wilmington Funds and Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust, mutual funds, and as a director of Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia, a health insurance company, and The RBB Fund, Inc., a mutual funds company. Mr. Giordano also served as a director of Commerce Bancorp, Inc. in 2007-2008. Messrs. Giordano and Masucci are first cousins.
Mr. Giordano’s financial and investment background provides the Corporation with perspective and guidance on accounting and financial matters. His service as an outside director of other companies (including public companies) provides valuable insight on corporate governance and business matters. He is the Board’s audit committee financial expert.
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2000
|
2015
|
7
Name, Age (as of February 19, 2015) and Occupation
|
Director
Since
|
Term
Expires
|
||
Continuing Directors
|
||||
Mark S. Gorder (68) became a director in January 1996. Mr. Gorder has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since April 2001; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation from December 2000 to April 2001; and Vice President of the Corporation from 1996 to December 2000. Mr. Gorder has been President and Chief Executive Officer of IntriCon, Inc., a subsidiary of the Corporation, since 1983.
Mr. Gorder’s day to day leadership of the Corporation, as Chief Executive Officer, provides him with intimate knowledge of the Corporation’s operations and the markets in which the Corporation operates. Also, as co-founder of the Corporation’s subsidiary, IntriCon, Inc. he provides strategic guidance. The Board believes that Mr. Gorder provides unique insights into the Corporation’s challenges, opportunities and operations.
|
1996
|
2016
|
||
Michael J. McKenna (80) became a director in June 1998 and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation since April 2001. In March 2001, Mr. McKenna retired as the Vice Chairman and a Director of Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc. (now Crown Holdings, Inc.), a manufacturing company. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. McKenna was the President and Chief Operating Officer and, prior to 1995, was the Executive Vice President and President of the North American Division of Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
As the retired Vice Chairman, director and former executive of Crown, Cork & Seal, Mr. McKenna brings a global business perspective from his leadership positions as well as operational and sales experience. In addition, as the director with the longest tenure among the independent directors, Mr. McKenna also has considerable knowledge about the operations and background of IntriCon.
|
1998
|
2016
|
||
Robert N. Masucci (77) became a director in February 2002. Mr. Masucci has served as the Chairman of the Board of Montgomery Capital Advisors, Inc., a consulting company, since 1990 and Chairman of the Board of Barclay Brand Corporation, a distribution company, since 1996. Prior to 1990, Mr. Masucci was President and Chief Executive Officer of Drexel Industries, Inc., a forklift manufacturer. Mr. Masucci also served as a director of Agfeed Industries, Inc., a commercial hog producer and a premix feed company in China, during 2007. Messrs. Masucci and Giordano are first cousins.
As a former chief executive officer of a publicly traded manufacturing company, Mr. Masucci provides IntriCon with guidance on business operations, strategic planning and accounting and financial matters. Mr. Masucci also has mergers and acquisitions experience.
|
2002
|
2017
|
8
9
10
Name
|
Fees Earned
or
Paid in Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards (1)
($)
|
Option
Awards (2)
($)
|
All Other Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
||||||||||||||||
Nicholas A. Giordano
|
53,500 | — | 68,200 | — | 121,700 | ||||||||||||||||
Robert N. Masucci
|
48,500 | — | 68,200 | — | 116,700 | ||||||||||||||||
Michael J. McKenna
|
68,500 | — | 81,840 | — | 150,340 | ||||||||||||||||
Philip N. Seamon
|
48,500 | — | 68,200 | — | 116,700 |
(1)
|
We have not granted any stock awards to our directors. Under the Non-Employee Director and Executive Officer Stock Purchase Program, directors may purchase shares of common stock directly from the Corporation at the last reported sale price on the date that the election to purchase is made.
|
(2)
|
The amounts included in the “Option Awards” column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards granted during 2014 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB Codification Topic 718”). For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The amounts shown include the impact of option forfeitures during 2014. A total of 43,100 options were forfeited under all plans during 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the number of stock option awards held by our non-employee directors was: Mr. Giordano – 90,000; Mr. Masucci – 90,000; Mr. McKenna – 104,000; and Mr. Seamon – 85,000.
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11
12
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●
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the name and address of the shareholder making the recommendation and of each recommended nominee;
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●
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a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record, and/or a beneficial owner, of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to vote for the person(s) recommended if nominated;
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●
|
a description of all arrangements and understandings between the shareholder and each recommended nominee and any other person(s), naming such person(s), pursuant to which the recommendation was submitted by the shareholder;
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●
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such other information regarding each recommended nominee as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had the nominee been nominated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, including the principal occupation of each recommended nominee; and
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●
|
the consent of each recommended nominee to serve as a director if so nominated and elected.
|
13
14
Name
|
Number of
Shares Beneficially Owned(1) (2)
|
Percent
of Class
|
||||
The Trust Company of New Jersey (3)
35 Journal Square
Jersey City, NJ 07306
|
463,700
|
7.9%
|
||||
Amivest Capital Management.(4)
275 Broadhollow Road
Melville, NY 11747
|
448,700
|
7.7%
|
||||
Estate of Siggi B. Wilzig (5).
c/o Herrick, Feinstein LLP
2 Penn Plaza
Newark, NJ 07105
|
336,575
|
5.8%
|
||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(6)
Palisades West, Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas, 78746
|
302,158
|
5.2%
|
||||
Mark S. Gorder
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer(7)
|
600,284
|
10.0%
|
||||
Michael J. McKenna
Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
196,626
|
3.3%
|
||||
Nicholas A. Giordano
Director
|
131,390
|
2.2%
|
||||
Robert N. Masucci
Director
|
182,202
|
3.1%
|
||||
Philip N. Seamon
Director
|
75,001
|
1.3%
|
||||
Michael P. Geraci
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
|
111,163
|
1.9%
|
||||
Dennis L. Gonsior
Vice President, Global Operations
|
123,309
|
2.1%
|
||||
Greg Gruenhagen
Vice President, Quality and Regulatory Affairs
|
73,153
|
1.2%
|
||||
Scott Longval
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer
|
116,454
|
2.0%
|
||||
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (9 persons)
|
1,609,582
|
24.0%
|
(1)
|
Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to all such shares. The securities “beneficially owned” by a person are determined in accordance with the
|
15
|
definition of “beneficial ownership” set forth in the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. The same shares of common stock may be beneficially owned by more than one person. Beneficial ownership, as set forth in the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, includes securities as to which the person has or shares voting or investment power. shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of securities currently exercisable or convertible or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of February 20, 2014 are deemed outstanding for computing the share ownership and percentage ownership of the person holding such securities, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to certain of the securities.
|
(2)
|
In the case of the Corporation’s directors and executive officers, includes the following shares which such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of February 19, 2015 through the exercise of stock options:
|
Name |
Number of Shares
Subject to Options
|
||||
Mark S. Gorder
|
180,834 | ||||
Michael J. McKenna
|
80,000 | ||||
Nicholas A. Giordano
|
70,001 | ||||
Robert N. Masucci
|
70,001 | ||||
Philip N. Seamon
|
65,001 | ||||
Michael P. Geraci
|
107,500 | ||||
Dennis L. Gonsior
|
107,500 | ||||
Greg Gruenhagen
|
70,000 | ||||
Scott Longval
|
97,500 | ||||
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
|
848,337 |
(3)
|
Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2004.
|
(4)
|
Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 22, 2007. According to the Schedule 13G, Amivest Capital Management is an investment adviser and has sole power to vote the shares reported.
|
(5)
|
Based upon a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on October 2, 2003.
|
(6)
|
Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 5, 2015. According to the Schedule 13G/A, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”), is an investment advisor that furnishes investment advice to four investment companies, and serves as investment manager or sub-adviser to certain other commingled funds, group trusts and separate accounts. These investment companies, trusts and accounts are the “Dimensional Funds.” In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional may act as an adviser or sub-adviser to certain Dimensional Funds. In its role as investment advisor, sub-advisor and/or manager, Dimensional or its subsidiaries may possess voting and/or investment power over the shares of common stock that are owned by the Dimensional Funds, and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of common stock held by the Dimensional Funds; however, all shares of common stock are owned by the Dimensional Funds. The Schedule 13G/A states that to Dimensional’s knowledge, no one Dimensional Fund beneficially owns five percent or more of the shares of common stock. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares of common stock.
|
(7)
|
Includes 180,834 shares which Mr. Gorder has the right to acquire within 60 days of February 19, 2015 through the exercise of stock options. Also includes 5,000 shares of common stock owned by his spouse and 14,000 shares of common stock owned by his daughters. Mr. Gorder has pledged 146,000 shares of common stock and his spouse has pledged 5,000 shares of common stock as security for a loan. Mr. Gorder’s business address is 1260 Red Fox Road, Arden Hills, MN 55112.
|
16
|
●
|
promote the long-term retention of our employees, directors and other persons who are in a position to make significant contributions to our success;
|
|
●
|
further reward these employees, directors and other persons for their contributions to our growth and expansion;
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●
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provide additional incentive to these employees, directors and other persons to continue to make similar contributions in the future; and
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|
●
|
further align the interests of these employees, directors and other persons with those of our shareholders.
|
17
|
●
|
determine the following with respect to our executive officers: (i) the annual base salary level, (ii) the annual incentive opportunity level, (iii) the long-term incentive opportunity level, (iv) employment agreements, severance agreements, change in control agreements/provisions and other compensatory arrangements, in each case as, when and if appropriate, and (v) any special or supplemental benefits, in each case subject to the terms of any existing applicable employment agreement terms; and
|
|
●
|
determine the compensation payable to directors and members of committees of the board, including the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of each committee, other than directors who are our salaried employees.
|
18
19
Name and Principal Position
|
2015 Annual
Base Salary
|
|
Mark S. Gorder
|
$405,820
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
||
Scott Longval
|
$232,740
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
||
Michael P. Geraci
|
$238,033
|
|
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
|
||
Dennis L. Gonsior
|
$222,789
|
|
Vice President, Global Operations
|
||
Greg Gruenhagen
|
$200,658
|
|
Vice President, Quality and Regulatory Affairs
|
20
21
Name and Principal Position
|
Year |
Salary
($)
|
Stock
Awards (1) ($)
|
Option Awards (2) ($) |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation (3) ($)
|
All Other
Compensation (4) ($)
|
Total
($)
|
||||||||||||||
Mark S. Gorder,
|
2014
|
394,000 | 7,000 | 48,125 | 31,000 | 26,758 | 506,883 | ||||||||||||||
President and Chief Executive
|
2013
|
386,250 | — | 101,250 | — | 23,592 | 511,092 | ||||||||||||||
Officer (principal executive officer)
|
2012
|
375,000 | — | 92,703 | — | 23,919 | 491,622 | ||||||||||||||
Scott Longval,
|
2014
|
215,500 | — | 28,875 | 20,768 | 1,234 | 266,377 | ||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer and
|
2013
|
203,300 | — | 60,750 | — | 1,211 | 265,261 | ||||||||||||||
Treasurer (principal financial officer)
|
2012
|
190,000 | — | 55,622 | — | 1,179 | 246,801 | ||||||||||||||
Michael P. Geraci,
|
2014
|
231,100 | — | 28,875 | 22,271 | 4,176 | 286,422 | ||||||||||||||
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
|
2013
|
226,600 | — | 60,750 | — | 4,405 | 290,965 | ||||||||||||||
2012
|
220,000 | — | 55,622 | — | 3,402 | 279,024 | |||||||||||||||
Dennis L. Gonsior,
|
2014
|
216,300 | — | 28,875 | 20,845 | 3,612 | 269,632 | ||||||||||||||
Vice President, Global Operations
|
2013
|
206,000 | — | 60,750 | — | 3,615 | 270,365 | ||||||||||||||
2012
|
200,000 | — | 55,622 | — | 2,713 | 258,335 | |||||||||||||||
Greg Gruenhagen,
|
2014
|
189,300 | — | 28,875 | 18,243 | 5,602 | 242,020 | ||||||||||||||
Vice President, Quality and
|
2013
|
182,000 | — | 60,750 | — | 5,483 | 248,233 | ||||||||||||||
Regulatory Affairs
|
2012
|
175,000 | — | 55,622 | — | 4,544 | 235,166 |
(1)
|
Under the Non-Employee Director and Executive Officer Stock Purchase Program, executive officers may purchase shares of common stock directly from the Corporation at the last reported sale price on the date that the election to purchase is made. During 2014, the Named Executive Officers purchased a total of 1,000 shares of common stock from the Corporation under this program.
|
(2)
|
The amounts included in the “Option Awards” column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted during the year indicated, computed in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The amounts shown include the impact of option forfeitures during 2014. A total of 43,100 options were forfeited under all plans during 2014.
|
(3)
|
Represents amounts payable under the Annual Incentive Plan for services rendered in 2014. No amounts were payable under the Annual Incentive Plan for 2013 or 2012 because the plan targets were not reached.
|
22
(4)
|
Consists of payment of premiums for group term life insurance maintained for such executives and disability policies maintained for certain executives. In the case of Mr. Gorder, such amount also includes payment of country club membership dues and payment for his automobile lease and related expenses.
|
|
●
|
a current employment term expiring on April 30, 2015, subject to automatic renewal for additional one year terms unless either party gives notice of non-renewal at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the then current employment term; and
|
|
●
|
a base salary as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, but in no event less than their base salaries for 2007 in effect at the time of the agreement.
|
23
Potential incentive compensation payable under the
Annual Incentive Plan at the following levels of the 2015 Plan Target:
|
||||||||||||
Minimum
|
Target
|
Maximum
|
||||||||||
Name |
Potential Incentive Compensation
|
|||||||||||
Mark S. Gorder
|
$ | 8,125 | $ | 51,250 | $ | 160,875 | ||||||
Scott Longval
|
7,157 | 32,859 | 81,205 | |||||||||
Michael P. Geraci
|
7,320 | 33.607 | 83,051 | |||||||||
Dennis L. Gonsior
|
6,851 | 31,454 | 77,733 | |||||||||
Greg Gruenhagen
|
6,171 | 28,330 | 70,011 | |||||||||
24
|
●
|
options to purchase 1,287,014 shares of common stock were outstanding under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan;
|
|
●
|
the total number of shares available for new awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan was 50,214 shares of common stock; and
|
|
●
|
options to purchase 146,800 shares of common stock were outstanding under the Old Plans, which shares will become available for new awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan in the event of the cancellation, expiration, forfeiture or repurchase of such awards.
|
25
26
Name
|
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
Option Expiration
Date
|
||||||||
Mark S. Gorder,
|
50,000
|
2.45
|
7/27/2015
|
|||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
15,000
|
5.35
|
12/11/2016
|
|||||||||
(principal executive officer)
|
25,000
|
14.70
|
12/10/2017
|
|||||||||
20,000
|
4.69
|
12/09/2018
|
||||||||||
25,000
|
4.53
|
4/27/2021
|
||||||||||
16,667
|
8,333(1)
|
6.26
|
1/2/2022
|
|||||||||
8,333
|
16,667(2)
|
4.05
|
1/5/2023
|
|||||||||
—
|
12,500(3)
|
3.85
|
1/2/2024
|
|||||||||
Scott Longval,
|
25,000
|
5.30
|
7/18/2016
|
|||||||||
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
5,000
|
5.35
|
12/11/2016
|
|||||||||
(principal financial officer)
|
15,000
|
14.70
|
12/10/2017
|
|||||||||
10,000
|
4.69
|
12/09/2018
|
||||||||||
15,000
|
4.53
|
4/27/2021
|
||||||||||
10,000
|
5,000(1)
|
6.26
|
1/2/2022
|
|||||||||
5,000
|
10,000(2)
|
4.05
|
1/5/2023
|
|||||||||
—
|
7,500(3)
|
3.85
|
1/2/2024
|
|||||||||
Michael P. Geraci,
|
25,000
|
2.45
|
7/27/2015
|
|||||||||
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
|
10,000
|
5.35
|
12/11/2016
|
|||||||||
20,000
|
14.70
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12/10/2017
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10,000
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4.69
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12/09/2018
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15,000
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4.53
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4/27/2021
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10,000
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5,000(1)
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6.26
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1/2/2022
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5,000
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10,000(2)
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4.05
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1/5/2023
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—
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7,500(3)
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3.85
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1/2/2024
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Dennis L. Gonsior,
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25,000
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2.45
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7/27/2015
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Vice President, Global Operations
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10,000
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5.35
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12/11/2016
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20,000
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14.70
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12/10/2017
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10,000
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4.69
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12/09/2018
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15,000
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4.53
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4/27/2021
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10,000
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5,000(1)
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6.26
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1/2/2022
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5,000
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10,000(2)
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4.05
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1/5/2023
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—
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7,500(3)
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3.85
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1/2/2024
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Greg Gruenhagen,
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5,000
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2.45
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7/27/2015
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Vice President, Quality and Regulatory
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2,500
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5.35
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12/11/2016
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Affairs
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10,000
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14.70
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12/10/2017
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10,000
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4.69
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12/09,2018
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||||||||||
15,000
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4.53
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4/27/2021
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||||||||||
10,000
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5,000(1)
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6.26
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1/2/2022
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5,000
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10,000(2)
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4.05
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1/5/2023
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—
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7,500(3)
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3.85
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1/2/2024
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(1)
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The unvested balance of this option vests on January 2, 2015.
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(2)
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The unvested balance of this option vests in two equal installments on each of January 5, 2015 and 2016.
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(3)
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The unvested balance of this option vests in three equal installments on each of January 2, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
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27
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●
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in the event of the termination of the executive’s employment without cause, we are required to pay the executive’s base salary and medical benefits for a severance period equal to one year (two years in the case of Mr. Gorder with respect to salary); provided that for any executive that has less than 12 years of continuous service with us, the severance period will be equal to 30 days for each year of continuous full-time employment, but in no event less than 90 days or more than one year. We are required to pay the present value of the base salary in a lump sum, using a discount rate of 6%;
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●
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in the event that (i) there occurs a change in control or sale of our assets accounting for 90% of more of our sales and (ii) the executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated within one year afterwards, we are required to pay the executive’s base salary for one year (two years for Mr. Gorder) in a lump sum and to continue medical benefits for a period of one year;
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●
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in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of Directors, in the event that the executive is terminated without cause or there occurs a change of control followed by the executive’s involuntary termination, we may elect to pay executive a prorated amount of the bonus that executive would have been entitled to receive for the year in which he was terminated;
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●
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the immediate vesting of all stock options and equity awards held by the executive in the event of a change in control or in the event that the executive’s employment is terminated (i) by us for any reason other than cause or (ii) by the executive under circumstances that constitute an involuntary termination; and
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●
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a one year non-competition covenant (or, if longer, for so long as the period with respect to which executive is entitled to receive, or has received, payment of severance following a termination by us without cause or change of control) and covenants concerning confidentiality and inventions.
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●
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fraud or dishonesty in connection with executive’s employment or theft, misappropriation or embezzlement of our funds;
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28
|
●
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conviction of any felony, crime involving fraud or knowing misrepresentation, or of any other crime (whether or not such felony or crime is connected with his employment) the effect of which in the judgment of the Board of Directors is likely to adversely affect us or our affiliates;
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●
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material breach of executive’s obligations under the employment agreement;
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●
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repeated and consistent failure of executive to be present at work during normal business hours unless the absence is because of a disability as defined in the agreement;
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●
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willful violation of any express direction or requirement established by the Board of Directors, as determined by a majority of Board of Directors;
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●
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insubordination, gross incompetence or misconduct in the performance of, or gross neglect of, executive’s duties under the employment agreement, as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors; or
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●
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use of alcohol or other drugs which interfere with the performance by executive of his duties, or use of any illegal drugs or narcotics.
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●
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any termination of the employment of executive by us other than for cause, death or disability; or
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any termination of employment of the executive by executive following:
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o
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a material diminution in the executive’s base compensation;
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o
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a material diminution in the executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
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o
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a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the executive is required to report, including a requirement that a executive report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the board of directors;
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o
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a material diminution in the budget over which the executive retains authority;
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o
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a material change in the geographic location at which the executive must perform the services; or
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o
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any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by us under the agreement.
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29
30
31
32
33
|
●
|
the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan or to any one participant;
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●
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the number or kind of shares of shares of common stock covered by outstanding Awards;
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●
|
the exercise price applicable to outstanding Awards;
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●
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any measure of performance that relates to an Award in order to reflect such change in the shares of common stock; and/or
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●
|
any other affected terms of any equity-based Award.
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34
35
36
37
38
39
|
●
|
upon the sale of those shares, any amount realized in excess of the option exercise price will be taxed to that participant as a long-term capital gain; and
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●
|
the Corporation will not be allowed a deduction.
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●
|
the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of the shares, over the ISO exercise price; and
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●
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the Corporation will be entitled to deduct that amount. |
40
41
Name of Director
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Number of
Options |
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Nicholas A. Giordano
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10,000
|
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Robert N. Masucci
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10,000
|
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Michael J. McKenna
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12,000
|
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Philip N. Seamon
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10,000
|
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Total
|
42,000
|
|
42
(c)
|
|||||||||
(a)
|
(b)
|
Number of securities
|
|||||||
Number of
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Weighted-
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remaining available for
|
|||||||
securities to be
|
average exercise
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future issuance under
|
|||||||
issued upon exercise
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price of
|
equity compensation
|
|||||||
of outstanding
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outstanding
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plans (excluding
|
|||||||
options, warrants
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options, warrants
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securities reflected in
|
|||||||
Plan Category
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and rights
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and rights
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column (a))
|
||||||
Equity compensation plans
|
|||||||||
approved by security holders(1)
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1,283,398
|
$5.87
|
216,683
|
||||||
Equity compensation plans not
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|
||||||||
approved by security holders(2)
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30,000
|
$5.55
|
—
|
||||||
Total
|
1,313,398
|
$5.86
|
216,683
|
43
Services Rendered (1)
|
2014
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2013
|
||||||
Audit Fees
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$ | 212,613 | $ | 210,440 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees
|
12,500 | 17,800 | ||||||
Tax Fees
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— | — | ||||||
All Other Fees
|
— | — | ||||||
Total
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$ | 225,113 | $ | 228,240 |
(1)
|
The aggregate fees included in Audit Fees are fees billed for the fiscal years. The aggregate fees included in each of the other categories are fees billed in the fiscal years. Does not include: foreign statutory audit fees of $24,900 and $28,481 for 2014 and 2013 and foreign tax fees of $6,132 in 2014, respectively by Baker Tilly TFW, LLC, a firm that is also an independent member firm of Baker Tilly International, for audits of the Corporation’s foreign subsidiaries.
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44
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The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements with management.
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●
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The Audit Committee has discussed with Baker Tilly, the Corporation’s independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, as issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
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●
|
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Baker Tilly required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committees concerning independence, and has discussed with Baker Tilly their independence.
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●
|
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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The Audit Committee: | ||
Nicholas A. Giordano, Chairman | ||
Robert N. Masucci | ||
Michael J. McKenna | ||
Philip N. Seamon |
45
46
Scott Longval | |
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer | |
and Secretary |
47
A-2
A-3
A-4
A-5
X = | The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Participant. | |
Y = | The number of shares of Common Stock purchasable under the Option or, if only a portion of the Option is being exercised, the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is being exercised Common Stock. | |
A = | The fair market value of one (1) share of Common Stock on the date that the Option is exercised. | |
B = | The exercise price of the Option for one (1) share of Common Stock. |
A-6
A-7
A-8
A-9
A-10
A-11
A-12
A-13
A-14
A-15
A-16
A-17
A-18
Nature of Amendment
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Date Approved
by Board of Directors |
Date approved
by Stockholders |
A-19
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your
voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern
Daylight Time on April 23, 2015. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site
and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting
instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs
incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all
future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the
Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote
using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy
materials electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to
transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on April 23,
2015. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card
and return it (for receipt by the day before the Annual Meeting) in the postage-paid
envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes
Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
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M83974-P58126 |
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
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INTRICON CORPORATION |
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For |
Withhold |
For All |
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To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark For All Except and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. |
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The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of IntriCon Corporation has been called to consider and act upon the following matters: |
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☐ |
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following Nominees: |
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1. |
Election of Directors |
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Nominees: |
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01) Nicholas A. Giordano |
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02) Philip N. Seamon |
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4. |
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For |
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Abstain |
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2. |
An advisory vote to approve executive compensation, as described in the Proxy Statement, referred to as say-on-pay. |
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3. |
To approve the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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☐ |
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4. |
To ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as IntriCon Corporations independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2015. |
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☐ |
☐ |
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NOTE: In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting. |
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If the Annual Meeting of Shareholders is adjourned because of the absence of a quorum, those shareholders entitled to vote who attend the adjourned Annual Meeting, although constituting less than a quorum, shall nevertheless constitue a quorum for the purpose of electing directors. If the Annual Meeting of Shareholders is adjourned for one or more periods aggregating at least 15 days because of the absence of a quorum, those shareholders entitled to vote who attend the reconvened Annual Meeting, if less than a quorum as determined under applicable law, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon any other matter set forth above. |
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Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. |
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] |
Date |
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Signature (Joint Owners) |
Date |
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Important
Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy
Statement and Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.
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M83975-P58126 |
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ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA 55112 |
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This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors |
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The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints SCOTT LONGVAL and MICHAEL GERACI, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote all the Common Stock of IntriCon Corporation held of record by the undersigned on February 19, 2015, at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 24, 2015, or any postponement or adjournment thereof. |
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All proxy agents present and acting in person or by their substitutes (or, if only one is present and acting, then that one) may exercise all of the powers conferred by this proxy. Discretionary authority is conferred by this proxy with respect to certain matters, as described in IntriCon Corporations Proxy Statement. |
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The shares represented by this proxy, duly executed, will be voted as instructed on the reverse side. If instructions are not given, they will be voted: (1) for the election of the director nominees listed on the reverse side; (2) for the approval of the corporations executive compensation as described in the proxy statement; (3) for the approval of the 2015 equity incentive plan, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement; and (4) for the ratification of the appointment of baker tilly virchow krause, llp as the corporations independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2015. With respect to such other business that may properly come before the annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof, said proxies are authorized to vote in accordance with his or her best judgment. |
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By signing this proxy, you hereby
acknowledge receipt of the 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders, Notice of the
Corporations 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Corporations Proxy
Statement. |
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Continued and to be signed on reverse side |
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